For The Love Of Port

Looks great Andy. Thanks!

I'll at least give them credit for not using the word "Port" on the label. There is an agreement between Australia and the EU which means no Australian fortified can be labeled as Port so that wasn't Penfolds' choice. Then I take that back. I give them no credit at all (other than perhaps...

I'll at least give them credit for not using the word "Port" on the label.

So does Australia have any laws governing what constitutes a "50-year" Tawny? Or did Penfolds call it that just because they felt like it? What's in the blend other than the (presumably small) 1915 component mentioned in the article?

Roy Hersh wrote:Glad there won't be too many bottles of Taylor @ this event!

Roy, from what I've heard, there can never be too many bottles of Taylor for you!

That of course makes you a man after my own heart, looking forward to it

Thanks Andy!

Andy, my 45, 48, 55, and 66 (plus backups for the 45 and 48) are now in the hands of TCWC. As soon as we get a little warmer day here, they will ship these to your offsite along with the 6-bottle auction lot. I'll let you know when they ship. BTW Andy, is your +1 still in? Has he decided what Taylor...

I guess I have to admit I don't get the whole buzz about sommeliers right now. Yes, a small number are super-knowledgeable, and their academic achievements, tasting prowess, and far-flung activities are kind of interesting in a geekish sort of way. But another class of elites is one thing the wine w...

Andy Velebil wrote:To do a deep horizontal, more than say 6-8 producers, I would cap it at 1970 or 1977 as the oldest. Beyond that I agree with Roy that it would be an unfair comparision and more of a science experiment.

I love science

Roy Hersh wrote: But 1945 would be excellent as there were lots of producers that declared that year ... I think having 8-20 producers would be fantastic.

Just give the word when you decide to do it

I love the quality and history of this vintage and could happily contribute Taylor, Croft, and Sandeman.

Maybe so, in dollar terms, but they deal almost exclusively with very high end stuff and often in case lots. So that claim doesn't have a lot of resonance with most typical wine buyers.

It looks like Port producers have figured out the equation OLD = $$$
Interesting, for sure, but priced too high for me.

Question: So is this technically a Colheita or not?

http://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2013/1 ... ld-series/

25% 375's
75% 750's

Apart from huge tastings or a perceived "cool" factor, I've never been down with larger formats at all, for any kind of wine.

In fairness, my experience with Whitwhams hasn't been uniformly negative, I've had a couple nice ones including an exceptional 1935 Taylor.

Also in the plus column I recall a couple exceptional bottles from John Harvey of Bristol and Hunter & Oliver, as well as a bunch of BB&R.

Considering how ubiquitous their bottles are, I've not had great luck with Whitwhams, maybe just bad luck?

Eric, please ignore my previous post, I was thinking of a different auction house completely!

Andy Velebil wrote:... so if people are a few late they'll be ok.

Uh, one thing I'll never be is late to a wine dinner!

6pm it is.

For truly perfect provenance and sound bottles, if he has the money, I don't blame him for buying. Sometimes with old and rare bottles condition trumps all, and you have have to seize the moment, and who knows when he'll have another chance for bottles in that condition. There's a ton of crappy old ...

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Andy, did you have a time in mind for Friday night? I'd vote for 6:30 or even later, to give people (me) time to get settled in the hotel, prep wine as needed, etc. Since I'm flying into Orange County, I also may want to take time to swing by Hi-Time, Wine Exchange, or whatever...