1927 D'Oliveiras Bastardo

1927 D'Oliveiras Bastardo:
Amber, orange rim. Chocolate, floral notes, berries, fruitier style again. Fresh acidity, lively, playful even, very elegant and layered, nuanced and long. 93+

Mature wine release

I was not present at this particular tasting, these are tasting notes from different tastings of the same wine, same vintage, if tasted, to give my readers a feel for the wines on offer from my point of view. All wines have been tasted within the last three years, most within the last year or so if nothing else is indicated. All notes are the last bottle tasted by me, not necessarily the best. Bottle size only. As this is a cut and paste case, some different letter sizes were not fixable.

1983 Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millenaires Blanc de Blancs Brut:
Golden, tiny bubbles. More mature than the 85, feels somewhat riper with nuts, dried fruits and still some yeasty notes. Fresh and lively acidity, not as tight as some, complex, layered and very long. 95

1986 Château Léoville Las Cases;
In the neck fill, soaked cork. Bright ruby, stunning nose, fresh red berries, cedar, gorgeous and layered, tobacco, leather, cassis. Complex. Fresh acidity, youthful feel, ripe tannins, fruit in a ball still, needs time, extreme length. 97

1989 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande:
Ruby. Stunning nose, leather, cassis, scented, elegant and still quite rich. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, lovely texture. Fresh feel to it, mouthwatering, very long. 94

1988 Château Suduiraut;
In the neck fill. Golden, vanilla, tropical, botrytis, heavy nose. Fresh, apricots and tropical notes, has the vintage edgy bitterness that I can never enjoy (same sort of thing with the 89) a bit lean finish, good length. 89

1986 Château Cos d'Estournel:
Neck fill. Ruby, garnet rim, tender nose, well, maybe not tender, but sudued and discreet, especially considering newer vintages of Cos. Opens up, getting richer, fresh acidity, ripe tannins, needed air to open, gives a punch, has everything but could have been longer. Would have been nice to let a bottle sit for longer in the glass. A fine Cos. 93+

1927 D'Oliveiras Bastardo Reserva:

Amber with golden hue. Floral, scented and some raspberries behind dried fruits and nuts. Fresh acidity, high even, mouthwatering, exotic, butter and touch of caramel. Long. Tasted this a few times and this bottle felt less obviously fruity than some of the others, maybe even better for it. 94

1988 Château Pape-Clement:
Deep ruby, garnet rim. Mature nose, minerals, some cassis, leather, so much more subdued and, well maybe not outright refined, but at least more nuanced than todays style. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, figs and dark chocolate, long. 90

1975 Château Montrose;
Bottom neck fill, ruby with garnet rim. Leather, cassis, bell peppers, licorice, morellos, sweet feel and elegant. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner style yes, but elegant and long, lovely bottle. 92

1989 Château Gruaud Larose;
Ruby with garnet rim. Tobacco, scented, slight volatility, liquorice, quite mature aromas. A bit lean body, fresh acidity, maturing but a bit astringent tannins, prunes and some warm fruits, a bit short. 88

1985 Château Figeac;
In the neck fill, bright ruby, garnet rim. Plums, minerals, chocolate, subdued, very seductive, exotic spices and some leather. Fresh acidity, tannins almost gone, flirting, ronded, elegant and long. 92

1989 Château La Croix de Gay:

Ruby, towards brick rim. Figs, earthy, hung meat. Mature nose. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, soft and mellow mid palate, ever so slightly drying finish. Smoked ham. Drink soon. 88

1985 Château La Tour Haut-Brion: 
Ruby, garnet rim. The always elegant and red berries nose with scented notes and some vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins starting to polish off, fresh and long finish. 92

1989 Château Lanessan: 
Deep ruby. Cassis, leather, dense touch, fruity. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruit driven and youthful, not that complex or refined, but classic Bordeaux, long. 90

1989 Château Haut-Bailly: 
Deep ruby, garnet rim. Ripe nose, cassis, starting figs and plums, some minerals and vanilla. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, almost lively, ever so slightly dry finish. Long. 90

1985 Château Soutard:
Not tasted recently, my last bottle about six years back was drying. 

1990 Château Bel-Orme Tronquoy de Lalande:
Deep ruby, brick rim. Deep nose, somewhat unrefined with plums and coffee notes. Freshish acidity, ripe tannins, licorice and some vanilla in the finish. 88

1989 Château Camensac: 
Deep ruby. Figs, licorice, leather and cassis. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, starting to round off, fresh and fruity, but slightly drying finish. 88

1985 Château Lanessan: 
Ruby. Ripe cassis, some figs, leather and earthy, blowing over with air. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, slightly herbal and drying finish. 86

1989 Château Fourcas-Dupre:
Deep ruby. Cassis, the estates typical herbs, some wood polish and licorice. Fresh acidity, ripeish tannins, somewhat drying finish. 85

1985 Château Les Ormes-de-Pez:
Ruby. Some cassis, licorice, almost spicy, hung meat and spices. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, somewhat sweet and plummy, slightly dry finish. 88

1975 Château Fourcas-Hosten:
Only a faulty storage bottle tasted, but 70's Fourcas-Hosten is rarely impressive. 

1986 Château Fonbadet:
Not tasted recently, a classic if a bit lean Pauillac tasted about four years back. 

1986 Château Rochemorin:
Not tasted recently, a very oaky and maybe somewhat off bottle about eight years back.

1989 Château de Pez:
Ruby, garnet rim. Cassis, blackberries, some earthy notes and maybe a slightly off bottle. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, a bit plump fruit, figs, lacks nuances. 85

1975 Château Camensac: 
Deep ruby. Figs, prunes, wood polish and leather. Fresh acidity, tight tannins, but starting to let go, drying and somewhat herbal finish. 85

1989 Château Clerc Milon;
Bottom neck fill, soaked cork. Bright ruby, garnet rim. Fresh and lively nose, bell peppers, some leather, cassis, scented, roses, violets, perfect nose, beautiful. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, starting to let go, gorgeous texture, it was stated as one of Decanter's wines of the year back in 1995, it still is. 95

1900 Setubal, 1948 Port, 1905, 27 and 66 Madeira

1948 Stump Martinez Vintage Port:

(Norwegian Monopoly bottling) Pale garnet, lots of sediments. Nuts, cherries and redcurrants. Scented. Fresh acidity, elegant and almost creamy texture, even if the alcohol is behind. Superb texture, long and elegant finish. 95

1900 JM Fonsecha Setubal:

Brown with golden rim. Caramel, butter, orange marmalade, nuts and mint. Sweet palate with fresh and managing acidity, long, but burnt caramel finish. 90

1966 D'Oliveiras Verdelho Reserva:

Deep amber, golden rim. Nuts, dried apricots, and some Christmas spices. Fresh acidity, refreshing with a somewhat lean palate for Verdelho. Long and fresh finish. lovely but young. Every time I taste this I wonder why they don't hold on to it. Maybe the fruit isn't powerful enough, but it always feels too young.  91

1927 D'Oliveiras Bastardo Reserva:

Amber with golden hue. Floral, scented and some raspberries behind dried fruits and nuts. Fresh acidity, high even, mouthwatering, exotic, butter and touch of caramel. Long. Tasted this a few times and this bottle felt less obviously fruity than some of the others, maybe even better for it. 94

1905 D'Oliveiras Verdelho Reserva:

Amber with gold/orange rim. Nuts, citrus, dried fruits, floral, rich and intense. Fresh acidity, slightly hollow, but refreshing, very long finish. Another I've tasted a few times, quite 'typical' bottle. 93+

From the Arcus cellar tasting

1927 Cockburn's

1927 Cockburn's Vintage Port;
Garnet with brick rim. Lots of sediments. Massive nose, intense and complex, leaps out of the glass, off the scale. High acidity, alcohol shows through, but such alyers, complexity and superb length. Stunning. 98+

Visit at D'Oliveiras, one Bastardo

1927 D'Oliveiras Bastardo;
Now almost extinct grape variety on Madeira, a rare treat. Pale amber or not to caramelized Cognac on the colour, with red hue. Smells of old port almost, more dark fruits and berries than most Madeiras, some citrus, a bit volatile, but just charming, fresh and youthfull somehow, fresh acidity, some Cointreauish to it. Great finish. 89