ThePortForum.com

1977s were tasted by a strict subset of the obvious folks, on Tuesday 11^th June 2024, at the Boot & Flogger, as arranged by Martin Coulson.

Links:

• Review of the evening as a whole;
• Tasting notes:
  • 1977 Warre;
  • 1977 Dow;
  • 1977 Graham;
  • 1977 Gould Campbell;
  • 1977 Smith Woodhouse;
  • 1977 Berry’s Own Selection ≈ Quarles Harris;
  • 1977 Offley Boa Vista;
  • 1977 Ferreira;
  • 1977 Sandeman;
  • 1977 Fonseca Panascal;
  • 1977 Fonseca;
  • 1977 Taylor;
  • 1977 Croft;
  • 1977 Delaforce;
  • 1977 Morgan;
  • 1977 Ramos Pinto;
  • 1977 Niepoort;
  • 1977 Royal Oporto;
  • 1977 Morano;
  • 1977 Ducal;
• Placemats;
• Food order;
• Planning and arrangements.

Second darkest, after the magnum of Gould Campbell. Licorice on nose, pontefract cakes on palate, splendid port, quite dry finish. Just about ready to drink.

Quite liked this and gave it one point.
As with many of the other 77s in this tasting nose very muted to start with (suspect the 77s need a few hours in a decanter to properly open up).
Palate more forward with just a touch of bitterness that stops this moving from very good to great.

SW77, dark dark red, 80% opaque. Nose had smoke, perhaps cigarettes. Palate smooth, hinting at dark fruits, very dry, some bitterness. Gently baga.

60% opacity, dark red.
Bramble and plum on the nose.
Chewy and fruit-forward entry. The fruit has sweetness, but also an edge to it. Baga? Good balance.

Nose: younger, red cherries and pepper
Palate: red cherries into a wave of tannins, chocolate and glace cherries follow that into the finish which is long. Excellent, I could drink an awful lot of this (I believe I gave it an honourable mention).

Smith Woodhouse 1977: Not as dark as the Gould Campbell tasted alongside, 90% opaque. A little star-fruit and raspberry on the nose. Light on the palate wth the tannins dominating over the fruit. The palate shows the powerful acidity, with the fruit definitely hidden. Terrific aftertaste, lingering redcurrants and raspberry. I hadn’t expected to find the wine closed! But have patience and faith in the wine-makers. This wine will mature and develop into a beautiful secondary Port. 88/100. Decanted 12.5 hours.