For The Love Of Port

Name names and it would be appreciated if you'd disclose the price you paid, if that doesn't make you uncomfortable. You don't have to tell us how many bottles .. unless you want to. :)

This week I have only purchased a Dow's 1982 colheita ($55) and a Dow's 2002 crusted port ($25) - single bottles of both. A relatively slow week.

This week, also consumed a Noval over 40 year tawny and opened a Roze's 1994 LBV last night. The Roze's had a surprising amount of sediment.

So, sticking with the goal of consumption = purchases.

-- Gary

This was actually kind of a big week. I found retailer in SC selling 1985 Fonseca for $80, so I got 4 bottles for myself (and 2 for a friend). I also got 2 bottles of 1970 Fonseca and 2 bottles of 1977 Dow's.

At an Auction in Lisboa

Quinta do Junco VVVV (1907) Bottled 1947 - 50€ each
Quarles Harris Vintage 1963 - 15€ each
Croft Vintage 1963 - 25€ each
Some Old Colheitas 19th Century no label - 10€ each
Some 19th century no label Madeira - 20€ each


JR

Those are some nice finds João, with good prices (from my US perspective) on the known bottles, and those unlabeled bottles could be a lot of fun. I wish I had such a source here on this side of the pond.

Last Friday I made a purchase from TCWC:
1994 Quinta do Vesuvio - $70
1994 Smith Woodhouse - $35
1997 Gould Campbell - $35
1997 Smith Woodhouse - $40

Today I put in a small order with ultraluxewine.com:
1997 Croft Quinta Da Roeda - $53
2005 Croft Quinta Da Roeda - $33

I'm slightly bummed on that purchase today, not because of the merchant, but because of a missed opportunity. After I read Roy's newsletter article about the 2005s I decided to purchase some. They won't be wines for the ages, but good mid-term drinkers. I found a single source that had Croft Quinta Da Roeda, Taylor Quinta de Vargellas, and Fonseca Quinta do Panascal all for $30 each, But my Port budget was spent at the time, so I waited. When I went to purchase at the beginning of this month, they had sold out of the Roeda and Vargellas, and told me they wouldn't be getting any more. As you can see I've found a price that is at least close, but not a single merchant that has all three at such a great price.

Wow João, those are great prices!

It's been a slow week for me... just a pair of 1995 Quinta do Crasto VP magnums from Vinfolio ($50 each) for me. I'm going to open one of them this afternoon at my company's weekly meeting, too, to share with people here who have expressed interest when I talk about Port.

I was trying to be oh so good and cut back buying...then I get a phone call from an 'er who shall remain nameless at the moment that says he's in a little store that has a few 1985 Quinta do Crasto VP's for $33 each, and do I want some. Lets see, an old rare Crasto VP that i've never had nor seen or heard of anywhere before....I'll take all they got that you don't want I said! 3-bottles later, I am the proud owner of some older VP's

I'll post a pic in a bit.

EDIT: Picture posted in the Portraits section of the home page.

I picked up a bottle of Dow's 30 year old tawny (bottled in 2007) here in Charlottesville for a mere $59.95. What a steal!

Last week I also finalized my order with the newsletter vendor, but I don't think it would be appropriate to broadcast the specifics publicly. However, I think it would be permissible to say that I ordered 10 bottles in total, including four aged tawnies and four colheitas. Man, I love tawny port! In fact, I don't think I can wait for those bottles to arrive... I'm going to open the Dow's 30 year old right now!

Andy Velebil wrote:then I get a phone call from an 'er who shall remain nameless at the moment that says he's in a little store that has a few 1985 Quinta do Crasto VP's for $33 each, and do I want some.

I need some friends like that! Lucky goose! :)

Not this week, but last. Got 6 bottles of 2006 Vesuvius for $40 at the LA Wine Co. Waiting to see if I can taste the essence of the tredders!

At an auction i bought a 1963 Martinez VP, good fill levels and a nice price. Will try it later this year.

edit:
oh yeah, i paid € 70 for it

Eric Ifune wrote:Waiting to see if I can taste the essence of the tredders!

I understand the tradition and value of treading, but that just doesn't have an appetizing ring.

Eric Menchen wrote:

Eric Ifune wrote:Waiting to see if I can taste the essence of the tredders!

I understand the tradition and value of treading, but that just doesn't have an appetizing ring.

Eric M.,
A little inside joke there. What he's refering to is during the 2006 Harvest Tour those of us on the trip spent almost a full hour treading grapes with the workers at Quinta do Vesuvio. So it's our "toe jam" that's in the bottle

Ahh yes, I remember seeing that photo before. Remind me not to buy any of those

Eric Menchen wrote:Ahh yes, I remember seeing that photo before. Remind me not to buy any of those

Given that many toes were in it, I dare say it's the best Vesuvio since 1994 and everyone should buy lots of it Of course I am a little biased since some of those toes were mine

My only purchase was 2 Mags of the 1995 Crasto. Looking forward to Glenn's TN on this particular wine. I only took two so that as many others as possible, could grab some for themselves.

I am chill on buying this week and enjoying my new Kopke arrivals this past two weeks ....'00 & '99 LBV, & 10 yr so far.

Bought 10 bottles today. Dominick's by us has a deal where all wine in the store is 30% off until April 27, and if you buy 6 or more bottles, another 10%. (It's worth a look if you have Dominick's near you that are running this offer--ours has a section of climate controlled with some very nice wines in it, although we were not looking to add high end stuff on this visit.) They actually have a decent selection of wine at this particular Dominick's so the wife and I gave it a try.

Port selection is not so great, but we are still exploring what we like and not, so I gave it a look, and at 40% off, figured why not. Picked up a Graham's Six Grapes, Taylor 10 year Tawny and a Dow's 10 year Tawny. Don't remember the prices off the top of my head. The real find was as we were headed to check out I saw a cart full of wine at deep discount--price as shown type of thing. A bottle of Warre's Otima 10 year on the top of the heap caught my eye. We had one of these a week ago and thought it was pretty good for a don't break the bank bottle. (Had purchased that one at Whole Foods for $23/500 ml bottle.)

The Otima in this discount cart was $10.99. That was quite a steal from what I have seen, so I grabbed all seven bottles in the cart.

Nothing fancy, just trying to explore a bit and build up a stock of various bottles.

Bought 3 2004 Niepoort LBVs (my first LBVS from Niepoort). Any insights on what to expect??

Carlos - I had a bottle a couple of weeks ago and here is my TN on it. If you got to the TN forum, you can also find one for the 2003 Niepoort LBV which Andy opened at about the same time.