1977 Croft Vintage Port

It has been a few years since I last tasted the ’77 Croft, but based on the last couple of bottles of this lovely wine that I tasted, this is clearly one of the fine sleepers of the vintage. Much like the beautiful 1963 Croft that I drank with great regularity in the 1980s and 1990s when it could be bought for an extremely reasonable tariff, the 1977 delivers outstanding bang for the buck. The bouquet is a forward and flashy blend of ripe plums, black cherries, chocolate, tobacco, violets and cedary wood. On the palate the wine is deep, fullish and succulent, with lovely mid-palate depth, moderate and well-integrated tannins, and excellent length and grip on the complex finish. I imagine the 1963 was drinking equally well at a similar age, and as delicious as the ’77 Croft is today, it clearly has the requisite structure to continue to evolve and improve with further bottle age. A lovely example of the vintage. (1/2007)

Some ruby richness with real colour gradation. Intriguing nose of bake and wood. Interesting. Layers of rather wild, countrified flavours here. A vigorous wine with lots still to give even if the finish is currently a little dry. Definitely not one of the sweetest ports but a good, valid style. (10/2004)

Croft never seems to get much publicity since the wines, while always very good, sometimes even excellent, never quite reach the superb level of the top houses in Oporto. However, Croft seems to do surprisingly well, often rivaling the top ports, in the less glamorous vintages such as 1975 and 1966. Both the 1975 and 1977 are rich, creamy, intense ports... (RP) (1/1989)

Light garnet color, with aromas of dried berries, nuts and flowers. Tea too. Full and soft palate, with attractive smooth texture and sweet fruit. Very sweet. Very ready. This has never been a great Croft. (JS, Web Only-2008)