1952 Delaforce Colheita Port

[Will W.]

From a 50cl bottle filled in 2005, this barrel-aged port presented itself as brown and opaque in the glass with a touch of green on the rim. Brown sugar, molasses and walnut were all evident to the nose, along with hints of white pepper and plum. It will be added that there was a certain youthfulness to the bouquet – much like the 1970 Delaforce vintage port consumed earlier in the evening – which belied the age of the wine. On entry, a wave of brown sugar hit the fore-palate, giving way to certain of the notes found in mulled wine, in particular, orange zest and cloves. The medium-long finish was characterised initially by a pleasant heat which tingled the senses with increasing intensity, revealing in the process a touch of Christmas pudding. This colheita had withstood nicely its fifteen years in the bottle, maintaining as it did a lovely balance betwixt its acidity and residual-sugar levels. What is more, the tannic backbone of this port was in evidence at the finish, albeit not to the degree that it constituted a distraction from what would otherwise have been expected of an older colheita. For those who enjoy a dry port, in keeping with the Delaforce style, this is a wine to be recommended.

-93 Points

[Gary Richardson]

I've had a couple of these over the years, and my experience was similar to yours. Sadly, I am out of them, but have fond memories.

[Moses Botbol]

I've had a couple of these over the years, and my experience was similar to yours. Sadly, I am out of them, but have fond memories.

What do you think an older bottling (2005ish) in a 750 of the '52 Dalva White would be worth now? $1200+ USD?

[Eric Menchen]

What do you think an older bottling (2005ish) in a 750 of the '52 Dalva White would be worth now? $1200+ USD?

Well, here's a 2007 bottling, 750ml, for less than half that: http://www.lesvinsdeporto.com/vin/dalva ... heita-1952

[Will W.]

Last month in Portugal: EUR 80, purchased privately. Granted, that was a low-end price; more typically, it would be +/- EUR 120. There is quite a bit of it around on the Portuguese secondary market.

[David Spriggs]

I had this on my first trip to Porto with Roy in 2005. I loved this wine for it's balance and (as you noted) it's drier style. I'm glad to hear that it's holding up 15 years down the road.

[Moses Botbol]

What do you think an older bottling (2005ish) in a 750 of the '52 Dalva White would be worth now? $1200+ USD?

Well, here's a 2007 bottling, 750ml, for less than half that: http://www.lesvinsdeporto.com/vin/dalva ... heita-1952

Wow, I thought they were worth more. Good to know.