Like Gary, I think the most precious bottle I have is the first notable one that I bought - a 1970 Martinez VP. Sure, I bought other bottles before that one, but it (and a 1977 Royal Oporto purchased at the same time) was the first bottle I purchased to store and drink later. So far, later hasn't arrived.
1961 Noval Crusted (drank it Friday, by coincidence). I'm born in 1961 and that's not a good year for VPs so that is likely to be a one time opportunity. Odd, noticed the cork said 1961 Vintage (not crusted)--wonder if there is a story there. Its the only port I've ever saved the empty from.
Darn. We should have cracked one open back in October when we were virtually almost all together. That's ok, if we can ever convince you guys to come stateside, I'd be more than happy to open one of these ... or two.
It would have to be the '77 Fonseca, autographed by Bruce Guimaraens here in Edmonton. A lovely man and a wonderful and entertaining tutored tasting of Fonseca ports. He declared the 2000 vintage at the tasting and we all enjoyed samples of it. Therefore my 2000 Fonseca also has a bit of sentimentality attached to them.
As an aside, after the tasting, we discovered that Bruce's younger son (not the one who took over wine-making duties) was on the same six month truck tour across Africa that my partner was on many years previously. Small world.
Thank you Paulette for giving me the idea of bringing the bottle to the tasting.
Al B. wrote:Some magnums of 2006 Vesuvio - the first year in which I helped to tread grapes and the first large format bottles I bought.
No surprise for some, as this is mine as well for the same reason. And it was when I met some from the Forum and friends we've become. Good thing I have more than one of these :)