For The Love Of Port

For someone that knows they like port (1977 Graham's got me started) and Maderia (a bottle from the 1800's got me started), but has not tried many different bottles, what would be the best way to get started? I would love to pick up a few different bottles (or most likely half bottles) to start my collection and to start tasting through and see what I really enjoy. If you had to put together 3-6 bottles as a starter pack, what would it be?

The local shop just sent me a list of Ports they have available. Anything from this list worth picking up?

Grahams Vintage – 2007, 2003
Fonseca Vintage – 1997, 1998, 2003 – LBV 2001
Taylor Fladgate LBV 2003
Dows Vintage – 1991 – LBV 2000, 2003
Presidential Vintage – 1997, 2000
Royal Oporto Vintage – 1994, 2000
Rozie’s Vintage – 1987, 1991
Churchill’s Vintage – 1997, 2000
Quinta do Vesuvio Vintage – 2003
Ramos Pinto Vintage – 1994

Jeff,

That's a pretty good list, so not a bad store. From that list, and of course depending on price, I'd recommend the 2003 and 2007 Graham, 1997 and 2003 Fonseca, 2003 Taylor LBV, and 2003 Vesuvio. I haven't had it, but the 1991 Dow would probably be a good middle-aged VP to try. I have a bottle of the 1994 Ramos Pinto but haven't had a chance to try it yet.

Obviously those are just my picks. I'm sure others will chime in with their favorites as well!

Jeff Allison wrote:The local shop just sent me a list of Ports they have available. Anything from this list worth picking up?

Grahams Vintage – 2007, 2003
Fonseca Vintage – 1997, 1998, 2003 – LBV 2001
Taylor Fladgate LBV 2003
Dows Vintage – 1991 – LBV 2000, 2003
Presidential Vintage – 1997, 2000
Royal Oporto Vintage – 1994, 2000
Rozie’s Vintage – 1987, 1991
Churchill’s Vintage – 1997, 2000
Quinta do Vesuvio Vintage – 2003
Ramos Pinto Vintage – 1994

I don't know what your budget is but that is a very good range of ports to get you started. First off, buy one bottle of each of the LBVs. Those should both be solid ports at a reasonable price. Then buy the Rozes 1987, being the oldest and easily the most mature of the pack. Then buy a 2003 Vesuvio, Graham or Fonseca. Then work your way through the remaining bottles on offer as and when your budget and palate permit

Any other recommendations? will probably be heading there this weekend to pick up a couple bottles.

Others have recommended bottles and I don't disagree with them. So my recommendation is to check prices online before spending too much money in your local shop, if shipping to your state is an option. I purchase bottles locally, but the ones I purchase locally are the ones where the local price is as good as or better than what I can buy them for online. wine-searcher.com is one good starting place.

Eric,

Prices tend to be a little higher up here in North Dakota, but shipping season is now officially over until March. I plan to hit up wine-searcher for avg prices and then hit the store. If they are reasonably priced I'll pick up a couple bottles.

How would you rank the LBV's on the list? I'll probably grab 2 of those since they will be more reasonable and then I'll grab a bottle of vintage if reasonable as well.


Cheers,

Jeff

I like the 2003 Dow's LBV, and think it represents the house style well. I've heard a lot of good things about the 2003 Taylor LBV, so I bought some but haven't tasted it yet. Likewise I haven't tasted the 2001 Fonseca LBV, but given my tasting of a 2000 Fonseca LBV and perception of 2001, that would be last on my list.

I understand the shipping problem. My window is closing fast as well until next spring, and even March isn't viable if my shipment has to cross the Rockies. Buy local stuff you can drink now and think about ordering longer term aging wines in the future.

Don't overlook the Ramos Pinto 1994. That's a nice bottle from a great vintage.

Last night I had a 1983 Ferreira Quinta do Sexio Vintage Port that was drinking very well, and probably at it's peak. It generally can be found at decent prices, so if you're looking for a very good 1980's VP that is ready to go now, this would be one to look for.

Picked up the DOW LBV yesterday for $20. Next bottle with be the Taylor Fladgate 2003 for abut $24.

Question for everyone about storage. All the wines are on a side shelf in the store and as such are stored standing up. How much of an issue will this be with the older bottles? Also, the wins are not in a temp controlled unit, so they have been sitting like this at room temp for some time. How scared should I be to buy these wines?

BTW, the 1991 DOW was in half bottle and was about $25. Worth taking a chance on that?

upright, in direct sunlight, and no temp control = high risk. But it is lower risk for Port, and particularly tawnys and cohleitas, than almost any other wines you could buy.
It certainly is NOT the preference, but for things you are going to drink now to test the waters, if its good, then your fine, if not take back to the store, and they sometimes will refund all or some money back. Do not buy that type of stored wine for anything you want to age for a longer period. The future disappointment is too much to take!

What Russ said. I wouldn't sweat it for the LBV, and for that price I might even risk the Dow, although it isn't a high scorer around here. But I wouldn't spend a lot for an old bottle that had been stored like that for long.

Thanks guys.

Looks like I will have to stick with the LBV's then. The other Ports are fairly expensive compared to what i've seen online.

I've had the Dow's '91 a couple of times in the past and enjoyed it very much. It may not be a classic, but at nearly 20 years of age it's well worth taking a shot on a $25 half bottle to get a feel for a solid VP at a moderate stage of maturity.

Also, the Vesuvio 2003 is one of the best (if not my all time favorite) VPs I've tasted - absolutely stunning stuff. Of course this is just one guys opinion but even if you have to pay a bit of a premium over what you can find it for online I think it's well worth the investment to taste something so awesome. It would also be a perfect candidate to put away for a long time if you're looking to start a cellar...

Just my

Cheers!