ThePortForum.com

On Tuesday 18th September 2012 some of the obvious suspects gathered in the Bung Hole, for company and entertainment, and to taste some Ports, including several samples of Sandeman Vau.

Links:

• Review of the evenings as a whole;
• 1997 Sandeman Vau (Stevens Garnier, 37½cl);
• 1997 Sandeman Vau (Oporto Airport, 37½cl);
• 1999 Sandeman Vau (Stevens Garnier, 37½cl);
• 2000 Sandeman Vau (Oddbins, 75cl);
• 2000 Sandeman Vau (Stevens Garnier, 37½cl);
• 2003 Sandeman Vau (Stevens Garnier, 75cl);
• 1992 Dow Quinta do Bomfim;
• 1994 Morgan;
• 1994 Tesco;
• 2003 Sainsbury’s;
• Graham Crusted bottled 2004;
• 1986 Niepoort Colheita bottled 2010;
• Placemats;
• Planning and arrangements.

SV97: a half recently purchased by RAYC in Oporto Airport. Pop-and-pour. Glorious red, pink at edge, 80% opaque. Nose had bright red cherry, very fresh fruit. Tastes starts dry. Acidity showing strongly. Better nose than taste. Later, the acidity was even more prominent.

Using the new international port-tasting scale ({Excellent, Good, Nice, Tolerable, or Inadequate}), mostly scored T, with one N.

Age showing. Drink soon. As in, very soon.

Half bottle sourced from Oporto Airport. Deep red and with significantly less bricking than the half sourced from Stevens Garnier. Still showing some bottle stink on the nose, but less pronounced than the SG half and with some underlying fruit showing nicely. Soft and gentle entry, soft and pleasant palate with plenty of fruit and gentle tannin. Hot aftertaste, then a soft fruit and mild cracked pepper finish of modest length. 84/100. Decanted 1 hour.

Boy sure doesn't sound like the Vau I've had. Normally this is a very young and good VP. Then again, I've seen these sitting under hot lamps in the airport shop....I would suspect poor storage is the cause.

my impression was that this port just showed its age and due to recent transport in itself it was probably handicapped. Color was red and for me a bit tired. Also taste was just tiresome and not really fun. Not sure if storage is a problem here since probably due to high turnover at airports.

regards

WS1