For The Love Of Port

I had both the RWC Historic Series Sercial and Verdelho last night. I've had a lot of the Sercial over the years and generally like it, but this was my first time with the Verdelho. I found them both to be much too sweet for what they should be. The Sercial surprised me, as it's always been a drier type.

Has anything been changed with the Sercial? I wouldn't buy either of these wines again based on my experience with these bottles.

I have a bottle of RWC verdelho open now and would agree that it is sweeter than what I have had before. It is still very good, but different. My preference is for the drier versions of verdelho, such as D'Oliveira's 1932.

I haven't had the RWC sercial for a while and will open a bottle next.

I think the Verdelho is my least favorite of the RWC Historic Series.
There are different lots of these. I'm not sure how different they are however. Might be interesting to try different lots side by side.

Eric, soon we shall know the answer to that riddle. My favorites from RWC's Historic Series are still the Bual, Malmsey and Terrantez. I do like the Sercial too.

Yeah Roy, I do like the Bual and the New Orleans Terrantez. I still have one bottle of the first bottling stashed away.

Same here John. I had the new bottling of the New Orleans only once, Mannie sold me a bottle to write one of the 1st tasting notes. But of the 8 bottles from the very earliest bottling (for the auction) that I was able to score, (some sold to me by a friend in NY) I only have 2 left and am guarding them closely. I think it was 2012 the last time I opened one of the oldies. Not sure anymore w/out consulting my notebook(s).

If we are including the inital bottling of the New Orleans, then that would be my favorite. I also like the Boal and Malmsey.

Hi John, try giving both about a week to really open up. Just my own observations, but it seems the blends with a younger 10-15 base mixed with the 50 Tinta negra take longer to express themselves, and don't last as long in the decanter. I've noticed a degradation after week 3, give or take, with prime drinking in the 7-14 day range. I don't notice this same pattern with single vintage bottling's. Good luck!