Do you own any Ports that you consider too valuable to drink?

[Michael T]

I don't have a bottle that comes close to what you are asking here but I have had the same discussion on a Bourbon forum I am on. My take is if you never intend to open it then it might as well be filled with water, you will never know the difference.

[Eric Menchen]

I don't have a bottle that comes close to what you are asking here but I have had the same discussion on a Bourbon forum I am on. My take is if you never intend to open it then it might as well be filled with water, you will never know the difference.

You could have it solely as an investment, in which case someone someday might notice the difference.

[Moses Botbol]

I drink most of my better bottles at friends' houses. They must own at least 20 IDVP's as a mandate for 1970 and older.

[Al B.]

I drink most of my better bottles at friends' houses. They must own at least 20 IDVP's as a mandate for 1970 and older.

I love that thought on how to judge whether a friend will appreciate a good bottle of mature port. Especially since I just added 20 stems to my collection for £2 from a local charity shop.

[Joseph Phillips]

I cannot fathom thinking that way. I do appreciate those who have wimped out and did not drink their older ports/madeiras/wines as they then end up at auction and back into circulation. I never have more than a few hundred items in the cellar as I do not believe in hoarding them (I do agree with those who mention infanticide-so those few young ones are waited on patiently-but the death certificate has already been signed). The majority of those that I think are really rare/old/special are drunk with a few friends who are those who have passed the test (ie: have shared very good bottles from their own collections) or they are bought for a specific special occasion. One can always figure out how to come up with more money to buy a special port/etc but a special bottle is often much much harder to come by-and must be pounced upon and then eventually liberated from the bottle, in my mind within a few years of purchase. Many things can be looked at as appreciating investments-I never want my wine/port/maderia to fall into that consideration. Life is too short and there are still too many bottle contents to liberate-and enjoy.

[Andy Velebil]

I cannot fathom thinking that way. I do appreciate those who have wimped out and did not drink their older ports/madeiras/wines as they then end up at auction and back into circulation. I never have more than a few hundred items in the cellar as I do not believe in hoarding them (I do agree with those who mention infanticide-so those few young ones are waited on patiently-but the death certificate has already been signed). The majority of those that I think are really rare/old/special are drunk with a few friends who are those who have passed the test (ie: have shared very good bottles from their own collections) or they are bought for a specific special occasion. One can always figure out how to come up with more money to buy a special port/etc but a special bottle is often much much harder to come by-and must be pounced upon and then eventually liberated from the bottle, in my mind within a few years of purchase. Many things can be looked at as appreciating investments-I never want my wine/port/maderia to fall into that consideration. Life is too short and there are still too many bottle contents to liberate-and enjoy.

Well said!

I have no desire to sell any of my bottles (I've never done so yet). I prefer to share my bottles among friends who will also enjoy them and if I don't drink them all before I die, to pass them on to someone who will appreciate them and also not sell them.

[Allan Engelsted Laurents]

One can always figure out how to come up with more money to buy a special port

I Think I understand Roys question about "the" speciel bottle, You just find to difficult to open.
Most of You has read the great Book on Port from Henrik Oldenburg. I brought the book To my dying friend (the winemerchant), and read the part where Niepoorts where Described. I read about the bottle from Dirks birthyear 1927 bottled from father to son, not sold in winestores, But only given to friends of the house.
The old man (94 years of age) looked at me and said': "MacAllan, I have one of those bottle, don't I".
And yes he had, given to him in the late 1970s directly from the hand of Eduard Van der Niepoort.

And that bottle is know in my possession. I know I have to plan when to open it. Maby in 2027 on my friends birthsday.
And I am sure, the bottle will eventially get drunk. But, easy to crack open...not exactely.

All the best from MacAllan

[Roy Hersh]

Allan,

Dirk's father's birth year was 1927 ... Rolf, a great year indeed. Not many of those bottles still around, nonetheless, you can't take 'em with you!

[Allan Engelsted Laurents]

Roy, ofcourse.....Dirk is still a Young man, from 1964. I know, I just Got exited.

I will let You know when I open the Ni27 Colheita. And I will try to describe the taste Well enough, so You would have wished Beeing in Denmark

Cheers
allan

[Andy Velebil]

Roy, ofcourse.....Dirk is still a Young man, from 1964. I know, I just Got exited.

I will let You know when I open the Ni27 Colheita. And I will try to describe the taste Well enough, so You would have wished Beeing in Denmark

Cheers
allan

If you see a figure at your door who looks like the guy below and he's holding a small Port glass in his hand. Do not open the door. Lock all windows, lock the cellar, get your shotgun, and call the police. Otherwise, you won't have a full cellar anymore

[Allan Engelsted Laurents]

I Think You are wrong Andy! The guy on the picture must be Roys twinbrother. The real Roy would carry a much larger glass with him

AEL