Vintageport.se

Est. 2011

Great Vintage Port Tasting

Vintage 1978

This vintage was an off vintage after the great 1977 but some produced attractive and delicious vintage port and some houses declared this vintage instead of 1977. According to Broadbent 23 shippers declared and according to Port Wine Institute 27 and 10 of those were Single Quinta Vintage Port. Broadbent gave this vintage ** out of 5*, Suckling 84 points out of 100.

The Wine Society 18% had a Great Tasting 15 November 2012 of the vintage 1978 of 30 Houses. We were 16 participants. The tasting was semi-blind i.e. we know which houses participated but not what we had in the glass.

The tasting was conducted over three flights.
First flight:
Flight 1

Second flight:
Flight 2

Third flight:
Flight 3

Tasting notes. Note that the points are for the actual bottle tasted. Read about how we set point on the page "How to understand our points valuations"

Sort on: Name Sten's rank Jörgen's rank Stefan's rank Group's rank

HouseBarrosVintage1978
ColourYellow mature colour.
BouquetCrème caramel, fudge, toffee and much more in the nose. Quite complex.
TasteQuite full body. Mature and peaking. Fudge in flavour. Sweet. Balanced and elegant port. Perfect developed port with a wonderful finish.
SAI point16.25JB point16.00SS point16.50Group point16.22
SAI rank9JB rank12SS rank6Group rank6
CommentSAI, JB and SS had a split ranking
HouseDalvaVintage1978
ColourAlmost tawny, mature in colour.
BouquetDelicious bouquet of cacao, dark chocolate and candy in the nose.
TasteMedium body. Mature and at its peak. Lovely flavour of candy and cacao. Balanced and quite elegant port with a nice and attractive finish.
SAI point15.40JB point15.50SS point16.00Group point14.63
SAI rank22JB rank18SS rank14Group rank23
CommentJB had a split ranking
HouseFeistVintage1978
ColourYellow mature in colour.
BouquetPharmacy, some berry and roasted coffee in the nose.
TasteMedium body. Mature peaking and even a bit old but still sweet. Ginger bread in flavour. A nice and elegant finish.
SAI point15.00JB point15.90SS point15.75Group point15.13
SAI rank24JB rank14SS rank16Group rank16
CommentSAI, JB and SS had a split ranking
HouseFerreiraVintage1978
ColourYellow mature in colour.
BouquetRich mulberry, cherry and violet in the nose.
TasteFull-bodied. Mature and on top. Violet in flavour. Balanced and excellent with a long, lovely finish. Excellent port!
SAI point17.00JB point17.40SS point16.75Group point16.13
SAI rank3JB rank2SS rank5Group rank8
CommentSAI had a split ranking
HouseFeuerheerdVintage1978
ColourMature almost tawny colour.
BouquetOld pharmacy and some ether in the nose, but also some Christmas raisin and dried fruit.
TasteMedium body. Mature and even a little bit old port but sweet and interesting. Liquorice in flavour. A good finish but maybe short. Easy to drink and like.
SAI point15.50JB point16.25SS point15.90Group point15.00
SAI rank18JB rank9SS rank15Group rank19
CommentSAI and JB had a split ranking
HouseFonseca GuimaraensVintage1978
ColourRather dark but yellow mature in colour.
BouquetCrème caramel, fudge, toffee, pepper and much more in the nose.
TasteAlmost full-bodied. Mature and at its peak. Quite spicy and pepper in flavour. Elegant with a sweet, long and delicious finish.
SAI point17.50JB point17.00SS point17.40Group point16.16
SAI rank1JB rank3SS rank2Group rank7
CommentSAI had a split ranking
HouseHooperVintage1978
ColourMature, yellow in colour.
BouquetCrackled. Vinegar in bouquet.
TasteMedium body. Vinegar in taste. Old and hardly drinkable. Hoped it has been better.
SAI point10.00JB point10.50SS point11.90Group point10.94
SAI rank28JB rank29SS rank28Group rank29
Comment
HouseHutchesonVintage1978
ColourMature yellow in colour.
BouquetFigs, fudge and some ether in the nose.
TasteMedium body. Mature and peaking and even a bit tired. Quite dry. Burned sugar in taste. Still easy to drink with an acidic finish.
SAI point14.40JB point15.50SS point15.00Group point15.44
SAI rank26JB rank18SS rank23Group rank13
CommentJB and SS had a split ranking. Group ranking was also split
HouseKopkeVintage1978
ColourMature yellow in colour.
BouquetBurned sugar, cherry and some pharmacy in the nose.
TasteMedium body. Mature, peaking and maybe a little old. Toffee in flavour. Elegant, balanced and very easy to drink and like. An Attractive port.
SAI point15.75JB point16.75SS point15.75Group point15.75
SAI rank17JB rank6SS rank16Group rank10
CommentSS had a split ranking
HouseMoranoVintage1978
ColourYellow mature in colour.
BouquetLiquorice, burned sugar and salmiak in the nose.
TasteMedium body. Mature and at its peak. Liquorice and burned sugar in flavour. An elegant and balanced finish.
SAI point15.90JB point16.00SS point16.25Group point14.78
SAI rank15JB rank12SS rank11Group rank21
CommentSAI, JB and SS had a split ranking Group ranking was also split
HousePinto Santos JrVintage1978
ColourYellow mature quite beautiful in colour.
BouquetRoses, sultan raisin and pharmacy in the nose.
TasteMedium body. Mature and peaking. Quite elegant and balanced port. Sweet. Easy to drink and like and an attractive and quite long finish.
SAI point16.25JB point16.25SS point16.50Group point15.09
SAI rank9JB rank9SS rank6Group rank17
CommentSAI, JB and SS had a split ranking
HousePlayersVintage1978
ColourYellow mature in colour.
BouquetLovely bouquet with crème caramel, toffee, fudge and much more in the nose.
TasteMedium body. Mature and peaking. Fudge in flavour. Wonderful balance and quite elegant port with an attractive and nice finish.
SAI point16.25JB point15.25SS point16.25Group point15.53
SAI rank9JB rank24SS rank11Group rank12
CommentSAI and SS had a split ranking
HousePousadaVintage1978
ColourLight and yellow mature in colour.
BouquetOld and almost only vinegar in the nose.
TasteMedium body. Ether and vinegar in flavour. Quite cracked and not good.
SAI point9.00JB point11.40SS point12.00Group point12.94
SAI rank29JB rank28SS rank27Group rank27
CommentSAI had a split ranking
HousePresidentialVintage1978
ColourYellow, mature almost tawny in colour.
BouquetFigs, liquorice and old grocery shop in the nose.
TasteMedium body. Mature and peaking. Balanced and quite attractive. Figs in flavour. Very attractive finish. Easy to drink and like.
SAI point15.25JB point15.40SS point15.25Group point14.13
SAI rank23JB rank21SS rank21Group rank25
CommentJB and SS had a split ranking
HouseQuinta do BomfimVintage1978
ColourMature still rather dark yellow in colour.
BouquetLovely bouquet of old grocery shop, mint, tea and much more.
TasteFull-bodied. Mature and peaking. A lovely port with mint in flavour. Balanced and elegant. Wonderful and long finish.
SAI point16.75JB point17.90SS point16.25Group point16.50
SAI rank5JB rank1SS rank9Group rank3
CommentSAI and SS had a split ranking
HouseQuinta do CachaoVintage1978
ColourYellow mature in colour.
BouquetSpicy with cinnamon in the nose.
TasteMedium body. Mature. Quite light port. Fudge in flavour. Easy to drink and like with a quite nice and attractive finish.
SAI point15.50JB point15.50SS point14.50Group point14.88
SAI rank18JB rank18SS rank26Group rank20
CommentSAI and JB had a split ranking
HouseQuinta da CavadinhaVintage1978
ColourRather dark, but mature in colour.
BouquetViolet, spring flowers, crème caramel and toffee in the nose.
TasteQuite full-bodied. Mature and at its peak. Crème caramel and toffee in flavour. Lovely and elegant port with a long, attractive and balanced finish. Quite extraordinary!
SAI point17.50JB point16.90SS point17.50Group point16.66
SAI rank1JB rank4SS rank1Group rank2
CommentSAI and JB had a split ranking
HouseQuinta da CorteVintage1978
ColourYellow mature in colour.
BouquetCrème caramel, liquorice, fudge, burned sugar, dark berry and more in the nose.
TasteMedium, body. Mature and peaking. Liquorice and blueberry in flavour. Balanced and elegant port with a long, attractive and appealing finish.
SAI point16.75JB point14.90SS point16.50Group point15.56
SAI rank5JB rank26SS rank6Group rank11
CommentSAI and SS had a split ranking
HouseQuinta do CrastoVintage1978
ColourMature yellow in colour.
BouquetToffee, fudge, chocolate and cacao in the nose.
TasteMedium body. Mature and on top. Toffee in flavour. Sweet and elegant with a complex and quite long finish.
SAI point16.25JB point15.40SS point16.25Group point14.56
SAI rank9JB rank21SS rank11Group rank24
CommentSAI, JB and SS had a split ranking
HouseQuinta da Eira VelhaVintage1978
ColourBeautiful, mature yellow in colour
BouquetCoffee, tea, cacao and old grocery shop in the nose.
TasteQuite full-bodied. Mature and at its peak. Cacao and chocolate in flavour. Balanced and elegant with a wonderful finish. Quite surprising and extraordinary!
SAI point16.75JB point16.50SS point17.00Group point16.72
SAI rank5JB rank7SS rank4Group rank1
CommentSAI and JB had a split ranking
HouseQuinta do InfantadoVintage1978
ColourYellow mature in colour.
BouquetOld grocery shop with cacao and coffee in the nose.
TasteMedium body. Mature and on top, even perhaps a little more. Cacao and candy in flavour. Quite nice and good finish.
SAI point15.50JB point15.40SS point15.25Group point14.06
SAI rank18JB rank21SS rank21Group rank26
CommentSAI, JB and SS had a split ranking
HouseQuinta do NovalVintage1978
ColourYellow mature in colour.
BouquetCacao, dark chocolate and old grocery shop in the nose.
TasteMedium body. Quite light. Mature and peaking. Quite nice cacao in flavour. Not so long but quite attractive finish. This vintage has never been a favourite.
SAI point15.00JB point15.75SS point15.75Group point16.00
SAI rank24JB rank16SS rank16Group rank9
CommentSAI, JB and SS had a split ranking
HouseQuinta do Noval NacionalVintage1978
ColourMature yellow in colour.
BouquetCinnamon, ginger, cacao and dark chocolate in the nose.
TasteQuite full-bodied. Mature and probably at its peak but with some soft tannins. Sweet. Cacao and dark chocolate in flavour. Quite nice and a long and wonderful finish.
SAI point16.00JB point16.90SS point17.25Group point16.41
SAI rank13JB rank4SS rank3Group rank4
CommentSAI and JB had a split ranking
HouseQuinta da RoedaVintage1978
ColourRather dark with a yellow mature colour.
BouquetCorked with a horrible nose
TasteMedium body. Corked and Acidic. Quite terrible to drink.
SAI point9.00JB point8.50SS point9.00Group point8.53
SAI rank29JB rank30SS rank30Group rank30
CommentSAI had a split ranking
HouseQuinta Sao LuizVintage1978
ColourYellow mature colour.
BouquetCrème caramel, fudge and toffee in the nose.
TasteMedium body. Mature and at its peak. Burned sugar in flavour. Balanced and a quite nice finish.
SAI point15.90JB point15.90SS point14.75Group point15.06
SAI rank15JB rank14SS rank25Group rank18
CommentSAI and JB had a split ranking
HouseQuinta de VargellasVintage1978
ColourDark mature yellow in colour.
BouquetGinger, cinnamon, violet and toffee in the nose.
TasteFull-bodied. Mature and peaking. Cinnamon in flavour. Complex and balanced with a lovely finish. An elegant port indeed.
SAI point17.00JB point16.50SS point16.25Group point16.34
SAI rank3JB rank7SS rank9Group rank5
CommentSAI, JB and SS had a split ranking
HouseReal VinicolaVintage1978
ColourLight, yellow and mature in colour.
BouquetCracked, but some ether, pharmacy, old hospital and even some vinegar in the nose.
TasteMedium body. Ether and some vinegar in flavour. Old and not good but drinkable. What a pity.
SAI point10.50JB point11.90SS point10.00Group point11.59
SAI rank27JB rank27SS rank29Group rank28
CommentDefect and old bottle
HouseRozesVintage1978
ColourYellow mature in colour.
BouquetSpring flower and candy in the nose.
TasteMedium body. Sweet. Mature and peaking. Will not be better. Quite elegant. Very nice and attractive finish.
SAI point16.50JB point15.00SS point15.00Group point14.78
SAI rank8JB rank25SS rank23Group rank21
CommentSS had a split ranking. Group ranking was also split.
HouseSilva LuzVintage1978
ColourYellow mature and lovely colour.
BouquetGinger bread, dark berry and old hospital in the nose.
TasteMedium body. Mature and peaking. Dry. Flavour of ginger bread. Balanced and elegant with a nice finish.
SAI point15.50JB point16.25SS point15.50Group point15.22
SAI rank18JB rank9SS rank19Group rank15
CommentSAI and JB had a split ranking
HouseWiese & KrohnVintage1978
ColourMature yellow in colour.
BouquetCherry, boysenberry and dark berry in the nose.
TasteMedium body. Mature and probably peaking. Sweet. Balanced but with some soft tannins Cacao in flavour. Quite nice finish.
SAI point16.00JB point15.75SS point15.40Group point15.44
SAI rank13JB rank16SS rank20Group rank13
CommentSAI and JB had a split ranking. Group ranking was also split.

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