For The Love Of Port

Taking this tonight for post dinner drinking with some friends so i though I would give an impression on opening a couple hours ago.

The kitchen filled with plum and cherry scents as soon as I pulled the cork out. Lots of tannins still in this one, solid plum and blackberries, a bit overly alcoholic at the moment, then again I just opened it...Duh! long finish. This should be drinking very well later tonight.

I'll post back later with the final outcome.

Yum, a great port! I still have a full case and I'm in no hurry to open them, they'll go a long way.

A member of the forum, Shawn Denkler, was down in my neck-of-the-woods so we got together last night for our second improptu mini-FTLOP offline, as I call them. We meet at a Shawn's friends (Mike) house for a great dinner (Shawn pass the potatoes please ). Along with a 1981 Burgundy (off-year, but decent) Shawn opened a 1977 Quarles Harris VP and a 1983 Graham's VP, and I, this Vargellas. I will post on the previous 2 in a sperate post later today.


The Vargellas didn't hit its stride until about 10 hours after decanting. Before that it had an overbearing alcoholic finish. Then it was like a majic wand was passed over it and it almost all blew off and everything just fell perfectly into place. Leaving an interesting nose that I swore reminded me of dried rose petals. There was wonderful plum, dark cherry, a hint of spice, with a touch of choclate on the palate and a long finish. There is still a decent amount of tannins in this and I believe it will continue to improve a bit in years to come. Not a blockbuster VP, but a darn good drinker in this otherwise lackluster year. My only recommendation is to make sure you decant this well in advance to get the best experience. A very good bottle indeed and the better of the three we had. 92 points

Ok, I'll admit it. I can't keep my hands off of these. Fortunately some are stashed where I can't get to 'em!

Already having the decanting down on this it showed beautifully. Andy's note was pretty spot on, although I may have hit this one at its point of perfection in terms of aeration as I had a hard time deciding between a 93 and 94 point rating. Absolutely a wonderful go to VP on the same level as the 1980 Dow for comparison sake.

If you want I can get to em for you Roy

I have 1 bottle of 01 Vargellas but not sure its ready so I'll wait a bit more.
Were still waiting for the TN for the 77 Quarles and 83 Graham ^_^

Ohh shoot, I forgot Going off memory here...
The 1977 Quarles Harris: I was quite surprised and impressed by this "lesser" house. Although showing signs of some aging and a slight decline when compared to other 77's, this was a very good VP. Still had a fair amount of dry fruit, the tannins had completly smooth out, and the finish was medium/long. If you got any, I'd suggest you start drinking soon. 91 points

The Grahams...We started drinking this just after opening. I know decanting would have been better, but... when opened it showed as it should and the same as previous bottles I've had. However, after about 2 hours it developed this really really off-puttng nose. We all agreed it was not corked, and I dont think it was bottle stink as it was fine the first couple of hours and after lots of airation in my glass. However, in addition to the bad nose, it lost almost all its fruit on the palate. I tried swirling, etc. and still no change. To bad as I was looking forward to this one. Not rated.

Andy,

If the fruit disappeared like that ... PLUS the nose was that off-putting, I'd bet dollars to donuts that it WAS ABSOLUTELY corked. It does not need to just smeil and/or taste funky to be infected with TCA. Another tell tale sign is when it goes dumb as a drunk blonde. The only difference is that it is a lot less fun.

Good to know, I've always associated being corked with that musty wet cardboard smell, which this did not have. But I guess it was corked then, as a stinky drunk blond it was

Roy Hersh wrote:Andy,

I'd bet dollars to donuts that it WAS ABSOLUTELY corked.

Roy, how cruel you should know not to threaten to take away a policeman's donuts

Derek

Derek,

About time you showed back up, I though Jo threw you over the cliff

NOW, step away from the donut and no one gets hurt :!:

If anyone is wondering why Andy is NOT in the picture above, it is simply because he was inside buying the donuts and coffee for everyone's lunch.

Screw the "newbies" stuck outside...more for me

Roy Hersh wrote:If anyone is wondering why Andy is NOT in the picture above, it is simply because he was inside buying the donuts and coffee for everyone's lunch.

Actually, Roy is being kind here - Andy is standing directly in front of the smallest guy in the picture - unfortunately, Andy is only 3 feet tall so his head didn't quite make the shot

Derek

Andy V. wrote:Derek,

About time you showed back up, I though Jo threw you over the cliff

Andy,

Spooky thought - you must have some sort of psycic powers - when Jo and I were out walking along a clifftop I slipped, fell and dislocated my left shoulder :?

Before you ask, no, I hadn't had anything to drink that day ! (until I got home and used some Fonseca 85 as painkiller 8) )

Derek