Drinking Windows

[Mark F.]

Hello everyone. I am new to the Forum and delighted to discover it. I have a good level of light wine knowledge and tasting experience and although I have reasonable knowledge of Port production methords etc I have very limited practical tasting experience.

I have just bought a fair amount of wine from a relative who was looking to sell following price rises including Lafite, Carruades etc which I will sell on as they are out of my league. However there are some bottles of Port in the lot which I am considering just putting in my own cellar and enjoying (unless anyone suggests that there are some special gems which my limited palate would not appreciate and to put it crudely are worth a bit...)

Anyway any comments on any of these wines such as drinking windows, what to expect etc would be most appreciated. Which should I open first etc?

All are 70cl except the Sandeman

2 bots Taylors 1994
2 bots Fonseca 1994
1 bot Quinta do Noval 1997
6 bots Dow 1997
6 bots Grahams 1997
2 bots Taylors Quinta de Vargellas 1988
3 bots Taylors Quinta de Vargellas 1997

6 halves Sandemans 1997 Vau

Any viws would be welcome. I have had a brief look at past tasting notes but opinions seem to vary

[Eric Menchen]

I was very tempted to post that your limited palate couldn't possibly appreciate those and therefor you should sell them to me But since this is your very first post, I'll just give you my worth.

That is really a nice collection of young Port. 1994 Taylor and 1997 Quinta do Noval are really top notch. I'm searching for 1994 Taylor at a reasonable price, and will be bidding on some later this week. It regularly runs $140 each. I own a few of the Noval, one which I got for a steal at $100, but $200 is more typical if you can find it. 1994 Fonseca should be wonderful, and while the 1997 year isn't as highly regarded as many other general declarations, I'd be very happy to own those other 1997s as well (some of which I do ) Like most around here, I'm a fanatic, but I wouldn't sell any of those

For drinking windows, that 1994 Taylor is too young for me to really appreciate now. If I buy a good size lot I might open one, but with just two bottles I would wait at least 5 years, and 10 or 20 would be better, and it might only be peaking 30 years from now. I would give most of those 1997s ten years as well, with the exception of the Taylors Quinta de Vargellas. I'd pop one of those Sandeman Vau's first, as they are half bottles and blended to be an earlier drinker; after that I'd try one of the 1988 Quinta de Vargellas, and if you had a few people to share with, maybe side by side with the 1997 version.

[Derek T.]

Mark,

Welcome to

Eric has given you good advice on what to keep for the long term so I won't repeat it. Out of all the wines you have I would suggest that the Sandeman Vau 97s are the candidates for immediate drinking. They will last quite a few years yet but this particular wine was "designed" to be early maturing and is extremely nice now. The Vargellas 88 should also be mature and drinking well.

What interests me most is the Vargellas 1997 - I didn't know it existed until I read your post! - Could you please post a photograph of the label?

Thanks
Derek

[Moses Botbol]

The 2 bots Taylors Quinta de Vargellas 1988 could be drinkable as well. Most of what you have will age a lifetime, so it's your call. Generally, 15 years is the normal age to think about drinking a vintage port. Some like them much older like I do, and others are fine with big & powerful younger vintages.

The 6 bots Dow 1997 could be one to try. You have 6 of them, so open one and see. I would like it breathe for at least 6 hours. As Derek said, the Sandeman is the most sure thing to try now.

Welcome to the forum.

[Mark F.]

Thank you all for your comments,, Eric, Derek and Moses. I am definately going to keep them now and give them a try starting with the halves of the Sandemans 97 Vau. I am now eager in anticipation. Perhaps the half bottle of Sandemans will settle my nerves on Wednesday night during an important football match which I will be watcking in England. It will probably help drown my sorrows!

I am impressed with Dereks Obsevation re Taylors Quinta de Vargellas 1997. This was a typo it is actually '87! So perhaps a good idea to try against the '88. In fact I might try a Port tasting at the next meeting of a small wine group I am in.

Thanks again and I promise to attempt some tasting notes as and when I drink them.

[Eric Menchen]

I am impressed with Dereks Obsevation re Taylors Quinta de Vargellas 1997. This was a typo it is actually '87! So perhaps a good idea to try against the '88. In fact I might try a Port tasting at the next meeting of a small wine group I am in.

Even better then! A lot of people around here say that 1987 was an underappreciated year, and the Taylor Quinta de Vargellas gets good marks. I've not tasted any 1987 and haven't been able to find the Taylor. Enjoy

[Glenn E.]

This was a typo it is actually '87!

The '87 Vargellas is a fantastic Port... it might even be the Port of the Vintage. Too bad we can't find very many 1987 Ports here in the US, because that is the year I was married and I'd love to stock up on a case or two for future anniversary parties.

[Peter W. Meek]

Mark,

I think you have had the nucleus of a port collection dropped in your lap. I gather you didn't buy these wines for the port, but if it turns out that you do like port, you have a wide range of ports to sample and discover exactly what you do like in the way of different port styles.

if it eventuates that port is something interesting to you, there are still other types and styles to try and learn about. Tawnies, Colheitas, LBVs, Single Quintas...

I envy you for your position: all these ports and a lifetime to try them.

[Moses Botbol]

I envy you for your position: all these ports and a lifetime to try them.

Or one binge drinking night in Boston

[Tom Archer]

2 bots Taylors 1994
2 bots Fonseca 1994
1 bot Quinta do Noval 1997
6 bots Dow 1997
6 bots Grahams 1997
2 bots Taylors Quinta de Vargellas 1988
3 bots Taylors Quinta de Vargellas 1997

6 halves Sandemans 1997 Vau

Greetings Mark,

I would suggest that the Vargellas '88 would be fair game for an early investigation. Derek is correct when he says that the Sandeman Vau was intended for early drinking, although as they are now past their first flush of youth, and into what we refer to as their 'closed' period, I would give them a few more years yet.

Wine writers have a terrible track record when it comes to identifying drinking windows for port. The 1960 vintage was being marked down as 'nearly over the hill' as much as twenty years ago, yet I opened six glorious bottles for my birthday bash this week.

Port maturation can appear to be a roller coaster affair. I, and many others, including some in the trade; felt that the '77 vintage was falling short of expectations a few years ago, and needed drinking sooner than expected; yet my most recent encounters (including the decanter of Ferreira in front of me now..) are showing a new lease of life.

If you look at the historic reportage on the '70 vintage, you can also see a similar pattern of apparent full maturation followed by renewed vigour.

The '63 vintage is the intrigue for me now, as the also-ran ports from that great vintage are tending to look a little fatigued at the moment. Alex B is confident they will come back with all guns blazing by 2013 - but then, he was born in 1963..

..whatever bottle you decide to open.. enjoy!

Tom

[Peter W. Meek]

I envy you for your position: all these ports and a lifetime to try them.

Or one binge drinking night in Boston

I was referring to: "...there are still other types and styles to try and learn about. Tawnies, Colheitas, LBVs, Single Quintas..."

A big order, even for Boston.