1966 Graham's Vintage Port

[tvstorey]

I haven't shared tasting notes before, but as Michael is sharing his 40th birthday 1966 Dow, I thought I would share my notes on the 1966 Graham we opened on my 40th a couple of weeks ago.

This was a UK bottling in green glass by Chas Kinloch and Sons, with a very small but clearly new leak that likely developed in recent transit, excellent fill level. Cork came out in one piece, marked "Vintage 1966."

Decanting, the wine was a deep rose, almost brick, and I was almost prepared to be a bit disappointed, even while it released a stunning perfume of violets, roses, deep red fruits and a hint of spice on a cloud of fine brandy. But once it was all in the decanter it showed a surprising -- and gratifying -- beautiful deep clear garnet. Heavy crust, almost in a single piece, no fine sediment.

After decanting for about 4 hours, in the glass it showed a rich nose of liquorice, violets, roses, cherries, lemon blossom and red berry. Clear garnet with the slightest brick on the meniscus. Lush and jammy mouth with layers of liquorice, ripe red fuit, mulberry, brown spice, toasted almond, beautifully balanced tannins and acid. Very long finish with surprisingly ripe fruit. (Someone snapped a photo of me at that moment when I was supposed to be toasting the assembled guests and was instead staring stupidly at my glass)

Overall impression: A complex wine, with such rich perfume, bright color, and fresh ripe fruit for its age. It could have been years younger except it had such integrated structure and poise. A superb wine, and I've now cellared more of the same bottling for birthdays to come.

[Roy Hersh]

Tyler,

Very well done!

I have not had a '66 Graham's since mid-March of this year and that was an ex-cellars bottle. You make an excellent point about the Graham's showing young. In fact the bottle I took part in, showed younger but not better than the 1970 Graham.

Personally the Dow provides more pleasure than Graham in '66 (but not in '70). However, the Graham's '66 is one I do like very much and it is on the upswing too. I gave it 94 points on that day.

Thanks for posting your very well articulated TN.

[Al B.]

Tyler

Great note. I've only had this wine once, last year, and I was extremely impressed with it also.

Many happy returns to both you and your wine!

Alex