At 20% alcohol, a pinch higher than normal, the 1994 Graham’s Vintage Porto scored 19 points on the Dionysian scale of 20. It cost under $50 then; today all Vintage Ports have skyrocketed.The 2018’s will be great too.

Rick black cherry, herbs and spices with other black fruits like currant fill the nose. After decanting, it continued to open up and show more aromas and flavors for at least three hours. An open bottle is good for a few days before fading.

Served with blue cheese on rice crackers after dinner during the last snowy evening we had.
It was outstanding but is still ten years away from perfection. It’s a great Port vintage.

Vintage Porto’s mature in the bottle so you’ll always have a lot of sediment when decanting.

The bottles are black to protect them from any light. Kept in a cold, dark cellar, the 1994 will last for at least 60 to 75 years. For half a century, the Dionysian Society has ended their Black Tie Gala with a midnight Porto party where everyone shares form their cellars. I’ll share a 1963 next time. In Vino Veritas.