For The Love Of Port

Hi,

I bought a Vintage 1980 Barros and the bottle seems to be altered. Fortunalety, I can refund it, but I need advices before i do. The tip of the bottle seems to have been some way damaged: stains and wine scent on the nose on the IVDP sticker and cracks on the wax. The IVDP sticker stains smells like port wine but it could origin from another bottle...who knows. Also, I have put the bottle horizontally and it doesn't leek. I would like to know if you guys would return the bottle or not. Here are the pictures I took:

https://www.linkpicture.com/q/321071011 ... 6736_n.jpg

https://www.linkpicture.com/q/325247604 ... 3612_n.jpg

https://www.linkpicture.com/q/325315406 ... 2349_n.jpg

https://www.linkpicture.com/q/325457376 ... 2727_n.jpg

https://www.linkpicture.com/q/325484918 ... 1767_n.jpg

Thanks for the recommandations!

Hi Louis,

Thanks for the pics. The bottle looks in rough shape and possibly some leakage as well, but I have a few questions:

Did you buy this at a store or from auction? If from a store, was the price heavily discounted? If from auction did the auction description reveal these issues?

Have you shined a light through the bottle or held it up to the light to see what the fill level is?

I also think I might see some mold on the capsule itself when I look at close ups of the last 2 pics, but I could be wrong.
Even before you answer, I'd probably be inclined to return it if it can be done easily, but if it was sold at a dirt cheap price I might gamble and open it.

I agree with Mike. Also, looking at the IVDP seal color, it could have spend some good time in a window catching the sun. It would also explain the signs the of leakage as bottle standing up often gets their cork dry and then once it returns to a proper position in the cellar they do leak.

Barros 1980 is not known to be a great Port either, it is probably past its peak at the moment. Just like Mike said, if it was a bargain give it a shot, if not, I'd not take any chance.