What's the best port you had in last year under $15?

[John M.]

I was going through my tasting notes and sorting the spreadsheet. Surprisingly I've had 8 ports $15 and under (full bottles)--and there were some decent rankings.

Dows Trademark Finest Reserve ($14) was the best (94 pts)
Cockburns Special Reserve was next ($14) (88 pts)
then Churchills Finest Reserve. ($14) although its thin and mid-palate tannins (88 pts)

I can now find Fonseca Bin 27 for $15, so that would alter the above list.

--not sure why 88 with Churchill & Cockburn because I like the Cockburn better, but that's my score. Also, cannot expalin why 94 points on the Dows (although I did convert my scores to a 100 pt system around Jan 1, so probably round up).

So I'm curious if anyone has found any economical gems?

[Eric Menchen]

Probably the 2003 Quevedo LBV at $12.50 from the buy. I say "probably" because I also bought 2002 Broadbent LBV for $11.50, but I didn't take notes when I opened the first of those.

[Paul Fountain]

Real port under $15 is unheard of over here. In fact I've only ever had one under $30 and only just at that - Quinta do Pego LBV which wasn't bad. The only other one I've seen under $30 is a Dow Ruby.

[Andy Velebil]

LBV would have to go to Quevedo as well.

Ruby Reserve would be Cockburn's Special Reserve

White Port would be Niepoort's Dry White (goes well with Tonic and lemon on a warm day)

[Marc J.]

I'd say Cockburn Special Reserve. A close second would be Noval Black.

[Jeff G.]

and ...

what would be the one you would put 2 cases of in a 5 gallon barrel?

[John M.]

Unread postby Marc J. » Tue Jun 28, 2011 7:36 am
I'd say Cockburn Special Reserve. A close second would be Noval Black.

Noval Black is great--but I haven't seen it under $15.

[Eric Menchen]

I hadn't seen Noval Black for under $15 either, but apparently you can find it for $14.99 here. I've never bought from them, but they have a number of good prices.

[Andy Velebil]

I hadn't seen Noval Black for under $15 either, but apparently you can find it for $14.99 here. I've never bought from them, but they have a number of good prices.

Glad you pointed this out I forgot I got some at that price from the store you referenced, so I'd have to change my earlier answer to Noval Black.

[Marc J.]

The local Costco is selling Noval Black for $14.65 which is a killer deal. I commonly see it going for $19.99 (or more).

[Moses Botbol]

Quevedo LBV
Dow LBV
Kirkland/Costco Tawny

[Andy Velebil]

The local Costco is selling Noval Black for $14.65 which is a killer deal. I commonly see it going for $19.99 (or more).

Stopped by my local Costco yesterday and no such luck. All they had was Bin 27

[Marc J.]

On my last trip to Costco I picked up a case, although a buddy of mine tried to get a case at his local Costco but no such luck. He was able to special order it and it took a little over a week to arrive.

[Todd Pettinger]

Real port under $15 is unheard of over here. In fact I've only ever had one under $30 and only just at that - Quinta do Pego LBV which wasn't bad. The only other one I've seen under $30 is a Dow Ruby.

Same as Paul, I don't know that I have seen a bottle of Port for under $15 here. It is possible that the Cockburn Special Reserve was on sale for $14.99 ONCE a long time ago... I'll have to go back and check what it normally is.

Accounting for the fact that everything is so ridiculously overpriced in Canada, I'd have to say the best I've had for that relational price range is still likely the Cockburn SR.