Osbourne Port?

Mike Kerr · Post by **Mike Kerr** » Mon Dec 12, 2005 9:35 am

I've seen several of these bottles around locally and priced relatively well compared with other brands. Unfortunately I haven't really seen anything by way of reviews, tasting notes, or really anything for this brand.

Has anybody tried them and can offer feedback on recent (1994+) vintages?

Thanks!

Mike.

Post by **Andy Velebil** » Mon Dec 12, 2005 12:01 pm

MIke,

Glad you brought this up. I picked up a 1997 Osbourne LBV last month and have not tried it yet. So I too am interested in everyone's opinions on this producer.

Mike Kerr · Post by **Mike Kerr** » Mon Dec 12, 2005 8:09 pm

My virgin VP tasting got pushed out to tomorrow. Took the day off for the cable guy, so it'll be me and my bottle of '80 Graham's.

This evening I discovered a cache of 1985 Osbourne's while looking for a decanter brush, so picked a bottle up for $55. I'd like to try this out this weekend so I can compare them. When I do, I'll post up my TN and my comparative thoughts.

Meanwhile, would still be interested to hear people's thoughts on Osbourne...

Mike.

Frederick Blais · Post by **Frederick Blais** » Mon Dec 12, 2005 9:14 pm

Mike, I've only had a 1995 Osborne VP. I tried it 4 years ago when I was not as good at tasting as I am today. From what I remember the wine showing lot of hot spices and alcool, good concentration but not the quality I expect from a VP.

Shawn Denkler · Post by **Shawn Denkler** » Mon Dec 12, 2005 9:46 pm

Osborne is hard to find in California, so I have not had any recently. In Oporto about seven years ago, I had a free afternoon. I asked Dirk Niepoort where to visit and he recommended Osborne. They were kind enough to open a wide range of their ports, including the 1994 VP.

In general I thought Osborne had a commitment to quality, and that they were working hard to improve. All the ports I tried then were very good. I suspect in most markets they have value for money. They deserve to be better known.

Based on that tasting I would recommend recent vintages, 1994 on. I am not sure about older ones though, 1985 seems risky. I'll be interested to see a tasting note on it.

Shawn

Post by **Roy Hersh** » Mon Dec 12, 2005 10:15 pm

Hi Shawn. Thanks for that response and glad you had the chance to try some of their Ports. BTW, please check your Private Messages when you have a moment.

Osborne has been on an upswing the past few years. I will include my TN from the 2003, in case you haven't seen it yet. It is a very nice wine from this vintage that also just happens to offer a great price where available: They have always been more well known for their Sherry business and in fact, in early Sept. of this year I reported their sale to Taylor, which can be found in the "search" engine on the site.

Osborne 2003 Vintage Port Cask Sample: Vibrant lavender, anise and spice proliferate on the exotic if not profound aromatic profile. Sweet and delicious primary, in-your-face, brambly blueberry and boysenberry fruit juice is the mainstay of the ’03 Osborne VP. It is a massive, viscous wine with great purity of fruit and sumptuous fleshy mouth feel that segues into a tannic beast as one approaches the overtly tannic and lasting finish. A very pleasant surprise from a house not generally recognized as making such fine VP, but deserving extra credit with this 2003. To excel, it must be allowed lots of air time. 94+ points

philton · Post by **philton** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 11:08 am

I purchased a case of 1997 Osborne VP a couple of years ago from San Francisco Wine Trading Company, which had them on sale for $19.95 per 750ml bottle. They immediately became my house port. I am currently in the process of finishing the last bottle.

I have consistently found these bottles to be spicy and juicy, and perhaps a little more fruit forward than other VPs I've tried. Definitely pleased with my acquisition.

rdorrance · Post by **rdorrance** » Mon Jan 02, 2006 2:57 pm

Here in the small market city of Charleston, the selection of port is small. We do have a wine chain warehouse store, TotalWine. A year ago on their shelf appeared a wide selection of Osborne VP (as well as 1997 LBV), five or six different vintages ranging in price from $30. to $60. It was strange, as if someone was dumping this and Totalwine got a great deal.

I love the 1997 LBV for $17. I only have tried the 1997 VP ($35.) and thought it was good but not great; have not bought more. I would love to read TN on any other Osborne's ca 1980 to 2000. In this store they definately have '85', '95, '97, and 2000 ($47.), and maybe one to two others.