For The Love Of Port

On Friday (1/26/2024) 11 of us gathered for a casual evening. Just an array of LBVs, a couple I got in buying ops, the others from local B&Ms--the oldest was 2011 so these were all Fruit Bombs - Lot's of squid ink color. The evening started with pulled pork sandwiches and beers (11.75 lb Pork Sh...

I've had good success with wine bid. I avoid SOS (signs of seepage) and protruding corks unless the price is right. If buying a case one or two leakers might take a flyer. Just depends on the deal.

I have drunk Port from tumbler glasses and coffee cups---not ideal but as long as I can swirl and bring out the nose, it's fine in a pinch.

Was figuring out what to have over the Christmas Holiday, could not quite decide then I discovered I have leaker--a 1980 Ferreira. Perfect choice that decided for me! How was this? Light brick red -it was a leaker so a little oxidized. A bit light on the density, yet it offered a very subtle deligh...

NV Pacheca 30 Year Old Tawny Port on Christmas Eve Eve Strong butterscotch and praline with a blood orange finish and a hint of barlett pear. Ever so lovely from start to finish--95 Points 1994 Warres 4 hour decant (Should be longer--like 6 hours). Still dark and youthful. Decent nose. As noted in p...

The condition and provenance are perfect. Then there is the price and how much of a gambler you are. Clearly at $50 you are IN, for $10,000 you are OUT--the tipping point is in the middle and only you know it. You just got to find it and proceed.

Was figuring out what to have over the Christmas Holiday, could not quite decide then I discovered I have leaker--a 1980 Ferreira. Perfect choice that decided for me!

Bingo Moses. Thanks for the dinner tip!

Stopped in Fall River yesterday at a Portuguese market and as we were leaving spotted this truck. Thoughts of commandeering certainly crossed my mind .....In the end settled for just kind of fun to see as I ate a Pastel de Feijao!

Over Thanksgiving I opened a 1982 Ramos Pinto. I recall someone recently opened a 1983 and commented how good it was and an under the radar Port. I could say exactly that for the 1982. I opened a bottle last May (see Tasting Notes) and basically the same. So lovely and held up well for days. Really ...

With Mike JW and Lucas we won: 3 x 1992 Churchills Quinta da Agua Alta 9 x 1988 Churchill's Crusted 3 x 1984 Smith Woodhouse LBV 3 x 1984 Warres LBV 8 x 1986 Warres LBV 5 x 1989 Ramos Pinto LBV Just lots of well aged cellar defenders. Can see these as super Mystery Ports at tastings, too. [dance2.gif]

Last night took a 1994 Warres to a dinner party. A big hit, still a ton of fruit. I do think it could stand another 10 years to be even better but pretty darn good now.

San Leonardo 30 Year White Port. Lucious caramel abounds. Really super. Brought it to a restaurant (asked before hand) and shared two glasses, one for each of the owners. One tends the bar. After dinner ended up in the bar, he wanted to see the bottle to see exactly what it was. A couple minutes lat...

At Auction: 1 x 1978 Fonseca Guimaraens 1 x 1992 Fonseca LBV Mike and I are planning a pre-2000 LBV fest. We have way too many for one event...or maybe not depending on one's geek level. When you open the ‘78, let me know your impression. I’m curious to read it. Sure Andy - Any particular reason??

At Auction:

1 x 1978 Fonseca Guimaraens
1 x 1992 Fonseca LBV

Mike and I are planning a pre-2000 LBV fest. We have way too many for one event...or maybe not depending on one's geek level.

After a great PHT2 trip with Roy and Mario: S. Leonardo 10 yo tawny S. Leonardo 20 yo tawny S. Leonardo 10 yo white S. Leonardo 20 yo white S. Leonardo 40 yo white Quevedo colheita 1974 Quevedo colheita 1976 Quevedo 40 yo tawny Quevedo vintage 2007 Anyone got recommendations to buy Quevedo in the U...

Marvelous!!

1 x Pacheca 20 (should just buy a case already)
1 x Santa Eufemia 20, 375mm. Heard it was on the dry side...anxious to taste
1 x Q. Vale d. Maria Lote 18 Ruby Reserve

Lucas S wrote: ↑Wed Sep 27, 2023 6:53 am Snagged some hard-to-come-by LBVs
1997 Croft LBV
2002 Warre's LBV x2

Lucas: Mike W and I have a conceptual plan to have a tasting event of pre-2000 LBVs. We are over 15 but welcome more!