Big Bottles

[Portman]

For Christmas I received a magnum of Fonseca 2007 from Santa. I guess I was a good boy this year.

This is my first VP magnum, and it made me wonder why there seem to be few big bottles of port produced. They appear pretty rarely at auction, and I dont know if Ive ever seen anything bigger than a magnum.

Questions: Do you have big bottles in your cellar? What do you think the drinking window would be for a wine like the one I got, properly stored of course? 30-70 years would be my guess.

This bottle also may be the first wine I own that will not be fully mature before I leave for the great vineyard in the sky. Im 45 now. I guess that is one of those milestones every wine lover reaches at some point. Bill

[g-man]

Haha, don't get Julian started on this!

I have a few mags of niepoort and 1 of vesuvio.

I

[Alex Bridgeman]

Julian and Derek can tell you all about big bottles - but essentially the IVDP will not allow bottles larger than magnum size to be filled and sold commercially. There are a small number of dispensations given, mostly for family or charity events, so bottles bigger than magnum are available but very uncommon.

I opened my first magnum of port for the Christmas offline, which I bought at auction recently specifically for the Christmas offline. The only other magnums that I own are a handful of Vesuvio.

I don't generally buy magnums because I don't have a great way to store them and also because the opportunities to open them don't often occur. While I'd love to have a few magnums of mature port for special occasions, I'm happy with the mix in my cellar that I currently have - roughly 90% in 750ml and 10% in 375ml. I love half-bottles as they are easy to open and drink.

[Portman]

Thanks. I wonder why IVDP wont allow bottlings greater than magnum? Seems like an arbitrary and nonsensical rule.

[Alex Bridgeman]

This is the point at which I step aside and let Julian answer the question.

[Portman]

No need, I just found the thread viewtopic.php?f=1&t=1165&st=0&sk=t&sd=a ... tles#p9434.

I should have known you guys have already been in the bowels of cement Brussels office complexes trying to resolve this injustice. Personally, the 3L bottle hits my sweet spot in terms of size and functionality. Any bigger and it becomes unwieldy to access and you need a small army to drink it. A 3L bottle of wine is perfect for a dinner party of 6 or 8 and yet is big enough for extended cellaring. I'd love to have one or two Vintage Ports in 3L to leave to the kids.

[jdaw1]

you need a small army to drink it.

Or a few people from the Port Special Services battalion.

[g-man]

Or just a bottle of champagne to clean out my palate.

[DRT]

you need a small army to drink it.

Or a few people from the Port Special Services battalion.

[g-man]

you need a small army to drink it.

Or a few people from the Port Special Services battalion.

!!

[Andy Velebil]

you need a small army to drink it.

Or a few people from the Port Special Services battalion.

Sign me up too.

[Glenn E.]

you need a small army to drink it.

Or a few people from the Port Special Services battalion.

!!

RePORTing for duty, sir!

[WS1]

Hi,

Hmm, aside being a member of the Port Special Services battalion, I out myself as a person who owns several magnums of Port (Berry Brothers 1997, Chruchil Quinta Da Agua Alta 1995, Warre 1980, Grahams 1977, Grahams 1970, Croft 1970 etc.) In the beginning I thought this is just something for big events (wedding etc.) but when I experienced at one of my brithday parties the finishing magnum bt of Port Chruchil Quinta Da Agua Alta 1995 was emptied quicker than all the seven magnums before I accepted I should have some more in my cellar.
In addition some Ports are so good it is better to open a Magnum bt of it since the single bt goes too quickly.

regards

WS1

[mosesbotbol]

3L 1977 Taylor Vintage come around now and then. I have seen a 2L 1970 Graham.

Colheitas are available in 3L bottles from the right connections pretty easily.

Magnums of port are really great format. I don't see much earlier than '70 very often. I have Warre, Croft, and Sandeman in 1970 magnum format and all are great bottles!