For The Love Of Port

Case of six bottles purchased en primeur from Berry Bros, London, U.K., back in 1995, and been stable in my cellar here in Norway since 1996. Tasted only one bottle in 2006, which showed it was much too early to drink. Now it is time. After having consumed this bottle, I was wondering whether this port is not going to last as long as many were thinking when evaluating the 1994 vintage at an early stage.

6 hrs decanting. Medium dark red with a hint of brown. Complex aroma of old cellar, minerals, wet woodwork and pickled berries. Full body. Elegant, powerful, stronger tannins than preferable, old cellar and berries. Long aftertaste. Very nice 20 yr old vintage port. 92 pts.

Wow.. Really? I have a LOT of this. I guess I'll have to open one up. Thanks for the TN!

I am under the firm belief that a good number of 1994's are going through a rather late closed up period at present. Within the past few years I've experienced a good number of 1994's which didn't show anywhere near where they have in the past. Noval Nacional, Vesuvio, and Warre's to mention a few. I am sure if these are there are probably many others as well. What I don't know is why these seemingly have entered such a phase at this time, after being approachable for so long.

Oh no! And we're having a big 1994 vertical in July. I know that 1994 Vesuvio takes a couple if days to open up and that used to be a pop-n-pour beauty.

Rune, did you finish the bottle in on day or over several days?

Anyone try '94 Cockburn recently?

Moses Botbol wrote:Anyone try '94 Cockburn recently?

Not me

I've recently opened a bottle of '94 Cockburn and I found it to be rather closed. It wasn't nearly as expressive as earlier bottles I've had. I'm thinking that I may revisit it in another 5 years or so to check on its development.

Marc interesting and good to know.

The question of 1994's may be a good question for the trade in an upcoming newsletter.


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Hi David!
We did finish it in one evening. Interesting comments from Andy. if that is really the case, then these bottles have to wait even longer.
Andy, have tested your theory with anyone from Symington?

I am no rush to even look at 1994 vintage. If it's going to be as good as predicted early on, I can wait another decade.

Rune EG wrote:Hi David!
We did finish it in one evening. Interesting comments from Andy. if that is really the case, then these bottles have to wait even longer.
Andy, have tested your theory with anyone from Symington?

No, not yet.