For The Love Of Port

Not much in the last couple of weeks. A bottle of Croft 2005 LBV bottled 2010 and a bottle of Graham Crusted bottled 2002. The Graham's was to see whether it was worth stocking up on this during Sainsbury's sale when they marked the price down to £12.49 and then gave you 25% off if you bought 6 or more bottles of anything.

It was worth stocking up!

Alex will be proud:

1997 Bredell, Cape Vintage Reserve, "Auction 2001" - rustic, minty, good and certainly unique.

Rocha 150th - this from the original cuvee, not the 2nd coming. Very delicious and a great showing.

1967 "Rui Paula" Dalva Colheita - I am a big fan of this bottling and think it is realy something special.

These were opened after 2 dozen other bottles for 12 thirsty Michiganders last night with the likes of 2002 Dom Perignon (my first time trying it) a few other nice Champers, virtually from every major wine producing region except Bordeaux. I brought along the 2004 Qta do Crasto Vinha da Ponte (and the 1967 above) and would have to say my wine of the night was an amazing bottle of 2002 Insignia, possibly the best version of that Napa wine I've had to date.

last night;

1977 Dow's Vintage Port

2007 Quinta do Crasto Reserva Old Vines

(and a couple Cali wines too)

I have a 2008 Duas Quintas Tinta and a 2007 Duas Quintas TInta Reserva opened in decanter for tonight (in Mi) along with two 10 year old Tawny Ports ... an Offley and a Pocas. Steaks for 'cue-in' on the grill and all shall be relaxing indoors and white outdoors.

1977 Kopke Colheita
1976 Rocha Colheita

A rather old bottle of Gould Campbell Fine Tawny Porto. It looks like it was probably bottled in the 1970s or 1980s, but the label doesn't say so I don't know for sure.

Tasting note here.

1990 Quinta do Vesuvio. Not stellar, but enjoyable.

Roy Hersh wrote:Alex will be proud:

1997 Bredell, Cape Vintage Reserve, "Auction 2001" - rustic, minty, good and certainly unique.

I'm proud. In my opinion, Bredell make the best of the South African port-style wines - but there are some other goods ones to be discovered, as well!

Opened a bottle of Graham 1963 and Quinta do Noval 1955 and shared them with DRT. They didn't last very long

Alex

Did you find that the 1955 Noval showed any better than the one we had recently in Oct?

Roy Hersh wrote:Did you find that the 1955 Noval showed any better than the one we had recently in Oct?

It was better than the one we had at the 55 horizontal, but not massively so.

How was the Dom 2002? I have some but haven't tried any yet.

Opened a Sandeman 30 Year Old Tawny Port for Christmas Eve dinner with my wife's family. Good stuff!

A bottle of Dow's Midnight Reserve, bottled around 5 years ago. There was a surprising amount of fine sludgy, sediment in the bottle.

Over Xmas:
Warre's 2001 LBV
Niepoort 1983 Colheita

2003 Taylor LBV to get me from Christmas to New Year's. I plan to open a 1985 Graham on New Year's Eve.

Sorry for the thread drift but I do want to answer Al B.

The 2002 Dom Perignon I got to try two flutes worth. It was very atypical from what I have read about this particular vintage of DP. It is supposed to be very dry, great minerality and intensity with a fine mousse. The bottle I was involved with was one that a friend in Michigan opened on 12/19. It was creamy and showed ripe pear fruit and even a percent or two of residual sugar which surprised me. Had I not known what I was drinking, I'd have been very pleased, it was still quite excellent and focused with stunning acidity. Nonetheless, it is clearly way different than what "all the fuss" is all about.

I am going to open one on NYE from one of several bottles I've bought at Costco in the past 2 months. I'll keep my fingers crossed it shows with more typicity than the one 10 days ago.

Warre 1958 - to help celebrate the birthday of someone who was 52 a couple of days ago.

Quinta da Romaneira 40 Year Old Tawny Port
S. Leonardo 30 Year Old Tawny Port

Both are outstanding, but the S. Leonardo needs separation from the Romaneira to shine. The Romaneira is just a bigger and more powerful Port, so the more delicate and tropical S. Leonardo needs some room so that its qualities can be appreciated.

A bottle of Cockburn Special Reserve bottled about 30 years ago and when that was gone, a bottle of Taylor 20 year old tawny port that was bottled in 1978 and which has started to seep.

Glenn, that is easy. Just drink the 30 year old before the 40 year old.

I "have to do that" same type of thing when going from Port to Madeira.

Soon to be in the decanter; 2008 Niepoort Redoma Branco, 2004 Quinta do Crasto Touriga Nacional Douro, 1970 Graham's VP and rumor says a 1978 Barca Velha will be opened as well