Search found 391 matches

by Mike J. W.
18:09 Sat 25 Apr 2026
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: Thursday 30th April 2026 - Virtual Tasting
Replies: 13
Views: 5122

Re: Thursday 30th April 2026 - Virtual Tasting

Is this still on for next week? If so, how about a theme of VP's that are 15 years old or less? It would be interesting to see how more recent, younger Ports are doing similar to the 2011 tasting you all had in the UK the other day.
by Mike J. W.
23:05 Mon 13 Apr 2026
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: The problem with tastings
Replies: 10
Views: 2344

Re: The problem with tastings

akzy wrote: 16:01 Mon 13 Apr 2026
Do we have a Port Intelligence bureau?
This is begging for a joke, but I will leave it at that.
by Mike J. W.
23:02 Mon 13 Apr 2026
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Latest buy
Replies: 2437
Views: 6389400

Re: Latest buy

I just picked up 2 x 1961 Krohn Colheita's at a decent price (relatively speaking). I'm unsure when they were bottled, but based on the pics of the front of the bottles I'd say somewhere between 2006 and 2016. They will be delivered on Friday so I will update this post then.
by Mike J. W.
23:55 Fri 03 Apr 2026
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Port for Easter
Replies: 14
Views: 2732

Re: Port for Easter

Ramos Pinto made an absolute blinder with their 1982. It’s a candidate for Port of the 1980s. I've never had the 1982 but have heard very good things about it. That said, Port of the 1980s seems a fair stretch given some of the competition. Then again, y'all seem to have gotten all of the lackluste...
by Mike J. W.
21:37 Fri 03 Apr 2026
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Port for Easter
Replies: 14
Views: 2732

Re: Port for Easter

The RP is fantastic, I ripped through my only case of 6 in five or six years, after this bottle there will be only one left. The '82 Ramos Pinto is an excellent Port. It's so smooth and elegant. I won 10 of these at auction four years ago for under $35 a bottle. A few I traded to John M. and I'm do...
by Mike J. W.
23:37 Wed 01 Apr 2026
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Latest buy
Replies: 2437
Views: 6389400

Re: Latest buy

And yet no Cockburn as part of the blend...even stranger still.
by Mike J. W.
18:12 Tue 31 Mar 2026
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: The problem with tastings
Replies: 10
Views: 2344

Re: The problem with tastings

Alex Bridgeman wrote: 21:26 Mon 30 Mar 2026 And I thought the problem with tastings was that we ran out of Port too early in the evening.
Yes, with the 1970 Horizontal held this past October being the perfect example.
by Mike J. W.
15:02 Mon 30 Mar 2026
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Latest buy
Replies: 2437
Views: 6389400

Re: Latest buy

4 x 1985 Taylor VP with 2 of them going to BigLove (John M.).
by Mike J. W.
14:39 Fri 27 Mar 2026
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Port Wine Picture in Cellar
Replies: 25
Views: 4923

Re: Port Wine Picture in Cellar

mosesbotbol wrote: 11:57 Fri 27 Mar 2026 The easiest solution is for me to buy one of the port houses. Taylor Fladgate Botbol. Has a nice ring to it.
Will you be providing a "Friends and Family" discount?
by Mike J. W.
00:15 Fri 27 Mar 2026
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Port Wine Picture in Cellar
Replies: 25
Views: 4923

Re: Port Wine Picture in Cellar

On the approved TPF model, the correct amount of port to own is an amount that your descendants unto the fourth generation will not be able to get through at the same rate. So, for your 75 bottles a year, somewhere around 9,000 will see you through. Him + 3 children (let’s assume per generation). +...
by Mike J. W.
18:44 Thu 26 Mar 2026
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Port Wine Picture in Cellar
Replies: 25
Views: 4923

Re: Port Wine Picture in Cellar

Picture is very nice .. cellar is excellent ... Only issue I can find is your clearly running out of port and wine as I can find at least 9 empty slots in the picture. I would advise buying more port immediately to avoid a disaster !! :-) It's hard to keep up. My wife drinks as much port as me. In ...
by Mike J. W.
18:03 Mon 23 Mar 2026
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Is this Heaven?? No, It's Portugalia!
Replies: 4
Views: 1133

Re: Is this Heaven?? No, It's Portugalia!

Stopped in Portugalia Marketplace in Fall River, Massachusetts, USA yesterday. Huge Portuguese wine selection (1700 SKUs per the owner) including this Wall of Port (and some Madeira). Could not get the whole wall in photo (people)--but this is most of it. That's a great pic, John! Portugalia is a f...
by Mike J. W.
01:34 Sun 22 Mar 2026
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: Ferreira VP Vertical - March 19, 2026
Replies: 7
Views: 2151

Re: Ferreira VP Vertical - March 19, 2026

The two mystery Ports for the Ferreira vertical were a 1977 Dolamore Crusted (brought by me after discussion with John aka Big Love) and a 1958 Krohn Colheita (bottled 2003 and provided by Roy). Both showed very nicely and the Krohn was the WOTN for me. I haven't seen the overall scoring yet to see ...
by Mike J. W.
02:15 Thu 19 Mar 2026
Forum: Reviews
Topic: 1966s, at sixty, on Tue 17 Mar 2026, at B&F
Replies: 13
Views: 4316

Re: 1966s, at sixty, on Tue 17 Mar 2026, at B&F

winesecretary wrote: 21:29 Wed 18 Mar 2026 @ Mike J.W. - apparently a blend of 5 of Sandeman, 5 of Fonseca, and 1 of Taylor. I am sure there was Taylor in it, as the heat is an unmistakable characteristic.
Interesting. Thanks George.
by Mike J. W.
20:31 Wed 18 Mar 2026
Forum: Reviews
Topic: 1966s, at sixty, on Tue 17 Mar 2026, at B&F
Replies: 13
Views: 4316

Re: 1966s, at sixty, on Tue 17 Mar 2026, at B&F

This was a delightful evening with a significant number of very good ports many of which could have been WOTN in other tastings. While the Fonseca AHB and Fonseca PW were predictably strong, I particularly enjoyed the Avery and Ferreira, both of which were new to me, and the Sandeman, which was a p...
by Mike J. W.
16:37 Tue 17 Mar 2026
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Cork Rests
Replies: 51
Views: 12871

Re: Cork Rests

As a result of overwhelming demand from the Port drinking world Muppet Labs Inc (who never sleep at night) are proud to release on the unsuspecting world the limited edition 'Dirty Harry' .44 Magnum cork stand. . Limited Edition 44 magnum.jpg . Produced in a strictly limited edition of 44 units, ea...
by Mike J. W.
00:36 Tue 17 Mar 2026
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: Ferreira VP Vertical - March 19, 2026
Replies: 7
Views: 2151

Re: Ferreira VP Vertical - March 19, 2026

a Mystery Port. Suitably mysterious Port? 2026-03-12 16.25.56.jpg Very cool bottle. Is that an old SQVP by Ferreira? Maybe you can fly in and join us this Thursday (and bring the bottle along please)? The one John and I picked isn't even as remotely mysterious as that one, but we're certain that Ro...
by Mike J. W.
18:58 Mon 16 Mar 2026
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Cork Rests
Replies: 51
Views: 12871

Re: Cork Rests

Will this come in a variety of wood stains? Harvest stain perhaps? I did try that with the Mk1 and then laser cut the stain away but it was a massive pain .... The Mk3 naming is literally a John Bull Printing set with an ink pad .... How about applying peel off adhesive letters and then stain? Or a...
by Mike J. W.
18:25 Mon 16 Mar 2026
Forum: Selling Port
Topic: Two Bottles 1927 Vinho do Porto Velho – Garrafeira Particular (Armando Borrajo – Régua)
Replies: 5
Views: 4279

Re: Two Bottles 1927 Vinho do Porto Velho – Garrafeira Particular (Armando Borrajo – Régua)

Provenance known by the current owner: "All of the bottles were presented as gifts to my father years ago during a couple of business trips he made to Portugal when he was employed at the Hoover Co. in North Canton, Ohio. As for storage, the bottles have, for the past several years, been in a ...
by Mike J. W.
18:22 Mon 16 Mar 2026
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Cork Rests
Replies: 51
Views: 12871

Re: Cork Rests

Will this come in a variety of wood stains? Harvest stain perhaps? I did try that with the Mk1 and then laser cut the stain away but it was a massive pain .... The Mk3 naming is literally a John Bull Printing set with an ink pad .... How about applying peel off adhesive letters and then stain? Or a...
by Mike J. W.
17:04 Sun 15 Mar 2026
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Cork Rests
Replies: 51
Views: 12871

Re: Cork Rests

Despite great personal injury from his use of the laser engraver on the Mk1 and 24 hrs in hospital I'm pleased to report that Beaker under the personal direction of Dr. Bunsen Honeydew from Muppet Labs Inc and a trip to Hobby Craft have perfected a scalable solution for Branding the Mk2 Cork Stand....
by Mike J. W.
21:58 Sat 14 Mar 2026
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Cork Rests
Replies: 51
Views: 12871

Re: Cork Rests

I always thought "The Book" aka "The Book of Books" referred to the bible? Not that I ever cracked one of them open, mind you. Well, we're in TPF, and so 'The Book' is "Port Vintages - The Chronicle of Vintage Ports, from the Beginning". (No disrespect to anyone) Fair ...
by Mike J. W.
21:41 Sat 14 Mar 2026
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Cork Rests
Replies: 51
Views: 12871

Re: Cork Rests

Dow 1842 cork from the bottle Yea! Page 101 of the book (2nd ed) indeed has D42. Phew. Not sure that I would have modelled the Mark 2 with a 2013 cork though. I would kindly request that you capitalise "the book" ("The Book"). I always thought "The Book" aka "The ...
by Mike J. W.
20:56 Thu 12 Mar 2026
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: Ferreira VP Vertical - March 19, 2026
Replies: 7
Views: 2151

Ferreira VP Vertical - March 19, 2026

On the off chance that someone from the U.S. sees this and is interested, John M. and I are hosting a Ferreira vertical next Thursday, March 19 at a country club in Central Jersey. Dinner will be served and the all in cost per person will be approximately $200. A total of 11 Ferreira's will be serve...
by Mike J. W.
17:42 Thu 12 Mar 2026
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Dating a bottle with no label
Replies: 9
Views: 6440

Re: Dating a bottle with no label

The bottle was a gift, and while I’d describe myself as more of an all-rounder than a regular port drinker, it certainly won’t be wasted on me. That's a nice gift! Enjoy the bottle. I think we'll all be curious as to who the producer was and how the bottle held up after 99 years. 1927 was considere...
by Mike J. W.
16:21 Tue 10 Mar 2026
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Dating a bottle with no label
Replies: 9
Views: 6440

Re: Dating a bottle with no label

Granmaa wrote: 07:28 Tue 10 Mar 2026 Thank you, both. Will the year be on the cork? I plan to open it soon and will let you know.
If you don't mind me asking, how did you acquire this bottle? Was it inherited or acquired at auction? Are you a regular Port drinker?
by Mike J. W.
19:49 Fri 06 Mar 2026
Forum: Reference
Topic: List of grape varieties permitted by the IVDP for use in production of Port
Replies: 12
Views: 10346

Re: List of grape varieties permitted by the IVDP for use in production of Port

Yes, that's the one! In that document, there are 64 Tinto and 46 Branco that are authorized for Port. Plus an additional 1 Tinto and 4 Branco that are only authorized for Douro wines. Also note that Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay, are only allowed in Douro DOC sparkling wine, not in DOC st...
by Mike J. W.
20:50 Wed 04 Mar 2026
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: Software that makes placemats
Replies: 1309
Views: 1869133

Re: Software that makes placemats

Thank you for your comments, Julian. You make some fair points and I agree the placemats are a little cluttered (and somewhat redundant), but I was going for pizzazz my first time out. I also wanted to test things out seeing as I've never played with code before. I think going forward my placemats w...
by Mike J. W.
20:17 Wed 04 Mar 2026
Forum: Reference
Topic: List of grape varieties permitted by the IVDP for use in production of Port
Replies: 12
Views: 10346

Re: List of grape varieties permitted by the IVDP for use in production of Port

Glenn E. wrote: 23:27 Mon 02 Feb 2026 I also have a PDF of Diario da Republica no. 243 from 12/2017 which may be slightly more current. I would attach it, but PDFs do not appear to be allowed as attachments.
I think this is what you were referring to, Glenn?
by Mike J. W.
05:40 Tue 03 Mar 2026
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: Software that makes placemats
Replies: 1309
Views: 1869133

Re: Software that makes placemats

I have to say that this placemat software and the Placemat Wizard are great. It took me a little bit to figure out how to manipulate the data and change fonts, backgrounds, order of the glasses etc., but if you spend enough time reading Julian's notes and going through the code you can create your o...
by Mike J. W.
16:53 Sun 01 Mar 2026
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: Sighted somethings, Wed 25 Feb 2026
Replies: 63
Views: 29889

Re: Sighted somethings, Wed 25 Feb 2026

Thank you Mike for posting the score sheet.

Interesting that the 1970 Ferreira was far and away the winner. We're doing a Ferreira tasting later this month so I'll be curious to see if this performs as well.
by Mike J. W.
21:54 Sat 28 Feb 2026
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: Sighted somethings, Wed 25 Feb 2026
Replies: 63
Views: 29889

Re: Sighted somethings, Wed 25 Feb 2026

Does someone have a score sheet that they can post, please?
by Mike J. W.
14:26 Fri 27 Feb 2026
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: The new Douro viticulture (interesting World of Fine Wine article)
Replies: 3
Views: 2282

Re: The new Douro viticulture (interesting World of Fine Wine article)

That was a really interesting and enjoyable article, thank you for posting it.
by Mike J. W.
17:44 Wed 25 Feb 2026
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Latest buy
Replies: 2437
Views: 6389400

Re: Latest buy

3 x Warre King's Tawny @ £10 each - Waitrose Cellar offer. 3 x Dow Bomfim 2014 @ £20 each - ordered from Amazon in November, just received. Amazing price on the Bomfim! That's roughly $27 US. Unfortunately, Amazon can't sell wine or liquor in the U.S. The only place that is selling the 2014 Bomfim ...
by Mike J. W.
17:03 Mon 23 Feb 2026
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: 1989 Quevedo Colheita (bottled 2025)
Replies: 5
Views: 3171

Re: 1989 Quevedo Colheita Bottled 2025

winesecretary wrote: 15:36 Mon 23 Feb 2026 It was shouting ‘DNPIM’, but in the interests of science I did, and very much regretted it.
That's really taking one for the team.
by Mike J. W.
01:43 Tue 17 Feb 2026
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: 1986 Quevedo White Colheita (bottled 2026)
Replies: 7
Views: 3697

Re: 1986 Quevedo White Colheita (bottled 2026)

That's a great looking glass of White Port. Quevedo is pretty much impossible to locate in the U.S. so I'd have to order directly from them once it's released. Their 30 y.o. White is 101€, so my guess is this will probably be in the 200€ + range (and then I'd have to add on the 15% tariff and shippi...
by Mike J. W.
17:31 Wed 11 Feb 2026
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: Fonseca 1948-1997, Tuesday 10th February 2026
Replies: 144
Views: 118702

Re: Fonseca 1948-1997, Tuesday 10th February 2026

...A stunning line up of Ports by any bodies standards ..... how often do you do to a tasting where an excellent F66 comes 5th !!! I thought the same exact thing about the F66 when I saw the score sheet last night. Even the F85 & F94 barely registered as well. Crazy, but understandable based on...
by Mike J. W.
05:03 Thu 05 Feb 2026
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: 2011 Horizontal - London, Sunday 23rd April 2051
Replies: 206
Views: 289052

Re: 2011 Horizontal - London, Sunday 23rd April 2051

If Alex doesn't have a Graham's The Stone Terraces VP I can bring mine. I can also bring the Niepoort Bioma Vinha Velha VP if DJ is unable to attend.
by Mike J. W.
20:10 Fri 30 Jan 2026
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: 2011 Horizontal - London, Sunday 23rd April 2051
Replies: 206
Views: 289052

Re: 2011 Horizontal - London, Sunday 23rd April 2051

I can bring any of the following Vintage Port's that have not yet appeared on the list in the first post

Taylor Vargellas Vinha Velha
Calem
Barros
Kopke
Quinta da Romaneira
Presidential
Alves de Sousa
Quinta do Infantado
Quinta do Vallado Adelaide
Quinta do Portal
by Mike J. W.
19:59 Fri 30 Jan 2026
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: 2011 Horizontal - London, Sunday 23rd April 2051
Replies: 206
Views: 289052

Re: 2011 Horizontal - London, Sunday 23rd April 2051

Well now I have another thing to live for (besides my wife, kids and granddaughter). Please include me on the list. I will be a spry 93 year-old...or if nothing else, I will be 93. As we discussed on yesterday's virtual Port tasting, we'll have separate corners designated for certain "attendees...
by Mike J. W.
00:01 Fri 30 Jan 2026
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: Thursday 30th April 2026 - Virtual Tasting
Replies: 13
Views: 5122

Re: Thursday 30th April 2026 - Virtual Tasting

Yes please. These are always fun. Tonight's (this afternoon for some of us) was a great time.
by Mike J. W.
14:22 Thu 29 Jan 2026
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: 1967 Cockburn
Replies: 6
Views: 5531

Re: 1967 Cockburn

I like Ck67; it's a gentle and enjoyable softer port rather than powerhouse, and often found at quite reasonable prices. I haven't seen another bottle of the "Joanna" bottling of Ck67 for a while now. I have one left (out of 12) in my cellar, but haven't seen any of these offered for sale...
by Mike J. W.
16:01 Tue 20 Jan 2026
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Crusted port database
Replies: 315
Views: 294472

Re: Crusted port database

I have the following Crusted Ports which are not on the list:

Churchill 1988
Dow 2007
Niepoort 2014
by Mike J. W.
19:45 Fri 09 Jan 2026
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: Thursday 29th January 2026 - Virtual Tasting
Replies: 38
Views: 33319

Re: Thursday 29th January 2026 - Virtual Tasting

I assume this is still on? What time will it start? I want to get this on my calendar.

When you say Port from a smaller producer, this can be any type of Port or is the preference for a VP?
by Mike J. W.
18:32 Thu 08 Jan 2026
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Port for sale by retailer
Replies: 1640
Views: 1630604

Re: Port for sale by retailer

I was looking at a Bonhams affiliate's auction in Denmark and came across this Port. I've never heard of it before. Has anyone ever tried it or heard of it? It's a 1935 bottling.
Pimpernel Vintage Port.png
Pimpernel Vintage Port.png (143.76 KiB) Viewed 30538 times
by Mike J. W.
19:50 Wed 07 Jan 2026
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: 2026, date TBA: The Best of the Best from the 1990s
Replies: 47
Views: 92171

Re: 2026, date TBA: The Best of the Best from the 1990s

Alex, I am planning to be in London from Monday, June 29 through the morning of Friday, July 3. If that changes, I'll let you know.
by Mike J. W.
19:34 Wed 07 Jan 2026
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: LBV Port Database
Replies: 10
Views: 10021

Re: LBV Port Database

Neil, here are the ones that I have in my cellar. Some of them could be duplicates of what you and Alex have shown, but I assume you are using something like an Excel Pivot table to help you list everything and filter out duplicates. Andresen - 1992 - Unfiltered - bottled 1998 Andresen - 1995 - Unfi...
by Mike J. W.
15:43 Wed 31 Dec 2025
Forum: Reviews
Topic: 2025: Mon 29 Dec 2025, B&F, Not Had Port for Seven Months
Replies: 10
Views: 10095

Re: Mon 29 Dec 2025, B&F, Not Had Port for Seven Months

Thank you Mike for posting the Tasting Scores. Along with the reviews, I always enjoy seeing how the bottles placed and how everyone scored them.
by Mike J. W.
06:29 Wed 31 Dec 2025
Forum: Reviews
Topic: 2025: Mon 29 Dec 2025, B&F, Not Had Port for Seven Months
Replies: 10
Views: 10095

Re: Mon 29 Dec 2025, B&F, Not Had Port for Seven Months

Is there a scoresheet that will be posted?