Kopke colheita 1955 (already on the go)
Taylor 1970 for the big day
Taylor 1977 if it turns out there's another port emergency between Christmas and new year
I do not have a big cellar, so not the great choice. This is what we shall enjoy this Christmas:
Quevedo LBV 2011 20cl
Graham's LBV 2008
Graham's 1983 Vintage Port
Ramos Pinto 20 Years Tawny Quinta do Bom Retiro
Ch. Latour 1983
Mortlach 1987 26yo # 3103 56,8% Refill American oak ex-sherry hogshead Adelphi Selection
Glenfarclas 25 Y.O. 43%
Delamain Pale & Dry X.O 40%
The Latour I worry about. We lived up north when I bought it, and the removal people decided to go partying after packing the lorry. Temperatures were down to -30 centigrade for the 2-4 days it took them to finish the party.
Since arriving it has been cellared well, but may prove a disappointment. I shall report back after boxing day, when it will have been drunk(or poured down the sink).
so far a bt of Pignan 2005 and a bt of Taittinger NV. Not sure about today yet but thinking along a RSV from JJ Confuron from 2004 and some 85 Churchill. 92 Passadouro from half bt maybe an option if thirsty.
regards
WS1
"Sometimes too much to drink is barely enough" Mark Twain
Christmas dinner reds were a venerable but robust 1955 Morey-St-Denis, Clos de la Roche Burgundy, and a magnum of 1998 Clos des Papes CDP - which seems to be at a good age for drinking now. Port was a 1924 Taylor - excellent colour, but a tad hot..
My last bottle of VP drunk at home this year was also one of the poorest.. Ramos Pinto 1991 - a soupy wine with the earthiness that mars many '91s writ large - I've had this wine three times over the last decade, with similar results - one to pass by..
I may be drunk, Miss, but in the morning I shall be sober and you will still be ugly - W.S. Churchill
Over Christmas we threw away a bottle of CV 2005 that was so full of VA as to be undrinkable, replaced it with a bottle of Talbot 1983, accompanied it with some Louis Delauney NV Champagne and a 2012 Camel Valley Brut. Christmas Port comprised Dow 1963 and Morgan 1963. Just before Christmas some friends came round and we shared a bottle of Quinta das Carvalhas Tinta Francisca 2012 that was rather nice.
Top Ports in 2023: Taylor 1896 Colheita, b. 2021. A perfect Port.
2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.
On driving duty today but had a very nice D91 from a h/b yesterday; not one for the long term but drinking well at the moment. Probably a G70 for today into tomorrow. Oh and Santa really enjoyed his Maynards over 40yr tawny-the greedy old soak seems to have necked almost half the bottle
I received a most excellent and unexpected present of a pair of port tongs, so this morning used them to open the traditional Christmas Croft '70, and an unknown '63 with neck tag that said "Taylor's '63" on one side, and "Graham '70" on the other - which turned out to be Taylor's '63. The T63 was light (perhaps light-struck) but pleasant; the Cr70 is dark, spicy and a fabulous bottle.
My Christmas drinking has comprised a bottle of Black Dog 2013 English Sparkling wine, two bottles of Baron de Ley Reserva 2013 and a bottle of the 1992 Maynard's LBV which I opened yesterday (and posted a tasting note so you can all see what I thought of it and decide whether or note to rush to Aldi).
Top Ports in 2023: Taylor 1896 Colheita, b. 2021. A perfect Port.
2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.
on Christmas eve, I opened up a 1963 Avery's VP, it seemed a tiny bit corked. Yesterday, after Christmas dinner, we had a 1995 Kopke VP, and later on the evening I returned to the 1963, which seemed to have improved a bit (still not a great showing but quite enjoyable).
Tonight Mrs B and I are meeting Justin and Mrs K for dinner. We have a bottle of Lanson Black label, a bottle of Taylor 1970 and a bottle of an unknown (plus port tongs). What could possibly go wrong?
Top Ports in 2023: Taylor 1896 Colheita, b. 2021. A perfect Port.
2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.