1963 Dalva Vintage Port
Moderators: Glenn E., Roy Hersh, Andy Velebil
-
Richard Beeken
- Posts: 56
- Joined: Tue May 23, 2006 9:00 pm
1963 Dalva Vintage Port
Just came intopossession of this unusual port. Anyone have any recent-ish experience with this or words of wisdom re what a great of not-so-great drinking experience I'm likely to have with it?
-
Christian Gollnick
- Posts: 215
- Joined: Sat May 30, 2009 3:53 pm
- Location: George Town, Cayman Islands
Re: 1963 Dalva Vintage Port
Hello Richard, I suppose that this is a white port? If so, congratulations - I think you have a very nice bottle... Dalva produces some outstanding white ports. In my eyes, their 1952 is one of the most interesting ports ever. The last summer I tried it on two occasions - and it's just a mind-blowing experience.
I must confess that I haven't had the 1963 yet - as long as DALVA still has some 1952 for sale, the 1963 is in the shadow of the older brother... However, as there is nearly nothing left of the 1952 soon the interest will focus on the 1963, I'm sure.
By the way: When you drink old whites from DALVA, leave the empty glass on the table, wait for 30 minutes and then smell it - it smells like the best Cuban cigars! A very impressive, fantastic smell! I nearly fall in love with my empty glass...
The wine will not get better by being in the bottle - therefore I would look for a good opportunity (Christmas?) to open it... Afterwards, if you like it, just fly to Porto, visit the beautiful, stylish shop of DALVA in Gaia, taste a handful of great wines with the very friendly staff (greetings to Gonçalo!!!) and leave the place with a few more bottles of the 1963...![[cheers.gif]](./images/smilies/cheers.gif "Toast")
I must confess that I haven't had the 1963 yet - as long as DALVA still has some 1952 for sale, the 1963 is in the shadow of the older brother... However, as there is nearly nothing left of the 1952 soon the interest will focus on the 1963, I'm sure.
By the way: When you drink old whites from DALVA, leave the empty glass on the table, wait for 30 minutes and then smell it - it smells like the best Cuban cigars! A very impressive, fantastic smell! I nearly fall in love with my empty glass...
The wine will not get better by being in the bottle - therefore I would look for a good opportunity (Christmas?) to open it... Afterwards, if you like it, just fly to Porto, visit the beautiful, stylish shop of DALVA in Gaia, taste a handful of great wines with the very friendly staff (greetings to Gonçalo!!!) and leave the place with a few more bottles of the 1963...
-
Richard Beeken
- Posts: 56
- Joined: Tue May 23, 2006 9:00 pm
Re: 1963 Dalva Vintage Port
Thanks for the input. This bottle is not a white port and not a colheita, unfortunately. I am intimately familiar with the 1952 White Colheita which I have a couple of in my cellar (sourced from a friend who trucked them back from overseas - same way you got yours, I expect) and it would have been nice to think this would be comparable. Alas, however, this is a red vintage port.
I understand that Dalva's strength back in the day was Colheitas and that their Vintage ports were not especially noteworthy but perhaps this particular vintage is an anomaly (?).
I understand that Dalva's strength back in the day was Colheitas and that their Vintage ports were not especially noteworthy but perhaps this particular vintage is an anomaly (?).
-
Andy Velebil
- Posts: 16808
- Joined: Tue Aug 02, 2005 4:49 pm
- Location: Los Angeles, California, United States of America - USA
- Contact:
Re: 1963 Dalva Vintage Port
Richard,
Sorry, but I can't recall ever having this particular VP. But their not exactly known for great VP's, so hopefully it shows well.
Sorry, but I can't recall ever having this particular VP. But their not exactly known for great VP's, so hopefully it shows well.
Andy Velebil Good wine is a good familiar creature if it be well used. William Shakespeare http://www.fortheloveofport.com
-
Glenn E.
- Posts: 8376
- Joined: Wed Jan 23, 2008 10:49 am
- Location: Sammamish, Washington, United States of America - USA
- Contact:
Re: 1963 Dalva Vintage Port
I've heard about this Port somewhere recently, but have been straining to remember where and it's just not coming to me. I don't recall any details... just that it was a '63 Dalva VP. That's an odd enough Port that it stuck in my head.
If I do find anything, I'll be sure to post!
If I do find anything, I'll be sure to post!
Glenn Elliott
Re: 1963 Dalva Vintage Port
Dalva make decent enough vintage port. Although I've never had the 1963 Dalva (at least not yet - I have a couple of bottles waiting for the right moment) I have had a few of their vintage wines from 1970 and later. I would suggest that are a mid-tier producer of vintage port and are likely to mildly surprise rather than disappoint.
Re: 1963 Dalva Vintage Port
Richard,
Was Hank right that this was in really good condition in terms of the label/capsule and fill level? Was it bottled in Oporto or in the UK and does it mention who the importer was? How about a photo?
Was Hank right that this was in really good condition in terms of the label/capsule and fill level? Was it bottled in Oporto or in the UK and does it mention who the importer was? How about a photo?
Ambition driven by passion, rather than money, is as strong an elixir as is Port. http://www.fortheloveofport.com
-
Richard Beeken
- Posts: 56
- Joined: Tue May 23, 2006 9:00 pm
Re: 1963 Dalva Vintage Port
Roy,
I'd describe the condition of this bottle as "just ok". The seal is moderately stained on both sides of the neck, there is a bit of grunge evident under part of the red wax(?) capsule, the label is clean but hanging on by only a corner, and the bottle looks generally a bit dirty. Seems like there has been some old leakage but none recently. The fill is good, 3/4 inch up from the bottom of the neck.
There is no reference to where it was bottled or who the importer was. The bottle is black, no punt at the bottom (just flat with raised glass "S.A.R.L." on it) and the front labels state, exactly, "Dalva Port", "Dalva Vintage 1963", "Produce of Portugal", "C. Da Silva (Vinhos) S.A.R.L. Porto", "20% Alcohol". There is a back label which says, "Vintage wines are bottled young and as such they will drop a sediment which has no bearing with the fine quality of the wine. It is recommended to handle the bottle carefully and draw the cork slowly about two hours before serving, if possible, and decant it to be served at room temperature." Seemingly not drafted by someone who's first language was English. Comments?
Sadly, getting a picture onto a computer is beyond my current pathetic technical ability.
Give me a good (or any)excuse to be there and I'll bring it with me.
I'd describe the condition of this bottle as "just ok". The seal is moderately stained on both sides of the neck, there is a bit of grunge evident under part of the red wax(?) capsule, the label is clean but hanging on by only a corner, and the bottle looks generally a bit dirty. Seems like there has been some old leakage but none recently. The fill is good, 3/4 inch up from the bottom of the neck.
There is no reference to where it was bottled or who the importer was. The bottle is black, no punt at the bottom (just flat with raised glass "S.A.R.L." on it) and the front labels state, exactly, "Dalva Port", "Dalva Vintage 1963", "Produce of Portugal", "C. Da Silva (Vinhos) S.A.R.L. Porto", "20% Alcohol". There is a back label which says, "Vintage wines are bottled young and as such they will drop a sediment which has no bearing with the fine quality of the wine. It is recommended to handle the bottle carefully and draw the cork slowly about two hours before serving, if possible, and decant it to be served at room temperature." Seemingly not drafted by someone who's first language was English. Comments?
Sadly, getting a picture onto a computer is beyond my current pathetic technical ability.
Give me a good (or any)excuse to be there and I'll bring it with me.