Tribs, how have you been storing it? Did you decant it?

No, didn't decant as I knew I wouldn't be drinking it that quickly. Sealed in the bottle with an expanding stopper. The original cork disintegrated. Kept in a cool, er almost freezing, place.

_________________
tribs

I've been drinking mine over the last two weeks, no problem here.

The tannins are firm, agreed, and nicely balanced by sweet fruit. This, for me, has quite a full bodied mouth feel but not to the extent of being padded out with oak, more layered fruit, as you say Tribs, 'wine like'.

Totally subjective- the finish briefly reminds me of my wife’s carrot cake.

_________________
Yep, Im still here.

As I say, it's probably me. I have been ill

_________________
tribs

Lots of bugs doing the rounds mate, take it easy.

_________________
Yep, Im still here.

In case others have found their Sainsburys and morrisons shelves cleared of the graham's crusted, take a look in Asda: they have 2003 Dow's crusted down to £11.79
Very similar packaging to the graham's and a long list of awards quoted along the the back of te box just like with the graham's (I've taken a snap on the phone so can attach an image here when I get to a pc)

Dow's and Grahams both belong to the Symington family, the Dow's will be softer in style, less tannic and perhaps better suited to the occasional port drinker.

_________________
Yep, Im still here.

makes sense as other than the colour of the packaging it's close to identical

perhaps I should have given this a go first....

This is a difficult one to call Shez, as someone who regularly drinks full bodied reds and possesses a more developed palate, maybe a fuller, more robust port will suit you better.

Some (all?) of the everyday ports are produced for the occasional wine drinker who wants to push the boat out once a year.

_________________
Yep, Im still here.

I'm sure I can handle the Graham's

Have bought some as gifts for others too, but they'll probably not notice the difference anyway.
Sure they can shove a load of fromage down with if they find the tannins too heavy

Had another glas last night. I am ill again. This time a mere cold.

Approaching the bottom of the bottle now but it is developing into something wonderful. The tannic streak has softened and the wonderful flavours of chocolate, christmas pud and toffee are coming through. Delicious.

Would this have happened much sooner if I had decanted to start with? Or would it have started to go downhill by now, do you think?

_________________
tribs

I'd be dissapointed if it went downhill after only a week or so, even with decanting. Of course, it depends on where it sits etc.

Try decenting half the bottle next time, see how the last glass from the bottle compares to the first glass from the decanter.

_________________
Yep, Im still here.

Cheers GK. Will try that.

_________________
tribs

Excellent stuff GK.

I'd have preferred even more, a more assertive tannic streak The sweet fruit could take it with ease. Nice texture, rich and lovely in the mouth

A confident

_________________
Duncan

'tis a cracker for sure!

_________________
Yep, Im still here.