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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.

G80, from a newly-opened OWC of JDAW’s. Very dark, 80% opaque. Black-fruited big-bodied youth. Needs twenty years.

Note to self: DON’T TOUCH FOR AGES.

The guesses were all youthful: ’95, ’99, ’94, ’00. AHB guessed F85, and Mike — praise be! — knew the vintage. There is no shame in bringing a 35YO Port, but it tasted very young and needs much more time.

True to form, I was nowhere close in guessing this which i had "pegged" as Croft 1995 (intended as Roeda of course).

Dark, closed and something of a brute in the way its components appear to veer off in separate directions. I think Julian's recommendation to leave well alone for 20 years may do something to soften the sheer bone-headedness of this wine and it may well come out the other end as something rather sublime. This wine was not consistent with my only other experience of it, perhaps evidence of the difference between the effects of UK and Oporto storage.

A much younger profile than its age would suggest. Good Port, but it didn't seem to have the balance that would turn it into great Port with age. Keeping it isn't wrong, but I suspect it is as good as it will get.

60% opacity, dark red. Nose had some slight fruit. In the mouth, sweetness, not too long, mild heat in the middle and then a gentle tannic finish. Tobacco, prunes, peppery. Guessed by me to be W80 - right vintage wrong shipper. I was sure it was 80 and knew it wasn't Dow, Taylor, Fonseca, Smith Woodhouse or Gould Campbell, so that left Warre or Graham (and others). So close!

Deep red, still youthful in appearance but in the early stages of maturity. Rich and fruity on the nose with lots of youthful cherry - lively and pronounced. On the palate this arrives with rich fruit that is balanced by the bitterness and dryness of dark chocolate; growing nicely in volume. The aftertaste is of youthful fruit, balanced and full of black cherry. This needs more time in the cellar to reach its peak. Served blind this was guessed to be Fonseca 1985. 89/100.