(Affordable) Recommendations from 1972?

[Mike Kerr]

I've had my eye mostly on recent ports, '95-'03, and have purchased a couple from the 80's. I think I could appreciate at this point a port from pre-1980 and although the 77's have been touted as a great vintage, I thought I'd look for something in my birth year.

Unfortunately my birth year isn't a declared year, so my options are limited, and aside from an Offley Boa Vista (which I can't find any TNs on), I haven't seen anything available anywhere for that year.

As is probably the case with my hunt for Vesuvio and Niepoort here in the US, it's probably that I just don't know where to look.

If anyone has any recommendations on 1972 ports they've tried, or even have any TNs for the Offley, it would be greatly appreciated! I'm trying to find something in the $100 US range, but beggars can't be choosers. I have seen the Offley BV range from $70 to $95, and if there is a favourable review on it, I may jump at it.

Thanks in advance!

It constantly amazes me how helpful and civil this forum is. I really do enjoy coming back again and again!

Mike.

[Roy Hersh]

I'd suggest that you look for a bottle of Quinta de Vargellas, as it is the ONLY 1972 Port that is remotely worthwhile. Your other option is to check http://www.winesearcher.com and type in Port and then 1972 and see what pops up. Try to find a Colheita from one of the better producers. If you have a question as to which might be good, check there first and then come back here and we'll be happy to help you.

[Mike Kerr]

Not sure why I didn't think of searching on colheita...

It appears in the world (according to wine-searcher) the only 1972 port available is the Offley Boa Vista. Searching on Colheita on the other hand turned up a couple of hits in Portugal, and at the SAQ. My roommate's girlfriend is from Quebec and she's been visiting here this week. I might hit her up to snarf me a bottle when she comes back for her next visit... The only one that seems to be available at the SAQ as a 1972 Colheita is the Warre's for $109CDN (which is perfectly within my price range). The Dow's colheita is available in Portugal along with the Warre's, but I'm the shipping costs will be insane.

So it would still appear my choices are limited. Does anyone have any notes on the 1972 Warre Colheita?

Mike.

[Roy Hersh]

Mike,

You have me working hard here for you:

Sniffing around a little bit more I found one tasting note from a Frenchman and the translation is not easy to make out:

Warre' S Reserve Tawny Colheita 1972
One solemn moment, because it is the year of the death of my father
With the nose, initially alcohol, sugar and an incredible nut puff of Grenoble, a superb fawn-coloured dress, stop perfect balance between alcohol of it, this nut taste, light sugar cassonnade point, best Colheita than I drank.

As far as pricing on the above wine in May of 2001 it sold for $48 US, and in one shop in Europe, it is out of stock but listed at 77 Euros.

That is the best I can do for you on the Warre's 1972 Colheita.


I did research in my books about the vintage and this is what I gleaned:

1972 was released at a bad time due to the "aguardente scandal" that took place in Portugal just prior to the release of this vintage. The weather during the growing season was quite unstable and at harvest the grapes and yields were very small with some rot affected grapes. It was a hard vintage to produce fine Vintage Ports and only six houses declared. Fonseca-Guimaraens, Dow, Quinta de Vargellas, Quinta de la Rosa, Offley Boa Vista and Robertson's Rebello Valente.

[Frederick Blais]

I've tasted the Warre's 72 a while ago and YES some of the prices are excessive at the SAQ especially for older wines. When I bought it 4 years ago it was 70$. While the SAQ have high prices, at least you are sure to get recent bottling date, probably 2005. This is why prices vary a lot, each bottling date from the symington get a new price and it is always higher.

For the TN, I did not take notes but I remember I enjoyed it. A very fine and complex colheita with a lingering after taste.

[Steve Culhane]

I had this a couple of years ago and remember being very disappointed for the price. Hot and alcoolic in my notes.

I tend to like my tawnies on the sweet/raisiny style, so your mileage may vary...

Steve