What is your all-time favorite vintage of VP ... and why?

[Shawn Denkler]

I paid under $10 for the 1970 Taylor when I first bought it, probably in 1976. It was from Corti Brothers in Sacramento. I think the actual price was $9.97 a bottle.

I bought four bottles, which was a lot for a cellar rat making minimum wage back then. But I have loved it ever since, and think it is a bargain today.

[Roy Hersh]

Shawn if you ever want to send sample of your port, I'd be happy to do an official tasting note for the newsletter?

Either way, someday we need to drink some Port together. It has been too long considering how close you are. Unfortunately I have not been to Napa since my daughter was born.

[John Danza]

Thanks Roy for the great post about the 1970 vintage. I'm sorry to say that it's the one widely-declared modern vintage that I've never had. After reading your post, I'm going to seek out a few and try them soon.

All the best,
John

[Roy Hersh]

John,

I have more Fonseca and Taylor than I know what to do with, so if you ever come visit, we'll have to enjoy some ... unless you prefer the Niepoort, Dow, or one of my few remaining 1970s. I opened on at the end of last year though, so unlikely to repeat that (for a few years) with just a couple left. How about 2012?

In reality, the '70 Ports are fabulous. Even Jay's love for the 1970 Warre can be "understood."

[John Danza]

Hi Roy,

I'll definitely try to get to Washington soon. My company has a few clients in and near Seattle. They must need a visit by now!

John

[Jay Powers]

In reality, the '70 Ports are fabulous. Even Jay's love for the 1970 Warre can be "understood."

Really I'm surprised that you did not have this one on your list! I'm sure you have sampled it more times than I, but maybe never from a perfect bottle? The Warre 1970 is a fantastic port! Well, tastes differ which is part of the beauty of it all...or there would only be one "supershipper" remaining today.

Of course the flip side may be that I have not had enough of the other 70's to make a comparrison. Might be time to break out one of the Taylors I picked up at Premier Cru in the past year?

Jay

[Todd Pettinger]

Ouch. A local merchant does have a couple bottles remaining of Fonseca, 1970.

Fonseca Vintage Port 1970 $323.95

Yikes. That had better be one HELLUVA bottle!!!

Todd

[Al B.]

Todd,

You really are going to have to find an excuse to relocate. Winesearcher low retail price for the Fonseca 1970 in the UK is C$128 a bottle.

While the Fonseca 1970 is a special port, I don't think that its that special!

Alex

[Roy Hersh]

Jay,

The last 1970 Warres I tasted was at Quinta da Cavadinha in May. If that wasn't a pristine bottle, then I'll never get to drink from one. Different tastes are what make the world go round.

I do not question anyone's palate or impressions of a wine in terms of them liking something or not. I may question to find out WHY they felt the way they did, but that is about it.

I do think that the list of excellent 1970s is long and I hope you have the opportunity to try many of them in the future.

[Gary Banker]

I would also choose 1970. However, I am making that choice on the basis of the only two ports that I have had from the vintage: Fonseca and Nacional. They were both superb.

Gary

[dave leach]

what is the great post of the 1970 vintage that john d. was referring to in this thread? did i miss something?

dave

[Roy Hersh]

Gary wrote:
I would also choose 1970. However, I am making that choice on the basis of the only two ports that I have had from the vintage: Fonseca and Nacional. They were both superb.

I like cars but only when I can drive a Masseratti or Rolls Royce which are the two VPs you've picked from the '70 vintage. Good job!