For The Love Of Port

Forgive me if this is slightly misplaced... I'm new to the forum and enjoying the second half of a bottle of Graham's 10-year tawny.

My wife and I were married last year (2007) and I'd love to pick up a half-case or so of very young bottles to commemorate the event in coming years. Could anyone provide me with information on what the best way to do so would be?

Additionally, our birth-years are 1979 and 1980. Given those dates, how could I pick up a handful of bottles of vintage (or single quinta, as I don't think either of those were declared years (new, remember? :) ) for the best value... and in both cases, what houses would be suggested?

THanks! :)

The 1980 is a widely declared vintage in the Port world and most of them are very good!
Look for the Dow, Sandeman, and Fonseca all in 1980.
As for 2007 ..I don't know what's going to be released yet.

Roy and the guys can correct me , and will , but If you're looking for Vintage Port for 2007 , they probably won't hit the U.S. market '2011 .

Robert,

Welcome to For The Love Of Port. Nice to have you join us and I moved this thread, so your very first posting will get far more attention. This area (Marketplace Forum) is truly for buying and selling.

To respond to your questions, I can't think of any worthy Ports from 1979, which was not a great year almost anywhere in the world for wine. A few Bordeaux but that is all I can think of as CA Cabs were not great that year.

Anyway, the 1980s are very good. I just had a few in the past 2 months and in addition to those already mentioned the GRAHAM's was great!

As for 2007 Vintage Port. It was a very very good year. It is too early to be sure if it will be generally declared or just another vintage in which the Single Quinta Vintage Ports (SQVPs) will be released. I am betting on the former as I was in country 3x in 2007 and heard and saw and tasted some exemplary things. As to when you would be able to buy them. Typically, you'd start to see the 2007s dribbling into the USA towards the latter part of the summer in 2009 and more likely in the fall. In the UK they generally would hit the market right after the turn of the New Year of 2010.

Purchasing pre-release is your best bet if the prices are reasonable, which would be about May/June 2009 in the USA. There are dozens of reliable sources for buying VPs prior to their release. As it is a very special year for you, buy them early and ensure their proper storage for the rest of their time on earth.

For 1979 Port, if you want some colheita, Niepoort 79 is a good choice! Got it 3 times so far and enjoyed it as many times! It may not be easy to find though.

My epiphany port was a 1979 Malvedos - not a great port but something perhaps to look out for if you want a port from that specific year for romantic reasons.