For The Love Of Port

... but never had the opportunity (as of yet) to taste?

This is not the same as your holy grail. I have always wanted to try a 1963 Niepoort, a 1927 Dow and a 1935 Ferreira. Someday!

Garrafeira Port, from any vintage. I've read, seen bottles but nover dip my tongue in it yet...

And any good bottle from 63, haven't been able to get a hold on a bottle for my cellar either ... appart from a leaking 63' taylor that I was refund :|

I've always wanted to try a 1927 Fonseca. The '48 Taylor has also been high on my list (I had the opportunity to purchase a bottle a few weeks ago, but was beaten to the punch).

I’m quite curious about the Garrafeira, too, though I suspect I haven’t drunk enough quality colheitas to appreciate it. Perhaps something that is more likely to be achieved, if more for novelty reasons than anything else, would be a bottle that’s over a century old.

Of course, this could all be set aside if there is a chance to do a “revolutionary vertical” of something like a 1917 Taylor, followed by the 1848 Ferriera and then a 1789 Cognac (but I’m not sure that’s the point of the thread)!

The 1992 Taylor Fladgate and the 1994 Fonseca would be at the top of my list even though they're not really ready yet. I have 2 of the latter but don't want to perform infanticide.

I'd also like to try any Nacional next to the same year Noval just for comparison. Preferably something that's already mature, as I'm not all that fond of young Ports.

That's a easy one. The 52 Dalva White Colheita, hands down

A real old one ! Just out of curiosity, something from before 1900. To see its colour, smell its aroma and then drink it. But then again, to open a € 500 + bottle would also scare me, what if if it's corked !

Or a bottle from a classic vintage like 1927, 1931 or 1945. That would do the trick also

Frederick Blais wrote:Garrafeira Port, from any vintage. I've read, seen bottles but nover dip my tongue in it yet...

And any good bottle from 63, haven't been able to get a hold on a bottle for my cellar either ... appart from a leaking 63' taylor that I was refund :|

Come down to Boston some time.

Alex R wrote:That's a easy one. The 52 Dalva White Colheita, hands down

That is the port I want to keep trying every day!

I'd like to try some more 45's and 27's; There's an 1851 Warre that looks pretty special too :twisted: ...

Maybe a Nacional from the 50's or older? The 1967 Nacional that Roy supplied during our Croft Vertical weekend tasted like a like an 80's vintage and still tasted like an 80's vintage 5 hours later... Incredible that wine can be so full of life at that age, but then again the 1908 Graham was pretty close to the 1970 Graham in the glass. I'll put another 1908 Graham on my list even though I have tried it.

JacobH wrote:I’m quite curious about the Garrafeira, too, though I suspect I haven’t drunk enough quality colheitas to appreciate it.

I know you will appreciate it mighty fast as the Garrafeiras I've tried were outstanding. Even if you've never tasted a colheita, you're gonna be in love with the Garrafeiras; I've noticed some variance between vintages too (all have been from the 40's to early 50's). Anyone would love them.

Frederick,

When you had the opportunity to come to Seattle to raid my cellar, you made the wrong decision to go elsewhere. You'd have been privy to a great old Niepoort Garrafeira. I hate when that happens. Fortunately, I still have 'em to open for your visit someday.



Mark J.

So, what is your reason for "always wanted to try a '27 Fonseca" VP?
The '48 Taylor is a rock star and although I've only enjoyed it three times, it is one you'll never forget.



Jacob,
I don't know that "tasting blind" that almost anyone would be able to tell the difference between a Garrafeira and a Colheita. In fact, I doubt I could. I have had a handful of experiences with them and don't really see that big of a difference, in taste between them.



Glenn,
One of these days you need to come along on a Harvest Tour to be able to fulfill those kind of dreams. We will be doing plenty of comparisons between Noval and Nacional this year.



Alex R.,
Bring a Hoyo with you to Seattle and I'll be glad to open a '52 for you. I am surprised Andy hasn't already done so!



Erik,
You never know when a corked bottle will happen. I've only had ONE ancient example of a corked bottle and that was a 1908 Sandeman. I almost cried, but not because it was corked, but that is another story!
As to a really old VP, pre-1900 ... remember the axiom ... there are no great old wines, just great old BOTTLES. This speaks to the bottle variation that occurs in these ancient warriors. It is also why I tell people who knock a producer or a vintage or even a specific bottling ... when having their first taste of one of these types of bottles that does not live up to "expectations" -- not to paint with too broad a brush, when it was very likely the particular bottle they tried.


Moses,
If you remember the comments at the time, most felt the '67 Nacional LOOKED and tasted likes something from the 1990s. ; )
Also, could you please elaborate on what you find is the difference in taste between the Garrafeiras that you love and Colheitas? Thanks!

The following bottle of Graham's 1908. It teases me being so close to my reach yet so far from my reality.

http://www.golden-west-wine.com/index.a ... rodID=1691

Best regards,

Jeffrey Karp

Roy Hersh wrote:Moses,
If you remember the comments at the time, most felt the '67 Nacional LOOKED and tasted likes something from the 1990s. ; )
Also, could you please elaborate on what you find is the difference in taste between the Garrafeiras that you love and Colheitas? Thanks!

Yes, I remember your comment, and that was my take away as well.

The basic differences I noticed in Garrafeiras may be just in relative sweetness and tawny like mouthfeel. I question the bottle conditions as they are t corked bottles that have been laying for decades. I bet most of nuances between them were from bottling. Each one has been a 90+ rated, but unfortunately the first one was the best. It's hard to live up to that first magical bottle. Whether the effort is worth it to make them; probably not and I can see why the Neipoorts stay to a limited run on Garrafeira.

I suppose once that 1977 Niepoort is released, a few more of us will have a chance of trying this style! I wonder what the release price will be…

Incidentally, having had a look at the dates of the previous garrafeira, they seem to have been about twice a decade between the 30s and 77, which I think is the most recent batch. Is there any particular reason why no new vintages have been started since 77? Is the 77 release much larger than the previous ones resulting in no free demijohns?

Roy Hersh wrote:Frederick,

When you had the opportunity to come to Seattle to raid my cellar, you made the wrong decision to go elsewhere. You'd have been privy to a great old Niepoort Garrafeira. I hate when that happens. Fortunately, I still have 'em to open for your visit someday.

Roy you know it was not my decision, but in the end I had to share my passion of Portugal with my father. I had amazing time, maybe not amazing Port but still it was in Portugal and the view in February is different than in Seattle with cold damp weather You know I'll be coming over you side soon!! Check your mail!

Fred,

Let me know when you head out that way and maybe I can head up and finally meet you too. Of course that would mean us drinking some Port...but I don't think you'll mind that

Hmmmm... let me get out my list...

There are so many:

1927 Taylor and Fonseca
1931 Noval
1948 Taylor and Fonseca

But the one that's curently at the top of my list is:

1945 Croft

-Dave-

A curious bottle that I would love to try is the 1927 Ramos Pinto LBV. I saw it in a store once... but didn't buy at €1,200.-

Croft 1945 and any Nacional are also high on the list.

1931 Quinta Do Noval Nacional
1963 Quinta Do Noval Nacional
ANY Fonseca from the 1800's because I don't own and have never seen one for sale!
or any "comet vintage"

I'd like to try a Nacional one day, but I'll also join the queue for anything pre 1900. Just knowing that you're drinking something 100+ years would be amazing.

-Lars