Graham's, CLWS, 5th December 2018

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nac
Fonseca 1980
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Graham's, CLWS, 5th December 2018

Post by nac »

Central London Wine Society Tasting of Graham's Port, at the Civil Service Club, Wednesday 5th December 2018
Presented by Paul Mapplebeck

NV Crusted (bottled 2011) - scored 3.9/7 (scores are the average of the 20+ attendees)
I only scored this 2/7 - bit too hot with a slightly bitter aftertaste.

2004 Malvedos SQ - scored 5/7
I scored this 4/7 - some complexity, well balanced, good length, ready.

2000 VP - scored 4/7
I gave this 3/7 - very closed, possibly a touch of TCA; palette more developed than nose; tannin+; not particularly long.

1997 VP - scored 5.2/7
I gave this 4+/7 - more developed than the 2000, but still very closed; good balance, long+; not ready, lots of potential.

1994 VP - scored 5.5/7
My score 5/7 - clear development on colour and nose; good balance, soft tannin, quite spirit; ready but no rush; VVG.

1985 VP - scored 4.8/7
My score 4+/7 - quite open; lots of fruit still, but slightly dominated by alcohol and a bitterness to aftertaste; good.

1983 VP - scored 4.5/7
A number of us thought this was corked (I gave it 1/7). Clear TCA on nose, and whilst not immediately evident on palette, came through clearly on aftertaste.

1977 VP - scored 5.9/7
My score 6+/7 - some fine sediment; developed nose (but not falling apart); initial alcohol kick then some sweetness; well balanced; excellent; ready but no rush to finish up.

1955 VP - scored 6.4/7 - Wine Of The Night
My score 7/7 - very faded, oloroso colour; complex, maderised nose; not overly sweet and still in balance; excellent and not past it yet.
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Alex Bridgeman
Graham’s 1948
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Re: Graham's, CLWS, 5th December 2018

Post by Alex Bridgeman »

That's a very nice line up, giving everyone a good chance to see where their personal preference lies in terms of the maturity of the wines with some very good mini-verticals (like '83 vs '85 or '00 vs '97 vs '94). Pity the '83 was corked.

Personally, I think the 2004 Malvedos is still too young to be drunk and will be much better in 10 years, but I might try one again soon after reading your comment above.
Top Ports in 2023: Taylor 1896 Colheita, b. 2021. A perfect Port.

2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.
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