#19 What is your favorite vintage of Royal Oporto VP?

[Roy Hersh]

Whether you know the company as Real Companhia Velha, Royal Oporto or even Geral da Agricultura das Vinhas do Alto Douro ... all of which were created by the Royal Charter in 1756; the Ports are known around the world.

Some have little exposure to their Vintage Ports while seeing a wide variety of their Tawny Port and Colheitas proliferate their marketplace. Others have much greater access to the Vintage Ports. This shipper is actually on a qualitative upswing, with Jerry Luper providing the guiding hand that has righted this ship(per) that was seemingly off course for years.

The Vintage Ports are better than ever although there certainly have been some winners in the past too. What is your favorite?

[Shawn Denkler]

I have had many vintages of this shipper over the years under many different names. I've also had some older vintages of Quinta do Sibio that they own. The quality has been inconsistent. The low point was the 1980's, although quality had been declining for a long time. I visited the house twice in the mid and late 1990s and was kindly given an extensive tasting of port and table wine. They clearly were trying to improve their quality then, and I'm sure the wines and ports are even better now.

The number of labels owned by Real Companhia Velha is large. I am not sure, but have been under the impression that ports labeled Royal Oporto are identical to ports labeled Real Vinicola. But many other labels are on the world market. My impression is that these mostly are identical Some labels may of lesser quality, although Hooper is of better quality (since 1985). I would like to know what others have to say about this.

My favorite vintage is the 1955 (Real Vinicola, Oporto bottled, stenciled label, with strip seal), probably drunk around 1990. At roughly thirty-five years of age it still was a vintage port that had good fruit. It surprised me at how good it was. It probably is the fourth best vintage port from 1955. I have extensive experience with that vintage, and have had all the major houses and many minor ones two or more times. In my experience Royal Oporto made an excellent 1955 vintage.

I had the 1947 Quinta do Sibio vintage port last year (Real Vinicola branded cork). It was holding well and had some fruit left, but was fairly sweet and simple. Good but hardly great. Since I have had only a few other 1947s it is hard to say how it compares, but it is not a great vintage at this point.

The 80s are another story. I have had the 1982 at least a dozen times, and the 1985 probably two dozen times. They both are light sweet and simple, but easily drinkable with no flaws. They both are holding fairly well - still simple easy drinking. Suckling gave them a horrible rating, and I have seen others put them on their worst ports list. But they have no flaws so I feel they do not deserve that bad a rating. Light, sweet, and simple is OK if you did not pay too much for them.

I was burned badly on the 1985 vintage. I bought ten cases on a wholesale pre-arrival basis from the California distributor. This was supposed to be the best price available. I then sold it retail at minimum markup as futures to my customers. But soon every Trader Joes in California had it for sale at far less than I paid. I ended up taking a big loss by refunding the difference in price to my customers.

[Glenn E.]

I have a 1977 in my cellar but have otherwise never seen a Royal Oporto VP, let alone tasted one.

I have had the 1977 Colheita, though. It is good, but I don't feel it is top-flight. The Rocha and Kopke Colheitas (at a minimum) from 1977 are superior in my mind.

[Frederick Blais]

I had 94,97,2000,2003 From them.... None were really exciting. If I had to pick one, I'd go with 2003 but I would not buy.

[Roy Hersh]

I am truly amazed that so few have had experience with the VIntage Ports of this particular shipper.

[Moses Botbol]

I've only had one or two vintages and can't remember which ones; it was that good!

[Ben Read]

I have only tried on Royal Oporto - the 1970. It is my birth year so I have a bias to the vintage anyway. It was very enjoyable. I would certainly buy another bottle given the chance!

[Frederick Blais]

I am truly amazed that so few have had experience with the VIntage Ports of this particular shipper.

We see this a lot in Portugal but not much outside... at least to the place I've been to. Though their Tawnies are well represented will a stylish bottle too.

[simon Lisle]

I thought Fred has summed this well I've drank quite a few vintages although not recently.I bought a case of 1980 some time ago and have just about worked my way through it.I paid £100 for it and although as Fred has said simple good value and not flawed.My favourite 63 or a 17 garrafeira the 63 was drunk about 25 years ago so I don't know if it is still holding up.

[Moses Botbol]

Just realized I had a 1970 Royal Oporto :?