A bit of a trivia point. But my research suggests the most expensive bottle of Port ever sold was a 1931 Quinta do Noval Nacional for $6,000 (£4200). This sale took place in the Graycliff restaurant in Nassau in the Bahamas in the mid 90's.
Thats some serious money, and as we all know, you can have a disaster with any bottle, if its not up to scratch.
Anyone heard of a dearer one?
Alan
Most Expensive Bottle of Port?
- Alex Bridgeman
- Graham’s 1948
- Posts: 14906
- Joined: 13:41 Mon 25 Jun 2007
- Location: Berkshire, UK
One of those bottles of NN31 sold at Christies last year was bought by Linden Wilkie and used in his Noval vs Nacional tasting that he organised in March 2007.
I believe that he paid slightly over £5,000 for that bottle (after taking into account buyer's premium and tax). Julian was also at the tasting and may have a better memory as to the amount that Linden paid.
Alex
I believe that he paid slightly over £5,000 for that bottle (after taking into account buyer's premium and tax). Julian was also at the tasting and may have a better memory as to the amount that Linden paid.
Alex
Top Ports in 2023: Taylor 1896 Colheita, b. 2021. A perfect Port.
2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.
2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.
It was a good job he turned it into a bit of a business enterprise with several other great bottles, and dozens paying tickets for the Tasting.
Imagine opening that with a mate or two, on a special occasion. It would be like the effect I had when my second wife left me. That was a really crap weekend!
Alan
Imagine opening that with a mate or two, on a special occasion. It would be like the effect I had when my second wife left me. That was a really crap weekend!
Alan
NN31: reflected glory
I have the PDF of the catalogue (don’t challenge reflected glory unless you have better):
Christies wrote:LEGENDARY NOVAL NACIONAL FROM A PRIVATE CELLAR
Lying in Twickenham, Middlesex (EHD)
Quinta do Noval, Nacional—Vintage 1931
Bottled by Justerini & Brooks. Remains of embossed wax capsules. Recent hand written slip labels. Lot 35 level into neck. Lot 36 level base of neck. Lot 37 level top-shoulder
Tasting Note: This, of course, is the supreme ‘31. Some of the above Novals might have been made from the 10% of the vineyard planted, ungrafted, with the traditional Nacional grape variety. Usually, however, Nacional appears somewhere on the bin label, wax seal and/or cork. A typical Noval Nacional was served by Tawfiq Khoury at a dinner in San Diego in 1982. I noted its amazing high-toned bouquet which reminded me of eau de cologne, armagnac and a sort of ultra-refined liquorice. Although only medium-sweet, it was incredibly full-bodied, a rich, bitter sweet wine, spicy, of great length. Tasted in 1982 ***** M.B.
Yes, I am aware of the apostrophe crime. But it is in quoted text.[url=http://www.christies.com/auction/results/results_lotlist.asp?saleno=CKS7242]Christies[/url] then wrote:35 4,600
36 4,400
37 4,500
- Alex Bridgeman
- Graham’s 1948
- Posts: 14906
- Joined: 13:41 Mon 25 Jun 2007
- Location: Berkshire, UK
To those prices you have to add buyers' premium (or should that be buyer's premium?) and VAT on the buyers' premium.
So these prices become £5,140.50, £4,917 and £5,028.75.
And it was this bottle that I found rather disappointing. It certainly wasn't the epiphany I had been hoping for.
Alex
So these prices become £5,140.50, £4,917 and £5,028.75.
And it was this bottle that I found rather disappointing. It certainly wasn't the epiphany I had been hoping for.
Alex
Last edited by Alex Bridgeman on 10:11 Fri 21 Dec 2012, edited 1 time in total.
Top Ports in 2023: Taylor 1896 Colheita, b. 2021. A perfect Port.
2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.
2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.