For The Love Of Port

I opened this wine because it was leaking and wanted to bring a port on my ski trip. It needed no decanting and was ready to drink upon opening. The nose was muted, and that might be because of leaking, but it tasted great and held up fine for 2 days. If it only had a nose, it would have been a high 90's point wine. But I'll rate this 93-94 points.

I always wax nostalgic when I try this port or see notes like these.
I still have the empty bottle of the 77 Taylor I drank with Deryk Fellingham, a former collector of the Port of London, who retired from Her Majesty's Customs Service in the 1980's.
He visited me here in Texas in 1991 and we had this great port.
He died very unexpectedly in 1993 at the too young age of 58.

I was once a guest in his home in Thorpe Bay, Southend-on-Sea, Essex and he once gave me a private tour of the POL offices customs museum in the City of London. We had lunch at the Port Pot, a wine bar that served pewter cups of port from cask.

77 Taylor is a fine port and I am glad to say I have 4 bottles left.
With the flaws you still gave it high points on this bottle.
Most of the bottles I have had are a solid 96+.

What a great story Richard. I could feel a jealous twinge whilst reading about the Port in pewter experience. Brilliant!

I am a huge fan of the '77 Taylor and it is so very very different than the '70 in every way except greatness. I am normally in the 95-98 point range with this fabulous youngster. I have even opened my share of Mags of this over the years for special occasions. Two of the Mags were opened in the past six years and just one before that, leaving me just 3. I wish I had another case of Mags of this wine but did not have the money at the time I bought them, to grab a second case. I was fortunate to purchase a good number in 750 and have not been shy about opening them although I have really tried to keep my paws off of them. It is nearly impossible though.

The Port Pot in the City of London may not exist any more. I do miss Derek very much. A mag would be very special.