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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:
From an OWC of 12 purchased via IDJ and Bonhams in 2020?
Cork came out fairly easily and in perfect condition.
Double decanted approx. 2000 on evening before the tasting.
Some sediment (more than W, but much less than T & F).
Condition OK.

Double-decanted for 23½ hours. Mature appearance, brick red and 90% opaque. Ripe and fragrant fruit on the nose, really rather lovely. A fabulous balance on the palate with generous redcurrant and a really fine red liquorice; combined with the gentle and ripe tannins the wine has a rich and lovely mouthfeel. The tannins hold nicely, supporting the red jelly baby finish. Excellent current drinking, the one to open and consume while waiting for the Dow or Warre to peak. 89/100.

Redcurrant/cranberry nose. Caramel, milk chocolate and cherries on the palate. A little acidity too. Not a long finish, but rather lovely.

Deep red. A truly lovely nose of ripe fruit. Nice red licorice palate, spicy later.

70% opacity, deep dark red. Bramble nose. Jammy, red fruit, alcohol a bit disjointed, sihort finish with dryness.