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On Thursday 19^th December 2013 a subset of the obvious suspects gathered at The Bell in Wendens Ambo to taste old, peculiar and unknown bottles.

Links:

• Review of the evening as a whole;
• Sticky labels and other paperwork, and parameters by which constructed.
• Planning and arrangements.

Described on the label as ""Matured in Wood"". From the age of the bottle, I would estimate this to have been bottled in the early 1900s.

Golden amber colour, with a straw coloured rim. Gentle floral perfume and a little VA. Dry palate, little fruit and lots of pine resin, birch sap and grapefruit skins. Powerful grapefruit bitterness and rosemary, which I have learned are signs of an ancient port. Dry rosemary and bitter grapefruit on the modest volume but lengthy finish. 83/100. Decanted 2 hours.

Quite remarkable freshness, lovely dry citric flavour profile - nice balance to this port even if does not show particular complexity. Lovely - 89

‘HM’58. Colour apricot, 15% opaque. Palate soft, with marmalade, but dried out. (Would have been better most of a century before.)