Your favourite 1980

[simon Lisle]

I've had numerous 80's ports which vary considerably tonite was the burmesters turn very smooth start and finish but spoilt in the middle by to much alcohol needed longer than the 6 hours decant altogether a pleasent port

[Linden W.]

My favourite is the Dow. Overall this is an undeservedly overlooked vintage.

Here are some TNs from a tasting in November 2004:
Dow’s 1980 97/100
Deep, youthful semi-opaque ruby; spicy with quite distinctive aromatics with medicinal-edged fruit, sweet, and very intriguing; really delicious, exotic fruit, concentrated, full-bodied, fleshy with fine tannins on the long finish. Already delicious, but has a long life ahead. A wonderful port and a compelling wine.

Fonseca 1980 91/100
Clear, light ruby; sweet, aromatic, still fresh on the nose with a peppery note; rich, ripe. Fleshy, delicious, moderately concentrated, a little spirity on an otherwise positive long finish. Well structured.

Graham’s 1980 86/100
Mid+ ruby with some maturity on the rim; ginger spice, orange peel, spices, high-toned aromatics; sweet, mature, some fruit, moderately concentrated, coffeed finish.

Sandeman 1980 72/100
Mature mid-ruby; earthy, sweet, mushroomy, savoury, spicy nose; mercaptan note on palate, sweet fruit, mushroomy note and vegetal on finish. No good.

Smith Woodhouse 1980 92/100
Youthful ruby, semi-opaque with a touch of crimson – a quite youthful appearance; lovely ripe nose, plummy and fresh; rich, fruity, thick, fleshy with a peppery touch to the somewhat spirity finish. Overall very good.

Taylor’s 1980 92/100
Healthy mid-ruby, clear; sweet, spicy, leafy note, fresh; good spicy fruit, light, easy, but delicious and correct with a lovely leafy note on the finish.

Warre’s 1980 86/100
Deep satin ruby, opaque; not that forthcoming on the nose; dark, cherry liqueur chocolate notes in the mouth with a long chocolate note on the finish, moderately concentrated. Lacks a little dimension but good.

[Richard Henderson]

I remember that this vintage was touted when it was released and then quickly faded. I remember a few bottles of Graham's that I enjoyed, but I could not begin to assess it in "points".

The 1980 that I have one bottle of and still like ( Broadbent gave it **(*)) is the Ferreira 1980. The previous bottles tried were very nice. I found one last bottle in the cellar that I will try on cold day this winter. I am enjoying a glass of 1987 Ferreria tonight as I write this. I enjoy their port and all the better because it is always reasonably priced and generally overlooked by critics. The 1977 and 85 are still drinking well.

[xxxMonique Heinemans]

I've only had the Taylor 1980, about a year ago, but I didn't like it very much.
Way to much alcohol and thin .

Monique.

[simon Lisle]

I was also disapointed with the Taylors the ferreira is in the cellar and will be tasted the next time i open a bottle of 80 thanks for your replies

[Roy Hersh]

My preferences for the 1980 Vintage are based on trying only about a dozen producer's Ports. I have had a couple of cases worth of the Dow and it is by far my favorite wine of the vintage with Graham's coming close. Fonseca is nice too, but I am not a fan of the Taylor and Ferreira made an elegant wine.

[Kevin B. Kelly]

I haven't had a lot of 1980 Vintage Ports as yet, but there is one special one I would like to note. It is the Gould Campbell 1980, this was my first wonderfully elegant vintage port and it got me hooked. Before that I was a colheita man, most of the vintages that I had had were either past their prime or had too much pepper on the nose and palate for my tastes. Then, I discovered this guy named Roy Hersh on some web bulletin board that suggested decanting vintage ports for an extended period before drinking. What a difference it made! Thanks Roy!

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Kevin B. Kelly
A Port Enthusiast