Any information on this Port? Please

[rnettles]

I just got this bottle of Feuerheerd Commendador Port Wine. I can't seem to find out anything about it. Can anyone please provide info?

[RAYC]

Looks very interesting - is there any chance you could type out what is written on the label - is hard to make out from the photo.

[rnettles]

There are 3 labels:
The Jos. Garneau Co., Inc.
New York Sole Agent for the United States

Contents 1Pint 9 1/2 Fluid ounces
Bottled by Feuerheerd Bros.
Oporto Portugal
Alcohol 21% by Vol.

The Only Port Wine supplied at the Banquets given by the President of France to King George VI July 1938 at the Elysee
King Edward VII May 1903
King George V April 1914 Nov. 1918

[DRT]

I think Commendador is an old brand name for Feuerheerd's reserve ruby port.

Here is a link to another bottle for sale with what looks like a facsimile of the same style of label but a modern capsule...
http://www.espoliofotograficoportugues. ... ROD2147694

From the picture I would guess that this bottle dates back to the 1930s or 40s. It is unlikely to have survived well so is probably just an interesting experiment seeing what happens to ruby port when you leave it in the bottle for 70 years. I had a similar bottle of Sandeman *** Ruby a couple of years ago, which looked like mud but was very tasty

[Andy Velebil]

The importer, The Jos. Garneau Co., Inc., appears to have started in 1856 and the last reference I've found is from the late 1960's. They seemed to have their hands in a lot more than wine. I also suspect it was from between the 30's to 50's based on the label design.

[DRT]

I've just stumbled across an advertisement for Feuerheerd Commendador Port Wine in a book published in 1899.

The description says it is "A very fine old tawny wine, 25 years old in the wood."

Whether that remained true until more recent times I cannot say, but the description also says that it throws a crust, which suggests it was unfiltered.

This bottle might be worth a shot!!

[uncle tom]

It would be interesting to see the top of the bottle - as that can sometimes narrow the date down a little.

One of the beauties of port is that it is actually quite rare for a bottle to be undrinkable on account of age alone; although ordinary ports that have been left in bottle for far longer than intended sometimes become cloudy.

When you decide to open it, I would recommend decanting it through a funnel that has a piece of clean cheesecloth or unmedicated surgical gauze tucked inside. The aeration caused by decanting can add composure to the wine, and it may also be beneficial to decant the bottle a couple of hours before you intend to drink it.

- Enjoy!