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Hello

I am hoping to buy a bottle of vintage ruby port for my fiance for our wedding day.

The problem is I am unsure which brand to get. Sandleman's, Warre's, Graham's, Dow, Offley, Morgan, Taylor, Fonseca.... the list is endless.

I want a reasonably strong ruby port, for between £30-£80.

Any suggestions gratefully accepted. It has to be a 1977 vintage.

Thanks in advance.

Helen x

Hello Helen,

Welcome to the Port Forum. Well, we can certainly help you. When you say "ruby", I presume you are talking what we just refer to as Vintage Port, which is a ruby style as against tawny. I've looked around for the classics to see what the prices are:

Fonseca had better disappear from your view as trying to get a single bottle of 1977 for that budget is going to require good fortune or generosity of spirit from the provider (not unheard of);

Warre can certainly be bought for that money and should be a lovely Port, it is classically elegant at its best, but checking the tasting notes suggests a fair amount of bottle variation - you wouldn't want a bad one;

Graham also pops into your range nicely. This is a thick, sweet Port and will need a long decanting time;

Taylor - you may get a single bottle for £80 but it would be a close call. Great powerful Port at its best, again a long decant required;

Dow - hits the range. Can be flipping marvellous, sometimes just really nice. Possibly the best value.

Smith Woodhouse - Bit of a surprise, very powerful and young for 77 and should be no trouble getting some.

Others should now join in, especially as there's a girl on the site. Here's a review of a 1977 tasting that we had in Utrecht last year. Some pictures further down should be ignored.

While my wife is not a nut about port.

she was certainly a fan of the Grahams 77 over the list mentioned above.

I'd throw in a croft 77 on 5 hours of decant to the mix and I believe should also fit your budget nicely.

Welcome to Helen!

I think that KillerB has summarized it for you very nicely. If I were you I would look for a Fonseca or a Taylor, because if you can find one of those in your price range they are the very best that the vintage has to offer. You will need some luck, though.

Failing that, I would go for the Graham. Graham may not hit the same peaks as Fonseca and Taylor from year to year, but their Ports are consistently outstanding and 1977 is no different. That just happens to be a year when Fonseca and Taylor both produced extraordinary Ports.

My personal experience with the Dow has not been good - I've had two corked bottles and one that had some VA issues (volatile acidity - it makes the Port smell a bit like nail polish remover). I have heard that it can be marvelous, so perhaps I am just unlucky.

Smith Woodhouse, Croft, and Gould Campbell are also all very good but not quite as stellar as the Fonseca, Taylor, and Graham. However, that does make them less expensive and so more likely to fall within your budget.

Good luck!

Glenn E. wrote:Smith Woodhouse, Croft, and Gould Campbell are also all very good but not quite as stellar as the Fonseca, Taylor, and Graham. However, that does make them less expensive and so more likely to fall within your budget.

Smith Woodhouse 1977 has proven particularly reliable, and can be had in that price range.

I'd forgotten about Croft 77 - yes, the times that I've had it, it's been excellent and has the advantage of being one of the prettiest coloured Ports when poured. Good call.

I think any of the above would work well. 1977 is a spectacular year for Port and there are many to choose from so don't worry, it will probably work. Nobody has even mentioned the lighter but very ready and extremely good Niepoort.

Wow, thanks everybody.

Feel suitably armed to tackle the internet and search for my port.

Hx

Helen,

Let us know how you get on. Very best of luck for your wedding day - just enjoy yourselves,

Alex

Fonseca had better disappear from your view as trying to get a single bottle of 1977 for that budget is going to require good fortune or generosity of spirit from the provider (not unheard of);

Actually..

..I could deliver within budget, especially as it's for your wedding..! (I'm assuming you are in the UK..)

Drop me an email - THRA321@AOL.COM

Tom

Ramos Pinto, Delaforce, or Ferreira would be interesting ports and excellent vintages for those houses. For sure they are priced less the Grahams, Taylor or Fonseca. The Fonseca '77 is outstanding...

Can't say I am a big fan of the Croft or Grahams '77.

Fonseca 1977 is delicious, and if Uncle Tom will sell you some within your price range, a good call.

Make sure somebody competent is in charge of decanting. Ask a wine-friendly friend, perhaps.

BTW, my invitation has been mislaid by the French postal service. Perhaps resend by PM?