1983 Gould Campbell

[winesecretary]

From a half bottle, the label of which explains (to a level of detail that almost runs out of space) that it is bottled and shipped by Smith Woodhouse, and selected and shipped by The Wine Society.

Decanting sample.

50 % opaque, pale rim. Fully mature mid red. Lots of dusty cherries on the nose, hint of menthol. Raspberry and chocolate mid-palate declining to dried cranberry and goji berry on the finish. A very pleasing pop-and-pour but with some reserved for the next night as it showed promise of more to come.

+24hrs

Same appearance. Nose has darkened, more poached plums. Slight hint of rye bread. Sweet black fruit liqueur on the palate (boysenberry/creme de myrtille) with hint of star anise late. Warming finish, with more blueberry notes.

While not a truly stellar port, this is a long way beyond simply 'very pleasurable drinking'. 'At the very top of the second rank', as Somerset Maugham said of his own abilities as a writer.

Tasted 10/5/20 & 11/5/20