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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.

Lovely nose. Good colour. Splendid strawberry port. Lovely strawberry finish. This port has a fine reputation, and that reputation is justified, albeit I do not think it needs any more time.

Very pale. Meaty nose (which I didn't especially like). Palate better (but not much). Not wrong, but just not that good. Maybe I don't like Niepoort?

Ni77, red-brown, 20% opaque. Odd. Larger than most; soft and pleasant.

35% opacity, mature red-orange.
Nose has complexity, toast, honeycomb, cherries, caramel.
Soft, smooth, chewy, rich caramels and dusty cranberries.
Half a point from me. This bottle was a fair way behind others I have tasted, albeit perhaps 5 or 6 years ago.

Nose: caramel and chocolate
Palate: gorgeous entry, toffee with honeycomb and tart red fruits. Loads of tannic grip mid palate. Heat! Then redcurrants and strawberries. There's a slight rubber note lurking. Good but would be great without that rubber note.

Niepoort 1977: (Cylinder bottle.) Bunt ochre in colour, pale and developed at only 20% opacity. Very attractive nose, dried apricot and dried red plum. Very lovely. On the palate this has a wonderful presence. Rich in texture and flavour, intense orange zest yet balanced by the acidity. The orange sits on the palate on the aftertaste. Still very young yet stunningly delicious. I loved this wine and had it as my joint top wine of the night. 95/100. Decanted 6 hours.