Bringing a vintage to a party...

Mark DaSilva · Post by **Mark DaSilva** » Sat Nov 17, 2007 9:44 am

Say you wanted to impress a port lover at his birthday party that he'd open in front of his guests.

What vintage would you bring?

Something you'd stand behind taste-wise, not based on scores or price...

Post by **Roy Hersh** » Sat Nov 17, 2007 9:59 am

1970 Fonseca or Taylor can always be counted on and would make for a generous gift except for the truly jaded Port lover.

Al B. · Post by **Al B.** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 4:51 am

The challenge is that you want to give the host a bottle to open in front of his guests and to serve immediately - ie. with no decanting time. That makes it rather tough.

Under these sorts of circumstances, I would be very tempted to go for something that will impress right from the start and then keep improving for the next few hours. A 1994 VP, such as the Vesuvio, would be a great suggestion.

Alex

Post by **Andy Velebil** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 7:43 am

Since you didn't specify a vinage Port or Colheita and since it will be opened and served right away, I would say a very good Colheita is in order. My vote goes for a 1957 Kopke Colheita

I would be hesitant to suggest an older VP simply because it will be opened and poured right away, with no decanting time. But if a VP is what you're looking for, then I would also go for a slightly younger VP that would drink very good from the start. For a super serious Port person where price is no object a 1994 Noval Nacional. Or a 1985 Fonseca VP, being a bit more realistic.

Scott Anaya · Post by **Scott Anaya** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 3:56 pm

You could pre-decant something, re-bottle it with a T stopper so that it is ready for serving?? It does take away the cache of the grandness of opening an old bottle with an audience however.

Moses Botbol · Post by **Moses Botbol** » Mon Nov 19, 2007 11:58 am

Roy Hersh wrote:1970 Fonseca or Taylor can always be counted on.

Just about anything from 70 will be good. Any Nacional, or 80's magnum would be a treat.

Moses Botbol · Post by **Moses Botbol** » Mon Nov 19, 2007 12:30 pm

Al B. wrote: A 1994 VP, such as the Vesuvio, would be a great suggestion.

Alex

A Vesuvio 6 pack OWS would make a fine gift is not very expensive. The best packaging I ever seen for Vintage Port. So impressive, I fret having to open a bottle!