Grahams Port Tasting 1963 - 2007

[Wayne Condon]

Last evening in Melbourne, Australia 13 hearty port enthusiasts attended a retrospective of all the declared vintages of Graham's VP between 1963 and 2007. The tasting was organised by Darren Harris - Graham's aficianado and numismatist extraordinaire. It was a stunning line up with only two questionable bottlings - 1975 and 1991. The group concensus was that the ports of the evening were the 1963 and 1970 with very honorable mentions to 1977, 1980 and 1985. The 2007 vintage is a glass and mouth staining monster but beautifuly balanced and perversely great drinking right now - it will no doubt go into a shell to re-emerge in 30+ years time. Can't wait to do the Fonseca equivalent lineup next !

[Jeff Allison]

First Vintage Port I ever had was a Grahams 1977. That was about 12 years ago and it was stunning then. I need to start filling the cellar with a few more ports as my lone bottle of2000 Taylor LBV will disappear soon with the holidays.

[Roy Hersh]

Stick around, some of the things we find and mention in the MARKETPLACE make for extraordinary buys. Then again the upcoming "buyer's op" should wow all that see it. The 1963-2007 Graham's tasting was probably a ton of fun. I've done a few Graham's verticals and my favorite was with Rupert Symington about three years ago that had virtually every major vintage back to 1945. What struck me was the incredible consistency year in and year out. A GREAT producer, to be sure!

[Jeff Allison]

Roy,

I saw that post and will be on the look out for upcoming good deals. I'll also have a few questions as I'm researching what I want to start buying and will be looking for tips from the pro's here!

Cheers,

Jeff

[Derek T.]

Wayne,

Graham's posted this message on their Facebook blog a few days ago...

The Blog would like some nice real-life photos of Graham's wines being served, maybe an open bottle alongside half-full glasses or a decanter, in settings such as your kitchen, picnic blanket, tailgate, dining room, wherever you enjoy your Graham's. Please post photos to this Wall or email them to blogadmin at grahams-...port dot com. If we use them on the Blog we will credit you for the photo. Thanks!

If you have any photos of your tasting in Australia I am sure they would love to see them

Derek

[Brian C.]

Wayne,

I noticed that 1966 didn't make the cut at your tasting. Was curious as to what had happened. I've had that one at a couple of tastings (not Graham's verticals, though) and it was in the consensus top two each time.