Hi
I recently bought these bottles at Auction and I cannot seem to find out information about them anywhere. Would any wise people out there be able to give me some clues to their vintage etc
The UK Auction house said circa 1930's but I would be surprised if this is correct.
Ray
(MODERATOR EDIT: I've resized the two bottle pics so they are more easily viewable)
Most likely these are an old type of a more basic Ruby Port. The use of 1, 2, or 3 stars (or in this case Diamonds) was an indication of the quality of the Ruby Port. So a 1-star or 1-Diamond would typically be the lowest quality and 3-star/Diamond would be the highest. Probably a good comparison is a 3-star/diamond would probably be along the lines of a Reserve Ruby Port (Less than $20 USD at retail these days). These were probably lightly filtered so they may have a some sediment. I'd recommend to decant just remove possible sediment and just prior to drinking to be on the safe side.
There is hope, if very well stored, the 3-diamond bottle may still be pleasant and enjoyable. While the 1-diamond is probably wishful thinking, but one never knows until one opens it to find out.
As far as value, not worth much sorry to say. It is possible they are from the 1920-1930's as that was a popular time for the designation types used on the labels. I would hazard a guess they are pre WW2, or if not then just after the war years. Keep in mind these were not meant to age long term, hence my above comments on how they may show.
The fill level surely looks pretty good. Either stored very well, or not as old as they appear. Can you show us what the seal (Selo) looks like too, please.
Roy Hersh wrote:The fill level surely looks pretty good. Either stored very well, or not as old as they appear. Can you show us what the seal (Selo) looks like too, please.
I don't see any signs of a Selo on them. The top pic you can see the imperfections from the mold on the neck, so it's an older glass bottle for sure. Exactly how old, no clue other than a guess.
I am very curious to hear if these had T-stoppers rather than a driven cork. The bottle on the left looks like that is the case, but very hard to be sure about this. The bottle on the right either has a very short cork or was a T-stopper.
Roy Hersh wrote:I am very curious to hear if these had T-stoppers rather than a driven cork. The bottle on the left looks like that is the case, but very hard to be sure about this. The bottle on the right either has a very short cork or was a T-stopper.
Andy: Mold on the neck?
They both seem to clearly have t corks. You can see them under the capsules.
Roy Hersh wrote:Plastic T-corks are not found in very old Port bottles. 1960's yes, I can't remember any before that.
Why does it have to be plastic? We can't see it. There are T-corks made from wood, possibly other materials. Although I have to admit I haven't see those in old commercial bottles--the one's I have seen were for resealing bottles once opened.
So I decided to open one of the 3-star 1930s bottles.
Colour: reddish brown in middle fading to nothing, crystal clear.
Nose: Very light nose of nuts, earth and some spice
Palate: Still there but barely, not completely gone but short finish
Incredible to see that it was not off but a faded gem of the past.
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