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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:
The first bottle from an OWC of 12 purchased en primeur from La Vigneronne on release in 1999 and kept in my cellar since.
Cork came out fairly easily and in perfect condition.
Double decanted approx. 2000 on evening before the tasting.
Lots of sediment.
Condition OK.

Deep red colour, not yet starting to brick; opaque centre with a wide rim. Restrained at first on the nose but a little work coaxes out some sour cherry and raspberry. The fruit is delicious on the palate, balanced and ripe dominating the mouth. The sour cranberry aftertaste is fresh, very long and delicious. This is a great wine. Double-decanted for 22 hours. My third placed wine of the night. 94/100.

A closed nose that opens up on the palate. Chocolate, caramel, spicy. A white pepper heat. Not much fruit, maybe a little redcurrant hiding in behind. A good long finish. Another of this evening's ports that seems like it needs more time to open up.

55% opacity, dark red. Jammy red fruit. Full, gentle gripping tannin, plums and cranberries.

A pretty rich red. Fragrant. Rich full throttle port with excellent tannins and a long time to go.