Taylor's Vintage Port 1983: This is quite a pale colour for vintage Port, with a red, raspberry tinge to it. On the nose it seems quite delicate and pretty, with some red fruits. On the palate, however, it demonstrates more power, with a strong spicy character, firm acidity, plenty of tannin through the mid- and end-palate, together with a lush richness of fruit. A sweet, lingering finish. Drinking well now, but will easily go another ten years. This was a very good vintage for Taylor's. 18/20 (July 2003)

Dow's Vintage Port 1983: Quite a dark hue to this wine, with dense, chewy fruits on the nose. Rich and structured on the palate, which is reserved rather than lush or open. A huge core of tannin, especially on the finish. Sweet and dense fruit, and lovely extract. This is mouthfilling and savoury. Good length. Drinking well now despite that tannin, but will benefit from another 5-10 years in the cellar. 18/20 (November 2003)

Graham's Vintage Port 1983: This wine has an amazing colour for it's age - it looks barely ten years old. The nose gives a similar impression, as it is still densely packed with lovely, chocolate-tinged fruit. The palate is big and sweetly textured, with a fantastic, harmonious structure, provided by a seam of ripe, integrated tannins which never dominate. This is delicious stuff. Needs another 5-10 years. 18.5+/20 (November 2003)

Fonseca Vintage Port 1983: A moderate colour. Quite an unusual, very tertiary nose, with aromas of cabbage, cod liver oil and a hint of toffee. A very harmonious palate on entry, with gentle, spicy tannins through the midpalate. A lovely texture, elegant rather than lush, balanced and very fluid. The tannins becomes more apparent on the finish. It seems much less complex and developed on the palate than the nose would suggest, and there are still some notes of black fruits. A moderate length. Drinking now. 17/20 (February 2004)

Calem Vintage Port 1983: This has a dense, glossy and youthful appearance - very impressive for the age of this wine. Accordingly the nose is dominated by a core of round, sweet, accessible fruit. What a lovely palate! Powerful yet elegant, with a fine balance and fluidity. There's still quite a thick seam of powerful tannin running through the wine, particularly on the finish. And it has incredible length - this is great wine. Although it is accessible now, this top effort will benefit from another five to ten years bottle age. 18/20 (February 2004)

Warre's Vintage Port 1983: I was desperate to try another 1983 Warre's after my recent experience of a corked bottle (see above). This has a good depth of colour, showing maturing colours but no sign of advanced age. An almost exotic nose, with notes of woody musk, together with dark chocolate notes and an earthy, animalistic scent. Attractively rich, sweet and mouth-filling on the palate. Plenty of flavour, dark chocolate coated fruits with some toast, and just a hint of the exoticism found on the nose. Underpinned by some fine tannins and extract - you can almost sense the grape solids on the tongue. Good clean finish with a little kick of alcohol. 18/20 (February 2004)