Tough question. I think the prices are going to come down a tad on the ones still sitting on the shelf. I've been to numerous stores around my area that still have plenty of '03s gathering dust on the shelves. I think prices may come down a tad after the holidays just to clear out some of that slow-moving inventory.
As for the 2004's, I think some retailers are passing on the '04s altogether. I've spoken to two retailers here in So Cal. and both said they will not be getting '04s in because they are still overstocked with 2003's and they have not seen any "stellar" reviews to make it worth their wild.
I for one hope they do come down a bit, to a more reasonable level. Its hard to buy a recent vintage for $90 a bottle, when I just bought the 1987 Vargellas for $60 a bottle. Let me see, almost 20 years apart and $30 cheaper. Chuck, I'll take the '87 for $60 please!
Now looking at this five years later, I know lots of people still around today who were smart and bought 2003's early on ... or even recently. So, how is this vintage looking to those that have tried some in the past year or so?
My experience is that the wines have closed significantly. There is far more obvious tannic structure here than I initially realized. Not that it's a bad thing, but it is different than I expected to see at year 5. The wines now need significant decanting to show well. I'm basing this on my recent tastings - Fonseca, Niepoort, Noval. I still believe it's a great vintage -- one of my favorites! And I'm putting my money where my mouth is - I'm still buying the 2003's when they are reasonably priced.
David Spriggs wrote:My experience is that the wines have closed significantly.
This has been my experience as well in the past couple years. While outstanding Ports, IMO it's best to leave them in the cellar until they come out of this phase. And if you find them at good prices buy
I wasn't around for this thread the first time, and given the prices I'm kind of glad that I wasn't! I do have a few 2003s but I paid significantly less than the release prices listed in this thread. The most I paid for any 2003 was $52 for the Portal during the FTLOP opportunity.
As for where they stand now, I'm with David and Andy. They seem to be closing down, and I think they'll probably stay that way for 8-10 years. With a little luck they'll open up again in time for their 20th birthday in 2023!
I don't have much for 2003. Dow in both 750 and magnum and a half case of Qunita Ventozelo. The Dow's are lurking around in my market for song. Has anyone tried one recently?
Although not vintage port, I have a case of Ramos Pinto Duas Quinta Resera 2003. Not sure when I'll try the first one. I thought 2013 would be a good first go.
I've got a lot of mags of the 2003 Dow's as some time ago I found them at store near me for $60 each. Me and another member bought all they had. now I've only got to wait another 30 years to open them
My experience with the 03 Portal recently was closed as well. 2003 got me into VP in the first place as it is the birth year for my first child, lucky kid. He'll have plenty to choose from when he reaches 21 (or maybe 30 and can appreciate it then!) I'll continue to pick more 03's up when i get them at reasonable prices.
Besides the aforementioned Quinta do Portal 2003 ... can you guys who believe that 2003's are now shut down, provide some specific names of VPs from that vintage where you think they are the MOST tightly wound and closed Ports? Could it be a decant issue? Just curious as to which you've found the MOST closed. Thanks.
My 2003 Novals are definitely closing down. Are they closed yet? Eh, I doubt it. But they're definitely on their way.
I also think that the 2003 Graham is closing down. I didn't drink any of mine early on, though, so it's hard for me to say how much they've closed down so far. But to me they definitely don't have the freshness I expect from a young Port.
It's even harder for me to say anything conclusive about the 2003 Smith Woodhouse, but the one sample I've tasted seemed a bit closed. That could have been a decant issue, or it could have been an indication that they're starting to close down.
Glenn E. wrote:My 2003 Novals are definitely closing down.
Yeap this was very evident when we had it at the Quinta a couple years ago and has been each time I've had it since.
2003 Niepoort is also closing down and was something Dirk and I talked about last time I saw him and to which he also said it was starting into a phase. Although I'd say from personal experience it's still in early stages as I've had some bottles show more restrained than others.
In the last 6 months I've tried the Churchill, Colmaca, Croft, Fonseca, Portal, Skeffington, Taylor and Vale Dona Maria from 2003. The Churchill was well out of sorts, being thin, acidic and well out of balanced - quite unpleasant to drink and very much in the truculent phase of development.
Colmaca was tight and closed, very little came out of the wine over the course of an evening and I would say this is also shut down. The Croft and Fonseca are still drinking nicely, but the Fonseca is disappointingly light - the first sign to me of a Fonseca closing down.
The Portal was, to my taste, also still drinking really well. Skeffington was balanced, fruity and a great example of what to drink if you want to understand why the 2003 is such a good vintage.
The Taylor blew me away and made me regret buying so heavily into Fonseca and buying nothing from Taylor - at some point I will correct my mistake. The Taylor is deep, dark and burly and has a great balance of fruit, acid and tannin. My note finishes with the words "This port is something special." To me, this is not yet closed but it is still incredibly youthful and powerful.
And the Vale Dona Maria was every bit as good as the Taylor!
I haven't dared try too many more of my 03's... Most of 'em are earmarked for my son, but they are all just so darned expensive here that trying them young is an expensive endeavor. I have a bunch of Offley that I may try one of, although I wasn't overly impressed with it years ago, so perhaps it just needs to sit for a couple of decades before I try another. My Novals are too precious to open right now...
Luke, As vintage ports go through a transition from young to old, they go through a phase where they aren't quite as good to drink as they were as a younger port and not quite as good as we expect them to be as they get older.
This came up a couple of months back, and Roy dug out something from one of the newsletters.
It should tell you everything you need to know and probably more!
Some of the 03s are just getting to that stage now, but the thing I learnt about this is that there isn't a lot of consensus, even among the winemakers themselves about when, and for how long it happens
I had my first 2003 Dow's this week and it was awesome. I haven't had it younger, so I don't know if it has lost anything. I plan to pick up more so I can see how it changes. But, I love it how it is.
today who were smart and bought 2003's early on ... or even recently. So, how is this vintage looking to those that have tried some in the past year or so?
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