vintage ports that might be past their prime

[dave leach]

to all,
every year, i take stock of my wine collection and identify which wines should be drunk, the ones that are done improving and nearing/past their peak. i wanted to throw out some particular vp's and get some opinions from folks if these are done improving.

1963 croft
1970 quinta do noval
1975 quinta do noval nacional
any 1977 vps
1980 smith woodhouse
1980 grahams
1985 martinez
1987 taylor vargellas
1988 taylor vargellas

i appreciate any feedback you all can give and look forward to your opinions

thanks,

dave

[Tom Archer]

The 85 Martinez and 87 Vargellas will probably benefit from a little more time in bottle, the others are all pretty much on their drinking plateau now.

No urgency to drink any of them, but I'd sell the '75 Nacional - no-one seems to be greatly wowed by that one, yet it trades for silly money.

Tom

[Ronald Wortel]

I would give the Graham's 1980 more time too. When tasted two years ago it was still terribly young.

Which 1977's do you have? Some are still young and tight (Taylor's, Dow's) while others may be past their prime already.

[SEAN C.]

In my humble opinion with the exception of the 1987 Taylor vargellas and
1988 Taylor vargellas (because I don't know anything about them) all of the Ports in your cellar will continue to improve. I happen to love the '63 Croft and although I believe it is drinking incredibly well now I think it will still be even better in 20+ years. I had a 1935 Croft this past year that was unbelievable! Out of your list I'd be surprised if the '70 Quinta do Noval would outlast the Croft. And I would probably drink it as my "go-to Port" if I had it. I personally wouldn't be in any rush to drink either of the '80's or 1985 Martinez as they will certainly improve with age.

[Frederick Blais]

In the last year I did have both Vargellas which need more cellar and Graham's 80 at the lodges recently that I found really good right now, fully matured for me.

Martinez 85, maybe a bad bottle? was fully mature for my taste 4 years ago. I always find Martinez Port to mature earlier than others.

I don't think there is any hurry to drink Port under 50 years of age, but appart for the Taylor's I'd say that they are all on they maturity plateau and they could easily be enjoyed during the next year.

[tastingnote]

I'd drink the '63 Croft as I've found that ol Crofts tend to age quicker than similar vintage wines. The 80 Grahams needs a bit of time to breath but is wonderful stuff (as is Warre's 80) but I think that one will keep for a few years yet. The Vargellas though is one I'd actually drink or keep. I got in a load of Vargellas 88 before Christmas into my shop and it flew out the door at £25 but I still thought it was a little tight. If you have a few bottles, drink them over the next year or so.

Also, interesting to hear Tom's views oon the '75 Nacional - I might need to sell mine off cheap (or convince my boss to sell them to me cheap!!).

Peter

[dave leach]

wow, great feedback guys, but it just goes to show the perplexing nature of our beautiful elixer.
tom-i too would sell the 75 nacional, as it seems an off vintage for them, but it was a gift from a good bud and i doubt i could get much for it as a one off, but i'd be open to doing just that.
sean-i had another 70 qdn about a year ago. it was beautiful but seemed to have peaked, so i tend to think it may be next up on deck.
peter-i too thought crofts was an early maturer from my limited past experiences, but look at sean's thoughts-i'm tempted to hang onto it for awhile as it is one of my oldest ports and i may wait til it hits 50!
ronald--i've got a wide array of 77's, i think it is my favorite overall vintage. i've been drinking the 77 warres lately,probably had 6 or 7 in the past year, an underappreciated little fellow. i just stocked up on both the 77 smith woodhouse and 77 gould campbells too, i've enjoyed several bottles of each in the past year. i'm holding on to my other 77's fonseca, taylors, grahams, dows, as i think they need more time.

[Roy Hersh]

Hello David and it is certainly nice to see you receive such fine advice. I'll add my two cents unbiased by prior posts and it is just one man's opinion and none better than those who have written before me:

1963 croft - Its best days are in the rear view mirror ... drink within 5 years if not sooner.

1970 quinta do noval - never was anything special and needs to be consumed sooner rather than later.

1975 quinta do noval nacional - fair at best and that is optimistic from my adventures with it.

1980 smith woodhouse - drink or hold

1980 grahams - a very good wine that is enjoyable today but still has some upside through 2015

1985 martinez - drink with a modicum of expectations so you won't be disappointed. The vintage = the points IMO. 85

1987 taylor vargellas - No rush here, fabulous juice on the upswing but delicious to try one with 8-10 hours decant time if you own a few.

1988 taylor vargellas - drink by the end of the decade or sooner.


ronald--i've got a wide array of 77's, i think it is my favorite overall vintage. i've been drinking the 77 warres lately,probably had 6 or 7 in the past year, an underappreciated little fellow. i just stocked up on both the 77 smith woodhouse and 77 gould campbells too, i've enjoyed several bottles of each in the past year. i'm holding on to my other 77's fonseca, taylors, grahams, dows, as i think they need more time.

The Warre's 1977 is delcious now. It was my house VP during the 1992-1996 period when I literally drank cases of this stuff, purchased at $29 per btl. It has reached maturity but is in no immediate danger of falling off the cliff while it enjoys its perch on a fine plateau that should last another decade. But it is a mature VP at 30, showing secondary, rather than tertiary characteristics.

The Gould needs more time, Smith Woodhouse too. The Fonseca, Taylor's, Graham's and Dow are stunning. I am liking the longevity of the Taylor's more than the Fonseca from several recent tastings of both in the past 3 years. The Dow is the unsung Ronan. 8)

Good to have you here my friend!