1977 Barros Colheita Port

[Todd Pettinger]

Barros Colheita Port [1977 bottled 2006]

By three years, the oldest Port that I have yet tried thusfar. I take some solace in the fact that this is a Vintage of sorts… I sort of wish it could have been a 30 year old VP that I was drinking though!

29 years in wood show the age as the wine is brown with tinges of orange. A vanilla nose without much spirit.

Sweet orange rind, vanilla, pecans with a touch of brown sugar. For having spent so much time in wood, I was expecting a lot more body to this wine, perhaps more stickiness. This particular example seems to be thin and watery. There is a touch of spirit present on the mid-palate but it disappears quickly in the clipped, short finish.

+4 hours
Better now than at first opening. My thinking a couple of hours ago were along the lines of “so, this is a 30 year old port… so? What’s the big deal?” Fortunately there has been a bit of an evolution, the Port progressing to be a bit more smooth and integrated. More aromatics, from oak, cedar and crème brulee showing up on the nose, to a more defined finish, one that makes me want to go back for another sip, another glass.

+24 hours
Sweet, sweet brown sugar. Less orange rind. The vanilla is still present but not as powerful on the nose. Drinking very fine right now… the finish has drawn out to well beyond 20 seconds, which was not even predictable 23-24 hours ago. An elegant, feminine style of Port.


Sadly, this was a 375, so less than a day's tasting remains at this point.

Todd

[Roy Hersh]

Very interesting choice of wines. I really enjoyed your note Todd and to relieve your pain of lack of oldies, promise to bring something "worthy" when I meet you in Nov!

[Todd Pettinger]

Very kind offer Roy... I do look forward to our meeting in November, not just for something like this, but because I'll be able to meet you in person and perhaps pick your brain for a few minutes without getting a hand-cramp from typing!

Todd

[Todd Pettinger]

+2 days
Marvelously smooth at this point. Silky, sexy mouthfeel. I can hardly wait to retrieve another glass… but I only have about one pour left of this 375, so I think I’ll make myself wait until tomorrow. What spirit there may have been showing up yesterday on the finish seems to not be present today; fully integrated.

+7 days
I waited a few days and poured half of my one “proper” glass remaining tonight… It does seem a bit less mellow than I would expect of a 30 year old wine, but very good. A touch of acidity on the palate keeps the sweetness in check and lends a hand to what would be a sweet, but shallow Colheita.