1980 Graham's Vintage Port

[Al B.]

Decanted for 48 (!!!) hours before tasting. (A long story behind why such a long decanting time.)

Astonishing wine. I know Roy rates this very highly, but now I understand why. After 48 hours in the decanter, this is the tasting note that I wrote.

Browning slightly at the rim. Deep red centre, clear and sparkling as seems to be unique to Grahams.

Nose of burnt raisins and damson juice.

Sweet and balanced in the mouth. Wow! Is this alcoholic? Beautifully integrated with masses of fruit - prunes, figs, dried cherries and lemon juice. Fabulous structure with tannins fully absorbed into the fruit.

Complex mid-palate resolves into a long aftertaste dominated by bitter chocolate coated dried plums (someone once bought me a box of these from a polish delicatessen).

Super wine with years of life still ahead of it - but will it get any better? Overall I rated this at 95/100.

Alex

[Richard Henderson]

Sadly, I bought none of this. It had a great predicition and then the whole 80 vintage faded. Wish I had bought the 1980 Graham's now.