1963 Niepoort Vintage Port

Ronald Wortel · Post by **Ronald Wortel** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 3:46 pm

With a big thank you to StevieCage for sharing this bottle. :)

The bottle was in perfect shape with a better fill level than anyone could hope from a 43 year old wine. After a succesful decapitation (I'm sure Stevie will post some pictures of the port-tong-ritual) it was decanted at 6PM.

Very pale colour right out of the bottle. First taste after one hour decanting time. Already remarkably darker colour.
Very fresh and refined nose, with roses and other flowers, cranberry and coffee.

In the mouth, it starts syrupy, but that is soon accompanied by coffee, toffee, chocolate, spices and some leather. It keeps building interest. Thick mouthfeel. Long spicey finish with some light fruit.

Delicious port, seems to be peak drinking. It does evolve rather quick in the glass BTW.

The next taste was after 3 hours in the decanter.

Nose has become fuller and fruitier, also some cooked vegetables. Still fresh though. Darker on the palate, lovely sweet fruit has come out; berries, concentrated strawberries. Spicey finish. Great balance and length, superbly refined. Also holds better in the glass (although I must admit that we didn't swirl it as enthusiastic as before). 96 points.

We tasted the last bit after another two hours in the decanter, but that was pushing it a bit too far. Still lovely, but rapidly getting older with dominant leather and tobacco. This port was clearly best after three hours of decanting.

Stevie, thanks again for bringing this, I'm looking forward to the next episodes. The 1966, 1970, 1975 and 1977 are still to come!

Steven Kooij · Post by **Steven Kooij** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 3:48 pm

Ronnie, you're welcome! Thanks for taking such detailed notes...I was too busy enjoying this Port...

Pictures of The Tongs being applied to this bottle can be found here: link

It was a most amazing VP - and indeed much better than I had expected. Fill level was excellent, but the colour had me worried a bit...this VP showed a lovely perfumed nose after one hour in the decanter. The contrast with the taste was remarkable: much more mature than the nose would suggest. However, 3 hours in the decanter was the sweet spot for this VP: everyting was in balance: a darker, almost brooding nose, a palate that combined red fruit with secondary flavours, great long spicy finish - wow! 95 points. Peak drinking.
I agree with Ronnie that 2 hours afterwards it had faded a bit...only compaired to its fabulous showing before - it was still drinking like a dream.

The Niepoort '63 was a VP that I've wanted to taste for a very long time, ever since I've started collecting Port. This bottle was the first one I ever came across, and while it was expensive: it was worth every cent I paid for it - a superlative experience. I cannot wait for the next episode in our Niepoort Vertical!

Ronald Wortel · Post by **Ronald Wortel** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 3:49 pm

Man you're fast! Almost like you knew this TN was coming.

Post by **Andy Velebil** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 8:39 pm

Thanks for the pics...I got a great laugh out of the one with the cigar tins

Alex K. · Post by **Alex K.** » Wed Jan 18, 2006 7:16 am

Like the pics Stevie. You missed the all-important one of actually using the tongs though. Nice to see the 'anonymous person' making a good attempt at her impersonation of Blackadder. Wibble.

The port looks a beautiful colour out of the bottle.

Steven Kooij · Post by **Steven Kooij** » Wed Jan 18, 2006 7:31 am

I know, Alex, I know...in all the exitement we forgot! Next bottle...

Wibble: the capitol city of Mars!