Croft 1945 Vintage Port (bottled 1947)

The Croft 1945 Vintage Port has a much deeper colour than the ’42 as one would expect. Quite limpid for a 62-year old with a lovely, elegant nose of ginger, leather, figs, almond and black cherries in the background. Very refined with a sedate feel to it. The palate is just sublime with perfect acidity, rich and decadent for Croft and in a sense, riper than the ’35 thanks to the Indian summer? Powerful, spicy and almost decadent towards the finish with wild honey, heather, fig, raisin and liquorice. Very long – this ’45 flirts with perfection. A gorgeous ’45 port.

Rich red cherries on the nose. So rich and alcoholic. Extraordinary fruit. Total velvet. The greatest Croft ever made. Voluptuous. So sweet one tends to think it is Graham, but it is its own ‘man’ and a truly stunning Port. Another bottle had a lightish brown appearance. Very fruity, smoky bouquet – very Croft. Lovely sweet prunes and glorious walnuts. One senses the power behind it. On the palate, it starts on a fruity note and then the power, backbone and structure hit you. Long and lingering. Strength and elegance – a great achievement.