Multi: Blandy's 10 year, Cockburn 20 year and Taylor Reserve

[Jay Hack]

Just spent ten days at The Breakers in Palm Beach for two back to back conventions. The bar has a good selection of desert wines including a 1920 Boal Madeira at $75 for a 1.5 ounce pour. I decided to make my way through a few non-vintage items that I had never tried before, just for the educational experience. So I had these on three successive nights. I have no idea when each of them was first opened.

Blandy's 10 Year Madeira. A nice pleasant nutty flavor with light notes of chocolate. There was a sharpness on the palate which was almost citrus like and was the only negative characteristic. Moderate sweet and not cloying.

Taylor Reserve Port NV. Yucch. This could only be described as awful. I think I would have recognized it as port in a blind tasting, but it would have been close. Extremely bitter without any fruit.

Cockburn 20 year Tawny. This was a nice wine, albeit a bit thin compared to other 20 year tawnies I have had. Nice flavor of roasted pecans, moderate sugar and caramel. Matching nose. Very smooth to drink. My favorite of the three.

[Roy Hersh]

Jay,

Thanks for your observations. I look forward to another epiphany type tasting note from you after finding a Port or Madeira that really wows you.

Best regards,

Roy