Allen Brothers Lava Cakes/Soufflé & 1977 Port. Pinch me!
Whenever I have wine this old, I always ask the people I share it with, what were you doing in 1977?
The beautiful thing about really old Port is how it softens all the edges & the elevated ABV. Smooth as silk.
This was a 375ml and farther along than a 750ml. The color was more Tawny than Port at this point. Wine on the leaner side. The fruits were; Thompson raisins, dates, figs, prunes, and some dried blackberries. Caramel, molasses, melted brown sugar, Cognac & Brandy presence, subtle wood shaving, nuts, butterscotch, graham cracker, dark withering flowers with beautiful acidity. The long finish was; rich, polished, well balanced, smooth and persistent for minerals.
If we had gone out for this dinner, it would have been $2500 plus tip & it wouldn’t have been this good which, is why we choose to cook rather than go out.
Cheese Course $25 pp
Salad $18 pp
Allen Brothers 6oz Ribcap $85 pp
Carrots $9 pp
Crispy Potato Wedges $12 pp
Soufflé $20 pp
Launois "Veuve Clemence" Brut Blanc de Blancs N/V Champagne $150
Glass of 2017 Pierre Boisson Bourgogne Blanc $25 pp
2018 Enderle & Moll Pinot Rose $75
1967 Bertani Valpolicella Amarone $625
2003 Chateau Lascombes $325
1977 Dow Port 375ml $275
Glass of Ruinart N/V Rose $35 pp
$2591 plus tax and gratuity
7 Hour Dinner
Nor would the music & ambiance been as good.
Interesting exercise penciling it all out.
Photos of; the boats used to transport Port from Douro to Oporto called a “Barcas”, grape stomping in a Lagare and our Allen Brothers Lava Cake/Soufflé. — 5 years ago
Very good! — 5 years ago
Dow 20. Rich dark chocolate, toasted nuts, dried currants and spice. Depth you can only find with a good deal of age. — 6 years ago
A delicious example of LBV Port - it has all the classic vintage port attributes - plummy licorice aromas and flavors, balanced seemed and acidity, chewy texture -- all this is in the LBV except with a little less intensity. I like the Dow style - it's less sweet than Grahams and a bit more herbal in character. This is a beautiful wine for the price — 7 years ago
Drinking very nicely. Just a tiny bit behind the '92 Dow Bomfim also drank that evening. — 4 years ago
Doug Boatman
Nice port ready for drinking. Not as complex as Dow. — 5 months ago