1981 Hooper's Lord Mayor LBV

[John M.]

When I had asked in an earlier post if anyone had any knowledge of this port, none did but Andy V. classified it as "older and odd" and it certainly did not dissapoint in that regard.

According to my friend who brought it along to the Port Club meeting, his neighbor has kept this in the stone basement of his house for 20 or so years and since "there was floaty stuff in the bottle it should be good drinking now!" It was given to my friend as a gift recently.

T-cork, no signs of seepage. Bottled in 1987 in Oporto.

Bottle silent on filtered or bottle matured, etc. but true to his word there was lots of "floaty stuff". Since this came just as we were gathering, I quickly decanted and this wine presented more like a tawny. Lots of sediment--some in small leaf like pieces.

Color was an amber to yellow, clear. Showed some legs on the glass. I really let my glass air out to make sure the alcohol was toned down, although it did not seem overpowering. Hints of vanilla and old nuts through a sherry/tawny like flavor, lingering finish but not altogether pleasing....almost like you ate 10 raisins and one was bad. Felt better in the mouth than after if that makes sense. This wine is certainly over the hill, but still had a little life left. 82 points plus an unforgettable experience.

[Andy Velebil]

John,
Thanks for posting the note on this. It's always educational to hear how these "old and odd" Ports are doing past their probable intended life span. How long was this decanted for? Or over how many hours was it consumed? I'm just curious as to what changes took place over the time it was open.

[John M.]

Almost a pop and pour. Our group is 10 so couldn't do a proper open and taste over a few days--we each got one decent pour. Bottle arrived about 30 minutes before we met. I decanted immediately, so it was open about 45 minutes to an hour before we drank it. I really swirled my glass to integrate oxygen and took a long time to drink it. Taste did not seem to vary much from first to last sip.

[Andy Velebil]

Thanks John,

And here is the pic of the bottle you sent me

[Glenn E.]

LOL... I recognize that granite! I have almost exactly the same stone on the island in my kitchen.

[John M.]

LOL... I recognize that granite! I have almost exactly the same stone on the island in my kitchen.

Great--so when you come to the NYC area and come over for a few bottles, you'll feel right at home.

P.S. You have excellent taste.

[Andy Velebil]

LOL... I recognize that granite! I have almost exactly the same stone on the island in my kitchen.

Great--so when you come to the NYC area and come over for a few bottles, you'll feel right at home.

P.S. You have excellent taste.

Actually what Glenn is really saying is when he comes to visit he'll be right at home in the kitchen and as such will do all the cooking and cleaning

[Moses Botbol]

Rare indeed. That's the tailend of anything decent from Hoopers. '81 bottled in '87? Wow.

[Glenn E.]

LOL... I recognize that granite! I have almost exactly the same stone on the island in my kitchen.

Great--so when you come to the NYC area and come over for a few bottles, you'll feel right at home.

P.S. You have excellent taste.

Actually what Glenn is really saying is when he comes to visit he'll be right at home in the kitchen and as such will do all the cooking and cleaning

Be careful what you wish for, Andy!