1966 Fonseca

[uncle tom]

The runt of an English bottled case bought last October, and shared with JDAW & AHB.

The level in the bottle was at low shoulder, yet there was no sign of seepage. Although not really necessary, I used my nitrogen needle to put back pressure on the cork before drawing it, and reached a respectable 10psi before any gas could be heard escaping.

This makes me suspect that this bottle has probably not lost level, but more likely was never properly filled in the first place.

After decanting, I drew a glass after about 4 hours. The nose reminded me of N31, and on the palate, the wine exhibited real class - but there was a little too much fire, which I hoped would subside.

Re-visiting the decanter the following day, the wine was noticeably less fresh, and the fire, though reduced, was still present. It then changed little over the following two days.

This is very good wine that will run and run, but needs to be drunk more promptly than most after decanting.

But for the fire, this would have scored a 10 - as it is:

Score 9-9

Tom