For The Love Of Port

Lamont Huxley wrote:

Andy Velebil wrote:

Lamont Huxley wrote:
1x 1995 Offley Boa Vista VP ($17.99)
1x 1995 Quinta do Infantado VP ($17.99)
1x 1997 Quinta do Eira Velha VP ($25.99)
2x 2004 Royal Oporto VP 375ml ($9.99 ea)

This last bunch were so affordable I'm planning to sample all of them soon and see if any are worth stocking up on.

No kidding those are cheap. After you try them (and get your own stash) please let the rest of us know if we should stock up too

Will do Andy. I'll post my notes in the TN forum as I taste through these. Knowing myself, this won't take long...

Well, unfortunately, the first 3 VPs (Offley, Infantado and Eira Velha) were all in poor condition. All three had rotten corks that crumbled into the bottle and came off as tired and cooked when tasted. I posted notes on the Infantado, which was the only drinkable one, but removed my score after deciding the bottle was definitely not in good condition. I certainly won't trust buying any older VPs from this store again.

However, the 04 Royal Oporto was surprisingly good and I'll be going back for a few more of those 375s. I posted my notes on that one in the TN forum as well.

Derek T. wrote:3 (leaky) bottles of Taylor 1955 for £22 each

I'd gamble £22 for a leaky 1955 Taylor. If just one of them is good you got a deal.

Eric Menchen wrote:

Derek T. wrote:3 (leaky) bottles of Taylor 1955 for £22 each

I'd gamble £22 for a leaky 1955 Taylor. If just one of them is good you got a deal.

Derek T. wrote:3 (leaky) bottles of Taylor 1955 for £22 each

To be shared with friends, I hope.

Should we compare the T55 with a D65 to see what a difference 10 years of bottle age can make?

Oh yes, my latest purchase was a bottle of Dow 1965 colheita to be shared with a certain port fanatic who was born in the same year.

Al B. wrote:

Derek T. wrote:3 (leaky) bottles of Taylor 1955 for £22 each

To be shared with friends, I hope.

Should we compare the T55 with a D65 to see what a difference 10 years of bottle age can make?

Oh yes, my latest purchase was a bottle of Dow 1965 colheita to be shared with a certain port fanatic who was born in the same year.

This looks like a win-win situation

Purchased a single 1997 Quinta do Noval. I tried for more and told Glenn about the listing, but it turns out two other bottles they thought they had were in fact Quinta do Noval Silval.

Burmester VP 2007 $45
Tatlor Fladgate VP 2007 $90
Grahams VP 2007 $70
Dows VP 2007 $60
Castelinho VP 1997 $35
Warre's Warrior $13
Croft Distinction $16
Fonseca LBV, Unfileterd 2003 $18

All single bottle purchases as part of a mixed case.

Eric Menchen wrote:Purchased a single 1997 Quinta do Noval. I tried for more and told Glenn about the listing, but it turns out two other bottles they thought they had were in fact Quinta do Noval Silval.

Bummer! Well at least you got one... that was an amazing price!

When you first told me about it I figured the whole thing was a mis-labeled Silval listing, but then I saw that they also had a Silval listing so I got all excited that you'd found a real steal!

1x 1985 Fonseca VP ($53)
1x 1994 Graham's VP ($47)
2x 1994 Taylor Fladgate VP ($93.75 each)
18x 2000 Delaforce VP ($24 each)

The Delaforce was shipped from City Wine Cellar (some will be given as gifts, some to drink now, some to hold). The others I bought through Craigslist from someone needing to liquidate his collection; I was told they were stored in a 500 bottle cellar (hopefully true!).

Lester Lee wrote:... The others I bought through Craigslist from someone needing to liquidate his collection; I was told they were stored in a 500 bottle cellar (hopefully true!).

If you hadn't told us I was going to ask where you got those, as those are some great prices. I'm on the hunt for 1994 Taylor for less than $100 per bottle. I've had a few in my sights but not made the kill. Maybe a case will come up at auction and that will be my first case purchase? I'm crossing my fingers.

I was just notified that my commercial storage faclity is picking up my winning auction lot of 17 bottles of 1994 ports; 8 Quintoa do Vesuvio, 5 Grahams and 4 Martinez. With commission I paid $786.50 (46,26 per bottle).
I was watching an on-line auction and at this price I could not pass up this lot of port as 1994 was a birth year for my daughter. Hope she will like port as I keep accumulating bottles for her.

I also purchased a 3 pack of Taylor Quinta de Vargellas Vinha Velha "07 @ $156.00 per btl w delivery.
Heard so much about the VV and the price made me do it. I hope to live long enough to try when it is somewhat mature. This will be my only '07 purchase.

Nice pickup Jon. Those Vesuvios are wonderful, and I've readily paid $60-70 for them. The Graham's is nice and goes for around $80. I bought some of that Martinez for a steal at $32 each, but they go for much more. I'd suggest opening them first, as my note here suggests.

Currently looking at a mag of 1997 Fonseca. Is $153 a decent price? It's been a while since I shopped around.

David M. Bueker wrote:Currently looking at a mag of 1997 Fonseca. Is $153 a decent price? It's been a while since I shopped around.

Not really, no. There are several listings for magnums of 1997 Fonseca on wine-searcher.com that are lower, including one at $120 (but you need the Pro version to see that particular listing).

It's not a horrible price, though, particularly if you include shipping charges (approx $15) in the wine-searcher listings. So if it is a retail store that you like to support and you're not going to get dinged by sales tax, go for it!

And AIW had that Fonseca Mag for $120 as well, as listed here. I don't know if they still have them, however.

2x Ramos 20 yr Quinta do Bom Retiro @ $57
2x Dow 2003 LBV @ $61 (edit: should have been 2003 VP)
(Restaurant purchases)

I wouldn't mind decant time advice on these. Or cellaring advice on the Dow LBV.

Peter W. Meek wrote:2x Ramos 20 yr @ $57
2x Dow 2003 LBV @ $61
(Restaurant purchases)

I wouldn't mind decant time advice on these. Or cellaring advice on the Dow LBV.

For a restuarant, a good price on the Ramos. But on the cost of the Dow LBV!!!

Two 2003 Dows LBV for $19 per. Drank one with two friends watching USA-Canada hockey. I opened it 5 hours prior to getting together. Color very dense and dark. Nice nose-smooth on the tongue and a slightly tight aftertaste. I've had the 2001 and 2004 as well with simialr results. Key is they have to be opened awhile (4 hours at a minimum, preferable a day) other wise they're hot. But, for a cheap date it's a nice way to enjoy.

Opened the second one Monday and have been tasting daily. Holding up decently, seemed best after 2-3 days

Sorry; mistake; should have been 2x Dow 2003 VP @ $61

Peter W. Meek wrote:2x Ramos 20 yr @ $57
2x Dow 2003 LBV @ $61 (edit: should have been 2003 VP)
(Restaurant purchases)

I wouldn't mind decant time advice on these. Or cellaring advice on the Dow LBV.

I usually drink the Ramos Pinto 20-year old with no decant time, but an hour or three wouldn't hurt. It lasts quite well once opened and to my palate is often best on day 2 or 3 before getting a little funky for a couple of days, and is then excellent again starting around day 7.

I haven't had the 2003 Dow VP, but anything that young could probably use 8 hours in the decanter before you start drinking it.