1977 Gould Campbell

[Alex Bridgeman]

Deep red in colour, very dark, still opaque. Dark, bitter cherry fruit on the nose. On first opening there was no indication of TCA; 24 hours later there was a vague hint. Surprisingly aggressive on the palate, very acidic and still full of tannins. The fruit was tight and restrained, possibly flattened by a hint of TCA but even my sensitive taste-buds couldn't be certain - it could just have been paranoia. Very big, fine aftertaste that is full of dark chcolate and bitter morello cherries. Good port, but I can't taste a GC77 sighted without at least imagining I am tasting TCA.

After sitting in the decanter for several days it became clear that there was no TCA taint. Instead this is a deep and dense wine, still very tightly wound with little evolution apparent. The tannins are strong and bitter and give a bitter chocolate tome to the concentrated bramble fruit. Very fine, but decades from softening. 90/100. Drunk 31-Mar-14. Pop 'n' pour.