Fonseca 1976 Port

[jillyf]

Hello all,
I am partial to a drop of port but not a huge drinker. I have a bottle of Fonseca 1976 Vintage port. It has been stored standing up in a cabinet in a cool room (could be a cold room at times)! I have no idea if this is the wrong or right way for it to be stored? Do you think it would be good to drink? Does anyone know if this is generally known as a good port..... I'm considering giving it to a port loving friend of mine as a gift but wouldn't want to pass it on if it's not going to taste good!
Any advice would be most welcome

[jdaw1]

Fonseca Guimaraens 1976 is a lovely drop. Very dark and big. Yum.

[jillyf]

Thanks for your speedy response and great to hear its a good drop. Is the way in which has been stored OK?

[g-man]

As a gift, it is both fine, good drink and I personally would be very happy if anyone gave me any port with almost 40 yrs of age on it.

your friend is lucky and you are quite the generous fellow!

As with storage, typically lain on it's side is the best way however if you've had it stored standing up, I probably wouldn't start now.

[jdaw1]

Is the way in which has been stored OK?

No, but that can’t be changed. Cool room is good; lying down would have been good.

[jillyf]

Thank you both. Having read your responses and had a little look around on a couple of sites I'm now wondering if its too good to give away as I don't want to miss out on tasting it! I'm thinking a happy medium would be to host a dinner party so we can all enjoy!!!!
Great forum BTW - I just signed up to ask about this bottle but have managed to spend hours reading various posts........ I could become quite addicted to a new life with more port in it!!!

[g-man]

Glad to have you!

Certainly if you have more than 1 bottle give it a shot, it's a fantastic specimen of a "bagaesque" port

[jdaw1]

I'm now wondering if its too good to give away as I don't want to miss out on tasting it! I'm thinking a happy medium would be to host a dinner party so we can all enjoy!!!!

It’s still quite young there would not be any speaking to the dead.

[PhilW]

Thank you both. Having read your responses and had a little look around on a couple of sites I'm now wondering if its too good to give away as I don't want to miss out on tasting it! I'm thinking a happy medium would be to host a dinner party so we can all enjoy!!!!

Since you fancy tasting it, arranging an evening with friends to try it sounds like a great idea. You will need to make sure that you open and decant it a few hours ahead of time as there will be sediment in the bottle; There is information on decanting elsewhere on the site, or feel free to ask if you want any advice on this. Hope you enjoy it

[jillyf]

I was reading the notes on decanting yesterday so will be happy to put my new decanter to work on this one! I will let you know how I get on with it.... I think I'm going to really enjoy it!!

[jdaw1]

Before use wash decanter thoroughly, with very hot water and nothing else. And that equally applies if it has been sitting somewhere, unused, for more than a week or two.