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Decanted at 3pm to accompany this tasting but being consumed at a different location.

Firstly, an unusual feature. The foil capsule looked normal but when it was removed it revealed a dry broken surface on the top of the cork that was 2mm to 5mm below the top of the bottle.
When removed the cork proved to be only half a cork. The side walls were dry and of normal appearance and the bottom surface appropriately stained for a VP of this age. Perhaps the top half of the cork broke off whilst being hammered into the bottle? Or was it removed at some point in the past and the bottom half re-inserted? Is it a fake?

This made me look at the label more closely. It turns out to be a convincing laser-printed facsimile of an original that has subsequently been wet and faded. Intentionally? Who knows.

Decanting went well. The wine was the colour I expected it to be and almost all of the well-formed crust stayed in the bottle.

Now for a quality assurance sample.

The nose was muted and rather dull with a small amount of bottle stink. Very thick and viscous in the mouth with sweet black cherry and a lovely dark chocolate bite. There is a strange dry medicinal note on the end of the mid-palate but then a fabulous long and deliciously sweet finish. The strangeness might be the remnants of some unresolved tannins or spirit but are not enough to spoil the enjoyment of the wine.

Quite splendid, but what is it and is it really what I thought it was?

More to follow.

On DRT’s behalf I have asked the obvious question in One quiz at a time.

Thank you.

D+3 Hours
The nose has opened up and is now of red cherry and vanilla. Very similar mouth-feel and flavours as before, perhaps a bit sweeter and the medicinal flavour is now more pronounced and distracting. There is now strawberry in the finish, which remains long and delicious. The overall profile of this wine is as expected, but some of the flavours are not typical.

The medicinal flavour seems to be evolving into mint, perhaps eucalyptus.

The nose now has more power, plummy fruit coming through. Bigger and bolder in the mouth with tannin coming to the fore. Dryness on the cheeks with lovely sweet cherry and mint on the palate. Grade A.

I guess this to be Graham 1970

AHB wrote:I guess this to be Graham 1970

Guess posted in appropriate place.

[url=http://www.theportforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=2726&p=61489#p61489]Here[/url] djewesbury wrote:Dow 1970

Correct!

The capsule, cork and label...

Possibly the laser printed label is just a case of a rather nerdy port owner wanting to keep his D70 looking nice?

djewesbury wrote:Possibly the laser printed label is just a case of a rather nerdy port owner wanting to keep his D70 looking nice?

Can't imagine anyone would be geeky enough to do that!

DRT wrote:

djewesbury wrote:Possibly the laser printed label is just a case of a rather nerdy port owner wanting to keep his D70 looking nice?

Can't imagine anyone would be geeky enough to do that!

no, quite..

This bottle is rapidly developing a major problem.

Oh no! International crisis, Level II!

DRT wrote:This bottle is rapidly developing a major problem.

Go on.... I fear the worst.

LGTrotter wrote:Go on.... I fear the worst.

The worst imaginable outcome is imminent. A crisis of international proportions is upon us.

What to do?

DRT wrote:

LGTrotter wrote:Go on.... I fear the worst.

The worst imaginable outcome is imminent. A crisis of international proportions is upon us.

What to do?

There is only one thing to do - contact your personal trainer for advice.

Open another?

LGTrotter wrote:Open another?

could always crack open a Morgan 91...

djewesbury wrote:contact your personal trainer for advice.

djewesbury wrote:

LGTrotter wrote:Open another?

could always crack open a Morgan 91...

All at Seckfords.

Morgan 91? Surely the quality of the wines should increase.

LGTrotter wrote:Open another?

But another what?

LGTrotter wrote:Morgan 91? Surely the quality of the wines should increase.

Availability is what counts. How good do you think the bottle needs to be when you've already drunk one bottle on your own?

LGTrotter wrote:Morgan 91? Surely the quality of the wines should increase.

ah. Availability is indeed what counts...

I am drinking the remains of Tesco own Grenache, to be followed by the remains of a Smith Woodhouse Madela 96 and if all else fails a steady supply of 94 tesco.

I am trying to say; don't be proud, there must be something in the cupboard.

And what was that cork all about, it looked odd, almost a bit new and why would anyone put half a cork in?

LGTrotter wrote:And what was that cork all about, it looked odd, almost a bit new and why would anyone put half a cork in?

Such questions are best asked at a different time of day.

The answer we were all looking for is Talisker 10 yr old.

DRT wrote:

LGTrotter wrote:The answer we were all looking for is Talisker 10 yr old.

An excellent progression. I will later have a glass or two of the Scotch Malt Whisky Soc bottling that I'm currently working through. After finishing this bottle of Spanish moscatel.

DRT wrote:The answer we were all looking for is Talisker 10 yr old.

Huzzah!

I have a feeling we shall shortly be moved to 'meaningless drivel'.

I have to go and listen to my wife practice a reading. Less than one and a half hours before she becomes a published writer. Squee! as I believe they say on twitter.

DRT wrote:

LGTrotter wrote:Go on.... I fear the worst.

The worst imaginable outcome is imminent. A crisis of international proportions is upon us.

What to do?

Order the 1994 from the menu?

Glenn E. wrote:

DRT wrote:

LGTrotter wrote:Go on.... I fear the worst.

The worst imaginable outcome is imminent. A crisis of international proportions is upon us.

What to do?

Order the 1994 from the menu?

The man is at home. Derek has taken to participating in offlines from home...

Glenn E. wrote:Order the 1994 from the menu?

DRT wrote:Decanted at 3pm to accompany this tasting but being consumed at a different location.

Unfortunately home (being the "different location") does not have a menu that includes Dow 1994

djewesbury wrote:The man is at home. Derek has taken to participating in offlines from home...

On the instructions of a surgeon. Not of my own choosing.

DRT wrote:

djewesbury wrote:The man is at home. Derek has taken to participating in offlines from home...

On the instructions of a surgeon. Not of my own choosing.

How long does your post-op rehab take? I'm glad you at least have good medicine.

djewesbury wrote:

DRT wrote:

djewesbury wrote:The man is at home. Derek has taken to participating in offlines from home...

On the instructions of a surgeon. Not of my own choosing.

How long does your post-op rehab take? I'm glad you at least have good medicine.

Shackles off on Sunday - heading for London with Mrs - lunch with JDAW & Mrs on Monday - Bunghole Tuesday - "Late Meeting" with colleagues Wednesday - 2 nights off - Big Weekend.

Sympathy not necessary

DRT wrote:Sympathy not necessary