For The Love Of Port

Thanks for that link Andy. Commenting that “the vineyards have the potential to be mechanised in the future,” he also said that Fladgate would “modernise the winery over the next few years”, and use this updated facility to make both wines and Port from the Vale de Mendiz vineyards – new and existin...

Glenn E. wrote: ↑Tue Mar 19, 2024 11:09 am I think the backtracking ship has already sailed...

I'm assuming he means the label. That way he doesn't have to backtrack. I see your point, but would hope they would admit to a mistake before making that claim. O.k., there is never a "2030 Taylor Touriga Nacional Douro Red," but there is TFP owned "2030 Quinta do Portal Douro Red .....

Broadbent Auction Reserve, Lot #1, 375ml. This was up for auction on Winebid, $10 + fee, which luckily is still %-based even at this low amount. (Spectrum Auctions introduced a minimum buyers premium a while back of $5 as I recall.) I had 11 other bottles purchased and filled out a case for shipping...

On the one hand, I generally view such things like this as marketing gimmicks. On the other, a Van Zeller Douro wine of TN and Roriz is something I would definitely be interested in.

To my surprise, my local Costco has it, but as I recall, it was more than $69. I think it may have been $80.

1977 Warres
Pop and pour, and probably could have benefitted from some decant time, but still very nice.

Glenn E. wrote: ↑Tue Feb 13, 2024 11:52 am One of the best VPs from the vintage!

Dow and Warres are excellent too. A vintage where the second tier (or third ...) names outshine the usual first.

A.S. Demka wrote: ↑Sun Feb 04, 2024 10:46 am Croft Pink Port with prosecco as a welcome drink (I know, I know.... ).

Given the complete line-up, entirely forgivable.

When Roy first made his post, I used Google and specifically tried the "News" feature and found nothing. Today there are lots of hits--so Roy was ahead of the Google engine. https://www.heraldnews.com/story/news/local/ojornal/2024/01/24/funchal-mayor-detained-on-corruptions-charges-madeira...

Roy Hersh wrote: ↑Wed Jan 24, 2024 10:55 am After having been steadfast in his commitment to "NEVER" produce Douro or any table wines, written in countless dozens of articles and interviews spanning more than 2 decades.

Andy Velebil wrote: ↑Tue Jan 23, 2024 6:39 pm They did. however, the interview could have taken place before and it was just now being published.

I considered that distinct possibility, and that's probably what happened. So, shoddy journalism.

... including port brands such as Croft, Fonseca, and Krohn.

Um, I thought they just sold off that last one, at least the name.

Roy Hersh wrote: ↑Tue Jan 16, 2024 12:02 pm I would have put Nacional in 6th place and was deciding if I liked the Quevedo more, for 5th place, as it was really very good and shared the same score.

Nacional vs. Quevedo ... and just think how many Quevedos you can buy for the price of one Noval Nacional.

As far as auction sites, John's right, Winebid is a good place to find a variety of Ports. Ackers, Zachy's. The Chicago Wine Company auctions and Heritage Auctions (out of TX) are good. Brentwood Auctions which are a part of Benchmak Wines has some good stuff, but they've really jacked up their shi...

2007 Quinta do Noval Silval
Took this up to the mountains for some time off with friends. Didn't take any notes, but definitely a great QPR at $26. (Purchased ~10 years ago as I recall.)

Even after all these years, I get a jolt of excitement whenever my scores match those of a professional. I've had the opportunity to taste with Roy on many occasions, but I'm still happy that I "got it right" when our scores and notes are similar. Beer judging has an official standard and...

I think your assessment of the popularity of vintage Port vs. colheitas and tawnies is correct. And I certainly witnessed the spike in Madeira prices around 2017 that you mentioned. I personally think Roy and Mannie have some responsibility for this with the many big dinners and tastings that were o...

1977 Gould Campbell, magnum
1968 Taylor "Very Old Single Harvest Port"

Many things affect evaporation of a barrel, but certainly not limited too: - size of the barrel - weather (humidity, heat, etc) - type of wood - age of the wood (grain sizes) - contents - If a barrel is buried and essentially cocooned in, that would also affect evaporation rates. Those are certainl...