Decanted an hour before dinner. Inky black, not really showing any age. Huge, open nose of quite fantastic depth, smokey, coffee, chocolate, dark spices. A companion thought it akin to liquid smelly socks! Gripping palate, surprisingly so, age had not softened the tannins yet. May never do! Quite four-square and volatile. Seemed to me to be a little old-fashioned in style – but this is not meant as a detrimental comment! Dark black fruits behind this, balanced with a medium finish. Not everyone’s cup of tea, but I very much enjoyed it as almost a caricature of itself – a fine, age-worthy syrah. I would think this will see out another decade, though certainly ready to drink now. 16.5+/20.
Warre’s 1977 vintage port
Decanted. Quite a show-stopper! I have tasted many, many different bottles of ’77 Warre’s over the past decade, and this was undoubtedly the best yet. This must have been perfectly stored in some very dark, deep cellars under Pall Mall as it was quite staggeringly youthful. Aged on the rim, but in the most part this wine had kept its colour with little of the orange-faded body I have seen in previous bottles. A little heady on the nose but quite classic. Remarkably full-bodied, with plenty of fruit remaining, although tannin clearly starting to fade. This was a splendid surprise and I can’t imagine there are too many bottles this good still in existence? This youthful wine could have passed for an ’85 in a blind tasting. 17/20.
No comments:
Post a Comment