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The presence of Alex B. in New York triggered a tasting (arranged via this thread, and discussed in this review) to which:

• Alex B. brought Kopke 1985;
• jdaw1 brought Warre 1985 and Warre 1977;
• g-man+♀ (Stephanie) brought Sandeman 1977 and Rebello Valente 1977;
• Bob Heckart brought Graham 1985.

This thread contains the tasting notes for the Warre 1977.

Worryingly transparent on decanting at 12:10. Unchanged brown-red on drinking.

Nosing had nothing distinctive except soft old port, though AHB said “amazing nose†. Some detected liquorice.

To taste soft, very very long, no heat. AHB found “red liquorice†.

Voted the best port of the evening.

My #3 ,

i think this was the one with the most finesse out of the bunch.

fresh berries, and I follow JDAW with the no heat.

with a spicy/nutty slight menthol finish that had at least a 40 sec finish.

I like this one alot, but I feel the 85 warres at the same age will probably be the better port.

7 hours in decanter before tasting. Light centre, ruby core with the ruby paling towards the edge. Very well developed nose, with sweet cranberries and red liquorice. A mouth filling entry with lots of liquorice also showing on the mid-palate. Lovely balance in the mouth. The aftertaste is warm and fruity with a good length. Delicate and nicely mature today with the potential to soften further. My wine of the night and a port that is above the average today and (for my taste) likely to be better in a decade. 6-7 on Tom's scale or 92/100.

Recently finished the last bottle from a case which I broached a few years ago. It has been a very consistent wine over the years, virtually no bottle variation I can recall.

It has been very agreeable and satisfying, a very solid structure, very long. It is, I think, at its plateau and would wonder about another decade.

John

Overtired and emotional wrote:It has been very agreeable and satisfying, a very solid structure, very long. It is, I think, at its plateau and would wonder about another decade.

My view that this wine would be better in a decade was a minority view on the night. However, I do enjoy ports that are smooth, mellow and fragrant. I think that this particular wine will offer a lot more of those characteristics in a decade - but I'm often wrong and always happy to admit that.

Alex