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1977 Graham (MPM)
On Wednesday 2^nd April 2014 six of us gathered in The Bung Hole to taste a six-pack of Graham 1980 (the previous tasting of this shape having tested Taylor 1985).

Links:

• Review of the event as a whole;
• 1980 Graham:
  • G80 (α alpha);
  • G80 (β beta);
  • G80 (γ gamma);
  • G80 (δ delta);
  • G80 (ε epsilon);
  • G80 (ζ zeta);
• 1977 Graham (CPR);
• 1977 Graham (MPM);
• 1965 Graham Malvedos (DRT);
• Placemats (and parameters by which made);
• Planning and arrangements.

G77. Red-red-pink, 30% opaque. taste rich sweetness, with mocha, then heat. Big and lovely.

Provided by MPM. Modest red in colour, 50% opaque. Mature brick red but without the intensity of colour of the Graham 1980s. Very slight TCA on the nose, but enough to flatten other scents. A swirl disperses the smell to allow a red toffee apple through. Soft, sweet cranberry on the palate before a powerful rhubarb acidity - but the damp cardboard is ever present. There are still some astringent tannins, but the balance is good although the TCA is slightly lacking, being dominated by rhubarb and grapefruit. Hot on the aftertaste, but then a lovely long finish of burnt sugar. Served blind, this was guessed to be Taylor 1980. 85/100. Decanted 9½ hours.

Decanted 10 hrs. 30% opacity, brown-red. Burnt sugar on the nose, and a faint hint of rubber, some TCA? Sweet caramel with a little heat which persists, nice sweet finish.