2007 - will it be a Vintage year?
2007 - will it be a Vintage year?
Interesting (free for all) news article on Jancis site from Fladgate dropping the hint that they may declare (obviously they will be ramping any future vintage they need to sell).
Interesting indeed.
It is hard to separate the truth from the marketing messages in this article. When a winemaker advises that "collectors will be well advised to set aside funds for 2007 Ports" it is difficult to work out if this is good, well intentioned advice or just the start of the hype required to clear the shippers cellar at ridiculous release prices.
I also think that the statement "St George’s Day 2009, the traditional date for announcing Declarations by The Fladgate Partnership, will be a moment when the success of the 2007 vintage will be revealed."is rather premature. I think that moment will come no earlier than St George's Day 2047
Derek
Copyright aknowledged for the quotes in bold type above.
It is hard to separate the truth from the marketing messages in this article. When a winemaker advises that "collectors will be well advised to set aside funds for 2007 Ports" it is difficult to work out if this is good, well intentioned advice or just the start of the hype required to clear the shippers cellar at ridiculous release prices.
I also think that the statement "St George’s Day 2009, the traditional date for announcing Declarations by The Fladgate Partnership, will be a moment when the success of the 2007 vintage will be revealed."is rather premature. I think that moment will come no earlier than St George's Day 2047
Derek
Copyright aknowledged for the quotes in bold type above.
"The first duty of Port is to be red"
Ernest H. Cockburn
Ernest H. Cockburn
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uncle tom
- Dalva Golden White Colheita 1952
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Shame on Taylor Fladgate - SHAME!!
After keeping Schtum about this year's harvest to date, they've given Jancis an 'exclusive' in perfect Blair speak..
..this is utterly nauseating - we knew '07 was ordained to be a declared vintage, but the jury was out as to whether it was up to the mark or not.
Now we know that they are going to declare a sub-standard year.
This looks like '75 re-visited..
..DON'T BUY!!
Tom
After keeping Schtum about this year's harvest to date, they've given Jancis an 'exclusive' in perfect Blair speak..
..this is utterly nauseating - we knew '07 was ordained to be a declared vintage, but the jury was out as to whether it was up to the mark or not.
Now we know that they are going to declare a sub-standard year.
This looks like '75 re-visited..
..DON'T BUY!!
Tom
I may be drunk, Miss, but in the morning I shall be sober and you will still be ugly - W.S. Churchill
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RonnieRoots
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I don't think that sentence needed the word probablyuncle tom wrote:b) They will probably be much cheaper five years after they are released.
Derek
Last edited by DRT on 22:36 Tue 06 Nov 2007, edited 1 time in total.
"The first duty of Port is to be red"
Ernest H. Cockburn
Ernest H. Cockburn
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mosesbotbol
- Warre’s Otima 10 year old Tawny
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RonnieRoots
- Fonseca 1980
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Maybe I should have added the previous two sentences. I wondered how you can know if it's a sub-standard year if you haven't tasted the wines yet.Now we know that they are going to declare a sub-standard year.
This looks like '75 re-visited..
..DON'T BUY!!
The remarks about pricing are, of course, more than true. Sadly...
Ronnie,
My reading of Tom's classification of 2007 as a sub-standard year is that he is seeing through the hype and openly saying what most of us think which is that 2007 will probably be a general declaration but will never be a classic vintage. Some of the comments from winemakers and journos would have us believe otherwise but that is the bit the I think is marketing hype. True greatness would be accompanied by a self-assured, quiet smugness in the trade rather than this brash over enthusiastic nonsense.
Derek
PS: I look forward to my 82nd birthday when I can say "I was wrong about those 2007's - they've outlasted the 2003's just like the 66's done to the 63's "
My reading of Tom's classification of 2007 as a sub-standard year is that he is seeing through the hype and openly saying what most of us think which is that 2007 will probably be a general declaration but will never be a classic vintage. Some of the comments from winemakers and journos would have us believe otherwise but that is the bit the I think is marketing hype. True greatness would be accompanied by a self-assured, quiet smugness in the trade rather than this brash over enthusiastic nonsense.
Derek
PS: I look forward to my 82nd birthday when I can say "I was wrong about those 2007's - they've outlasted the 2003's just like the 66's done to the 63's
""The first duty of Port is to be red"
Ernest H. Cockburn
Ernest H. Cockburn
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uncle tom
- Dalva Golden White Colheita 1952
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Nope - but expect the best '05's to go on for eternity...PS: I look forward to my 82nd birthday when I can say "I was wrong about those 2007's - they've outlasted the 2003's just like the 66's done to the 63's
Tom
I may be drunk, Miss, but in the morning I shall be sober and you will still be ugly - W.S. Churchill
Tom,uncle tom wrote:Nope - but expect the best '05's to go on for eternity...PS: I look forward to my 82nd birthday when I can say "I was wrong about those 2007's - they've outlasted the 2003's just like the 66's done to the 63's
Tom
I think we should agree to meet on St George's Day in 2047 at The Bell to debate this further
Derek
"The first duty of Port is to be red"
Ernest H. Cockburn
Ernest H. Cockburn
Make that 3Ô”.
Make that 3Ã .
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RonnieRoots
- Fonseca 1980
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I completely agree with you that producers (or better: marketeers) are trying to hype a vintage at an earlier stage every year. I don't think this is a good thing. That being said, I've heard quite a few remarks from winemakers that were really positive about the quality of the juice. That's why I say: taste first and judge afterwards.
On a sidenote: I'm not really convinced about the lasting quality of the '03 wines. I found a lot of wines to be overripe, jammy and lacking in freshness. 2005 on the other hand, may surprise many people in 30 years time.
On a sidenote: I'm not really convinced about the lasting quality of the '03 wines. I found a lot of wines to be overripe, jammy and lacking in freshness. 2005 on the other hand, may surprise many people in 30 years time.
You know what I'm like for not taking notes, and forgetting what I've had in the past, but I trust my 'general' memory.Derek T. wrote:PS: I look forward to my 82nd birthday when I can say "I was wrong about those 2007's - they've outlasted the 2003's just like the 66's done to the 63's
I've only had a few 66's but wish to state I strongly disagree with your ascertion! (Thats always good for kicking off a debate
) The couple of times I've tasted them together, I've considered that 66 is a watery version of 63. Julian suggested my taste concentrates on Mouthfeel, and maybe thats why, but I wish to register my dissension!
Alan
Just to put some context around this. I have had 4 x 66's in my recent memory:
Derek
- Sandeman - past its best but extremely nice
- Dow - fabulous
- Warre - even better than the Dow
- Fonseca = best port I have ever had.
Derek
Last edited by DRT on 00:10 Wed 07 Nov 2007, edited 1 time in total.
"The first duty of Port is to be red"
Ernest H. Cockburn
Ernest H. Cockburn