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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).

Very deep red colour, opaque at the centre with a medium rim. Lovely sweet fragrant nose, much more luscious than most of its peers at this tasting. Dark fruit on the palate, slightly earthy making the taste dense and a touch unpleasant. The fruit is young blackcurrant with the tannins still obvious, giving a big and chunky palate. The finish is just as big with lots of blackcurrant and a good length. I suspect this is a wine to tuck away in the cellar for a further 5-10 years before trying another bottle which hopefully shows more balance and maturity. Double-decanted for 24½ hours. 88/100.

Sweet red fruit on the nose. Strawberries and redcurrant on the palate, some caramel. Not much depth. A bit underwhelming with a short finish.

75% opacity, deep dark red. Nose has focussed plum and candy. Rich, dryness, gentle tannin, plums. Promises a lot though finishes quickly.

Really dark. Fragrant nose. Huge amounts of fruit. Chocolate. Good.