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Vintage Port Wines
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Boudreaux
Nov 8, 09 14:49
Post #1 of 12 (192 views)
Vintage Port Wines
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Its a tossup at the moment. Dad's Christmas gift...
Should I go with a Vintage bottle (say '85) or a 40 Y.O. from a good house.
The vintage is fussy, but perhaps more fun...
The declared age is dependable and easy...
Dad is 89 and has had his share of decadent life...but I'd like to give something he can enjoy and share after a dinner party. I'm concerned that a single bottle of Vintage Port might be a looser-or a great winner, whereas the other choice is easy.
"you know, aero trumps training ;-) "
R10C 10/09
last tri in 83
Nov 8, 09 15:36
Post #2 of 12 (186 views)
Re: Vintage Port Wines [Boudreaux]
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Just to add confusion and not answer you question, the late harvest from this winery is not vintage by any means but it is probably the best I have ever tasted by a longshot. They only made one barrel so if you are interested, hurry.
http://wildwoodwine.com/.../SinglePageStore.php
_____________________________________________
No one appreciates my humor anymore. --Sphere
(This post was
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by last tri in 83 on Nov 8, 09 15:38)
chainpin
Nov 8, 09 16:06
Post #3 of 12 (178 views)
Re: Vintage Port Wines [Boudreaux]
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Can't Post
In Reply To:
Its a tossup at the moment. Dad's Christmas gift...
Should I go with a Vintage bottle (say '85) or a 40 Y.O. from a good house.
The vintage is fussy, but perhaps more fun...
The declared age is dependable and easy...
Dad is 89 and has had his share of decadent life...but I'd like to give something he can enjoy and share after a dinner party. I'm concerned that a single bottle of Vintage Port might be a looser-or a great winner, whereas the other choice is easy.
A gentleman will always appreciate a fine bottle of port.
I think it is a superlative gift idea.
Three to choose from:
1963 (the king of vintages)
1970
1977
1994
"I really wish you would post more often. You always have some good stuff to say. I copied it below just in case someone missed it." BarryP to Chainpin on 10/21/06
Mr_Pink
Nov 9, 09 7:08
Post #4 of 12 (151 views)
Re: Vintage Port Wines [chainpin]
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I'm glad to see someone posting the 1963 port vintage as classic. We had a party last weekend and as a closer opened a bottle of '63 Barros Colheita and it was outstanding. I'm glad that we made the decision to stock up a few years ago. A nice Sauternes from a reputable house may also be a good choice as a gift.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
We have enough youth, how about a fountain of smart!?!
snoots
Nov 9, 09 7:22
Post #5 of 12 (145 views)
Re: Vintage Port Wines [Mr_Pink]
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Wow, can we be friends? I want to come to your parties! ;) (bottles of 1963 Port are available here, ranging from $350 - $900, depending on the house...)
Personally, I would take the time to look into the specifics: year, harvest, etc. 1994, for example, was an excellent year, so a well-chosen bottle from an excellent year, accompanied by the articles, reviews, perhaps a book, would make an excellent gift in my circles.
RE: the Sauternes, I tend to be wary. Like everything else French-wine related, limiting to region and gov't 'encouraged' supply restrictions artificially raise the price. There are some excellent Italian equivalents; even a bottle of late-harvest Sauv. Blanc from Chile can be as good, for a fraction of the price... of course, it doesn't have the 'label WOW', but that's a whole other discussion...lol...
Mr_Pink
Nov 9, 09 7:39
Post #6 of 12 (138 views)
Re: Vintage Port Wines [snoots]
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Point well taken... This wine purchased now is about $200, and we paid less than 1/2 that 10 years ago. In North America there are a lot of good choices for dessert wines, Reynolds makes a great one (Sticky), and Van Der Heyden makes really nice late harvest zinfindel and Cabernet, Tons of good stuff in the finger lakes area too. One thing that I have not tried is the Ice Wines which I hear are very nice.
I've probably muddied the water for the OP, but your idea on supplying articles / reviews / etc along with the gift bottle is spot on!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
We have enough youth, how about a fountain of smart!?!
Boudreaux
Nov 9, 09 8:33
Post #7 of 12 (127 views)
Re: Vintage Port Wines [Mr_Pink]
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No Pinky, you haven't muddied the water at all. A '94 would be a superb choice, but i don't want Dad to consider laying the bottle down - of course decadence demands drinking a young Port every now and then - just to see.
A '63 is probably out of my price range. I think the '85s could be a good chioce.
The question revolved around a vintage bottle as opposed to a "certainteed" 40 YO...I'm torn. Were I to spend over $100, I don't know what I'd do for myself. Open the 40YO and you can enjoy it over a month; open the '85 and you have to share.
Of course, Dad would share, but I question the "fussiness" of a vintage bottle. Fun might be to purchase a 10, a 20 and a 40 YO from the same house...might be able to do that for less than $250.
Hey, I could do that for myself!!!
"you know, aero trumps training ;-) "
R10C 10/09
Greg66
Nov 9, 09 8:55
Post #8 of 12 (121 views)
Re: Vintage Port Wines [Boudreaux]
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A good vintage port really should be decanted. Thereafter, (IME) it hits its peak at 48-72 hours. A ports sold as a 10/20/40 year old on the lable won't come close to a vintage which is the same age.
I'd suggest a 77. Look at Taylors, Grahams, Warres, Croft or Fonseca. If not that, an 85, and if not that, (IIRC) 83 was a good declared year, maturing earlier than the 85s.
If you're looking for something that your Dad will be able to drink over a longer period, maybe an Armagnac would fit the bill.
Boudreaux
Nov 9, 09 10:50
Post #9 of 12 (106 views)
Re: Vintage Port Wines [Greg66]
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A good vintage port really should be decanted. Thereafter, (IME) it hits its peak at 48-72 hours. A ports sold as a 10/20/40 year old on the lable won't come close to a vintage which is the same age.
I'd suggest a 77. Look at Taylors, Grahams, Warres, Croft or Fonseca. If not that, an 85, and if not that, (IIRC) 83 was a good declared year, maturing earlier than the 85s.
If you're looking for something that your Dad will be able to drink over a longer period, maybe an Armagnac would fit the bill.
Greg; that did it. Thanks. He will decant (he knows his stuff and is a Gentleman of the old school). I'll strech and get a '77 Taylor from a reputable dealer, as I don't really trust the auction sites...
In the meantime, Lil' Audrey knows that one is on my Christmas wish list also...
thanks, Kai
"you know, aero trumps training ;-) "
R10C 10/09
Fleck
Nov 10, 09 12:39
Post #10 of 12 (68 views)
Re: Vintage Port Wines [chainpin]
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A gentleman will always appreciate a fine bottle of port.
Here, here!
We usually buy a few bottles for the holiday/Christmas season to have a port with desert or after dinner. Perhaps I will go shopping for this a bit earlier then normal this year! Although, I will not be spending $400 on a '63 vintage. Taylors First Estate or Late Bottled Vintage are fine by me and much more within our budget! :)
Steve Fleck
http://www.nineteenwetsuits.com
http://stevefleck.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/stevefleck
chainpin
Nov 10, 09 12:50
Post #11 of 12 (66 views)
Re: Vintage Port Wines [Fleck]
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In Reply To:
A gentleman will always appreciate a fine bottle of port.
Here, here!
We usually buy a few bottles for the holiday/Christmas season to have a port with desert or after dinner. Perhaps I will go shopping for this a bit earlier then normal this year! Although, I will not be spending $400 on a '63 vintage. Taylors First Estate or Late Bottled Vintage are fine by me and much more within our budget! :)
LBV port can offer great value for the $, especially if you're already buzzed up and are not in a state of mind to truly appreciate the real good stuff!
"I really wish you would post more often. You always have some good stuff to say. I copied it below just in case someone missed it." BarryP to Chainpin on 10/21/06
Boudreaux
Nov 10, 09 13:18
Post #12 of 12 (61 views)
Re: Vintage Port Wines [chainpin]
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That's the very reason I take my Port in the mornings...
After a nice dinner, martinis and three bottles of wine...well, you do the math on a good bottle.
"you know, aero trumps training ;-) "
R10C 10/09
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