I arranged a tasting of Colares last September, having a wine from every decade from 2010 back to 1930.
Here’s the lineup:
2010’s: Paulo da Silva Colares Chitas Branco 2010
2000’s: Paulo da Silva Colares Chitas 2003
1990’s: Paulo da Silva Colares Chitas 1992
1980’s: Caves Imperio Colares Vinus Vitae 1984
1970’s: Paulo da Silva Colares V.S. 1974
1960’s: Viuva Gomes Colares Reserva 1967
1950’s: Paulo da Silva Colares Chitas 1955
1940’s: Adega Regional de Colares Burjacas 1949
1930’s: Viuva Gomes Colares Reserva 1931
What we noticed was that the wines seemed to develop for some 30-40 years and then reaching a spot where they cease to age. All the wines from 1970’s onwards (i.e. towards older wines) were different from each other, but seemingly of similar age. Had they been served blind, it would’ve been impossible to figure out what was their correct order age-wise.
But I’m glad to hear that this 1969 vintage was good - I still have one bottle in my cellar!