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 evening 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.

My experience with Tesco 1994 is varied. Some bottles seem to drink very well while others show poorly. This is one of the latter. Deep red, slightly bricking on the rim. A touch stinky on the nose, very much smelling of "Goober's Grape Jelly"; not overly attractive. Hollow and subdued on the palate, fruit is slow to appear and is a touch stewed. Stewed fruit also shows on the finish. This port seems to suffer from significant bottle variation. This bottle is drinkable, but not overly enjoyable. 80/100 Decanted 10 hours.