What have you opened this week?

[Andy Velebil]

Interesting it was clear glass 9L. I don’t think the Syms bottle VP any bigger than 3L nowadays. Well, at least for commercial release. The amount of pressure exerted on the cork is massive above 3L and ultimately generally leads to the cork leaking at some point down the road if stored on side.

It is entirely possible the cork “failed” at some point. But clear glass, if in a well lit area, could also be the issue. Lots of studies about how fast clear glass can lead to damaged contents. There’s a reason why clear Crystal champagne bottles have a wrap over them. Clear glass contents can get “light struck” very quickly.

[Roy Hersh]

I would not think that the Symingtons with only a few of these, would have taken any chances by storing the 9L bottles in places with any, or much light.

Much more likely that Rupert's assertion with the cork, was the real issue when it came to these specific 9L bottles of '94 Vesuvio.

[Mike J. W.]

I would not think that the Symingtons with only a few of these, would have taken any chances by storing the 9L bottles in places with any, or much light.

Much more likely that Rupert's assertion with the cork, was the real issue when it came to these specific 9L bottles of '94 Vesuvio.

I wonder if my 9L bottle of '94 Vesuvio is also damaged?

[Andy Velebil]

I would not think that the Symingtons with only a few of these, would have taken any chances by storing the 9L bottles in places with any, or much light.

Much more likely that Rupert's assertion with the cork, was the real issue when it came to these specific 9L bottles of '94 Vesuvio.

I assume you’re not aware at least some ‘94 Vesuvio was stored at the Quinta for a time.

Anyone’s guess why it didn’t show well. Cork, clear glass, handling during what would have been hand bottling, it could have been stored in an office (I’ve seen that before at various producers), etc.

[Roy Hersh]

[Glenn E.]

2103 Quevedo Quinta Vale d'Agodinho Vintage Port, 375 ml

I got this in a pack of 4 bottles that Quevedo sells on their website. IIRC it was called the "Connoisseur's Pack" or something similar, and contained a 30 YO White, a 20 YO Tawny, an LBV from a year I do not remember, and this 2013 VP.

Still youthful and vibrant. It doesn't feel like it's shutting down at all. Lots of fruit, lots of tannins. Maybe a slightly drier style, but not as dry as their more recent releases. A solid 93 points for me.

[Mike J. W.]

2011 Alves de Sousa VP opened for a virtual tasting today. It's young, but fantastic. Easily a 94 to 95 point wine right now and it will only get better. I have 5 more bottles of this and I hope I can stumble across a few more. If you find it, buy it.

[Andy Velebil]

2103 Quevedo Quinta Vale d'Agodinho Vintage Port, 375 ml

I got this in a pack of 4 bottles that Quevedo sells on their website. IIRC it was called the "Connoisseur's Pack" or something similar, and contained a 30 YO White, a 20 YO Tawny, an LBV from a year I do not remember, and this 2013 VP.

Still youthful and vibrant. It doesn't feel like it's shutting down at all. Lots of fruit, lots of tannins. Maybe a slightly drier style, but not as dry as their more recent releases. A solid 93 points for me.

Drinking the future so young? lol.

[Al B.]

I opened a half bottle of Skeffington 2011 for the virtual tasting on Thursday (and a bottle of Quady Starboard Vintage 1994on Wednesday) last week.

The Skeffington was hard to resist!

[Roy Hersh]

1977 Croft Vintage Port - en magnum. Photo on FB.

[Glenn E.]

1964 Kopke Colheita (b. 2014) in 375 ml

Aside from lacking that trademark Kopke bright acidity, it doesn't seem affected by its years in bottle.

[Eric Ifune]

1977 Croft Vintage Port - en magnum. Photo on FB.

How was it? Christies in LA started their auction with multiple cases.

[Andy Velebil]

1994 Delaforce VP. Really nice palate. Finish a touch short but overall a really nice VP

[Roy Hersh]

Eric,

It was showing beautifully. Blind, I'd have guessed the 1985 Croft. It did not have the cocoa nature of the 1991 but was rich like that and nearly as dense. But their 1977 is not quite as good as the 1991, in my opinion. But if the price is right, go for it because the magnum format showed considerably better than 750s I've had, when doing verticals at Roeda. It was night time and light was inadequate to judge the color of what was in magnum decanter or really see fully what was the depth of coloration within my glass at that point of the evening.

[A.S. Demka]

Lamelas 30 yo white, bottled in 2017, 0,5 litre. Dark gold colour, coffee and caramel with a long aftertaste. Great stuff!

[John M.]

1986 Grahams Malvedos. Took to my office for my last day of full time work for 5:00 happy hour. This Port is always a show stopper---still so primary and youthful, it looks like its been in bottle for 10 years. Rich and deep, while it drinks super right now, clearly has a lot of life ahead.

[Andy Velebil]

1986 Grahams Malvedos. Took to my office for my last day of full time work for 5:00 happy hour. This Port is always a show stopper---still so primary and youthful, it looks like its been in bottle for 10 years. Rich and deep, while it drinks super right now, clearly has a lot of life ahead.

Happy semi-retirement.

[Roy Hersh]

Congratulations John, I am sure that your charming wife is going to be thrilled to have you around the house more often. Please send her my regards,

Yesterday, we had lunch with Oscar and Nadia Quevedo. I brought an older Encruzado for a place that we will be visiting on the 3 Regions Tour at the end of this month. It is a place that I've purchased a mixed case of older bottlings and a few magnums of their Encruzado and I can't wait to meet them in person.

At the end of lunch, Oscar opened up a bottle of his 40 year old Tawny Port. I had not had that in quite a while and almost forgot how excellent it is stylistically. Served with a creme brûlée, a match made in heaven.

[John M.]

Thank you Andy & Roy!

[Andrew Kirschner]

Tonight’s selection. Decanted about two hours ago for dinner at 7. Very promising immediately after decanted. Lovely nose. Big relief to not have another corked bottle after the last one. Will follow up.