Port for sale at auction

uncle tom · Post by **uncle tom** » 20:17 Tue 17 May 2011

I would be surprised if any of that trio are still drinking well.

..historical curiosities only...

Tom

g-man · Post by **g-man** » 20:45 Tue 17 May 2011

uncle tom wrote:I would be surprised if any of that trio are still drinking well.

..historical curiosities only...

Tom

indeed, but it would make a good conversation piece when you come visit

SushiNorth · Post by **SushiNorth** » 21:43 Tue 17 May 2011

g-man wrote:
uncle tom wrote:I would be surprised if any of that trio are still drinking well.

..historical curiosities only...

Tom
indeed, but it would make a good conversation piece when you come visit

I was most amused by the Fine Tawny Hunting Port; though the murky brown color suggests it actually went on the hunt.
The left-most wine was described as a VP, though analysis of the label makes it clear that it is not. I've seen that so many times now... old port isn't automatically Vintage Port.

SushiNorth · Post by **SushiNorth** » 21:46 Tue 17 May 2011

FYI, I am bidding in a US auction tomorrow. If you are also bidding in a US auction tomorrow, you are welcome to send me a PM -- we can discuss how good port tastes.

g-man · Post by **g-man** » 19:12 Wed 18 May 2011

uncle tom wrote:I would be surprised if any of that trio are still drinking well.

..historical curiosities only...

Tom

it just hammered at 320$ pre buyer's .

SushiNorth · Post by **SushiNorth** » 20:52 Wed 18 May 2011

g-man wrote:it just hammered at 320$ pre buyer's .

And we watched a single D63 hammer at $520.

That's what happens when you auction off Bernie Madoff's port. Did we mention the 18% buyers prem and 10% tax? Someone paid an arm and a leg for that historical curiosity.

Chris Doty · Post by **Chris Doty** » 15:53 Mon 23 May 2011

How did you end up doing at Morrell, sushi?

I was interested in a few lots at Acker on Saturday, but got there a little late, so I only picked up 3 cases of 1970 VP (Taylor, Graham, and Dow).

SushiNorth · Post by **SushiNorth** » 16:28 Mon 23 May 2011

Chris Doty wrote:How did you end up doing at Morrell, sushi?
I was interested in a few lots at Acker on Saturday, but got there a little late, so I only picked up 3 cases of 1970 VP (Taylor, Graham, and Dow).

We were successful in 2 out of 3 of our pursuits. I needed more F94 to fill out that hole, and got 6 for 350 (+18%, =69ea), and went for the F70s as well and got 6 for 480 (+18%, =94ea). The 94's were a great price, the 70's a good price. The W66 we had our eye on went above a fair price and we passed on it.

Chris Doty · Post by **Chris Doty** » 16:39 Mon 23 May 2011

Excellent work!

I was also curious about the W66 lot, but agree that it went for more than I could justify.

It is amazing how wide a gap there is in the US between port prices at auction and port prices retail. I wonder if that is just because few american drinkers ever consider buying more than one bottle at a time? Curious...

Post by **DRT** » 18:07 Mon 23 May 2011

Chris Doty wrote:It is amazing how wide a gap there is in the US between port prices at auction and port prices retail. I wonder if that is just because few american drinkers ever consider buying more than one bottle at a time? Curious...

I have read elsewhere that US auctions once had a reputation of being a place where people dumped damaged stock, presumably heat damaged, so it was more of a risk to buy there than at UK auctions. Perhaps that reputation is no longer justified and you are just benefiting from the ignorance of others who think it still presents too much of a risk? If so, I wouldn't let too many people know the truth

g-man · Post by **g-man** » 18:27 Mon 23 May 2011

DRT wrote:
Chris Doty wrote:It is amazing how wide a gap there is in the US between port prices at auction and port prices retail. I wonder if that is just because few american drinkers ever consider buying more than one bottle at a time? Curious...
I have read elsewhere that US auctions once had a reputation of being a place where people dumped damaged stock, presumably heat damaged, so it was more of a risk to buy there than at UK auctions. Perhaps that reputation is no longer justified and you are just benefiting from the ignorance of others who think it still presents too much of a risk? If so, I wouldn't let too many people know the truth

don't get me wrong, between sushi and i, we've definitely had our misses and hits.

I find the younger stuff to be more hits then misses
with older stuff being 50/50.

you will always find more leakers in the states and when yer buying case lots there are always 3-4 bottels that are "Signs of seepage"

SushiNorth · Post by **SushiNorth** » 18:43 Mon 23 May 2011

Chris Doty wrote:How did you end up doing at Morrell, sushi?

One other point about this, btw. We've realized there are some folks on the forum (lurking, likely) that monitor this thread and the for-sale-by-retailer thread (and even the tasting organization threads) and scoop up decently priced port. Unfortunately, that means we can't mention where or what we've found until after doing our purchasing. It's sad, because sometimes these are short-term sales, or auctions with lots we won't be bidding on. It's why I was ambiguous about which auction we were bidding in, and why we now have to acquire missing ports for tastings before saying where we're getting them.

uncle tom · Post by **uncle tom** » 18:46 Mon 23 May 2011

Opening owcs in the 20-30 year age range, I find there are one or more bottles with a seepage issue in about two cases out of five. Mostly it's pretty trivial, and my policy of 'survival of the fittest' sees them drunk in fairly short order.

Old bottles can sometimes weep a little when subjected to the varying temperatures of being transported to a saleroom, but quite often the seepage stops after they have been tucked up in my cellar.

Tom

g-man · Post by **g-man** » 19:08 Mon 23 May 2011

uncle tom wrote:Opening owcs in the 20-30 year age range, I find there are one or more bottles with a seepage issue in about two cases out of five. Mostly it's pretty trivial, and my policy of 'survival of the fittest' sees them drunk in fairly short order.

Old bottles can sometimes weep a little when subjected to the varying temperatures of being transported to a saleroom, but quite often the seepage stops after they have been tucked up in my cellar.

Tom

I quite enjoy this survival of the fittest policy!

Post by **DRT** » 19:20 Mon 23 May 2011

SushiNorth wrote:
Chris Doty wrote:How did you end up doing at Morrell, sushi?
One other point about this, btw. We've realized there are some folks on the forum (lurking, likely) that monitor this thread and the for-sale-by-retailer thread (and even the tasting organization threads) and scoop up decently priced port. Unfortunately, that means we can't mention where or what we've found until after doing our purchasing. It's sad, because sometimes these are short-term sales, or auctions with lots we won't be bidding on. It's why I was ambiguous about which auction we were bidding in, and why we now have to acquire missing ports for tastings before saying where we're getting them.

That's exactly the sort of thing that Private Messages are for

Post by **jdaw1** » 11:50 Thu 09 Jun 2011

Piasa, Tue 14 June 2011, Paris, lots 41 to 47 being variously NN66, N66, NN63, Cr75.

Post by **DRT** » 14:13 Fri 10 Jun 2011

The estimates for the NNs are very low!

g-man · Post by **g-man** » 14:57 Mon 08 Aug 2011

FYI:
http://www.ackerwines.com/onlineauctions/Search.cfm

some run of the mill stuff, however the below lot warrants some attention.

I'm at my monthly budget so will be passing
@190 - which after buyer's comes to 230$ is a steal for these for bottles.

New York (lot location)
12743
Fonseca Vintage Port
- Vintage 1985 (2)
Graham's Vintage Port
- Vintage 1985 (1)
Taylor Fladgate Vintage Port
- Vintage 1985 lbsl (1)
Above 4 bottles per lot $240-320

Current Winning Bid: $ 180 (mouton55)
Next Winning Bid: $ 190
Number of

SushiNorth · Post by **SushiNorth** » 14:21 Tue 27 Sep 2011

Brits, there's some interesting things up for auction here; the mixed (un-listed) parcel lots at the beginning may be the best value, but there are some other lots which look interesting.

http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/sear ... leID=23159

Meanwhile, I did peruse the US auction list, and if anyone is interested please PM me.

uncle tom · Post by **uncle tom** » 15:44 Tue 27 Sep 2011

Duff link, I think...

Tom

Post by **DRT** » 16:25 Tue 27 Sep 2011

uncle tom wrote:Duff link, I think...

Tom

The format of the url looks like it's a secure area you can only see if you are a member and logged into the site.

SushiNorth · Post by **SushiNorth** » 18:08 Tue 27 Sep 2011

Sorry! my ctrl-c has not been working well recently. Link fixed: http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/sear ... leID=23159

RAYC · Post by **RAYC** » 18:27 Tue 27 Sep 2011

SushiNorth wrote:Sorry! my ctrl-c has not been working well recently. Link fixed: http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/sear ... leID=23159

Might be fun to try to pick a case or two up for an offline and see what comes out!

Post by **DRT** » 18:31 Tue 27 Sep 2011

RAYC wrote:
SushiNorth wrote:Sorry! my ctrl-c has not been working well recently. Link fixed: http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/sear ... leID=23159
Might be fun to try to pick a case or two up for an offline and see what comes out!

Might be fun for a few of us to throw in £100 each and let our auction expert buy the whole lot as team port?

RAYC · Post by **RAYC** » 19:54 Tue 27 Sep 2011

DRT wrote:
RAYC wrote:
SushiNorth wrote:Sorry! my ctrl-c has not been working well recently. Link fixed: http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/sear ... leID=23159
Might be fun to try to pick a case or two up for an offline and see what comes out!
Might be fun for a few of us to throw in £100 each and let our auction expert buy the whole lot as team port?

I'd be in.

Could be a bit of a crap-shoot without any listings - here's the link to last year's awards: everything from Morrison's b.o.b tawny and Churchill's Dry White to Dalva 1966 Colheita and Graham's 1980. I suppose these lots could contain a similar range!

Post by **jdaw1** » 21:21 Tue 27 Sep 2011

I am happy to join the team plan.

g-man · Post by **g-man** » 21:25 Tue 27 Sep 2011

Do the lots get shipped to the US if we win?

benread · Post by **benread** » 21:27 Tue 27 Sep 2011

DRT wrote:Might be fun for a few of us to throw in £100 each and let our auction expert buy the whole lot as team port?

Count me in too!

Post by **DRT** » 22:51 Tue 27 Sep 2011

g-man wrote:Do the lots get shipped to the US if we win?

My idea was that "Team Port" means "Port that we drink together at offlines". Shipping some of it to the US would be complicated, and probably very expensive in relation to what it might be. (e.g. do you want to pay $300 to ship 12 bottles of Cruz White?)

g-man · Post by **g-man** » 05:32 Wed 28 Sep 2011

DRT wrote:
g-man wrote:Do the lots get shipped to the US if we win?
My idea was that "Team Port" means "Port that we drink together at offlines". Shipping some of it to the US would be complicated, and probably very expensive in relation to what it might be. (e.g. do you want to pay $300 to ship 12 bottles of Cruz White?)

ackers here in ny if i win a bid in hk, it comes back on a pallet to me for free, I just have to pay the fee it costs to ship from their docsk to my house + local ny taxes.

wans't sure if christies is the same =)

Chris Doty · Post by **Chris Doty** » 21:27 Wed 28 Sep 2011

The Chicago Wine Company (TCWC) had an auction today. Bid on a lone bottle of 1958 Warre Vintage Port [English bottled; Very high-shoulder fill; Slight label conditions; Signs of past seepage], which I managed to pick up for $90. Notes on the forum suggest this is a mid-level port that I shouldn't hesitate to consume.

Maybe a candidate for a NYC holiday tasting?

g-man · Post by **g-man** » 21:32 Wed 28 Sep 2011

wouldn't be the kind to turn down port.

RAYC · Post by **RAYC** » 22:28 Wed 28 Sep 2011

Chris Doty wrote:The Chicago Wine Company (TCWC) had an auction today. Bid on a lone bottle of 1958 Warre Vintage Port [English bottled; Very high-shoulder fill; Slight label conditions; Signs of past seepage], which I managed to pick up for $90. Notes on the forum suggest this is a mid-level port that I shouldn't hesitate to consume.

Maybe a candidate for a NYC holiday tasting?

The Dow 1958 was the first ever Port i tasted at a TPF offline (just over one year ago, review here).

I seem to remember that the consensus around the table was pleasant suprise at how well this was drinking for a port from a vintage with a fairly lightweight reputation. That said, it was obviously fully mature and i would have thought at this stage on a gentle downward trajectory. Hope it shows well for you!

g-man · Post by **g-man** » 04:55 Thu 29 Sep 2011

ahb was kind enuf to bring one and uncletom threw in a 55'

both awesome ports.

SushiNorth · Post by **SushiNorth** » 23:03 Thu 29 Sep 2011

Chris Doty wrote:The Chicago Wine Company (TCWC) had an auction today. Bid on a lone bottle of 1958 Warre Vintage Port [English bottled; Very high-shoulder fill; Slight label conditions; Signs of past seepage], which I managed to pick up for $90. Notes on the forum suggest this is a mid-level port that I shouldn't hesitate to consume.

Maybe a candidate for a NYC holiday tasting?

What an excellent find. I saw they had just a couple of VPs on the list, which was why I didn't list it. If you had your eye on any particular auctions, say in late october, let's talk

Perhaps we can get some additional interesting things for dec

g-man · Post by **g-man** » 03:13 Fri 30 Sep 2011

SushiNorth wrote:
Chris Doty wrote:The Chicago Wine Company (TCWC) had an auction today. Bid on a lone bottle of 1958 Warre Vintage Port [English bottled; Very high-shoulder fill; Slight label conditions; Signs of past seepage], which I managed to pick up for $90. Notes on the forum suggest this is a mid-level port that I shouldn't hesitate to consume.

Maybe a candidate for a NYC holiday tasting?
What an excellent find. I saw they had just a couple of VPs on the list, which was why I didn't list it. If you had your eye on any particular auctions, say in late october, let's talk Perhaps we can get some additional interesting things for dec

yea my budget opens up in late oct/nov too.

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 20:58 Mon 03 Oct 2011

Chris Doty wrote:The Chicago Wine Company (TCWC) had an auction today. Bid on a lone bottle of 1958 Warre Vintage Port [English bottled; Very high-shoulder fill; Slight label conditions; Signs of past seepage], which I managed to pick up for $90. Notes on the forum suggest this is a mid-level port that I shouldn't hesitate to consume.

IMO, it's an elegant port that is very enjoyable to drink. I don't think it's likely to start fading any time soon, perhaps just become a little more elegant and more delicate / floral.

Chris Doty · Post by **Chris Doty** » 21:52 Mon 03 Oct 2011

AHB wrote:IMO, it's an elegant port that is very enjoyable to drink. I don't think it's likely to start fading any time soon, perhaps just become a little more elegant and more delicate / floral.

Yes -- the notes on this board are generally positive, but a bit mixed. While I'm sure it will hold for longer, as I generally have a strong preference for some level of primary fruit in my port, it is unlikely that this bottle will see 2013.

SushiNorth · Post by **SushiNorth** » 15:11 Mon 17 Oct 2011

FYI -- in the next two weeks there are two upcoming US auctions featuring some interesting Port. If you were considering bidding, I would encourage you to contact me.

SushiNorth · Post by **SushiNorth** » 03:05 Wed 01 Feb 2012

There is a US auction coming up this saturday; a group of us are bidding jointly and aim to win the older Port vintage lots. If anyone else was of a similar mind, I'd encourage you to reach out to me.

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 14:25 Fri 10 Feb 2012

I notice that Sothebys have just increased their buyer's premium on wine sales from 15% + VAT to 17.5% + VAT.

Interesting that they felt no need to reduce buyer's premium when wine prices were shooting through the roof but are very quick to increase them once prices start to soften - or am I just too cynical?

g-man · Post by **g-man** » 15:26 Fri 10 Feb 2012

AHB wrote:I notice that Sothebys have just increased their buyer's premium on wine sales from 15% + VAT to 17.5% + VAT.

Interesting that they felt no need to reduce buyer's premium when wine prices were shooting through the roof but are very quick to increase them once prices start to soften - or am I just too cynical?

there's also been a slow down in the auction markets, gotta squeeze out the consumer one way or another

Alex M · Post by **Alex M** » 08:55 Thu 23 Feb 2012

I'm currently bidding on a Taylors 1968 QdV on Ebay. If others are also bidding, please PM me and we can deconflict.

P.S.-Apologies if this is the incorrect way to do this.

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 17:31 Fri 24 Feb 2012

Alex M wrote:I'm currently bidding on a Taylors 1968 QdV on Ebay. If others are also bidding, please PM me and we can deconflict.

P.S.-Apologies if this is the incorrect way to do this.

This is a very good way of doing things, especially if you see something that you like in multiple bottle quantities, but don't want as many as are included in a lot. Doesn't happen often with eBay, but can happen quite easily with the auction houses. If you see something you like the look of but only want a share of the lot, say so here and we might be able to put together a little buying syndicate.

Post by **PhilW** » 13:55 Sat 25 Feb 2012

AHB wrote:This is a very good way of doing things, especially if you see something that you like in multiple bottle quantities, but don't want as many as are included in a lot. Doesn't happen often with eBay, but can happen quite easily with the auction houses. If you see something you like the look of but only want a share of the lot, say so here and we might be able to put together a little buying syndicate.

Indeed. As someone who only tends to buy small quantities, there are quite a few auctions (such as Charterhouse's auction yesterday) where there are several lots of interest; perhaps two lots of 3-5 bottles which I'd be happy buying outright, and/or 2-3 lots of 12-18 bottles where I'd be interested in a share. The primary difficulty for me is that when only planning to bid on a small number of auctions/bottles, there is significant risk of only winning one lot, which then adds a significant premium for the travel/delivery costs. In the quantities I would buy this could easily eliminate the savings of using an auction compared with retail for non-local auctions, assuming it wasn't something particularly rare/old. As a syndicate with plans for multiple lots, the whole proposition becomes far more viable.

Zelandakh · Post by **Zelandakh** » 17:44 Sat 25 Feb 2012

I love a bargain as much as anyone and like the idea of an informal syndicate along the lines of "I'd like 6 but there's 18 at this auction, PM if you're interested".

I've been a bit knackered to go out apart from work and back and have managed to empty the port cabinet of daily drinkers so I'm going to need to stock up soon

Post by **PhilW** » 11:05 Mon 12 Mar 2012

Anyone attending Roseby this week? One lot on Wed I'd be interested in bidding/sharing, but am unable to attend or pickup this w/e and they don't offer package/delivery.

Post by **PhilW** » 10:06 Mon 26 Mar 2012

I'm planning to place a couple of bids at McTears on Wed; if anyone else if thinking of bidding, please PM me so we can ensure to avoid conflict. Thanks.

g-man · Post by **g-man** » 20:57 Fri 06 Jul 2012

i find it amusing that after over a year or so
this particullar seller is still looking for a sucker.

http://www.brentwoodwine.com/os/itemhtml/ht632893.shtml

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 21:56 Sun 08 Jul 2012

g-man wrote:i find it amusing that after over a year or so
this particullar seller is still looking for a sucker.

http://www.brentwoodwine.com/os/itemhtml/ht632893.shtml

Did I read the link right on my phone? $300 for a Warre 1961 LBV ? Wow!