2010 Port to buy to store for next 20 years

[henry]

Hi All,

I was wondering if anyone could point me towards a port from 2010 that I can buy now and store for many years to come. My daughter was born in 2010 and I was supposed to get it then but I couldn't really find what to buy and those of you with kids will know how time flies!

I've only recently managed to avoid after dinner whisky by discovering port and would like to get a case of something I can bring out of the attic in 20 years time when my baby gets married.

As you've probably guessed, I'm a complete novice so please be gentle. No thousand pound bottles please! Would mentioning a price mark of £20 a bottle be an insult if the wine is to be stored for a long time or does age only help port while it is in the cask?

Any help much appreciated.

Cheers

[DRT]

Hello Henry,

Welcome to

Vintage Port is "declared" (announced) in the second year after the harvest, normally in the spring, so the 2010 vintage wines should be declared within the next few weeks.

As you might be aware, true Vintage Port tends to be produced around 3 to 4 times per decade by each producer. 2009 was declared by some producers and 2011 is believed to be a fabulous vintage, which is likely to result in a general declaration by all producers. This means that 2010, which was not a great harvest, is likely to be limited to Single Quinta Vintage Ports (SQVP) rather than the classic blends. Feel free to ask what all that means if it doesn't make sense!

Although it is too early to tell which producers will produce an SQVP in 2010, it is very likely that there will be lots to choose from. Quinta do Vesuvio is always one to look out for as they tend to produce one in every vintage (with only two exceptions since 1989) and their wines are remarkably consistent. They are also nicely packaged in fancy wooden cases which makes them an excellent choice as gifts.

You will need to wait a few weeks before you can buy anything from 2010 so keep watching here as we will no doubt be discussing, and probably tasting, some of the wines very soon.

Derek

[christopherpfaff]

Hello Henry,

as the first reply said, you have to wait at least to middle of the year 2012 to buy any Vintage Port of 2010.

As I know it is really improbable that the Fladgate Group will make any Single Quinta VP, but I guess that Sogevinus maybe plan to bottle some Kopke Quinta Sao Luiz VP 2010.

So I'am sure you will find some Vintage Port of 2010, and the price should be about 20 pounds.

Best regards,

[PhilW]

Hi Henry,

In addition to the comments made by others above, I would also add in reply to your query on aging in cask/bottle, that aging in the bottle is an essential component of producing great vintage port. Crucially this means that the case you buy should be stored properly to ensure that after 20 years you will have a superb case of port. If you don't currently have suitable cellar/storage, you could consider purchasing a case from one of the main vendors and storage providers (such as Seckford wines); you would be able to buy the case from them on release, and optionally keep it "in bond" in their storage; this would also help guarantee its quality and hence value to others if after 20yrs you/your daughter decide to sell rather then drink the contents.

I would also echo Derek's recommendation on Quinta do Vesuvio; Normally if someone is laying port down for a newborn and is not personally a port fan I would recommend one of the most well known houses (Fonseca, Graham, Taylor, Dow; or my own favourite, Warre), but we will have to see which will produce a 2010 SQVP later this year (assuming none declare a vintage); The Vesuvio with elegant box seems like a good alternative call to me for your needs.

Phil.

[Alex Bridgeman]

Henry

You've had some pretty good advice so far. The fact that you've been too busy so far to buy any port for your baby has worked to your advantage. I would suggest that you wait until October / November so that we have a clear idea of who is making what port - perhaps even ask us for some more suggestions again!

One thing that is really important that Phil has mentioned is storage. If you buy a case of port and store it in the loft for 20 years, it will be undrinkable. If you're going to buy vintage port (which is made to improve and mature once bottled) it really does need to be stored in a cool, dark place. It's worth buying from someone like Seckfords and then paying them £10 a year to professionally store the case for you for the next 20 years.

Alex

[DRT]

It's worth buying from someone like Seckfords and then paying them £10 a year to professionally store the case for you for the next 20 years.

And then try really, really hard to ignore the implications of this strategy when you own 50-100-200-400 cases in storage (no further discussion on this problem, please. I am happy in the knowledge that it doesn't really exist)

[henry]

Wow - thank you all for such detailed and helpful replies. I just about know what I'm doing now

Since 2010 isn't likely to be the greatest year I think I might just hold off for the 2011 and have a much wider choice and accepted vintage to choose from.

I'm glad to hear that port can be aged in the bottle and will definitely not make the mistake of brewing 20 year old vinegar by storing it in my attic! If it only cost around £10 per year (per case?) to store then 20 years of storage will only be £240 so I might buy 2 cases and sell one at the end and drink the other one when the wedding bells chime.

I'll keep my eyes peeled on this forum for your reviews of the 2010 haul and maybe buy one from 2010 and one or two from 2011.

Drop me a line in 2032 if you run out of 2010 as I may have a case for sale!

Thanks

Henry

[uncle tom]

Henry - welcome to TPF!

My information on 2010 indicates that the producers got rather mixed results.

For some, it just didn't come right, although the vintage period and growing conditions were not seriously problematic. Others indicate that they have made some very satisfactory ports, and that it is only the realisation that 2011 is a better year that deters them from making a full declaration this spring.

When 2011 is declared next spring, the prices may run a little high for your budget, whilst the 2010 single quinta ports are likely to be much more suited to your pocket, and will of course be the right year for your daughter.

I am hoping to gather together a few sample bottles of the 2010's for a small tasting session towards the end of next month, the results of which will be posted here..

Tom

[chrisnomdechy]

Great idea, Tom!

It would be nice to have a LOW-COST range of 2010 Vintages (Single Quinta and Declared), perhaps including lesser-known producers but with huge potential

[SushiNorth]

Might i point out I'm still awaiting the release of 2010 ports, as its my wedding year, so there's more than one of us here keeping an eye out for the best of the not-quite-vintage

[benread]

And I have a child born in 2010 who may like port in another 19 years or so! (Should he not do so, I am sure I will have enough friends willing to help with the 'problem'!)

[RonnieRoots]

And I have a child born in 2010 who may like port in another 19 years or so! (Should he not do so, I am sure I will have enough friends willing to help with the 'problem'!)

Same here, but I must confess that I have no plans of buying any 2010 this year. My guess is that many of the Ports declared will be available for the same (or lower) price for a long time, and we will probably see some good deals in 10 years time when shippers release their held back stock. No need to rush.