1977 Sandeman Vintage Port

[Andy Velebil]

After a couple failed attempts at trying this VP I finally suceeded in a non-corked bottle. Decanted about 12 hours before starting in on this older VP....The color has gone from a light strawberry to a dark ruby now. A very alluring nose of dark chocolate and violets which is hard to stop smelling. The palate has a tad bit of heat that detracts from the palate a bit, but it doesn't over shadow the red fruit. Some nice subtle spices mixed with some aged red fruit are balanced out by the soft tannins and moderate acidity. This is by far a more elegant VP than a massive blockbuster, reminds me of an older Warre's VP. While not the top of the heap on the vintage, a very enjoyabe bottle. 91 points.
02/23/09

[Roy Hersh]

I have had a number of fine showings of this wine and I really enjoy its elegance, maybe even more so than the Warre's. I've never experienced a corked one that I can remember.

Nice TN Andy, but why did you decant this for 12 hours? If I had to guess, it was a case where you decanted before leaving for work ... but otherwise, this particular VP would never require that amount of time. Just curious.

[Andy Velebil]

Yeah, 12 hours would normally be a bit long for this bottle, but I had to decant it early as me and a friend spent all day moving my wine cellar to a new offsite storage. Only after we got done with that, no small task, did we make it back to my house to eat and drink....a 1992 Ridge Geyserville, 1997 Thunder Mountain Bates Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, and this 1977 Sandeman VP. I am still sore from moving all those cases :help:

[Roy Hersh]

So did the 1992 Geyserville win top honors of those 3 bottles?

[Andy Velebil]

So did the 1992 Geyserville win top honors of those 3 bottles?

Nope, it and the Thunder Mountain were pretty much on par score wise...the Sandeman was the winner of the three. And from proir Geyser experience I had figured before hand this would win or at least tie the Sandeman. But I generally really do like those older ridges (Geyser, LS, MB, and anything from the Jimsomare ranch...although Jimsom can be hit and miss, as it's tempermental to bottle by itself.)

here's the Geyser note

Only some slight bricking and still holding great color. Nose is more aged Cali cab than Zin with lots of cedar, saddle leather, old man musk, and some plums. Very ripe fruit for an aged Geyserville, but still has enough secondary cedar, forest floor, logan berry, lots of spices, and just a hint of chili powder. Although this is lacking in acidity to balance out the ripe fruit, my only complaint, it is still enjoyable to drink. No doubt this would score higher if there was more acidity. 89 points
02/23/09