ThePortForum.com

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 24½ hours. A mature brick red, one of the least pigmented of the wines at this tasting at around 80% opaque. Sweet baked fruit nose, not unpleasant but distinctly different from the other wines. Perhaps a bottle which has been stored in a warm cellar? Sweet fruit entry with the baked tone clear and distinct on the red fruit and gentle tannin. Mouth-filling and drinkable with a nice baked jam biscuit finish, but the weakest of the wines. 84/100.

Gorgeous nose - full fruit with minerality and chocolate. Milk chocolate, cherries and eucalyptus and a touch of spice. Tannic. Medium acidity. Might smell better than it tastes but it is still a rather enjoyable.

Very light colour in this company. Almonds on the nose. Very pretty, almost grapey palate. Rather attractive light wine, ready now.