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

[Alex Bridgeman]

Elsewhere Christopher suggested / requested a tasting of “the best of the best” from the 1990s. I’m very happy to make this the 2026 tasting I arrange.

But the first challenge is — assuming we have 14 people and 14 bottles at the tasting table — what do we consider to be the 14 best bottles from the 1990s? Which Ports do we want to have at the tasting?

Once we have that sorted, I’ll start to put the next steps in place to make our tasting happen.

I’d suggest Taylor 1992; Taylor, Fonseca and Vesuvio 1994; Noval Nacional 1994 and 1997.

Edit: The people who have expressed an interest in attending (either in this thread or in the review thread) are:

1. Me - AHB
2. George
3. Mike Meehan
4. Martin
5. Rich
6. Christopher
7. Justin
8. Charles
9. Mike Charlton
10. Mike JW
11. Julian
12. Michael Mee
13. Phil
14. Harry
15. Rummy
16. Moses (and Elys)
17. Ian
18. Ben
19. Cliff
20. Neil

We’ll either limit to 14 attendees or ask for two bottles (or a magnum!) of each Port. I’ll make that decision once a date has been fixed and consequently some people have to drop out due to diary clashes.

[Mike J. W.]

The 1995 Smith Woodhouse Madalena is nice as is the 1994 Ferreira. 1992 Fonseca?

[winesecretary]

My expanded suggestions…

From 1997, Dow, Noval and Warre.

From 1994 Noval, Vesuvio, Dow, Graham, Warre

From 1992 Taylor and Fonseca and Vesuvio

From 1991 Taylor Vargellas and Croft

Possibly plus 1995 TVVV? I remember with great fondness a bottle Charles brought along to a tasting about 5 years ago.

Possibly plus a couple of reserves in case of duffers.

Further edited to comment - haven’t tried either of those NNs as far as I know but happy to contribute to their group adoption. I have TV and Cr 1991, T, F, and V 1992 and W and V 1994.

[flash_uk]

Some musings on top of George's list, which has 14 ports if TVVV95 is included:
- TV91 and Cr91 would be towards the top of my list of '91s, but are they some of the best from the 1990s?
- F94 and T94 might merit some consideration
- as might F97 and T97, though with these, getting into territory where I'm not sure there is a depth of experience of them to actually know if they are great

[winesecretary]

All of flash_uk's comments are entirely fair, although I am not sure either Cr91 nor TV91 would come last in the above tasting. They are very likeable ports.

Currently, last T94 note is from 1994 horizontal in 2021. It's fair to say it was not universally liked.
Currently, last F94 note is also from 1994 horizontal in 2021. It was quite highly rated but described as 'desperately in need of another quarter century in the cellar' by Alex.

Currently, last T97 note is from the 1997 vertical in 2022.
Currently, penultimate F97 note is from the 1997 vertical in 2022. The most recent one, from Zak, describes it as 'a little awkward perhaps'

Happily, this tasting will be held after the Taylor vertical planned for 28 October 2025 so we will have had a recent chance to sample the 1992, 1994, and 1997 side by side, which will allow for more informed commentary.

Hmmm. It seems to be a very long time since there has been a Fonseca vertical. A new thread will ensue.

[nac]

Supposedly the TVVV97 is also extremely good but ridiculously rare.
Agree with comments about TV91 - always excellent.

[rich_n]

I have at least (and possibly at most as I cannot check the cellar due to mobility issues) 1991 and 1997 Dow.

[jdaw1]

Yes please. I love fruity Port.

[Bertie3000]

Yes please. I can confirm what I have once list settles.

[PhilW]

Sounds like a good idea.
For me the must-haves would be F92, V94, W97 (for current drinking).
The would-like-to-haves (to see if they're ready yet) would add F94, T94; I haven't tried the NNs.
For comparison I would add nice-to-haves of T92, G94, and V97.
One option could be a matrix of F/T/V/W/G/NN from (91/)92/94/97.

[hadge]

yes please, depending on date, i'm sure that i will have something that fits the final line up.

the other way to do this is, people send the host their top 3 wines from the 90's and then host advise what you bring from that list. we could do this blind then?

[Mike J. W.]

I just opened up a '95 Vesuvio as it was "next up" and it is very nice. It might be better than the '97 version.

[Mike J. W.]

yes please, depending on date, i'm sure that i will have something that fits the final line up.

the other way to do this is, people send the host their top 3 wines from the 90's and then host advise what you bring from that list. we could do this blind then?

That's a good idea Harry. And maybe save a few slots on the listing for one or two of the TVV's or NN's as not everyone has had those so the weighting of favorites might be discriminatory towards them?

[hadge]

Mike there is always room for the 3 extra bottles.

[mcoulson]

Blind is a great idea ....

[jdaw1]

Mike there is always room for the 3 extra bottles.

On the Hay coat of arms, the family motto: Semper est locus tribus ampullis additis.

[winesecretary]

Blind is a great idea.

I would propose a strict 14 (17 allowing for Harry) bottle limit though.

[jdaw1]

Three is two more than one.

[winesecretary]

I am simply trying to allow for enthusiasm…

[mcoulson]

I am simply trying to allow for enthusiasm…

nothing wrong with enthusiasm ..... and theres lots of it around ....

[idj123]

I’m probably being somewhat restrictive but for me the best of the 90s would consist of T 92 and F 92 with the rest of the lineup being made up of 94s! However, in the interests of a tasting a wider distribution is perhaps best.

[hadge]

Interesting Ian but there is some 97's that I think are wonderful and would give the 94s a run for the money or be better.

That is why I came up with my idea.

[hadge]

Mike there is always room for the 3 extra bottles.

On the Hay coat of arms, the family motto: Semper est locus tribus ampullis additis.

Very good Julian, I will have to ask Lord Lyon if we can change the motto from "Serva Jugum" to "Semper est locus tribus ampullis additis"

[flash_uk]

Mike there is always room for the 3 extra bottles.

On the Hay coat of arms, the family motto: Semper est locus tribus ampullis additis.

Very good Julian, I will have to ask Lord Lyon if we can change the motto from "Serva Jugum" to "Semper est locus tribus ampullis additis"

I always thought the motto was "magna forma solum".

[rich_n]

Interesting Ian but there is some 97's that I think are wonderful and would give the 94s a run for the money or be better.

That is why I came up with my idea.

I would love to hear your thoughts on which, as they are very affordable at auction at the moment, and I'd like to acquire a broader range.

[winesecretary]

@ rich_n - from a group perspective, Dow, Warre, Graham, Vesuvio, Noval all showed well at the 1997 horizontal but I have few more recent data points.

[rich_n]

Thanks, I have the Dow, but looking to add a few more. I remember seeing positive things about the GC, which might be an undervalued wine compared to the others mentioned.

[winesecretary]

@ rich_n - after that tasting, I recall I did buy half a case of GC… for about £36 a bottle I think.

[rich_n]

@ rich_n - after that tasting, I recall I did buy half a case of GC… for about £36 a bottle I think.

I'm after the same. I think I might be able to get hold of the Smith-Woodhouse (which according to the notes I was pretty positive about) at ~£33 a bottle delivered, so I will likely pull the trigger on that in the next day or so.

[Mike J. W.]

@ rich_n - after that tasting, I recall I did buy half a case of GC… for about £36 a bottle I think.

I'm after the same. I think I might be able to get hold of the Smith-Woodhouse (which according to the notes I was pretty positive about) at ~£33 a bottle delivered, so I will likely pull the trigger on that in the next day or so.

I think Smith Woodhouse is an underloved Port. It's also a great QPR.

[hadge]

Interesting Ian but there is some 97's that I think are wonderful and would give the 94s a run for the money or be better.

That is why I came up with my idea.

I would love to hear your thoughts on which, as they are very affordable at auction at the moment, and I'd like to acquire a broader range.

Rich, I'm very much enjoying the Graham (had an excellent one a few months ago) and the Gould Campbell.

[rich_n]

Interesting Ian but there is some 97's that I think are wonderful and would give the 94s a run for the money or be better.

That is why I came up with my idea.

I would love to hear your thoughts on which, as they are very affordable at auction at the moment, and I'd like to acquire a broader range.

Rich, I'm very much enjoying the Graham (had an excellent one a few months ago) and the Gould Campbell.

Good to know, Harry - both are on my list, particularly the GC which looks like it might be rather affordable when spotted at auction.

[Rummy]

Very interesting, would like to attend if possible.

F92 is one of my all time favourites, I think I've got about two dozen of them left.

Skeffington made an amazingly good 94, anyone has had that recently?

[mosesbotbol]

'94 Ramos Pinto should be considered.

[nac]

Blind is a great idea.

I would propose a strict 14 (17 allowing for Harry) bottle limit though.

Much as I generally dislike large-scale blind tastings, it’s probably a good idea here.

Have a lot of the 97s and various other suitable candidates.

[Alex Bridgeman]

With 10 people having expressed an interest (subject to a date being set) there is enough interest to make this event happen.

I'll do a bit of due diligence to set a date and then post something...

[mosesbotbol]

Elys and I could be interested in attending.

[idj123]

Yes, please, sir!

[benread]

Date permitting the idea is rather appealing! I may have a bottle of 1995 TVVV available. Possibly others but less exciting!


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[hadge]

yes please, depending on date, i'm sure that i will have something that fits the final line up.

the other way to do this is, people send the host their top 3 wines from the 90's and then host advise what you bring from that list. we could do this blind then?

i think that my post above was miss for being interested. thanks

[Alex Bridgeman]

Given some recent correspondence with Mike J.W. It is very likely that I’ll choose a date in late June or July next year to maximise his chances of attending.

@Moses - would that sort of timing work for you and Elys? It would be absolutely splendid to see you again after such a long time.

[cem]

I'll likely be in the UK then so please stick me down for this. I think the 91s are drinking very nicely now. TV91 is undeniably excellent and I am quite partial to Croft 91 too. NN96 would be in with a good shout in the top 14. I've always really enjoyed Vesuvio 95. Probably biased as I have fond memories of consuming 2 bottles on a Thai ferry with a couple of ladies I met on said ferry many moons ago.

[nac]

With 10 people having expressed an interest (subject to a date being set) there is enough interest to make this event happen.

I'll do a bit of due diligence to set a date and then post something...

Also a "yes".

[mosesbotbol]

Given some recent correspondence with Mike J.W. It is very likely that I’ll choose a date in late June or July next year to maximise his chances of attending.

@Moses - would that sort of timing work for you and Elys? It would be absolutely splendid to see you again after such a long time.

Spring works better for us than in the summer. We could be flexible on it. She is wanting to visit the UK.