Simon Field | Byzantium plum; deep core, corvid, obsidian; garnet at the rim; the nose is floral, gently lifted, with loganberry, tar, and roses evidenced; youthful and approachable, for all that. The palate has a pleasing weave, tannins nobly enmeshed, plenty of ripeness, and Christmas-cake generosity, the spirit spirited but far from intrusive; plum and violet, soft spice and a kick of alcohol at the end. The grip is impressive after 40 years, the future secure. | 92

Andrew Jefford | This Port has an astonishing color: still dense, saturated black-red. The first Port in our historic canter from 1963 that is not translucent. The profundity of color is almost uncanny. Dark and fresh in aroma, too, with ample tea-leaf fragrance behind the dark plum, damson, and sloe fruits; some treacle and tar, too. Attractive, forceful aromas and a very youthful showing; harmony still a half-decade away. On the palate, it is weighty, sweet, intense, deep, packed with wild red and black fruits in rather unvinous, primary style, so it seems a little unpolished. This, though, might be an effect of its astonishing youthfulness. You can’t fault its depth, exuberance, and raw-fruited appeal, and it is also texturally magnificent, thick yet soft on the tongue, and seemingly reluctant to age. Such a contrast to the scraggy ’77s! A great Port at the 40-year-old point, no question, and no hurry to drink it at all. My only hesitation in terms of scoring it is that primary, berry-like fruit character, as if it included a little Zinfandel in addition to Touriga Nacional and friends. A privilege to drink, nonetheless, and I will score based on pure sensual appeal. | 96

Richard Mayson | Still an amazing, deep, opaque black color, withathin browning rim, remarkable color for a wine that is 40 years old—it’s hard not to be impressed by this, however it came about; dense and rather sullen on the nose, perhaps a touch of stewed plum; ripe and round on the palate, a touch stewed and soupy, backed by big, chewy, spicy tannins, which rise to a solid finish. Foursquare, not particularly elegant but very impressive and certainly all together after four decades. | 90