1975 vintage

ryan opaz · Post by **ryan opaz** » Fri Aug 26, 2005 6:32 am

So when I was in Portugal a few years ago I noticed these were cheap. I also think I remember this not being the greatest of vintages. Either way I was born then and so was my wife. What is out there that is reasonably priced and of decent quality now and would possibly last a bit longer? If port isn't the best choice is there a Madiera that might be better. I would love to know what to look for when I get back to Portugal in the near future.

Thanks for the tips...

Steven Kooij · Post by **Steven Kooij** » Fri Aug 26, 2005 12:47 pm

I've tasted the Taylor and the Croft from '75 (both only once) - I enjoyed the Croft the most, a nice mature if very light VP. The Taylor was light as well, but much simpler, very hot on the palate and way over the hill.

Jason Brandt Lewis · Post by **Jason Brandt Lewis** » Fri Aug 26, 2005 1:34 pm

Under normal conditions, 1975 would have NEVER been declared. Period. But in 1974, there was a Socialist revolution in Portugal and a number of industries were nationalized in the aftermath. Rumours were rampant that the Socialist government was going to nationalize the Port trade -- the state already owned the company that produced Royal Oporto -- and many Brits "panicked" and declared 1975 as "the last chance" they would have to get some profits out of Portugal . . .

The wines were never great. The best of the 1975s were okay-to-good, at best.

Cheers,
Jason

Tom Archer · Post by **Tom Archer** » Fri Aug 26, 2005 4:43 pm

Sorry Jason, but the revolution theory is a great urban myth.

By the time the shippers made a declaration on the 75's it was '77, by when the revolution was firmly in the history books, with the dire threats lifted. If the revolution had inspired a bogus declaration, it would have been for the 73's or 74's.

The truth is that from 71 to 74 the Douro growers had a run of lousy years and there was a need for a vintage declaration.

In fact the 75's provided some very good drinking in the short term, but the wines didn't have the legs to go 30 years or more.

simon Lisle · Post by **simon Lisle** » Mon Aug 29, 2005 2:49 pm

i've just had a grahams from that year the best for that vintage in my opinion full of fruit to be honest that one will keep another ten

Tom Archer · Post by **Tom Archer** » Mon Aug 29, 2005 3:40 pm

Interesting comment Simon,

It is possible that this year has been written off too quickly - "too much knowledge" - is a phrase that comes to mind!

I don't have any 75's in my cellar to try now, and whilst I am not good at collating my notes, the phrase "fading gracefully" sticks in my mind.

Perhaps at 30years, this vintage deserves a fairer hearing

simon Lisle · Post by **simon Lisle** » Tue Aug 30, 2005 1:11 pm

Tom I opened a bottle of Taylors 1980 after the Grahams 75 expecting the Grahams to be overshadowed quite the reverse and all those in attendance agreed.

ryan opaz · Post by **ryan opaz** » Wed Aug 31, 2005 1:19 am

So what I'm hearing is don't stock up! But that the Grahams might offer pleasant drinking the next couple of years?

I know this is the port forum but nay madiera suggestions for the vintage?

Stuart Chatfield · Post by **Stuart Chatfield** » Wed Aug 31, 2005 3:12 am

I recently picked up a case of Taylor's '75 at auction and I have been quite impressed. Although light and advanced for the age (to look at it, it might pass for a '60) I thought it had a lovely balanced flavour, reminiscent of an older Warre, and certainly had the legs to last another decade. Also it is probably the youngest, cheapest v. port I have ever had (it worked out with premium tax etc. at about USD38 per bottle)* that had acquired that lovely ethereal taste and bouquet that only older ports have usually attained. If I can get another case for this price I'll buy one.

I usually rely on Broadbent's port notes, as I tend to agree with 80% of his views, and he suggests the Taylor's is the only mainstream 75 worth having. However, it is interesting see views on the others - I must try them.

*NB my post on the '03 pricing: Taylor '03 - USD72 (duty paid in the UK), Taylor '75 USD38 (duty paid in the UK). Hmmmm! I note the points on being sure of the provenance etc. However, the catalogue said my '75 came from, if I recall correctly, "a country house cellar in the midlands"? Could have come from anywhere but it was in perfect condition, as is 95% of port I get at auction.

Tom Archer · Post by **Tom Archer** » Sat Sep 03, 2005 5:10 am

Stuart, your comparison with the '60's is interesting.

The '60 vintage also came after four poor years, and by the spring of '62 when the declaration was made, it would have been apparent that the '61's were not going to be better.

The resulting vintage was relatively lightweight, but ultimately well received.

In the spring of '77 it was clear that the '76 was not going to be a better year than '75, and although '77 came up trumps, the weather in the preceding winter and spring did not raise many hopes.

So the shippers faced a dilemma - risk going eight or more years between vintages, or pin their hopes on "getting lucky" as they had with the 60's.

But how good are the 75's now? There is only one way to find out!

Peter Wylie has some Dow '75 in stock at £23/bottle (+VAT) I've ordered three bottles and will open one as soon as it's had a day or two to settle down.

Will share if anyone's around!

ryan opaz · Post by **ryan opaz** » Sat Sep 03, 2005 5:16 am

Wish I could make it up to try some with you. Let us know how it is.

Stuart Chatfield · Post by **Stuart Chatfield** » Mon Sep 05, 2005 5:18 am

Do report back on the Dow '75. Of all the '75s it crops up most often but I've always passed it up so far. It has always been priced at least similar to Taylor, if not lower. So long as it's not not gone over and is of fair-to-middling quality, there can be bo loss in having a case for "every day drinking" as I call it.

Paul Napolitano · Post by **Paul Napolitano** » Mon Sep 05, 2005 6:01 pm

Strange, I always thought Fonseca was generally considered the wine of the vintage, but no one mentions it here. Had one last night that was still doing quite well. Always light, always charming. I was glad I picked up a few recently.

I've enjoyed the Graham's, but I haven't had one in 5 or 6 years. How does it generally compare?

simon Lisle · Post by **simon Lisle** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 1:37 pm

Stuart the Grahams was full bodied quite deep colour youthful full berried
but with that smooth silky finish that comes with a good aged port.

Eric Ifune · Post by **Eric Ifune** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 4:49 pm

Opened up a bottle of Sandemans a few days ago. Pale, I've had roses darker than this. Decent tipple, definitely port but more remenicent of a good 10 year old tawny. Hmmmm, a 30 year old vintage tasting like a 10 year old tawny. :?

Tom Archer · Post by **Tom Archer** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 1:26 am

When I tried the Dow '75 there was a distinct tawny hue - so much so that I poured a glass of Warre's 10 yr Otima to compare.

But the Dow looked, smelt and tasted far superior to the tawny.

Post by **Roy Hersh** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 5:20 pm

I had a discussion with Sean C. this morning about 1975s and felt that since I have seen more TNs and know of our FTLOP member's TNs on VPs from 1975 and much more experience with them since this was around, it might be interesting to revisit this vintage in terms of a discussion from your more recent experiences.

ryan opaz · Post by **ryan opaz** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 4:25 am

http://www.catavino.net/2008/01/08/birth-year-wines/

I finally had a 1975...not in the best condition but very nice. If you click the image at the top of my story you can see the condition of the cork.

Moses Botbol · Post by **Moses Botbol** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 5:37 am

'75 Croft is worth picking up if you get for a good price. Isn't there a '75 Grahams too?

SEAN C. · Post by **SEAN C.** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 8:11 am

The '75 Grahams is pretty good and the best of the few '75's I've had ...Croft is in second place for me. Although both were very light they drink well now ..I just don't think they will last another 20 years!