ThePortForum.com

Obvious suspects gathered in The Bung Hole, theoretically to quality-assure Tom’s new case of 1958 Delaforce, but really for good company and ports.

Links:

• Review of the evening as a whole;
• 1958 Delaforce;
• 1958 Royal Oporto;
• 1970 Berry Bros & Rudd (Warre);
• 1970 Croft;
• 1970 Croft Quinta da Roeda;
• 1963 Borges & Irmão;
• Offley crusted, bottled 1965;
• 1985 Quinta do Sibio;
• 1978 Dow Quinta do Bomfim;
• 1979 Dow Quinta do Bomfim;
• 2010 Quinta do Vesuvio;
• Placemats;
• Planning and arrangements.

Cr70, red, 40% opaque. Nose red sweetness, some strawberry. Taste of red cherry, full and sweet, with a hint of white pepper. Long lovely aftertaste.

Nondescript nose.

To taste...predictably i found seville oranges. but also with more of a menthol streak than i've experienced on previous bottles (though soft, rather than hard edged).

Overall a bit soft for my liking, slightly empty finish. Perhaps i was in an overly-critical mood, but feels like this should deliver more. Not that i'm turning my nose up at it!!

*** 88

Burnished red core, 40% opaque. Nose full of bruised plums. Gentle on the palate, with a nice balance but the tannins are still noticeable. Lighter bodied, but with a good complexity on the mid-palate and finish. Tasty and flavoursome, with a slight heat on the aftertaste before a lingering and gentle finish. Soft and elegant - but a very sweet port. 84/100.