Top Shippers

Post by **DRT** » 02:47 Sun 05 Aug 2007

Here's a good Nerdy question for you...

Only 9 shippers managed to achieve a score of 96 to 100 points on the Wine Spectator scale for their vintages up to 1987. Can you name them?

The winner is allowed to feel smug for 24 hours, unless he used google, a book or any similar reference source rather than trying to guess.

Derek

KillerB · Post by **KillerB** » 11:47 Sun 05 Aug 2007

OK, wild guesses:

Taylor
Fonseca
Graham
Noval Nacional
Dow
Warre
Vesuvio
Croft
Sandeman

I was going to put Cruz but decided that I'm far too competitive, even when I haven't really got a clue.

uncle tom · Post by **uncle tom** » 12:15 Sun 05 Aug 2007

I doubt Vesuvio will in there..

..they didn't start bottling under their own name until '89

I'd guess that the regular Noval will be in there

Tom

KillerB · Post by **KillerB** » 13:12 Sun 05 Aug 2007

even when I haven't really got a clue.

I have reasons for putting this.

Post by **DRT** » 17:31 Sun 05 Aug 2007

Dow, warre and vesuvio are wrong. I counted Noval and Noval Nacional as one shipper.

Keep guessing...

Conky · Post by **Conky** » 17:39 Sun 05 Aug 2007

It shouldn't be there, but I'd guess Ferreira will be on it due to their huge export policies, and resulting sycophantic 'experts'. If thats right, I'd then guess Kopke for the same reasons. Globally, those two brands can get where Gas couldn't!

Alan

Frederick Blais · Post by **Frederick Blais** » 18:19 Sun 05 Aug 2007

Don't forget Cockburn's who did great Port

Taylor
Fonseca
Graham
Noval
Croft
Sandeman
Cockburn
Niepoort
Ferreira

KillerB · Post by **KillerB** » 18:26 Sun 05 Aug 2007

I object to having Cockburn shown in good light. This is due to my well known dislike of their low-end Ports, which make the Graham and Taylor low offerings look like good stuff.

I'm disappointed for Dow and Warre's - both very good shippers at all levels.

uncle tom · Post by **uncle tom** » 19:03 Sun 05 Aug 2007

I wonder if there's a deceased name in there - Rebello Valente perhaps?

Tom

Post by **DRT** » 23:41 Sun 05 Aug 2007

Fred scored 8/9 - the last one to be found is a Portuguese house but not Ferreira. Their claim to fame on the 100 point scale came in the form of a 98/100 score for their 1871 vintage tasted in 1989 - incredibly, despite this very high score at 118 years of age, Mr Suckling recommended that we should drink-up before the end of 1990

Derek

KillerB · Post by **KillerB** » 23:46 Sun 05 Aug 2007

Dagnabbit. My hatred of all things Cockburn got me again. And me assuming that Niepoort being an early...dr...in...k...ing...port. Aaaaahhhhh... of, course, Suckles is a septic. How about

Martinez

Post by **DRT** » 23:51 Sun 05 Aug 2007

KillerB · Post by **KillerB** » 23:58 Sun 05 Aug 2007

Rats.

I now have to rely on my knowledge of young Jimmy based on our long, drawn-out conversations on-line and come to a conclusion of what his psyche would consider a top ranking Port. I might go and ask him.

Conky · Post by **Conky** » 23:59 Sun 05 Aug 2007

Da Silva???

KillerB · Post by **KillerB** » 00:02 Mon 06 Aug 2007

What? The great Sri Lankan all-rounder made a Port? Really?

Conky · Post by **Conky** » 00:07 Mon 06 Aug 2007

Now dont laugh. But they did make Port in the 1800's. And to me it sounded Portuguese-ish!

If the clue Portuguese House, doesn't mean a name that sounds Portuguese, I'm seriously barking up the wrong tree. But as my Avatar will confirm... Dont Push Me!!!

Alan

uncle tom · Post by **uncle tom** » 00:15 Mon 06 Aug 2007

OK it's...

..no, I cheated, I won't say - but I had some emails yesterday from a guy who's got 5 cases of their '78 inherited from his dad - I had to break it to him that his dad's choice of investment wasn't ideal... He's also got a case of their colheitas from 1960 - seemingly bottled about 25 years ago.

- I suggested that they might make £10/bottle if he was lucky...

Tom

KillerB · Post by **KillerB** » 00:18 Mon 06 Aug 2007

Cruuuuuuuuzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!!!!!!!

Post by **DRT** » 00:46 Mon 06 Aug 2007

You just can't help yourself, can you Alex? No, it's not Cruuuuuuzzzzzz.

...and no, Alan, it isn't Da Silva.

Tom has the answer and I'd be interested to know if he was as surprised as I was at their inclusion in this list?

For those still scratching around for an answer - it's 2 words, one of which is very common in the world of Port.

Derek

Conky · Post by **Conky** » 00:57 Mon 06 Aug 2007

I'm swtill stuck on Portuguese sounding...

Ramos Pinto?

I know that cant be right because of your previous clue.

But Hey, I'm doing nothing else.

Conky · Post by **Conky** » 01:00 Mon 06 Aug 2007

Or Royal Oporto!!!

There's a word we use a lot in the Port World!

Post by **DRT** » 01:00 Mon 06 Aug 2007

You're right, it's no right

KillerB · Post by **KillerB** » 01:04 Mon 06 Aug 2007

No, it's not Cruuuuuuzzzzzz.

Well, it was bloody Cockburn's.

Post by **DRT** » 01:05 Mon 06 Aug 2007

Conky wrote:Or Royal Oporto!!!

There's a word we use a lot in the Port World!

As there are no rules to this game I declare Conky the winner, despite the fact that others gave him more tham 90% or the answer.

Fred is second for coming up with Niepoort

Tom is third for cheating

KillerB is eliminated for mentioning Cruz

Derek

Conky · Post by **Conky** » 01:08 Mon 06 Aug 2007

I'd firstly like to thank my parents for having faith in me.........

(I think next time, I'll cheat!!!)