Recap of A Causal Evening

[John M.]

Invited a few friends over for an easy, casual night to taste a few ports...for the main event we had three VPs from 1985, one from 1991 and one from 1992 with a surprise winner...

From 1/2 bottles:

1985 Grahams
1985 Warre's (ruined with VA)
1985 Churchills
1991 Fonseca Guimareans

From a regular bottle:

1992 Warres Quinta da Cavadinha

These were served blind. Oddly, the 92 Cavadinha, Churchills and Graham were the exact same color, the Fonseca was noticeably darker. All but the Fonseca were decanted 12 hours prior--the Fonseca 3 Hours

1992 Warres Quinta da Cavadinha: . Grape stem and rhubarb nose. Taste offered plums, light mint. Slightly acidic, moderate weight and finish. 89 points

1985 Churchills: I was concerned when opening, the cork was depressed about a 1/5 of an inch with a large coating of mold fuzz. I cleaned carefully with hot water and an old toothbrush....considering the cork and brand I was thinking this will not be so good...but then.... Light burnt red brick with pale orange meniscus. Over the grape I got green rye grass on the nose. Hints of leather, touch of chocolate over a light berry tone. Acidic and short finish, moderate weight. Just a nice melding of flavors and attractive finish. 91 Points

1985 Grahams: Light burnt red brick with pale orange meniscus. Nose was slightly peppery over cooked berry; dry. Nice grape with cooked berry, moderate sweetness, light spice, moderate acidity. Delicate, nice finish. 91 Points

1991 Fonseca Guimareans: Dark red brown, red meniscus. Earthy blackberry nose. Taste offers same, seemed just a touch flat and no sweetness. Coaxed out a little leather and chocolate. Moderate weight-moderate finish. 88 Points

Overall WOTN for the group was the 1985 Churchill's which floored me (3-2-1 scale); going in I would have said the Churchill's was the most likely to finish last especially with bottle condition--got to love the underdog--sometimes they have their day. Four out of six had it rated the highest or tied for highest. 2nd and 3rd was a virtual tie: The Grahams and Fonseca. If using average scores, the Grahams edges out the Fonseca. The Cavadinha was last, yet was enjoyable.

We finished the evening with lively conversation over a 2006 Quinta do Crasto LBV and a Taylors Reserve. (Fonseca Guimareans not in photo below)

[Andy Velebil]

Very cool. thanks for the recap. Blind tasting is always a great way to let what is in the bottle speak for itself!

I'll split out your TN's into the TN Forum later this evening so they are easy to access in the future.
(edit: TN's are now split out and in the TNDB)

[Roy Hersh]

Thanks John, this was a lot of fun to read. I was in NY at the time, I felt the good Port vibe from across the Hudson.