Our FTLOP reunion for our Port Harvest Tour gang was going to be a casual affair; but turned out to include a mighty fine selection of Vintage Ports beginning with a 1960 Quinta do Noval and ending with a fantastic bottle of 1964 Blandy's Bual. Thanks to all guests who flew in from afar, and our host, Tom des Brisay.
The Grape Harvest or Autumn'Francisco de Goya'
A whole lotta cork.
What is the BEST Moscatel you have ever had from this fine producer in Setubal?
A recent stash of wood-aged Ports.
A good way to start the weekend?
The day I arrived in Porto, I was just walking around the city taking photos and a group of young "entrepreneurs" comes up to me to take part in their fun. Worth a few Euros, right? Maybe it was my hat and shirt that told them I'd be a real sucker for this?
In this photo you can clearly see both Portugal and Spain, the latter of which is less than a tee shot from where I was standing. This is the vineyard in front of the great Vinho Verde producer, SOALHEIRO in Melgaço, a northern Portugal town of less than 10,000 citizens; with a Mayor, whose last name is also Soalheiro!
Preparing for my presentation of Douro wines in Edmonton recently.
And here was our all-star "Douro Boys" lineup, plus Soalheiro as a starter. Wishing you all a fabulous Thanksgiving Day, for those who partake ... and a good reason to open a bottle of Port too!
Just before dinner, while visiting Quinta do Noval.
It was really nice to see LUISA BORGES again during the harvest, along with both of her parents. Luisa is making gorgeous wines at VIEIRA DE SOUSA and not only did we get to try quite a few bottles, but also visited their vineyards and sampled some family heirlooms from cask. A very memorable day!
Part of our lineup at a recent Port get-together.
Duorum 2010 LBV
The proud owner of PE na Agua restaurant, on the island of Porto Santo, (one of the Madeira islands) shows us our fresh lunch options. The seafood was fabulous and the service was outstanding too.
A fine young NIEPOORT Colheita that is just coming into its own.
Seeking out a new LBV to try ... there is a reason this 2011 QUEVEDO won the 5th Annual FTLOP Award for the LBV Category!
Quinta do Noval ... spectacular!
2007 Altano ... one of the TOP versions of this wine!
Visting Vinhos Justino is always an educational experience, and our tastings there have been fantastic. Thanks to their Managing Director Júlio Fernandes (standing in photo) and Juan Texeira who is the winemaker, the quality of their Madeiras remains at such a high level.

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