What have you opened this week?

[John M.]

1988 Churchill Crusted Port - What a delight this wine was! Opened for Mother's Day and shared with the large group. Incredibly well received.

Removing the capsule the cork was depressed with an inordinate amount of "dirt" - Was concerned but needn't be. The cork with so tightly wedged in even with a Durand took a bit of effort to extract. The wine poured out a little cloudy but with 30 minutes had cleared considerably. It sat in the decanted several hours then was rebottled and taken to the restaurant. Once there I removed the stopper.

Faded plum and cherry, lingering aftertaste. Well structured, very easy to drink. Churchill is among my least personal favorite brands, yet this was a triumph. So glad I have several more bottles of this.

There aren't many Crusted Ports out there, and I suppose that makes sense with the way viniculture has improved and we are seeing a lot of SQVPs---no need for Crusted. Yet when did "blending" become a bad word? Crusteds should have their place IMHO; they offer something unique and beautiful.

[Moses Botbol]

1994 Ramos Pinto VP. With a few days in the decanter, it was a more delicate and soft tasting port than I would've thought. Still has decades of life ahead.

[Andy Velebil]

40 yr Andresen tawny. Just a lovely old tawny. Yummy.

[Lucas S]

2011 Presidential LBV last week. Good value for $20, bit hot. Worth including in a horizontal but didn't blow me away.

[Moses Botbol]

1970 Dow. Wife opened last night. Hoping this can carry us through the holiday weekend.