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:
Second flight:
Third flight:
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
| House | Barros | Vintage | 1978 |
| Colour | Yellow mature colour. |
| Bouquet | Crème caramel, fudge, toffee and much more in the nose. Quite complex. |
| Taste | Quite full body. Mature and peaking. Fudge in flavour. Sweet. Balanced and elegant port. Perfect developed port with a wonderful finish. |
| SAI point | 16.25 | JB point | 16.00 | SS point | 16.50 | Group point | 16.22 |
| SAI rank | 9 | JB rank | 12 | SS rank | 6 | Group rank | 6 |
| Comment | SAI, JB and SS had a split ranking |
| House | Dalva | Vintage | 1978 |
| Colour | Almost tawny, mature in colour. |
| Bouquet | Delicious bouquet of cacao, dark chocolate and candy in the nose. |
| Taste | Medium body. Mature and at its peak. Lovely flavour of candy and cacao. Balanced and quite elegant port with a nice and attractive finish. |
| SAI point | 15.40 | JB point | 15.50 | SS point | 16.00 | Group point | 14.63 |
| SAI rank | 22 | JB rank | 18 | SS rank | 14 | Group rank | 23 |
| Comment | JB had a split ranking |
| House | Feist | Vintage | 1978 |
| Colour | Yellow mature in colour. |
| Bouquet | Pharmacy, some berry and roasted coffee in the nose. |
| Taste | Medium body. Mature peaking and even a bit old but still sweet. Ginger bread in flavour. A nice and elegant finish. |
| SAI point | 15.00 | JB point | 15.90 | SS point | 15.75 | Group point | 15.13 |
| SAI rank | 24 | JB rank | 14 | SS rank | 16 | Group rank | 16 |
| Comment | SAI, JB and SS had a split ranking |
| House | Ferreira | Vintage | 1978 |
| Colour | Yellow mature in colour. |
| Bouquet | Rich mulberry, cherry and violet in the nose. |
| Taste | Full-bodied. Mature and on top. Violet in flavour. Balanced and excellent with a long, lovely finish. Excellent port! |
| SAI point | 17.00 | JB point | 17.40 | SS point | 16.75 | Group point | 16.13 |
| SAI rank | 3 | JB rank | 2 | SS rank | 5 | Group rank | 8 |
| Comment | SAI had a split ranking |
| House | Feuerheerd | Vintage | 1978 |
| Colour | Mature almost tawny colour. |
| Bouquet | Old pharmacy and some ether in the nose, but also some Christmas raisin and dried fruit. |
| Taste | Medium 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 point | 15.50 | JB point | 16.25 | SS point | 15.90 | Group point | 15.00 |
| SAI rank | 18 | JB rank | 9 | SS rank | 15 | Group rank | 19 |
| Comment | SAI and JB had a split ranking |
| House | Fonseca Guimaraens | Vintage | 1978 |
| Colour | Rather dark but yellow mature in colour. |
| Bouquet | Crème caramel, fudge, toffee, pepper and much more in the nose. |
| Taste | Almost full-bodied. Mature and at its peak. Quite spicy and pepper in flavour. Elegant with a sweet, long and delicious finish. |
| SAI point | 17.50 | JB point | 17.00 | SS point | 17.40 | Group point | 16.16 |
| SAI rank | 1 | JB rank | 3 | SS rank | 2 | Group rank | 7 |
| Comment | SAI had a split ranking |
| House | Hooper | Vintage | 1978 |
| Colour | Mature, yellow in colour. |
| Bouquet | Crackled. Vinegar in bouquet. |
| Taste | Medium body. Vinegar in taste. Old and hardly drinkable. Hoped it has been better. |
| SAI point | 10.00 | JB point | 10.50 | SS point | 11.90 | Group point | 10.94 |
| SAI rank | 28 | JB rank | 29 | SS rank | 28 | Group rank | 29 |
| Comment | |
| House | Hutcheson | Vintage | 1978 |
| Colour | Mature yellow in colour. |
| Bouquet | Figs, fudge and some ether in the nose. |
| Taste | Medium body. Mature and peaking and even a bit tired. Quite dry. Burned sugar in taste. Still easy to drink with an acidic finish. |
| SAI point | 14.40 | JB point | 15.50 | SS point | 15.00 | Group point | 15.44 |
| SAI rank | 26 | JB rank | 18 | SS rank | 23 | Group rank | 13 |
| Comment | JB and SS had a split ranking. Group ranking was also split |
| House | Kopke | Vintage | 1978 |
| Colour | Mature yellow in colour. |
| Bouquet | Burned sugar, cherry and some pharmacy in the nose. |
| Taste | Medium body. Mature, peaking and maybe a little old. Toffee in flavour. Elegant, balanced and very easy to drink and like. An Attractive port. |
| SAI point | 15.75 | JB point | 16.75 | SS point | 15.75 | Group point | 15.75 |
| SAI rank | 17 | JB rank | 6 | SS rank | 16 | Group rank | 10 |
| Comment | SS had a split ranking |
| House | Morano | Vintage | 1978 |
| Colour | Yellow mature in colour. |
| Bouquet | Liquorice, burned sugar and salmiak in the nose. |
| Taste | Medium body. Mature and at its peak. Liquorice and burned sugar in flavour. An elegant and balanced finish. |
| SAI point | 15.90 | JB point | 16.00 | SS point | 16.25 | Group point | 14.78 |
| SAI rank | 15 | JB rank | 12 | SS rank | 11 | Group rank | 21 |
| Comment | SAI, JB and SS had a split ranking Group ranking was also split |
| House | Pinto Santos Jr | Vintage | 1978 |
| Colour | Yellow mature quite beautiful in colour. |
| Bouquet | Roses, sultan raisin and pharmacy in the nose. |
| Taste | Medium body. Mature and peaking. Quite elegant and balanced port. Sweet. Easy to drink and like and an attractive and quite long finish. |
| SAI point | 16.25 | JB point | 16.25 | SS point | 16.50 | Group point | 15.09 |
| SAI rank | 9 | JB rank | 9 | SS rank | 6 | Group rank | 17 |
| Comment | SAI, JB and SS had a split ranking |
| House | Players | Vintage | 1978 |
| Colour | Yellow mature in colour. |
| Bouquet | Lovely bouquet with crème caramel, toffee, fudge and much more in the nose. |
| Taste | Medium body. Mature and peaking. Fudge in flavour. Wonderful balance and quite elegant port with an attractive and nice finish. |
| SAI point | 16.25 | JB point | 15.25 | SS point | 16.25 | Group point | 15.53 |
| SAI rank | 9 | JB rank | 24 | SS rank | 11 | Group rank | 12 |
| Comment | SAI and SS had a split ranking |
| House | Pousada | Vintage | 1978 |
| Colour | Light and yellow mature in colour. |
| Bouquet | Old and almost only vinegar in the nose. |
| Taste | Medium body. Ether and vinegar in flavour. Quite cracked and not good. |
| SAI point | 9.00 | JB point | 11.40 | SS point | 12.00 | Group point | 12.94 |
| SAI rank | 29 | JB rank | 28 | SS rank | 27 | Group rank | 27 |
| Comment | SAI had a split ranking |
| House | Presidential | Vintage | 1978 |
| Colour | Yellow, mature almost tawny in colour. |
| Bouquet | Figs, liquorice and old grocery shop in the nose. |
| Taste | Medium body. Mature and peaking. Balanced and quite attractive. Figs in flavour. Very attractive finish. Easy to drink and like. |
| SAI point | 15.25 | JB point | 15.40 | SS point | 15.25 | Group point | 14.13 |
| SAI rank | 23 | JB rank | 21 | SS rank | 21 | Group rank | 25 |
| Comment | JB and SS had a split ranking |
| House | Quinta do Bomfim | Vintage | 1978 |
| Colour | Mature still rather dark yellow in colour. |
| Bouquet | Lovely bouquet of old grocery shop, mint, tea and much more. |
| Taste | Full-bodied. Mature and peaking. A lovely port with mint in flavour. Balanced and elegant. Wonderful and long finish. |
| SAI point | 16.75 | JB point | 17.90 | SS point | 16.25 | Group point | 16.50 |
| SAI rank | 5 | JB rank | 1 | SS rank | 9 | Group rank | 3 |
| Comment | SAI and SS had a split ranking |
| House | Quinta do Cachao | Vintage | 1978 |
| Colour | Yellow mature in colour. |
| Bouquet | Spicy with cinnamon in the nose. |
| Taste | Medium body. Mature. Quite light port. Fudge in flavour. Easy to drink and like with a quite nice and attractive finish. |
| SAI point | 15.50 | JB point | 15.50 | SS point | 14.50 | Group point | 14.88 |
| SAI rank | 18 | JB rank | 18 | SS rank | 26 | Group rank | 20 |
| Comment | SAI and JB had a split ranking |
| House | Quinta da Cavadinha | Vintage | 1978 |
| Colour | Rather dark, but mature in colour. |
| Bouquet | Violet, spring flowers, crème caramel and toffee in the nose. |
| Taste | Quite 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 point | 17.50 | JB point | 16.90 | SS point | 17.50 | Group point | 16.66 |
| SAI rank | 1 | JB rank | 4 | SS rank | 1 | Group rank | 2 |
| Comment | SAI and JB had a split ranking |
| House | Quinta da Corte | Vintage | 1978 |
| Colour | Yellow mature in colour. |
| Bouquet | Crème caramel, liquorice, fudge, burned sugar, dark berry and more in the nose. |
| Taste | Medium, body. Mature and peaking. Liquorice and blueberry in flavour. Balanced and elegant port with a long, attractive and appealing finish. |
| SAI point | 16.75 | JB point | 14.90 | SS point | 16.50 | Group point | 15.56 |
| SAI rank | 5 | JB rank | 26 | SS rank | 6 | Group rank | 11 |
| Comment | SAI and SS had a split ranking |
| House | Quinta do Crasto | Vintage | 1978 |
| Colour | Mature yellow in colour. |
| Bouquet | Toffee, fudge, chocolate and cacao in the nose. |
| Taste | Medium body. Mature and on top. Toffee in flavour. Sweet and elegant with a complex and quite long finish. |
| SAI point | 16.25 | JB point | 15.40 | SS point | 16.25 | Group point | 14.56 |
| SAI rank | 9 | JB rank | 21 | SS rank | 11 | Group rank | 24 |
| Comment | SAI, JB and SS had a split ranking |
| House | Quinta da Eira Velha | Vintage | 1978 |
| Colour | Beautiful, mature yellow in colour |
| Bouquet | Coffee, tea, cacao and old grocery shop in the nose. |
| Taste | Quite full-bodied. Mature and at its peak. Cacao and chocolate in flavour. Balanced and elegant with a wonderful finish. Quite surprising and extraordinary! |
| SAI point | 16.75 | JB point | 16.50 | SS point | 17.00 | Group point | 16.72 |
| SAI rank | 5 | JB rank | 7 | SS rank | 4 | Group rank | 1 |
| Comment | SAI and JB had a split ranking |
| House | Quinta do Infantado | Vintage | 1978 |
| Colour | Yellow mature in colour. |
| Bouquet | Old grocery shop with cacao and coffee in the nose. |
| Taste | Medium body. Mature and on top, even perhaps a little more. Cacao and candy in flavour. Quite nice and good finish. |
| SAI point | 15.50 | JB point | 15.40 | SS point | 15.25 | Group point | 14.06 |
| SAI rank | 18 | JB rank | 21 | SS rank | 21 | Group rank | 26 |
| Comment | SAI, JB and SS had a split ranking |
| House | Quinta do Noval | Vintage | 1978 |
| Colour | Yellow mature in colour. |
| Bouquet | Cacao, dark chocolate and old grocery shop in the nose. |
| Taste | Medium 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 point | 15.00 | JB point | 15.75 | SS point | 15.75 | Group point | 16.00 |
| SAI rank | 24 | JB rank | 16 | SS rank | 16 | Group rank | 9 |
| Comment | SAI, JB and SS had a split ranking |
| House | Quinta do Noval Nacional | Vintage | 1978 |
| Colour | Mature yellow in colour. |
| Bouquet | Cinnamon, ginger, cacao and dark chocolate in the nose. |
| Taste | Quite 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 point | 16.00 | JB point | 16.90 | SS point | 17.25 | Group point | 16.41 |
| SAI rank | 13 | JB rank | 4 | SS rank | 3 | Group rank | 4 |
| Comment | SAI and JB had a split ranking |
| House | Quinta da Roeda | Vintage | 1978 |
| Colour | Rather dark with a yellow mature colour. |
| Bouquet | Corked with a horrible nose |
| Taste | Medium body. Corked and Acidic. Quite terrible to drink. |
| SAI point | 9.00 | JB point | 8.50 | SS point | 9.00 | Group point | 8.53 |
| SAI rank | 29 | JB rank | 30 | SS rank | 30 | Group rank | 30 |
| Comment | SAI had a split ranking |
| House | Quinta Sao Luiz | Vintage | 1978 |
| Colour | Yellow mature colour. |
| Bouquet | Crème caramel, fudge and toffee in the nose. |
| Taste | Medium body. Mature and at its peak. Burned sugar in flavour. Balanced and a quite nice finish. |
| SAI point | 15.90 | JB point | 15.90 | SS point | 14.75 | Group point | 15.06 |
| SAI rank | 15 | JB rank | 14 | SS rank | 25 | Group rank | 18 |
| Comment | SAI and JB had a split ranking |
| House | Quinta de Vargellas | Vintage | 1978 |
| Colour | Dark mature yellow in colour. |
| Bouquet | Ginger, cinnamon, violet and toffee in the nose. |
| Taste | Full-bodied. Mature and peaking. Cinnamon in flavour. Complex and balanced with a lovely finish. An elegant port indeed. |
| SAI point | 17.00 | JB point | 16.50 | SS point | 16.25 | Group point | 16.34 |
| SAI rank | 3 | JB rank | 7 | SS rank | 9 | Group rank | 5 |
| Comment | SAI, JB and SS had a split ranking |
| House | Real Vinicola | Vintage | 1978 |
| Colour | Light, yellow and mature in colour. |
| Bouquet | Cracked, but some ether, pharmacy, old hospital and even some vinegar in the nose. |
| Taste | Medium body. Ether and some vinegar in flavour. Old and not good but drinkable. What a pity. |
| SAI point | 10.50 | JB point | 11.90 | SS point | 10.00 | Group point | 11.59 |
| SAI rank | 27 | JB rank | 27 | SS rank | 29 | Group rank | 28 |
| Comment | Defect and old bottle |
| House | Rozes | Vintage | 1978 |
| Colour | Yellow mature in colour. |
| Bouquet | Spring flower and candy in the nose. |
| Taste | Medium body. Sweet. Mature and peaking. Will not be better. Quite elegant. Very nice and attractive finish. |
| SAI point | 16.50 | JB point | 15.00 | SS point | 15.00 | Group point | 14.78 |
| SAI rank | 8 | JB rank | 25 | SS rank | 23 | Group rank | 21 |
| Comment | SS had a split ranking. Group ranking was also split. |
| House | Silva Luz | Vintage | 1978 |
| Colour | Yellow mature and lovely colour. |
| Bouquet | Ginger bread, dark berry and old hospital in the nose. |
| Taste | Medium body. Mature and peaking. Dry. Flavour of ginger bread. Balanced and elegant with a nice finish. |
| SAI point | 15.50 | JB point | 16.25 | SS point | 15.50 | Group point | 15.22 |
| SAI rank | 18 | JB rank | 9 | SS rank | 19 | Group rank | 15 |
| Comment | SAI and JB had a split ranking |
| House | Wiese & Krohn | Vintage | 1978 |
| Colour | Mature yellow in colour. |
| Bouquet | Cherry, boysenberry and dark berry in the nose. |
| Taste | Medium body. Mature and probably peaking. Sweet. Balanced but with some soft tannins Cacao in flavour. Quite nice finish. |
| SAI point | 16.00 | JB point | 15.75 | SS point | 15.40 | Group point | 15.44 |
| SAI rank | 13 | JB rank | 16 | SS rank | 20 | Group rank | 13 |
| Comment | SAI and JB had a split ranking. Group ranking was also split. |