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A tasting of 1980s, on Wednesday 20th October 2021, at the Boot & Flogger, arranged George G.

Links:

• Review of the evening as a whole;
• 1980 Fonseca;
• 1980 Taylor;
• 1980 Croft Quinta da Roêda;
• 1980 Sandeman;
• 1980 Offley;
• 1980 Burmester;
• 1980 Dow;
• 1980 Graham;
• 1980 Warre;
• 1980 Smith Woodhouse;
• 1980 Gould Campbell;
• 1980 Quinta do Noval Nacional;
• 1980 Niepoort;
• 1980 Cálem Quinta da Foz;
• Placemats (mentioned in issue 151; a revisit of the design of 02Mar2012);
• Planning and arrangements.

Colour as dark as anything present on the night. Lots of use of the words 'rich and ripe' in my notes - nose, palate and finish, connected throughout with the word 'blackcurrant'. Long finish with excellent tannic balance. Lovely port and a worthy WOTN.

Not very comprehesive notes here for me but I have spirity, minty nose and a relatively sweet palate. Improved over the night, probably would have got more points a few hours later for me.

A measure darker than anything apart from the Dow 1980. Still slightly opaque. Reasonably subtle on the nose. In the mouth, quite spirited (not spirity!). Good cherries on the nose. More subtle than the Smith Woodhouse but, perhaps, a touch more elegant.

Probably the second darkest wine of the tasting (Dow #1). The nose was excellent – cherry jam and mint (though possibly a “younger” nose than I’d have expected for a 41 year old wine). Nice and rich on the palate (would certainly have guessed a Graham's if the tasting were blind), and very well balanced on the way down without any overbearing tannins. My WOTN.

Deep, dark red; 90% opaque. Closed on the nose and showing very little. Delightful entry with dry, chalky tannins and deep black cherry fruit. The palate is surprisingly youthful, big fresh and fruity. Dry cocoa powder on the aftertaste and a black cherry finish. The finish has a good length, growing nicely as black fruit gums. An enjoyable drink although still very youthful. 87/100. Drunk 20-Oct-21. Decanted 6 hours.