A few questions on 1980 Vintage Port

Mike S a i · Post by **Mike S a i** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 1:25 pm

Hello everyone - I'm an avid member of the ebob forums, but this is my first post here.

My birth year is 1980 and I have recently become interested in building a collection of ports from that year. When I started searching, using wine-searcher, I was surprised to find a great number of bottles still available from that vintage. I have read Roy's review on Dow's from that vintage and plan on grabbing a few, but what other producers should I be looking for? There seems to be a lot available from Graham's and Fonseca, amongst others.

Also, how many more years of life can I expect from these wines? I know Port has a long aging curve, but we are talking about wines that are already close to 30 years old.

Thanks,
Mike

Derek T. · Post by **Derek T.** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 1:50 pm

Hi Mike,

Welcome to the world of port

For me there is only one word to describe 1980 - "Dow" - go get some and enjoy a wine that has decades ahead of it.

If I am reading your question correctly I think you need a new benchmark on which to judge the "life" of a wine if you want to understand port. My opinion, based on more than one or two bottles of port (

) is that the lifespan of any bottle of port is more or less infinite. This suff just does not go "off". Yes, it has it's peak time but it will last for decades and give pleasure for more years than you and I will survive on this earth.

This is truley magical juice

Derek

Alan C. · Post by **Alan C.** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 2:48 pm

Hi Mike,

I'd try an pick up the Warres 80 as well. Good standard bearer.

Alan

Post by **Andy Velebil** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 7:24 pm

Alan C. wrote:Hi Mike,

I'd try an pick up the Warres 80 as well. Good standard bearer.

Alan

I second the Dows and Warres '80

Mike S a i · Post by **Mike S a i** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 7:35 pm

Thanks guys. it's good to hear that port basically has an indefinite lifespan. I want to be able to drink it at some 'milestones' later in life.

How about Graham's? There is quite a bit of it available on the market right now.

Thanks,
Mike

Post by **Andy Velebil** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 9:40 pm

Well I wouldn't say "Indefinite" but I like to say that Vintage Port doesn't die, it just slowly fades into a nice tawny

Al B. · Post by **Al B.** » Fri Nov 02, 2007 10:16 am

Mike

I can vote for the Graham '80. I love this port and expect to be able to enjoy it for another 10-30 years.

Alex

Mike S a i · Post by **Mike S a i** » Fri Nov 02, 2007 11:25 am

Andy V. wrote:Well I wouldn't say "Indefinite" but I like to say that Vintage Port doesn't die, it just slowly fades into a nice tawny

That's good to know!

Post by **Roy Hersh** » Fri Nov 02, 2007 2:05 pm

In order of preference my two favorites from 1980 are Dow (as mentioned by Derek) followed by Graham's (mentioned by Andy). You can not go wrong with either one.

Post by **Andy Velebil** » Fri Nov 02, 2007 2:11 pm

Roy, Alex reco'd the Grahams

.

After the offline a couple days ago, i'd also add the 1980 Smith Woodhouse.

Jay Powers · Post by **Jay Powers** » Fri Nov 02, 2007 10:17 pm

In a word, Grahams.

Jay

Al B. · Post by **Al B.** » Sat Nov 03, 2007 4:30 pm

That Smith Woodhouse was quite something, definitely worth a buy if you come across some.

Alex

Post by **Roy Hersh** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 12:48 pm

Mike,

It is great to have you over here too! As I approach 11,000 posts on Port/Madeira (and occasionally other wines too), I spend less and less time over there this year. But that is another story!

Anyway, in addition to the Dow's, which is a no brainer, I'd suggest you seriously grab a hold of the Graham's and Fonseca too, both of which are really very very solid and consistent too. I recently had the Taylor's and also enjoyed it, but feel the other 3 are better.

Mike S a i · Post by **Mike S a i** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 2:24 pm

Roy,

I guess every site has its place/quarks/etc. My cellar is really starting to diversify, and that site deserves a lot of the credit.

I'm just glad that I've taken interest in Port now, instead of trying to do this in 20 years. I'll definitely seek-out the Dow's, Fonseca and Graham's; but I'll probably grab at least a few lesser bottles to round-out the collection.

BTW - I just bought a set of Zwiesel Top Ten dessert stems. I'm looking forward to trying them out with that '53 Royal Oporto!

Richard Henderson · Post by **Richard Henderson** » Fri Nov 09, 2007 2:19 pm

I have enjoyed the 1980 Ferreira very much. Lord Parker gave it an 85 as he did the SW. The highest rating from this vintage he gives is an 87. I think the Ferreira is better than that.
The 1980 was supposed to be a great vintage but quickly faded from favor as the 1983 and 1985 vintages were released.
The 80's were great bargains in the 90's as the other vintages crowded them off the shelves but it is still a decent vintage .

At one time I had SW, Graham's and much more Ferreria but now the only bottle of any 1980 wine I have is a single Ferreira 1980.

nicos neocleous · Post by **nicos neocleous** » Mon Nov 12, 2007 5:03 am

1980 Dow all the way. The Grahams is also pretty good.

John Danza · Post by **John Danza** » Mon Nov 12, 2007 9:25 pm

Hi Mike,

Welcome to the Forum.

There was a virtual tasting of the 1980 vintage back in March. You can find the results in that part of the forum, or just follow this http://www.fortheloveofport.com/ftlopfo ... php?t=2409 to it.

All the best,
John

Moses Botbol · Post by **Moses Botbol** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 5:45 am

Grab al the '80 vintage you can and figure it out later. I have had all the ones mentioned in this thread and they are all solid.