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A triple vertical of Gould Campbell, Smith Woodhouse and Quarles Harris, at the RAF Club on Thursday 17th November 2011, in honour of the 30th Birthday of the organiser. Links:

• Review of the evening as a whole;
• Gould Campbell:
  • 1970,
  • 1977 single,
  • 1977 magnum,
  • 1980,
  • 1983,
  • 1985,
  • 1991,
  • 1994;
• Smith Woodhouse:
  • 1970,
  • 1977,
  • 1980,
  • 1983,
  • 1985,
  • 1991,
  • 1994;
• Quarles Harris:
  • 1970,
  • 1977,
  • 1980,
  • 1983,
  • 1985,
  • 1991,
  • 1994;
• The RAF Club;
• Planning and arrangements;
• Placemats, sort of.

GC83. Dark red, 90% opaque. Sweet, of modest but non-short length. Pleasant, but not great. Bitterness, as in coffee-style bitterness, throughout.

very dark red, a bit closed and restrained; slight bitterness; overall a very elegant port with great balance and good structure. The fruit is a bit one dimensional which leaves the taste a bit less exciting than it could be. Overall a very good port though!

Deep red, 99% opaque, much darker than the GC '85 shown alongside. Sharp strawberry nose, which dissipates with a swirl to release slightly dirty sour cherry. Neutral entry and an explosive development of flavour; full of fruit with lemon sherbert acidity that cuts through it all. Great palate. Milk chocolate aftertaste and a dry rhubarb finish through which the tannins show; modest length. 88/100.

Lovely fruity Port - reaching maturity and great for drinking now - I like this a lot!