ThePortForum.com

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.

QH83. Dark red, 80% opaque. Sweet. Heat mid-palate, mid-weight, slightly more structure and complexity than the QH80.

very dark red, goes towards black, great port, mouth filling, sweet, plum fruit; good complexity and length, balanced. Still a very young port that has plenty of years ahead.

Modest red, 90% opaque. Surprisingly closed on the nose, but shows some white currant and mace. Lovely fruit on entry; a great balance between the fruit, the soft tannins and the acidity that gives an overall impression of a mature and medium-bodied port. Cocoa afteraste, then a long and fruit based finish. Delicious current drinking. 91/100.

A more typical colour for its age than the 1980. Some vanilla on the nose with lots of citric acid, perhaps lemon, and a medium length finish.