1977 Warre's VP

Written by Roy Hersh

Wednesday, 13 August 2008

1977 Warre’s Vintage Port (Magnum) – I opened this bottle to share in celebrating FTLOP’s 3rd anniversary with Stewart, Jody and Dorene … but knew that Pedro Branco (owner of Quinta do Portal) would be having dinner at my place that night along with his US importer. A fine wine to end the evening with, although due to it being a Mag, we did not finish it. I gave Stewart some to take home and kept enough so that I had another impression the following day. Medium cranberry in color with a lighter ruby edge. By the time we had commenced consumption, the Warre’s had sat in decanter for 11.5 hours. The nose evolved nicely over that time frame and I detected scents of mint, spirit and a touch of stalkiness. Taylor mentioned raspberries and yep, she was right on the money. Medium-bodied with a fine roasted coffee bean flavor along with raisins and raspberries and a gentle backdrop of heat which was rather mild but noticeable. It was showing its age but it was by no means over the hill, just a mature fun VP at this stage with life left ahead. The tannins were fully resolved and the aftertaste lingered nicely. The following day, the texture had really settled down and it was silky smooth and really delightful but otherwise, this VP was pretty much unchanged. Drink now through 2015 for maximum pleasure. Shockingly, Stewart FINALLY nailed a VP with his first guess and I almost fell off my chair, boldly stating, “It is a 1977.” I bought this in 1993 at Total Beverage in Chantilly, VA for the insane price (they had it mis-marked) of $29 for the mag. That is what I paid when I bought a several cases of the 750s there (per bottle). 92 points ~ 7/24/08