For The Love Of Port

So when I was in Portugal a few years ago I noticed these were cheap. I also think I remember this not being the greatest of vintages. Either way I was born then and so was my wife. What is out there that is reasonably priced and of decent quality now and would possibly last a bit longer? If port isn't the best choice is there a Madiera that might be better. I would love to know what to look for when I get back to Portugal in the near future.

Thanks for the tips...

I've tasted the Taylor and the Croft from '75 (both only once) - I enjoyed the Croft the most, a nice mature if very light VP. The Taylor was light as well, but much simpler, very hot on the palate and way over the hill.

Under normal conditions, 1975 would have NEVER been declared. Period. But in 1974, there was a Socialist revolution in Portugal and a number of industries were nationalized in the aftermath. Rumours were rampant that the Socialist government was going to nationalize the Port trade -- the state already owned the company that produced Royal Oporto -- and many Brits "panicked" and declared 1975 as "the last chance" they would have to get some profits out of Portugal . . .

The wines were never great. The best of the 1975s were okay-to-good, at best.

Cheers,
Jason

Sorry Jason, but the revolution theory is a great urban myth.

By the time the shippers made a declaration on the 75's it was '77, by when the revolution was firmly in the history books, with the dire threats lifted. If the revolution had inspired a bogus declaration, it would have been for the 73's or 74's.

The truth is that from 71 to 74 the Douro growers had a run of lousy years and there was a need for a vintage declaration.

In fact the 75's provided some very good drinking in the short term, but the wines didn't have the legs to go 30 years or more.

i've just had a grahams from that year the best for that vintage in my opinion full of fruit to be honest that one will keep another ten

Interesting comment Simon,

It is possible that this year has been written off too quickly - "too much knowledge" - is a phrase that comes to mind!

I don't have any 75's in my cellar to try now, and whilst I am not good at collating my notes, the phrase "fading gracefully" sticks in my mind.

Perhaps at 30years, this vintage deserves a fairer hearing

Tom I opened a bottle of Taylors 1980 after the Grahams 75 expecting the Grahams to be overshadowed quite the reverse and all those in attendance agreed.

So what I'm hearing is don't stock up! But that the Grahams might offer pleasant drinking the next couple of years?

I know this is the port forum but nay madiera suggestions for the vintage?

I recently picked up a case of Taylor's '75 at auction and I have been quite impressed. Although light and advanced for the age (to look at it, it might pass for a '60) I thought it had a lovely balanced flavour, reminiscent of an older Warre, and certainly had the legs to last another decade. Also it is probably the youngest, cheapest v. port I have ever had (it worked out with premium tax etc. at about USD38 per bottle)* that had acquired that lovely ethereal taste and bouquet that only older ports have usually attained. If I can get another case for this price I'll buy one.

I usually rely on Broadbent's port notes, as I tend to agree with 80% of his views, and he suggests the Taylor's is the only mainstream 75 worth having. However, it is interesting see views on the others - I must try them.

*NB my post on the '03 pricing: Taylor '03 - USD72 (duty paid in the UK), Taylor '75 USD38 (duty paid in the UK). Hmmmm! I note the points on being sure of the provenance etc. However, the catalogue said my '75 came from, if I recall correctly, "a country house cellar in the midlands"? Could have come from anywhere but it was in perfect condition, as is 95% of port I get at auction.

Stuart, your comparison with the '60's is interesting.

The '60 vintage also came after four poor years, and by the spring of '62 when the declaration was made, it would have been apparent that the '61's were not going to be better.

The resulting vintage was relatively lightweight, but ultimately well received.

In the spring of '77 it was clear that the '76 was not going to be a better year than '75, and although '77 came up trumps, the weather in the preceding winter and spring did not raise many hopes.

So the shippers faced a dilemma - risk going eight or more years between vintages, or pin their hopes on "getting lucky" as they had with the 60's.

But how good are the 75's now? There is only one way to find out!

Peter Wylie has some Dow '75 in stock at £23/bottle (+VAT) I've ordered three bottles and will open one as soon as it's had a day or two to settle down.

Will share if anyone's around!

Wish I could make it up to try some with you. Let us know how it is.

Do report back on the Dow '75. Of all the '75s it crops up most often but I've always passed it up so far. It has always been priced at least similar to Taylor, if not lower. So long as it's not not gone over and is of fair-to-middling quality, there can be bo loss in having a case for "every day drinking" as I call it.

Strange, I always thought Fonseca was generally considered the wine of the vintage, but no one mentions it here. Had one last night that was still doing quite well. Always light, always charming. I was glad I picked up a few recently.

I've enjoyed the Graham's, but I haven't had one in 5 or 6 years. How does it generally compare?

Stuart the Grahams was full bodied quite deep colour youthful full berried
but with that smooth silky finish that comes with a good aged port.

Opened up a bottle of Sandemans a few days ago. Pale, I've had roses darker than this. Decent tipple, definitely port but more remenicent of a good 10 year old tawny. Hmmmm, a 30 year old vintage tasting like a 10 year old tawny. :?

When I tried the Dow '75 there was a distinct tawny hue - so much so that I poured a glass of Warre's 10 yr Otima to compare.

But the Dow looked, smelt and tasted far superior to the tawny.

I had a discussion with Sean C. this morning about 1975s and felt that since I have seen more TNs and know of our FTLOP member's TNs on VPs from 1975 and much more experience with them since this was around, it might be interesting to revisit this vintage in terms of a discussion from your more recent experiences.

http://www.catavino.net/2008/01/08/birth-year-wines/

I finally had a 1975...not in the best condition but very nice. If you click the image at the top of my story you can see the condition of the cork.

'75 Croft is worth picking up if you get for a good price. Isn't there a '75 Grahams too?

The '75 Grahams is pretty good and the best of the few '75's I've had ...Croft is in second place for me. Although both were very light they drink well now ..I just don't think they will last another 20 years!