For The Love Of Port

US$ 225?? That was a bargain! Lowest price in Europe (including appr. 20% VAT/Sales Tax) was around US$ 300. I bought nine bottles in three different batches and paid between US$ 300 and US$ 325 each. On Winesearcher one can still find them for this price in the UK, Denmark and Portugal. There is s...

I think I am ~25 port mags. Of port I have: 146 Mags 1 Tappit hen 15 Double mags 7 Imperials 2 Salmanazars 3 Nebuchadnezzars I have a 2 tregnums of '63 Dow and double magnum of '77 Taylor as well. Was hoping to have drunk one of the 63's this year. No real port fans have been by this year to warran...

Andy Velebil wrote: ↑Thu Nov 09, 2023 8:39 am

Moses Botbol wrote:Picked up a magnum 2011 Fonseca for $100. The only bottle available. Seems like a solid price.

Yup that’s a good price.

I doubt I'll ever drink it. I cannot say no to a magnum. I think I am ~25 port mags.

Picked up a magnum 2011 Fonseca for $100. The only bottle available. Seems like a solid price.

1991 Warre VP. Bottles vary, but none bad. This example looked really old, but with good clarity. 1991 or 1891, had to take a 2nd look.

Very cool. Thanks.

Were those bought in your domestic market or direct from Portugal? It looks to be a Portuguese market labels.

Gerwin de Graaf wrote: ↑Thu Oct 26, 2023 2:17 pm 2 x Magnum Noval 10 year old Tawny (planned as a nice finish for my b-day partydinner in a couple of weeks)

Wow, in magnum? Never seen one. Very cool. Can you post a picture?

The 85 Taylor was terrific on nights 2 and 3. I mentioned opening one to a friend that hadn't tried one in a while. He opened one too with similar results. No rush to consume this vintage.

Last night was 1985 Taylor. Amazed how dark and primary looking the port is. Barely any sediment cork is still youthful. The port is a closed phase. Similar to how 1985 Fonseca has been showing recently. This port looks to be a long time hold.

1970 Gonzales Byass VP and 1985 Ferreira VP. Family in town. They were digging both.

1985 Ferreira VP.

Raffles in Boston has opened a modern Portuguese restaurant "Amar" that has a Port & Madeira cart that comes to the table. Plan to check it out in the next couple of weeks.

https://www.raffles.com/boston/dining/amar/

As much as I like their VP; Fonseca LBV and Tawny are not that appealing to me. Same for Graham.

Tom Archer wrote: ↑Mon Sep 18, 2023 8:01 am

had to serve it a glencairn glass

Had to Google to find out what that looked like - perfectly adequate for an old tawny.

I'm surprised you did not know what those are.

How could you not buy that for $20? You should be scolded, lol.

Thomas V wrote: ↑Thu Sep 14, 2023 1:27 amThe 40YO Noval is right up there among the best. I totally agree.

For the big names, I am a big fan of Noval tawny port. LBV's as well.

Quite generous to open a near case of port and expensive ones at that. I hope they appreciate your sportiness.

Eric Menchen wrote: ↑Thu Sep 07, 2023 12:14 pm I think a couple of the bottles on my shelf in that photo were tonged. You usually can carefully sit the top back on in place. If that doesn't work, a little tape or glue would probably be sufficient.

If the tongs were used, I crush the neck to view a perfect cork.

Lucas S wrote: ↑Tue Sep 05, 2023 1:25 pmIt also makes me reconsider getting port tongs, haha.

The tongs are good to see what cork says on the old bottles. Hate to break an old bottle, but seeing what the cork says is usually worth it.

It's great when that no label bottle ends up being '31 Noval.

There's not a set criteria for what I keep. Old helps, but I've opened old bottles with a simple typed label that don't make the cut. Cool looking, did I really enjoy the wine, do I want to reminisce about it again for some reason. There's another section with non-dessert wines, and then a group of...