1977 Ferreira VP

[Eric Menchen]

Bottle featured brittle crumbly wax over the capsule. I cut this away and nearly pushed the cork into the bottle casually inserting the worm of the Durand. But I caught myself and managed to pull out the loose cork with the worm alone. Decanted for two hours.

Not crystal clear, but plenty clear after dropping the bottle on the floor earlier in the day. Nice garnet color. Aromas of rosewater, cherry, and tangerine, with some alcohol warmth and very faint medical alcohol spirit. Still has some body and viscosity in the mouth. No tannins to speak of, but there is a little bit of acid. Tastes sweet with that cherry and citrus, and perhaps a little faint berry. Nice persistent finish on the first few tastes. Later I noticed flavor of strawberry Jolly Rancher candy. I expected this to be past its prime based on tasting a bottle purchased at the same time, but opened 10 years earlier; but this bottle was doing just fine. I doubt this will improve with more time, but it may hold on for another 10 years. 92+ points. (14 Jan 20)

[David Spriggs]

Not crystal clear, but plenty clear after dropping the bottle on the floor earlier in the day.

Oh man!!

[Andy Velebil]

Not crystal clear, but plenty clear after dropping the bottle on the floor earlier in the day.

Oh man!!

Double ouch!!

[Moses Botbol]

If Ferreira did not use wax, there would be only half as much left in the world. No other brand do I see as many loose corks once the wax is removed.