3rd bottle from a case of 6 purchased 2 years ago - 1st note I have taken on this wine.
Cork broke in half - not even Alex could have saved this one as the bottom half shattered into a million pieces
Decanted very easily off surprisingly little crust. A deep purple colour in the decanter. The nose was initially very spirity.
+1 Hour Still some spirit on the nose but now some black cherry breaking through. The entry is very smooth but quite light in the mouth. A huge burst of black fruits developed into a small amount of heat and then came a nice long mouthwatering finish. A very promising start.
+4 Hours The nose is now very sweet and the spirit has almost gone. Mouthfeel is much thicker than before and the initial fruit burst is quickly replaced by some big tannins that linger into the finish. This is a far more robust proposition than at opening so I am back on the dry red for a couple of hours to see where it's going 8)
+6 Hours The tannins have softened a litte but still dominating as they did at 4 hours. Now a nice big chewy mouthfull of dark chocloate cherry truffle - yummy 8)
I give this a 6-7 on Tom's scale at this stage. One of the better drinking ports I have had recently and the robustness sugests to me it has more to offer in future than it does today.
+24 Hours All of the things from before but now some mint in the finish. Less tannic as you would expect at 24 hours and now a lovely drinking port. Score stays the same as before.
Luckily I fell asleep just after the 6 hour note so there is 3/4 of a bottle left. It will not see 48 Hours
Derek
