As you grow older, do you shy away from purchasing new Vintages of Port wine?

Mahmoud Ali · Post by **Mahmoud Ali** » Thu Sep 29, 2011 9:50 am

I have been thinking of cutting back on purchases of new vintages of both port and wine. Recently I had the opportunity to buy half-bottles of the '03 and '07 Portal and drew the line at the '03. Of course, like others, if a really good deal comes along I'll jump, like Novals and Churchills for C$35.

Right now my goal is to buy wines and ports that are already 10 or more years old.

Mahmoud

Post by **Andy Velebil** » Fri Sep 30, 2011 4:10 am

That's a great deal on the Noval and Churchill's.

Mahmoud Ali · Post by **Mahmoud Ali** » Fri Sep 30, 2011 5:14 pm

Well Andy, you won't believe this and I can scarcely believe my luck but just yesterday I came across a couple of bottles of '85 Warre's selling for C$37!!! The labels were a bit shopworn but who cares.

Mahmoud.

Post by **Roy Hersh** » Mon Oct 17, 2011 11:29 pm

Mahmoud,

That sounds like a well-reasoned strategy for buying Ports. Shop well and make sure your first question is provenance before you ask for the price.

Good post

Post by **Andy Velebil** » Tue Oct 18, 2011 6:56 am

Mahmoud Ali wrote:Well Andy, you won't believe this and I can scarcely believe my luck but just yesterday I came across a couple of bottles of '85 Warre's selling for C$37!!! The labels were a bit shopworn but who cares.

Mahmoud.

Killer price!

Jay Hack · Post by **Jay Hack** » Fri Oct 21, 2011 1:49 pm

In response to the original question - - - Yes. I have a bunch of '94s and people insist I should not open them for fear of infanticide.If that analysis is correct, then the soon to be hyped 2011s will be ready for drinking at about the time of my 80th Birthday. 90th? I'd rather back fill older vintages. I am holding a bottle of 1997 Nacional and I hope it will be ready for my 65th Birthday in 5 years but I have my doubts.

Post by **Andy Velebil** » Sat Oct 22, 2011 6:23 am

Jay Hack wrote:I am holding a bottle of 1997 Nacional and I hope it will be ready for my 65th Birthday in 5 years but I have my doubts.

It may not be "mature" but it will be drinkable anytime you open it

Post by **Roy Hersh** » Sat Oct 22, 2011 11:30 am

To be honest, I wouldn't touch it before 2017 when it turns 20. It is ridiculously young now and won't mature much during that extra 5 years, but it just seems like a great time to open a Nacional like that when you turn 70. As long as you are still planning to be around, it will be a drop closer to having shed some of its baby fat. If you love the 1997 Noval which is probably the best regular bottling of Port from that vintage, the Nacional is even richer and is showing even younger, like Taylor's Vargellas Vinha Velha too. 1997 was under-appreciated and some great buys can still be found. As Andy alluded to, even next year there would be plenty to love about the '97 Nacional, however, if you are willing to gamble, I'd wait another five years.

For The Love Of Port

As you grow older, do you shy away from purchasing new Vintages of Port wine?

Re: As you grow older, do you shy away from purchasing new Vintages of Port wine?

Re: As you grow older, do you shy away from purchasing new Vintages of Port wine?

Re: As you grow older, do you shy away from purchasing new Vintages of Port wine?

Re: As you grow older, do you shy away from purchasing new Vintages of Port wine?

Re: As you grow older, do you shy away from purchasing new Vintages of Port wine?

Re: As you grow older, do you shy away from purchasing new Vintages of Port wine?

Re: As you grow older, do you shy away from purchasing new Vintages of Port wine?

Re: As you grow older, do you shy away from purchasing new Vintages of Port wine?