Alex, Axel, Enrico, Julian, Phil, Tom, and two Wolfgangs met for luncheon on Wednesday 20th December 2017 at Otto’s Restaurant (182 Gray’s Inn Road WC1X 8EW).
Mz27. Dark dark red, 50% opaque. For age, and even without that conditionality, very fine to behold. Large, plum-like fruit, black pepper, and plenty of sweetness. Another excellent bottle, though for me junior to the F and T.
The darkest of the 1927 ports at this tasting, marginally darker than either the Fonseca or Taylor. A wonderful, massive nose with lots of spice and mace but also a disappointing hint of oxidation. Dark chocolate and burnt biscuit on the palate. The oxidised tone shows through but the whole palate is rather bitter. Not bad, but much less than it should have been. 80/100.
Top Ports in 2021: Niepoort Garrafeira 1931; Niepoort VV (1960s bottling) and Cockburn 1969 Single Harvest Tawny
Top Port in 2022 so far: the most stunning bottle of Quinta do Noval Nacional 1931. I have never drunk such a wonderful bottle of Port.