juanto3 wrote:I am a new member of the forum and know very little about port. I have been given a bottle of port (images attached), which I have been told has been correctly stored so should be perfectly drinkable. Having done a quick search of this site, it appears 1963 was a good vintage, I would be very grateful for any information on this particular bottle and brand and on any advice before I make a decision on opening it or perhaps keeping it as an investment.
Welcome to
All the signs are very good, whether you decide to open or keep it:
- The level high in the neck
- The capsule looks to be in good condition
- The shipper is Grahams, one of the most well known port makers with a very good reputation
- The bottling is the Wine Society, a well known reliable bottler
- The vintage is 1963, an extremely good year
All the indications are that this should be a delicious bottle of port, assuming that the bottle has indeed been well stored. The 1963 vintage is a great one; some 1963 ports are now starting to fade a little, but the main (well known) brands are still excellent if they have been well stored.
Regarding whether you decide to open it or drink it; a key consideration would be whether you have the conditions available to store it properly (do you have a cellar, or other regulated temperature/humidity space for wine storage?). If you do, then keeping it (for drinking or investment) is an option, though be aware that the potential private sale price for an individual bottle will only be about 50% of retail. If you don't have the proper condition for wine storage, then I would definitely recommend opening (decanting) and drinking it, perhaps over Xmas or New Year.
