1933 Croft

[Alex Bridgeman]

As far as we were able to determine, Croft did not declare a port in 1933 but this bottle was clearly labelled as Croft 1933 Vintage Port with a label consistent with our expectations. The bottle had a sello attached, although the sello looked odd, almost as though it was a photocopy from the 1970s. The sello number was TF 410896 35.

When opened, we had something of a shock. The bottle was sealed with a plastic topped T-stopper and not a driven cork. The bottle was also a very unusual shape, with a long slender neck ending in a very exaggerated lip, unlike any port bottle I have ever seen before.

The contents of the bottle were revolting. They did not appear to be vintage port and smelt extremely oxidised and maderised. While very dark red in colour, the smell was truly off-putting, smelling of black molasses and Savoy cabbage cooked until it falls apart. I did not taste this wine. Opened 9 February 2008.

Edit by jdaw1 in July 2015, adding links to: TPF review thread; FTLoP commentary; FTLoP planning thread; placemats.

[Andy Velebil]

LOL...did we ever hear back from the IVDP as to what that Selo # was actually for? Because it wasn't for a Croft in 1933.

Also the capsule was plastic and had serations along the middle, just under the lip of the bottle, to make it easier to take it off....think a cheap bottle of water with a plastic capsule and that was what it looked like.

Shame on the auction house for even putting this out for sale. But from what I was told, after being notified the auction house did make good on selling this obviously fake bottle of port.

[mosesbotbol]

That "port" was not from grape. For sure made from another fruit. Did taste old, but not in a good way.

[jdaw1]

Croft 1933?: nosing of ‟nasty rotten raisins, and maybe rotten prunes. LBV?”