ThePortForum.com

To mark the occasion of Mr Wolfgang Starz having become British, some of his new compatriots gathered at The Boot & Flogger to drink Port Fit for a New Subject of Her Majesty.

Links:

• Review of the evening as a whole;
• 1960 Fonseca (On behalf of WPS from JDAW);
• 1963 Fonseca (AHB);
• 1966 Fonseca (Extra from WPS);
• 1966 Taylor (IDJ);
• 1970 Croft (DRT);
• 1970 Quinta do Noval (JDAW);
• 1970 Graham (CPR);
• 1970 Warre (DRL);
• 1970 Niepoort (Dumpy) (PW);
• Food order;
• The placemats (and the parameters by which made);
• Planning and arrangements.

F60, decanted 15:30. Red-red-pink, 40% opaque. Nose of lovely mature port, with red cherries. Palate starts with white pepper spice, then heat. Too hot to be perfect, alas. At finish more of the white pepper, and red fruit — perhaps cherry. Very good mature Port, but below the top rank.

This won’t improve. Drink up.

I think to say the F60 needs drinking up is not correct as it is currently in such a nice "plateau" for drinking. Despite I agree taste wise it will not improve from here and it is in comparison to the 63, 66 and 70 a bit lighter in structure and finish in terms of complexity and fragrance of the port it is in my eyes matching them. So close behind. Again the cherry flavors with various spices make the port very attractive and a great port.

Mature, balanced, rich and fruity, some heat. A little light, and a shade behind the very good 63 and exceptional 66, but drinking very well indeed. I also can't see it improving from here, but I think it will be very enjoyable for a good few years yet.