For The Love Of Port

First, let me say I hope everyone had a great New Year. Since sunny Southern California is pouring rain right now, and since I was supposed to go see the Rose Parade but decided to stay dry at home this year, I am doing a little cellar reorganizing and catching up here on FTLOP.

So, I recently picked up 2 of these and I did a search for any tasting notes, However, I could not find any. What are your thoughts on this VP? Should I drink now or should these be stored for a bit longer before opening?

Any info is always welcome and I hope everyone has a great 2006 :!:

Andy I also hesitate to open one of these. I once search the web to find what expert and enthousiast think about it. Some were very impressed and others very deceived. Kind a like it or not Port.

Not the best year for Taylor - the '80's and '85's both sell for about 10% more.

However I did pick up a case from Sotheby's recently (15% cheaper than the best price on '03's!)

Judging by Broadbent's comments, this one is not going to improve further, so no excuse for not giving us a TN!

Tom

I'm in the same boat as Tom. This is clearly a lost year for Taylor as there are few rave reviews. I too put in a bid recently, at Christies, and got a case from an impeccable source at a remarkable price (less than GBP30 per bottle including all costs).

I've put it into storage for now, but going by Broadbent I will take it out within a few years.

Would like to see some notes from others first

Obviously I am a huge Taylor fan. But I have always said, that the '80s was "the lost decade" for Taylor as 1980, 1983 and 1985 were all mediocre wines. A real shame. The best of the bunch is the excellent 1987 Taylor's Quinta de Vargellas. Otherwise, you can skip Taylor Port from the lost decade.

Roy,

If you're in Seattle, it must be the middle of the night there now!

Tom

Tom,

It is almost 3:30. Speaking to friends in the UK, Portugal and SA is a frequent event in my household. You'll never see me posting at 8 or 9 a.m. that I can tell you. I do my best writing at night when the house is quiet. That stems from a lifetime working nights in hotels and restaurants.

Roy Hersh wrote:Obviously I am a huge Taylor fan. But I have always said, that the '80s was "the lost decade" for Taylor as 1980, 1983 and 1985 were all mediocre wines. A real shame. The best of the bunch is the excellent 1987 Taylor's Quinta de Vargellas. Otherwise, you can skip Taylor Port from the lost decade.

I'd agree on the 80 (which I've had a lot of) and the 83 (which I've had very little of but I am about to try some more :twisted: ) however, I can't understand why so few people like the Tayor 85 :? . Although I doubt it'll have the staying power I like it almost as much now as the 77.

I just had the 83 Fonseca for New Years, and found it to be good but not memorible. This was my second 83 (I had the 83 Taylor) in the last 6 months, and from what I can tell, the 83 vintage is weak. And unless someone can recommend something better, I will avoid buying anymore wines from this vintage.

I had a lame bottle of Fons '83 - reminds me to try another one...

Tom

Thanks for all the great feedback. I guess I'll pop these sooner than later. When I do I, of course, will post TN's.

I've had the Taylor 80, 83, and 85 - and agree with Roy! This is not what Taylor is about.

They are OK, but I expect an aweful lot more from an even average Taylor!!

I like the 83 Fonseca - no, not phenominal but damn good. Incidently I dislike the 80 Fonseca as it's weak and watery (maybe an off batch? Possible, but I don't think so).

The 83 Cockburns is the pick of the litter - but too young

Ted