For The Love Of Port

Dear all,

I need your knowledge! Can anyone tell me something about a Sercial from J. de Franca Netto? Label says 1905 but whether that is a Vintage or Solera I can't say, guessing Solera.

Picture of bottle attached. Appreciate any feedback since i have two of these in my possession. One i opened just a few days ago and it is drinking very well. Nice acidity but not as dry as i expect of a Sercial.

Best,

Niklas J

Most likely to be a vintage/frasqueira from 1905. My doubt is if it is a later bottling

Dear Niklas,
the bottle was probably found at a wineshop in Portugal mainland, that has been selling this particular wine for some time now. They refuse to give clear info about the origin of this wine :blah: , but my guess would be that it is a private bottling from the 1980ies or 1990ies. There is no official anything on this bottle, no JNV/IVM/IVBAM seal. Judging from nose and palate, for me there remains some doubt whether the wine really is a Sercial from 1905. But the wine is indeed drinking well, not to dry (for a Sercial), I would have expected even more acidity. For me, some doubts remain :?
Peter

I've never seen that particular label, but did buy some 'unlabelled' bottles that came from an old house where the 'last' resident died and the wine was discovered in the cellar. This was also 'purportedly' 1905 Sercial (but didn't have the searing acidity of the other 1905's I've tried). Apparently the first few bottles were bought privately 'from the estate' - but when a larger quantity materialized they were consigned to auction 'on the island'. Certainly my bottles were old and moulded. And the wine was consistent with something of that age - just didn't particularly 'sing' of Sercial.
Possibly, a 'retailer' bought the consignment at auction and added a 'new' label.

EDIT: Did a bit more research and indeed, the wine I referenced above was a De França Netto (although I don't recall that label). Last tasted in 2005 and was much more similar to a Verdelho - noticeably lower acidity. The bottle was acquired 'privately' on the island (prior to July 2002, as it was in my inventory at that time), but the story above was specifically mentioned.

Joâo, Peter & Alan,

Thanks for your input! I do agree on your comments, wether this is Sercial or not. If so it can't be much. And also, tastes nice and balanced but 104 years? No way. But since i got the two bottles at a very nice price I will enjoy them for what they are - a nice glass!

Should anyone run in to more info i would however appreciate it!

/Niklas J