What have you opened this week?

[John M.]

1988 Churchill Crusted Port - What a delight this wine was! Opened for Mother's Day and shared with the large group. Incredibly well received.

Removing the capsule the cork was depressed with an inordinate amount of "dirt" - Was concerned but needn't be. The cork with so tightly wedged in even with a Durand took a bit of effort to extract. The wine poured out a little cloudy but with 30 minutes had cleared considerably. It sat in the decanted several hours then was rebottled and taken to the restaurant. Once there I removed the stopper.

Faded plum and cherry, lingering aftertaste. Well structured, very easy to drink. Churchill is among my least personal favorite brands, yet this was a triumph. So glad I have several more bottles of this.

There aren't many Crusted Ports out there, and I suppose that makes sense with the way viniculture has improved and we are seeing a lot of SQVPs---no need for Crusted. Yet when did "blending" become a bad word? Crusteds should have their place IMHO; they offer something unique and beautiful.

[Moses Botbol]

1994 Ramos Pinto VP. With a few days in the decanter, it was a more delicate and soft tasting port than I would've thought. Still has decades of life ahead.

[Andy Velebil]

40 yr Andresen tawny. Just a lovely old tawny. Yummy.

[Lucas S]

2011 Presidential LBV last week. Good value for $20, bit hot. Worth including in a horizontal but didn't blow me away.

[Moses Botbol]

1963 Dow. Wife opened last night. Hoping this can carry us through the holiday weekend.

[Eric Menchen]

1952 Dalva Golden White (500 ml)

[Andy Velebil]

1952 Dalva Golden White (500 ml)

How does it compare to the older 750ml bottle (if you’ve had the larger version)?

[Andy Velebil]

1995 Quinta do Vesuvio VP. Decanted about 8 hrs ago now (Sunday night). Lovely and still youthful. Yummy stuff.

[Lucas S]

2001 Q. d. Vale Dona Maria Sarzedinho VP
I had two, and saw that there was another 3 up at auction so I figured I'd try one to decide if I wanted to buy more.
I bought all three.
Very high quality stuff this is and in a good spot. Not Vesuvio level, but close enough and good value.

As I've enjoyed their '18 reserve quite a bit, this house has been rising in my personal rankings.

[Eric Menchen]

1952 Dalva Golden White (500 ml)

How does it compare to the older 750ml bottle (if you’ve had the larger version)?

This was a 2009 bottling, and I think it was good to drink now instead of later. I will post a separate tasting note, but the short answer is that I gave it 94 points, and while I haven't had the earlier bottlings, several people who have and tasted this one didn't think it was quite as great.

[A.S. Demka]

On Saturday I had a nice dinner with my wife, our three sons and two daughters-in-law to celebrate my 70th birthday. I had agreed with the Maitre D to bring my own port for dessert/cheese. No corkage fee, just an extra glass for tasting
The bottle was a NV DR L70, purchased at Agri-Roncão during the PHT2 in 2021.
Decanted with lots of air, served at 16 C (60,8 F). We all loved this nectar of the Gods and the kids are spoiled for life!

[Andy Velebil]

On Saturday I had a nice dinner with my wife, our three sons and two daughters-in-law to celebrate my 70th birthday. I had agreed with the Maitre D to bring my own port for dessert/cheese. No corkage fee, just an extra glass for tasting
The bottle was a NV DR L70, purchased at Agri-Roncão during the PHT2 in 2021.
Decanted with lots of air, served at 16 C (60,8 F). We all loved this nectar of the Gods and the kids are spoiled for life!

Happy birthday! And a fantastic Port to share.

[Moses Botbol]

1963 Dow. Wife opened last night. Hoping this can carry us through the holiday weekend.

The '63 Dow showed best on night three. I did not have any the first night. 2nd night was a bit spicy with tad of heat and dry finish. Day three it all came together into superlative port. We both thought that was its best showing.

[Glenn E.]

So... much... Port...

Eric I. will have the official count, but my notebook says that we tasted 113 Ports on this past week's tour!

Lots of really epic stuff! At least a handful in the 150+ range, and an embarrassing abundance of 50 Year Old and Very Very Old Ports.

[Eric Ifune]

Here is the official count for Glenn's birthday tour.
On the tour, 111 Ports, 40 table wines.
Including the visits to Bacchus Vini, Kopke, Quinta da Bom Dia, and Burmester before the tour; 141 Ports, 40 table wines, and one Madeira. I didn't keep track of the table wines before the tour.

[Glenn E.]

Here is the official count for Glenn's birthday tour.
On the tour, 111 Ports, 40 table wines.
Including the visits to Bacchus Vini, Kopke, Quinta da Bom Dia, and Burmester before the tour; 141 Ports, 40 table wines, and one Madeira. I didn't keep track of the table wines before the tour.

I definitely have 113 tasting notes from the tour visits. I'll have to coordinate with you to figure out why we're off by 2!

[Eric Ifune]

Maybe I missed a lunch or dinner count.

[A.S. Demka]

On Saturday I had a nice dinner with my wife, our three sons and two daughters-in-law to celebrate my 70th birthday. I had agreed with the Maitre D to bring my own port for dessert/cheese. No corkage fee, just an extra glass for tasting
The bottle was a NV DR L70, purchased at Agri-Roncão during the PHT2 in 2021.
Decanted with lots of air, served at 16 C (60,8 F). We all loved this nectar of the Gods and the kids are spoiled for life!

Happy birthday! And a fantastic Port to share.

Thanks, Andy

[Moses Botbol]

'85 Taylor Vintage. Pop and pour was excellent. Balanced, fresh with primary flavors still present. Just one glass last night.

[Eric Ifune]

Here is the official count for Glenn's birthday tour.
On the tour, 111 Ports, 40 table wines.
Including the visits to Bacchus Vini, Kopke, Quinta da Bom Dia, and Burmester before the tour; 141 Ports, 40 table wines, and one Madeira. I didn't keep track of the table wines before the tour.

I definitely have 113 tasting notes from the tour visits. I'll have to coordinate with you to figure out why we're off by 2!

I found the descripency. You are correct. Maria at Bacchus Vini served us several Ports blind and my format for those notes was off.