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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).

A Douro cellar that rarely if ever went above 20°C, I might add.

Double-decanted 25 hours. A mature brick-red colour, 90% opaque. When first decanted it smelt strongly of ripe redcurrants; 24 hours later it smelt softer and more rounded but still dominated by redcurrants. Satin smooth texture on entry, the fruit at the fore, youthful with some good acidity and ripe tannins. The fruit is direct, straightforward, nicely balanced and still very primary. Some heat from the acidity on the aftertaste leads to a sticky blackcurrant finish. Nice drinking, but should be better in five years. 87/100.

Stewed fruit on the nose. Nice but nothing more on the palate. A little acidity, a little fruit. Not very impressive.

Glowing red. Red fruits on the nose. A complete fruit bomb. Good fun. Not serious port.

50% opacity. Dry, quite evolved.