Recommendations for laying down

[jljenningsmd]

I'm a fairly new port collector with a case of Fonseca 77 and Sandeman 63 and some cheap Dow in the cellar. Assuming one has limited $ what would you recommend a neube port collector lay down from recent vintages. I'd appreciate an opinion on an inexpensive everyday port as well as a longterm youthfull monsters for long aging as I have a new house with a large cellar.

I'm rather partial to Fonseca but admit little or no experence with Taylor and I can't afford Nacional

Also does anyone have a favorite Tawny especially a really inexpensive "daily sipper"?

Thanks,

Jeff

[Gizzyeq]

Hey Jeff

Have you tried any Warre's VP? They are not as big a name as Fonseca/Taylor/Noval but they are quite tasty and quite affordable. I've got a bunch from assorted vintages.

[Derek T.]

Jeff,

Here are some youthfull monsters to lay down:

Quinta do Vesuvio 1994, 1997, 2000 or 2003

Niepoort's 1992, 2000 and 2003

Fonseca 1985, 1994, 1997, 2000 and 2003

Smith Woodhouse 1994

Croft 2003

Derek

[tastingnote]

Hi Jeff

I'd agree that Warres are a good one as they are a big house without having big prices. If you like Fonseca, give their Guimeraens a shot. They age pretty well, and you can pick up the 1987 for not a lot of money and they would last a decade pretty easily.

Depending on your budget, you can get 1991, 1994 and 1997 vintages for very little money as a lot of merchants have a glut of them and want clear them - trust me, I am one of them!

For a everyday drinking port, give the LBV's a go until you find one you like! That is part of the fun of wines, you can experiment! I like Noval and Niepoort so try and give them a shot.

Finally, your Tawny. In my opinion (and I haven't tried that many!) Niepoort produce cracking Tawny ports. There is always the ever faithful Warres Otima as well (though that does come in little bottles - not always a good thing!)

Peter

[Andy Velebil]

Jeff,

Others have already made solid VP recommendations that I agree with.

For a good daily Tawny, here are some of my favorites that are at decent prices and can be found relativly easily.


Sandeman Classic Tawny
Sandeman 20 year Tawny
Ramos Pinto 10 and 20 year tawnys
Niepoort 10 year tawny
Ferreira's 10 and 20 year tawnys (My favorite two tawny's)
Noval 10 year tawny
Fonseca 20 year tawny

[Derek T.]

Jeff,

Now that you have lots of recommendations for laying down you no doubt need some bottles for immediate drinking.

Limited $ or not, your preference for Fonseca menas that you must seek out at least 1 bottle each of their 1963 and 1966 - WOW

These are expensive wines when compared with those listed above but well worth a birthday treat from your loved one for 1 bottle with good provenance. They are also much less expensive and better (IMHO) that most Nacional's. Worth noting is that the less expensive 66 is probably better now than the 63. Also worth noting is that both of these could still be described as "youthfull monsters" despite being 40+ years old and could be layed down for another couple of decades at least if required 8)

Derek

[Moses Botbol]

Noval & Ferreira LBV's are both great and under $25.