For The Love Of Port

Had a friend who lives overseas visit the UK and had a bit of a blow-out lunch, which gave us an excuse to open some of those bottles you hold on to for the right occasion.

We ended up drinking Warre 1985, Dow 1945, Warre 1945, Warre 1934, Fonseca 1927 and Martínez 1922.

Lunch started at 11.30 and finished around 03.30 the next day!

Al B. wrote: ↑Wed Mar 08, 2023 12:58 pm Had a friend who lives overseas visit the UK and had a bit of a blow-out lunch, which gave us an excuse to open some of those bottles you hold on to for the right occasion.

We ended up drinking Warre 1985, Dow 1945, Warre 1945, Warre 1934, Fonseca 1927 and Martínez 1922.

Lunch started at 11.30 and finished around 03.30 the next day!

That is quite a lunch!! Serious FOMO!

1982 Ramos Pinto VP. This was absolutely delicious.

A fantastic 2005 Croft Quinta da Roeda VP

Agri-Roncão Porto DR - 40 Year Old Tawny again. Mmmmmm.

Vesuvio 1994 - delicious
Morgan Brothers 1977 - corked
Niepoort 1991 - tasty, but not an outstanding Vintage Port.

Al B. wrote: ↑Mon Mar 13, 2023 4:09 pm tasty, but not an outstanding Vintage Port.

That seems to be a fair summary of 1991 in general. There may be a handful of excellent 1991 VPs, but nothing outstanding and a lot that's "merely" good.

Glenn E. wrote: ↑Mon Mar 13, 2023 4:34 pm

Al B. wrote: ↑Mon Mar 13, 2023 4:09 pm tasty, but not an outstanding Vintage Port.

That seems to be a fair summary of 1991 in general. There may be a handful of excellent 1991 VPs, but nothing outstanding and a lot that's "merely" good.

That’s how I feel about the vintage too. It’s one of my go-to vintages if I want something reliable and nice but which I don’t feel guilty about opening on my own and not sharing with other Port lovers.

Al B. wrote:

Glenn E. wrote: ↑Mon Mar 13, 2023 4:34 pm

Al B. wrote: ↑Mon Mar 13, 2023 4:09 pm tasty, but not an outstanding Vintage Port.

That seems to be a fair summary of 1991 in general. There may be a handful of excellent 1991 VPs, but nothing outstanding and a lot that's "merely" good.

That’s how I feel about the vintage too. It’s one of my go-to vintages if I want something reliable and nice but which I don’t feel guilty about opening on my own and not sharing with other Port lovers.

Exactly. Most are in an place to drink now, so I don’t feel guilty opening them ahead of their time or worrying about saving for a special occasion.

Ferreira Dona Antonia 10 yo Tawny last week - pretty solid for the price, slightly bitter aftertaste but no complaints.

Noval Black - mild yet tasty. Have to give it high marks for the super smooth/integrated spirit alone. Dark fruits, not much of a bruiser though who knows how long it was on the shelf. On par with GSG, but I'd expect GSG to have more longevity.

1994 Churchill
After a 10 hour decant...flawed.

Opened on the the 2011 Broadbent Vintages I got on the buying op.
Very nice young VP. You can tell it is from Niepoort. Glad I got em. Never had a 2011 I didn't like.

Mike J. W. wrote:1994 Churchill
After a 10 hour decant...flawed.

Ouch

Andy Velebil wrote: ↑Fri Mar 17, 2023 10:47 pm

Mike J. W. wrote:1994 Churchill
After a 10 hour decant...flawed.

Ouch

Yeah, I was disappointed. But I just decanted a 1991 Gould Campbell, so hope springs eternal.

1985 Taylor. Wife wanted port. Opened port, she drank little. Been having a glass or two subsequent nights. Good, not great. Solid for the vintage as a whole though

Moses Botbol wrote: ↑Mon Mar 20, 2023 11:46 am 1985 Taylor. Wife wanted port. Opened port, she drank little. Been having a glass or two subsequent nights. Good, not great. Solid for the vintage as a whole though

That's been my impression of this Port as well. It is good but not great, which other than a small handful of standouts is about all that you can expect from the vintage.

Moses Botbol wrote: ↑Mon Mar 20, 2023 11:46 am Wife wanted port. Opened port, she drank little.

Win, win!

Porto Rocha Three Centuries Tawny.

Mike J. W. wrote: ↑Thu Mar 23, 2023 8:30 am Porto Rocha Three Centuries Tawny.

How was it? Those have been in bottle for quite a while now, so I'd be worrying about them fading.

Glenn E. wrote: ↑Thu Mar 23, 2023 12:42 pm

Mike J. W. wrote: ↑Thu Mar 23, 2023 8:30 am Porto Rocha Three Centuries Tawny.

How was it? Those have been in bottle for quite a while now, so I'd be worrying about them fading.

It's still kicking. Plenty of acidity and still a super long finish. I have 4 more bottles of this that I'll drink over the next few years.
I also have a bottle of the 150th that I'm saving for a special occasion. Unfortunately I can't tell if it's the first or the second bottling.