1863 Ferreira

[Alex Bridgeman]

Dark gold in colour, with a pale yellow rim and just a hint of green. Initial impact on the nose is a massive wave of VA, very reminiscent of a bual madeira, which was consistent with the colour! Underneath the VA was a little rosemary, antiseptic and perhaps some sweetened gooseberry. In the mouth the entry was a nice neutral balance between sweet and acid, with patience the acidity won through but had plenty of burnt caramel and lime flavours and sweetness. Very well balanced. Clearly extremely old but also a good wine still. Nice complexity and some layering in the mouth. A modest aftertaste that suddenly explodes into life and fills the mouth with burnt caramel and rosemary and which lasts for absolutely ages. Scored for the drinkability today, but what a wine to be able to try. 87/100. Drunk 26 May 2010 after 30 minutes decanting.

[Axel P]

... did the label say Vintage Port or Garrafeira, because I had this two years ago with Luis Scottomajor, but named Garafeira, since it was bottled in Oporto later than the 2-3 years.

Axel

[Alex Bridgeman]

... did the label say Vintage Port or Garrafeira, because I had this two years ago with Luis Scottomajor, but named Garafeira, since it was bottled in Oporto later than the 2-3 years.

Axel

It was a bottling by Companhia Agricola, Successora de Dona Antonia A Ferreira and was labelled Garrafeira 1863.