Here’s the story and I’m sticking to it. Bought a couple bottles of this at auction for super cheap, about $25 for the pair. Since I’d never had it and there isn’t much 1984 VP floating around these days I bought them just for the experience…the price was right, anyways. Cork was in great condition, which surprised me so I had hope. Decanting it the color was a light brown, similar to a 10 year old tawny. Decanted 2 hours at time of sipping and over the next hour. Simple brown sugar and lacking in any complexity whatsoever. Well past its prime, which was probably 15-20 years prior, but surprisingly there was no heat/alcohol protruding. Clipped finish. This reminded me of a very inexpensive 10 year tawny but without the acidity uplift. If by chance you happen to own some of this, drink very soon. Better yet, cook with it.
79 Points
I had an '84 Infantado LBV - traditionally bottled - and it was decent enough, a survivor more than anything. I remember Hoopers closing out a bunch of VP from the 1980s at Trader Joe’s in the '90s, I was eager to find bargains but really found the wines uninspiring.
This was produced and owned by Real Companhia Velha “RCV”, better known to us here in the states as Royal Oporto. In short, they made shit VP’s back then. Thankfully the younger generation is taking over and they are doing much better in the Port making department…and their dry wines are quite excellent I may add. So I wasn’t holding out hope this would be great. It was more for the experience than anything else. Wouldn’t buy it again.
And good luck with older Infantado’s. They basically had the same reputation back then.
I’m pretty sure I saw that at auction, couldn’t find any info on it, and passed. IIRC, the one score I saw gave it a 60. I guess that means you’re an easy grader.
Hah! There wasn’t anything faulty in this. No VA or off flavors or other chemical faults. It would probably have been a nice easy drinking VP about 15-20 years ago when there was still fruit left in it. Not all VP is built to last a lifetime, some is made for much earlier drinking. This was surely one of them.
We visited some friends today and this 84 Hoopers VP was pulled out of their bar - complete with the Traders Joes stickers - so we decanted and strained this. After a couple hours in decanter we all had a couple of glasses. It was pretty well received - lots of maple, raisin, nutmeg here. Its not deep/tannic/dark but its still drinkable/quaffable. It had been at room temperature the last few decades and seems to have survived ok. Finish is clipped, but no VA nor spirity notes. Color is on the tawny side.
Port is tough, durable. And among a big group at the holidays, its always welcome. People were amazed at the whole opening ritual I conducted, while kind of surprised that this had made an appearance. I’d been assuming this was a mulled wine / cider kind of party.
Andy, are you also on The Port Forum?