Fonseca and Niepoort - 19th January 2027

[PhilW]

- Date : 19th January 2027 at the Boot & Flogger
- What : Fonseca + Niepoort dual vertical 1945-1977 (the vintages when both declared)
- Bottles:
Fonseca: 45, 55, 60, 63, 66, 70(magnum), 75, 77
Niepoort: 45, 55, 60, 63, 66(tbc), 70(dumpy)+70(tall), 75, 77


In 2012 I organised a "Fonseca vs Warre" tasting, being a '55-'85 double-vertical. While some thought Fonseca might run away with it, it was much closer than many expected and I thoroughly enjoyed comparing the mature ports of two of my favourite producers across very good years. More than a decade on, and following creation of "the book", I looked back at these vintages and found that across the '55-'77 range in particular, Niepoort and Fonseca seem to take most of the top spots for me - so I thought it would be fun to revisit the double-vertical idea with these two producers across a range of mature vintages.

The date has now been set as 19th January 2027, with Daniel Niepoort and David Guimaraens joining us as guests for the evening. Based on the bottles offered, the range of vintages/bottles will be as shown above, being the vintages in the range of 1945 to 1977 for which both producers declared (45, 55, 60, 63, 66, 70, 75, and 77). Additionally, since there are two particularly different bottles of Niepoort 1970 (dumpy and tall) both will be included; and therefore the Fonseca 1970 will be from magnum.

The attendee list has been set with priority given based on the bottles offered (as was stated in original post) to ensure that we could have all desired vintages, and then offering and signing order. With some people providing very old bottles, and others bringing multiple bottles, there is expected to be some cost adjustments to be sorted later. The result is as follows:

Attendees:

1. Phil W. - Ni70(dumpy), F77*, Ni66(tbc)
2. Daniel N. (Guest) - Ni55
3. David G. (Guest)
4. Tony C. - Ni45
5. Charles R. - Ni70(tall), F66*
6. Mike M. - F70(mag)
7. Alex B. - F45
8. Martin C. - F55
9. Ian J. - Ni60
10. Neil C. - Ni75
11. Harry H. - F75 (pending date change reconfirm)
12. Julian W. - F60
13. Cliff M. - Ni63, Ni77* (pending date change reconfirm)
14. Nigel M. - F63

Reserves:

• John F.
• Ralph
• Axel P.
• George G.
• Michael M.

* = likely assignment, but some juggling of who brings what still possible.

[forest26]

Yes please

[CPR 1]

Yes please

[flash_uk]

Oh yes please!

I could offer single bottles for F70, F77, Ni77. F70 in magnum.

[NigelM]

Oh yes please please!

[idj123]

I’m in!

[idj123]

I have Ni 60 and 63 but will need to check condition. Ni66 is as rare as hen’s teeth.

[JohnDavidFrance]

Count me in if there is space

[/2alph]

Count me in. Axel Probst please too.

[JohnDavidFrance]

Count me in if there is space

I have some estate bottles from Santo Antonio? Although not labelled as Fonseca it's owned/operated by them? Could even even bring one just as a brucy bonus?

[nac]

Yes please.

[hadge]

yes please

[winesecretary]

Yes please

[NigelM]

I have F63, rare as Hens feathers!

I would like to try and source a rarer Ni if possible. Where am I gonna find that 66?

[Bertie3000]

Yes please. Will need to confirm what I have later.

[JohnDavidFrance]

I have Fonseca 66,70,77,88 (though i was trying to save the 88 )

[jdaw1]

Am I too late? If not, yes please. If I am, reserves.

[Alex Bridgeman]

If I’ve counted correctly, I’d be 15th on the list.

[winesecretary]

I am fairly certain, Alex, that your stocks will see you promoted…

[cem]

I can be in town then. I have all the Fonsecas and Ni77 and Ni63 for sure. I will have to check if I have any Ni66. Sadly the final Ni55 I had was drunk last year at the 1955 tasting which I missed! I also have Ni78 and F78 (G) if you wanted to add another year.

[PhilW]

**Please note date change**

The date has now been set as 19th January 2027, with Daniel Niepoort and David Guimaraens joining us as guests for the evening. Based on the bottles offered, the range of vintages/bottles will be the range of 1945 to 1977 for which both producers declared (45, 55, 60, 63, 66, 70, 75, and 77). Additionally, since there are two particularly different bottles of Niepoort 1970 (dumpy and tall) both will be included; and therefore the Fonseca 1970 will be from magnum. The attendee list has been set with priority given based on the bottles offered (as was stated in original post) to ensure that we could have all desired vintages, and then offering and signing order. Who is bringing what is also defined (though will some likely flexibility/changes depending on whether all can reconfirm to the new date) - see first post for details.

[NigelM]

New date great many thanks

[winesecretary]

I am alas a no for the new day as I will be in court.

[Alex Bridgeman]

I can make the new date, and will cancel the tasting planned for 12 Jan.

[/2alph]

Confirm new date. Can offer F63, F66, F77, Ni55, Ni 70

[CPR 1]

Confirming for new date - thanks Phil

[jdaw1]

Tuesday 19^th January 2027: works for me.

[Christopher]

Missed this one!
Can I please be added to reserves