For The Love Of Port

I waited up for this one, as it is always on April 23rd. Yes, I am crazy.

Read about their full on 2016 declaration, making 2016 unquestionably a "generally declared" Vintage Port Year.

Here is the link, although there was also an accompanying email about this news:

https://www.taylor.pt/us

Nice! Now starts the long one year waiting to see if they will declare 2 years in a row!

Frederick Blais wrote:Nice! Now starts the long one year waiting to see if they will declare 2 years in a row!

Want to make a friendly wager?

Thomas V wrote:

Frederick Blais wrote:Nice! Now starts the long one year waiting to see if they will declare 2 years in a row!

Want to make a friendly wager?

I'll take the "no" bet. What odds?

Considering the seemingly extraordinary quality of 2017, I'd agree with Eric, that the "no" bet, is the smart bet. That being said, those that declared 2015 and then declare the 2017 too, may be even smarter. We shall see, as there are only two other possibilities in the decade. Will either one be better than 2017's? Time will tell.

After all, there are not too many general declarations ending in "8" or "9" ... so how will this all effect the 3x per decade mantra if only 2011 and 2016 are generally declared? Tradition seems to be holding strong, so let's see how it all pans out.

So many questions ...

For now, let's get excited to try 2016's. I am going to PT from the middle of May to the early part of July, to ensure I get to taste early and often and widely!

Eric Menchen wrote:

Thomas V wrote:

Frederick Blais wrote:Nice! Now starts the long one year waiting to see if they will declare 2 years in a row!

Want to make a friendly wager?

I'll take the "no" bet. What odds?

I'll bite. How about a nice bottle of VP from either 77' or 87? Would seem appropriate. The catch being that we will have to meet up in Porto to share it!

Roy Hersh wrote:After all, there are not too many general declarations ending in "8" or "9" ... so how will this all effect the 3x per decade mantra if only 2011 and 2016 are generally declared? Tradition seems to be holding strong, so let's see how it all pans out.

And you don't consider 2015 generally declared when more than 40 houses made a vintage port including major houses like Niepoort, Cockburn's, Ramos Pinto, Noval and Romaneira?

It don't think a general declaration should come down to if TFP or SFE decides to declare. In my book that is passé especially with so many houses producing great VP it just does not seem right.

Thomas V wrote:I'll bite. How about a nice bottle of VP from either 77' or 87? Would seem appropriate. The catch being that we will have to meet up in Porto to share it!

I was thinking 2016 and 2017 VPs (since that's the subject of the bet), but '77 or '87 can work.

Thomas V wrote:It don't think a general declaration should come down to if TFP or SFE decides to declare. In my book that is passé especially with so many houses producing great VP it just does not seem right.

I see your point. Certainly there are great VPs made in these non-generally-declared years. On the other hand, the idea of a "General Declaration," is a classical idea, perhaps out-of-date, but tied to those classical brands. I think you need them for a "General Declaration."

Eric Menchen wrote:

Thomas V wrote:It don't think a general declaration should come down to if TFP or SFE decides to declare. In my book that is passé especially with so many houses producing great VP it just does not seem right.

I see your point. Certainly there are great CPs made in these non-generally-declared years. On the other hand, the idea of a "General Declaration," is a classical idea, perhaps out-of-date, but tied to those classical brands. I think you need them for a "General Declaration."

Here's tossing some fuel into the fire. The "Classic Declaration" as we know it today is a relatively new thing that didn't happen until well after WW2. Prior to that producers generally declared as they saw fit, much more in line with what we are seeing today. So there isn't a "long tradition" of it, in a sense.

Thomas V. wrote:

And you don't consider 2015 generally declared when more than 40 houses made a vintage port including major houses like Niepoort, Cockburn's, Ramos Pinto, Noval and Romaneira?

To be more precise, there were 76 2015 VP's that were approved by the IVDP. That doesn't mean they were all released, as I know one that certainly wasn't. That being said, NO I do not consider 2015 a general declaration. While you mention a few names of Port shippers that did declare 2015, there will likely be quite a few more in 2016, but that really is not the point.

The Port producers have accepted (for now) that both TFP and SFE must both declare the same vintage, in order for a general declaration or "classic declaration" (those terms are both still used by the Port trade, "general" is more traditional, historically speaking, and "classic" now interchangeable for about the past decade") to be made. It has nothing to do with what I consider. What very few of you know about or have ever attended, is that when a general declaration does happen, the Confraria do Vinho do Porto, holds a declaration party, which kind of makes it official ... yet, the Confraria (established 1982) doesn't make the actual "declaration decision" at all; they also use the UNofficial SFE & TFP "rule of thumb" that is recognized by the trade, to this day. This is a crazy day if you ever get the chance to be invited to this event. Amongst MANY other cool features, at the very end of the day, each approved Port, has the owner or winemaker show up and they dump a full bottle of their new vintage into a massive 5-6 foot tall Port glass. As a quick aside and as crazy as this sounds, nobody tastes this prior to pouring their bottle in and the question remains: What if just one of the 50+ Ports that has been approved by the (early day that this event takes place) is CORKED???

But I digress. After all approved Ports have been poured into the glass, it is mixed and then batches are removed and in the back of the room, glasses are poured for every attendee and a toast to that vintage/harvest is made by all -- with fanfare, musical accompaniment and the Chancellaria of the Confraria, all in attendance. It is really something to witness. From this community, there were several in attendance in 2013, when the 2011 declaration party took place. Uncle Tom was there and he can attest to the above; plus other journos/bloggers and a handful of less well known folks who do post here ... but rarely nowadays.

It don't think a general declaration should come down to if TFP or SFE decides to declare. In my book that is passé especially with so many houses producing great VP it just does not seem right.

With all due respect Thomas, and not to be snide or rude ... but your book (nor my opinion) doesn't count. And you are actually incorrect in saying: "that is passé" ... this is not about quantity or our opinions. In fact, I have wondered if it would still be considered a general declaration IF ONLY the SFE and TFP declared.

That almost happened with 2015's ... in reverse. Yes, the vast majority of mid-sized and single quinta producers, along with one or two larger names did declare and released their 2015 Vintage Ports. However, in addition to the two aforementioned British firms, Sogevinus and Sogrape ... two major Port and Douro wine companies, with multiple Port shippers in their portfolios ... refrained from declaring 2015, except with their SQVPs.

The oddest thing about this declaration (so far..) is the absence of the tradition of being utterly dismissive towards the following year. '64, '86, '01, '04 & '08 were all decent years that suffered character assassination when the previous one was declared - but '17 is being openly lauded..

I was there too for the 2011 declaration Roy. Yes it is a cool moment to attend.

So when is the big declaration celebration, approximately? And what about this year for 2016?

Eric Menchen wrote:So when is the big declaration celebration, approximately? And what about this year for 2016?

Normally it is at Sao Joao day. around 24th of June.

Frederick Blais wrote:

Eric Menchen wrote:So when is the big declaration celebration, approximately? And what about this year for 2016?

Normally it is at Sao Joao day. around 24th of June.

Excellent! I will be in Porto then. Now I need to figure out how to get to see it ...

that must be an amazing event. especially to taste that blend!

Here are some photos of the 2011 event. Can't say the 2011 full blend was exceptionnal but it's more about the unique moment.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... e112eec6de

And this is why I believe the general declaration rules must change. This kind of event, propaganda, publicity and marketing is definively great for all the Port trade. So if a year like 2015 or 2017 can make better Port for the vast majority of the producers but not 2, then all this amazing display is skipped and the market is left weaker imho.

Can't say the 2011 full blend was exceptionnal

I got to try it and found it surprisingly approachable. Far less overtly tannic than the vast majority of its components.

I've no idea what they did with it after the event..

Tom, I got to swim in it later that night.

Eric Menchen, I don't know about it for this year, but in 2013, it was invitation only. 90% trade and Porto-based retailers, and bloggers and journalists.