FTLOP Tasting: Pre-2000 LBV's - UPDATED: 4/1/14

[Roy Hersh]

Updated.


As for the Canadian guy who overpaid for what might not be the greatest LBV's in the world ... magnums or otherwise ... you have to appreciate his tenacity.

[John Danza]

Since I can't be at this event, I've posted a tasting note for the 1991 Dow LBV. It can be found here.

[Brian C.]

I saw 1988 Quinta dos Murcas LBV was just auctioned at the Chicago Wine Company. One batch of four bottles went for $400, and a second batch of six bottles (one bottle with label missing) went for $400, also. Anybody know what the story is with that particular LBV? I know that Esporao of Alentejo fame owns this Quinta now, by the way.

[Andy Velebil]

I saw 1988 Quinta dos Murcas LBV was just auctioned at the Chicago Wine Company. One batch of four bottles went for $400, and a second batch of six bottles (one bottle with label missing) went for $400, also. Anybody know what the story is with that particular LBV? I know that Esporao of Alentejo fame owns this Quinta now, by the way.

Wow, that's a crazy high price for an LBV from a not so great year.

[Bradley Bogdan]

I can think of a lot of wines I'd take a chance on at under $100 a bottle before those, even though that's my birth year. '85 Fonseca comes to mind right off.

[Brian C.]

Those were two thoughts that crossed my mind as well. I just wondered if there was something magical about this property in its past life that I didn't know. Given the prior mention of the ridiculous bids on LBVs at auction, I have to wonder if someone is trying to corner the market on old LBVs, price be damned. Good luck with that, anyway.

[John Danza]

Given the prior mention of the ridiculous bids on LBVs at auction, I have to wonder if someone is trying to corner the market on old LBVs, price be damned. Good luck with that, anyway.

If that's the case, they're welcome to at that price. I bought the rest of the old Dow LBV that Flickinger had yesterday, but only paid $20 a bottle.

[Eric Menchen]

Yeah, I think somebody forgot to tell the wine auction buying public that LBVs are supposed to be cheaper. I've seen this a good number of times now. Oh, and at some retailers too.

[Brian C.]

John, there has to be a house that will let you scalp those LBVs. The fact that there is a 1991 Dow VP will probably not help you get comparable hammer prices, though, unfortunately. If you can get a similar price on their 1989 LBV (check out wine-searcher, yikes), you are good to go. With Murcas, it was a pretty obscure quinta prior to its purchase by Esporao, there's no real market for 1988 with which to compare, and there wasn't any other Murcas year to compare, either.

[John Danza]

John, there has to be a house that will let you scalp those LBVs. The fact that there is a 1991 Dow VP will probably not help you get comparable hammer prices, though, unfortunately. If you can get a similar price on their 1989 LBV (check out wine-searcher, yikes), you are good to go. With Murcas, it was a pretty obscure quinta prior to its purchase by Esporao, there's no real market for 1988 with which to compare, and there wasn't any other Murcas year to compare, either.

My intent is actually to keep them and drink them, as they're good and interesting.

[Brian C.]

John, I'm just thinking aloud like a trader here, and was being more tongue in cheek here than anything else. I'm just incredibly surprised at how crazy the LBV market is, that's all. Sorry if it came across otherwise. Enjoy.

[Roy Hersh]

John,

Good for you, man. They're made for drinking after all!

[John Danza]

John, I'm just thinking aloud like a trader here, and was being more tongue in cheek here than anything else. I'm just incredibly surprised at how crazy the LBV market is, that's all. Sorry if it came across otherwise. Enjoy.

No need to be sorry Brian. I just thought my original comment about picking up those bottles sounded like I was going to turn them over. If someone on this list wants one for taking to Roy's tasting, I'll certainly let one go for that very good cause. If someone wants one, send me a PM and we'll work it out.

[Lisa Stevens]

Thanks to John, I will soon have a Dow 1991 LBV in my possession! So add that to the list Roy.

I have a pretty good lead on Smith Woodhouse 1995 LBVs, so put me down for that one tentatively. Will let you know if the lead pans out.

Thanks!

-Lisa

[Roy Hersh]

Updated.

[Roy Hersh]

Three new individuals are now in.

Andy, any idea if you are going to definitely be able to join us or not?

UPDATED.

[Andy Velebil]

Flight is booked.

I've emailed Roy a list of things I have to see what will fit in best. Will post that once it's sorted.

[Roy Hersh]

Updated.

[Glenn E.]

Well, I pulled it off.

When Roy first posted this tasting, I thought it was going to be hard for it to compete with our usual VP and Colheita tastings. After all, most people drink LBV when it is young and don't bother to keep old bottles around for years and years. It was pure luck that led me to the 1976 Smith Woodhouse - I was actually looking for some 1983 Ramos Pinto VP when I stumbled across it online. If not for that bit of luck, it would have been hard to find something suitable.

But then I got to thinking. Roy has contacts. Heck, I have contacts because of Roy! So I started emailing to see what I could dig up. Well, long story short... after more emails than I can count and much back-and-forth, we're going to have the oldest registered LBV at this tasting! That's right, one bottle of 1927 Ramos Pinto LBV is being shipped directly from Vila Nova de Gaia.

I can't wait to try it!

[John Danza]

Well, I pulled it off.

When Roy first posted this tasting, I thought it was going to be hard for it to compete with our usual VP and Colheita tastings. After all, most people drink LBV when it is young and don't bother to keep old bottles around for years and years. It was pure luck that led me to the 1976 Smith Woodhouse - I was actually looking for some 1983 Ramos Pinto VP when I stumbled across it online. If not for that bit of luck, it would have been hard to find something suitable.

But then I got to thinking. Roy has contacts. Heck, I have contacts because of Roy! So I started emailing to see what I could dig up. Well, long story short... after more emails than I can count and much back-and-forth, we're going to have the oldest registered LBV at this tasting! That's right, one bottle of 1927 Ramos Pinto LBV is being shipped directly from Vila Nova de Gaia.

I can't wait to try it!

Now I'm really bummed I can't be there.