What have you opened this week?

This forum is for discussing all things Port (as in from PORTugal) - vintages, recommendations, tasting notes, etc.

Moderators: Glenn E., Roy Hersh, Andy Velebil

Eric Menchen
Posts: 6392
Joined: Wed Sep 24, 2008 9:48 pm
Location: Longmont, Colorado, United States of America - USA

Re: What have you opened this week?

Post by Eric Menchen »

1975 Cockburn VP - very developed with tawny notes, but not overly oxidized and very nice
1977 Warre VP - a great showing of one my favorites. I hope my remaining bottles are this good.
20230401_202738_sml.jpg
20230401_202738_sml.jpg (252.44 KiB) Viewed 2918 times
Last edited by Eric Menchen on Mon Apr 03, 2023 10:36 am, edited 1 time in total.
Mike J. W.
Posts: 1000
Joined: Fri Aug 26, 2016 7:55 pm
Location: In the middle of cornfields & cow pastures, PA

Re: What have you opened this week?

Post by Mike J. W. »

1994 Warre's. The initial test sip after decanting seems promising.
"I have often thought that the aim of Port is to give you a good and durable hangover, so that during the next day you should be reminded of the splendid occasion the night before." - Hungarian/British journalist & author George Mikes
Moses Botbol
Posts: 5942
Joined: Wed Aug 30, 2006 7:38 am
Location: Boston, USA

Re: What have you opened this week?

Post by Moses Botbol »

'99 Noval LBV. Really dark, a lot of sediment and perfect cork. Powerful, but a tad bitter. Just a pop and pour glass last night. See it goes through the week. I'm normally a fan of their LBV's. I think last night's impression should/hope whiff's off.
Welsh Corgis | F1 |British Cars
Moses Botbol
Posts: 5942
Joined: Wed Aug 30, 2006 7:38 am
Location: Boston, USA

Re: What have you opened this week?

Post by Moses Botbol »

Night two was worlds apart on the '99 Noval LBV. Last night was terrific. Really softened and not bitter at all. Just as good as I was expecting [yahoo.gif]
Welsh Corgis | F1 |British Cars
User avatar
Eric Ifune
Posts: 3416
Joined: Tue Aug 02, 2005 8:02 pm
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada, United States of America - USA

Re: What have you opened this week?

Post by Eric Ifune »

DR 20 yo white.
User avatar
Andy Velebil
Posts: 16640
Joined: Tue Aug 02, 2005 4:49 pm
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States of America - USA
Contact:

Re: What have you opened this week?

Post by Andy Velebil »

Grahams 20 yr tawny. Good as always.
Andy Velebil Good wine is a good familiar creature if it be well used. William Shakespeare http://www.fortheloveofport.com
User avatar
Al B.
Posts: 6023
Joined: Mon Aug 01, 2005 1:06 am
Location: Wokingham, United Kingdom - UK

Re: What have you opened this week?

Post by Al B. »

Andresen 10YO White to celebrate finally having some sunshine. It’s been a long and grey winter.
Mike J. W.
Posts: 1000
Joined: Fri Aug 26, 2016 7:55 pm
Location: In the middle of cornfields & cow pastures, PA

Re: What have you opened this week?

Post by Mike J. W. »

1994 Osborne LBV
I had a small test glass when I decanted it this morning and it is simple, but delicious.
We'll see how it is tonight after Easter dinner.
"I have often thought that the aim of Port is to give you a good and durable hangover, so that during the next day you should be reminded of the splendid occasion the night before." - Hungarian/British journalist & author George Mikes
Moses Botbol
Posts: 5942
Joined: Wed Aug 30, 2006 7:38 am
Location: Boston, USA

Re: What have you opened this week?

Post by Moses Botbol »

'63 Sandeman
Welsh Corgis | F1 |British Cars
User avatar
Jonathan S
Posts: 211
Joined: Wed Mar 25, 2009 11:18 pm
Location: Raleigh, NC

Re: What have you opened this week?

Post by Jonathan S »

-1994 Warre VP - 375 mL (2/24/23)
-1994 Dow VP - 375 mL (3/20/23)
-2003 Fonseca VP - 375 mL (4/7/23)
User avatar
Al B.
Posts: 6023
Joined: Mon Aug 01, 2005 1:06 am
Location: Wokingham, United Kingdom - UK

Re: What have you opened this week?

Post by Al B. »

Churchill Gricha 2020 - wow! So delicious and easy to drink. It vanished in the blink of an eye.
Moses Botbol
Posts: 5942
Joined: Wed Aug 30, 2006 7:38 am
Location: Boston, USA

Re: What have you opened this week?

Post by Moses Botbol »

Had a few bottles of port last week. More than normal [dance2.gif]

1989 Sandeman VP 1.5L - Smooth and balanced. Just enough heat, really well done. Been about a decade since I had this in magnum. Wow.
1977 Ferreira VP - Similar to the Sandeman. Hard to tell how old or young it was. Cork fell into bottle. Great color. One of the better 77's of the vintage.
St. Leonardo 30 year Tawny (bottled in '19) Had a lot of oomph to it for a 30 year. More so than other brands.
Welsh Corgis | F1 |British Cars
Scott Esterly
Posts: 103
Joined: Sun Apr 03, 2022 4:14 pm
Location: Seven Hills, Ohio
Contact:

Re: What have you opened this week?

Post by Scott Esterly »

1994 Smith Woodhouse VP
IMG_1124.jpeg
IMG_1124.jpeg (240.19 KiB) Viewed 2719 times
IMG_1126.jpeg
IMG_1126.jpeg (316.64 KiB) Viewed 2719 times
User avatar
Jonathan S
Posts: 211
Joined: Wed Mar 25, 2009 11:18 pm
Location: Raleigh, NC

Re: What have you opened this week?

Post by Jonathan S »

1997 Dow VP (375 mL) (4/20/2023)
Lucas S
Posts: 135
Joined: Sun Sep 11, 2022 5:16 pm
Location: East PA, USA

Re: What have you opened this week?

Post by Lucas S »

Fonseca Terra Bella
Very smooth, if a tad on the lighter side. Good and in a different league than the Bin 27.
All is fair in love and Warre's
User avatar
Glenn E.
Posts: 8186
Joined: Wed Jan 23, 2008 10:49 am
Location: Sammamish, Washington, United States of America - USA
Contact:

Re: What have you opened this week?

Post by Glenn E. »

Lucas S wrote: Thu Apr 20, 2023 11:02 pm Fonseca Terra Bella
Very smooth, if a tad on the lighter side. Good and in a different league than the Bin 27.
That's the one that's certified organic, right? If it's the one I'm thinking of, I had a similar impression. A tad lighter, by which I mean lighter flavors not less intensity. It was brighter and... more ethereal? Bin 27 is much more similar to their LBVs and VPs, while Terra Bella is something different and more refreshing.
Glenn Elliott
User avatar
Andy Velebil
Posts: 16640
Joined: Tue Aug 02, 2005 4:49 pm
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States of America - USA
Contact:

Re: What have you opened this week?

Post by Andy Velebil »

Glenn E. wrote:
Lucas S wrote: Thu Apr 20, 2023 11:02 pm Fonseca Terra Bella
Very smooth, if a tad on the lighter side. Good and in a different league than the Bin 27.
That's the one that's certified organic, right? If it's the one I'm thinking of, I had a similar impression. A tad lighter, by which I mean lighter flavors not less intensity. It was brighter and... more ethereal? Bin 27 is much more similar to their LBVs and VPs, while Terra Bella is something different and more refreshing.
Yes, it’s the organic one. I enjoy it. My country club has it by the glass on offer. Unfortunately, they got a bad case as the past three bottles they’ve opened were horribly corked.
Andy Velebil Good wine is a good familiar creature if it be well used. William Shakespeare http://www.fortheloveofport.com
Lucas S
Posts: 135
Joined: Sun Sep 11, 2022 5:16 pm
Location: East PA, USA

Re: What have you opened this week?

Post by Lucas S »

Glenn E. wrote: Fri Apr 21, 2023 10:09 am
Lucas S wrote: Thu Apr 20, 2023 11:02 pm Fonseca Terra Bella
Very smooth, if a tad on the lighter side. Good and in a different league than the Bin 27.
That's the one that's certified organic, right? If it's the one I'm thinking of, I had a similar impression. A tad lighter, by which I mean lighter flavors not less intensity. It was brighter and... more ethereal? Bin 27 is much more similar to their LBVs and VPs, while Terra Bella is something different and more refreshing.
I think you're on the money there. The Bin 27 is poor man's VP and not in a good way - overripe grapes, strong and acidic.

While the Fonseca Terra Bella is not trying to emulate anything, it embraces its lightness and executes it pretty well.

There are better LBVs and richer Reserve rubies, but if you want an easygoing reserve to give away the Fonseca TB might well be the ticket.
All is fair in love and Warre's
Scott Esterly
Posts: 103
Joined: Sun Apr 03, 2022 4:14 pm
Location: Seven Hills, Ohio
Contact:

Re: What have you opened this week?

Post by Scott Esterly »

Sandeman 30 year old tawny. It’s excellent.
IMG_1173.jpeg
IMG_1173.jpeg (305.93 KiB) Viewed 2568 times
User avatar
Thomas V
Posts: 1097
Joined: Sun Jul 05, 2015 12:05 pm
Location: Aarhus, Denmark

Re: What have you opened this week?

Post by Thomas V »

My last old bottle of 40YO from Romaneira.

Was bottled in 2011, old label with red and gold rim. Stood sharp and precise in the glass. What a treat. Alas an era comes to an end for my part
Post Reply