Best VP Port ever...

Tom Heine · Post by **Tom Heine** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 10:16 pm

Hello all,

I registered only recently with FTLOP, but I have followed the website for quite a while now...

First of all: many thanks Roy for setting up such an interesting and complete website, dedicated to Port! I haven't found any other websites with so much information! It got me even more interested in VP's!

I'm planning to buy a "super" bottle of VP for a special event next year. The best VP I've ever had so far was a Fonseca '63, which really blew me away... Never had something so good!
So my question: Even though I loved the Fonseca '63, I'm keen to try a similarly good VP. So what would you recommend? What is the best vintage Port you had recently...say, in the last 2 years.

By the way: I have a case of Grahams ’83 and Fonseca ’85, both are nice (but young), but I am looking for something more special. Can any other VP beat the Fonseca '63?

Many thanks,

Tom

Jay Powers · Post by **Jay Powers** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 12:51 am

Tom

My recommendation would be (in order, VP only):

1) Quinta do Noval Nacional 1963
2) Grahams 1966
3) Quinta do Vesuvio 1994

All are ready to drink now, although the Vesuvio will be quite a bit younger than the others. You should get a wide range of opinions here, as many of the members have had some fantastically old VPs (the 1931 Noval posted recently being an example I would love to try!). Probably all answers will be different, and most will be very nice indeed.

Recent prices I have seen for these wines are ~$2000 (Nacional, worth it if you can afford it), ~$160 (Grahams), and ~$80 (Vesuvio).

SEAN C. · Post by **SEAN C.** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 1:25 am

Tom the best Ports I've had in the last year were :
1. 1935 Cockburn
2. 1963 Croft (also fairly inexpensive)
3. 1955 Grahams
I also just had a magnum of 1985 Grahams that was excellent after a few hours of decanting. I agree with Jay ..the 1966 Grahams is wonderful..the '66 year seems to be a bit of a sleeper compared to '63 but still quite good and usually a bargain price wise!

Frederick Blais · Post by **Frederick Blais** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 2:25 am

The best Port I had for different reason but all showing amazing qualities are

Noval Nacional 2000
Taylor 1970
Dow's 1977

Derek T. · Post by **Derek T.** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 3:36 am

Tom,

Welcome to the Forum - can you please go back to your profile and add your full name and location. We all like to know who we are here as it keeps things friendly. Thanks.

Here are my suggestions -

Noval Nacional 1963 - at £1500 this probably is not pratical to buy and drink unless this is a really special night

Fonseca 1966 - I tasted this alongside the Fonseca 1963 and although both were fantastic wines I preferred the 66

Graham's 1963 - Fabulous juice, best decanted a few hours before drinking

Graham's 1985 - delicious and inexpensive 8)

Noval Nacional - you can find NN from lesser vinatges for around £100 ($200) per bottle. These will not be stellar wines but if you are drinking with people who know about port they certainly qualify as a special bottle

Derek

Tom Heine · Post by **Tom Heine** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 4:08 pm

Thanks for your responses!

Derek, I'll add my surname and location after this. Sorry for that!

Some interesting recommendations!

Given my financial limitations (a 2000$ bottle is simply not realistic… or, in my view, worth it for that matter...) and my own experience with VP's, I find the following suggestions the most interesting:

Grahams 66 or Fonseca 66 (equally good?)
Taylor 1970 (I've tried the 77 Dow (December 2005), but I thought is was a bit disappointing: no/little smell and a rather "flat" taste)

Or the older vintages 1955 Grahams or even 1934 Cockburn, although I wonder if these wines are not on the decline yet?

If somebody opens a Quinta do Noval Nocional, and guests are welcome.... please let me know!! 2000$ per bottle… wow…. very impressive!

Derek T. · Post by **Derek T.** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 5:51 pm

Tom,

Please click on this link and read the thread it takes you to. These are the notes and opinions of some of our group from a tasting we held in London 12 months ago. The line-up comprised 4 mini verticles of 1963, 1966 and 1970 from Graham's, Taylor's, Fonseca and Sandeman. Hopefully this will answer some of your questions.

http://www.fortheloveofport.com/ftlopfo ... .php?t=374

Derek

Al B. · Post by **Al B.** » Fri Dec 08, 2006 4:44 am

Tom,

Out of all the wines that people have mentioned, the Fonseca '66 is probably the one that I would go for. Time after time this has been a stunning wine and one which easily keeps pace with the Fonseca '63.

But what a wine to have as your first experience of a VP. You can't really start any better than that.

Alex

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Dec 08, 2006 6:22 am

sean_c wrote:Tom the best Ports I've had in the last year were :
1. 1935 Cockburn
2. 1963 Croft (also fairly inexpensive)
3. 1955 Grahams
I also just had a magnum of 1985 Grahams that was excellent after a few hours of decanting. I agree with Jay ..the 1966 Grahams is wonderful..the '66 year seems to be a bit of a sleeper compared to '63 but still quite good and usually a bargain price wise!

I am with Sean on his recommendations. The magnum of '85 Grahams was something else! I'd put the 63 Croft against 63 Fonseca any day, and if you invite me... even better

Let us know what you pick up!

Tom Heine · Post by **Tom Heine** » Sun Dec 10, 2006 1:38 pm

Thanks for all your recommendations!

I think it's going to be a 1966 Fonseca or Grahams... hopefully....
Will let you know when I have the bottle! (which could still be tricky, here in Calgary)

Looking forward to open it in February!

Cheers,

Tom

*sweetstuff · Post by *sweetstuff » Sun Dec 10, 2006 4:10 pm

mosesbotbol wrote:
sean_c wrote:Tom the best Ports I've had in the last year were :
1. 1935 Cockburn
2. 1963 Croft (also fairly inexpensive)
3. 1955 Grahams
I also just had a magnum of 1985 Grahams that was excellent after a few hours of decanting. I agree with Jay ..the 1966 Grahams is wonderful..the '66 year seems to be a bit of a sleeper compared to '63 but still quite good and usually a bargain price wise!
I am with Sean on his recommendations. The magnum of '85 Grahams was something else! I'd put the 63 Croft against 63 Fonseca any day, and if you invite me... even better

Let us know what you pick up!

I vote with you on the consideration of the 1955 vintage. I had a superb bottle of the 1955 Martinez that had everybody at the table trying to shake out the last drops from the crust. Of course, at that age you want to insure against the risk of poorly stored wine, and so forth.