ThePortForum.com

Wednesday 8^th January 2014, at The Bung Hole, because Ronnie Roots was visiting London.

Links:

• Review of the evening as a whole;
• Placemats, needing more circles that they had (and parameters by which made);
• Planning and arrangements.

KL70 (‘New Guest’, though brought by JDAW). Failed to note colour, but recalled to be red-red-brown, 40%. Mid weight, with Maynards wine gums (AHB further specifying the red ones). It has lost weight and complexity since last tasted. Fair enough: a lower-tier shipper’s second name is still good into its fifth decade, just not as good as it was. Most guesses were of 83s or 85s.

Kopke. Mature red in appearance, 70% opaque. Slightly smelly on the nose with a bit of bottle stink that is difficult to get past. Little on the early palate, but the mid-palate is full of fruit and red jelly beans. Youthful and vibrant on the late palate. Big, young and tasty finish of good length. Lovely charcoal flavours. This is delicious mid-quality port that could do with a little more time. Served blind, this was guessed to be Taylor 1970. 87/100. 2 hour decant.

AHB wrote:This is delicious mid-quality port

Agreed.

AHB wrote:that could do with a little more time.

I had the opposite impression: it has become less good over time, and that one should hold only library stock. Which is all I have.

jdaw1 wrote:

AHB wrote:that could do with a little more time.

I had the opposite impression: it has become less good over time, and that one should hold only library stock. Which is all I have.

Yes, but you have already drunk all your 1927 vintage ports whereas I feel they will be perfect in no more than another 10 years. It's all a matter of personal taste.

Very light and slightly dusty nose with some harsh alcohol. Much better on the palate which shows some dried fig, raisin, white chocolate and tea. Some sweet, slightly confected, red fruit as well. Finishes dry with some bitter almonds. A pleasant and light port, that gives the impression of gently being on its way down.

AHB wrote:

jdaw1 wrote:

AHB wrote:that could do with a little more time.

I had the opposite impression: it has become less good over time, and that one should hold only library stock. Which is all I have.

Yes, but you have already drunk all your 1927 vintage ports whereas I feel they will be perfect in no more than another 10 years. It's all a matter of personal taste.

Maybe it is just cellar bias: because inventory is almost exhausted, I’m claiming that it needed drinking.

RonnieRoots wrote:that gives the impression of gently being on its way down.

Have you also been over-hasty in drinking your ’27s?

jdaw1 wrote:

RonnieRoots wrote:that gives the impression of gently being on its way down.

Have you also been over-hasty in drinking your ’27s?

I like my ports on the young side, I have even drunk all my '34s.