ThePortForum.com

A horizontal of 1994 and a G83 were tasted at Bordeaux Index, 10 Hatton Garden EC1N 8AH on Tuesday 4^th March 2014, in the presence of Richard Mayson, as arranged by Michael Schuster of MichaelSchusterWine.com.

Links:

• Review of the evening as a whole;
• 1994 Quinta do Crasto (#1);
• 1994 Smith Woodhouse (#2);
• 1994 Gould Campbell (#3);
• 1994 Ramos Pinto (#4);
• 1994 Martinez Quinta da Eira Velha (#5);
• 1994 Martinez (#6);
• 1994 Niepoort (#7);
• 1994 Quinta do Noval (#8);
• 1994 Quinta do Vesuvio (#9);
• 1994 Dow (#10);
• 1994 Warre (#11);
• 1994 Graham (#12);
• 1994 Fonseca (#13);
• 1994 Taylor (#14);
• 1983 Graham;
• Arrangements on MichaelSchusterWine.com;
• Arrangements on ThePortForum.com.

W94. Dark dark red, 80% opaque. Lovely balance. Fruit somewhat faded, structure remaining. I though this excellent port, even though slightly trailing Dow and Taylor and Fonseca.

90% opacity, very deep red, good legs. Nose didn't give much - plum. On the palate, starts well and expands. Hot, acidic finish but not badly, not overpowering. Finish extends with some tannin/dryness. Have this one joint top with the Dow - the TN in retrospect is a little sparse, but I definitely liked this.

Light and elegant - lovely port but ready now and perhaps not for the long term.

***

24 hour decant. 85%, ruby with very slight brown-orange tones. Nose: Rich and spicy, christmassy, orangey. Mouth: Very interesting indeed, like a spiced orange or a pomander, rich with spice and dryness at the finish that lingers in a very pleasant way. Marzipan sweetness. Very nice.

Deep red and very dark, with an opaque centre and a narrow transparent rim. Lovely nose, not pronounced but a lovely combination of fruit and chocolate. An initial burst of flowers on the palate before dense fruit and powerful tannins grip for a time. The tannins relent to release the dense fruit again, which broods and sulks and promises to do better in the future. A great elegance and combination on the palate - typical Warre but with a hint of violets. Sweet, dense fruit and dark chocolate on a lovely, lingering finish that morphs to 70% cocoa chocolate. Fabulous elegance. 93/100. 21 hour decant.

A complete surprise to me. I was expecting a medium-weight and elegant port and got something much more bold and beligerent. I liked the surprise.