Heredias Port

[Marco D.]

The Carolina Wine Company is offering some unusual ports. I just got an email from them touting the ports from Heredias. I have never heard of them and never saw a note from Roy on them. Any opinions?

Anyway, here is the contents of the email (no affiliation with CWC, yadda, yadda, yadda):

___________

Amazing Old Port Values!

The British-owned houses (Taylor, Fonseca, Grahams, Dow, etc.) may
make the best vintage Ports. But the Portuguese houses make by far
the best older Ruby and Tawny Ports. Head and shoulders above all the
rest - as Robert Parker has said - is the extraordinary Quinta das
Heredias. In fact, Heredias makes the only Ruby Port Parker has ever
rated outstanding.

But as he indicated, the real fireworks here are the old Tawny
Ports. These are both drier than most and considerably fuller and
more complex. They're also mainly from Ports much older than their
stated ages. Finally, they're the only Tawny Ports we know that are
bottled unfiltered, so they can throw a bit of sediment.

All are Pre-Arrivals.

1. 'NV Heredias Ruby Port $19.99 / $16.99 by the case

Not only is this Parker's only outstanding Ruby Port; at 92 points,
he actually rates it over the 20, 30 and even 40 year old Tawny Ports
from Taylor, Fonseca, Grahams and all the other Port houses!

Parker says: "One of the finest ruby ports I have ever tasted, this
opaque ruby/purple-colored effort displays notes of creosote,
blackberries, coffee, grilled meats, and oodles of fruit. Dense,
supple-textured, and voluminous in the mouth, without being heavy, it
is a stunning offering that is in complete contrast with the
industrial ruby ports produced by the big port houses. Drink it over
the next 4-5 years."


2. NV Heredias 10 Year Old Tawny Port $44.99 / $39.99 by the case

As good as the Ruby Port is, this represents a quantum leap in
quality. Parker, who had alluded to a high-90s score, ultimately
neglected to review it. (So we still have some to sell!) He did say,
though, that Heredias "was a real discovery for me, especially their
10 and 20 year old Tawny Ports."

For the money, this may be the best of all.

3. NV Heredias 20 Year Old Tawny Port $69.99 / $59.99 case

Yes, it's expensive. But what a wine! In its sheer complexity - its
balancing of almost ethereal elegance with tremendous richness,
volume and depth - this reminds me of an amazing 1945 French
fortified I recently had. (And hope to be able to offer soon!) This
simply demolishes ANY other Tawny Port in the market.

Except, of course, the following ...

4. NV Heredias 40 Year Old Tawny Port $149.99 net

As great as the 20 Year Old is, this may seem like an unnecessary
extravagance. But then so is Romanee-Conti, compared to La Tache. And
who wouldn't want a bottle or two of Romanee-Conti?

Heredias Sampler Case

Mix or match 12 bottles of any of these, however you like, and get
the full-case discount.

[Andy Velebil]

Marco,

All I can say is those are some crazy high prices, so the Ports best be over-the-top great!

[Ronald Wortel]

Silly prices, and even more silly descriptions. The ports from Heredias are not bad, but certainly not top class.

[Moses Botbol]

2. NV Heredias 10 Year Old Tawny Port $44.99 / $39.99 by the case

As good as the Ruby Port is, this represents a quantum leap in
quality. Parker, who had alluded to a high-90s score, ultimately
neglected to review it. (So we still have some to sell!) He did say,
though, that Heredias "was a real discovery for me, especially their
10 and 20 year old Tawny Ports."

For the money, this may be the best of all.

Yikes! Best of all for their bottom line... I thought $30 was too much for a 10 year...

[Marco D.]

Thanks for the feedback guys! The marketing prose had my credit card trigger-finger itching...

[Andy Velebil]

Mister, just put that trigger finger back in its holster