For The Love Of Port

If you could try and one bottle of Port that you've never had before ... something that might be considered, quite a bit more mainstream; but you've just never had the chance to try, what would it be?

For example, for me it would be a 1980 Niepoort Vintage Port.

Not a "holy grail" bottle by any measurement, but I'd really like to try the Niepoort 10-yr old White Port. It seems like something I might like, but it's really hard to find.

Having been told all about it but never having seen one, I'd love to try the Quinta do Noval 1967. I've had the 1966 and would love to compare it to the 1967.

I'll probably repeat myself here, but Graham's 85, I need to taste this :)

It probably doesn't count as mainstream, but I'm trying to figure out if I can get a 1952 Dalva white or two on my next trip to Europe. That's on the top of my list right now.

I'd like to try an older Niepoort, perhaps something from 70's or older. Would like to try a 1945 Dow.

Frederick Blais wrote:I'll probably repeat myself here, but Graham's 85, I need to taste this :)

Fred, I'm shocked that you have never tasted G85 - you need to do this soon

For me it would be a choice between Noval 1997 and Taylor 1992 - are they really as good as their price suggests?

Derek

Noval 1997 for me to. This is one that I've never had and always wondered about.

Ok, you Andy and Derek come to Montreal, I'll open Noval 97 and Taylor's 92 anyday :) just bring Graham's 85 :) Derek, for me Taylor's 92 comes along with Noval Nacional 2000 as the most perfect young Port I have tasted.

Derek T. wrote:For me it would be a choice between Noval 1997 and Taylor 1992 - are they really as good as their price suggests?

I have the T92 if you supply the N97!

I've been trying to find a '97 Noval at a reasonable price for a year or more, but they're all in the $200 range. I found one listed for $130, but when I got to the store they couldn't find it. The bottle (several, actually) was still in their inventory system, but nowhere to be found in the store.

Glenn E. wrote:[
I've been trying to find a '97 Noval at a reasonable price for a year or more, but they're all in the $200 range. I found one listed for $130, but when I got to the store they couldn't find it. The bottle (several, actually) was still in their inventory system, but nowhere to be found in the store.

The problem with Noval 97 was that 1st it was released to 3000 bottles if my memory serves me well and Parker also gave it 100 pts. In Quebec, where prices are not influence with the Parker points but simply the shipper's price, it was sold at 175 while Taylor was at 125. I don't think it will be easy to find a good price on this bottle.

Andy, I trust your memory ... but for some reason I thought that during the 2nd time you and I visited Noval together we had the 1997 Noval side-by-side with the Nacional. I guess I am wrong ... if you have no remembrance of this, but maybe I need to check my notes.

I double checked my notes and don't have it listed. We did have the 1997 Nacional vs. 1996 Nacional in 2006, but I've yet to have the regular version of the 1997.

1994 Fonseca--One day I hope to discover why it received 100 points.

Jonathan S wrote:1994 Fonseca--One day I hope to discover why it received 100 points.

I had some at the 1st Gala, and while I enjoyed it, I still haven't discovered why it received 100 points. :?

Eric Menchen wrote:I had some at the 1st Gala, and while I enjoyed it, I still haven't discovered why it received 100 points. :?

As good as it was at the Gala, I got the impression that that particular bottle wasn't showing very well.

Personally, I wasn't overly wowed by any of the "big three" from 1994 at the Gala. While obviously Ports that will probably out-live me, the Fonseca, Taylor, and Vesuvio all seemed relatively pedestrian to me.

(Put down the pitchforks! I said relatively!!!)

Off with both of your heads :joker:

Surprised to see so much discussion on newer vintages; what about stuff from the 50’s or 60's? There’s plenty of interesting vintages to that we must be curious on?

Yes, any of the vintages/bottlings from the War period (1938-1944). it would be very interesting to taste anything from these vintages since they are rarely if ever mentioned, and rarely seen for sale.

Glenn E. wrote:

Eric Menchen wrote:I had some at the 1st Gala, and while I enjoyed it, I still haven't discovered why it received 100 points. :?

While obviously Ports that will probably out-live me, the Fonseca, Taylor, and Vesuvio all seemed relatively pedestrian to me. (Put down the pitchforks! I said relatively!!!)

I didn't even have to pick up my pitchfork, Glenn, so you can relax. You see, I came to the same conclusion when I tasted the 1994 Vesuvio at the Graham's Port Lodge last summer... It was excellent, but it didn't knock my socks off... See, now I have also committed "vinerific" blasphemy along with you. I will now await my escort to the guillotine.