1955 Dow

[jdaw1]

Tom provided four excellent bottles, all from Hedges & Butler (which I guessed): Fd63, D55, D63, T60. And a half bottle of Mouton Rothschild 1955, alas not bottled by Hedges & Butler.

Links:

• Review of the evening as a whole;
• 1963 Feuerheerd (Ⅰ);
• 1955 Dow (Ⅱ);
• 1963 Dow (Ⅲ);
• 1960 Taylor (Ⅳ);
• 1955 Mouton Rothschild (Ⅴ);
• Placemats (and parameters by which made);
• Planning and arrangements.

[jdaw1]

D55. On decanting Tom had thought this too evolved, so added the half-bottle of 1955 Mouton Rothschild. But no. Colour orange tawny, 25% opaque. Nose had burnt caramel. Palate soft unctuous, same burnt caramel, and sweet. Fruit gone. Mid weight, good length. Delicious, but slightly over-mature.

An over-mature port that I liked more than did AHB. And a bonus half bottle of ’55 Premier Cru. What’s not to like?

[jdaw1]

[Alex Bridgeman]

Hedges & Butler. Burnt orange, much lighter and more evolved than the other wines tonight. Toasted chestnuts and burnt caramel on the nose, showing a bit of VA. Soft and sweet on the palate, with a lovely acidity keeping a great balance. Thick and unctuous, a touch of bitter birch sap or grapefruit harshness. Fiery aftertaste, followed by a lovely finish of burnt sugar and grapefruit. If I hadn't been told that this was a vintage port I would have guessed this to be a colheita. Served blind this was guessed to be Fonseca 1963. 89/100. Drunk 28-Aug-14. 4 hour decant.