Multi: 1997 Niepoort Vintage Port and 1980 Dow's Vintage Port

[Richard Beeken]

With Roy, had to open these on an "emergency" basis (attendee bringin a mag of 80 Grahams had to cancel)

1997 Niepoort Vintage Port - one of the famous "leakers" - enough that some dripped onto the dwindling Australian section of my cellar - can only be an improvement . . . cork was stained to the top on one side and was surprisingly tight on extraction. Slight oxidation was evident but this was actually pretty damn palatable, dark, rich, raisiny, more "mature" than you'd expect from a pristine bottle, a bit soft, lacking delineation, well integrated alcohol. long enough - 90 pts
I've experienced a LOT of variation in this port over 6 or 7 bottles - the last two both had an off-putting "pickle-barrel" thing going on, two others were wonderful, big, chocolaty puppies, and there were a couple somewhere in-between - "when she was good, she was very good . . ."

1980 Dow Vintage Port - I've been a bit under-whelmed by three prevous bottles of this, but this was the best showing yet, for me - bright, fresh red and black fruits, hint of chocoate and nuts and raisins. good complexity and depth, only fair length - friendly. fruity stuff about as good as it's going to get, methinks - 92 pts

[Andy Velebil]

Sorry about the Niepoort...was the '90 Dow's the Quinta do Bomfim? or was that supposed to be an '80 Dow VP?

[Moses Botbol]

I am so gun shy on buying any '97 Niepoorts and have seen them at give-away prices and still held off. This port is in the same class as the '83 Cockburns; it's best and worst port all in one.

[Richard Beeken]

VP - 80 Dow
As if I'd stoop to opening a Bonfim for an august personage such as Roy . . .

[Andy Velebil]

VP - 80 Dow
As if I'd stoop to opening a Bonfim for an august personage such as Roy . . .

but it's fun to try and stump the boss :twisted:

I'll edit the title for you to show 80, not 90

[Glenn E.]

I am so gun shy on buying any '97 Niepoorts and have seen them at give-away prices and still held off. This port is in the same class as the '83 Cockburns; it's best and worst port all in one.

I recently ordered a 6-pack of the '97 Niepoort... I'll be inspecting the bottles carefully when they arrive. If they look like they've leaked and been cleaned to cover it up, they'll be returned with a nasty-gram.

Is it generally just a leakage problem, or do they have a TCA problem like the '83 Cockburns?

[Moses Botbol]

Leaking is one issue; the one that I am worried about is TCA or something like that... Maybe someone else knows what exactly it is, but I have been warned. Leaking is obvious... It is or it isn't, the issues inside the bottle you won't see upfront.

[Andy Velebil]

No TCA issues with the 97 Niepoort that I am aware of, just the leakers that occurred as a result of laying them down right after bottling and not allowing the corks to seat themselves properly. There is also some reports of VA appearing sporatically on this vintage of Niepoort as well. I hate to say it as I love Niepoort as a house, but I won't buy any more of that vintage for those reasons.

[Richard Beeken]

Trouble is, when it's right, the 97 Niepoort is superb.
Thanks for the edit, Andy - I'll try to bee mor cayrfull

[Roy Hersh]

I agree with Richard here. The upside is really worth it with the 1997 Niepoort VPs and as I mentioned recently, this was the first time that I have ever seen one of the leakers that I have been reading about for years. None of mine are leakers nor any I had ever experienced before Richard's bottle ... which still was quite drinkable as he mentioned.

Don't compare this to the 1983 Cockburn's. Yes, I understand the analagous relation to the ying yang of good vs. bad bottles, but the percentage of the Niepoort mishaps is dramatically different ... from my experience. I know others might feel differently about this based on their own personal bottle experiences. But even a leaker at this young stage is no where near the detriment of a TCA infected bottle.

Thanks for opening these two Richard and more so ... for taking the time to place a note here. I look forward to seeing you in late Jan!