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Bottled by James Hawker & Co. of Plymouth. Rusty brown, very light in colour; 20% opaque. Oxidised on the nose with lots of varnish, but this does blow off to leave a nutty nose. Quite spirity on the palate, with soft brown sugar and a nice palate presence. The barley-sugar grows on the palate and gets thicker and more dense. Lots of heat shows on the aftertaste before a long finish of aniseed and more barley-sugar. Better on the palate and finish that was expected from the nose. but not a good bottle of this port.

Another couple of hours in the glass allowed the port to improve a little, acquiring a nice perfume to the palate. 85/100. Drunk 22-Sep-14. Decanted ½ hour.

Cr35, at Quinta do Vesuvio. Red-brown, 30% opaque. Faint spirit on nose. Palate had heat. Also oil — good texture; marmalade; and more heat. Slightly oxidised, and light. Lovely texture; no fruit; good length. Later much spearmint.