For The Love Of Port

It was my birthday on the weekend just gone. I opened a wonderful bottle of Croft 1963 and also a half bottle of Quinta de la Rosa Tonnix 2014 LBV. The former was one of the best bottles of this I have had; the latter was everything you would want from a young LBV, full of round and soft berry fruit.

2002 Warres LBV..... still very primary, a fruit bomb. The quality of their LBVs is amazing.

A 2003 Quevedo LBV last night. Still a youngster with a good decade plus ahead of it.

Andy Velebil wrote:A 2003 Quevedo LBV last night. Still a youngster with a good decade plus ahead of it.

The better LBVs Are getting closer to SQVPs.

John M. wrote:

Andy Velebil wrote:A 2003 Quevedo LBV last night. Still a youngster with a good decade plus ahead of it.

The better LBVs Are getting closer to SQVPs.

Yes they are.

1966 Porto Rocha Colheita in a 375ml bottle. I believe it was from a buying op, but can't remember which one. Very nice Port, and lovely to drink while writing an article for the FTLOP Newsletter.

1985 Royal Oporto.
Purchased early 90’s at a sale. Lovely with mellow tannins, blackberry and black cherry. A pleasant surprise as my 85’s have been a mixed bunch.
Have a great week!
Andrew

Fonseca '75

Very Fonseca in character, although nothing like as intense as previous vintages. Aging very nicely now and gaining great elegance 7-7

Rebello Valente '70

The great thing about '70 is the way second division and even also-ran wines are showing really well now. There are very few weaklings from this vintage. This one is a little light in colour, but delicate on the nose and real class on the palate - a delight 7-6

Last night Tom des Brisay opened a 1985 Fonseca with a fairly limited decant. It showed beautifully. A 1941 Kopke Colheita was then opened by Lisa. While I opened neither, (I had supplied 3 bottles ... one a magnum, for the dinner) The Kopke was really incredible and it was very difficult to choose which provided greater pleasure, but nonethless, a stellar night for Ports after dinner.

Rocha Over 40 year old.

2005 Churchill LBV. Decanted 12 hours and all I tasted last night was lots of alcohol. The color was a nice dark red and it smelled great, but the taste didn't come close to matching those attributes. Right now I'd give it an 85. We'll see if it improves at all by tonight.

Pacheca 2013 LBV. a bit nutty and very nice

Warre '91

Very closed and sullen for first two days after decant, but opened up as I neared the end of the decanter on day three. Even then, no big wow factor. However, this wine has some depth and concentration so might just blossom, given time. Score? - with optimism, 2-5

Graham's 20 yo Tawny. The '05 Churchill LBV that I opened and tried last night was even worse tonight. I wanted something, but didn't want to decant, so I opened this. Good, not great, but it hits the spot.

Mike J. W. wrote:Graham's 20 yo Tawny.

How do you like the Graham's 20?

Moses Botbol wrote:

Mike J. W. wrote:Graham's 20 yo Tawny.

How do you like the Graham's 20?

It's decent. Not a great 20 year old but quite drinkable. What's your favorite 20 year old Tawny?
If you haven't had a Pacheca 20 year old, I highly recommend it.

Kopke Colheita 1957
A very different animal from all the other Kopke Colheitas I’ve had. More subtle and vegetal than I expected.

2001 Graham’s Quinta dos Malvedos VP. 1/2 bottle. 9 hr decant was perfect. Still youthful and tasty

1980 Grahams Vintage Port. Was super sweet and delicious at pop and pour. Later 6-7 hours later on it was just solid, not terrific, but enjoyable none-the-less.

Offley '66

This is, with little doubt, the best Offley for current drinking. Still moderately tannic, so nowhere near over the hill, beautifully complex, rich and full.

The perfect 10 and good to stay that way. Score 10-10