PORT **** III ..Things are getting out of hand!

[catfishm2]

I've just started getting into port and that looks amazing. Sure makes my 3 bottles look puny...congrats.

[Havanaaddict]

Originally Posted by vic_c

I try to open at least one a week...just not the super rare ones like the 1896 Dow or 1900 Taylor...I've only seen one other 1896 Dow in my lifetime and they rarely come up for auction!
I purchased a little of the 2000 vintage ...mainly Taylor & Fonseca. The problem is they are too expensive because of the US dollar exchange rate. The better 2000's are $55-75 a bottle and for that price you can buy equally as good or better '83's or '85's which are drinkable now. I have only tried one of the 2000's .....way to early to drink..tasted like grape juice...but It will be excellent in 15 years ....not as good as the 1994 vintage by any means!

I love Port also I tend to drink TAWNY more!!! I have always wonder how long is a port good for after it has been opened?

[Havanaaddict]

How are this prices
COCKBURN'S 1983 VINTAGE PORT $79.99
TAYLOR'S 1970 VINTAGE PORT $169.99
QUINTA DE LA ROSA LBV 1998 PORT $17.99
DOWS 1983 VINTAGE PORT $64.99

[mosesbotbol]

Originally Posted by Havanaaddict

How are this prices
COCKBURN'S 1983 VINTAGE PORT $79.99
TAYLOR'S 1970 VINTAGE PORT $169.99
QUINTA DE LA ROSA LBV 1998 PORT $17.99
DOWS 1983 VINTAGE PORT $64.99

The Dow is a steal, Cockburn's is a good price, and Taylor is a great price too. AS for the LBV probably is good-average. The 83's of anything are the best value in Vintage Port. 70, of course is a bang up year.

[mosesbotbol]

Originally Posted by Havanaaddict

I love Port also I tend to drink TAWNY more!!! I have always wonder how long is a port good for after it has been opened?

Easily a couple of weeks for a vintage. Hard to image a bottle lasting that long? It's not scotch or congac.

[vic_c]

Originally Posted by Havanaaddict

How are this prices
COCKBURN'S 1983 VINTAGE PORT $79.99
TAYLOR'S 1970 VINTAGE PORT $169.99
QUINTA DE LA ROSA LBV 1998 PORT $17.99
DOWS 1983 VINTAGE PORT $64.99

The Cockburn's is a good price ...exactly what I've paid in the past the Taylor's 1970 is a little high it should be about $120-140 The Dow's is good as well.The LBV I wouldn't bother with..maybe just get a Taylor 10 year Tawny!

Definitely worth picking up the others though...maybe just go light on the Taylor 1970...and when you open them because they are young let them breath for at least 2 hours. You will love them! and even better ther next day!

[vic_c]

Originally Posted by Mbraud4

Gonna have to check out the liquor store for some port to try. Ive heard awesome things about port/cigars mixed but have yet to try it.

It's an absolute essential for me with a cigar! Definitely try some!

[Blueface]

Holy crap can we do some damage with that.

[rdcross]

Originally Posted by mosesbotbol

Easily a couple of weeks for a vintage. Hard to image a bottle lasting that long? It's not scotch or congac.

I've found the answer to this really depends on who you're talking to. I had a 1977 Smith-Woodhouse last weekend (one of the most under-rated of the 1977 vintage, I believe; and a steal compared to the others if you can find it!), and when it was opened it was absolutely undrinkable. It smelled like hot alcohol. Not even a grape smell on the nose. Imagine the shock this port goes through after being bottled, without oxygen for nearly 30 years! About ten minutes after decanting, you could finally start getting hints of fruit on the nose. The taste at first: awful. Two hours later, still very closed, alcoholic and hot. Little fruit to speak of. Six hours later: A little better, but not ready yet. The next morning: Ready to drink. Smooth, velvety, still tannic but rich. 24 hours later: perfect, rounded out. Incredible!

It didn't make it past 24 hours, but there is debate as to how long an open, decanted vintage port will "stay good." Some say 2 days, max. Others, like Mosesbotbol, say two weeks easy.

I look forward to finding out!

[mosesbotbol]

Originally Posted by rdcross

It didn't make it past 24 hours, but there is debate as to how long an open, decanted vintage port will "stay good." Some say 2 days, max. Others, like Mosesbotbol, say two weeks easy.

I look forward to finding out!

A '77 should be good drink without too much waiting. On Saturday a friend came by and we had a couple of bottles of port. The first bottle; 1963 Croft. What a wonderful bottle, unique tasting. Has a chocolate taste that I haven't found much in port. None of raisan or cherry usually found in port. Needed no time to breathe, ready to enjoy. Very smooth, but not ultimately smooth. We polished it down in an hour or less.

Bottle number two; 1977 Fonseca Vintage. This was my first 100 point rated port ever. A higher quality blend then the Crofts, the usual tast profile associated with Fonseca; a little cherry, a little raisan, all blended until a dreamy potion. This port could go another 20-30 years before drinking. Definetly ready, but when comparing to the 63 seemed pre-mature. We let this one breathe in my wine fridge for 3 hours. Lasted about an hour...

I've had the '83 Smith Woodhouse and found it to be pretty good, not of the caliber of Dow, Taylor or Fonseca but still yummy. My point about opening them up as they can polished off in a couple blinks of the eye. Maybe not as fast as wine, but pretty close.

What a night. Had an '87 RJ Churchill, Partagas Churchill, '03 QD Corona, '01 Cohiba Lancero, and '02 LGC #2. Wasn't in the mood for cigars on the next day...