For The Love Of Port

Just finishing up a packed and stacked 2007 Ridge Geyserville.

has this been going on? . . . .

What's up with the different labels for '95 Guimaraens? I have the old-school label on my bottles, and these look like the new-school labels.

I had always wondered where that beef broth nuance in the nose of some VP's came from. I always figured it was from the Touriga Nacional or some other varietal.

Bottled in 2006 Broadbent Selections, San Francisco 1st night: Dark garnet color all the way to the rim. Nose has alot of gnarly briar, with hint of mustard powder and a meaty/savory note. Cherry and minerals on the palate. Superb concentration and very good integration of spirit on this Crasto LBV....

I have experienced some 1994's that closed down late in the game - say the 15 year mark. Are the 1994 VP's going to be ready for their 20 year inaugural?

Since you mentioned your wife likes port and will likely be participating with the anniversary drink, let me give you a different perspective of 'general' house styles (with age): Masculine - Taylor's, Dow's, Noval Feminine - Fonseca, Graham's, Warre's, Sandeman Neutral - Vesuvio, Croft, Gould-Campb...

1987 Graham's Malvedos SQVPs. Those are also pretty exceptional by any standard

The '87 Malvedos gets my vote. Best SQVP I've ever had. . .

I look at an upcoming general declaration as a bellwether for the quality of the LBV coming out that year, with intent to purchase the lower priced LBV's and potentially cellar them. An example of a very cellarable LBV from a declared vintage would be Warre's.

Very sweet and viscous

When I had this a few years back, I thought this port leaned too far to the sweet side for my tastes.

1x 2001 Fonseca Quinta do Panascal Vintage Port

Miguel, now that is blast from the past. I always 'double decant' VP after pulling the cork, i.e. decant for 4-6 hours then pour back into the bottle.

1x 2007 Gould Campbell VP (375 ml)
1x 2000 Quinta do Crasto LBV
1x 2000 Dow's VP

I was part of a 3 person tasting group in 1997-1999. The other 2 guys were Bordeaux and Port aficianados. I think the first VP they served me was Dow's 77, I didn't like it that much (too medicinal). In the following months came Graham's 70, Gould Campbell 77, Graham's 85, etc. It was the Graham's 7...

Portugal represents 11% of my cellar.

3 x 2007 Croft VP (375ml) @ $20

1994 Cockburn's was a great port early on, then shut down to no avail.

I would avoid the 2000 Kopke LBV, a horrible swill it was.

The 1976 Warre's Colheita is a sweet & spirity mess.

1st night - gorgeous nose of grenadine and briar, substantial concentration and depth, finely integrated tannin and spirit, long finish, fantastic LBV on night one! 2nd night - same great nose, a little more sugary tonight, but the depth and dark finish are still there in spades. 3rd night - a repea...

Prior to joining this board, I had communicated with Roy by email and he had recommended the 1991 Croft to me.

from 375 ml. Very nice nose is mainly blackberry with hints of briar, cement, and cinnamon stick. The palate is full-bodied with blackberries up front, followed by some bristling acidity. I would characterize this as a 'cool climate' port in that there are some unripe and ripe flavors mixed together...

Roy,
Interesting, I had not heard of this. Sometimes I will keep a special or meaningful empty bottle (with label) for my own 'wall of fame'.