For whatever reason, I don't see many TNs from Offley, a historic Port company owned today by Sogrape (also own Ferreira and Sandeman). The oldest Offley I've ever tasted was a 1908 VP which was enjoyable and I have also taken part in 2 verticals of Offley back in the 1990s with the importer at the time.
There are some very sound vintages and it is a style of VP that I like. I honestly don't cellar much Offley but do have a few bottles and have tried every major vintage from 1945 on at least twice and some probably closer to a half dozen times ... but none more than that. At one time I had a deep stash of 1966 Offley which I wound up trading a half dozen bottles of for one prized bottle. There are two or three vintages of Offley which I have always coveted, so it will be interested to see if others mention them.
I am looking forward to seeing what others have enjoyed from this venerable shipper that dates back to 1737 and when I was drinking most of my bottles, Offley was owned by Martini & Rossi, believe it or not (but was also owned by Seagram ... who owned Sandeman before Sogrape bought that firm). Ahh the good old days of consolidation and acquistions. I guess that could apply to today too.
So please do share which is your favorite all time vintage Port by Offley!
Offley is "offley" hard to find vintages in the market place (USA) and seldomly comes to auction outside of a bottle here or there. I had the '83 Vintage about a month ago and thought it was tremendous. Also had a '63 that was decent. I was for sure a fan of the '83, so I'll have to say that is my favorite Offley vintage for what that's worth...
Last edited by Moses Botbol on Mon Jun 30, 2008 5:31 am, edited 1 time in total.
Another vote for the 1908! That puts it in the lead!
I've had possibly more Offley than anything else. There is a 'secret' society based in Toronto that memorializes the Baron de Forrester's death with an annual black-tie 'Deathday Dinner' every May 12th. The first meeting of a then unnamed Port drinking (they don't sip or taste - they drink) group of friends back in 1980 included a bottle of Offley Forrester and the neck label on that bottle identified May 12th, 1861 as being the date of the Baron's drowning. That coincidence led to an annual celebration of Forresters death every May 12 where the members still 'kill' a few bottles every year. Of course whenever a bottle of Offley is found it becomes part of this tradition.
At least one good friend of yours Roy, now based in San Francisco and with a major profile (but formerly in Toronto) has been a member of this "group with exemplary ideals" (the "quote" is from a titled person who cannot be named - traditionally all members swear an oath of secrecy which cannot be renounced and ceases only upon death). I have it on good authority that one member mentioned in "Who's Who in Canada" has his/her membership in this Society identified among the more well-known memberships.
In fact I accidentally scheduled my wedding for May 12th (based on availability of various sub-systems, including flights) and was then forced by potential ignominy to either hold the wedding at the dinner - or move the wedding date - hence I can never forget my Friday, May 13 wedding! So the evening before the wedding (the 12th) - where all the family met, was held in our absence! Nobody messes with the Baron! Although I cannot mention the Society by name (the oath precludes it), anybody who has the out-of-print book "Joseph James Forrester by John Delaforce" will find a reference on page 89.
Recalling some other outstanding bottles, the 1896 was remarkable although it was essentially a tawny - loaded with caramel and toffee - almost like drowning in crème brûlée. The 1908 was much lighter - pale rose in colour and amazing perfume (although finished somewhat short). And the 1927 was similarly light and perfumed although with a longer finish. So much as I would have liked the 08 to be in first place I really have to switch to the 1896.
In more recent vintages the 80's were particularly good for Offley, although I think it has slipped recently.
I always had a soft spot for Offley in my early days as the first Vintage I hook up on was their 82. I still have a few in my cellar, I think 97-2000. If 95 was undrinkable, 87 very enjoyable, I think my favourite bottle was a perfect 85 back in 2004. Tasted again in 2006, it was not as good. Bottle variation?
I think there is good QPR to be made with Offley.
Living the dream and now working for a Port company
Others may remind me that I am wrong but I think the only Offley Boa Vista vintages I have had are 1966, 1980 and 1983. The 1983 is lovely glugging juice but in terms of standing amongst peers the 1980 was the one that impressed me most at a recent 1980 Horizontal that included all of the top shippers.
This is definitely one not seen much of here in the states and one I can say I've had very little of. Matter of fact, so little that I don't even recall right now what they were. I'll have to dig through all my notes and try and find them.
I don't see much Offley on the West Coast, but I'd say that my favorite vintage is '77. Usually when I run across a bottle the price is right - probably since most people don't have ANY experience with Offley. I've found their vintages to be very pleasant. They aren't really powerful, blockbuster wines but pleasant enjoyable VPs that make for easy sipping over the course of an evening.
Anyone try the 1970 Offley? I have sourced one for a reasonable price. I am planning a mega 1970 Horizontal in near future and would like to fill in the gaps for all the odd balls...
I also have a soft spot for Offley; but unfortunately, the deranged marketing strategy of Sogrape means we see nothing more recent than the '83 in the UK - I gather they will ship the wines, but have a totally unrealistic perception of value, with the result that they don't sell any!
I have nine vintages in my cellar, ranging from 1927 through to 1983. Hard to pick a favourite, but the '83 is certainly a very sound wine. In style, I find Offley bears some resemblance to Vargellas.
I have long championed the simple 'aide memoire' that in the secondary market, Offley is offley good value! Unfortunately, the same can not be said of product supplied by Sogrape.
"In style, I find Offley bears some resemblance to Vargellas."
I would agree with Uncle Tom, in that I have often thought of Offley resembling Taylor when young. It just does not have the aging potential of Taylor. That is why Taylor is a "first growth".
I bought a case of the 1970 when it was young, and felt it did resemble Taylor. It was a very enjoyable port for a very reasonable price. It was big and full-bodied. As good as it was, I thought it aged quickly though. I'm sure I finished the case by 1990. I would be curious to read a tasting note now, and more curious to read of its showing in a horizontal to see how it compares to others.
I remember having the 1994 when young and it was big and quite tannic, with rather harsh tannins.
Saddly I have few other notes on Offley, very few compared to other houses. The brand is not very popular here in California.
So the 1970 gets my vote, but I need to experience more Offley. A fun quest for the future.
Shawn Denkler, "Portmaker" Quinta California Cellars
I am particularly enjoying this thread as Offley is so rarely discussed here or elsewhere. I am going to open up another one of my personal favorites, to make sure it still is my favorite of all Offley VPs, the 1966. I have loved this early in my Port drinking of older vintage Ports and even the last bottle four or five years ago was very enjoyable. Now I can't wait and have put one on death row, although there are a handful that will perish before it.
Moses Botbol wrote:Anyone try the 1970 Offley? I have sourced one for a reasonable price. I am planning a mega 1970 Horizontal in near future and would like to fill in the gaps for all the odd balls...
Duhhhh.... I forgot I already have a '70 Offley... Ginko Biloba where are you :help:
Moses Botbol wrote:Anyone try the 1970 Offley? I have sourced one for a reasonable price. I am planning a mega 1970 Horizontal in near future and would like to fill in the gaps for all the odd balls...
Duhhhh.... I forgot I already have a '70 Offley... Ginko Biloba where are you :help:
Moses,
Getting forgetful already I see I guess you're not drinking enough of your " purple medicine"
That's on the Ramos Pinto 1970. Wow, what a case! The branding on the OWC looks awesome, as does the straw. The bottles have the dark labels with whitesh an silver writing. I thought they were going to have an off white label as I have seen on some RP bottles. Lead capsole. I can't wait to try one! One more for the 1970 horizontal...
I guess you're not drinking enough of your " purple medicine" 
