2011 Vintage Port is declared

[Roy Hersh]

Check out the Wine Advocate scores on 2011 in my post in the Marketplace for Zachy's and Neal Martin.

[Al B.]

I wonder why there was no 2011 Noval Silval produced. The '11 Nacional was annointed a perfect 100 point score by James Suckling.

I have been told by someone who should know, that the VP quality juice that could have been used for a Silval declaration has instead been held back for use in the 2011 LBV. Look out in 2 years time for some stupendous quality LBV coming from Noval (and 6 grapes from Graham).

[Andy Velebil]

A new producer to me....Quinta do Sagrado has declared a 2011 VP

[Glenn E.]

In addition to declarations, I'd love to know who is making large format bottles available. Magnums don't count, they're "normal" large bottles. I'm thinking Tregnum/Tappit Hen and above.

In particular, did Graham's bottle any Jeroboams/double magnums?

[David Spriggs]

A new producer to me....Quinta do Sagrado has declared a 2011 VP

Yes... I got the same email. I wish I was in Porto tomorrow to ride the trolley around and taste their wines!

Quinta do Sagrado is owned by the Calem family. They make both Ports and DOC wines. I believe that this is their first release of a Vintage Port. (In the past Calem had released a Quinta do Sagrado SQVP). I believe the Quinta is near Vista Alegre just down river from Pinhao.

[David Spriggs]

In particular, did Graham's bottle any Jeroboams/double magnums?

Yes. Grahams made both double magnums and Imperials.
-Dave-

[Glenn E.]

In particular, did Graham's bottle any Jeroboams/double magnums?

Yes. Grahams made both double magnums and Imperials.

Now I just figure out how to get one. I haven't seen them offered yet, either here or in Europe. I'll worry about how and where to store it later.

[Al B.]

In particular, did Graham's bottle any Jeroboams/double magnums?

Yes. Grahams made both double magnums and Imperials.

Now I just figure out how to get one. I haven't seen them offered yet, either here or in Europe. I'll worry about how and where to store it later.

Berry Brothers in the UK had them listed at one point. I don't know if they still have some available.

[David Spriggs]

Berry Brothers in the UK had them listed at one point. I don't know if they still have some available.

Farr Vintners in the UK has them now.

[Andy Velebil]

yesterday I tasted the Fladgate Partnership, Quinta do Noval, and Quinta da Romaneira's stables of 2011's (and some other previous vintages). I'll get notes up in the coming days, but was really happy across the board with them all. 2011 is living up to it's early reputation for sure!

[Roy Hersh]

I am still here at the same tasting and must admit to being blown away by the quality of these wines. Really lots of solid VP's from both the two Seely stables and also The Fladgate Partnership. Really impressive for a snapshot view. Some surprises too. One example, I did prefer the regular Noval to the Nacional at this stage, tasted several times today, side-by-side. More to follow.

[Andy Velebil]

For those who have ever wondered what the IVDP sends to a producer after their VP sample has been analyzed and approved. Here it is, from Oscar Quevedo about his 2011 VP

http://quevedoportwine.com/wp-content/u ... alysis.pdf

Though for those of us watching our waistlines you probably shouldn't read the last result line on page 1 regarding KCal's per 100ml

[Bradley Bogdan]

That's actually really cool to see, thanks for sharing!

[Glenn E.]

Though for those of us watching our waistlines you probably shouldn't read the last result line on page 1 regarding KCal's per 100ml

So roughly the same number of calories per serving as Coke. Nothing to see here, move along.

[Eric Ifune]

Gotta cut back on the Coke to make room for more Port!

[Roy Hersh]

No drug discussions here please!

Joking of course!

Great job by Oscar who is always willing to share this level of detail, that consumers, especially Port fanatics like the majority here, are thrilled to learn!

Thanks Andy for posting that interesting piece from Mr. Quevedo.

And as long as I am handing out kudos here, the truly unsung hero is BENTO AMARAL, he who never gets enough mention here or elsewhere. Bento has been the man in charge of the IVDP's tasting panel for many years. He has raised the bar and standards and oversees the staff of the panel, and ensures they remain focused and on target ... and I do mean, ON TARGET. He holds his staff to a very high level of accuracy. The focus, scope and nature of his position and its importance to the Port trade is little understood by consumers, no less its direct impact on the restaurants, retailers and consumers who purchase the bottles we all love to drink.

A quick aside: The very first time I met long time FTLOP'er, Frederick Blais, in Oct. 2005, I was able to get him in along with our very first Port Harvest Tour (group of two) ... I believe his parents were with us too (?) ... to see how the IVDP's organoleptic testing works and listen to a brilliant discourse for well over an hour by Bento and a brilliant tour as well. It seems like a long time ago, and there is currently a book out on some specifics of Bento's life that few had any idea about. Not yet in English ... but hopefully soon. I'd love to read it!

[Roy Hersh]

Here are some anomalies:

Judeu is not producing Port yet, same w/ Pinalta.

Amorim's Quinta de Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo, nor Mourao, nor Pacheca is doing 2011 VP.

While Quinta do Cotto, is not producing Port anymore (since 2005) and Quinta do Javali is now only making LBV in the future and no more Vintage Ports, reports Antonio Mendes.

[Roy Hersh]

Forgot to add this one from Pacheca:

"2011 was a very low production at Pacheca. We had a large mildium attack in July and we did lost about 80% of our production. We decided to produce everything for red wine and we didn't produce port."

[Roy Hersh]

I just learned that BORGES also chose NOT to declare 2011.

I know there are reasons why a company decides to declare, or not, a particular vintage Port. However, it seems like if you are in the Port business, when a high quality and presigious vintage like 2011 comes along, that it is in the best interest of your company's image to try to produce and market at least a small quantity of VPs from that year. No?

[Glenn E.]

it seems like if you are in the Port business, when a high quality and presigious vintage like 2011 comes along, that it is in the best interest of your company's image to try to produce and market at least a small quantity of VPs from that year. No?

It sure seems like it. But I suspect that the choice isn't easy in some circumstances.

Let's say you had low production for some reason. You could certainly pull the best grapes and make VP, but in doing so you might hurt the quality of your other offerings. Furthermore, what if that low volume VP is only "average" amongst its peers in a stellar vintage? In producing a low quantity, you increase expectations that the Port is of exceptional quality because supply and demand will spike the price. If it then doesn't live up to those artificially inflated expectations, you could actually harm your reputation by declaring.

Admittedly, in such a situation I would probably go ahead and make the VP and declare it, but not release it. I'd hold it back for company use and maybe release small quantities of it at a later date.