Tasted at the evening dinner in Southwold. Croft made a good rather than great ’63 in my opinion. The nose is attractive with walnut and cigar box scents, a little more oxidative than previous bottles. There remains that sweetness on the palate and that lovely honeyed texture, though this example has a fiery finish that detracts from its harmony and composure. There are better bottles out there. Tasted January 2012.

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. The 1963, one of the great vintages for port, is good but unexciting.