Which VPs will last 100 years?

[uncle tom]

This has the stuffing to last 6-8 decades and no, I am not kidding.

It's amusing to speculate which mainstream VP of a vintage you would choose to lay down for consumption 100 years after it was made..

Croft '60 comes to mind - of '63 I'm not sure.. Dow '66 maybe - Cockburn '70 perhaps, but Calem and Niepoort are probably just as robust - Croft '75 might still have a whisper of life, 66yrs hence..

Quarles Harris is a robust '77 - Dow or Graham '80; either will last a lifetime - '83 - a harder call.. - Fonseca '85 will barely be mature by the time it makes a century!

The '87's are almost all pretty tough, but Churchill Agua Alta would be my pick. Graham & Croft '91 are probably long players..

So Roy, what would be your mainstream* picks for the more recent vintages?

*Nacional makes the choice too easy!

Tom

[KillerB]

Can I be the first to suggest Fonseca 1966?

[DRT]

Can I be the first to suggest Fonseca 1966?

No, you can't.

Fonseca 1966.

...and Vargellas 1987.

[oscar quevedo]

I would say Noval Nacional 1967.

[uncle tom]

Oscar said:

I would say Noval Nacional 1967

But I said:

*Nacional makes the choice too easy!

(trying to find an appropriate smilie - can we borrow some of Roy's? )

Tom

[JacobH]

Of the Ports which I've drunk recently, Dow 1980 and Graham Malvedos 1987 particularly come to mind. I do think choosing these slightly older wines is cheating a bit; what about some speculation on the recent vintages? Any 2007s in 2107s?

[RonnieRoots]

Fun indeed. These come to mind:
- Taylor 2003
- Fonseca 1985
- Dow 1980
- Fonseca Guimaraens 1976
- Fonseca 1966

And finally, the Fonseca 1920 that we consumed a few years ago at the Christmas offline was so incredibly beautiful that I would be very surprised if it wouldn't survive another 11 years.

[uncle tom]

I do think choosing these slightly older wines is cheating a bit

Guilty as charged

Tom

[uncle tom]

And finally, the Fonseca 1920 that we consumed a few years ago at the Christmas offline was so incredibly beautiful that I would be very surprised if it wouldn't survive another 11 years.

We'll find out in time - I have seven bottles left of that stash, although I can't be 100% certain they are all the same (an assortment of re-used bottles, but matching capsules) Remind me to open another when you're next in Blighty..

Tom

[DRT]

And finally, the Fonseca 1920 that we consumed a few years ago at the Christmas offline was so incredibly beautiful that I would be very surprised if it wouldn't survive another 11 years.

We'll find out in time - I have seven bottles left of that stash, although I can't be 100% certain they are all the same (an assortment of re-used bottles, but matching capsules) Remind me to open another when you're next in Blighty..

Tom

Ronald, how soon can you get here?

[RonnieRoots]

And finally, the Fonseca 1920 that we consumed a few years ago at the Christmas offline was so incredibly beautiful that I would be very surprised if it wouldn't survive another 11 years.

We'll find out in time - I have seven bottles left of that stash, although I can't be 100% certain they are all the same (an assortment of re-used bottles, but matching capsules) Remind me to open another when you're next in Blighty..

Tom

Ronald, how soon can you get here?

I will surely do that Tom!

Derek, the lottery draw is in a few days. I'm pretty sure I'll win the jackpot, but let me wait it out just to be certain.

[Andy Velebil]

1967 Quinta do Noval

I'm refering to the ultra rare non-Nacional version

[Michael M.]

In 2006 I talked about 2003 Niepoort VP with Dirk van der Niepoort at Prowein. He said this one would go perhaps for 100.

[Glenn E.]

what about some speculation on the recent vintages? Any 2007s in 2107s?

Absolutely. I think the Vale do Meao will last 100 years easily, though it may be mature by then. The Warre, Portal, and Sandeman all also have the stuffing to last that long as well. (Note that I wasn't fond of the Sandeman and gave it only 90-93 points, but that was because I felt the tannins were overpowering. However, that will help it live a long life!)

[g-man]

think the 94 fonseca or taylors would also fit the bill.

[mosesbotbol]

Here's two recent ports that I have moved to the bottom of the pile as they are going to take a while if not a lifetime before they go downhill.

1985 Dow
1994 Warre
1985 Smith Woodhouse

[mosesbotbol]

I would say Noval Nacional 1967.

Of course, still a baby that take 12 hours to open.

1908 Graham is hard to tell from 1970 Graham...

[Axel P]

91 Vargellas is my favourite of the more cheaper Ports.

Axel

[Alex Bridgeman]

Here's my list of (well cellared) VPs which I think will be thoroughly enjoyable on their 100th birthday - but only based on those which I have actually tasted and not including Nacional:

• Croft 1945
• Croft 1927
• Fonseca 1948
• Fonseca 1966
• Gould Campbell 1977 (when not corked)
• Grahams 1955
• Noval 1931
• Noval 1997
• Vesuvio 2003

But I'll only be able to see if I was right with about half of these

I wonder how much they will be worth when they are 100 years old...

[KillerB]

I wonder how much they will be worth when they are 100 years old...

A filthy amount

[jdaw1]

Several have mentioned, and I echo, Fonseca 1985. It probably won’t be mature in my lifetime but I have almost six cases to allow a good watch to be kept.

Yes, F66. Delicious now. I doubt that time will make it more delicious, but it will last awhile, very slightly fading. F70 also excellent and will last ages, and, slightly junior, F63.

I’ve chosen all Fonseca. Whoops!

[mosesbotbol]

Fonseca does not improve so much with age as it just stays the same or crawls for decades. Not sure if that is aging or just frozen in time?

[uncle tom]

I'm slightly doubtful about the F66's longer term prospects - a fine but delicate flower methinks...

Tom

[DRT]

I'm slightly doubtful about the F66's longer term prospects - a fine but delicate flower methinks...

We could come and drink all the F66 you have it that makes you feel better?

[Glenn E.]

I'm slightly doubtful about the F66's longer term prospects - a fine but delicate flower methinks...

We could come and drink all the F66 you have it that makes you feel better?

I'd fly to London for that!