California Fortifieds

[Todd Pettinger]

Andy,
As promised - here is the California Fortifieds thread. If you can, can you throw out a couple of names for me to look for while I am in San Fran at the end of the month, that would be great.

For the rest of you, if you have any recommendations for good quality California Fortifieds, suggestions are readily accepted. I know, I know, they are not Port. But they will be local and likely very well priced so I may pick one or two of them up.

(Don't worry - I will still be keeping my eye open for the prize-winner real Port that will accompany me back to Edmonton in the checked luggage!) :)

Thanks!

Todd

[Andy Velebil]

Stewart and I went to

Prager Port http://www.pragerport.com

V. Sattui Winery http://www.vsattui.com

Heitz cellars http://www.heitzcellar.com

Heitz sells a non-vintage "port" for around $20-25 retail. It is available down in Los Angeles area, but I don't know how available it is in the Cupertino area. But it was a decent bottle made from traditional Portuguese grapes. So if you see this one, give it a try.

As for the previous two, they are available only at the winery or by mail order. Prager had one really good one called "2004 Tomas", and a couple average basic ones. But the pricing is WAY high for their bottles. One for sale was $80

V. Sattui has a killer Madeira that Roy has already talked about. It was very good we both got some bottles to take home.

I will write up a better TN of all the "ports" we tried in a couple days, as soon as I have time to do it. but this should get you started.

[Todd Pettinger]

Thank you kindly sir - although the $80 "sale" doesn't sound so hot :?

I'll take a peek at the websites and see if I can find the Tomas.

Todd

[Eric Ifune]

Ficklins Old Vine is made from traditional Port varieties. Its less than $20 and matches with a good LBV. If you can find one of their vintages, its also worth a try.