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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.

Newly-opened OWC:

Decanted 11:30.

TV70: red-red-pink, 40% opaque. Nose had both perfume and boiled candy. Taste light, with some of the same perfume, particular mid to late palate, which I described as ‟pink fruit”. Very floral which might be the same thing. (This was only my second ever taste of TV70, the previous being on Valentine’s Day 2008.)

Rim is clear with a pinkish tinge with a dark but see-through ruby core. Nose is rather light with some caramel, floral notes and red fruit. On the palate it is to the point, rather mellow (as opposed to hot) and well balanced with red fruit and floral notes. Aftertaste is lovely and long. A very enjoyable wine. Our industry guest put it best when he described it as showing impressive 'clarity'. 92 pts.

Oporto bottled. Mature brick appearance, lighter and more evolved than the Taylor 1970 shown alongside; 25% opaque. Fresh cut young mushrooms on the nose with quite a lot of spirit showing. Thick texture, concentrated flavours with a lovely sweetness that is balanced with acidity and some dry tannins. Fabulous aftertaste of raspberry and Golden Syrup that continues for a fabulous length. Very fine, with potential to develop further. 90/100. 22-Mar-13. Decanted 6 hours.