Lots of new faces ... please introduce yourself

[Peter L.]

Thanks again for all the welcome posts. I frequent Spec's, there's one right by my house, it's a great liquor store and they have a decent wine selection as well. I've had pretty decent luck with some reasonably priced LBV that I've purchased there ($20-$30). I've enjoyed these, and I guess now the next step is to step it up a notch and see if I really like Vintage Port before I start stashing it away. Does anyone here have a good suggestion for a reasonably priced VP ($100 limit) that drinks well now, and is somewhat readily available?

I've seen '91, '94, '03 and '07 Grahams for about that price in town - as well as '91, '94 and '03 Dow's for the same price. I've also seen a 2007 Quinto do Vesuvio for a little less. I am certainly willing to try anything else anyone recommends as a "starter VP", the above are just what are in stock at wine stores I regularly go to.

[Glenn E.]

Peter,

Take a look at www.wine-searcher.com and you'll find that there are lots of Ports available at or below your limit. You'd have to mail order them, of course, but even with shipping you can still usually find excellent Ports for less than $100. For example, there are a couple of listings for the 1985 Graham for $75 right now and that's one of the best. Shipping for a full case is usually around $40-$45 for me out here in WA... I would think that it would be no worse in TX.

You probably won't find many older Ports for less than $100, but occasionally you might get lucky. Expect to pay $100-$125 for good Ports from 1977 and it only gets more expensive as the Ports get older. '63 and '66 Ports can reach $300/bottle these days, though they can still rarely be found down around $200. You just have to look around.

Younger stuff - particularly 1997, 2000, and 2003 - should easily fall under your limit. 2007s started below that (in the $80 range) but I haven't kept track of them so I don't know whether or not they've gone up or down in price since release.

Happy hunting!

[Eric Menchen]

Welcome Peter! I grew up in San Antonio and my parents live north of there now. I must say that Texas has some very consumer (and producer) unfriendly alcohol laws that will make your hunting a little more difficult, but you should be able to find something. Shipping into the state is generally not allowed. You might find some outlets that will ship based on some technicality/legal argument, and others that simply won't do it. You should certainly try out Spec's, and see if they will do in-state shipments to you or store-to-store transfers. I've bought some Colheitas from them out of Houston. Another options is Grailey's. For a while they had the best price of anyone on 1994 Taylor, but alas they sold that stock. The have 1997 Smith Woodhouse for $50 right now, more than I would want to pay, but not ridiculous. And for $60 they've got quite a few Ports, including the 1985 SW, 1985 Offley ... The Austin Wine Merchant appears to have a little stock, but a bit overpriced IMHO.

Good luck in your hunting!

[Roy Hersh]

Peter,

Grab either the 1991 Dow's or Graham's as that will give you an indication of what 20 years of bottle age does to a Port. Most of us here would still consider that rather young, but honestly, as a first VP ... you could do a LOT worse. Both are very solid, so it really depends on whether you like a dry style (Dow) or more fruit forward presence (Graham). Give one a while and let us know what your basic impressions are. You could start a brand new thread on the Port Tasting Note section of the Forum. Dive in and enjoy!

[Andy Velebil]

The 2007 Graham's will give you an idea what a excellent very young VP is like; big rich fruit, and a wall of tannins and acidity.

[Peter L.]

Again, many thanks for all the suggestions. I went ahead and picked up a bottle of Dow 1991 today. It's officially the first VP I've purchased. It's standing up as I type this, and I'm planning on drinking it Friday evening and Saturday if there's any left. Had an interesting discussion with the people at the wine shop which I will address in another topic.

[Andy Velebil]

Again, many thanks for all the suggestions. I went ahead and picked up a bottle of Dow 1991 today. It's officially the first VP I've purchased. It's standing up as I type this, and I'm planning on drinking it Friday evening and Saturday if there's any left. Had an interesting discussion with the people at the wine shop which I will address in another topic.

Give it about 8 hours of decanting. Look forward to hearing how it goes after you try it.

[Carl D]

Hello fellow port lovers!

My wife & I had a long affair with Port - we never liked it, having tried various ports that we found on restaraunt dessert menus. We tried various rubies (which were OK) and various tawnies (which we didn't care for much at all). Then, one fateful day in 2010, a waiter in Santa Cruz suggested that we try the Taylor 20 year tawny port with dessert.

We were sold immediately! Clearly, we realized, the reason that we didn't care for Tawny Port is that we'd never had any that was any good! The slippery slope had begun! A couple months later, I was on a business trip in New Orleans, dining at Dickie Brennan's Steakhouse (if you're ever in the French quarter and crave steak - go here!). Lo and behold, on their dessert menu was a Quinta do Noval 40 year Tawny. I just *HAD* to try it. A further fall down the slippery slope followed soon after. Then a business trip to Austin, TX, another dinner (at Eddie V's) and what do we find on the dessert menu but Taylor 40 year tawny by the bottle! Way overpriced, but we just *HAD* to try it. Needless to say, we're well down the slippery slope by now.

As if we weren't already doomed, hunting around the Internet one day I came across the Quinta do Noval 1937 Colheita for what I learned was a very good price. I *REALLY* *HAD* to have it. We drank a bottle of it at my 50th birthday party in a miniature homage to Roy's legendary 50th celebration. It blew our minds. Yes, we still have the bottle, and yes, I do uncork it from time to time for a whiff.

Since we're clearly PortHeads at heart, it seemed like a good time to join the merry band here at FTLOP and continue our education and our trip into bankruptcy as we spend way too much time and money finding and enjoying Port. So far, we're squarely in the Tawny/Colheita corner and haven't ventured into VPs at all yet. But there's plenty of time for that!

[Andy Velebil]

Carl,
to the Forum and a great intro. Glad you found the 'bug" again and didn't totally give up on the pleasure a good Port can provide. I look forward to your involvement here on the Forum

[Roy Hersh]

Carl,

It sounds like you and your wife are well on the way to a cellar full of Port excess, like many of us here. It sounds like you and Glenn would get along great, as he is our resident Tawny maven. Glad you found us here. We will show you some great ways to spend your money. I never push my newsletter on our new people, but think you would be wise to subscribe as our next "subscriber's only" buying opportunity in the newsletter will be focused on Tawny and Colheita Ports. Again, sorry for the "push" but for someone who appreciates the wines you do, this opPORTunity is directed towards your sweet spot.

Anyway, please feel free to share your impressions of the Ports you do get to consume. That would be great. It is nice to have you with us!

[Carl D]

I never push my newsletter on our new people, but think you would be wise to subscribe as our next "subscriber's only" buying opportunity in the newsletter will be focused on Tawny and Colheita Ports. Again, sorry for the "push" but for someone who appreciates the wines you do, this opPORTunity is directed towards your sweet spot.

Roy - Thanks for the heads-up! I was about to click "subscribe" this morning but decided to wait. But with a buying opportunity focused on Tawny and Colheita, how can I not subscribe?!

[Phyllis D]

While it may be easiest to say “Ditto” to my husband Carl’s post previously I’ll add a few of tidbits about me.

I’ve learned over the years that my nose is the leader for wines my tongue may like. If the wine passes the nose, it then can barrage my taste buds will all of its subtle and not so subtle flavors. Many a glass of wine has been handed off to Carl to finish after a sniff and sip.

There was that fateful night in late summer of 2010 in Santa Cruz when we walked to the closest restaurant to our hotel and was pleasantly surprised when the waiter was correct with the description of the Taylor 20 being “Liquid French Toast.” Finally! This was what I thought port should taste like, many flavors to entertain the tongue. Now I knew there had to be even better Ports available.

Last November when I rationalized the perfect time to open the Noval 37 was Carl’s 50th, I learned the Taylor 20 was truly just my training wheels. Now the training wheels are off and my taste buds are ready and raring to go.

After trying over a dozen Ports over the last year and a half I've learned: Each month, I would rather open 1 bottle of a really good port that makes my taste buds sing and dance rather than have a glass of a one note wine each night. For this reason, ports that rely heavily on one flavor that smack you upside the head (such as anise) I’ve decided to leave on the shelf for others (unless hot-spiced wine is on the menu).

Once again we have become re-acquainted with our neighborhood wine store owner, who is more than happy to help with our newly acquired tastes. Now we just have to find others close to our area that truly enjoy a good Port. After all it would be a “sin” to open a 40+ yr bottle and not finish it.

[Roy Hersh]

Phyllis,

Thanks for posting too, I believe you may just be the first non-staff, couple to post here. We appreciate you posting your story too.

Maybe one of these days you and Carl will join us on "tour" to explore some of the rare and amazing wines that you will never see here in the USA. Have a look at our travel page which can be accessed from on the homepage here. Go to the top of this page and click on the FTLOP Home.

For now, we will all hope you explore many fine bottles of Port and if you hang here with us, it will be inevitable.

[Phyllis D]

Maybe one of these days you and Carl will join us on "tour" to explore some of the rare and amazing wines that you will never see here in the USA. Have a look at our travel page which can be accessed from on the homepage here. Go to the top of this page and click on the FTLOP Home.

Roy,

Oh rest assure the first year we can get away from our businesses for more than an extended weekend we will be there! We have both perused your writings on the tours and put it on our must do list.

[Roy Hersh]

Love your quote at the bottom of your posts.

[Phyllis D]

Love your quote at the bottom of your posts.

Glad you like it, it's what I typed in for my screen saver at the office.

[Andy Velebil]

Love your quote at the bottom of your posts.

Glad you like it, it's what I typed in for my screen saver at the office.

NICE!!! And Phyllis to the Forum as well!!

[Julien S]

Hi everybody !
My name is Julien, I'm 23, and I live next to Bordeaux. I am a law student for almost 5 years and I'm specialised in wine's law.
Enjoying wine of Port, I decided to make a study about Port and his rules. But I am struggling to find the informations I need. French texts I found are not complete enough, I don't speak Portuguese and I'm poor in English ( as you have probably noticed...).
I have asked Mr Hersh if he could give me some help and he adviced me to register on this forum to find this help.
So here I am...

I hope my future questions won't be a burden for you !

[Eric Menchen]

Welcome Julien! While I myself drink far more Port than Bordeaux, I'd like to learn and experience that region some day. I do make it to France with some frequency, but never enough. As for Port regulations, you can find most, but not all, of the regulations here:
http://www.ivdp.pt/pagina.asp?codPag=48 ... 6&idioma=1
They are, of course, in Portuguese. Google and automated tools will give you a decent idea of what they mean, and people around here perhaps can clarify things as necessary. I don't see the most recent regulation there, as I thought there was a 2010 version. It might be the one linked from this page:
http://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/details.jsp?id=7910
That sight appears to have a good variety of documents that may be relevant.

[Andy Velebil]

Hi Julien,

to the Forum and I wish you the best with learning the laws regarding Port. As Eric's already mentioned, they are in Portuguese and often translations leave something to be desired. It's a complex system for Port production that is very confusing even for those who've been lovers of Port. So don't hesitate to ask questions if something doesn't make sense. Good luck and again welcome to the