For The Love Of Port

2000 Graham's Vintage. I picked this up on my first trip to Portugal at the Graham's lodge. My first Port ever purchased, and still sitting in my cellar.

2002 Kopke Colheita, bottled 2011

1967 Quinta da Romaneira Colheita, bottled in 1995. Sadly, my last bottle of this.

Another 1987 Souza VP. Still drinking well and a lovely Port for the price.

1997 Maynard's Colheita, bottled 2016

2003 Porto Rocha Vintage Port from a 375ml bottle. Pop-n-pour and drank over 2 days (yeah I know … why did it take 2 days to finish a half bottle?) A little better on the 2nd day. Very fruity and drinking quite nicely now.

1994 Smith Woodhouse Colheita, bottled 2011. On the sweet side, but nice.

2003 Porto Rocha Vintage Port (half bottle.) Perfect for just me and my wife, since we can finish a half bottle over 2 days. This is drinking well, now, but still has a few more years of aging (my guess: 5-7 years) left in it. I also just noted that this is the first 'new' Port I have had since Octo...

2003 Taylor LBV

1992 Taylor VP from a 375ml. Inky purple, fruity, young and delicious!

1992 Taylor ... An overrated wine. Hmmm, sorry to hear that for us both. I have a few (perhaps luckily not many) in the cellar. I might need to try one instead of holding on to these for longer as planned. I have quite a few halves of this Vintage. I was waiting to open, well … because it's Taylor....

1987 Souza VP. I was worried at first as there was an unpleasant musty aroma when I pulled the cork. Fortunately, this blew off in a few minutes and the Port was as good as previous showings.

I've had a couple of these over the years, and my experience was similar to yours. Sadly, I am out of them, but have fond memories.

1988 Taylor Vargellas. Maybe it will be better in 20 years, so I am holding onto it.

1976 Noval Colheita. Sadly, my last bottle of this. This one was bottled in 2008 and is the last of 4 bottles drank over the past 7 years. All purchased at the same time and stored exactly the same. This final bottle was the best of the 4, having mellowed a bit (better integrated, less prominent hea...

VP: 1970 Graham's: Still one of my favorite VPs. Nearly up there with the 1963 Fonseca.

Tawny: 60 yr S. Leonardo. Pleased to still have 2 bottles left, that I am being very stingy with.

Looking forward to another great Port year in 2020!

Roy, I read the newsletter with special interest in your assessment of the 2017 vintages. After reading the process you undertake in coming to your ratings and notes, I am very impressed. And, writing up all of this in a time of crisis for your family is truly inspiring. I, for one, am grateful for ...

1970 Graham. Very nice, and this bottle was likely at peak drinking but would probably have stayed there for some time.

I have bought from Schneider's somewhat frequently as they are 1 of 2 'local' places with a decent Port selection (including a 1927 Fonseca a couple of years ago that was quite nice.) The other is MacArthur Wines, also in DC. Thanks for reminding me, Roy, that I need to take another trip. Most recen...

Roy Hersh wrote:Thomas,

I have five bottles of 1992 Taylor's in my cellar. When will you be in Porto this year?

I also have 5 bottles, but they are half bottles...