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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).

Double decanted for 27 hours. Deep dark red-black in colour with an opaque centre and a medium rim. A lovely sour blackcurrant nose, full of fruit; big and fierce. Soft satin texture on the palate with the fruit sweeter and riper than the first flight of six wines, and with good charcoal tannins providing grip within the black wine gum palate. A gentle dry grip on the long black wine-gum finish, ending with a very tasty concentrated blackcurrant and liquorice root. Lovely Port and my second choice wine of the night. 95/100.

Subtle nose - strawberry. Much more going on once on the palate. Strawberry, caramel, a touch of spice. Mouth coating. A long finish. V good to excellent.

Plum coloured. Really spicy and peppery. Elegant almond and cherries on the palate. Noble port. Approachable now but will last decades.

65% opacity, deep dark red. Rich red fruit and candy nose. Dryness, soft tannin, rich red fruit, strawberry, some caramel.