For The Love Of Port

Edward J wrote:

Andy Velebil wrote: ↑Sun Jul 28, 2024 8:26 pm

Mike J. W. wrote: Where did you find it, Andy? And if you don't mind saying, how much did you pay for it all in? Is the bottle in relatively decent shape? That should be an interesting bottle when it's opened. Hopefully it shows well.

A local auction for $386 all in. Not cheap but not expensive given its age and rarity. Fill is into the neck and appears well stored with a branded wax top. I looked at it very very closely and don’t see any bad signs. I do know the port was made and sold (Thanks to Julian’s book) so know it does exist.

As I was checking my local auction house I perused a 1940 Sandeman Vintage Port, ending the 10th, no current bids, starting at $325. Bottle appears in good condition and a low neck fill. Of more interest to me are the 2 bottles of the '63 that is also up for bid, currently $350.

Haven’t opened the ‘40 yet. But worth the gamble compared to the ‘63s. The older Sandemans usually show quite well

Not a purchase but a long waiting arrival. Finally got my (our) DR Ports from the Dec 2023 buying op (cool enough to ship). Exciting as a Birthday IMHO!! Beautiful bottles---excited to open one.

From the UK, my 2nd purchase of VP since living in Porto.

The first was a near-perfect bottle of 1955 Sandeman, opened at the Confraria dinner @ the Sandeman table with George/Eduarda Sandeman present and a handful of FTLOPers and others at the table.

Also in June for a diff. UK source, a bottle of 1960 Sandeman VP. This one was a great buy, but it was sent to PT Customs and stayed there until last week. Terrible experience and had to pay 104 Euros for custom's clearance, which must have been paid as part of the selling price of the 1955. This 1960 looks like a great fill level, original label, but that was not in great shape. Anyway, finger crossed. This is my brother's birth year, so likely will hold onto this bottle for his next visit, or Thanksgiving 2025.

Finally tracked down some Ports from two sources, one here in PT and the other in the USA. Total haul was small:

2 x 1960 Krohn Colheitas

5 x 1961 Krohn Colheitas

It was a very good day. I almost fell off my chair at the prices.

Good things to share in the future!

One of the guys I purchased 4 of the 5 1961's from, told me he originally had 48 bottles, now only 4 left.

Roy Hersh wrote: ↑Tue Oct 29, 2024 2:33 pm 2 x 1960 Krohn Colheitas
5 x 1961 Krohn Colheitas

Well done!!!

Some interesting Ports have come up at retail recently. Over the last month I've bought bottles of Quinta do Noval 1960, Rebello Valente 1963, Berry Brothers Own Selection 1966 and Berry Brothers Own Selection 1983. All came from the same single owner cellar and all have been stored in the same cellar since being shipped and bottled.

I'm not buying much these days, but these were really interesting bottles given their provenance.

EUR is tanking and should continue to tank.

Decent summary of why: https://x.com/BobEUnlimited/status/1859935419649167744

Expect EUR/USD parity again soon and cheap Port imports!

1955 and 1960 Sandeman VPs.

1994 Quinta do Vesuvio in OWC and pristine condition.

1982 Krohn Colheitas.

1970 Niepoort VP, in the taller bottle version.

1900 RCV (Royal Oporto) Colheita.

Managed to get a case of 1994 Quinta do Vesuvio last week at auction. With it, also got a case of 1996 Malvedos.
Will open one of the Vesuvio tomorrow!

John SHA wrote:Managed to get a case of 1994 Quinta do Vesuvio last week at auction. With it, also got a case of 1996 Malvedos.
Will open one of the Vesuvio tomorrow!

Nice catch!

I told myself I wouldn't buy full cases anymore and stick to 6pks but... I made an exception today.

Bought 12x 2003 Smith Woodhouse VP for a modest $280 + BP, tax free and can pick it up locally.

Being a SW, having one every 3 years for the next 36 years sounds like a plan. Opening one right away, I'd be 68 for the last bottle.

12x Poças Bonificador (to share with two friends).
We were very lucky, I guess, as Poças doesn't offer them for sale anymore on their website after our purchase... Out of stock?

A.S. Demka wrote: ↑Sat Dec 14, 2024 11:24 am 12x Poças Bonificador (to share with two friends).
We were very lucky, I guess, as Poças doesn't offer them for sale anymore on their website after our purchase... Out of stock?

That's a really nice score. Those Bonficador are delicious and drink well above their supposed age (25 years). I knew they were a limited edition, but I was toying with buying a half dozen after the new year. I'll have to hope they release some more. Enjoy!

Mike J. W. wrote: ↑Sat Dec 14, 2024 6:08 pm

A.S. Demka wrote: ↑Sat Dec 14, 2024 11:24 am 12x Poças Bonificador (to share with two friends).
We were very lucky, I guess, as Poças doesn't offer them for sale anymore on their website after our purchase... Out of stock?

That's a really nice score. Those Bonficador are delicious and drink well above their supposed age (25 years). I knew they were a limited edition, but I was toying with buying a half dozen after the new year. I'll have to hope they release some more. Enjoy!

Thanks! And if you ever come to The Netherlands, I'd be happy to share a bottle with you

1 x 1967 Miguels Colheita (bottled 2017). I read on the other forum that this might be a bottling by a member of the Messias family, possibly using the family stocks.

A case of magnums of 1985 Croft.

Eric Ifune wrote:A case of magnums of 1985 Croft.

Odd one, not seen much. I can’t recall it being a great VP, but may be mistaken. Why the purchase?

1 x 2003 Pocas Colheita
2 x Pocas Bonficador

The 2 Bonficador are the last bottles that Pocas has in their warehouse. I had contacted Pocas directly after A.S. Demka had said he had bought the last 6 bottles that Pocas had for sale. I asked them if they were planning to release any more bottles in the future and Customer Service replied that they did not know, but they did have 1 bottle on display in their tasting room. I told them I would buy it. Then they came back and said the warehouse had found another bottle in storage and I told them I would buy that as well. The 2003 Colheita was bought because the shipping cost was the same for 1 to 3 bottles, so why not? I will now have 4 of the Bonficador's (I had drank one previously) when these two arrive. They're delicious and they are a great QPR!

1934 Fonseca VP