An exclusive for the FTLOP

[Roy Hersh]

The Symington Family offered to provide FTLOP with an "exclusive" to be the first in the USA to disclose their declaration of the following:

Despite difficult economic conditions we are declaring the 2007 Vintage Ports of Dow, Graham and Warre
because their quality and distinctiveness merit it.

We are also declaring Smith Woodhouse, Vesuvio and Martinez, along with Quarles Harris and
Gould Campbell.

[Marc J.]

WOW!!! That's huge! It'll be interesting to see if/when other houses make their intentions known as well. Looks as though we have another "7" declaration......

Marc

[Roy Hersh]

I can unofficially say that there should be 50-60 declarations coming over the next six weeks. Obviously this is premature, but from sources, that is the case. Either way, you can rest assured this will be a generally declared year as expected.

I was not privy to post on another handful of names that have told me to honor their wishes, because "they" wanted the UK agents (their form of importers) to be the one's to release the message. I have respected their wishes and remained silent.

[Roy Hersh]

I will have a couple more to report on later today.

[Eric Menchen]

Can we sticky this thread:
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=6779
and keep a running list on it?

[Andy Velebil]

Great news...I had no doubt that 2007 would be a declared year, despite nay sayers.

[Tom Archer]

The Symington Family offered to provide FTLOP with an "exclusive" to be the first in the USA to disclose their declaration of the following:

Despite difficult economic conditions we are declaring the 2007 Vintage Ports
because their quality and distinctiveness merit it.

We are also declaring Smith Woodhouse, Vesuvio and Martinez, along with Quarles Harris and
Gould Campbell.

There seems to be a paragraph missing here..

Shouldn't the words 'Dow', 'Graham' and 'Warre' - also feature???

- doh!

Tom

[Roy Hersh]

I was also given permission today to announce that Quinta de Roriz, Quinta do Crasto and Quint do Vale Dona Maria are declaring 2007 too ... all announced here first.

[Andy Velebil]

[Roy Hersh]

Although it may have looked like an omission Tom, I was asked to let the Symington's UK agents break the news of the Dow, Graham and Warre's 2007 Vintage Ports, before doing so here. But have subsequently been given permission to include that in my original email and it has now been ammended to include their big 3.

[Edward Nemergut]

This is great! Any word from the Taylor partnership yet? I presume they will follow suit, if they have not already!

[Ronald Wortel]

These declarations come early! I hadn't expected any word from the big boys before the end of April.

[Derek T.]

This is great! Any word from the Taylor partnership yet? I presume they will follow suit, if they have not already!

It is established tradition for Taylor Fladgate always to declare on St George's Day - which is 23rd April. Watch their websites as they will post any declarations there that day.

[Moses Botbol]

Which brands aren't they declaring?

[Derek T.]

Which brands aren't they declaring?

None.

[Tom Archer]

Any word from the Taylor partnership yet?

Which brands aren't they declaring?

None.

What about Delaforce? I recall that the TFP appeared to want to kill this brand off; and had sold the rights to the use of the name to Real Companhia Velha (aka RCV & Royal Oporto)

Tom

[Ronald Wortel]

I thought this question was about the Symington's. So far, TFP hasn't declared anything yet.
But it will indeed be interesting to see how Delaforce will be treated

[Tom Archer]

I have had an email from the Symingtons, telling me that their website will be updated to carry the official announcement today.

Tom

[Roy Hersh]

I received that "official announcement" when I posted this. I did not copy it because I was on a friend's email account, while up in Canada. It matters not, the facts are the same. They have declared all of their specific brands for 2007.

I have a feeling this was just a poor choice of words:

I recall that the TFP appeared to want to kill this brand off

No, they actually were very upfront with announcing that Delaforce which was mainly a wood-aged Port shipper with some Vintage Port as well, no longer fit into their core brand lineup. They definitely had no plan or reason to "kill this brand off." Using that phrase is just careless, at best.

[Ronald Wortel]

Would it be safe to assume that Cockburn's will also declare, given that the Symingtons actually make this port?