For The Love Of Port

Americans ... never complain about Port prices again. When things get tough or seem expensive to you when hunting for Ports, just come back to this email and thank your lucky stars and stripes.

Have a gander at this:

Prices and availability subject to change without notice and the estimated time of arrival is subject to change depending on shipping availability.










Fonseca Porto

In no Port house is the inherited tradition of winemaking skill and knowledge more evident than at Fonseca Guimaraens, where the wines have been made by the same family since its foundation in 1822. The Fonseca Guimaraens house style is one of richness and warmth, with a lush fruit intensity and a structure of both dimension and finesse. More voluptuous than massive, Fonseca Ports are coveted for their sumptuous yet refined body and great longevity.


1977 Vintage Port - $350.00

"What a Vintage Port. Dark ruby center, with a dark garnet edge. Aromas of flowers, blackberry and licorice. Subtle and complex. Wow. What a palate. Full, concentrated and rich, yet balanced and beautiful. Solid and sleepy. Still not giving all it has to give. This is just coming around. Gorgeous and classy. Love it. '77/'85/'97 blind Port retrospective. Drink now."

- Wine Spectator Online 2008 100 points


1985 Vintage Port - $260.00

"Very dark and youthful ruby-purple. Very intense aromas of blackberry and black licorice. Full-bodied and lightly sweet, with chewy tannins and a rich licorice, blackberry undertone. Still tight. Drinkable now, but it needs a few more years. '77/'85/'97 blind Port retrospective. Best after 2010."

- Wine Spectator Online 2008 93 points


1994 Vintage Port - $500.00

"Hold on to your hat. This is the best Fonseca since 1977, and it's probably even better than that classic vintage--more like the breathtaking 1948. Mind-blowing, with masses of color, aroma and fruit flavor. Smells like fermenting berries, boasting loads of crushed grape, violet and berry character. Big, full-bodied and very sweet, with tons of tannins and a sweet finish. Tannic and huge, it's a long-term, great Port. Best after 2012."

- Wine Spectator, April 1997 100 points




Taylor's Port

Taylor's is now over 300 years old. It remains a family firm, completely independent, owned still by relations of the original partners. Taylor is accepted by most wine authorities to be the greatest of all port shippers, famous especially for its sublime and long-lived Vintage Ports, which consistently fetch the highest prices at auction. Now in its fourth century, the company is still thriving, with wine quality remaining the firm's only consideration. Taylor's Port was, is, and will continue to be, one of the world's greatest wines.


1977 Vintage Port - $350.00

"Good ruby color still. The nose is fresh, with lots of crushed berry and plum, with a hint of piecrust. Full-bodied, with firm tannins and a caressing texture. This delivers loads of complex fruit and spiciness. Medium-sweet. A beauty. Will improve for decades, but why wait? '77/'85/'97 blind Port retrospective. Drink now."

- Wine Spectator Online 2008 97 points



1985 Vintage Port - $260.00

"Medium ruby. Beautiful aromas of flowers and fresh plum, with hints of stems. Full-bodied and medium-sweet, with gorgeous silky tannins and a long, long finish. This is just starting to come around and offers wonderful flavors. Long life ahead, but ready to try. '77/'85/'97 blind Port retrospective. Drink now."

- Wine Spectator Online 2008 93 points


1994 Vintage Port - $500.00

"In a word, superb. It's full-bodied, moderately sweet and incredibly tannic, but there's amazing finesse and refinement to the texture, not to mention fabulous, concentrated aromas of raspberries, violets and other flowers. Perhaps the greatest Taylor ever, it's better than either the '92 or the '70, though it's very like the '70 in structure. Best after 2010."

- Wine Spectator, April 1997 100 points


Croft Port

The House of Croft was founded over three hundred years ago. The earliest evidence of the firm's activity as a Port shipper dates from 1588, coincidentally the year of the first ever recorded shipments of Port wine. Orginally known as Phayre & Bradley after its founding partners and took its present name in 1736 when it was joined by John Croft. The Croft family played a prominent and influential role in the Port wine trade and elevated the House of Croft to the place of distinction which it occupies to this day. In 1911 the House of Croft was acquired by the Gilbeys, the distinguished English wine trade family. It is now owned and run by descendants of two old Port wine families, the Yeatman's and Fladgate's.


1991 Vintage Port - $110.00

"Incredible aromas of crushed blackberry and raspberry. Full-bodied and medium sweet, with a very velvety and round texture. Goes on and on. Gorgeous Vintage Port. '91/'92 Port retrospective. Drink now through 2015."

- Wine Spectator, May 2005 94 points


1994 Vintage Port - $200.00

"The essence of grapes. Full-bodied and tannic, yet very classy and refined. It's got grip, but rather than smashing you over the head with structure, it seduces gently with its wonderful, well-toned muscles. Best Croft since '45. Best after 2010."

- Wine Spectator, April 1997 96 points

Ouch. Even with expensive gas and airfares, you could make quite a few trips over the border instead of paying those prices.

Eric Menchen wrote:Ouch. Even with expensive gas and airfares, you could make quite a few trips over the border instead of paying those prices.

That's why Markus loves coming to our tastings in Seattle - he can drive down here, buy a bottle at retail, and stay overnight in a hotel for less than it costs to buy the same bottle in Canada!

Indeed!!! Some bottles are even cheaper in Quebec.... it says a lot!

However, I find some of the best deals on Douro wine in the BC Province. They have a MUCh better selection in terms of top dozen from the Douro than we have here in Seattle. Occasionally I can find a stellar Port deal up there too. Although rare, I have found some good ones over the past couple of years w/ Mags of 1977 GC coming to mind.

I am doing my best to change the Douro wine scene here in Seattle, making more frequent presentations to the local Somm group etc., but it is a slow and painful process, lots of which I have zero control over. We need to see the Douro producers and Port makers come over here in person more often. Importers and distributors can't build a market without the in-market presence of the producers.

Now back to pricing!