1960 Dow Vintage Port
Posted: Sun Jul 09, 2006 9:24 am
A bottle that had always been badly ullaged (m/s) but had recently started to leak proper.
Being of no great value, it provided a suitable subject to try out a 'Cork Pops' gas corkscrew, recently acquired.
After chipping off the black wax capsule (more like bitumen than wax) I found that the cork was very loose in the neck, and all too ready to descend into the bottle.
After teasing the cork up a little proud with a conventional corkscrew, I passed the needle of the Cork Pops through the cork, encountering very little resistance.
Pressing on the canister to inject gas into the bottle, the cork rose quickly until half exposed, then more slowly as the wider base met the constriction of the neck.
When about an eighth inch was left to go, there was suddenly a loud bang
as the gas pressure inside the bottle vented itself by destroying the cork - and in style!
Fragments of cork shot across the kitchen, and I nearly upset the bottle.
- A cork extraction method to be used with caution!
After putting a stopper on the bottle and leaving it for a day to settle down again, I decanted the bottle this morning.
Very pale, no red colouration left at all, slightly furry (cloudy), not very elegant in the decanter.
First sip - weak raisiny bouquet, spiritous, a little light on the palate but a nice finish.
Six hours on and a glass proper.
Pale brown, with very clear edge, slight haze. Bouquet weak but inoffensive, spirit gone. Still very light on the palate, but really quite nice, very drinkable.
This wine was probably at it's best over 20 years ago, yet is maintaining some dignity in old age. Although that old age has arrived very early for this vintage.
It may be a little better tomorrow - shall see!
Tom
Being of no great value, it provided a suitable subject to try out a 'Cork Pops' gas corkscrew, recently acquired.
After chipping off the black wax capsule (more like bitumen than wax) I found that the cork was very loose in the neck, and all too ready to descend into the bottle.
After teasing the cork up a little proud with a conventional corkscrew, I passed the needle of the Cork Pops through the cork, encountering very little resistance.
Pressing on the canister to inject gas into the bottle, the cork rose quickly until half exposed, then more slowly as the wider base met the constriction of the neck.
When about an eighth inch was left to go, there was suddenly a loud bang
as the gas pressure inside the bottle vented itself by destroying the cork - and in style!
Fragments of cork shot across the kitchen, and I nearly upset the bottle.
- A cork extraction method to be used with caution!
After putting a stopper on the bottle and leaving it for a day to settle down again, I decanted the bottle this morning.
Very pale, no red colouration left at all, slightly furry (cloudy), not very elegant in the decanter.
First sip - weak raisiny bouquet, spiritous, a little light on the palate but a nice finish.
Six hours on and a glass proper.
Pale brown, with very clear edge, slight haze. Bouquet weak but inoffensive, spirit gone. Still very light on the palate, but really quite nice, very drinkable.
This wine was probably at it's best over 20 years ago, yet is maintaining some dignity in old age. Although that old age has arrived very early for this vintage.
It may be a little better tomorrow - shall see!
Tom