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We tasted some bottles of Taylor and its relatives, in The Bung Hole, on Friday 22nd March 2013.

Links:

• Review of the evening as a whole;
• 1920 Taylor;
• 1924 Taylor;
• 1927 Taylor;
• 1935 Taylor;
• 1945 Taylor;
• 1948 Taylor;
• 1950 Taylor Special Quinta;
• 1955 Taylor;
• 1960 Taylor;
• 1963 Taylor;
• 1965 Taylor Quinta de Vargellas;
• 1966 Taylor;
• 1970 Taylor;
• 1970 Taylor Quinta de Vargellas;
• 1976 Taylor Quinta de Vargellas;
• 1977 Taylor;
• 1980 Taylor;
• 1983 Taylor;
• 1985 Taylor;
• 1986 Taylor Quinta de Terra Feita;
• Placemats;
• Planning and arrangements.

Was this bottle bought at Morrel's auction in NY?

I have had it since before I started keeping good records. So not bought in the US.

The Taylor 1948 has an uneven bottom, so does not stand vertically.

T24: brick red, 20% opaque. Nose had mocha and dark chocolate. Lovely mid-weight port, with mint and strawberry, and some heat. A slight touch of acridity mid-palate very slight. If this port had been tasted first I would have swooned over it. But the T20 was bigger.

Rim is clear, light rusty red to see through light burgundy core. Nose is warm and brandy-esque with slightly weak fruit notes of raisins. Palate is well integrated with raisins, caramel and orange. Unfortunately for this wine, it followed the T20. Very good port. 92 pts.

Pure deep orange in colour; 25% opaque. A touch muted on the nose compared to the 1920 shown alongside, but a little concentrated orange and rose hip syrup; lots of cinammon. Rich and sweet on impact, with a strong acidic core and some gentle tannins. More fruit and complexity than the 1920; lively spiciness. Gentle aftertaste and another long and multi-faceted finish. The finish is brilliant - it goes through several distinct phases over its 2-3 minute life. If only all port could be like this! 94/100. 22-Mar-13. Decanted 1 hour.