Anybody drinking vintage Port ?

Patrick_Friel · December 24, 2012, 7:04pm

We had a 2000 Gould Campbell recently which was lovely in a mellow kind of way.

We’ll be opening a 2007 Quinto do Noval sometime this week. It is a baby but I was so impressed with it on release I got a case so plenty to cellar. There were many wonderful things going on in this bottle at the time. I’m looking forward to checking on it again.

andy_velebil · December 24, 2012, 7:19pm

I’ve always loved the old paper labels Niepoort used around that time period. Thanks

As for the Pocas 1970. I’ve not had that particuar vintage in what is probably close to 10 years now. It was a bit simple and young back then, from what I remember. With the additional cask age on it (given it’s a recent bottling) i hope its gained a bit of complexity and shed some of the youthfulness.

Is this a new release or a bottle you’ve had for some time?

Fred_C · December 24, 2012, 11:11pm

Popped it open early. The color is gorgeous: light golden brown. The nose it pretty. The sweetness is balanced and there is a nice orange peel acid lift. Simple at first but after an hour the caramel comes out. Not much in terms of spice and complexity but very, very pretty and purchased 2 more based on 1 hour results.

T_Schaffler · December 25, 2012, 5:06am

Currently drinking an 86 SWH Colheita. Been open for a couple of weeks but still lovely.

T_Schaffler · December 25, 2012, 5:27am

Andy the Pochas was bottled in 2002. I think I have had it maybe 2 years. I was born in 70 and its my only Colheita from that year. Haven’t come across too many Colheita’s from 70 ever for sale. Certainly entertain them when I do.

Brent_C_l_a_y_t_o_n · December 25, 2012, 5:45am

Popped a 1994 Warre’s tonight. Yikes. Tons of black fruit but oh so young.

David_Lewin · December 25, 2012, 7:10pm

Just stood upright a bottle of 83 Graham for New Years.

harry_spithoven · December 27, 2012, 5:19pm

Nobody with Fonseca 1977 experience

andy_velebil · December 28, 2012, 2:49am

Quite a bit of experience with it. What would you like to know?

andy_velebil · December 28, 2012, 2:51am

There aren’t many available from 1970. Usually the case when a “Classic Declaration” is made, as 1970 was.

And 2002 is probably the last time I had the 1970 Pocas. Glad to see my memory isn’t totally fading LOL

David_Bu3ker · December 28, 2012, 3:03am

So often it’s just me, so I open tawnies or LBV Ports. Got a '91 Dow for Christmas though, so may have to break down soon.

Stephen_Williams · December 28, 2012, 6:04am

Had a 1952 Graham’s Diamond Jubilee Colheita with Christmas Pudding Very special stuff

Patrick_Friel · December 28, 2012, 6:09am

So, the 2007 Quinta do Noval is multifaceted, lively, and insanely delicious. I cannot imagine what it will be like as it matures.

harry_spithoven · December 28, 2012, 12:13pm

All you can tell me Andy
Fortunatly I have a unopened case of this wine in my cellar.
At cellartracker one can read very different P.N. I am very interested what you think

best regards

andy_velebil · December 28, 2012, 3:25pm

Yes, this is the best Tawny I’ve had from the Symington family. Truly special stuff.

andy_velebil · December 28, 2012, 3:26pm

From the time I started having cask samples this clearly stood out as my favorite, and still is. This is an amazing VP and I can’t wait to chart it’s aging progress…though it will outlive me my lots.

andy_velebil · December 28, 2012, 3:34pm

Harry,

the 1977 Fonseca is a wonderful bottle, when it shows as it should. The issue being, like the 1977 Taylor’s, there is a large amount of bottle variation in them. That is why you see such diverse tasting notes on it. It has nothing to do with storage. As even bottles which have been opened in their own tasting room, from their own library stock, have shown significant bottle variations. Even the Fladgate Partnership’s CEO has stated there is bottle variation issues with both of these houses in 1977.

The major reason, which has affected many late 1970’s to early 1980’s VP’s was problem corks. These cork issues have led to significant problems with bottle variation and TCA (1977 Dow’s and 1983 Cockburn being famous for serious TCA issues).

paul_hanna · December 29, 2012, 1:23am

I bought a lot of this for my daughters birth year…a much better choice than anything else IMHO.

harry_spithoven · December 29, 2012, 10:13am

the 1977 Fonseca is a wonderful bottle, when it shows as it should. The issue being, like the 1977 Taylor’s, there is a large amount of bottle variation in them. That is why you see such diverse tasting notes on it. It has nothing to do with storage. As even bottles which have been opened in their own tasting room, from their own library stock, have shown significant bottle variations. Even the Fladgate Partnership’s CEO has stated there is bottle variation issues with both of these houses in 1977.

The major reason, which has affected many late 1970’s to early 1980’s VP’s was problem corks. These cork issues have led to significant problems with bottle variation and TCA (1977 Dow’s and 1983 Cockburn being famous for serious TCA issues).[/quote]

Thank you Andy,

Find it rather strange such a great bottle variation.
The proof off the pudding etc. so very soon I will crack my case and hope for the best.

Harry

T_Schaffler · December 31, 2012, 6:17pm

Harry,

As Andy mentioned, the 77 Fonseca, when you have the right bottle, is off the charts. Fantastic stuff, when not, its ok and makes you scratch your head, expecting, no wanting more. Had the same experience with 1970 Fonseca this year. One was out of this world and made my hall of fame wall at our cabin (there are about 20-30 empty bottles on a shelf across our kitchen, to get added, the bottle has to be better then one on the shelf, no small feet at this point), the other was just ok.