1937 Hoopers Vintage Port

[Eric Menchen]

Slightly haze, with a lighter color more like a tawny. This first smells of chemical rubber, then shows a liqueur aroma, on top of sweet caramel, with a tiny hint of cinnamon and wood. There is lots of warmth, almost too much; and tangy acid in the finish. The flavor has a hint of dried strawberry, and peanut brittle without the peanut. The warmth is decreasing, but is still strong in the finish. Orange citrus acid then shows up, along with candied peel, slightly browned. The initial bad smell dissipated, making for an improved aroma. But this then showed some Belgian ale yeast character—phenols. Overall thin and unsatisfying. 88 points.