1977, 1985 and 1963 (of course) are some of my favorites! I drank my last Quinta do Vesuvio 1991 way too early, I just couldn't resist it. Although it was delicious, there is just something magical about a vintage port from one of the top houses that has been perfectly aged for 20 to 30 years! It's almost as memorable as great sex, and even better when you combine the two! 😀
I had a rather well off friend whose son was born in 1977, several stacks of cases from the top houses. We are still holding on to my wife's birthday wine, 1948 Taylor. My personal favorite was 1945 Quinta do Noval, had the '31 twice but even at 50yr. old it was not ready.
I have a small stash of 20-30yr old bottles from better producers but have not had one in over 10yr. except a friend shared one of his '55 Warres with us a few years ago. Just the way things went it used to be a regular pleasure I sort of miss.
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My favorites are 1963 because when I was first introduced to port at an extensive tasting in 1985. We poured 10 or 12 different producers to compare side by side, accompanied by Stilton, walnuts and fresh baguettes. Man! Was that special or what?!!
Since that tasting, Taylor has always been one of my favorites with Fonseca a close second. As a matter of fact Taylor Quinta de Vargellas 1968, while not a vintage port but a port of the vintage, was one of my favorite ports of all time. It matured earlier than a vintage port but was as complex as the '63 when I drank my last bottle around 1989.
All great memories!
Since that tasting, Taylor has always been one of my favorites with Fonseca a close second. As a matter of fact Taylor Quinta de Vargellas 1968, while not a vintage port but a port of the vintage, was one of my favorite ports of all time. It matured earlier than a vintage port but was as complex as the '63 when I drank my last bottle around 1989.
All great memories!
Too bad we're all so spread out. As I said, I don't know many port lovers nearby these days or I'd suggest an event for a post-COVID-19 tasting (now I know Scott is one, and I think we occasionally bump into each other at another DIYAudio users's events in the area).
I have port tongs BTW, if you remember the Wine Cellar of Silene they had a few hand forged in the UK and sold them at the store. I bought one along with a bottle of 1917 Graham ($40) for a special dinner. The empty bottle is in the window at Craft and Cru (a very nice little store) in Dorchester not far from Kevin. Some refuse to believe wine prices in the mid 70's, that 1945 Quinta was $25.
I wish you guys were nearby so I could share the last of my 1985 that I'm enjoying this morning. 🙂
Port tongs are fun to use! That's how we opened the '63s.
Port tongs are fun to use! That's how we opened the '63s.
I'd love to learn how to use port tongs, but I wouldn't try to learn on any vintage ports... $40 for a 1917???? Yikes! Inflation isn't my friend! I've only been interested in vintage ports for 20 years or so. I was lucky early on to have a terrific mother-in-law who gave me some very nice bottles, including the 1977 Warres. WBS, I'm sorry we're not there to share, but hope you enjoyed. I'm sure I'll open something relatively old to get through COVID-19 isolation! And Scott, if I remember I'll try to bring something to an event in the future.
Gimp -
I found the Voodoo Ranger to be swamped with alcohol content and deficient in flavor. Better tasting and lower alcohol is Sierra Nevada Torpedo IPA. I'm currently working my way slowly through a 12-pack... 7.2% vs. 9+
I found the Voodoo Ranger to be swamped with alcohol content and deficient in flavor. Better tasting and lower alcohol is Sierra Nevada Torpedo IPA. I'm currently working my way slowly through a 12-pack... 7.2% vs. 9+
Last night we tried this cocktail meta-recipe (link) and were pleasantly surprised. The authors were right: the result will never be bad.
We did a 2 x 3 experimental matrix: two liquors (gin and vodka) times 3 citrus types (grapefruit, lemon, lime) , giving six cocktails to try. It was fun, and they were good; but some were better than others.
Our favorite, by a substantial margin, was the gin sour with lime. Least favorite were the two grapefruit drinks, probably because the pink grapefruits we bought were nearly flavorless. We'll try it again if and when we can buy good flavorful grapefruits. I guess we ought to also try white grapefruit, but maybe that's unnecessary since we now KNOW we like the lime versions quite well.
We did a 2 x 3 experimental matrix: two liquors (gin and vodka) times 3 citrus types (grapefruit, lemon, lime) , giving six cocktails to try. It was fun, and they were good; but some were better than others.
Our favorite, by a substantial margin, was the gin sour with lime. Least favorite were the two grapefruit drinks, probably because the pink grapefruits we bought were nearly flavorless. We'll try it again if and when we can buy good flavorful grapefruits. I guess we ought to also try white grapefruit, but maybe that's unnecessary since we now KNOW we like the lime versions quite well.
lager all the time. when i drink something else i get strange visions. lager is good. calming.
Vacqueyras 2016, Camprière. Rhone, so well balanced with its heritage. Finished the bottle happily in under three hours, and perfect straight lines drawn.
Go for quality, never for quantity.
Go for quality, never for quantity.