1980 Warre

[flash_uk]

We gathered to see how the ports of five major houses from the early 80s were faring.

Links:

• Review of the event;
• ◊ Dow 1980; ◊ Warre 1980; ◊ Graham 1980; ◊ Fonseca 1980; ◊ Taylor 1980;
• ◊ Dow 1983; ◊ Warre 1983; ◊ Graham 1983; ◊ Fonseca 1983; ◊ Taylor 1983;
• ◊ Dow 1985; ◊ Warre 1985; ◊ Graham 1985; ◊ Fonseca 1985; ◊ Taylor 1985;
• Placemats (and parameters by which made);
• Food order;
• Planning and arrangements;

[flash_uk]

45% opacity, red-brown, amber rim. Sugared nose. Sweet, in fact very sweet, with tannins, burnt caramel.

[Alex Bridgeman]

A mature burnt orange colour that is quite dark; 60% opaque. A lovely nose of rich fruit salad and tobacco leaf, complex and really delicious. Balanced entry with fresh fruit elading to a fine mid-palate that delivers layer after layer of flavour. The palate shows perfect maturity and is on a plateau and has impressive levels of complexity. The aftertaste is mouthfilling with a dry dark chocolate and green pepper. Fabulous finish of medium length. This is great port that is in no rush to be drunk. 93/100.

[jdaw1]

W80. Red, 40% opaque. Good fruit and sweetness, but acidity too prominent.

[rich_n]

Tasted at Dow's Quinta do Bomfim in Pinhao, so the setting may have coloured my opinion a little...! This was their VP of the day and I caught the end of the bottle, only a few sips, however enough to be rather taken with it. Ripe red fruits on the nose, redcurrant and strawberries. More of the same on the palate, somewhat jammy with some spice and the tannins bringing a little dryness. Rather lovely!