For The Love Of Port

The 31 Noval is so dark toffee rich. Coffee notes and a core of delicate herbal complexity that seems to go on forever. There is no heat. This is the best port that I have experienced when you take in all levels. This kind of power with grace is rare. This is a unique and wonderful experience. This ...

The 48 Grahams is so expressive. Complex. There is some heat. Less power here than the Noval. More sensual sweetness. The finish goes on and on. Delicious.

This tasting note is one of several related tasting notes. Click [here] to see the original note in context.

These two are the real deal for ports. I had these after a magnificent Burgundy dinner for a friend's birthday. The 31 Noval is so dark toffee rich. Coffee notes and a core of delicate herbal complexity that seems to go on forever. There is no heat. This is the best port that I have experienced when...

Last night my friend Todd brought over a 1963 Taylor. I had tasted the 63 Fonseca which is really fantastic. The port was decanted a couple of hours. Just delicious stuff. Detailed. A little hint of that spearmint thing that Taylor has in spades. Very balanced and beautiful. I got to keep a glass fo...

Thanks

Am I missing another really good port from 1963?

I screwed up. I meant 1963. That is a very big difference.

I have had both of these in the past. This is one year I search for when available. Price is usually not bad.
I really like the Fonseca. This is a knowledgable group of folks here. Am I missing another great producer?
Thanks. (Edited for year screwup.)

1970 Fonseca Gorgeous. Seamless. This one shows a little youthfulness in the fruit but lots of spice. A long blistering finish that just improved as the night went on. Profound. This one is also one of my favorites of the night This tasting note is one of several related tasting notes. Click [here]...

1970 Grahams Oh my! This is the sexiest port I have ever tasted. Seamless mix of caramelized fruit that is presented in such a sexy way. Silky in the mouth. A finish that goes on and on. Profound and one of my favorite wines of the night. This tasting note is one of several related tasting notes. C...

1963 Fonseca Very nice mix of spice and caramelized fruits. The palate is seamless. A combination of assertive fruit with a very elegant structure. One of the best finishes when first tasted. Profound. This wine faded after dinner but was still excellent. This tasting note is one of several related...

1965 Fonseca Guimaarens An off year port which shows medium concentration and a rather simple palate compared to all the other superstars. Very very nice finish here. Suffers only in comparison. This tasting note is one of several related tasting notes. Click [here] to see the original note in cont...

1966 Fonseca Very hot on opening. The alcohol took a great amount of time to integrate here. Very assertive aggressive wine with lots of caramel notes mixed with the fruit. Significant spice. You can tell the house style here but this is a really stubborn port. This tasting note is one of several r...

1945 Taylor This one has a funky note on the nose. The palate is incredible. Absolutely stunning. Deep caramel laced fruit that is so aggressive but seamlessly integrated with the underlying structure. Assertive and bold. Profound despite the off putting nose. Wow! This tasting note is one of sever...

1955 Taylor Assertive nose of dark caramelized fruits and some spice. An herbal note of Eucalyptus that is prominent. The palate is very bold and takes you by storm. There is a seamlessness of structure to fruit to alcohol in this older wine that lets you know what aging port is all about. Profound...

1955 Grahams Holy cow. This is good. Sexy fruit that is so elegant on the nose. Caramelized. Not a lot of spice. Less assertive than the Taylor. The palate is seamless again with lots of caramelized fruit. Sexy wine. Profound. This tasting note is one of several related tasting notes. Click [here] ...

1963 Taylor This wine is VERY assertive compared with the prior ones. Again, some Eucalyptus here that is very noticable. Beautiful nose that is all about the fruit here. Grabs you and doesn’t let go. Integrated alcohol with some air. A little heat at first. With time this is a profound wine. This ...

1870 Royal Oporto Coheita Light amber color. A very high toned nose with maple syrup character but significant nuttiness. Like Black Walnuts. The palate is very light. More like Madiera to me. Green nutty flavors and a shortish finish. This one did not budge with aeration. This tasting note is one ...

1896 Royal Oporto Coheita Cloudy amber color. The nose has a slight off putting note. Musky. The nose and palate show stronger brown sugar types of character with good acid to balance it. Pretty good finish. This tasting note is one of several related tasting notes. Click [here] to see the original...

1927 Cockburn This is so detailed on the nose and palate. Very elegant. Great caramelized dark fruit that is loaded with incredible spice. Almost like Botrytis. The transparency of the underlying depth of spice and fruit here is like a Burgundy. Penetrating and held up for several hours in very goo...