What do I have here?

Peter Gatti · Post by **Peter Gatti** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 8:50 pm

Recently I was given several bottles of Porto, mostly 77's, from the impeccable cellar of a very good friend. Among them however was one bottle that I have never seen before, although I have had bottles of this wine from other undeclared years. The bottle in question is a Fonseca Guimaraens 1968. I do know what this is and have had other years, but never this particular one. Any experience out there? The only note I found during a quick search was a fairly old one from James Suckling rating it in the low 80's. Drink up? Decant time? passed its prime? Dead years ago? Inquiring minds and all that.

simon Lisle · Post by **simon Lisle** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 8:58 pm

I'm sorry but I've never had a vintage from that year,the only bottles I have from that year are Niepoort colhieta's which I have'nt tried yet

Post by **Roy Hersh** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 9:01 pm

Disclosure: I run a small fine wine shop in Austin.

Peter,

We promise not to hold that against you! :type:

Nice to see you back here after. I wish I could be of more help but the closest I have come to this bottle is the 1967 VP by Guimaraens, which is still a beauty today. In fact, there are a number of very fine VPs from that less than stellar vintage. But 1968 is not a vintage well known in just about any wine region I can think of, no less the Douro.

Pop the cork on one of those bad boys and let us know how you like it. Don't forget that Suckling's rating was done prior to 1990 when his book was released, for whatever that is worth.

Peter Gatti · Post by **Peter Gatti** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 9:10 pm

Well, the fill is still so high in the neck that it could pass for less than 10 years old, the cellar where it rested since purchase in England in 1972 was exceptional, so if it has any possibilities, it was given every chance.

I'll pop it soon with some other friends of the of the giver, in his memory,
and post notes.

Tom Archer · Post by **Tom Archer** » Wed Jul 26, 2006 3:10 pm

'68 is a bit of a rarity - as you own a wine shop it might be worth drinking one and keeping the rest for 40th birthday sales ia a couple of years time!

The great thing about VP is that however snooty the critics are about wine being 'dried out' or advising people to 'drink up' - it remains very drinkable - and pretty much for ever!

However, working an evolving theory that has held good so far, I would advise the following regarding decanting time:

Given the year, the producer and it's age, I would expect this bottle to be well below it's best in the hours immediately after decanting, and much better 24 hours later.

For an evening dinner party, I would decant at lunchtime of the day before, and look to finish off by the second evening after the party.

Just my

Tom

Peter Gatti · Post by **Peter Gatti** » Wed Jul 26, 2006 8:04 pm

Tom, thanks for he decanting suggestion; it confirms some belief/experience of my own with old Porto from lesser years.

As to the when it's a one-off as it's a solo bottle...all the other Porto given me from my deceased friend's cellar is 1977 vintage; such a shame, that!

At any rate, when it's been drunk, probably at a memorial dinner of some sort (following some selections from the rest of the booty, which include 82 Cheval Blanc, Cos, Latour a Pomerol, Leoville Las Cases and Gruaud Larose, as well as 62 Vega Sicilia Unico and 82 Grange) I will post notes.