Latest buy
- Alex Bridgeman
- Fonseca 1966
- Posts: 15922
- Joined: 12:41 Mon 25 Jun 2007
- Location: Berkshire, UK
Re: Latest buy
I have some Croft '03 in storage. Now that it has closed down, I will leave mine alone for the at least 5 years. I might try one around 2014-5 to see how it is developing.
Top Ports in 2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.
2025: Quevedo 1972 Colheita, b.2024. Just as good as Niepoort 1900!
2025: Quevedo 1972 Colheita, b.2024. Just as good as Niepoort 1900!
- SushiNorth
- Martinez 1985
- Posts: 1341
- Joined: 06:45 Mon 18 Feb 2008
- Location: NJ & NY
Re: Latest buy
Yup, I've a half-case of those that I'm guarding for another 10-12 years.AHB wrote:I have some Croft '03 in storage. Now that it has closed down, I will leave mine alone for the at least 5 years. I might try one around 2014-5 to see how it is developing.
Re: Latest buy
Calem 2003 - 2 bottles
Calem 2002 - 1 bottle
Rozes 1997 - 3 bottles
ROBERTSON'S Rebello valente 1983- 2 bottles
+ a lot of red wine
All bought at an online insolvency auction for very reasonable prices. Looking forward to pick them up on Thursday!
Calem 2002 - 1 bottle
Rozes 1997 - 3 bottles
ROBERTSON'S Rebello valente 1983- 2 bottles
+ a lot of red wine
All bought at an online insolvency auction for very reasonable prices. Looking forward to pick them up on Thursday!

Re: Latest buy
Some ramblings moved to Insolvency: what can happen to the contents of the cellar? by jdaw1 (albeit at the request of AHB).
Re: Latest buy
Purchased, but not yet arrived:
6 x 2003 Noval LBV
6 x Noval 40-yr Old Tawny
1 x 1986 Noval Colheita
1 x 1976 Noval Colheita
1 x 1968 Noval Colheita
1 x 1964 Noval Colheita
2 x 1937 Noval Colheita
2 x "Vintage Port Library" pack consisting of 1 ea. 1994, 2000, 2003 Noval VP, ex cellars
Would have loved to have been able to get the 1997 Noval in the Library pack, but alas it wasn't available.
6 x 2003 Noval LBV
6 x Noval 40-yr Old Tawny
1 x 1986 Noval Colheita
1 x 1976 Noval Colheita
1 x 1968 Noval Colheita
1 x 1964 Noval Colheita
2 x 1937 Noval Colheita
2 x "Vintage Port Library" pack consisting of 1 ea. 1994, 2000, 2003 Noval VP, ex cellars
Would have loved to have been able to get the 1997 Noval in the Library pack, but alas it wasn't available.
Glenn Elliott
- Alex Bridgeman
- Fonseca 1966
- Posts: 15922
- Joined: 12:41 Mon 25 Jun 2007
- Location: Berkshire, UK
Re: Latest buy
There are some really interesting ports in this purchase. I've never seen the Rebello Valente offered for sale and have been very impressed with my recent experiences of Calem. It will be interesting to see what you make of these when you eventually open them.smisse wrote:Calem 2003 - 2 bottles
Calem 2002 - 1 bottle
Rozes 1997 - 3 bottles
ROBERTSON'S Rebello valente 1983- 2 bottles
+ a lot of red wine
All bought at an online insolvency auction for very reasonable prices. Looking forward to pick them up on Thursday!
Incidentally, there were not many 2002 wines released so the Calem is slightly unusual in that respect.
Top Ports in 2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.
2025: Quevedo 1972 Colheita, b.2024. Just as good as Niepoort 1900!
2025: Quevedo 1972 Colheita, b.2024. Just as good as Niepoort 1900!
Re: Latest buy
Bought a 1995 Dow's Quinta do Bomfim to be shipped at a later date. Must drink something strong to take the sting out of the US loss to Brazil yesterday.
- Alex Bridgeman
- Fonseca 1966
- Posts: 15922
- Joined: 12:41 Mon 25 Jun 2007
- Location: Berkshire, UK
Re: Latest buy
Bought what I believe is only the second colheita that I have ever purchased yesterday - a Calem Quinta do Foz 1963 colheita bottled in 1983. Look out for a tasting note soon!
Top Ports in 2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.
2025: Quevedo 1972 Colheita, b.2024. Just as good as Niepoort 1900!
2025: Quevedo 1972 Colheita, b.2024. Just as good as Niepoort 1900!
- gerwin.degraaf
- Taylor’s LBV
- Posts: 172
- Joined: 19:59 Thu 02 Jul 2009
- Location: The Netherlands
Re: Latest buy
I bought a Calem 2000 Vintage port, on an online auction, which I picked up on thursday 25th june (maybe thesame auction as Smisse?)
Gerwin
Gerwin
Re: Latest buy
This might indeed be the same auction. I missed a Calem 2000 for 25EUR.
Maybe next time we should inform each other
Maybe next time we should inform each other

- uncle tom
- Dalva Golden White Colheita 1952
- Posts: 3559
- Joined: 22:43 Wed 20 Jun 2007
- Location: Near Saffron Walden, England
Re: Latest buy
Bought today - a remarkable stash of Noval 10yr
6 x bottled 1992
6 x bottled 1991
2 x bottled 1990
1 x bottled 1989
2 x bottled 1985
1 x bottled 1984
In all, 18 nicely aged bottles. The '84 bottle is showing a little seepage, so will be drunk by me quite soon, any of the others are available for £11 ea.
Tom
6 x bottled 1992
6 x bottled 1991
2 x bottled 1990
1 x bottled 1989
2 x bottled 1985
1 x bottled 1984
In all, 18 nicely aged bottles. The '84 bottle is showing a little seepage, so will be drunk by me quite soon, any of the others are available for £11 ea.
Tom
I may be drunk, Miss, but in the morning I shall be sober and you will still be ugly - W.S. Churchill
Re: Latest buy
Noval 03 x 2 OWC
Fonseca 03 X 2 OWC
Fonseca 03 X 2 OWC
Any time not spend drinking port, is a waste of time.
Re: Latest buy
Let's see...my latest purchase was some '63 Delaforce as well as a number of Krohn colheitas that I purchased for an upcoming tasting event.
Re: Latest buy
6 magnums at 60$/magnum of the 03 neipoorts all in.
Disclosure: Distributor of Quevedo wines and Quinta do Gomariz
Re: Latest buy
2 x 1997 Noval. Price was high, but availability continues to decline so I finally had to pull the trigger or risk never getting them.
Glenn Elliott
Re: Latest buy
12 x Dow 1991
6 x warre 2000
1 x Unknown 1920
The first 2 in the above list being split with AHB and the last one destined for this.
6 x warre 2000
1 x Unknown 1920
The first 2 in the above list being split with AHB and the last one destined for this.

"The first duty of Port is to be red"
Ernest H. Cockburn
Ernest H. Cockburn
- uncle tom
- Dalva Golden White Colheita 1952
- Posts: 3559
- Joined: 22:43 Wed 20 Jun 2007
- Location: Near Saffron Walden, England
Re: Latest buy
Some big shippers wines from big vintages can prove very elusive.
I don't think I've seen a single bottle of Graham 1935 come to auction - until yesterday..
..a rather cheap and cheerful auction house in the rather dismal, depressed and congested town of Wisbech; a place more accustomed to selling parsnips than port; had a few old bottles of port from the estate of a local deceased. Two were seeping, one went for far too much, but I secured the one I really wanted.
Graham 1935 vintage port, level just into neck, and with the legible remains of the original label. Bottled by Cobbold & Co. Ipswich.
- Nice!
Tom
I don't think I've seen a single bottle of Graham 1935 come to auction - until yesterday..
..a rather cheap and cheerful auction house in the rather dismal, depressed and congested town of Wisbech; a place more accustomed to selling parsnips than port; had a few old bottles of port from the estate of a local deceased. Two were seeping, one went for far too much, but I secured the one I really wanted.
Graham 1935 vintage port, level just into neck, and with the legible remains of the original label. Bottled by Cobbold & Co. Ipswich.
- Nice!
Tom
I may be drunk, Miss, but in the morning I shall be sober and you will still be ugly - W.S. Churchill
Re: Latest buy
Go, tell us the cost.
- uncle tom
- Dalva Golden White Colheita 1952
- Posts: 3559
- Joined: 22:43 Wed 20 Jun 2007
- Location: Near Saffron Walden, England
Re: Latest buy
£299 including BP - no bargain, but worth it!
Tom
Tom
I may be drunk, Miss, but in the morning I shall be sober and you will still be ugly - W.S. Churchill
Re: Latest buy
I think that the cheerful auctioneer of Wisbech should be pleased with wringing £299 from Uncle Tom.
Re: Latest buy
My latest buy was a '60 Nacional along with some '91 Krohn. The label on the Nacional was a bit battered and the wine merchant thought that it was the regular bottling (and priced it accordingly) although the remnants of "N" as well as the "L" of Nacional were visible and the capsule was clearly branded "Nacional".
Marc
Marc
- uncle tom
- Dalva Golden White Colheita 1952
- Posts: 3559
- Joined: 22:43 Wed 20 Jun 2007
- Location: Near Saffron Walden, England
Re: Latest buy
He was seated on a very high backed chair on a small platform in the middle of the auction room, that made it look like a little throne. Around him lay a sea of house clearance tut that he was selling with great speed, much of it for less than £20 a lot. Sadly, the wonders of the internet meant I was not the only person to learn of his star lots.I think that the cheerful auctioneer of Wisbech should be pleased with wringing £299 from Uncle Tom.
I was told they would be going under the hammer at about 14.00, and arrived at 12.50. In the event I had less than ten minutes to register and check the bottles before bidding on them, and was driving home by 13.10..
Tom
I may be drunk, Miss, but in the morning I shall be sober and you will still be ugly - W.S. Churchill
Re: Latest buy
Tom,
I remember old conversations about this, but I feel compelled to revisit it.
You clearly are a supreme collector, and that in itself is a remarkable hobby/interest, but as you cannot drink them all, have you got any further down the line of what to do with your remaining collection at your untimely demise?
(Glancing at my crystal ball, aren't you due to be shot in the backside at 93 years of age, running away from an angry husband?)
Alan.
I remember old conversations about this, but I feel compelled to revisit it.
You clearly are a supreme collector, and that in itself is a remarkable hobby/interest, but as you cannot drink them all, have you got any further down the line of what to do with your remaining collection at your untimely demise?
(Glancing at my crystal ball, aren't you due to be shot in the backside at 93 years of age, running away from an angry husband?)
Alan.
Re: Latest buy
wagging a purple tongue I assume.Conky wrote:
(Glancing at my crystal ball, aren't you due to be shot in the backside at 93 years of age, running away from an angry husband?)
Disclosure: Distributor of Quevedo wines and Quinta do Gomariz
- uncle tom
- Dalva Golden White Colheita 1952
- Posts: 3559
- Joined: 22:43 Wed 20 Jun 2007
- Location: Near Saffron Walden, England
Re: Latest buy
Conky,
That is so far off the wall, it made me laugh out loud!
Yes, I have an immortal approach to my cellar. Although I do have some indirect family, they do not make me feel remotely obligated; so it is my intention to create a trust (with a constitution worthy of Nostradamus..) to manage affairs after my demise.
Should the trustees fail, the beneficiary by default will be the government of the day - a nightmare scenario, whoever is in power..
Tom
That is so far off the wall, it made me laugh out loud!

Yes, I have an immortal approach to my cellar. Although I do have some indirect family, they do not make me feel remotely obligated; so it is my intention to create a trust (with a constitution worthy of Nostradamus..) to manage affairs after my demise.
Should the trustees fail, the beneficiary by default will be the government of the day - a nightmare scenario, whoever is in power..

Tom
I may be drunk, Miss, but in the morning I shall be sober and you will still be ugly - W.S. Churchill
Re: Latest buy
Perhaps the members of the Factory House would be a more trustworthy and appropriate ultimate heir?uncle tom wrote: Should the trustees fail, the beneficiary by default will be the government of the day - a nightmare scenario, whoever is in power..![]()
"The first duty of Port is to be red"
Ernest H. Cockburn
Ernest H. Cockburn
- uncle tom
- Dalva Golden White Colheita 1952
- Posts: 3559
- Joined: 22:43 Wed 20 Jun 2007
- Location: Near Saffron Walden, England
Re: Latest buy
The thought has occurred; but with mergers, sales and takeovers so prevalent amongst the traditional shippers; with the independant Quintas steadily asserting themselves, and the focus of the port trade gradually moving up stream; I do wonder what the future holds for the Factory House.Perhaps the members of the Factory House would be a more trustworthy and appropriate ultimate heir?
It must be a very expensive building to maintain, and much as I would hate to see its demise; there must be a possibility that it will one day be sold off, and the British Association dissolved.
Government, on the other hand, is forever; and as an institution, will never enjoy much respect.
Presenting the prospect of a precious asset falling into the hands of the reliably undeserving, strikes me as the best way to preserve it..

Tom
I may be drunk, Miss, but in the morning I shall be sober and you will still be ugly - W.S. Churchill
Re: Latest buy
Not sure I necessarily follow the logic, but interesting all the same.uncle tom wrote:Government, on the other hand, is forever; and as an institution, will never enjoy much respect.
Presenting the prospect of a precious asset falling into the hands of the reliably undeserving, strikes me as the best way to preserve it..![]()
Tom
Re: Latest buy
One bottle of the last item on this list. Taking for the team, sort of thing.
Re: Latest buy
Julian's answer to having to drink Port with the French: Drink something even the French wouldn't drink. Oh dear.jdaw1 wrote:One bottle of the last item on this list. Taking for the team, sort of thing.
"The first duty of Port is to be red"
Ernest H. Cockburn
Ernest H. Cockburn
- RonnieRoots
- Fonseca 1980
- Posts: 1981
- Joined: 07:28 Thu 21 Jun 2007
- Location: Middle Earth
Re: Latest buy
Stocked up on some older LBV's:
2x Niepoort 1995 LBV
4 x Niepoort 1998 LBV
6 x Niepoort 1996 LBV
As well as 6x Vargellas 1991.
2x Niepoort 1995 LBV
4 x Niepoort 1998 LBV
6 x Niepoort 1996 LBV
As well as 6x Vargellas 1991.
- Alex Bridgeman
- Fonseca 1966
- Posts: 15922
- Joined: 12:41 Mon 25 Jun 2007
- Location: Berkshire, UK
Re: Latest buy
Just bought 12 Smith Woodhouse 2000 for hiding away in a dark place for many years
Top Ports in 2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.
2025: Quevedo 1972 Colheita, b.2024. Just as good as Niepoort 1900!
2025: Quevedo 1972 Colheita, b.2024. Just as good as Niepoort 1900!
- Michael M.
- Quinta do Noval LBV
- Posts: 244
- Joined: 11:50 Wed 08 Aug 2007
- Location: Germany
Re: Latest buy
2x 1994 Vesuvio VP
2x 1980 Dow's VP
4x 2003 Noval VP
6x 1994 Dow's VP
2x 1980 Dow's VP
4x 2003 Noval VP
6x 1994 Dow's VP
Shut Up 'N Drink Yer Port
- Alex Bridgeman
- Fonseca 1966
- Posts: 15922
- Joined: 12:41 Mon 25 Jun 2007
- Location: Berkshire, UK
Re: Latest buy
Whilst away on holiday I came across a little wine shop with an impressive selection and decent prices. I came back from holiday with Smith Woodhouse 1999 LBV, Silval 2000 and bottles of Noval 1994, 2003 and 2004.
Top Ports in 2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.
2025: Quevedo 1972 Colheita, b.2024. Just as good as Niepoort 1900!
2025: Quevedo 1972 Colheita, b.2024. Just as good as Niepoort 1900!
Re: Latest buy
1 x 375ml of Fonseca 1991 @ £10.99
1 x 375ml of Niepoort LBV 1996 @ £7.99
Both from S H Jones of Oxfordshire.
1 x 375ml of Niepoort LBV 1996 @ £7.99
Both from S H Jones of Oxfordshire.
- SushiNorth
- Martinez 1985
- Posts: 1341
- Joined: 06:45 Mon 18 Feb 2008
- Location: NJ & NY
Re: Latest buy
2x Sandeman 1970
2x Fonseca 1985
2x Dow 1963
2x Fonseca 1985
2x Dow 1963
Re: Latest buy
I'm tempted by 6 x Vesuvio 2005 for roughly £170. Any opinions on this?
- mosesbotbol
- Warre’s Otima 10 year old Tawny
- Posts: 626
- Joined: 18:54 Wed 18 Jul 2007
- Location: Boston, USA
Re: Latest buy
Recent pick up's.
Case of '80 Sandeman - already half gone
6 Pack of '94 Vesuvio - don't plan to open for many years
Working on a case buy of '00 Quinta Vale Dona Maria - will be second case and tried one bottle a few years ago.
Case of '80 Sandeman - already half gone

6 Pack of '94 Vesuvio - don't plan to open for many years
Working on a case buy of '00 Quinta Vale Dona Maria - will be second case and tried one bottle a few years ago.
F1 | Welsh Corgi | Did Someone Mention Port?
Re: Latest buy
Shockingly, that seems high to me (for you). I managed to purchase 6 x 2005 Vesuvio for $50/bottle, so I would think that you should be able to find it cheaper.Alex M wrote:I'm tempted by 6 x Vesuvio 2005 for roughly £170. Any opinions on this?
As far as the quality goes, definitely worth purchasing.
Glenn Elliott
- uncle tom
- Dalva Golden White Colheita 1952
- Posts: 3559
- Joined: 22:43 Wed 20 Jun 2007
- Location: Near Saffron Walden, England
Re: Latest buy
I've not tried this one, but all the TN's indicate that it's an opaque monster of a wine, that probably needs to be left alone for another twenty years.I'm tempted by 6 x Vesuvio 2005 for roughly £170. Any opinions on this?
As an undeclared year, the '05's are never going to command mega bucks on the auction circuit, so I would be fairly confident of picking up a six pack for between £100-£150 (plus whatever inflation we have in the meantime) ten years hence.
I have this wine on my buy list; but given the time needed for it to reach maturity, and the capital tie-up; I would not pay much more than half that amount if a case came to auction tomorrow.
Tom
I may be drunk, Miss, but in the morning I shall be sober and you will still be ugly - W.S. Churchill
Re: Latest buy
So the 5 bottles of Warres 1977 at Strackers might be a better option? There are some interesting lots in the latest catalogue.
- uncle tom
- Dalva Golden White Colheita 1952
- Posts: 3559
- Joined: 22:43 Wed 20 Jun 2007
- Location: Near Saffron Walden, England
Re: Latest buy
Alex,
I've sent you a PM
Tom
I've sent you a PM
Tom
I may be drunk, Miss, but in the morning I shall be sober and you will still be ugly - W.S. Churchill
Re: Latest buy
1+9 x 1997 Quinta do Tedo Vintage Port for $21/bottle
3 x 1977 Barros Colheita (.375) for $36/bottle
3 x 2003 Quinta da Gaivosa Vintage Port (.375) for $18/bottle
The first "test" bottle of the Tedo was purchased yesterday and was successful enough (TN here) that I went back and purchased the remaining 9 bottles this morning.
3 x 1977 Barros Colheita (.375) for $36/bottle
3 x 2003 Quinta da Gaivosa Vintage Port (.375) for $18/bottle
The first "test" bottle of the Tedo was purchased yesterday and was successful enough (TN here) that I went back and purchased the remaining 9 bottles this morning.
Glenn Elliott
Re: Latest buy
12 x 1994 Rozes LBV port
Disclosure: Distributor of Quevedo wines and Quinta do Gomariz
Re: Latest buy
I came back to the US with the following from Portugal.
1 x Graham 2007 at 52Euro
4 x Niepoort 2000 at 50 Euro
Bought at Arohmas do Vihno in Valenca, Portugal, one of the only places I've found in Portugal with decent port prices.
Bill
1 x Graham 2007 at 52Euro
4 x Niepoort 2000 at 50 Euro
Bought at Arohmas do Vihno in Valenca, Portugal, one of the only places I've found in Portugal with decent port prices.
Bill
Re: Latest buy
1 Barros Port 1985 $56.00
1 Calem Port 1985 $30.00
1 Cockburn Port 1985 $55.00
1 Ferreira Port 1985 $49.00
2 Gould Campbell Port 1985 $52.00 ea
1 Offley Boa Vista Port 1985 $54.00
1 Quarles Harris Port 1985 $52.00
1 Quinta do Infantado Port 1985 $29.00
1 Quinta do Noval Port 1985 $48.00
1 Ramos Pinto Port 1985 $45.00
2 Smith Woodhouse Port 1985 $64.00 ea
4 Real Companhia Velha Vintage Port 1970 $30.00 ea
Got all that from Benchmark Wines. That now gives me 17 different 1985s including most of the big names (I already had Dow, Fonseca, Graham, Kopke, Taylor, and Warre), so I'm ready for a horizontal!
I also picked up 12 x 1985 Graham from WineBid.com for $80 each. Which seemed like a good price for the US until they tacked on 14% buyer's premium, 1% insurance, and 10.925% California sales tax.
1 Calem Port 1985 $30.00
1 Cockburn Port 1985 $55.00
1 Ferreira Port 1985 $49.00
2 Gould Campbell Port 1985 $52.00 ea
1 Offley Boa Vista Port 1985 $54.00
1 Quarles Harris Port 1985 $52.00
1 Quinta do Infantado Port 1985 $29.00
1 Quinta do Noval Port 1985 $48.00
1 Ramos Pinto Port 1985 $45.00
2 Smith Woodhouse Port 1985 $64.00 ea
4 Real Companhia Velha Vintage Port 1970 $30.00 ea
Got all that from Benchmark Wines. That now gives me 17 different 1985s including most of the big names (I already had Dow, Fonseca, Graham, Kopke, Taylor, and Warre), so I'm ready for a horizontal!
I also picked up 12 x 1985 Graham from WineBid.com for $80 each. Which seemed like a good price for the US until they tacked on 14% buyer's premium, 1% insurance, and 10.925% California sales tax.

Glenn Elliott
Re: Latest buy
1 x Croft Roeda 2005
Re: Latest buy
2000 Dow Porto Vintage $42
2000 Graham Porto Vintage $59
2000 Fonseca Porto Vintage $44
2000 Graham Porto Vintage $59
2000 Fonseca Porto Vintage $44
you've got a friend in cheeses
Re: Latest buy
i'm staring at a few of these for $17.99, good?
g-man wrote:12 x 1994 Rozes LBV port
you've got a friend in cheeses
- SushiNorth
- Martinez 1985
- Posts: 1341
- Joined: 06:45 Mon 18 Feb 2008
- Location: NJ & NY
Re: Latest buy
yes. get em. bottle needs to sit open for 3-4 days before drinking, tho.TBird wrote:i'm staring at a few of these for $17.99, good?
g-man wrote:12 x 1994 Rozes LBV port