Vargellas 2001

[KillerB]

Saw this in Tesco at £19.99. Has anybody had a go or any clues yet? There are no TNs but it doesn't mean that it's not been tried. Also it has a horrible new label with "Vargellas" is some prissy scripty font:



Somebody please explain.

[RonnieRoots]

Yes, the new labels aren't much good. I believe they changed them again recently, but it wasn't much of an improvement.

I've tasted this port only just after release, and it was a bit of a beast back then. Very much as you'd expect a young Vargellas to be. Back than I thought it was at least as good as the 1995 and might even go towards the 1987 in terms of ageing potential.

I nearly bought a half bottle in Porto a few days back, but opted for the Vargellas 1988 instead, because I wanted something that's ready to drink now. At £20 I would buy without hesitation. And more than one bottle.

[KillerB]

Thanks DaddyRoots, will keep an eye in case Tesco try to compete with Sainsbury's as usual and hack a further 15% off.

[JacobH]

Yes, the new labels aren't much good. I believe they changed them again recently, but it wasn't much of an improvement.

That’s good to know, though why they decided to scrap one of the best Port labels (the one used c.1991-1999) in the first place completely escapes me!

[RonnieRoots]

It might be worse than you think Jacob. I also really liked the stylish label they used end of the 80's until late 90's. The only part in the label that KillerB uploaded that reminded of that is the bottom part. That, I believe, is now gone.

[JacobH]

It might be worse than you think Jacob. I also really liked the stylish label they used end of the 80's until late 90's. The only part in the label that KillerB uploaded that reminded of that is the bottom part. That, I believe, is now gone.

That’s the one I was thinking of: the large Q with the Taylor 4XX inside!To get rid of it is complete madness!like Sandeman doing a label without the Don!

[uncle tom]

Aside from the label, the gaudy glasswork doesn't do much for me either..

..are they still over-tall, so you catch the necks when you walk round the cellar?

Tom

[RonnieRoots]

with that half swallowed mouse in the neck. Yes.

[Andy Velebil]

Aside from the label, the gaudy glasswork doesn't do much for me either..

..are they still over-tall, so you catch the necks when you walk round the cellar?

Tom

YES! Bottle size/shape is one thing I am picky about. I hate the odd shaped ones that don't seem to stack well or, in this case, are so tall they don't fit into standard boxes or racking. I can only get one in a shelf, instead of 2, as a result of it being so tall. Drives me nuts. I know producers are trying to make a unique shaped product for visual appeal, but can we keep the bottle sizes down to a manageable size.

[JacobH]

How many cases do you think we would have to order to persuade Taylor’s to do a bottling of the Vargellas in old-style green bottles with the 1980-2000 labels?

[uncle tom]

How many cases do you think we would have to order to persuade Taylor’s to do a bottling of the Vargellas in old-style green bottles with the 1980-2000 labels?

Probably around 60 cases - a palletload; but possibly less if some major customers are also underwhelmed by the tarty styling.

For the glass style, the earliest possible vintage would be the 2008 now. The labels are probably late fixed, so an alternate design could probably go on the 2004's (I'm assuming there wasn't a TV02..?)

Tom

[JacobH]

Probably around 60 cases - a palletload; but possibly less if some major customers are also underwhelmed by the tarty styling.

Considering that Vargellas is sold by Tesco, Oddbins, Sainsburys and John Lewis (so Waitrose and Ocado) getting some major customers to lobby for a change of bottling might be tricky...

[DRT]

Do they use these bottles for their classic VP?

One thing to consider is that in 100 years time there are unlikely to be any Unknown Shipper VPs that are Taylor

[JacobH]

One thing to consider is that in 100 years time there are unlikely to be any Unknown Shipper VPs that are Taylor

I’m not sure whether that is a good thing or no...it may have a detrimental effect on the quality of the Christmas Tasting c.2110...

[uncle tom]

Considering that Vargellas is sold by Tesco, Oddbins, Sainsburys and John Lewis (so Waitrose and Ocado) getting some major customers to lobby for a change of bottling might be tricky...

Actually, I would say the opposite is true. Taylor would not be over-concerned about gripes from a small wine merchant or two; but if the man from Tesco or Sainsbury's took issue with the bottle height, on the grounds that it was incompatible with their store shelving systems; they would most certainly listen..

I think Taylor have made a mistake with this styling, as it lumps Vargellas VP into the same style club as the Reserves and LBV's. It lacks the quiet dignity needed to convince the punters that this is the good stuff..

Tom

[KillerB]

I've just dragged out a bottle 1996 to compare and I see that the prissy script for Vargellas is there but stuck around the corner, running up the bottle and grey, so very inconspicuous. Apart from that the label looks perfect - informative, stylish and not ostentatious or gaudy. I agree with Tom about the annoying bottles though, however it does make them a doddle to pick out - found this in about three seconds.

[Axel P]

Yes, the new labels aren't much good. I believe they changed them again recently, but it wasn't much of an improvement.

Since the new VVV of 2007 still looks that way, I do believe that we have to live with this desing for a bit.

Axel

[Alex M]

I've just recieved a few coupons in the post. I can buy the 2001 or the 1998 for 15 pounds each. I'm going to take them up on the offer but which bottles would you recommend?

[benread]

I've just recieved a few coupons in the post. I can buy the 2001 or the 1998 for 15 pounds each. I'm going to take them up on the offer but which bottles would you recommend?

Do the vouchers allow anyone else to take up the bottles you decline?!

[RonnieRoots]

IMO the 2001 is much better than the 1998.

[Glenn E.]

I've just recieved a few coupons in the post. I can buy the 2001 or the 1998 for 15 pounds each. I'm going to take them up on the offer but which bottles would you recommend?

All of them?

[Alex M]

Went for the 2001 under the above recommendation. Also recieved a 1998 Bomfim. Are there any other major retailers deals to be had this christmas that i've been overlooking?

[angeleyes]

My local Tesco has both the '01 and '98 for £20, no idea which to get. Both sound too young. Despite the design, I'm more interested in the content of the bottle!

Bearing in mind my recent try of a 2001 Qd Crasto, which was a wine with a lot of heat, I'm wondering how Qd Crasto generally compares to Qd Vargellas?