1963 Graham Single Harvest Tawny
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Tasting notes
The 1963 Single Harvest Tawny Port from Graham’s is a bottling of four barrels with an average age of 75 years. It has a slightly paler colour than the 1969 from Cockburn’s tasted alongside and feels conservative by comparison, offering subtle walnut, marmalade, cigar humidor and mandarin. The palate is medium-bodied with an attacking, feisty, spicy opening. There are hints of cumin and marmalade, joined by clove and ginger towards the cohesive finish. The vigour demonstrated by the palate actually makes me desire more fireworks from the aromatics. Tasted at the Symington Tawny Port tasting at the Tower of London.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
Shown to contrast with the 1963 vintage. Aged for over half a century in seasoned oak casks with an average age of 75 years that have been maintained by Graham’s own team of eight coopers. Just being launched now. See picture of the relative colours of the vintage and single harvest tawny 1963s. Charles admits it’s difficult to say which he prefers (vintage or tawny); I think I prefer the old tawny. Firm finish, very fresh and lively. Some light astringency on the end. Less sweet and smooth than the vintage wine but very powerful. Very long indeed. Very sweet start and then a dry, fresh finish. Lots of freshness. (JR)
The 1963 Single Harvest Tawny Port, not yet bottled when seen and set for release in 2019, is a field blend that comes in with 127 grams of residual sugar. A very different wine stylistically than the overachieving 1994, this isn't as rich in a way, but it has a few cards up its sleeve. It adds more of that wonderful complexity that great old Tawnies acquire—molasses, dark chocolate, seared caramel. It's rather fresh for the age too. It has plenty of power and fine acidity supporting the fruit as well. This is pretty beautiful. It will last indefinitely, barring cork failure. The price was not set yet.