1997 Ramos Pinto

[jdaw1]

RP97, as a quality control for a forthcoming tasting. Cork was dry and going to crumble, and wouldn’t be pushed in, so was tonged. At D+20 minutes: dark red, 90% opaque; nose mint, and a dark fruit behind. Palate starts light with a little heat, becoming mid-weight in mid palate. Short ending. There is fruit, dark cherry perhaps, but not a lot. Pleasant enough, but I think I prefer the Graham Crusted bottled 1998 — which is also cheaper.

[djewesbury]

Oh you've really whetted my appetite. Thanks.

[DaveRL]

The RP97 showed well amongst the other 97s. The 97s with crumbly corks, of which there seem subjectively to be (too) many, show poorly, so perhaps this one was somehow flawed?