TN: 1863 Ferreira Vintage Port

[Al B.]

Decant: 30 minutes - From a bottle ullaged to mid-shoulder and a cork which had snapped in half. Dark gold in colour, with a pale yellow rim and just a hint of green. Initial impact on the nose is a massive wave of VA, very reminiscent of a bual madeira, which was consistent with the colour! Underneath the VA was a little rosemary, antiseptic and perhaps some sweetened gooseberry. In the mouth the entry was a nice neutral balance between sweet and acid, with patience the acidity won through but had plenty of burnt caramel and lime flavours and sweetness. Very well balanced. Clearly extremely old but also a good wine still. Nice complexity and some layering in the mouth. A modest aftertaste that suddenly explodes into life and fills the mouth with burnt caramel and rosemary and which lasts for absolutely ages. Scored for the drinkability today, but what a wine to be able to try. 88 points