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Axel proposed a “Small 1966 Horizontal” to be held on Tuesday 22^nd April 2014 at The Bung Hole, and we obeyed.

Links:

• Review of the event as a whole;
• 1966 Souza colheita bottled 1992;
• 1966 Constantino;
• 1966 Croft;
• 1966 Delaforce;
• 1966 Dow;
• 1966 Fonseca;
• 1966 Gould Campbell;
• 1966 Graham;
• 1966 Niepoort;
• 1966 Quinta do Noval;
• 1966 Offley;
• 1966 Quarles Harris;
• 1966 Rebello Valente;
• 1966 Sandeman;
• 1966 Taylor;
• 1966 Warre;
• 1966 Niepoort colheita bottled 1985;
• Niepoort Crusted;
• Placemats (and parameters by which made);
• Planning and arrangements.

30% opacity, brown red, some sediment, very good legs. Vanilla, red fruit, strawberries. In the mouth, sweetness, very lively spirituous entry. Aftertaste lingers with tangy zesty orange.

D66. Dark red, 50% opaque. Nose of marzipan. High-toned and ethereal. It’s D66, captain, but not as we know it.

Browner than ruby, very fine sediment. Varnishy on the nose, not much else at 7.20 pm. Swirled vigorously a little later, fruit jellies were revealed behind the acidity. A light entry in the mouth, with heat in the middle and a jellyfish taste on the tongue. Where is the fruit? Where is the finish? Some said this was too young; I think otherwise, it's not got much left in it to improve.

Pale, brick-red, 15% opaque. Lovely nose, elegant and with lots of attractive fruit that is slightly sour but very nice. Medium-bodied; initially hollow but develops well to give a concentrated and powerful fruit mid-palate with big acidity yet still manages to be sweet and enjoyable. There is a wonderful burst of flavours on the aftertaste but this fades very quickly. Soft and gentle on the finish, slightly herbaceous in tone. The finish lingers at a low level. 86/100. Decanted 5½ hours.