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Tasted at the Crusting Pipe on 3 April 2011, a pre-FG warm-up session.

Links:

Review of the evening as a whole

2009 cask sample [RLC to confirm naming permitted]
1995 Vesuvio
1991 Quinta de la Rosa
1988 Dow Quinta do Bomfim
1985 Martinez
1985 Taylor
1978 Taylor Vargellas
1970 Ramos Pinto
1970 Royal Oporto quinta [Das Carvalhas] - t.b.c.
1963 Graham

2006 Niepoort Charme
2004 Crasto Vinha da Ponte

NV Tactical Nuclear Penguin

Planning and arrangements
Paperwork (tasting mats, note sheets and bottle labels)

Third Martinez i have tried, third thumbs up. I really should get hold of some. Though it will have to join the long list of other ports.

DRT’s Mz85. Nosing of strawberry and red cherry. In the mouth mature, some heat.

I mis-guessed W70. Others chose G77, Df80, D83, W85, W77, and, most accurately, ‟no idea”.

Good red colour. Cinder boxes on the nose, rose-water Turkish delight in the mouth, leading to a slightly watery finish.

A small sample was left for me on Sunday morning, with no clues as to what the port might be.

Mid-red, showing middle-aged maturity; 80% opaque. Lovely mature, fruit driven nose showing sweet bramble fruit and a cedar wood twist; deep, rich and promising. Sweet fruit hits the palate with gentle tannins wrapped up in sweet blackberry juice. A big aftertaste, with lovely cedar tones in the bramble jelly finish. This wine has a lovely balance and is really enjoyable. Guessed to be 1970 Dow, 1983 Dow and finally 1985 Martinez. 89/100. Drunk 3 April 2011 after 36 hours decant.