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+96 hours (kept in decanter in fridge in the meantime) this was still pleasant but to my taste a bit over-mature. I'll drink up what I've got and not buy more.

Vesuvio, Fonseca, and Warre on the other hand...

Potted crab, glass of manzanilla
Steak pie, roasted carrots
Welsh rarebit

Thank you

Have opened the Smith Woodhouse so take that off the list of options proffered…

Popped, decanted and poured. Retasted after a couple of hours. 50% opaque. Smelled like VP in early maturity - still lots of dark plummy fruit on the nose but the fire gone. Hint of herbs. On the palate very much ready to go with sweetened Agen prunes and licorice. Congruent finish. Chocolate later....

3 bottles of the excellent 2016 Sao Leonardo VP in a tasty half price sale at Vintage Wine and Port.

I can likely do 30 April but may be a bit jetlagged. An evening of young LBV will definitely help, right?

So… everything has changed, sometimes several times. The following will lead to darker, but not necessarily better, ports

- viticulture - especially block planting with fewer darker varieties
- destemming
- mechanical crushers
- mechanical treading

Reccua 1995 confirmed

I've got Fonseca and BBR immediately to hand, will try and find the spreadsheet to track down what else.

Most of the colour of red wine comes from the skins.

Wine made from

- destemmed grapes
- that have been sorted to exclude unripe grapes
- where the juice has spent longer in contact with the skins

will be darker.

Martin, thank you for organising. An evening which confirmed that 1994 Vesuvio really is all that.

Yes please

V92 double decanted at 0730, to the sound of the cat complaining about his second breakfast being delayed thereby.

Has mellowed. Prunes and chocolate on nose and palate. Black cherry compote. Jolly nice with a raspberry and coconut tart.

Have located Warre, Gould Campbell and Smith Woodhouse in the cellar so will bring those back to town. Already have Vesuvio in town. Can’t find the others (Dow, QDLR, Taylor).

Popped decanted and poured. A deep red, 60% opaque. A bit of sulphur on the nose. Violets on the palate, and blackcurrant fruit pastilles. Long warm finish. Very much a baby. Powerful port. Will see how it goes over the next couple of days, but suspect I may end up leaving the rest of the case for a...

Let me know if you want me to bring a Durand (Port Edition).

I’m in (aka, ‘yes please’)

Regret unavailabile due to only just having flown back from Madeira and having to cope with resultant email deluge. Regret much not least because it’s been a while since port.

I so confirm. I have the Vesuvio 1994 in London and propose to pick up the rest of ports I have proffered next weekend. If I find I have mislaid any in the interim I will let you know. I can then drink the ones we don't need for this tasting over the next few months which will be no hardship.

Week of 29th April good for me - previous week I am in USA.

@mcoulson - jolly good, I’ll open the 1994 when I get back to the UK on Saturday, since you have gone for the 1992. Your are right that there are no bargains any more in that supermarket on the Estrada Monumental. There was an M E Fernandes Verdelho with no price on it. It’s a nice wine I’ve had man...

We have done ‘85 recently. I am not available on the night of the ‘75 tasting.

Confirmed, Reccua 1995, subject to finding it.

I no longer have the magnum of Taylor 1982 but I think the Reccua 1995 is still on the rack in Rutland.