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On Tuesday 14th May 2024, as arranged by Martin C., at the Boot & Flogger, some of the obvious suspects tasted a vertical of Graham.

Links:

• Review of the evening as a whole;
• Tasting notes:
  • 1942 Graham;
  • 1945 Graham;
  • 1948 Graham;
  • 1955 Graham;
  • 1960 Graham;
  • 1963 Graham;
  • 1966 Graham;
  • 1970 Graham;
  • 1975 Graham;
  • 1977 Graham;
  • 1980 Graham;
  • 1983 Graham;
  • 1985 Graham;
  • 1991 Graham;
  • 1994 Graham;
  • 1997 Graham;
  • 2000 Graham;
  • 2003 Graham;
• The placemats;
• Planning and arrangements.

Graham 1948

Pale rim. A little spirity on the nose ,almost a varnish note but not quite. Warm red fruits on the palate. Still a ghost of tannin on the finish. Very fine wine. Two points from me and a deserving winner on the night.

G48: brown, 30% opaque. Brown sugar, just wonderful mixed spice incl. black pepper, and huge sumptuous orange. Later, the orange was stronger, marmalade-style, with soft spice. And very long. “This is perfect old Port. Just amazing.”

Obvious WOTN. How could this not be everybody’s WOTN? Mysteries never cease.

Graham 1948. A rich burnt ochre colour, 50% opaque. Sweet, mature and attractive on the nose — a nose of fabulous dried fruit and citrus zest. On the palate the wine presents an interesting contrast between sweet fruit and a dry cedar undertone, highlighting the bitter orange or lemon oil. The bitter citrus oil dominates the aftertaste and finish. The wine has great length and persistence. 93/100. (The same score was given 2.5 hours later.)

Tasted at 17.50 on 14-May-2024.

G48. Light strawberry color, but looks a bit thin. There's a slight caramel note on the nose - possibly a sign of some very faint oxidation? - along with layers of soft, dried red fruits. Those fruits are also found on the palate along with some faint vanilla and some citrus. There are undertones of wood and Christmas spices as well. The finish is surprisingly long for a Port this old. All around just an fantastic port. 97 points and my Port of the night.

Brown/orange rim and brown/orange in the glass. Complete nose of Christmas cake, with lots of candied peel. Spicy and citric on the palate, with a slight (and strangely welcome) savouriness. Fantastically long grip. Phenomenal all-round! 3 pts awarded.

30% opacity, brown-orange. Lovely rish burnt caramels on the nose. Lively in the mouth, round, syrupy and sweet, drying molasses, honeycomb. Wonderful.