Christies Auction of Very Old Ports from Raby Castle

[Andy Velebil]

There is an auction underway that may interest some of our readers. They include 1924 and 1927 Dow's, 1950 Cockburn, 1934 Fonseca and 1948 Taylor's. They all came from the original cellar at Raby Castle. Where they have been stored since being bottled. Paul Symington has asked that I post this for him (see below). Will try and get pics resized and uploaded.

The Port Forum may like to know of an extraordinary auction that is taking place currently at Christies London. The auction closes next Thursday 20th June.

There are many bottles of Dow’s 1924 and Dow’s 1927 for sale. These bottles have been perfectly kept in Raby Castle in County Durham since declaration. My cousin Charles went over to the UK last month and tasted them and found them to be in superb condition. Richard Mayson and Jancis were tasting as well. Have a look at Mayson’s comments about the Dow ’24 on his site. He called the Dow 1924 ‘One of the most magnificent Ports that I have ever tasted.’

Both Vintage Ports were made by my great grandfather Andrew James and his three sons Maurice (my grandfather), John and Ron. Below are Andrew Symington’s comments written at the time that I have transcribed from the Bomfim book that we still have. Also attached some photos taken by my grandfather Maurice of the 1924 harvest .

I am personally bidding for some of these wines, as is our company. This is a unique opportunity to buy some extraordinary Ports. The 1924 being exactly 100 years old….

Best wishes,

Paul {Symington}



Andrew Symington wrote July 13th 1924:
‘Vines wonderfully free from disease but showing a little queima. Quantity looks as if it would be less than last year. Some rain before the end of this month would do much good and increase the chance of our having wine good enough for a Dow 1924.

Old farmers say here:

‘Chovendo pelo S. Pedro não facas poço nem rego. E pelo S. Tiago, cada pingo vale um cruzado.’
= ‘Rain end June don’t dig a well or a channel. But end July each drop is worth gold.’

Andrew Symington wrote on October 6th 1924 AJS wrote
‘Vintage began at Zimbro a Senhora de Rieira. on 29th September - elsewhere on 6th October – under favorable conditions weather being fine throughout the gathering. The mostos show good colour and life. That the ‘24’s will turn out to be better than an ordinary vintage seems to be the general opinion. The quantity however has been considerably reduced by the queima which occurred 3 times during the earlier stages of ripening.’

14th January 1925 Andrew wrote
‘For the lotas. 1924’s promising well.’

Queima = burning or in the case of grapes, shriveling from the heat.

[Andy Velebil]

1924

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1924 2.jpg (129.56 KiB) Viewed 5568 times

1924 3.jpg (135.17 KiB) Viewed 5568 times

1924 4.jpg (166.08 KiB) Viewed 5568 times

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1924 6.jpg (108.3 KiB) Viewed 5568 times

[Chris G]

There are some amazing Ports here in top condition, Richard Mayson has written an excellent review of them and Alex B has written another excellent review on the other site.

This sale is creating a lot of interest and is probably the most impressive Port sales of my life. It’s amazing that treasures like this can have lived soundiatrubed in such perfect condition

[Eric Ifune]

Sounds like a lot of people will be bidding. I saw the list and there is a lot, LOT of Port, but I'm guessing prices will still be high.

[Al B.]

This was one of those sales when the sale lived up to the hype and excitement. Prices were very strong, reflecting the excellent provenance.

Dow 1924 sold for hammer prices of GBP 2,200-2,500 (USD 2,900-3,300) per bottle, to which you have to add 30% buyer’s premium and tax.

Dow 1927 hammered for GBP 1,600-835.

Fonseca 1934 hammered for GBP 1,250-650.

Taylor 1948 hammered for GBP 1,400-950.

Cockburn 1950 hammered for GBP 300-185.