For The Love Of Port

George Rhys

Southwick Court Fine Wines Ltd

Southwick Court (London) Fine Wines Ltd

DDI +44 (0)20 7801 2432

Fax +44 (0)20 7228 6677



April 2008:



We are pleased to be able to offer:





12 cases Dow 1966 Vintage Port OWC labelled. £1190:00 case 12 bottles



This is an extremely racy and totally harmonious VP, with wonderfully fresh aromas of flowers, fruit and berries. Full-bodied, with a sweet yet firm palate. Long, long finish. Super.--Dow vertical 94/100 WS

What does "OWC labeling" mean?

That's not a bad price for that wine... of course shipping from the UK might alter that. Seems like shipping to the US from the UK is rather outrageous.

Glenn E. wrote:What does "OWC labeling" mean?

That's not a bad price for that wine... of course shipping from the UK might alter that. Seems like shipping to the US from the UK is rather outrageous.

Glenn,

OWC means Original Wooden Case. "Labelled" probably means that the bottles are individually labelled, which isn't normally the case for VP of that age in the UK.

For the record, I don't think that is a good price in the UK, especially as it probably excludes UK tax.

Derek

Derek is absolutely correct. I post the offerings from this wine shop for two reasons. One of the two partners is a direct descendent of John Methuen ... yes, think of 1703's Treaty! The other reason, is as a reference point. I feel there prices are always high, but knowing that, you can then look for a bar that is a bit lower. I will say one thing about their shop from reports I have received: their sourcing is impeccable as they very carefully scrutinize what they do carry. I think people who shop there though, are willing to pay prices most of us would not, to obtain very high quality bottles. Again, these posts from Rhys and Methuen are without the VAT included which takes the price up 17% or so and shipping to the USA from the UK right now is not worth doing if you don't have to.

If you purchase for shipping to the US, though, the VAT should be excluded, shouldn't it? My understanding is that VAT only applies to goods and services to be consumed within the EU.

$200/bottle is pretty close to the lowest available (non-auction) price on wine-searcher.com right now. I'd probably place an order if it weren't for the exhorbitant shipping costs.

Glenn,
About a year ago, I purchased a very rare bottle from this vendor. It arrived in a reasonable amount of time given the distance shipped (I live in Seattle) and the bottle was in pristine condition. VAT is not charged, but importantly as a reference point, the shipping cost for that single bottle was $100+.
Dave

Glenn,

Yes, you are correct, the VAT should be excluded. I was just pointing this out in case anyone thought these were tax inclusive prices.

My suggestion that these prices are high were based on a comparison with UK auction prices, which I would expect to be anywhere between 25-50% less than the price quoted here.

I know the concept of buying from auction is different over where you are as provenance and storage conditions can often be a problem but in the UK auctions are fairly safe ground.

Derek

Derek is absolutely right about the provenance difference between the USA and UK. Here in the USA, folks dump wines they don't like, leakers, even parts of cases of wines where previous bottles were found to be tainted with TCA. Besides, the number of times the bottles turn over at auction and between gray market "salesmen" here in the USA can be astounding and we don't have any way to track this but the stories abound. In the UK there are so many well stocked and well cellared Ports, it is a no-brainer to buy from auction houses as a primary source for older bottles, whilst filling in on occasion when a particular retailer scores some cases from the poor grieving widow of some country squire. Of course, this is a romanticized version, but ultimately accurate.

$200/bottle is pretty close to the lowest available (non-auction) price on wine-searcher.com right now. I'd probably place an order if it weren't for the exhorbitant shipping costs.

Glenn,

Trust me, if it wasn't $250+ per case nowadays to ship wine back from London ... you wouldn't be the only onw salivating.

Roy Hersh wrote:$200/bottle is pretty close to the lowest available (non-auction) price on wine-searcher.com right now. I'd probably place an order if it weren't for the exhorbitant shipping costs

I wonder if that is a hang-over from the 40 yr old birthday market in 2006? I bought some Dow 66 3 or 4 years ago from a retailer at £60 ($120) per bottle including tax. The price on wine-searcher does not include tax to is more like $250.

Port prices have not increased by 100% in the last 4 years and I wonder if some of these prices will adjust themselves over the next few years?

Derek