For The Love Of Port

Last night I was in the mood for a Port, but my wife was already in bed and I didn't want to open a full bottle with no help on a Thursday. Glenn's posting reminded me that I had a half bottle of 1977 Porto Rocha Colheita, and Marijke was up for some too, so tonight it is.

1977 Porto Rocha Colheita, bottled 2006, half bottle.

Upon decanting, Marijke said musty. I first was overwhlemed by deep caramel, then some fruitiness, dried fruits. Not enough burnt sugar aroma or toastiness for a Douro tawny. Will this be an English or Portuguese style? Some sediment in the half bottle.

D+1.25: Very clear and amber. Slight thinning of color at the rim, but no real change in hue. Swirled for aromas which initially were more on the spirit side, covering up the rest. Later aromas were of brown sugar. There was still some alcohol, but not overwhelming. Wonderful flavors, mostly subtle and integrated. A little bit of dried fruit, but no where near as much as I get in many tawnies. The biggest fruit flavor I can come up with is black plum. The first swallow was warm, but long. After that just nice and medium sweet, and still long. Initial score, 92-93 points. Aroma keeps getting better. I'm going to pour a little more for bedside consumption.

I didn't take notes on subsequent tastings, but this was still quite nice on day 2. It was not tasted on day 3, as per Glenn's tradition, and finished off on day 4. In between it was kept in the fridge with its T-stopper. When it warmed up on day four it was still impressive, and better than day two. As I approached the last drops the caramel really started to show. Final score, 93 points.