1950 vintage

WINE TALK
1

Turning 60 in July and am interested in getting something to share with family and friends from the 1950 vintage.

Any thoughts or recommendations would be appreciated.

Thanks,

BT

2

JJ Buckley has the 1950 Petrus for only $2913.99. I wouldn’t pay $2914 for it, but that’s a good price.

Seriously, I understand that 1950 was particularly good in Pomerol.

3

And since my father is also from 1950:

1950 Château L’Evangile - France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol (2/5/2006)
At first I thought the bottle might be corked because of a very strong mustines but it blew off with time. The colour was surprisingly dark although not very intense. the nose showed typical aged wine aromas. On the palate the tannins were totally integrated but the wine still had some fat left. The most impressive part was the extreme persistence in the mouth. Not a great wine by any means, but nevertheless nice to drink.
Posted from CellarTracker

4

As I posted in the other version, 1950 is considered an excellent year in Pomerol. Not sure of any other regions.

5

Billy,

I’m also a 1950 baby, and have spent a good bit of time - and, likely, too much money - over the years searching out and acquiring birth year wines. I think your options are:

Bordeaux

  • 1950 was a very successful vintage on the Right Bank, especially in Pomerol. The 1950 Lafleur, for example, received 100 Parker points. Downside: These wines are now very difficult to find, and very expensive if you find them - well into the $1000’s. And I’m not sure how well they are holding up at age 60.

Port

  • 1950 was not a widely-declared vintage, and according to James Suckling most of the 1950 VP’s had “seen better days” when he wrote his book in 1990. You’ll do much better, I believe, with Colheitas and Garrafeiras. 1950’s I have enjoyed in the past include Colheitas from Kopke and Niepoort, and a Niepoort Garrafeira. You should be able to find these; expect to pay in the $350-500 range.

Madeira

  • Happy hunting grounds for 1950! Available, in the grand scheme of things reasonably priced, and virtually indestructible so that provenance is much less of an issue. Wine Searcher (not the pro version) turns up two interesting options: Barbeito Bual Reserva, $400; and Leacock Sercial, $300. But I just happen to know, 'cause I just enjoyed a bottle on my birthday and bought another to replace it, that Rare Wine Co. is currently offering the 1950 Barbeito Terrantez Fajã dos Padres - a fabulous bottle - for $495. That would be my top recommendation. My TN:

After fourteen hours in an open carafe: Beautiful medium amber color, limpid and luminous. Soaring nose of caramel, toffee, sourwood honey, and grilled almonds - I immediately thought of a childhood favorite, Bit-O-Honey candy. What the nose promises the palate delivers, weaving in notes of cocoa, grilled pineapple, and Kona coffee. The richness and weight can only mean substantial residual sugar (I’m guessing 3-4%), but a riveting lemony acidity drives it to a bone dry finish - a long, layered, complex, and immensely satisfying finish. One word review: Thrilling.

6

Ditto on 50 Pomerol.
Evangile,VCC have been quite nice.

7

Nice find on the Madeira, Robert! Comparative notes, pricing - the whole enchilada!!

(You should post more about wine - hint, hint - you are really good at it!)

8

Any suggestions on who/where I might find these 50 Pomerol’s?

Some others have suggested I might fare better looking for Ports???

9

Thanks So Very Much.

10

Happy Birthday in advance.

Do you have a price limit?
Try Wine Searcher to start
Do not put an entry in Wine Name
and put 1950 in the Vintage box

I got 36 results naming the wine & price range.
That should give you some ideas.

Cheers
Rip

11

Thanks Rip. I am at work so I will have to wait until I get home this evening. Thanks again.

Billy T

12

I have just received an offer for a 1950 Banyuls (sweet fortified red wine from southern France) for 54 euros… in case you know somebody going to France soon I can give you the link.

Edit: they ship all over Europe and might ship to the US too.

13

I would love to have the link. Thanks.

14

Would you please consider sending me the information and link.

Thanks,

Billy T