Identified from very faint branding on the cork, so should probably be considered "1900 believed Warre vintage port". An amazing colour, deeper than the Ferreira 1945 shown alongside it. A very complex nose. In the mouth, huge waves of strawberry syrup livened up with spice and mixed fruit. Surprisingly dry on the aftertaste, perhaps showing its age, but with some lovely Angostura Bitters, spicy and of decent length. Wonderfully alive. A piece of history. 91/100.
Some of the events which were going on in the world when these grapes were growing included:
The Second Boer War in southern Africa
The Philippine-American war in the Philippine archipelago
The Boxer Rebellion in China
Nigeria joining the British Empire
Britain and the US sign a treaty to build the Central American Shipping Canal through what was then Nicaragua
The Davis Cup tennis tournament is created
The Labour Party is formed in the UK
Winston Churchill is elected to Parliament for the first time
Sydney suffers a serious outbreak of the Bubonic Plague
Hawaii becomes a US Territory
The first Zepplin flight takes place
The first Metro line is opened in Paris
Australia becomes an independant Commonwealth
A hurricane devastates Galveston in Texas
The first hamburger is sold
Friedrich Nietzsche and Oscar Wilde die
Top Ports in 2023: Taylor 1896 Colheita, b. 2021. A perfect Port.
2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.
+ 48ish Hours
The colour of this wine is incredible. If someone told me this was a 1970 I would believe it. The nose is slightly medicinal. In the mouth this is still smooth, thick and elegant. I find myself, wrongly from the available evidence, questioning whether or not this is authentic. If this is truely a 1900 VP, which I honestly believe it is, it is quite simply outstanding.
Alex: Thank you. This was a real treat.
Derek
"The first duty of Port is to be red" Ernest H. Cockburn
Luckily, I did have a 5cl sample left for consumption tonight (having been kept in the cellar for the last few days, it was truly delicious still). Here are some photos prior to consumption.
The only pity is that 5cl is equivalent to 3 generous sips. All is now gone except for the aftertaste and the lingering memory...
A truly remarkable experience and a delicious port.
Alex
Top Ports in 2023: Taylor 1896 Colheita, b. 2021. A perfect Port.
2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.