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On Tuesday 31^st March 2015 we gathered in the Boot & Flogger for a tasting to say goodbye to Magnus, who is returning to Sweden. The theme was initially ‘Blind and informal’, to which DRT added some birthday 1965s.

Links:

• Review of the evening as a whole;
• 1965 Graham Malvedos;
• 1965 Fonseca Guimaraens;
• 1965 Messias Quinta do Cachão;
• 1965 Sandeman;
• 1965 Taylor Quinta de Vargellas;
• 1966 Graham magnum (MW);
• 1966 Warre (MPM);
• 1980 Graham (JDAW);
• Food order;
• Placemats;
• Planning and arrangements.

MC65. Red-brown, 30% opaque. Nose had spearmint, which also showed in the palate. Palate smooth and quite rich. Spearmint. Fuller than S65 and TV65, but like these two, acidity prominent.

Later the spearmint softened, the balance improved, and this became good Port.

Pale red/orange. Nose has faded fruit and then a sour or harsh note. On the palate the wine is at first quite nice with some mature albeit faint red fruit and some dusty notes but this is followed by a thin sour end note. Admittedly, the wine improved over the course of the evening but remained the runt of the litter, which had in it some serious contenders for BIS at the Port equivalent of Crufts, and was simply overshadowed by the company in which it was shown.

This was the surprise of the night for me. I have had it once before from a leaky bottle and it wasn't good but this was very enjoyable. Others thought it to better than I did, but I still enjoyed it.

40% opacity, yellow-orange. Medicinal nose, and mint. Quick to heat, nice long toffee finish.

From Messias. Bronze-amber colour, 50% opaque with a completely hollow nose! Virtually nothing showing but some patience allows a bit of gentle toffee apple. A tad harsh, showing volatile orange. Coffee and caramel at first, then a lovely wave of orange flavoured acidity. A lovely palate, balanced and very flavoursome. The acidity shows significant heat on the aftertaste before a long and tasty burnt sugar and orange cough syrup finish of good length. Later in the evening this showed as slightly oxidised with a rosemary tone. 85/100.