1968 Graham's Malvedos

[DRT]

Tasted as part of a vertical of 24 Graham's and Graham's Malvedos vintages at The RAF Club, Piccadilly, London, on 22nd March 2010.

The links:

• Organisation thread;
• Placemats;
• 1955 Graham’s Vintage Port;
• 1957 Graham’s Quinta dos Malvedos Vintage Port;
• 1958 Graham’s Quinta dos Malvedos Vintage Port;
• 1962 Graham’s Quinta dos Malvedos Vintage Port;
• 1964 Graham’s Quinta dos Malvedos Vintage Port;
• 1965 Graham's Malvedos;
• 1966 Graham;
• 1968 Graham's Malvedos;
• 1970 Graham;
• 1976 Graham's Malvedos;
• 1978 Graham's Malvedos;
• 1979 Graham's Malvedos;
• 1982 Graham's Malvedos;
• 1984 Graham's Malvedos;
• 1985 Graham;
• 1986 Graham's Malvedos;
• 1987 Graham's Malvedos;
• 1988 Graham's Malvedos;
• 1990 Graham's Malvedos;
• 1992 Graham's Malvedos half bottle #1 and; half bottle #2;
• 1995 Graham's Malvedos half bottle #1 and; half bottle #2;
• 1996 Graham's Malvedos;
• 1998 Graham's Malvedos;
• 1999 Graham's Malvedos;
• 2001 Graham's Malvedos;
• 2004 Graham's Malvedos;
• 2006 Graham's Malvedos;
• 2008 Cask Sample (work in progress)*;
• Review of the evening as a whole.

*Please note that the 2008 Cask Sample was donated to this tasting by the Symington family before the final blend was complete so this may not accurately represent what the 2008 Graham's or Graham's Malvedos will be, should either of these be approved and declared later in 2010.

[jdaw1]

Alas I was unable to take a tasting note of this port.

[JacobH]

Just a touch lighter than the 1966. As Julian predicted, completely overshadowed by the 1970 and 1966. However, returning to it later in the tasting, it proved to be a lovely, elegant Port, like the 1965s and older.

[jdaw1]

A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

A kindly soul posted me a sample of GM68 (and GM01 and G03), which was tasted yesterday, 2nd April, eleven days after being decanted.

Graham’s Malvedos 1968: red and brown, about mid translucency. Nosing strongly of raisin, then strongly of prune, then of both. Prune particularly strong. To taste very sweet, with those same prunes. Good length, and a little late-palate heat.

Thank you.

[Andy Velebil]

1968 Graham’s Malvedos Vintage Port:
Still retaining a dark ruby color I was more intrigued by the pine resin on the nose. While this was good and sweet up front, it was quite harsh and didn’t have that elegance of the prior vintages. It also faded out rather quickly on the mid-palate and drops off sharply on the finish. It rained continuously from September 12th to the 24th and only on the 20-22nd did a strong wind blow to help dry things out. The lower regions of the Douro suffered from rot. Although things improved after the 24th, this was still a very difficult year in the Douro and this bottle shows that. 87 Points