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Neil C. arranged, at the Boot and Flogger, a horizontal of 1997s, the first since a 1997 Maturity Evaluation on 16th June 2014.

Links:

• Review of the evening as a whole;
• 1997 Burmester;
• 1997 Quinta do Noval;
• 1997 Quinta do Noval Silval;
• 1997 Taylor;
• 1997 Fonseca;
• 1997 Croft Quinta da Roêda;
• 1997 Dow;
• 1997 Graham;
• 1997 Gould Campbell;
• 1997 Warre;
• 1997 Vesuvio;
• 1997 Smith Woodhouse;
• 1997 Quarles Harris;
• 1997 Martinez;
• 1997 Sandeman Vau;
• 1997 Ramos Pinto;
• 1997 Val da Figueira;
• 1997 Osborne;
• Planning and arrangements;
• Food order;
• Placemats (and in list of placemats).

Pre-tasting note:
Bottle supplied by WillW for this tasting.
Cork in good condition, but top of bottle shattered whilst removing it so all a bit stressful.
Double decanted at 0600 on morning of the tasting.
Very heavy sediment.
Condition OK.

A mature brick red colour, 90% opaque. Lovely redcurrant nose, vibrant and alive. Good acidity on the palate with fresh red fruit and a nice structure. The tannins are fully resolved into the powerful fruit. Menthol dominates the aftertaste with the tannins giving a nice chewiness to the long cranberry and lavender finish. The wine has a lovely freshness. Double decanted for 12 hours. 89/100.

Sweet red fruits in the nose. A touch of eucalyptus. Soft fruits on palate. Cranberry and what I initially thought of as a biscuit, but Mike suggested salted caramel and I'm inclined to agree. Not a long finish but an enjoyable port. Good.

65% opacity, dark red, slightly cloudy. Jammy cranberry on the nose. Full, plummy, jammy cranberry, short finish.

Orange-brown wine, paling rim. Nose of murky musky pine. Sweet oranges on the palate, even a hint of Terry's milk chocolate orange. Moderate finish.