Christmas is near--What are your Port Plans?

[John M.]

Christmas is always a good time to enjoy a treasure. I have lined up a 1995 Smith Woodhouse Madelena for Christmas Eve Eve for an extended family gathering. I had this a few months ago as so very good--an easy crowd favorite. For Christmas Eve I've got a 1983 Smith Woodhouse that will likely last into Christmas Day.

I do need one more bottle, not quite decided---maybe a 20 year Tawny or Colheita.

Cheers and Merry Christmas to those that celebrate it!

[Gerwin de Graaf]

Haven't decided yet. There are 3 more bottles on death row for this year (likely, one will survive till 2019 ), but I wil likely choose between Cálem Quinta da Foz 1987 VP and Avery's 1963 VP

[Moses Botbol]

A 1980 Ferreira VP has been starring at me in the cellar; would be neat to give that one a go.

[John M.]

A 1980 Ferreira VP has been starring at me in the cellar; would be neat to give that one a go.

Nice one. I've come to really appreciate their gentle style.

[Moses Botbol]

A 1980 Ferreira VP has been starring at me in the cellar; would be neat to give that one a go.

Nice one. I've come to really appreciate their gentle style.

The OWC was imported and stored upright from the beginning. It's a crapshoot on whether the bottle will be totally tawny or totally stunning. It's a great Ferreira vintage actually. I am down to about 4 bottles and it's been 50/50 whether they show like they should. The wax capsules I am sure has saved this case from being a total loss. Very odd they ship the case like this. I had the same style bottle in other vintages and they were shipped on their sides.

For such a gentle style port, Ferreira can age like the best of them.

[Thomas V]

For such a gentle style port, Ferreira can age like the best of them.

I adore the subtle and feminine style of Ferreira. The 1985' comes to mind. I am actually early January doing a small house tasting of Ferreira for 5 friends. 1977, 1987 & 1997 VPs paired with 10 anos White, 20 anos as well as a 2012 LBV kicker. Should be fun.

Back on topic. My eyes are set on either 1999 SWC Madalena for Christmas meal or could swap for a Vieira de Sousa 2011 LBV. For dessert I am going to crack open a Quinta do Romaneira 40 anos. For me the best 40 year old tawny out there. Stellar stuff.

[Moses Botbol]

For dessert I am going to crack open a Quinta do Romaneira 40 anos. For me the best 40 year old tawny out there. Stellar stuff.

Wow, that sounds pretty special. Haven't tried that one before. I bet it's good.

[Glenn E.]

For dessert I am going to crack open a Quinta do Romaneira 40 anos. For me the best 40 year old tawny out there. Stellar stuff.

Which bottling?

Old one has quite a bit of red on the label. New one is almost entirely black and gold.

I like the old one much better, but the new one is still excellent. I only have 1 bottle of the old one left.

[Thomas V]

For dessert I am going to crack open a Quinta do Romaneira 40 anos. For me the best 40 year old tawny out there. Stellar stuff.

Wow, that sounds pretty special. Haven't tried that one before. I bet it's good.

I have had the newer bottling and it is special. Best 40 year old I have ever tried and think I have been around most of them.

For dessert I am going to crack open a Quinta do Romaneira 40 anos. For me the best 40 year old tawny out there. Stellar stuff.

Which bottling?

Old one has quite a bit of red on the label. New one is almost entirely black and gold.

I like the old one much better, but the new one is still excellent. I only have 1 bottle of the old one left.

I think it is the one you refer to as the older bottling. It is bottled in 2011 and here is the picture.

[Zak Romaszko]

Although it's fairly young, I'm going for Augustos 2000 this year. Bit of a peculiar find for myself so thought it could be a nice 'something different'.

[Andy Velebil]

I honestly don't know as of yet. The family isn't much in the way of wine drinkers, let alone Port, so I rarely open a bottle on Christmas as no one else drinks it (not a bad thing mind you ). Perhaps I'll open a half bottle of something for the evening, once everyone has gone home and I can relax. Will advise....

[Luc Gauthier]

I honestly don't know yet(someone famous once said the same thing)
Better half will be in New Hampshire and I'll be in Gatineau with the kids

Will advise ( again , imitation is the sincerest form of flattery ....)

[Glenn E.]

I think it is the one you refer to as the older bottling. It is bottled in 2011 and here is the picture.

Yes, that is the older bottling. The new one has "Quinta da Romaneira" at the top, doesn't have the red band at the bottom, and has the "40" in gold instead of red.

Still my favorite 40-year old of all time! Very special. I'm not sure what occasion will earn my last bottle.

The newer bottling is also excellent, but I find the texture less full and it lacks some of the brown sugar and molasses flavors that I find so enticing in the older bottling. I suppose one could argue that the newer bottling has more "purity" to it because its flavors are cleaner and more precise, but I like the complexity of the older bottling even if it is a little thicker and more muddled.

Sadly, both bottlings are impossible to find in the US.

[Derek T.]

I am planning to open a bottle of Cockburn 1960 for Christmas Dinner at my in-laws.

Based on previous experience, three of those in attendance will enjoy a small glass and I will struggle through to take care of the remainder of the bottle

[Bert VD]

i think i might go for DOW Bomfim 1999 or Fonseca Guimaraens 1995... difficult choices.

[David L]

I am planning to open a bottle of Cockburn 1960 for Christmas Dinner at my in-laws.

Based on previous experience, three of those in attendance will enjoy a small glass and I will struggle through to take care of the remainder of the bottle

Well done, taking one for the team. Manfully struggle through.

[David L]

I'm hoping my Father in Law will open the bottle of F85 I gave him for his birthday. Otherwise, I hope he will open the W80 I'm bringing. Or, if I'm lucky, both.

[Phil W]

Those who know me will not be surprised to learn that I have just decanted my traditional port for Xmas, a Cr70.
... which it looks like I'll be needing to buy some more of in the next couple of years, assuming the tradition is to continue.

[Glenn E.]

I opened a Quevedo 40 Year Old Tawny Port on Christmas Eve with my in-laws. My nephew and I almost finished it by ourselves, with only 1 small glass remaining (which I left for him) at the end of the night.

[Andy Velebil]

Tonight is a 1997 Quinta do Crasto Colheita (b.2016). Not sure how I feel about it this go. Lots of new oak showing.....