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by Andy Velebil
19:57 Sun 03 Sep 2023
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: 1925 Taylor Fladgate & Yeatman Vargellas port
Replies: 73
Views: 91767

Re: 1925 Taylor Fladgate & Yeatman Vargellas port

Vargellas wrote:No word yet from Taylor Fladgate! I did speak to the buyer at Martignetti, he gave me some background on the bottle. Fredrick said only Taylor could authenticate the bottle. I will keep reaching out.
Try social media.
by Andy Velebil
15:56 Sun 27 Aug 2023
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: 1925 Taylor Fladgate & Yeatman Vargellas port
Replies: 73
Views: 91767

Re: 1925 Taylor Fladgate & Yeatman Vargellas port

There are zero bottles of pre-war Taylor’s vintage or single quinta port with a stopper cork known to anyone who has deigned to look at this thread. I argue that one can come to the preliminary conclusion, develop a theory, make an inference, or hold a suspicion, by virtue of the absence of known d...
by Andy Velebil
14:26 Sun 27 Aug 2023
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: 1925 Taylor Fladgate & Yeatman Vargellas port
Replies: 73
Views: 91767

Re: 1925 Taylor Fladgate & Yeatman Vargellas port

With the greatest of respect, Dave and Andy, you are rather proving my point. From your deep knowledge you are creating a story/rationale in which it is possible for the contents of this bottle to be 1925 Vargellas. I still think that’s unlikely. - I am not aware of a single documented pre war exam...
by Andy Velebil
00:18 Sun 27 Aug 2023
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: 1925 Taylor Fladgate & Yeatman Vargellas port
Replies: 73
Views: 91767

Re: 1925 Taylor Fladgate & Yeatman Vargellas port

And so there is no confusion. The ‘33 has a modern Selo and new label because Adrian Bridge pulled it from the company cellar, had the shiner bottle cleaned, new capsule and label applied specifically for that tasting. I still retain the t-cork in my possession.
by Andy Velebil
05:34 Wed 23 Aug 2023
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: 1925 Taylor Fladgate & Yeatman Vargellas port
Replies: 73
Views: 91767

Re: 1925 Taylor Fladgate & Yeatman Vargellas port

I tend to approach very old bottles now with the “it’s fake until proven real” mentality. I see absolutely nothing at all that leads me to believe this is fake. As I mentioned before, the label appears to be a type used in-house. think current Sym bottles pulled from stocks without labels but they n...
by Andy Velebil
21:52 Sun 20 Aug 2023
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: 1977 Warre
Replies: 2
Views: 1848

Re: 1977 Warre

mcoulson wrote:77 does appear to be a general good year ...
It is an outstanding year. Sadly marred by a lot of horrible corks.
by Andy Velebil
20:43 Wed 16 Aug 2023
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: 1925 Taylor Fladgate & Yeatman Vargellas port
Replies: 73
Views: 91767

Re: 1925 Taylor Fladgate & Yeatman Vargellas port

Thank you all for your your thoughts and expertise! I will forward along information as I receive it. Is there a company/way to authenticate the bottle? Fun trying to solve this mystery! Some wine companies will allow you to mail them in to be examined. However, if it is deemed improper (fake, not ...
by Andy Velebil
17:36 Wed 16 Aug 2023
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: 1925 Taylor Fladgate & Yeatman Vargellas port
Replies: 73
Views: 91767

Re: 1925 Taylor Fladgate & Yeatman Vargellas port

I’ve zoomed in on the stamp. I can make out some of what appears to be on it.

“Financas” = finances
“Portugal”
“Damoeda” = currency
“Casa” = house
“Minis…” (maybe Ministerio?) = ministry

Not sure what order they are supposed to be in. But maybe “Finances Casa Damoeda Portugal Ministero” ?
by Andy Velebil
17:18 Wed 16 Aug 2023
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: 1925 Taylor Fladgate & Yeatman Vargellas port
Replies: 73
Views: 91767

Re: 1925 Taylor Fladgate & Yeatman Vargellas port

Regardless if it has been opened or not, there is obvious signs of seepage. But i can’t see the fill level. One thing bothering me is the “R” on the label. I went back through old pics of their cellar and I think it means Reserva. Which I think would indicate a tawny of some type, based on some pics...
by Andy Velebil
01:52 Tue 15 Aug 2023
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: 1925 Taylor Fladgate & Yeatman Vargellas port
Replies: 73
Views: 91767

Re: 1925 Taylor Fladgate & Yeatman Vargellas port

That does not appear to be the remnants of a Selo. Rather it appears to be an old tax stamp.

It also looks like the capsule has already been cut around the base of the t-cork.

Better pics are needed.
by Andy Velebil
05:20 Thu 10 Aug 2023
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Latest buy
Replies: 2095
Views: 831117

Re: Latest buy

3 x Taylor’s 1977 1 x Vargellas 1982 1 x Fonseca 1983 1 x Dow’s 1963 1 x Q de Santa Barbara 1970 Colheita 1 x Kopke 1979 Colheita 2 x Unknown which turned to be Cockburn’s 1967 All bought at auction for easy money. Drink F83 soon. Very soon. Ck67 is normally quite nice. As are some others. Not fami...
by Andy Velebil
01:34 Tue 01 Aug 2023
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Unusual Shaped Port Bottle
Replies: 15
Views: 11238

Re: Unusual Shaped Port Bottle

After googling around, it’s possible it was used for either olive oil or poison. At least originally. Those are the only two things I could find that used similar types bottles. Of course, that’s just googling and reuse of bottles was common so… Pretty sure I don't want a bottle of Port that's re-u...
by Andy Velebil
13:33 Mon 31 Jul 2023
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Unusual Shaped Port Bottle
Replies: 15
Views: 11238

Re: Unusual Shaped Port Bottle

After googling around, it’s possible it was used for either olive oil or poison. At least originally. Those are the only two things I could find that used similar types bottles. Of course, that’s just googling and reuse of bottles was common so…
by Andy Velebil
22:26 Fri 28 Jul 2023
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: 2003 Sainsbury
Replies: 3
Views: 807

Re: 2003 Sainsbury

Very entertaining & interesting I wonder if batch numbers exist on the bottles in any way other than the license no's ... I've just found two Niepoort 2015 LBV and they were the last two bottles from one source - they were 419372 & 419311 but I've no idea what kind of indication that would ...
by Andy Velebil
04:45 Thu 27 Jul 2023
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Port for sale by retailer
Replies: 1537
Views: 809054

Re: Port for sale by retailer

I've been offered the opportunity to have 450cl bottles of Graham tawny 10YO / 20YO / 30YO engraved with a personalised message. The engraving on the bottle can be up to 60mm x 60mm. The engraving on the box can be any size that fits on the box. The engraving service is only available on duty paid ...
by Andy Velebil
15:20 Sun 23 Jul 2023
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Is it wrong to decant cold?
Replies: 9
Views: 3970

Re: Is it wrong to decant cold?

Opinion:

The wine world overthinks wine. Decant cold, decant warm, it does not matter. If cold it will warm up shortly in the decanter. If too warm, put into fridge to chill while it gets air. Only thing that matters is time spent in decanter.
by Andy Velebil
22:06 Thu 20 Jul 2023
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Latest buy
Replies: 2095
Views: 831117

Re: Latest buy

Bottle looks like mid to late 1950’s to early 60’s, perhaps. Label appears to say …many years in cask. But no reference to actual age or year. However a good chunk of label is missing. Without actual documentation, would be hard to verify it was actually 1900 Colheita. Labeling wasn’t always very cl...
by Andy Velebil
21:45 Thu 20 Jul 2023
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Latest buy
Replies: 2095
Views: 831117

Re: Latest buy

I have just purchased the following bottle at auction ( online but not collected yet). I know little about old tawny port, it was listed as a Gilbey 1900 and cost the princely sum of ten pounds plus fees. Can anyone enlighten me as to this port. Thanks They used a t-cork to seal it. Can you post be...
by Andy Velebil
01:21 Wed 05 Jul 2023
Forum: Travel
Topic: A Visit to Quinta do Noval
Replies: 24
Views: 20920

Re: A Visit to Quinta do Noval

. This was the point at which we learned that wine labelled “Noval” has been made using grapes grown by long-term contract farmers on their own land. Wine labelled at “Quinto do Noval” has been made from grapes grown exclusively on land owned by Quinta do Noval. By law, any wine that is called &quo...
by Andy Velebil
21:18 Tue 04 Jul 2023
Forum: Travel
Topic: A Visit to Quinta do Noval
Replies: 24
Views: 20920

Re: A Visit to Quinta do Noval

The almond tart is mouthwatering good. One of the best around.
by Andy Velebil
23:23 Wed 28 Jun 2023
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: 1994 Quevedo colheita
Replies: 1
Views: 522

Re: 1994 Quevedo colheita

Colheitas seem to me to generally taste perhaps 10 years younger than their XX year old tawnies (such as 30yr Colheita vs 20 year tawny), probably due to the small amounts of older components in the mix. The Q94c is interesting to me as it tastes younger than I expect, perhaps 17yt equiv, but is so...
by Andy Velebil
03:47 Tue 27 Jun 2023
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Unusual Shaped Port Bottle
Replies: 15
Views: 11238

Re: Unusual Shaped Port Bottle

Not seen that one before.

Just tossing some ideas out there…
- bottle was reused from something else
- probably not Oporto bottled.
- that was all a bottler could get their hands on.
[emoji2369]
by Andy Velebil
04:04 Thu 22 Jun 2023
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Whitwham's Bottler.
Replies: 14
Views: 7681

Re: Whitwham's Bottler.

hadge wrote:I believe it is the re-bottling that generally have had some issues, not always from my understanding.
Actually, no it isn’t limited to re-bottlings.
by Andy Velebil
04:03 Thu 22 Jun 2023
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Whitwham's Bottler.
Replies: 14
Views: 7681

Re: Whitwham's Bottler.

They have had a long standing, shall we say, infamous reputation. I avoid like the plague anything older bottled and especially “recorked” by them. I can’t recall ever having that specific VP with their label so can’t speak from specific experience. However, almost every older VP I’ve had from them ...
by Andy Velebil
15:20 Sun 11 Jun 2023
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: 2005 Croft Roeda
Replies: 1
Views: 278

Re: 2005 Croft Roeda

This was a rockstar of the vintage when it was released. It should make very old bones.