1997 Sandeman Vau Vintage Port

[Ted D]

I've always claimed I'll open anything I have whenever I feel like it.

Tonight I opened a mag of VP, no decanting, no one else but me, no excuses.

It's a 97 Sandeman Vau. Signs of prior seepage, although the cork looks absolutely fine and not saturated nor like the Port seeped out obviously, although the tax paper thing underneath on cork has obviously been wet through. I got it for free -- see my post in the marketplace.

First impression? No air, cellar temp. It's a 94 Warres LBV -- that's what I'd say blind. Very dark rich grainy black fruits, with a similar nose with some graphite as well.

We'll see how this progresses -- it doesn't taste like an absurdly young mag of VP, even if it's the Vau designed for earlier drinking,

I expect to drink this over a few hours --- err, couple+ nights so we'll see, but there is no indication of heat or other damage.

I like it!

[Andy Velebil]

Wow, a mag for yourself....I like it

Look forward to a TN of it.

[Ted D]

Day 1, it was like a very good unfiltered LBV. Warres 94 coming to mind:

On the nose, some plum, some graphite, and lots of very dark fruits.

Great balance, luscious mouthfeel, and lip-smacking good. Similar to what one would expect from the nose.

Just trying it now on day 2. More "VPish" and TNs forthing after a few glasses, or perhaps tommorrow.

[Ted D]

Stored overnight in the 1/2 full bottle, air sucked out with one of those vacuum things. Never actually decanted.

The nose had a slight yet non-obtrusive whiff of alcohol, talcum, and dark fruits, although not as big as day 1

On the palate certainly more young VP-like. Great big mouthful with oodles of subdued black fruits.

Similar to a Fonseca 92 I had recently, but only 10% of the Fonseca was there.

I liked it better day 1.
Day 1: 92 points
Day 88 points -- still plenty of fun to drink

Was it heat damaged? No idea, although I'm glad I drank it very young to avoid any big risk (esp considering the bottle was free).

If I had another, I'd open when I had friends over, maybe served with a bunch of red meat.

[Todd Pettinger]

A mag for yourself eh? Now THAT sounds like a fun couple of hours... er... nights!

Todd

[Ted D]

My wife helped -- a little :)

[Todd Pettinger]

From my experience, that is just fine! :) (Having her help just a little)

[Julian D. A. Wiseman]

Unimpressed! Didn’t finish bottle on first night, even with help. What’s the world coming to? Never happened when I was young. Today’s youth, eh?

[Ted D]

It was tough not finishing the bottle the first night. I felt in the interests of science I had to see what day two would bring however.

I opened a mag of Something Rothschild I think to see me through. May an 82 or 61 -- don't quite remember.

[Bob bman]

This is the only young (under 15 years old) vintage port I've ever had that I thought was worth drinking so young. My tastes are very much more towards fully mature ports, but this one was an exception.