For The Love Of Port

No, it's not a typo, these grapes were growing when Henry Ford unveiled his new Model T and Harland & Wolff had just started building a huge ship that would later be named Titanic.

Edward VII was on the English throne and Theodore Roosevelt was president of the USA. Portugal's last monarch, Manuel II took the throne in February that year.

- Enough history.

I drew the cork at 6.40pm.

To my relief, the bottle smelt fresh and with no trace of vinegar.

The wine decanted very cleanly off it's sediment. In the decanter it was a fine golden red colour.

For the benefit of a press photographer, I took a very small sip at 7.15 - the wine tasted sharp but otherwise OK.

After a meal that included a four bottle wine tasting we moved on to the star turn of the evening at about 9.15.

The wine was now superb. In the glass a golden amber colour with clear rim, a bouquet of elderflowers, soft and creamy on the palate with a gentle coffee finish. Wonderful.

The last glasses were poured at at 10.45, by which time the sharpness was returning.

Over 97 years of steady maturation, yet only a couple of hours to enjoy it at it's prime after decanting..

- amazing!

Tom

Great note, thanks.

Wow! thank you Tom, I felt like I was dreaming reading slowly every bit of you tasting notes.

You know, its kind of an eye openner when someone puts what was happening in history to a bottle of wine. It really makes you think what life was like way back then.

Again, thanks Tom

Great note Tom! I opened a bottle (that a friend brought to dinner) of 1900 Taylor this past July and like your bottle ... fortunately, it was showing beautifully. When you think of how few bottles still exist in the world of Ports from 1900 (still a good amount of 1900 Madeira though), it is truly amazing. Each year, the number decreases and it won't be long before there are no more survivors.

These are the types of bottles that you never forget, the rest of your life.

For Port to be able to live that long (how many ppl on earth are still alive that were born in 1900) is one of the beauties of this superb fortified wine.

What a great note.
Roy posted on that 1900 Taylor right after I tried a 1955 this past July at a friend's 50th birthday dinner. We think ours is old and special and then Roy opens a Taylor that is 55 years older. We were outdone!

I still have an empty bottle of 1908 Cossart's Bual Madeira brougth back from the island by a friend that we shared some 10 years ago. There is still a crust on the inside and it still smells like rich brown sugar.

These wines defy time and are so very special and have so much historical perspective.

Richard,

Knowing your love for dessert wines and Madeira in particular (although I am well aware of your fondness for Port too) I really think you and Mrs. Henderson would benefit greatly by joining Mario and me on our upcoming trip to Madeira. It is going to be pretty fantastic and would be one you'd never forget, with enough of the old and ancient stuff to sate even the hollowest leg. Let me know if you are interested.

Roy,
You have me thinking about it and April 30 is our anniversary but we have 7 and 13 year old boys who will still be in school and baseball season etc.

I am even considering a solo trip as a present to my own self.