1980 Ferreira Vintage Port

Written by Roy Hersh

Thursday, 05 June 2008

1980 Ferreira Vintage Port - Medium orange-brick color with slight ruby in the center and a broad Tawny edge.  The nose morphed over time.  Early on it showed some strawberry, cinnamon spice and bright raspberry but with more time, (7 hours after decanting) it took on more of a pine and minty character and showed some spirit too.  A fascinating Vintage Port and defines an elegant style that typifies most Ferreira Vintage Ports as they approach maturity.  I've had this a number of times, but most were in the mid-late 1990s and it's always been a solid VP and a fine example of how good some 1980 VPs can be.  Not a heavy weight but with lots of glycerin it gives the impression of more density than it really has.  Smooth, a bit hot but not too distracting in that regard, and ultra rich in the mouth.  Flavors changed the longer it was open and it offered cherry cola and dark raspberry fruit with great acidity and showed a sweet and soft underbelly, with good length on the aftertaste.  Not for those looking for brash and powerful Port, but this will appeal to lovers of finesse, structure and textural pleasure.  For me, it was a real winner, mature but with life ahead of it too.  Drink now through 2016 and from there it should remain on a plateau for another decade. 93 points ~ 6-5-08