What is your favorite Port experience so far in 2006?

[Roy Hersh]

Not looking for a tasting note, just which Port rang your bells and why.

[Steven Kooij]

Qta. d. Loureiro 1871 - because of the company I opened it for, because it was the first ever pre-phylloxera (I mean made from ORIGINAL ungrafted vines) wine or Port I tasted, because it was still drinkable - and quite tasty to boot!

[Tom Archer]

My nicest surprise so far this year has been the acquisition of two bottles that only identified themselves as Delaforce, and which, from their appearance, I suspected were 60's, and probably crusted - as the capsules did not look VP-esque (although they had driven corks).

It was therefore extremely satisfying to find that they were dated 1950 on the corks, vintage, and in very good form - especially as only one was opened, leaving me a little treasure for another year.

Tom

[Derek T.]

Losing my virginity to a Noval Nacional 1987 8)

[Frederick Blais]

João Leite Moreira, Quinta da Seara d'Ordens, Poiares Colheita 1971, Garrafeira Particular

Tasting note here : http://fortheloveofport.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1047

Something really special

[Kris Henderson]

1985 Graham Vintage Port. Finished off a nice dinner with my girlfriend and a buddy from college. The port was excellent and lived up to expectation. We were reminiscing about the good 'ole days back in college. Mid to late nineties. :)

The bottle had been standing up for about two weeks before I opened it and I decanted it perfectly. Not a single piece of sediment in the decanter. But in keeping with tradition, I poured the last ounce from the decanter back into the bottle and shook it up then poured it into my friends glass. Then he (willingly) drank it, swished it around his mouth, swallowed, then smiled. It was gross, lots of sediment stuck to his teeth, and I snapped a picture.

The port was really good but re-living memories made it even better.

[Roy Hersh]

I guess I should add my own impressions.

Having had 3 bottles (out of more than a dozen) from 1853, 1870 and 1896 back in January was probably the highlight. Although a 1927 Cockburn at that same tasting and more recently a perfectly stored '45 Graham would round out the field.

If I had to pick one bottle though it would have to be the Cockburn's.

[Paul Eddy]

Warre's Warrior. Why? Because I have found a basic port that I really enjoy
is great value for money and I can buy it almost anywhere.

Cheers Paul.

[Richard Henderson]

Why should we even try when you are giving your "impressions" of Cockburn 27 and Graham 45 :twisted: ??????

And then of course there were those nasty old 1853, 1870,1896 etc......

The number one experience for me for 2006 was my brother's 50th with 55 Taylor, 63 Graham and 92 Taylor. I posted notes here late January.

[Steve Saxon]

Without a doubt, the 55 Smith Woodhouse followed by the 55 Dow and the 85 Grahams. It's nice to know that the year is not half over.

[Roy Hersh]

Steve,

Both are excellent wines and the Dow would be great to try. That '85 Graham is always a winner too.


Richard,

Jeez you are right. But it is not meant as a competition by any stretch of the imagination. This week so far, I've opened a 2000 Noval Silval VP and a 1992 Fonseca VP, so don't worry, I drink mostly regular bottlings of Port and at tastings wind up with other experiences and only on special occasions. My TNs are already written and will appear in FTLOP issue #15 in a few weeks.

I need to try the '94 Taylor again soon. The 1963 Graham's is a remarkable wine and one of my favorites of the vintage and IMO, one of the all-time great Graham's.

[Eric Ifune]

So far a '77 Taylor. Will probably open a '63 Graham (Berry Bros.) sometime soon.

[Marco D.]

Given the high praises given the Ferreira Duque de Braganca 20 Yr Tawny, I tried a bottle this week. Once of the nicest surprises so far this year. I love the fresh, almost "orange peel" hints. Too bad about the price, though...

[Dave Johnson]

My pick would be 70 Taylor. I've had it twice in the last 6 months and I love its perfect balance, complexity and at age 36 it is drinking perfectly now.

The most unusual Port experience I have had this year was a 63 Dow. The thickest mouth feel I have ever experienced with a Port.

And kudo's to Paul Eddy for picking an everyday Port.

[Ronald Wortel]

Qta. d. Loureiro 1871

That was definitely the most special port so far this year! But my favorite experience was a tasting of (more or less) 30 VP's from 2000. So much fun to taste all these wines side by side!

[Andy Velebil]

Mine was sampling 12 of the 2003 VP's at a tasting. It was my first time drinking a very young VP, or in this case numerous very young VP's, side by side. I shall say it was truly a remarkable experience.

[Andy Velebil]

Ok, so i now have to revise this. It was the 1955 Ferreira VP that I had last night. The oldest VP I have had to date. 8)

So I guess mine are the youngest AND oldest ports I have tried. The year is off to a great start so far

[Al B.]

I have three favourite experiences so far.

The first was in March, when I was held a tasting of 6 different ports (ruby, LBV, unfiltered LBV, crusted, own label and 1983 vintage) for a group of people from work. It was great fun introducing 6 people to the world of port and made all the more memorable by the fact that the 6 newcomers to port were able to place the wines closer to the order of price than I was. So much for years of tasting experience.

The second was in April, when I closed out a deal to buy a small parcel of mature wines from an old country house in Berkshire. A parcel which included the Croft 1945 that I recently posted a tasting note for.

The last was in February, when Fred organised the first of the virtual tastings. Without Fred's influence, I have tried (and liked) two wines that I would not have otherwise tasted - the Fonseca Bin 27 and the Taylor 2000 LBV. Thanks Fred.

And I echo Dave's sentiment - well done Paul for picking an everyday wine.

Alex