1977 Ferreira

[Alex Bridgeman]

Decanted off a large amount of heavy sediment. Very pale in colour when decanted and smelt very spirity. Tasting note written 2½ hours after decanting.

Very pale mahogany red, watery in texture and weak rim. On the nose are cranberries and brown sugar with just a touch of sweet pea perfume. Wonderful sweetness in the mouth, with golden sultanas over the tart dried cranberries. The tartness is lovely and balances out the sweetness of the wine very well. There is so much complexity in the mid-palate that you can hold this wine in your mouth for ages, but eventually you have to swallow. And when you do there is an explosion of flavour which, after a brief flare of heat, works itself into a very long black licorice and aniseed aftertaste. This is very fine and elegant port that is now fully mature. Truly delicious. 93/100. Drunk 29 Aug 08.

Photos will follow when I can access my desktop PC.

[benread]

Decanted off a large amount of heavy sediment. Very pale in colour when decanted and smelt very spirity. Tasting note written 2½ hours after decanting.

Very pale mahogany red, watery in texture and weak rim. On the nose are cranberries and brown sugar with just a touch of sweet pea perfume. Wonderful sweetness in the mouth, with golden sultanas over the tart dried cranberries. The tartness is lovely and balances out the sweetness of the wine very well. There is so much complexity in the mid-palate that you can hold this wine in your mouth for ages, but eventually you have to swallow. And when you do there is an explosion of flavour which, after a brief flare of heat, works itself into a very long black licorice and aniseed aftertaste. This is very fine and elegant port that is now fully mature. Truly delicious. 93/100. Drunk 29 Aug 08.

Photos will follow when I can access my desktop PC.

Was your South African holiday a front for a creative writing course?!

[Alex Bridgeman]

No - that's a normal tasting note from me!

[jdaw1]

AHB writes the best TNs. Most perceptive palate; and the most comprehensively and elegantly described. His TNs are almost† , but not quite, as much a joy as tasting the port oneself.

†  Allow a little poetic licence. Nothing compares to drinking the port oneself.

[Alex Bridgeman]

You are very kind. Elegant praise indeed.

[Michael M.]

AHB writes the best TNs. Most perceptive palate; and the most comprehensively and elegantly described. His TNs are almost† , but not quite, as much a joy as tasting the port oneself.

†  Allow a little poetic licence. Nothing compares to drinking the port oneself.

Without any doubt. A palate one can rely on.