1980 Graham (β beta)
On Wednesday 2nd April 2014 six of us gathered in The Bung Hole to taste a six-pack of Graham 1980 (the previous tasting of this shape having tested Taylor 1985).
G80. Decanted 10 hrs. Colour as for α alpha(70% opacity, brick red). Bit more in the nose than alpha, more fruit. Nice entry and heat builds towards a nice tingle at the end. Fruit but less caramel this time. Nice structure, certainly feels present in the mouth, and good balance. Pretty much identical to δ delta for me.
G80, β, decanted 9½am. All of them were dark-dark-red, 70% opaque. Dark plum and mint. Less heat early than in α or ε. Less fruit, but with eucalyptus or spearmint mid- and late-palate. Long and sweet.
All six bottles of Graham 1980 from this late release case were of a consistent colour. Brick red throughout and around 70% opaque.
Bottle beta: Different on the nose to alpha, dominated by soft applemint and brown sugar. The nose worsened slightly with an hour in the glass. Smooth and thickly textured with good fruit but lots of dry and dusty tannins on the initial palate. There is also a slight dirtiness to the mid-palate, like badly bruised or over-ripe plums. In contrast to the nose, the palate improves with air contact and becomes deep and dense. Air brings a floral element but the impressive depth remains. There is some heat on the aftertaste and a mintiness to the finish before raisin and licorice takes over. Good length. More fine port but slightly less well balanced than alpha. 87/100. Decanted 10 hours
Top Ports in 2023: Taylor 1896 Colheita, b. 2021. A perfect Port.
2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.
