For The Love Of Port

Hi everyone,

I'm planning a 1970s horizontal with some friends who all enjoy port but probably would struggle to name a vintage beyond '77 or a label beyond the more than the obvious Symington/ Taylor-Fladgate brands.

So far I have sourced a Taylor, Fonseca and Graham at reasonable prices and from reasonable provenance. I'll probably add in a good lbv (nval or niepoort 2003) or crusted (Dow 2002) as a comparator, together with a 10yr tawny (Otima/ Taylor) to give a contrast in styles.

However, I'm looking to add in a couple of extra more unusual 1970 ports and seeking recommendations - could be one of the so-called "second-string" British shippers such as Sandeman/ GC/ Cockburn, but I'd be particularly interested in one of the non-British shippers that is good and will not break the bank. I have read that Roy is a big fan of the Niepoort 1970, for instance, but that is very hard to come by unless you are willing to spend £130...

Also, I'd be interested in a 1970 colheita recommendation. As 2010 is the 40 yr anniversary, will there be any 1970s released this year or does it work differently? (my knowledge of colheitas is limited)

With kind regards,

Rob

(ps - new member - introduction in the port basics section)

Geez, with 1970, take your pick they are all good. I can't think of a lousy 1970 vintage. Some interesting ones you could add are:

Sandeman
Ramos Pinto
Kopke
Offley
Royal Oporto
Niepoort
Croft

Thanks - looks like I can get hold of the Croft and Offley at reasonable prices, there's also a Noval 70 that is tempting and seems to be well received here.

Has anyone tried the Pocas 1970 colheita?

Given your audience, I wouldn't keep adding more expensive VPs. You've got a nice lineup of those already. But a Croft would be nice. I just had a nice bottle of that and it was pretty reasonably priced as I recall. 1970 Noval? I thought that was kind of in the dark ages for that house, or at least the beginning of that period. But I haven't had one, so this is just hearsay.

I attended a 35 bottle 1970 horizontal in 2009 and the two wines that were the biggest surprise of the night were Calem and Calem Quinta da Foz. Both were stunning wines that were still very dark and youthful. Others that put on a good show were Smith Woodhouse, Gould Campbell and Quarles Harris. Warre 1970 is a fabulous wine and not expensive.

Personally, I would avoid the 1970 Noval. I have found it to be very hit and miss in this vintage with huge bottle variation. If you get a bad one it is very disappointing.

Derek T. wrote: Personally, I would avoid the 1970 Noval. I have found it to be very hit and miss in this vintage with huge bottle variation.

This true. Not a '70 vintage I would go chasing after.

Unlike Derek's and his crew, I've never been a real fan of the 1970 Warre, while I know that some find it very elegant. There are too many better Ports from 1970 including, FEIST which nobody has mentioned or the excellent Vargellas.

Roy Hersh wrote:the excellent Vargellas.

I thought about mentioning that one but I'm not sure if it has ever been made available commercially so left it out.

Roy Hersh wrote:Unlike Derek's and his crew, I've never been a real fan of the 1970 Warre

Derek T. wrote:

Roy Hersh wrote:the excellent Vargellas.

I thought about mentioning that one but I'm not sure if it has ever been made available commercially so left it out.

Never knew there is a '70 Vargellas.

At our 70 horizontal almost a year ago, the bottles came in like this:

The points are given 3 to the best,2 to the next and 1 point to the 3. best.
The bottles are tasted blind, but you have a list over the bottles of the day.
The Bold points are what i gave them on Parkers scale.

1. Fonseca 98 34 points(did you need to ask or wonder....)
2. Grahams 97 24 points
3. ramos Pinto 92 14 points
4. Taylor 95 10 points
4. Noval. 93 10 points
6. Ferreira 90 3 points
7. Delaforce 83 1 point
8. Croft 84 0 points
8. Burmester 82 0 points

Niels

Niels Stroejer wrote: 1. Fonseca 98 34 points(did you need to ask or wonder....)
2. Grahams 97 24 points
3. ramos Pinto 92 14 points
4. Taylor 95 10 points
4. Noval. 93 10 points
...

An impressive show for the Ramos Pinto. Who would have thunk it? Well, maybe some people around here, but not me. So I thought to myself, "Hmmmm, I wonder if that's a sleeper than can be picked up cheaply." No such luck. It is rare and expensive as far as I can tell.

Eric Menchen wrote: An impressive show for the Ramos Pinto. Who would have thunk it? Well, maybe some people around here, but not me. So I thought to myself, "Hmmmm, I wonder if that's a sleeper than can be picked up cheaply." No such luck. It is rare and expensive as far as I can tell.

The Ramos 70 OWC is each bottled wrapped in hay. That alone with lead capsoles is worth 2 points. I have had this vintage a few times and is one of Ramos best vintages for "vintage years". Ramos, at least post 60's does a better job on off years similar to Ferreira which also had a good '70. Both are heavier in body than I would normally assoicate with either house.