WARRE'S Vintage Port 1977 Bottle

Description

IN BRIEF
Warre's 1977 Vintage Port is a distinguished wine that exemplifies the rich heritage of this iconic estate, renowned for its exceptional quality and concentration. This vintage displays a deep ruby hue, hinting at the intensity to come. The nose is enticing, featuring fragrant aromas of cassis and prunes, layered with hints of spice, creating a complex aromatic profile. On the palate, it offers a fleshy texture and an abundance of ripe berry flavours, supported by mellow tannins that provide a velvety mouthfeel. The finish is lush and fruity, leaving a delightful impression. Rated 98 points by Decanter and 94 by James Suckling, this vintage offers depth and complexity, making it a superb choice for any occasion, whether enjoyed alone or paired with rich desserts.

ABOUT THIS PORT
Warre's 1977 Vintage Port is a distinguished wine that exemplifies the rich heritage of this iconic estate. Known for its remarkable quality, this vintage has evolved into a superb Port, celebrated for its concentration and depth. Upon pouring, the wine exhibits a vibrant, deep ruby hue, hinting at the intensity that awaits.

The nose is immediately enticing, showcasing fragrant aromas of cassis and prunes that invite exploration. These fruit-forward scents are layered with hints of spice, providing a complex aromatic profile that captivates the senses. As the wine opens up, its character becomes even more pronounced, revealing a lush tapestry of dark fruit notes that speak to the exceptional ripeness of the grapes from this vintage.

On the palate, Warre's 1977 Vintage Port offers a fleshy texture that envelops the mouth, showcasing an abundance of ripe berry flavours. The wine's mellow tannins contribute to a velvety mouthfeel, allowing the fruitiness to shine while maintaining an impressive balance between power and elegance. The finish is lush and fruity, leaving a delightful impression that lingers long after the last sip.

This vintage has reached the middle stage of what promises to be a long and distinguished life. Currently, it is hugely enjoyable, providing an excellent opportunity for enthusiasts to appreciate its depth and complexity. However, it also possesses the potential to improve further as it continues to age in the bottle, making it a worthwhile addition to any fine wine collection.

Warre's 1977 Vintage Port represents not only the quality and tradition of Port production but also the artistry and craftsmanship that go into creating such an exquisite wine. Whether savoured on its own or paired with rich desserts, this vintage Port is an outstanding choice for any occasion.

DECANTER 98 points
Tasted by: David Sly
(at Yalumba 175th Anniversary Tasting, 17 Apr 2024)
Drinking Window: 2024 - 2040
There is such cleanliness to the flavours and such freshness in the aromas that it’s hard to recognise this as being 50-year-old Port. The wafts of rose petals and star anise are enticing, while the integrated components are seamless and there’s significant power driving though an unusually long, unwavering palate line. With 1977 revered as one of the great Port vintages, this definitely lives up to its esteemed reputation.

JAMES SUCKLING 94 points
Beautiful now. Shows lots of dried fruits and Christmas cake character on the nose and palate. Medium sweet. Full-bodied with loads of flavor and an intensely flavorful finish. Perfect to drink.

JANCIS ROBINSON 18+ points
Mid tawny-brick. Brooding, smoky, spicy nose – almost like it’s in a backward phase – with layers of savoury depth emerging. Not full bodied, but full flavoured. Lots of intensity, but again, I don’t think this is giving everything yet. Still a fair weight of tannins as well. It’s at a muscular, somewhat unforgiving stage right now, but I think this will go somewhere interesting. I won’t be broaching my magnum anytime soon! (TJ)

THE WINE ADVOCATE (Robert Parker) 92 Points
This house makes rather restrained yet rich, flavourful vintage port. Their vintage ports seem slow to develop, and have a unique mineral-scented character that gives them their own complexity and style. The 1977 is quite powerful, very deep and intense, particularly for Warre.

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ABOUT WARRE'S
Warre's is a prestigious port wine producer with a long and storied history, noted for its high-quality wines from the Douro Valley in Portugal. Founded in 1670, Warre's holds the distinction of being the oldest British port wine house and has built a reputation for excellence over its centuries of operation.

The winery is particularly known for its vintage ports, which are made from the finest grapes harvested in exceptional years. Warre's vintage ports are renowned for their rich, full-bodied character and excellent aging potential, often developing complex flavour profiles as they mature in the bottle. The estate also produces a variety of other port styles, including late bottled vintage (LBV), tawny, and ruby ports.

Warre's vineyards are situated in some of the best terroirs within the Douro Valley. The estate uses traditional winemaking practices that emphasize careful grape selection and minimal intervention, allowing the unique characteristics of the terroir to shine through in the finished wine. Grapes are hand-harvested and then fermented in open lagares, promoting gentle extraction and preserving the fruit’s inherent qualities.

The focus on quality has earned Warre's numerous accolades and recognition within the wine community. Each vintage reflects the blend of traditional winemaking techniques and the unique characteristics of the Douro Valley’s climate and soil, resulting in wines that are not only rich in flavour but also express the essence of their vineyard origins.

Today, Warre's continues to be a respected name in the port wine world, celebrated for its commitment to quality, heritage, and craftsmanship, making it a sought-after choice for collectors and wine enthusiasts alike.