For The Love Of Port

While searching for different port wines - I came accross a port wine producer that I have never heard of before - Gonzales. The exact port wine for sale was a Gonzales vintage port 1966.

My "questions" are:
- Any info about Gonzales in general would be interesseting.
- Has anybody tasted Gonzales vintage port 1966 - if yes - tasting notes would be appriciated.

Come on dudes - somebody gotta know something!!??

I have never heard about Gonzales. Where have you found the bottle, here in Copenhagen?

Is he a Cape Verdean making port?

I have not heard of this is. Are you sure it is "Gonzales" and not "Gonzalez"?
The founder of Martinez was called Sebastián Gonzalez Martinez...

Are you able to get a picture of the bottle from the store? If so, could you post it (or email it to me and I'll post it for you). That often helps in identifying bottles.

Henrik Lilja wrote:While searching for different port wines - I came accross a port wine producer that I have never heard of before - Gonzales. The exact port wine for sale was a Gonzales vintage port 1966.

My "questions" are:
- Any info about Gonzales in general would be interesseting.
- Has anybody tasted Gonzales vintage port 1966 - if yes - tasting notes would be appriciated.

Is it just plain "Gonzales" or could it be Gonzalez Byass? I've seen reference to the latter before, but never the former.

Thanks for the replies.

I've managed to get a picture - i'll email it to Andy - then he would - he said - post it. It's not a "1966" but a "1960" - maybe the admin could correct the headline?

Henrik,
I've sent you my email information and also changed the title per your request to 1960. I'll post the pictures as soon as I get them.

Thanks

Here is the pic Henrik sent me.

That's a González Byass. I've never had it before (or even seen one), but Derek and Julian have both had later vintages of it. Perhaps one of them will drop by and comment.

What would be a fair price assuming the bottle is in good condition?

Henrik Lilja wrote:What would be a fair price assuming the bottle is in good condition?

I have no idea of current auction prices for this Port. But personally I would not pay more than $80-100 (USD) for it, only if it was in perfect condition. Less money if it was not in perfect condition.

Henrik,

Here is some very good information about Gonzalez (Byass) that Dominic Symington sent me to post, as he is away from a computer at the moment.


I’m afraid I’m not on-line to post this reply but thought this might help.

Here is a small comment on Gonzalez (Byass). The information is available in some of the publications on Port. The company was run for many years by Manolo Gonzalez who first came to Portugal during the Spanish Civil War and then although living here in Porto divided his time between Porto & Jerez. He was a charming man and a great friend of my Grandfather.

When they ceased trading their lodge was first taken over by an ex employee of theirs who had bought the remaining stocks of Port and was subsequently sold on to Burmester when they moved from their previous cellars next door to our Dow’s (Silva & Cosens) lodge. We now use the old Burmester Lodge for Warre’s.

As you know Burmester is now part of Sogevinus and I’m not sure if they continue to use the lodge for Burmester or one of their other companies. The lodge and office buildings are extremely attractive.

Best regards

Dominic

IIRC, Gonzalez Byass and Gonzalez are not quite the same, but as far as I know, the only Gonzalez VP was made in 1985.

Gonzalez Byass was one of those shippers who used to straddle the divide betwenn Sherry and Port. Having decided to pull out of Port, there was a major sale of their inventory about twenty years ago.

Don't underestimate their VP's. Whilst not in the first division, they were serious players in their day; and are usually good value at auction.

Tom