1977 Croft

[LGTrotter]

Returning home from a hot day of helping a mate move house I thought I should offer thanks to the Gods in the usual way, libations.

Having drunk and very much enjoyed this port I bought a case from Berrys when they started doing broking but before BBX. Rather disconcertingly they have "imported by Selviac Nederland B.V. Amsterdam" on little slip labels on the back. And I am not convinced they are quite up to the level of those I bought locally.

It has only been open about an hour.
The colour is very pale, a wide watery rim with a pronounced orange to it, pinky red in the centre.
On the nose I am tempted to say arrowroot, except I'm not sure what it is, so I will say there is something medicinal at the back of it, a nice Christmassy note at the front, nutmeg, cloves.
The palate is high toned, a bit sharp, a bit hot with a touch of astringency on the finish, that orange peel note that others have associated with Croft. A good rich cedar and spice note through the middle. Not a very long finish and I doubt this would do well at a tasting but a charmer.

Nothing wrong with this wine, I still have a hankering for the other bottling which seemed a bit darker and more robust. Not on the down curve yet. I would guess that it will continue like this for more than ten years. 6-6. I think. I shall have another swill of this tomorrow and consider again.

[LGTrotter]

The following evening; the nose is slightly hot and peppery, this tastes a bit more integrated. It has smoothed out, got a bit rounder and fuller. It tastes sweeter too, coating the palate. It remains on the dry side for a vintage port. Pontefract cakes, or that dry, salty liquorice the Dutch are fond of. Tart cherries, making me salivate as I drink it. Not much more length but feeling more evenly spread. Same score but I feel more confident in its capacity to go for another decade. 6-6.

[LGTrotter]

A bit better again tonight. Integration is the watchword. Really very tasty now.