What port to drink in Cornwall

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 13:53 Fri 02 Aug 2013

I will be in Cornwall in a few days time for some R&R. For the last few weeks I have either been drinking 2011 vintage ports or something that wasn't port. I now feel like getting back into the port routine - but what should I take?

I can choose from LBV (such as Croft 2004 in halves), colheita (I have a bottle of Graham '52 that was supposed to be opened this year), young vintage port (Skeffington 2009 in halves), mature vintage port (Malvedos 1976, for example) or fully mature and classic VP (Cockburn 1947). But what will stand up best to 4 hours in the car and then being drunk in temperatures forecast to range from 14C to 27C?

Any suggestions? Or would I be best just to drink Cornish fermented apple juice?

djewesbury · Post by **djewesbury** » 14:15 Fri 02 Aug 2013

You could always pop in to Wadebridge Wines and see what they have... Cut out the 4 hour journey for whatever you choose..

g-man · Post by **g-man** » 14:28 Fri 02 Aug 2013

AHB wrote:I will be in Cornwall in a few days time for some R&R. For the last few weeks I have either been drinking 2011 vintage ports or something that wasn't port. I now feel like getting back into the port routine - but what should I take?

I can choose from LBV (such as Croft 2004 in halves), colheita (I have a bottle of Graham '52 that was supposed to be opened this year), young vintage port (Skeffington 2009 in halves), mature vintage port (Malvedos 1976, for example) or fully mature and classic VP (Cockburn 1947). But what will stand up best to 4 hours in the car and then being drunk in temperatures forecast to range from 14C to 27C?

Any suggestions? Or would I be best just to drink Cornish fermented apple juice?

btw I just wanted to drop a note and say that i absolutely love the cockburn 47

Post by **PhilW** » 15:17 Fri 02 Aug 2013

AHB wrote:I will be in Cornwall in a few days time for some R&R. For the last few weeks I have either been drinking 2011 vintage ports or something that wasn't port. I now feel like getting back into the port routine - but what should I take?

I can choose from LBV (such as Croft 2004 in halves), colheita (I have a bottle of Graham '52 that was supposed to be opened this year), young vintage port (Skeffington 2009 in halves), mature vintage port (Malvedos 1976, for example) or fully mature and classic VP (Cockburn 1947). But what will stand up best to 4 hours in the car and then being drunk in temperatures forecast to range from 14C to 27C?

Any suggestions? Or would I be best just to drink Cornish fermented apple juice?

I can understand your desire, having had a recent port drought here for different reasons.
Of the ports you have proposed, I'd take the Graham '52 as most likely to be minimally affected by the heat; though given the quality and scarcity of that particular port I probably wouldn't risk it, and would go for the apples instead.

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 15:18 Fri 02 Aug 2013

djewesbury wrote:You could always pop in to Wadebridge Wines and see what they have... Cut out the 4 hour journey for whatever you choose..

That is often what I do. I have a very good relationship with the folks there and seem to be one of their main buyers of port - but I do miss Tamsin, who was the manager there a couple of years ago. She was lovely. She even delivered a mixed case of port on her way home one evening 'cos I was too busy on the beach to make it into Wadebridge before they closed.

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 15:21 Fri 02 Aug 2013

PhilW wrote:I can understand your desire, having had a recent port drought here for different reasons.
Of the ports you have proposed, I'd take the Graham '52 as most likely to be minimally affected by the heat; though given the quality and scarcity of that particular port I probably wouldn't risk it, and would go for the apples instead.

That is almost spot on my dilemma. I'm thinking Cockburn '47 - really nice but a bit cruel to subject it to all that driving and then expect it to deliver. Croft '04 LBV - meh, OK but not inspiring; G52 - really tasty, likely to survive the journey well, can cope with being chilled if its warm or not being chilled if its cold; or a pint of local cider in the pub that is less than 5 yards from our front door.

Hey ho.

Post by **DRT** » 17:05 Fri 02 Aug 2013

Decant the Ck47 just before you leave home. Pour it into two half bottles and place them in a coolbox next to the ice packs. Take the G52 just in case the Ck47 evaporates too quickly. If not required the G52 will survive the journey there and back without difficulty.

JB vintage · Post by **JB vintage** » 17:28 Fri 02 Aug 2013

Pleasant alternatives

Had I been in Cornwall at the time and being able to enjoy it with you, I would have chosen Malvedos 1976 as I have never tasted that one.
(You don't have a spare one I might have the honor of buying from you, do you?)
However, as I am not there, the case it becomes more difficult. Cockburn 47 is a lovely port that I had the pleasure of drinking last April (see http://www.vintageport.se/house/Cockburn.php) but I would not subject it to the risky travel but rather enjoy it in calm circumstances. Graham Colheita 52 would manage the trip perfectly and that would be my choice. If you would take the Ck47 do follow DRT's advice to decant in advance.

Post by **jdaw1** » 18:01 Fri 02 Aug 2013

The heat is not the ideal weather for port, so I wouldn’t expend an important rarity Ck47, G52c at all. You should take some Cr04 LBV, and a GM76 in the coolbox.

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 20:33 Fri 02 Aug 2013

I have resigned myself to the fact that it's probably not worth taking something really good, but I really don't want to go to an LBV - so I have decided on a bottle of Vau 2000.

JB - send me a PM next week when I have access to my cellar list I will let you know if I can spare a Malvedos 1976 in exchange for something similar.

Post by **jdaw1** » 20:41 Fri 02 Aug 2013

AHB wrote:a bottle of Vau 2000.

That covers a range of sins the width of the range being a factor of eight.

djewesbury · Post by **djewesbury** » 21:07 Fri 02 Aug 2013

jdaw1 wrote:
AHB wrote:a bottle of Vau 2000.
That covers a range of sins the width of the range being a factor of eight.

Maybe he has an imperial that he's going to sneak down in 16 half bottles? I suppose that way he could pretend he was just drinking the same half very very slowly.

JB vintage · Post by **JB vintage** » 10:15 Sat 03 Aug 2013

Vau sounds like a wise choice. If you do take an imperial and decant in several smaller bottles, do try to taste them side by side. It would be interesting to know if there is a bottle variation. We have done that with a magnum serving it in two glasses among other wines. Many people score the second one better than the first. I often find the same phenomena in blind tastings- even if people know the wines are served randomly, they often rate the wines at the end of the flight higher.

djewesbury · Post by **djewesbury** » 10:29 Sat 03 Aug 2013

JB vintage wrote:Vau sounds like a wise choice. If you do take an imperial and decant in several smaller bottles, do try to taste them side by side. It would be interesting to know if there is a bottle variation. We have done that with a magnum serving it in two glasses among other wines. Many people score the second one better than the first. I often find the same phenomena in blind tastings- even if people know the wines are served randomly, they often rate the wines at the end of the flight higher.

Interesting you should mention this.. See here for some context..!

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 21:42 Mon 12 Aug 2013

Well, I took and consumed the (sole) half bottle of Vau 2000 and it was perfectly serviceable.

I also called in to Wadebridge Wines and was delighted to see Tamsin was there. As a result of her enthusiasm I ended up leaving with 2 dozen bottles of various wines, ports and ciders - the highlights being the fabulous bottle of Musar 1986 of which I recently posted a tasting note, and a bottle of Ramos Pinto 1983.

Happy days!

djewesbury · Post by **djewesbury** » 22:12 Mon 12 Aug 2013

AHB wrote:Well, I took and consumed the (sole) half bottle of Vau 2000 and it was perfectly serviceable.

I also called in to Wadebridge Wines and was delighted to see Tamsin was there. As a result of her enthusiasm I ended up leaving with 2 dozen bottles of various wines, ports and ciders - the highlights being the fabulous bottle of Musar 1986 of which I recently posted a tasting note, and a bottle of Ramos Pinto 1983.

Happy days!

This is very good news. When next I drive down to Cornwall to see my sister and her family, I will go via Wadebridge, and Tamsin!

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