TNR: Graham's 1991
Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 9:34 pm
I've never had it. I have an opportunity to but some at a price that I think is a STEAL. Anyone have any recent experience.
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TNR: Graham's 1991
https://www.fortheloveofport.com/ftlopforum/viewtopic.php?t=8150
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Re: TNR: Graham's 1991
Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 11:09 pm
No experience with it, but a few in my cellar. I'd love to see an opinion on it as well!
Re: TNR: Graham's 1991
Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 12:12 am
Sadly I have not put all of my TNs into the subscribers area, hundreds wait to be typed up and I wish I had someone to help with this duty.
I could swear I put some TNs into the database on this wine and have absolutely had this at least five or six times ... this decade alone and from a couple of bottles as recently as last week (see Blog on homepage ... but those were not showing true to form).
I remember it as a beautiful baby too. Oh well. Anyway, it is in my top 5 of the 1991 vintage and my favorite of all Symington Ports from '91, including the Vesuvio which some seem to love (to me it was the first modern-day Vesuvio VP w/o the Douro bake, but the Symington's had still not fully figured out the property yet - in fact the 1994 Vesuvio was their coming of age Port).
Anyway, back to the Graham's. It is solid and young today. It is younger and brighter in glass than the 1985 but does not have the same concentration, yet it exhibits voluptuous fruit and offers great textural pleasure, if you enjoy smooth and chewy. I love the nose too, still quite fruit forward and vibrant floral and purple fruited notes with only a dab of heat which will integrate with more bottle age. Moderate tannins and not the power of say, the 1991 Vargellas, but right now it is delicious and quite youthful. So if you are a serious fan of mature VP, avoid opening this now. If you like the lush flavors of an 18 year old VP that is starting to come into its own, then you will love this for current consumption. Otherwise cellar the 1991 and keep your hands off.
I hope this helps.
BTW, does anybody have a secretary to lend me?
I could swear I put some TNs into the database on this wine and have absolutely had this at least five or six times ... this decade alone and from a couple of bottles as recently as last week (see Blog on homepage ... but those were not showing true to form).
I remember it as a beautiful baby too. Oh well. Anyway, it is in my top 5 of the 1991 vintage and my favorite of all Symington Ports from '91, including the Vesuvio which some seem to love (to me it was the first modern-day Vesuvio VP w/o the Douro bake, but the Symington's had still not fully figured out the property yet - in fact the 1994 Vesuvio was their coming of age Port).
Anyway, back to the Graham's. It is solid and young today. It is younger and brighter in glass than the 1985 but does not have the same concentration, yet it exhibits voluptuous fruit and offers great textural pleasure, if you enjoy smooth and chewy. I love the nose too, still quite fruit forward and vibrant floral and purple fruited notes with only a dab of heat which will integrate with more bottle age. Moderate tannins and not the power of say, the 1991 Vargellas, but right now it is delicious and quite youthful. So if you are a serious fan of mature VP, avoid opening this now. If you like the lush flavors of an 18 year old VP that is starting to come into its own, then you will love this for current consumption. Otherwise cellar the 1991 and keep your hands off.
I hope this helps.
BTW, does anybody have a secretary to lend me?
Re: TNR: Graham's 1991
Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 5:22 am
Thanks for the note. I can get the stuff for less that $35 a bottle! Sounds like a buy to me. And even if I open a few bottles young, what's wrong with spending time with a beautful 18 year old?