Warre's 1963 with one of my tasting groups, as the dessert wine before someone opened a Kracher which was wonderful and sweet. Due to issues with time management, (getting home in time to decant) my bottle wound up not getting enough air time and while still beautiful, it was really spirity on both the nose and palate and just was beginning to improve ... in time for the bottle to be empty.
Christmas Eve a Fonseca 1970. Odd facsimile label, but the embossed capsule showed properly as did the cork's "branding" and the Port itself. Not the best bottle I've ever had and was showing more like a Niepoort from the same year. Certainly nothing wrong there but it was not showing what best bottles of '70 Fonseca can achieve.
Not sure about tonight. My wife is telling me to open another of the Fonseca's. Easy for her to say.
Decision made. I went down to the cellar and the two humble bottles that jumped out at me were a 2003 Crasto LBV ... but then I decided I wanted to open something that I never do and have only had (almost always) in PT. At now 20, it seemed to be worth looking in on a 1999 Quinta do Portal VP, that I've owned since its birth. It is a bottling I always enjoy and will get more than a glass of later tonight when work is done.
Again, HEALTHY 2020 to all friends here! May your year begin without any corked wines or Ports.
I opened my last Krohn 30 Year Old (bottled 2013) tonight. These all came from Premiere Cru right before it imploded. Still lovely and dark. I'm sure I'll never see the likes of those prices again, but I'd like to restock at least a few I'd these. It's a superb 30.
Last night, after getting home from taking mom for out for her birthday, a bottle of 20 year Ramos Pinto Tawny has its cork mysteriously fall out. Of course, I had to sample it to make sure all was well. It was
'94 Ferreira VP. Decanted 11 hours. Dark as a Cabernet. Sweet, fruity nose with a hint of smoke. Medium mouth feel, maybe slightly thick. I could taste the sweet fruit as I sipped, but the alcohol hasn't quite integrated yet. A little burny as I swallow, but not overly annoying.
It's a good port that doesn't seem quite ready yet after 26 years. I'll see if it improves tomorrow night.
Day 4: It's mellowed a little. The alcohol is still there but not as harsh. It tastes a little richer and sweet. I'd tick this up a point from the first night.
"I have often thought that the aim of Port is to give you a good and durable hangover, so that during the next day you should be reminded of the splendid occasion the night before." - Hungarian/British journalist & author George Mikes
A bottle of Niepoort 2017 was opened at the weekend. This is a wonderful Port, so full of structure with the acidity to balance the fruit for many, many decades. The only drawback to this Port is that it is just so good to drink right now!
![[cheers.gif]](./images/smilies/cheers.gif "Toast"){kind=small}
May your year begin without any corked wines or Ports. ![[yahoo.gif]](./images/smilies/yahoo.gif "YIKES!"){kind=small}
, and I for one would be interested in a tasting in the Netherlands with some fellow Port lovers
