For The Love Of Port

Warre's 1963 with one of my tasting groups, as the dessert wine before someone opened a Kracher which was wonderful and sweet. Due to issues with time management, (getting home in time to decant) my bottle wound up not getting enough air time and while still beautiful, it was really spirity on both the nose and palate and just was beginning to improve ... in time for the bottle to be empty.

Christmas Eve a Fonseca 1970. Odd facsimile label, but the embossed capsule showed properly as did the cork's "branding" and the Port itself. Not the best bottle I've ever had and was showing more like a Niepoort from the same year. Certainly nothing wrong there but it was not showing what best bottles of '70 Fonseca can achieve.

Not sure about tonight. My wife is telling me to open another of the Fonseca's. Easy for her to say.

Decision made. I went down to the cellar and the two humble bottles that jumped out at me were a 2003 Crasto LBV ... but then I decided I wanted to open something that I never do and have only had (almost always) in PT. At now 20, it seemed to be worth looking in on a 1999 Quinta do Portal VP, that I've owned since its birth. It is a bottling I always enjoy and will get more than a glass of later tonight when work is done.

Again, HEALTHY 2020 to all friends here! May your year begin without any corked wines or Ports.

1948 Souza VP. It might have had some light TCA, but was still enjoyed.

1985 Graham on New Year's Eve. Another awesome bottle! I've been hearing tales of this Port fading, but I'm not seeing it.

1977 Gould Campbell Vintage Port. An excellent bottle, but not mind blowing.

David Spriggs wrote:1977 Gould Campbell Vintage Port. An excellent bottle, but not mind blowing.

I plan to open one at next Friday’s Port gathering. What was your decanting time for it?

Andy Velebil wrote: ↑Thu Jan 02, 2020 8:35 pm

David Spriggs wrote:1977 Gould Campbell Vintage Port. An excellent bottle, but not mind blowing.

I plan to open one at next Friday’s Port gathering. What was your decanting time for it?

8-9 hours. The bottle was a slight leaker in the past, so I’d give it more time than that if it’s in perfect shape.

Gerwin de Graaf wrote: ↑Mon Dec 30, 2019 12:36 pm

Bram C wrote: ↑Sat Dec 28, 2019 12:27 pm
Are there some Dutch people overhere who want to do a tasting together?

There are , and I for one would be interested in a tasting in the Netherlands with some fellow Port lovers
Cheers,
Gerwin

I've sended you a PM a few days ago.

1920 Delaforce Vintage Port on NYE. Plans on '70 Croft for tonight.

Bram C wrote: ↑Fri Jan 03, 2020 4:21 pm

Gerwin de Graaf wrote: ↑Mon Dec 30, 2019 12:36 pm

Bram C wrote: ↑Sat Dec 28, 2019 12:27 pm
Are there some Dutch people overhere who want to do a tasting together?

There are , and I for one would be interested in a tasting in the Netherlands with some fellow Port lovers
Cheers,
Gerwin

I've sended you a PM a few days ago.

I've just had the opportunity to reply

I opened my last Krohn 30 Year Old (bottled 2013) tonight. These all came from Premiere Cru right before it imploded. Still lovely and dark. I'm sure I'll never see the likes of those prices again, but I'd like to restock at least a few I'd these. It's a superb 30.

1994 Quinta do Vesuvio Vintage Port

David Spriggs wrote:1994 Quinta do Vesuvio Vintage Port

Uh,do tell!

Andy Velebil wrote: ↑Sat Jan 04, 2020 11:35 pm

David Spriggs wrote:1994 Quinta do Vesuvio Vintage Port

Uh,do tell!

The tasting note is there. TLDR; An awesome bottle! Best showing in quite a while. Maybe it's finally getting over it's "angry" phase.

Last night, after getting home from taking mom for out for her birthday, a bottle of 20 year Ramos Pinto Tawny has its cork mysteriously fall out. Of course, I had to sample it to make sure all was well. It was

'94 Ferreira VP. Decanted 11 hours. Dark as a Cabernet. Sweet, fruity nose with a hint of smoke. Medium mouth feel, maybe slightly thick. I could taste the sweet fruit as I sipped, but the alcohol hasn't quite integrated yet. A little burny as I swallow, but not overly annoying.

It's a good port that doesn't seem quite ready yet after 26 years. I'll see if it improves tomorrow night.

Day 4: It's mellowed a little. The alcohol is still there but not as harsh. It tastes a little richer and sweet. I'd tick this up a point from the first night.

A bottle of Niepoort 2017 was opened at the weekend. This is a wonderful Port, so full of structure with the acidity to balance the fruit for many, many decades. The only drawback to this Port is that it is just so good to drink right now!

1980 Warres VP
1922 Martinez VP
1955 Cockburn VP
to go with many other good wines at the LA offline organized by Andy. Thanks Andy!

Sent from my SM-A205U using Tapatalk

'66 Grahams. Never fails.

1970 Ferreira Vinatge Port
1963 Graham's Vintage Port

These were opened at the Southern California FTLOP tasting last weekend