It turns you purple - inside and out! (Taylor Fordgate 1977 Vintage Port)

Member Name: raynor238

Product:	Taylor Fordgate 1977 Vintage Port
Date:	02/06/01 (440 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: For a rich taste

Disadvantages: For a rich person

I had never been lucky enough to sample a genuine vintage port. The closest I had ever got was a bottle of Sandeman Late Bottled Vintage, which was bought as a Christmas present for a friend who never actually received it due to my poor resistance to temptation.

I had always fancied treating myself, but could never justify the high price as a good bottle can knock you back anywhere from £50 upwards, and with no upper limit. I had resigned myself to a future of 1 litre duty free bottles of Cockburn Ruby, which although a pleasant drink, aren't exactly spectacular.

However, 2 years ago my chance came. I was lucky enough to be invited on a business dinner by a client - it was a black tie function, and as I was unaccustomed to this sort of do, I was feeling very out of place. Before the meal, I had sunk a few pints to calm my nerves, and I'd had a fair few glasses of wine with the meal.

Once the meal was over, and the speeches finished, my host leant over and asked if I'd like a drink to finish off the meal. I feared for my guts if I went back on beer, and I knew the done thing would be to have a brandy, which I can't drink (for stupidity reasons, i.e. it makes me stupid), or a glass of port.

I opted for the port, and less than a minute later, a bottle of 1977 Taylor's Vintage was in front of me, with 6 glasses. I offered everyone on the table a glass, as I thought I could 'pass them to the left' and show how cultured I was, but nobody wanted one. I offered again, just to make sure, and then started drinking.

I could not believe the difference in taste and texture between the bottle I was drinking, and my previous tastes of port. The flavour was so concentrated and intense, and the richness caused the inside of your mouth to tingle. I did take it slowly, and I did savour every drop, but the bottle only lasted an hour. Which was about 10 mins longer than me, as this wine is so rich and heavy, it goe
s straight to your head.

The next day, I had a particularly thick head, and when I staggered half asleep to the loo, I was instantly sobered by the shocking discovery that I had got bright purple urine (which had only happened previously when I was 8, and ate a whole jar of beetroot!). I went for a wash, and noticed that as well as a dark purple tongue, the port had stained through from the inside of my cheeks, and given me 2 huge purple circles on either side of my face. I felt a fool for 24 hours, but it was worth it.

I don't think I will ever get the chance to savour a drink like this again. There is no way I will ever justify the expense to myself, but if anyone offered me a glass I would jump at the chance. Apparently the whole 'pass the port to your left' tradition was so that the drinkers could always keep their sword arm free. With a drink of this quality and price, I can understand why.

Summary: