TN: 1945 Sandeman Vintage Port

[Al B.]

Decant: 2½ hours - Light in colour, darker than the Carvalhas '63 shown alongside but still mature and aged in appearance. A lively nose, emphasising this is mature and elegant port full of red licorice and dried cranberries. Sweet and full bodied with still some tannins left but lots of delicious fruit and a big streak of acidity that holds the wine together well. A big burn on swallowing fades to leave a good aftertaste that goes through several flavour profiles before fading away. This was a wine which improved with additional time in the glass as it opened up. From the elegance, I guessed that this was one of the success from a weaker vintage and so went for the Croft 1975 - imagine my shame! 88 points