Ports in a Storm

Just an excuse for the title, but stormy weather is indeed approaching... Our local forecast for Monday 23 December reads

Today

Outbreaks of rain quickly spreading northeastwards, becoming heavy and prolonged later, especially across southern and western areas. Widespread gusts of 50 to 60 mph developing, 60 to 70 mph along the south coast, especially Sussex and south Kent coasts.

Tonight

Extremely windy, with gusts 50 to 60 mph inland, and gusts 70 to 80 mph along southern coasts. Heavy and prolonged rain, clearing western areas later as the wind eases.


At any rate, my picture here shows that our Vintage Port is safely in its home, and ready to be decanted for Christmas. My son is a great helper in this demanding work, and is always happy to test the liquids decanted.

Here we see two bottles of rather fine liquid. They are

Right 1948 Taylor
Left 1963 Quinta do Noval

To describe these luscious and quite old ports, I cannot really do better than quote from a web site



Here is what they have to say about the vintages and the specific wines...

1948 Vintage Port 1948 Declaration Report
Ref: 1948.. A very good Vintage Port year producing Vintage Ports characterised by a rich coffee/caramel flavour. and being incredibly rich and concentrated . A note from John Symington of the Symington Port Group, which owns the well known names as W&J Graham Vintage Port, Dow Vintage Port and Warre Vintage Port, stated "Grapes looking healthy and nice and very sweet."

Taylor's Vintage Port, 1948
One of the best port wines of the last century.
The 1948 Taylor has an alluring herbal aroma with a luscious mouthfeel and a layered, long finish.

Price: £630.00
Stock: Out of Stock

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1963 Vintage Port 1963 Declaration Report
Ref: 1963.. An monumental Vintage of legendary proportions. One of the 20th Century's finest. A Vintage Port against which all others are judged. Declared by all the major Port Houses. Vintage Ports with their essential three components of fruit, tannin and elegance prodcued. Ronald Symington of the Symington Port Group, "Wonderful weather for the last three weeks, which was just what was required after the rain. The last weeks of the most perfect weather cleared up any podre (rot) that was threatening. Mostos (musts) look very nice indeed and seem to have plenty of colour even if perhaps lacking a little in guts. Graduations on the whole are very good and the grapes, especially in the early part of the vintage, produced a great deal of wine. Nights have been cool and temperatures have been very satisfactory. We have every hope that some very good wines will have been made."


Quinta do Noval, 1963
Vintage Port (Special Offer was £189 now £169)

Scoring 82/100 Parker points and from the outstanding 1963 vintage, this Quinta do Noval port is a medium deep colour with a suitably mature rim. It exhibits a classic flowery bouquet with a sweet and lean taste. Drink now - 2015.

Description and Reviews:

From the legendary 1963 vintage, the Quinta do Noval exhibits power, dimension and real character. After 50 years the Ports never fail to impress.

The 1963 Quinta do Noval has a light garnet hue with degradated deep brick rim. The nose has scents of cherry, spice, iron rust and wild strawberry.
The palate is medium-bodied, quite pretty, with damson, cherries and a touch of sloes. Quite cohesive. The finish is pleasantly harmonious with good vigour. This is a lovely, elegant mature port.


Excellent condition for year. Good levels (In Neck) original labels
Vintage Port, Vintage Port
£169.00
1 In Stock
Price: £169

It certainly looks as though we shall enjoy ourselves, although I assure you that I did not pay £630 + £169 for this old stuff: I purchased it years ago when it was much younger, and less in demand. It says here that the 1948 is sold out. Forttunately, I still have a few bottles stored in a cellar that I believe to be safe....