Needed - son of M91..

[uncle tom]

Could I ask everyone, while talking, visiting or dealing with the producers, to keep an eye out for stock that might take the place of the M91's when they run out (currently likely to be early next year)

Ideally, what we need is a modest stash of good mature wine that is of vintage quality, but for some reason never went through the IVDP approvals process, so can only be sold as a ruby.

Most of the producers have 'director's reserves' and 'friends and family' bottlings. Hopefully we can find one that has far more than they need, and would like to offload a palletload.

In terms of cost, I suggest we indicate 8 - 10 euros per bottle, depending on quality; ex. lodge.

Tom

PS: Remind them that labelling and packing is utterly unimportant - it's what's inside the bottle that matters!

[Alex Bridgeman]

The rumours are that there are still several pallets of the M91 in a warehouse in Docklands as several of the lots went unsold at Christies. It may be worth a polite enquiry to TFP as to whether there are any cases still available other than through a new auction.

[uncle tom]

That's true - it didn't all sell at the second auction..

.. I've emailed TFP

Tom

[RonnieRoots]

The rumours are that there are still several pallets of the M91 in a warehouse in Docklands as several of the lots went unsold at Christies. It may be worth a polite enquiry to TFP as to whether there are any cases still available other than through a new auction.

When I visited the Croft lodge in 2007, I noticed a lot of stock of M91.

[uncle tom]

When I visited the Croft lodge in 2007, I noticed a lot of stock of M91.

I remember seeing the stacks of M91 in the Croft bottle store, with their original (and decaying) labels, in the spring of '06.

The Morgan sell-off was in the autumn of '06 and spring of '07 - are you sure of your dates?

The stock offered for sale was put through a bottle washer and re-labelled, so if the unsold stock was returned, the labels would have been very fresh.

Tom

[RonnieRoots]

When I visited the Croft lodge in 2007, I noticed a lot of stock of M91.

I remember seeing the stacks of M91 in the Croft bottle store, with their original (and decaying) labels, in the spring of '06.

The Morgan sell-off was in the autumn of '06 and spring of '07 - are you sure of your dates?

The stock offered for sale was put through a bottle washer and re-labelled, so if the unsold stock was returned, the labels would have been very fresh.

Tom

We were there June 2007. I don't recall anything about labels...

[Axel P]

I could ask via Croft if they are willing to sell some. What is the quantity you have in mind. Though I definitely need to try the M91 first to have a comparison.

Axel

[DRT]

A ton of this stuff was sold as Marks & Spencer BOB VP over the past 2 Christmas seasons. Those may have been the bottles Ronnie spotted in the cellar in 07.

[jdaw1]

If son-of-Mg91 could be delivered, French-duty-paid, to France, I’d be in for several cases.

[uncle tom]

I have established that there are about 3000 bottles of Morgan left, which are now in the care of Giles of vintagewinegifts

Sadly the '91 is exhausted, as is the '70, but the other vintages are available from '63 to '97, although there is not much '63 or '66 left.

Giles has indicated that is willing to give a 'sensible' price for quantity, and even the odd bottle to try, but as yet has not offered any prices.

What is second favourite? '85? '94? - there's loads of both..

Tom

[Alex Bridgeman]

Tom - can I clarify your earlier comment. Are you saying that there are only 3,000 bottles of Morgan 1991 vintage port left on the open market and that these are held by Giles or are you saying that there are 3,000 bottles owned by Giles, which are of mixed vintage?

Of the two vintages you have named, I marginally preferred the 1985 when I last tasted them both in November 2006. However, I have not tasted either since that date and one may have faded a little while the other may have improved. Both are pretty good, although not quite (1-2 points on my 100 point scale) as good as the Morgan 1991.

Alex

[Christopher]

Alex

If it helps I just had some Morgan 85 delivered from Octavian which was from the Christies Morgan sale so could bring a bottle to the Vargellas tasting if it helps to get reaquainted!

[uncle tom]

Tom - can I clarify your earlier comment. Are you saying that there are only 3,000 bottles of Morgan 1991 vintage port left on the open market and that these are held by Giles or are you saying that there are 3,000 bottles owned by Giles

There are about 3,000 bottles of Morgan vintage port that Giles has the exclusive UK distribution rights to. There are no '91's left, and I am not certain that Giles actually owns the remainder; only that the TFP refers all sales enquiries to him.

Tom

[jdaw1]

IB even better, so that I can have a few cases of drinking port delivered to my mother-in-law’s in Paris.

[Alex Bridgeman]

Alex

If it helps I just had some Morgan 85 delivered from Octavian which was from the Christies Morgan sale so could bring a bottle to the Vargellas tasting if it helps to get reaquainted!

I'd love to try it again, to see if it has faded at all with an extra couple of years in the bottle. Yes please.

[Alex Bridgeman]

Sadly the '91 is exhausted, as is the '70, but the other vintages are available from '63 to '97, although there is not much '63 or '66 left.

If the price is fair, I'd also be interested in buying another dozen of both of the '63 and '66 - especially if we can combine this with a larger parcel and get it at a discounted price.

I wonder why TFP have decided to use Giles and not Metzendorf as UK agent? Are Metzendorf still around?