ThePortForum.com

Transparent centre, but only just. A wonderful nose of ripe blackcurrant over a core of lime acidity — very inviting. Smooth and rounded fruit on entry then a massive wave of tannins grabs and holds the palate. This is a port which takes no prisoners. One of the bigger and more powerful ports of the...

Deep and opaque. Slightly dirty on the nose, but under this it is sweet and intense with a twist of orange peel. Intense fruit on the palate then a powerful tannic core. Very big on the palate, full of juicy purple fruit; quite possibly the biggest palate of the 20 wines at this tasting. A delicious...

Cask sample. Opaque centre with a wide rim. An astonishing nose of cedar and tobacco - no fruit of any description! The cedar comes through on entry, followed by an amazing passion fruit and Canteloupe melon. Huge tannins grab the palate but never overwhelm the fruit, which is persistently over-ripe...

A port which is just opaque at the centre. Smelling slightly of vanilla biscuits and the hint of blue cheese seen on some ports before the spirit fully integrates. The nose is a little off-putting. Gentle and smooth entry with restrained fruit at first and then the huge tannins and immense acidity t...

Deep dark red. A nose which is more assertive than the Graham shown alongside and certainly more complete. Beautifully balanced with pure and elegant fruit. The tannins are gently wrapped in their cocoon of fruit and the whole is focused by the gentle but persistent acidity. There is some dryness fr...

Opaque and dark. Little showing on the nose except some faint fruit. The texture is wonderful, satin smooth initially and then extremely gripping, but always with the fruit nicely balancing everything else going on in the palate. The fruit leads on the finish. A lobely Graham, full of puppy fat for ...

Lighter in tone than the Taylor shown alongside this port. Nosing of rock rose and wine gums, slightly sour as seems to be a characteristic of the vintage. Purple fruit and a good dose of tannin on the palate, tannins which quickly vanish behind the plummy fruit that is focused nicely by the acidity...

Blackhouse on the Square in Leeds has three ports on their list, all available by the glass or bottle. They are: Quinto do Vallado 10YO Tawny @ £6.50 for a 100ml glass or £30 for a 500ml bottle Warre’s Warrior @ £5.00 for a glass or £31 for a 750ml bottle Warre 2013 Filtered LBV @ £5.50 or £36 for a...

Barros also made a late bottled vintage port from grapes grown in 1993. Wine Searcher shows a couple of retailers, but they want significant amounts of money for a bottle.

I’ve got Gould Campbell

Anyone looking for a bargain could take a look at Berry’s warehouse shop in Basingstoke. Magnums of Taylor 1977 @ £400 and of BBR Own Blend 2011 for £88. Both duty paid.

I managed to resist. It wasn’t hard.

I’ll also aim to be there as soon after 5pm as I can manage.

I’m currently in the Douro working on the b.f.t. and helping Julian sell his book. I thought it might be worth mentioning a couple of places we stayed and / or eaten - although none are new to people who have read travel posts on this forum. The Holiday Inn in Gaia is clean, not too expensive and wi...

Our industry guest has confirmed he will attend (initials EDN). I have promised to book him a room at the Cricketers Arms, which I will do once I am sober.

Dark and inky colour. A satisfying nose of damson jam. Dry in style on the palate, full of fruit before the violet-scented tannins crash in a wave over the palate to reveal the big tannic load in the wine. The fruit is pure, refined and present in generous helpings. The finish is very impressive, bi...

Deep red but with a transparent centre. Soft fruit on the nose, full of summer fruits like raspberries and blackcurrants. Slightly aggressive entry, balanced on the mid-palate with plenty of ripe fruit and nice grippy tannins. Sweet fruit dominates the finish with lingering tannins that are ripe and...

Deep red with an opaque centre. Muted fruit on the nose, none of the deep concentrated blackcurrant seen on some of the ports from this vintage. Medium weight entry; gripping tannins with clean fruit — more elegance and refinement than the other SFE ports from the vintage. Gentle grip on the afterta...

From Messias, tasted alongside the full blend. Cask sample. Not quite transparent at the core. Nosing of soft baked blackcurrant biscuits. Delicious entry with plenty of acidity, generous amounts of fruit and terrific tannins that together have a lovely balance. A good, chewy aftertaste and blackcur...

uncle tom wrote: ↑

12:34 Wed 19 Sep 2018

Do we have a date for this yet?

No, I'm so busy at work that this might not happen this year.

As far as I can remember from when the wine was shown at the BFT in May this year, it is a special blend put together purely for this bottling. I forget what the average age of the wine is, but I'll see if I can find out.

Default food order for me please

I've just taken delivery of 6 70cl bottles of Taylor 1970. The slightly smaller bottles look quite quaint.

I gave 2 points to Sandeman and 1 to each of Noval, Taylor, Offley and Dow

Honourable mentions went to Smith Woodhouse, Capela and Skeffington

Rebecca - RJGO - has requested a standard food order of crab salad followed by rare steak with thin chips

StuartC wrote: ↑

13:43 Mon 10 Sep 2018

AHB, if you don't mind me asking - which country were you trying to ship to?

Stuart, I was trying to ship from the UK to Portugal.