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148
THE FLOWING BOWL
from '82 to '86 the merits of the wines were
completely destroyed by mildew.
The burgundy vintages have been good since
'84. As for ports, the drinkable wines (since
'34) are those of '41, 47 (one of the finest wines
ever known), '51 (exceptionally good), '52, '53
(fine and fruity), '54, '58, '63, '68, '70, '72, '75,
'78 (exceptionally fine), '81, '84,'87 (the best
since '78), and '96 which "shews promise."
The worst years are '55, '56, '57, '59, '64, '66,
^'69, '71, '74, '76, '77, '79, '80, '82, '83, '86, '88,
91, '93 (exceptionally bad), '94, and '95.
The above statistics are also from Messrs.
Hatch, Mansfield and Co.'s list.