Any information on Niepoort Quinta do Passadouro 1997?

[Johannes Stadler]

Hi everybody,

I was wondering if any of you already got a hand on a glass of Niepoort Quinta do Passadouro 1997 and could tell me anything about it.

What were your impressions, how did you decant it and are your thoughts concerning it's future?


Thanks in advance, Johannes

[Tom Archer]

Don't know, but I hope it's OK - I bought 23 bottles yesterday, along with 18 2000's

All I have to do now is figure a way of getting them over from Amsterdam without paying a fortune for the privilege... :help:

Tom

[Roy Hersh]

The '97 Passadouro is a good effort around the 90 point range and nowhere near the quality of the full blown classic Niepoort VP of the same vintage.

However, Tom's purchase of the 2000 is a great score. Unquestionably one of the greatest modern day Niepoort bottlings and in the top 2 from 2000 overall, imo.

[Johannes Stadler]

@UncleTom:

I stand at more or less exactly the same problem. I got the 24 Bottles pack after you and now also have to find the best shipping method and arrange for shipment.
Still I am not sure if it is cheaper to send it to Germany and pay no Taxes at the border, or to ship to Switzerland and live with the around 35€ tax. The advantage would be that the VAT is only 7.6% here - but more or less it will nearly even out.

Can anyone share some experiences with the TAX and/or shipping issue at Christies (also per PM if you prefer)? I`d be glad if someone knew more (my first purchase there...).

The Passadouro 2000 was also on my list, but there is unfortunately (for me) a spending limit which kept me from trying it .

[Frederick Blais]

I've tasted this last year. I thought I did post my notes but can't seem to find them. The 97 is an elegant Port, though having some good depth. Its tannins were melted and some secondary flavours were already starting to show, the fruit was chaging from ripe plums to candied figs. It is reaching its 2nd plateau of maturity. Passadouro is an early drinker on my list but this 97 is one of the good Port they made in the 90's. I'd compare this as a good Graham's 91.

[Tom Archer]

Johannes,

I'm testing the water with this sale to check out the practicality of buying at foreign auctions, so I'm also a newbie in that respect.

However, I've been told that if I arrange for the goods to be delivered by a commercial forwarder, taxes will be payable as they enter the UK; but if I collect them myself, no tax is payable.

I'm not quite sure how things stand if a friend collects them for me or if the same rules apply at other frontiers.

If anyone is bringing a vehicle to the UK on a ferry from the Netherlands in the next few weeks, I would be more than grateful to hear from them!

Tom

[Ronald Wortel]

Roy, I think you are confusing the Passadouro 2000 with the regular Niepoort. The Passadouro is a very pleasant port, a mid-term drinker, but certainly no stunner. Whereas, the Niepoort.... well, you'r quite right there.

Was this the same auction where they had a couple of lots of Fonseca 1985? I was tempted to bid, but decided against it, as we've already did quite some 'port-spending' recently. Did they go for a reasonable price?

Sorry I can't help you with the ports Tom. Had we still been in the Netherlands, I certainly would have offered you our cellar to stock up for the time being.

[Tom Archer]

The auction results can be found here:

http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/sear ... 32eb9&pg=1

Most lots were expensive, relative to UK sale prices.

Tom

[Ronald Wortel]

Thanks. Good to see the Fonseca's went for more than I was prepared to pay. I don't feel guilty now for not bidding.

[Michael M.]

Thanks. Good to see the Fonseca's went for more than I was prepared to pay. I don't feel guilty now for not bidding.

Hi Ronnie,

please correct me, if I am wrong. I calculate a price per bottle of 480 € x 1,2975/12= 51,90 € (incl. buyers premium and taxes, without shipping). As you have to pay at the minimum a price of 100 € the bottle in D, I would say that 51,90 € is rather cheap.

BTW: Barely 15°C here near the Rhein today a.m.. Fine temperatures for warming up with some Port. Same thing in Muscat? :)

Best
Michael

[Ronald Wortel]

More the likes of 40C with 80% humidity... Some portonic would do me good!

In stores, the Fonceca 1985 can still be found under 70€ in the Netherlands (you have to be lucky, but still...) I bought my bottles under 40€ a couple of years ago from a private sellar. I agree that was a bargain, and if I had decided to bid in this auction, I would have gambled on another bargain. The price it went for now is still very good, but not what I wanted to pay.