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The Bung Hole, Wednesday 25th September 2013, with WS AHB JDAW AJM CMAG RAYC.

Links:

• Review of the evening as a whole;
• 1970 Graham magnum;
• 1970 Taylor;
• 1970 Gonzalez Byass;
• 1966 Quinta do Noval;
• 1977 Warre;
• ≈1950s or 1960s Graham;
• Placemats (and parameters by which made);
• Planning and arrangements.

Bottled by Christopher & Co. Cork branded ""Graham Vintage..."" but actual vintage obscured by weevil damage. Estimated from the bottle to be 1948-1955. Cork weevil damaged but bottle not showing signs of leaking despite being down to mid-shoulder.

Reddish brown in colour, 40% opaque. Very smelly on the nose, lots of bottle stink and black treacle. The bottle stink comes through on the palate; treacle but only in flavour and not textture, which is lightweight and slightly watery in texture. Brown sugar and apple juice. Some rounded acidity on the aftertaste, with a great lingering (modest in volume) chocolate praline finish. 85/100. Drunk 25-Sep-13. Decanted 1 hour

Mystery bottle, the cork saying Graham. Brick red, brown at edge, 30% opaque. Very very acidic. Too acidic for pleasure: not drunk further.

Not many notes for this; vicious and rather oxidised but the unknown element remains rather interesting.

I came back to this 24 hours later (and a small glass at 48 hours) and it was much improved. The bottle stink had blown off completely to leave a lovely, tawny port that was full of caramel, brown sugar and golden sultanas. Beautifully balanced and surprisingly sweet it was a little short on the aftertaste but was very enjoyable.

Despite some gentle bleaching of the cork, nothing on the branding could be made out to imply a date. Clearly a Graham's vintage port, but which vintage?

The I compared the shape and nature of the bottle to some of the other bottles I had at home where I knew the date of the port. I was surprised at how similar the bottle was to a bottle of Taylor 1935...

Can pictures of bottle, cork and label be posted, for general interest?

djewesbury wrote:Can pictures of bottle, cork and label be posted, for general interest?

There was no label, cork is in the bin but bottle might be retrievable. I shall try tonight.

AHB wrote:

djewesbury wrote:Can pictures of bottle, cork and label be posted, for general interest?

There was no label, cork is in the bin but bottle might be retrievable. I shall try tonight.

Oops, thanks!