1982 Warre's Porto Late Bottled Vintage, Traditional, Bottle Matured through 1986, Douro, Oporto. 20 pabv, bottled by Vineyard Brands, American Canyon, CA. Drunk with a good pound of Stilton at the Trinity Episcolpal Church yearly Vesty Dinner. Other wines: 2008 Bowers Harbor Riesling Block II (magnum) Michigan Old Mission Peninsula USA; 2007 Les Pallieres Terrasse de Diables (magnum) Gigondas, Frannce.
This 'TRADITIONAL' Late Bottled Vintage is cork-finished, and has considerable abundant jet-black crust which rinses out of the bottle upon double-decanting.
This wine is full bricking in color right to the center, actually quite tawny.
Noticeable rich vanillin and cherry-tinged, very rich sweet anise, with nice singing complex of high notes.
Rich tea, cherry, sweet licorice, and resolved tannins; good dry but sweet tactile resources; quite long and satisfying.
This wine was clunky and unfocussed for about the first 20 years, but now, for the last two years, is quite at its glorious peak, and recommended. Drink now. Drinks well over 2 days. If more were available commercially at a reasonable price I'd buy it for near-term consumption.
Any one else have a similar experience with this wine, or other Warre's LBVs? This isn't the first one that has suprised me with cellaring.
A (92 pts.)
