A bit of a myth..?

[Tom Archer]

Conventional wisdom has it that Madeira keeps after decanting but old Port does not..

I can't speak for Madeira, but -

After test driving the Dow '75 a week ago I have just washed up the decanter, which had about an eighth inch left in the bottom.

Well, waste not, want not, - I tipped the remainder into a glass and supped it.

Rather to my surprise, it was still in very good form, with no evidence of degradation.

Is the conventional wisdom wrong, or do different ports behave differently?

I must experiment!