1985 Fonseca Vintage Port – Deep, luxurious purple with a slight garnet rim. The viscosity is apparent as the wine gracefully coats the glass. Chocolate, lush dark fruit and light red currant. A touch of oxidation on the approach with lively acidity and noticeable tannins. Old dusty fruit notes on the medium-long finish. With more time in the glass, aromas of mushrooms, prune and sassafras appeared, and the group thought this bottle was a little off either through excessive oxidation or perhaps the faintest hints of TCA. 88 points. (10/14/2023)
1994 Taylor Fladgate Vintage Port – Dark purple color with purple on the edges. Eucalyptus, mint, and chocolate notes on the nose. Noticeable acidity on the palate. Ripe dark fruit, jammy and lush. Nice balanced tannins on the mid-palate. Tanins roll through to the very long, rich finish. 91 points. (10/14/2023)
1977 Warre Vintage Port – Fairly clear with purple and light rose on the extreme edge. Earthy, chalky, dusty slate on the nose. Sweet flipper profile with cherry candy, light spirit, and some nice acidity. Good balance on the long finish. 93 points. (10/14/2023)
1977 Taylor Fladgate Vintage Port – Dark amber cola in color. Cola, light chocolate, and some light spirit on the nose. Wonderful, well-balanced, sweet flavor profile with Pez candy. Bright acidity and structure, and just a great long finish. 95 points. (10/14/2023)
1977 Graham Vintage Port – Clear with medium purple tones. Dark fruit with just a hint of Bramble fruit. There is a really great complexity here on the palate, but at the same time it drinks like a smooth, well-integrated wine. The finish has a nice crescendo and fruit and balanced acidity. 95 points. (10/14/2023)
1977 Gould Campbell Vintage Port – Nice amber-ruby color. Chocolate and fresh crushed red fruit on the nose. Rich and luscious on the entry, with tannins present but nicely integrated on the palate. The balance here is really nice, sitting just on the edge of intensity, but maintain its balance. 94 points. (10/14/2023)
S. Leonardo 40 Year Old Tawny Port – What’s not to love about this wine. Amazing vanilla and old dusty wood notes on the nose. On the palate are complex layers of Creme brulee, caramel and orange spice. It is rich and decadent, backed by are focused acidity. The finish comes at you in waves of complexity, with the acidity riding shotgun on the very long finish. 94 points. (10/14/2023)
1979 KWV Port – From South Africa. Umami, graham cracker and spirit on the nose. Rich sweet flavor profile but really nicely balanced. The acidity has help this wine hold up well, and it has a long finish. 94 points. (10/14/2023)
1974 Quinta do Noval Colheita Port – Cloudy appearance. There is chocolate, dried nuts, warm spices and spirit on the nose. It has a medium-sweet flavor profile, with a touch of saline, orange spices and more dried nuts. The acidity is bright, and it has a long finish. There is just a touch of walnut-skin bitterness on the finish. 93 points. (10/14/2023)
Casa Santa Eufemia 40 Year Old Tawny Port – Amber-orange in color. Caramel and burnt sugar on the nose. Really bright acidity and the palate has some pleasant notes of Asian spices, burnt sugar and really nice acidity. Very long finish. 93 points. (10/14/2023)
