I carried this bottle into the Colorado backcountry for one evening at Jackal Hut. (A friend carried a 2000 Quinta do Portal LBV for a different evening
) The organizer of the trip was born in 1978, so this bottle was brought in her honor. No decanter available, so I popped the T-stopper a few hours before serving.Color was amber tawny with a little more red hue than I would have expected for a 1978. Very clear. Aroma showed some warmth but also sweetness and dried fruit. I also thought I detected a hint of spice, like cinnamon. In the mouth, very nicely balanced. Definite warmth there, but unlike many Ports with stronger alcohol, the alcohol did not carry into the throat and average length finish. This was bottled in 2007, and for a colheita of that age I would have expected a bit more complexity; but it may be that I wasn't highly tuned in to detect some of the finer nuances after a long day on the hills and in a cabin with dinner aromas abounding. I'd definitely like to try this again.
92 points.