Raw colheitas are an acquired taste, but have a much broader appeal after a decade or two of bottle age..1968 Krohn Colheita, bottled 2008.
I didn't like these all that much when I first got them (from Premier Cru), but they've improved pretty dramatically over the last couple of years and are now truly superb.
What have you opened this week?
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- Tom Archer
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Re: What have you opened this week?
- David Spriggs
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Re: What have you opened this week?
That is special!Mike J. W. wrote: ↑Mon Sep 14, 2020 12:44 pm I have mostly 1977 and on for GC but I did win 2 1963 GC's at auction a few years back. I'm looking forward to cracking one of them open in the next year or so for a special occasion.
- David Spriggs
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Re: What have you opened this week?
I have some too from Premier Cru. I'll have to open one.
Re: What have you opened this week?
1/2 bottle of 1997 Graham VP. We had guests over and they expressed an interest in some Port so this was popped and poured (only real choice as I only have a couple bottles where I am). It showed quite well despite the lack of a proper decant time. Really opened up nicely after 30-40 minutes. But all I got was a pour and a half. 91 Points but not a fair score.
My lesson is to always keep some LBVs on hand for such situations.
My lesson is to always keep some LBVs on hand for such situations.
Any Port in a storm!
- Andy Velebil
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Re: What have you opened this week?
One should always have an “emergency bottle” at hand. LolJohn M. wrote:1/2 bottle of 1997 Graham VP. We had guests over and they expressed an interest in some Port so this was popped and poured (only real choice as I only have a couple bottles where I am). It showed quite well despite the lack of a proper decant time. Really opened up nicely after 30-40 minutes. But all I got was a pour and a half. 91 Points but not a fair score.
My lesson is to always keep some LBVs on hand for such situations.
Andy Velebil Good wine is a good familiar creature if it be well used. William Shakespeare http://www.fortheloveofport.com
- Tom Archer
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Re: What have you opened this week?
Warre '70
The second of a pair of bottles acquired in 2008, the first having shown well a couple of years ago.
Good rich, slightly chocolatey wine, with loads of life left. However the Croft '60 that preceded it in the decanter set a high standard for class that it fell far short of. Score 7-7
Warre '82 LBV
Decanted last night - impressively dark - darker than most '82 VPs - but seemed a little hollow. Didn't drink much of it last night, will re-visit later this evening.
Next up will be one of a pair of bottles I bought back in 2006, and have never sampled. The only ID is an old luggage tag tied to the neck, inscribed in fountain pen: ' Christmas '66 - ? Offley '54 ?? '
- It's been a long time uncertain!
Edit: Warre '82 LBV now showing really well - vintage standard. Sadly, I have only one other bottle..
The second of a pair of bottles acquired in 2008, the first having shown well a couple of years ago.
Good rich, slightly chocolatey wine, with loads of life left. However the Croft '60 that preceded it in the decanter set a high standard for class that it fell far short of. Score 7-7
Warre '82 LBV
Decanted last night - impressively dark - darker than most '82 VPs - but seemed a little hollow. Didn't drink much of it last night, will re-visit later this evening.
Next up will be one of a pair of bottles I bought back in 2006, and have never sampled. The only ID is an old luggage tag tied to the neck, inscribed in fountain pen: ' Christmas '66 - ? Offley '54 ?? '
- It's been a long time uncertain!
Edit: Warre '82 LBV now showing really well - vintage standard. Sadly, I have only one other bottle..
Last edited by Tom Archer on Sun Sep 20, 2020 12:54 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- David Spriggs
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Re: What have you opened this week?
1977 Warre's Vintage Port
Tasting note
Tasting note
Re: What have you opened this week?
Ya think! Put that in the Key Advice section.Andy Velebil wrote: ↑Sun Sep 20, 2020 6:40 amOne should always have an “emergency bottle” at hand. LolJohn M. wrote:1/2 bottle of 1997 Graham VP. We had guests over and they expressed an interest in some Port so this was popped and poured (only real choice as I only have a couple bottles where I am). It showed quite well despite the lack of a proper decant time. Really opened up nicely after 30-40 minutes. But all I got was a pour and a half. 91 Points but not a fair score.
My lesson is to always keep some LBVs on hand for such situations.
Any Port in a storm!
- Tom Archer
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Re: What have you opened this week?
If there was one - which might not be such a bad idea..Put that in the Key Advice section
#1 - Ignore most YouTube videos when learning how to decant. Tongs are for theatre - not for every day..
- Glenn E.
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Re: What have you opened this week?
1970 Graham VP.
To test a theory (that we over-decant Port), I under-decanted it for about 4 hours instead of giving it my usual 8. Nope, clearly not long enough. It was fine when we started drinking, but clearly wasn't fully ready yet. It continuously improved over the evening, but never seemed fully opened up that evening (which ended at about 8.5 hours). Even so we managed to drink nearly the entire bottle. The last glass was fantastic the next day after ~24 hours.
I'm going back to 8 hours for this Port. I think it still would have improved in glass during the tasting, but would have been an even better showing than the 95 points I gave this one.
To test a theory (that we over-decant Port), I under-decanted it for about 4 hours instead of giving it my usual 8. Nope, clearly not long enough. It was fine when we started drinking, but clearly wasn't fully ready yet. It continuously improved over the evening, but never seemed fully opened up that evening (which ended at about 8.5 hours). Even so we managed to drink nearly the entire bottle. The last glass was fantastic the next day after ~24 hours.
I'm going back to 8 hours for this Port. I think it still would have improved in glass during the tasting, but would have been an even better showing than the 95 points I gave this one.
Glenn Elliott
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Re: What have you opened this week?
There is a FAQ: https://www.fortheloveofport.com/faqs/Tom Archer wrote: ↑Mon Sep 21, 2020 8:12 amIf there was one - which might not be such a bad idea..Put that in the Key Advice section
But nothing in there about, "What Ports should I have ready at hand in case friends come over that might not appreciate my better bottles?"
- Tom Archer
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Re: What have you opened this week?
If you navigate to the site as a newbie, and don't hit any navigation issues, you are unlikely to clock that.There is a FAQ: https://www.fortheloveofport.com/faqs/
But nothing in there about, "What Ports should I have ready at hand in case friends come over that might not appreciate my better bottles?"
Basic 'how to' advice on everyday issues, should be elsewhere..
- Glenn E.
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Re: What have you opened this week?
1985 Graham
Also underdecanted deliberately, and also demonstrated that underdecanting isn't a recipe for success. Yes, we did get to observe it evolve over the evening, but it never really reached its peak (over 4 hours of drinking) and could have shown better.
I'm going back to our "normal" long decant times. The Ports just show better that way.
Also underdecanted deliberately, and also demonstrated that underdecanting isn't a recipe for success. Yes, we did get to observe it evolve over the evening, but it never really reached its peak (over 4 hours of drinking) and could have shown better.
I'm going back to our "normal" long decant times. The Ports just show better that way.
Glenn Elliott
- Tom Archer
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Re: What have you opened this week?
Well the '? Offley '54 ??' bottle got opened last night and it was..
- Warre '58
Slightly disappointing as I've several other bottles of W58 in the cellar, but despite that a very good bottle. This wine has matured to a pale ethereal state, but with no negative tertiary notes - a wine you want to stick your nose into, and inhale deeply. Hard to describe this wine as 'juice' now - I find myself drinking it like a fine brandy. It does make me wonder whether, with the better refined aguadente now used, modern VPs will descend to this plateau when the fruit and tannin is degraded by time..?
Score? Set fair, I think - 8-8
- Warre '58
Slightly disappointing as I've several other bottles of W58 in the cellar, but despite that a very good bottle. This wine has matured to a pale ethereal state, but with no negative tertiary notes - a wine you want to stick your nose into, and inhale deeply. Hard to describe this wine as 'juice' now - I find myself drinking it like a fine brandy. It does make me wonder whether, with the better refined aguadente now used, modern VPs will descend to this plateau when the fruit and tannin is degraded by time..?
Score? Set fair, I think - 8-8
Re: What have you opened this week?
A Ramos Pint 1975 Vintage Port. Lovely port, but drink now.
http://www.vinhodoporto.nl my port webshop
- Andy Velebil
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Re: What have you opened this week?
2005 Cockburn’s Qta d Canais VP
Andy Velebil Good wine is a good familiar creature if it be well used. William Shakespeare http://www.fortheloveofport.com
- Eric Ifune
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Re: What have you opened this week?
Dow's Crusted bottled 2004
- Tom Archer
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Re: What have you opened this week?
Quarles Harris '75
First bottle out of an owc, the only bottle with a level below BN.
Simple but pleasant wine that needed 24hrs to compose itself. Good colour for a '75.
Easy quaffing and no rush to drink up - Score 5-5
First bottle out of an owc, the only bottle with a level below BN.
Simple but pleasant wine that needed 24hrs to compose itself. Good colour for a '75.
Easy quaffing and no rush to drink up - Score 5-5
- Andy Velebil
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Re: What have you opened this week?
That’s a 75 one doesn’t see often.Tom Archer wrote:Quarles Harris '75
First bottle out of an owc, the only bottle with a level below BN.
Simple but pleasant wine that needed 24hrs to compose itself. Good colour for a '75.
Easy quaffing and no rush to drink up - Score 5-5
Andy Velebil Good wine is a good familiar creature if it be well used. William Shakespeare http://www.fortheloveofport.com
Re: What have you opened this week?
I was just given a 750 of Fonseca 2017! [My birthday was last week.] I want to open it on Saturday!
How long should I decant it?? It's room temperature right now, should I refrigerate it overnight? I've only had a few VPs and is been a couple years, now.
How long should I decant it?? It's room temperature right now, should I refrigerate it overnight? I've only had a few VPs and is been a couple years, now.