1963 Constantino

[jdaw1]

To celebrate the Quinquagenary of AHB, he arranged a horizontal of 1963s in Wokingham at The Cantley House Hotel (evenings of Friday 11^th and Saturday 12^th October 2013) and The Walter Arms (lunch on Saturday 12^th), and two evening Champagne tastings for our better halves. Sadly the venue was not able to accommodate all he would have liked to have invited. Diaries had been blocked since early 2012, and bottles had been gathered for most of a decade before that. A splendid weekend indeed.

Partial links:
• Review of the event as a whole, which starts with a full set of links;
• Placemats (and parameters by which constructed).

[jdaw1]

[jdaw1]

[jdaw1]

Some links:
• Review which includes links to the Champagnes; Placemats and their Parameters;
• Fri evening 1963s: VS QH GC Ck G | Kh Pç Mg Av F | RV Rs S Dl Cn;
• Sat aftern’n 1963s: Sb RVi RCV Ad RO | Dm BBR T Cr Ni | Mk Fd O Mz;
• Sat evening 1963s: MC W D N NN | A B&I Df PS Cv | GB Cá CáF B Fr;
• Others: 1863 Burmester, 1977 Warre (tappitt hen), Martinez Crusted bottled 1973, 1966 Château Batailley (magnum).

[jdaw1]

Cn63. Second darkest dark dark red, 50% opaque. taste of dark plums, lovely fruit. Great balance and texture. Middle weight.

[DRT]

Very balanced with smooth red fruit on the palate and very long. Excellent.

I voted this third best of the night.

[uncle tom]

Although slightly light and drying out, a very elegant wine.

[Andy Velebil]

1963 Constantino Vintage Port
A dark cola color with young berries on the nose. Young soft fruit dominate the palate, elegant yet profound at the same time. Fresh fruit and full bodied with a long seamless transition and finish. Just a lovely bottle and a real treat. This just rocked.
96 Points

[WS1]

blackish, dark red colour; deep fruit nose after black berries and elder berries; fruity black currant tart, a bit one dimensional; good length, full bodied; good complexity; really great port!

[Axel P]

Like all Constantinos, it did not fail to impress. Very youthful in colour and fruit. Very good. One to keep. 18

[AHB]

Deep red, rich in appearance; 80% opaque. Dusty cherries on the nose, lifted by bright menthol. Rich and thick in texture with big flavours on the palate showing multiple layers of flavour. Great complexity, perfect balance and even some tannins still in the mix. Long, sweet finish full of flavour and which morphs from one phase to another. Absolutely wonderful. 94/100. Drunk 11-Oct-13. Decanted 7½ hours.