TN: 1963 Rebello Valente Vintage Port

[Al B.]

Decant: 36 hours - The only mid-shoulder level bottle from a case of 12 acquired at auction. The cork was extremely flawed and was no surprise that it failed. Decanted cleanly off a fair degree of sediment. Initially this was raw and unknit, but after time in the decanter it was greatly improved. A beautiful burnt mahogany in colour, Slightly smelly on the nose, smelling of bottle stink. Initially silky impact, but sharp and harsh acidity comes through in the mid-palate. The fruit is dominated by the acidity, but is present. The aftertaste is the best feature of the wine, but is slightly soapy, caramel and bitter sloe - and with an enormous length. Decent evening drinking port. 83 points