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Axel, you make an interesting point about bottling later. But you have not explained what characteristics you notice, or prefer when the VP sits in pipas longer. Please elaborate.

I love people who speculate without even having tasted a sip of the juice from a vintage they've only read about. Especially basing their opinions on mere words, whether related to a specific vintage, or otherwise. Alex's opinion above is a breath of fresh air, not because he is pro-2011, but becaus...

The VPS and Graham's blog were handled largely by one individual, but even the marketing director above has changed too, as has the direction and focus on both the blog and website. Hopefully, they will be given more time and effort now that the harvest is over.

Futures, called "en primeur" were available in the UK. With 1991 in the USA, the VP's for sale before they ever left Portugal, were always called: "pre-release" even if some retailers did use the term "futures". The pre-release pricing for SW 1991 in the USA was $19 per...

Well in that case ...

I was thinking the same thing, but thought that might be lost on the readership here. I should know that nothing would get by Mr. JDAW.

Oscar's Ports made their first foray into the USA in 2010. They were sold mostly in Pennsylvania state stores, and at a prominent retail shop in Chicago too ... near the USA importer. We helped to launch the very first Quevedo Port and DOC wines to reach the USA, in an early "buying opportunity...

Sorry Tom, Raven is already spoken for. It was a brand of Noval "Special Reserve" launched to appeal to women ... before Otima and Pink ... in a tall, narrow clear glass bottle. I have not seen it in years though.

I'd suggest nearly any vintage of Smith Woodhouse LBV's. They age their LBV in wood for four years, (regardless of vintage nowadays) and then hold back once bottled, for an additional four years. So you are buying a LBV with eight years of age for the same price as all others that are 4-6 years old....

Although I think that Quarles Harris is a good guess, I would think that Cockburn's is even more likely.

thanks Ray.

I have no dog in this race, but can say that although Rudy had a pretty prolific wine CV prior to the scandal five years ago, I very seriously doubt his collection contained any Port wine. I was not happy that on the other port site, one of our posters alluded to the Ports at that auction house poss...

Julian,

Nice TN, you mention it was decanted at 3, but for those of us who were not there ... how many hours of total decant time? Thanks!

it seems a bit bizarre to rename it to something that draws attention to the fact that it’s part of a big chain.

That's what happens when Julian pokes around in places he otherwise shouldn't.

are you implying Roy, that the aguarmente utilized would be noticeable in something like a tawny that see's so much wood time anyway? I am sorry, I don't see how you can draw the conclusion from anything in my last post that I was implying that whatsoever. But for the record, the difference between...

We can call it whatever we want, but it's really all ethanol, rather dated rule considering they don't even make the stuff within the country. False. Fact: there is aguardente produced in Portugal. I have tasted nicely aged aguardente made in the South of Portugal while in Santarem last May, as wel...

Tom,

You need to get out of your home and away from the computer!

I can't believe that Andy will allow a JEW into his home, no less to share Port with him! :lol: I am well aware of the duality of today, but must say that it doesn't lessen the effect of that other rememberance. I feel safe in saying that! Regardless of the overlap, don't let that destroy the moment...

Symington Family Estates Reports Solid Increase in 2011 Port Sales World”“Renowned Port Producing Family Confirms Recently Published IVDP Data SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., January 27, 2012 - Symington Family Estates, the Oporto, Portugal based wine company that includes the famous independent Port houses...

Derek is right ... and I think the issue is more about drunk typing.

It should be noted that Quevedo already has a US importer. Right now they are mostly in just PA and IL, but it would be great if a NYC based distributor were to pick up the brand too. Keep us informed g-man!

Derek, I cannot be sure that what I was told about the Douro wine labels, is in fact true, as I will admit the individual who provided this info (a well known Port shipper) is no fan of the current Beneficio system. That said, the financial ramifications of the Lei de Terco as well as the Beneficio ...

The Beneficio System is broken. It needs to be fixed. The IVDP is responsible for its governance. They deserve(d) the blame. Andy's quip about the IVDP's, "about 8 million Euro's which the Portuguese Gov't has taken (dare I say stolen?) from the IVDP" -- is misguided. Truth be told ... and...

Julian,

To the best of my knowledge, there's zero correlation between the numbers on the selo and any date, especially for a particular Port's bottling.

As to the Lei de Terco (Law of Thirds), Derek and others here who are subscribers to a newsletter have read AQFTPT which has specifically detailed this in the past.