1960 Dow's Vintage Port for Sale

[Bret M]

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HI folks, totally new to this thing but believe I have learned just enough to be dangerous while reading a bit of your wonderful forum. I have a bottle of the above Port that has been stored it's entire life upright in a dark cabinet at room temperature. It's fill level is about 1/4" below the base of the neck. Hopefully the photos will be helpful. Bottle is currently located in Maine USA, in a few weeks it will take a ride to Washngton State if not sold. I have gotten some hints as to what this might be worth, but lets see what you folks here say. Feel free to make offers.

[Andy Velebil]

Hi Bret,

The biggest issues are it was stored upright at room temperature for all its life, a really bad thing. The low fill level will also affect the price. Given all the circumstances don't expect a lot of money for it, as it's a gamble on if it's still good or not.

As for price, given the storage and current condition (including what appears to be a slightly protruding cork) of the bottle, the most I personally would be willing to pay is around $40-50. Simply, as I stated it's a gamble on if it's good or not given the storage of it.

A well stored bottle would command significantly higher prices, to the likes of close to $200 or more.

[Bret M]

Thanks for the great info Andy. I have no experience here, but looking at the top of the seal it looks unmoved to me, that said there is a slightly domed shape to the seal, is that normal? it looks normal.

Bret

[Glenn E.]

Thanks for the great info Andy. I have no experience here, but looking at the top of the seal it looks unmoved to me, that said there is a slightly domed shape to the seal, is that normal? it looks normal.

That slightly domed shape is what makes me think that the cork is slightly protruded. (That's probably also what Andy noticed.) I would normally expect the top to be perfectly flat, or even slightly concave (because corks are usually inserted to very slightly below the rim of the bottle). It isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it's often an indicator of less-than-ideal storage conditions.

As Andy mentioned, both upright storage and room temperature storage aren't good things:

1. When stored upright, the cork can dry out over time which allows extra oxygen into the bottle, which in turn causes the wine to age prematurely.
2. Room temperature is too warm for wine storage, which can cause the wine to "cook" in the bottle and age more quickly. It can also take on some stewed flavors depending on just how warm the room is. Even 70 degrees (Fahrenheit) is much too warm for long-term storage. 55 degrees is ideal.

Current winesearcher prices show the D60 at about $130 in the UK or $190 in the US. But those are retail prices. Private transactions will usually be 50-70% of retail, so roughly $95-$135 in the US. But that would be for a properly stored bottles. Cut that in half again for one with poor storage.

Personally I wouldn't be interested in purchasing a bottle like yours for my own use as it probably isn't in good condition. I might go in on a bottle with others just to see what it's like, but that's more for research purposes (to better understand the effects of poor storage on older Port) than for enjoyment/etc. For that purpose I'd probably be willing to contribute $10 for a healthy pour, so call it $70-$80 max for the bottle split amongst 7-8 people.