I am no port expert...in fact this was one of only 2 in my cellar. My older brother is getting married and we were looking for something for his engagement party. This bottle has always been in bad condition and I don't know why but I never thought much of it. On closer inspection, we decided that this bottle was in terrible shape and that we should not risk it for his engagement party and should not cellar it any longer either. We opened it on the spot. The bottle had extensive signs of leakage, with "stuff" on the outside and a stained label that actually was not even attached to the bottle any more. (glue failure I guess) We could see and feel the cork pushing up underneath the capsule and when it was removed we could see 1/8 inch of cork protruding. It was now dry under the capsule as well on the outside of the bottle so I suspect the leakage was long ago. It has never leaked in my possession. The cork was VERY soft and I actually thought the Screwpull screw might pull out of the cork without removing it. It came out whole however. It needed careful decanting and straining but smelled great. It was a reddish brown in color and tasted of dried fruit, raisins, chocolate and plum. It was considerably hot yet and I was surprised how good this was. Again, I am no expert, but in spite of the appearance of the bottle, I am not convinced that the wine was damaged in any way. I thought it would be much further along in its development or even "cooked" completely but it was no where ready to drink and way too hot for my tastes. Does this surprise any of you port experts?

Port is a VERY resilient wine, including old port. I have had several "Uh Ohs" when looking at my older ports before opening (dried out cork, mold under the cap, low fills, etc), never a problem with the wine itself.

I would imagine most of the 1977's or older bottles we see in the stores went through a lot over the last 28 years (temp. variation, moving etc.), but they seem to hold up.

Have not had a 77 taylor, but "hot" is pretty normal for a port still evolving.

It doesn't surprise me, nor will it surprise many others I expect (see the thread on leaking Niepoort 97s). What Hunter says is true, in my experience.

If you have any left, try it after a couple of days and I bet you like it even better.

merris, great TN: thanks!

I have tasted the Taylor '77 only once (my TN is in this thread) and also from a leaking bottle.
Both the colour and your decription seem to suggest that yes, your bottle (IMHO) seems to be somewhat more advanced in its evolution than a pristine example would be. But hey, you enjoyed it, and that is what matters! Did that hotness you mention blow off with additional air time?

Gorgeous, rich and wonderful.

Intense aromas of raisin, plum, espresso and slightly burnt toast. Layer and layer of sweet fruit on the palate. An easy to enjoy and drink Port I thought due to the weight of the wine.

While no need to rush this Port, hard not to enjoy now.

Thanks g-man!

I usaully agree with everything wine + art says, but I have to disagree about this wine. I thought it was years away from ready. For me, the harshness made it difficult to drink.

if it didn't go into the spaghetti and meat sauce, let me know how it is after a week Board-O =)

i was just cozying up to my glass of this when i was pushed and pulled out the front door..

i would never have called it "harsh"(gorgeous, yes. rich, yes. hot, yes as well.), but can easily state it was years, if not a decade(or more), away from drinking as it should/could/would.

how's that for walking the borderline?

quote:

Originally posted by g-man:
if it didn't go into the spaghetti and meat sauce, let me know how it is after a week Board-O =)

I tried a little last night and it seemed just like Saturday night. I stuck the cork in it and put it in the refrigerator. Maybe I'll try a little more this coming weekend.

quote:

Originally posted by Board-O:

quote:

Originally posted by g-man:
if it didn't go into the spaghetti and meat sauce, let me know how it is after a week Board-O =)

I tried a little last night and it seemed just like Saturday night. I stuck the cork in it and put it in the refrigerator. Maybe I'll try a little more this coming weekend.

No need for the fridge, the sucker will stand up to a week at room temp and would help the alcohol evaporate unless you like your nasopharynx burning
.. do keep the cork on though, no need for fruit flies or mold.

I wonder if my mouth had become numb?

It was a pretty relaxed pace. I don't think any of us had any palate fatigue.

'Funny that this should be posted on a thread that began with a positive tasting note on a questionable bottle. I've had the 1970 Taylor Fladgate on three occasions in the last two years, the first of which had the brownest color (and the most amazing finish), so that's what I thought was normal. The last two bottles were much more dark red, more grapey, hot palates, and neither of them seemed nearly as 'ready' as the first bottle. My conclusion: a well-stored bottle is probably still not reaching its peak, but a slightly more advanced bottle (due to leakage, poor seal, heat, etc.) is probably great right now! SO, I've purchased a couple halves, hoping they'll be a little further along in their development.

quote:

Originally posted by Board-O:
It was a pretty relaxed pace. I don't think any of us had any palate fatigue.

w+a-
I believe Board-O may be questioning your palate.

quote:

Originally posted by KSC02:

w+a-
I believe Board-O may be questioning your palate. [/QUOTE]

He knows better.

He would be questioning his own palate if he questioned mine!

Now all that said, a Port expert I am not. Most of my Port has a fine cigar in one hand, and Port in my other hand.

Board-O would not let me smoke in his house.

quote:

Originally posted by wine+art:
Board-O would not let me smoke in his house.

My wife would have performed surgery on us.

i'm sure she's ripped you a new one before...

quote:

Originally posted by Board-O:
My wife would have performed surgery on us.

is this what I have to look forward to in marriage?

quote:

Originally posted by g-man:
is this what I have to look forward to in marriage?

You should have waited a couple of weeks after our offline. We could have talked you out of it!

just look at us 4. would you blame them?

quote:

Originally posted by g-man:
is this what I have to look forward to in marriage?

quote:

Originally posted by wine+art:

quote:

Originally posted by g-man:
is this what I have to look forward to in marriage?

You should have waited a couple of weeks after our offline. We could have talked you out of it!

maybe if you took out a 1900 margaux =)

Took a sip last night- still hard and rough

quote:

still hard and rough

There you go bragging again. You devil!

he was referring to his beard...

quote:

Originally posted by DoktaP:

quote:

still hard and rough

There you go bragging again. You devil!