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In a bottle of Fonseca 1963 was a question rather than a certain answer:

jdaw1 wrote: ↑13:45 Sat 17 Feb 2018Are the 1963s coming into their second wind?

Recognising that this scientific question needed scientific experiment, a round dozen of us gathered to test some 1963s.

Links:

• Review of the event as a whole;
• 1963 Fonseca;
• 1963 Taylor;
• 1963 Croft;
• 1963 Dow;
• 1963 Graham;
• 1963 Warre;
• 1963 Cockburn;
• 1963 Cálem Quinta da Foz;
• 1963 Constantino;
• 1963 Mackenzie;
• 1963 Niepoort;
• 1963 Quinta do Noval;
• 1963 Offley;
• 1963 Ramos Pinto;
• Placemats (and parameters by which made);
• Food order;
• Planning and arrangements.

Good, less fruit than some of the better 63s showing alongside but well balanced with light citric notes.
Rating: vg-

40% opacity, rich red. A little mid-weight, mature red fruits, tannin still present. Felt slightly out of balance overall, dry finish. Not quite at the level of other W63 in the last few years. Would not rush to judgement on W63 on the basis of this one bottle.

W63: Dark red, 50% opaque. Palate of smoke and soft red fruit; big and luscious.