Where to start?

Sarah S. · Post by **Sarah S.** » Fri Aug 03, 2007 8:28 am

Hello all

I don't have much money spare for port drinking although it is something I enjoy doing. Port here is so cheap that I can afford to buy some. However I have yet to try a Vintage Port (because they are not cheap), therefore as a complete beginner what would you recommend so that a. I can taste the difference to my normal port and b. that won't break the bank?

Thanks
Sarah

Frederick Blais · Post by **Frederick Blais** » Fri Aug 03, 2007 10:13 am

The best port for the money IMO is the Pocas. They have significantly raise their quality recently and I'd recommend their Vintage anytime.

One thing to consider too are the single quinta vintage. Often produced in vintage that it was not a full declaration, their price is between 50% and 75% of the classic declaration vintage. Quinta de Vargellas is one excellent, made from Taylor. Graham's, Dow's, Warre's, Fonseca also produce excellent quality. Qinta do Noval, Qta do Vesuvio, Quinta do Vale Meao are Quinta that are also brands and do produce excellent port from year to year, don't hesitate to buy some.

Moses Botbol · Post by **Moses Botbol** » Fri Aug 03, 2007 11:45 am

You can always post what you saw at the store with the price, and several people will opine their 2 cents worth. I assume there are more Portuguese brands of port available than English brands in Portugal? Ferreira and Ramos Pinto are competitively priced and are worth looking at.

Todd Pettinger · Post by **Todd Pettinger** » Fri Aug 03, 2007 10:44 pm

I have had great experience with Ferreira VP and it is very nicely priced here in Canada, the land of over-priced Port

so I would imagine that it may even be a better deal in Portugal.

If you can find a Barros de Zellaer, I have tried the '87 and it is ready to drink right now, wonderful, and very inexpensive here.

As Moses states, if you come home with a list from the store(s) that you purchase from, there are plenty of folks here who would be happy to chip in on which ports are good buys for the value.

Todd

Sarah S. · Post by **Sarah S.** » Sat Aug 04, 2007 5:23 am

Thanks for that, next time I go I will do that.

Sarah

João Rico · Post by **João Rico** » Sat Aug 04, 2007 6:11 am

Hello Sarah,

The problem would really be the place you live, as Algarve is not really cheap in anything.
You can really find some good Vintage Port between 20-40€ and to begin with you can get to know some LBV's at 12-17€.
The thing is really to search and even to buy some online. In this you can spend 50€ in a lot of bottles and really not pay postage and handling.

Best Regards,

João Rico

Post by **Roy Hersh** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 10:00 pm

Hi Sarah,

I agree with João. Before spending a lot of money on Vintage Port you might want to buy one bottle each of current vintage LBVs (Late Bottled Vintage) from a broad swath of producers. First see which "house style" you do or don't appreciate in terms of flavor and then share that with us. We can then guide you to a reasonably priced Vintage Port that would be to your liking.

SEAN C. · Post by **SEAN C.** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 3:35 pm

Hi Sarah,
I don't know what the prices are like there, however some vintage Port's should be approachable for a reasonable sum. Check the prices on the "off" years.. the 1980 Dow is excellent, as well as the '83 and '85, perhaps the '80 or 1985 Ferreira or '83 or '85 Warre as well. I enjoyed a 1975 croft recently which is not a well rated Port but I thought it was very good. Names like Sandeman, Croft, Warre, Cockburn, and Ramos Pinto all make excellent Ports and some off the years that are not highly praised are still very good and are usually a bargain price-wise
Years to look at: 1950,1960,1966,1975,1980,1983 or 1985 for later years the 1991, and 1995 are a bargain.

Post by **Roy Hersh** » Sat Aug 11, 2007 1:49 am

Years to look at: 1950,1960,1966,1975,1980,1983 or 1985 for later years the 1991, and 1995 are a bargain.

1950 is pretty obscure and I see no reason to seek it out. Sure there are some well made wines from that vintage ... but less than a handful. I doubt more than a handful of FTLOPers have ever tried one.

But why quibble. 1960 VPs are all but over-the-hill and I can't think of one that would excite me anymore. But your mileage may vary.

1966 is a fantastic vintage but few if any real bargains exist at this point from well-stored 1966s. Don't get me wrong, the VPs are quite sound ... especially the top eight or so, but the prices are not what I'd call "bargains."

I don't totally dislike the 1975s, just never have tried one that has bowled me over. Usually, quite the contrary.

Here are some specific vintages which I think represent a better cross section of "under-appreciated" VPs at typically decent value for money:
1955 for oldies, 1967 has some real show-stoppers at very good prices, 1978 and 1987 ditto! Recent vintages that fit this mold: 1991 which I have long been a fan of, 1995 of course, 1996 and 1999 get little respect but deserve more. 2001s too!