For The Love Of Port

From a case bought at Sotheby's last December. Cost per bottle (including BP and delivery) - £18.38

The late Butler Nephew company had a rather idiosyncratic way of labelling their VP bottles, using both a simple paper label and stencilling direct onto the glass. Perhaps they wanted to leave the barest essential information on the bottle, should the label rot away.

All bottles had good levels, although it was dificult to check as the glass was very dark. I selected the one bottle that had a damaged capsule.

Brown glass, so probably Oporto bottled - cork was a little longer than most, and broke two thirds down. A second stab extracted the remainder in one piece though.

Decanted very cleanly off its sediment.

Sparklingly bright rose coloured wine with clear meniscus - very attractive to look at (and what a difference compared to the Aussie soup I encountered a couple of days ago!).

First sip - light and sweet, but very promising

More anon

Tom

A glass proper, and perhaps a little premature at only three hours after decanting.

This looks so elegant in the glass - it has darkened a little now - a mellow red, just a hint of tawny going to a clear edge, and with big tears after you swirl the glass.

The bouquet is hard to describe - classy, chocolate perhaps.

Looks and bouquet prepare me for a very superior drinking experience, but there I'm finding fine flavours compromised by a fiery edge.

I'm hoping the fire will have subsided when I re-visit it tomorrow, but even now I'm thinking this was a great buy

Tom

Tom,

It is always fun to read a TN from producer's you rarely hear about. Thanks

Were Butler & Nephew a shipper in their own right, or were they a UK merchant who bought from the registered shippers and then bottled under their own name (a parallel with, say, Justerini & Brooks or Berry Brothers today?)

Alex

Were Butler & Nephew a shipper in their own right

The name is included in the vintage declaration lists, and the company lasted for two hundred years before it was disbanded in 1989, so yes, I think they count as a shipper.

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The fire has subsided now - perhaps a tad light, but otherwise this is very fine drinking

This wine might still have a little way to go yet, but is probably close to its peak - up with the best of the 70's, and well worth looking out for..

Tom