Looking for somewhere to buy a 1970 VP for a 40th birthday gift (Seattle area)

[Steve E.]

A friend is turning 40 in a few weeks and I was thinking about getting him a 1970 VP. Are these difficult to source in the Seattle area? Normally I don't look for these vintages locally.

I could buy online if I could have it reliably shipped in the next 7 - 10 days.

Thanks,

[Moses Botbol]

Have it shipped next day or overnight. It won't be too expensive on one bottle.

[Glenn E.]

Depending on which 1970 VP you're looking for, you're probably looking at $120 - $150. So as Moses said, overnight shipping won't be that much of a premium.

Another option would be a 40-yr Old Tawny Port. Noval and Kopke both make excellent ones, and since the distributor for Kopke is based in Seattle those are reasonably easy to find. They're also one of the most expensive 40-yr olds at $140 retail. Noval is harder to find but usually less expensive, and the quality difference is minimal. They're both fantastic.

If you get really stuck, I know where you can find a bottle of Sandeman 40-yr old locally. I didn't look at the price when I was there, but can check it for you if you're interested. And the Sandeman is also an excellent 40-yr old.

[Tom D.]

Check with Paul at San Francisco Wine Consulting, or look up their web site. I know they had some 1970 Fonseca last time I checked. Shipping to Seattle shouldn't be too bad from there. Do ask for photos of the specific bottle before buying, if you want to make sure it's a presentable looking gift...

[Steve E.]

Thanks for the ideas i'll do some checking today. Glenn, I spent my 40th in Porto and had a tour that included Sandeman. They gave me a 40yr Tawny as a gift. All that remains is the wooden box now.

[Eric Menchen]

All that remains is the wooden box now.

Sadly, that it all I have left from a 40 year old Sandeman that I received as a gift for the same occasion.

[Glenn E.]

All that remains is the wooden box now.

Sadly, that it all I have left from a 40 year old Sandeman that I received as a gift for the same occasion.

I have the same box! But I had to buy mine... luckily there was a full bottle in it when I bought it!

[Steve E.]

Anyone familiar with European Wine Resource out of CA? It looks like they have several different 1970 VP's, including some with boxes:
http://www.europeanwineresource.com/wine-regions/port

[Marc J.]

European Wine Resource is a solid wine merchant, although I have noticed that some of the pricing seems a bit on the high side. If you find a deal, I'd definitely jump on it!

[Glenn E.]

European Wine Resource is a solid wine merchant, although I have noticed that some of the pricing seems a bit on the high side.

I agree on all counts - a solid merchant, though their prices can be a bit on the high side.

I have a couple of 1970 Royal Oportos left that I'd be happy to undercut EWR and sell for $110/bottle, mostly because I paid $30 for 'em.

[Eric Menchen]

EWR pricing is all over. I have bought from them before, and likely will again. I haven't received all the communications I would have expected from them (response to e-mail?), but I've called and gotten the answers I sought.

[Tom D.]

Anyone familiar with European Wine Resource out of CA? It looks like they have several different 1970 VP's, including some with boxes:
http://www.europeanwineresource.com/wine-regions/port

I've used them quite a bit and have had decent luck with their prices, often because they have some pretty ugly bottles (tattered or stained labels and such), which I don't mind at all if a bottle is otherwise sound. I believe they import most of their stuff directly from Europe.

If this is a gift, don't blindly trust the accuracy of their descriptions of bottle condition (although they accepted a return with no hesitation the one time I was disappointed). Michael is usually good about emailing photos if you ask.

[Steve E.]

European Wine Resource is a solid wine merchant, although I have noticed that some of the pricing seems a bit on the high side.

I agree on all counts - a solid merchant, though their prices can be a bit on the high side.

I have a couple of 1970 Royal Oportos left that I'd be happy to undercut EWR and sell for $110/bottle, mostly because I paid $30 for 'em.

Glenn,
Do you have wood boxes for it? Since it's a gift, and he's not had a lot of Port, I think the year on the label is more important to him than what's inside. In this case, it's as much about presentation and being a unique gift as anything else.

Regarding the labels, etc... it looks like they've got several with boxes to choose from. I'd just hope they'd take the time to get a good one when I talk to them.

Also, Glenn. I went by Top Foods in Bellevue at the advice of someone, and they did have a 1970 Taylor Fladgate - but it was $310!?!? I guess the one in Redmond that has the nice big walk-in cooler has closed.

[Glenn E.]

Actually I was making a joke about EWR's price more than anything - the 1970 Royal Oporto isn't worth $110. The $30 I paid is about right because it's clearly past its peak. It's still a pleasant Port, but I typically rate it in the 83-85 range. If you'd really like one, though, let me know. I don't have a wood box for them, but that's partly because they're squat-ish unique looking bottles that don't really fit in a normal bottle-sized space. A bit of a PITA to fit in my wine fridge.

I picked up a couple of assorted bottles at the Redmond Top Foods when it closed. They had a '70 Taylor there at the time for about $300 but I passed. Even with a 30% discount that's over the top. I wonder if the bottle's now at the Bellevue store?

I'll get a price on that Sandeman 40-year old for you tomorrow if they still have it. As I recall I paid about $100 for mine, which is a pretty good price. It's a very nice 40-year old.

[Steve E.]

Thanks Glenn,

The Sandeman would be good too. I think I saw one at Seattle Wine Co in Bellevue in the $140 range once - can't remember.

I wonder if that Madeira ever sold in Redmond? I can't remember what the price was, but it was a good deal (but still expensive). I posted it here last year, I think. That was the old Larry's stock that they were sitting on. Their clientele wasn't going to be purchasing most of the stuff in the cooler.

Thanks

[Roy Hersh]

Steve,

If you are going to go out on a limb and purchase a bottle of 1970 VP, I strongly suggest you look outside of the Seattle area from a reputable merchant. Pricing for old VP is usually just plain stupid in WA State. From CA there are many fine vendors to be in touch with. If you need a suggestion, please email me: roy@fortheloveofport.com and I'd be happy to share one or two in particular where finding this would be easy and reasonably priced.

[Nuno a]

I sell one bottle quinta do noval 40 years old, 70 euros.

[Glenn E.]

Sorry Steve, no luck. QFC either sold the Sandeman 40-yr old or it has been moved, because I didn't see it. The wine steward does move stuff around periodically so it's possible she's just hiding it at the moment, but she wasn't there when I went by so I wasn't able to ask her about it.

[Steve E.]

Which QFC was it at? I'm starting to think a 40 yr Tawny would be preferable since he's not as into Port and may enjoy it more than a VP.

Seattle Wine Co had a 40yr Sandeman earlier this year, but no longer. Lots of places can get it, but pricing isn't as good as elsewhere.

I'd prefer a reasonable price if it's local, but may have to do a quick ship via the internet. It sounds like Roy can hook me up if that's the case.

[Glenn E.]

Which QFC was it at?

Pine Lake QFC in Sammamish (formerly known as the Issaquah Plateau). It has always had a good wine selection because it has a walk-in wine cooler where they keep the good stuff.