ThePortForum.com

Portman wrote:Great price on the Dow's 03. I'd get all I could at that price.

I did - and generously shared what I found with Julian's first born.

60 bottles of Graham's CrustedPort, bottled 2001. My House Port for the next four weeks.

Michael

Wow! That's a lot of port. Going to tuck any away to see how it is in 10 years?

AHB wrote:Going to tuck any away to see how it is in 10 years?

Yes, indeed. Although it's drinking nice now. Some bottles also for my Portwine-Bar I am planing to open in 10 years or so. I already had this Crusted last year. I find it to be more in style of a solid VP than of an LBV. At less than 8 EUR no hesitation.

Michael

A very good price!

I had the '98 not long ago, and found it showing very well, much better than a couple of years ago; and with the promise of a little more to offer.

I wouldn't rush to drink through that stash, they will keep a long time. 12-25 years is probably a good target window for drinking the bulk of a case of Crusted, before hanging on to the odd bottle or two for the long haul..

Tom

Tom,

thanks for your evaluation. Similar thoughts ended in my buying decision. Maybe my kind of 1991 Morgan VP in 10-20 years.

Michael

Acquired 2 Fonseca 1997, and two old bottles not to be named as tasting discussions are still underway

update -- ok, one of those is a Dow 1970 for our December tasting.

SushiNorth wrote:Acquired 2 Fonseca 1997, and two old bottles not to be named as tasting discussions are still underway

update -- ok, one of those is a Dow 1970 for our December tasting.

And the other is a Taylor 1920 to go with the taylor '24 we saw recently...?

Just picked up six bottle of Vesuvio 1990.

I really should stop buying Vesuvio as it still makes up just under a third of my port, but I had nearly run out of the '90.

AHB wrote:I really should stop buying Vesuvio

Only if you’re also going to stop drinking it.

jdaw1 wrote:

AHB wrote:I really should stop buying Vesuvio

Only if you’re also going to stop drinking it.

I feel better now.

That’s good: you have two 2007 Vesuvio declarations to buy.

I'd like to get ahold of one of these rumored mixed TFP 6-packs, and I'd also really like to get some VAC (Vesuvio A Capela). Anyone have any idea what VAC is going to cost? Is it going to be Nacional-style pricing, or something more realistic?

Glenn E. wrote:I'd like to get ahold of one of these rumored mixed TFP 6-packs, and I'd also really like to get some VAC (Vesuvio A Capela). Anyone have any idea what VAC is going to cost? Is it going to be Nacional-style pricing, or something more realistic?

It's clear that prices are going to be set by market, so I can't give you an accurate guide price for the US, but the TFP mixed pack I estimate will be offered at roughly £250 per pack, in bond, in the UK. Since these are coming from Oporto in mixed packs, they should be available in the US through the Taylor Fladgate usual agents. Get in touch with your local fine wine merchant and create a demand that they can pass on to the US agent.

No-one was giving even the faintest indication of where Capela was to be priced, or even when it would be offered. My instinct makes me feel that it will be similar to VVV, but I have nothing to go on other than the body langauge of the people who were showing the wines, I could be completely wrong.

I also asked the Symingtons about the idea of mixed cases. It's less easy for them to offer these ex-cellars as there are some major markets where the Symingtons have different agents in the same territory for different labels - an historic thing, I guess. However, in the UK Fells are the agents for all Symington labels and would - in principle - be prepared to break full cases received from Oporto and make up mixed cases provided we made it easy for them by ordering only mixed cases of Graham, Dow and Warre and then only in multiples of 12 of each. I'm happy to see if we can pull together a decent order that will make this worthwhile for Fells once pricing has been released.

Will the TFP mixed pack be (O)WC?

I've sent an inquiry with Kobrand, US importer of TFP wines.

jdaw1 wrote:Will the TFP mixed pack be (O)WC?

I am led to believe so.

Which will therefore be better than a DIY Symington mixed pack.

jdaw1 wrote:Which will therefore be better than a DIY Symington mixed pack.

Agreed. I suspect that if there are some Symongton mixed packs made available in the UK that Fells will do a perfectly good job of making them presentable, but the cases (or perhaps cardboard boxes) will not have the same romance or provenance as would an OWC.

Alex

Clarified.

Bad news to state side port lovers only;

This mix case would not be offered in the states.

"Dear Mr. Ghi

Thank you for contacting Kobrand.

Concerning the subject of the 2007 Vintage Portos, any information that
a mixed case would be offered is erroneous. Taylor Fladgate, Fonseca and
Croft are independent operations and are treated as such.

All retailers will have the opportunity to purchase the wines in June.
Due to the small size of our production, retailers will only receive the
wines they ordered in September and will unlikely be able to purchase
more later on in the year.

If you are interested in purchasing Vintage 2007 from these houses
please contact your normal fine wine retailer in the beginning of June.

Robert Bower
Category Manager
The Fladgate Partnership Portos"

Robert Bower wrote: Taylor Fladgate, Fonseca and
Croft are independent operations and are treated as such.

Oh dear. What a blunder telling that lame story to someone from here

DRT wrote:

Robert Bower wrote: Taylor Fladgate, Fonseca and
Croft are independent operations and are treated as such.

Oh dear. What a blunder telling that lame story to someone from here

the really sad news is that he also says that because the Taylor VVV is at a higher price point, many retailers are going to pass up on the opportunity in the states

DRT wrote:

Robert Bower wrote: Taylor Fladgate, Fonseca and
Croft are independent operations and are treated as such.

Oh dear. What a blunder telling that lame story to someone from here

To clarify the meaning of my earlier comment: If the various companies within the TFP can organise themselves sufficiently to ship mixed cases in the UK (and Europe?) there is no logical reason why they could not do the same in any other territory, unless either (a) they do not want to or (b) an external influence (such as the law or the importers marketing strategy) prevents them from doing so.

DRT wrote:

DRT wrote:

Robert Bower wrote: Taylor Fladgate, Fonseca and
Croft are independent operations and are treated as such.

Oh dear. What a blunder telling that lame story to someone from here

To clarify the meaning of my earlier comment: If the various companies within the TFP can organise themselves sufficiently to ship mixed cases in the UK (and Europe?) there is no logical reason why they could not do the same in any other territory, unless either (a) they do not want to or (b) an external influence (such as the law or the importers marketing strategy) prevents them from doing so.

I suppose there are two other possibilities i) the mixed case will not happen anywhere (hopefully unlikely) or ii) Mr Bower has simply not heard that it will be happening.

Perhaps reply with a link to this thread, asking if he is certain.

jdaw1 wrote:Perhaps reply with a link to this thread, asking if he is certain.

Dear Jeff.

Adrian may offer this mixed case to some markets around the world. In the US this will not be possible.

Very best wishes

Robert


-----Original Message-----
From: Jeffrey Ghi
Sent: Monday, May 11, 2009 11:52 AM
To: Bower, Robert
Subject: Re: Kobrand Website Feedback

I thank you for your quick response Mr. Bower.

The information about the Mixed case offering was mentioned by Mr.
Bridge at a London event a few days ago attended by one of our fellow London forum members, so it piqued the curiosity of this port lover.

A few of us port lovers would be very interested if it would be possible

to enlighten the idea of offering a mix pack with 2 bottles each of Taylor, Fonseca and Croft to the various retailers.

jdaw1 wrote:Perhaps reply with a link to this thread, asking if he is certain.

It sounds as though you have three choices:
(a) email Adrian Bridge and ask if it is at all possible to bring these mixed cases into the US
(b) buy your mixed cases in the UK, take advantage of the strong exchange rate, store then in the UK under bond and save your taxes and duty
(c) accept that you will not be able to buy these bottles in the US and move on

Keep us posted on how you get on.

AHB wrote:(a) email Adrian Bridge and ask if it is at all possible to bring these mixed cases into the US

Perhaps before pursuing this, see how many Americans here and on other forums like would be interested in buying the mixed case? I’m sure you’d soon get together enough expressions of interest to be able to present a reasonable case for them shipping it.

While I personally would be interested, Robert Bower is part of the Yeatman family and Kobrand is the importer of TFP wines in the US. I'd say his statements are fairly conclusive if they won't be offering mixed cases in the states.

g-man wrote:While I personally would be interested, Robert Bower is part of the Yeatman family and Kobrand is the importer of TFP wines in the US. I'd say his statements are fairly conclusive if they won't be offering mixed cases in the states.

If the Suffrajettes hadn't chained themselves to the railings women wouldn't have the vote. Don't give up yet! If the American side of the family won't give in take your case to the Supreme Court in VNG

HHAHAHA Nice =) ... Perhaps I shall run a Julian style campaign once my tests are done =)

Some amazing deals were spotted and acted upon. I'll leave it to g-man if he wants to disclose the source.
Meanwhile, you REALLY need to go check out this upcoming tasting (for more pics), but this should get you started:

Dont froget the Fonseca 60, dow 60, 63 and the sandeman 70!

g-man wrote:Dont froget the Fonseca 60, dow 60, 63 and the sandeman 70!

Those were YOUR latest buys The dows (also a dow 85) are in the dow tasting lineup.

1xVargellas 1998 from Tesco for £15. Used a £10 of voucher. It was between this and the 1998 Dows, I think I made the right decision.

I've just come across a bottle of Noval's LB, which I bought for a haggled £10. Why would I do this when I can get a bottle of the same wine from a supermarket for the same price?

Because this one, I estimate, was bottled about 1975 so I have a reserve ruby port with the benefit of about 35 years of bottle age. An interesting experiment one night when trying to figure out what to open.

Something to be added to my sacrificial wine choices.

AHB wrote:I've just come across a bottle of Noval's LB, which I bought for a haggled £10. Why would I do this when I can get a bottle of the same wine from a supermarket for the same price?

Because this one, I estimate, was bottled about 1975 so I have a reserve ruby port with the benefit of about 35 years of bottle age. An interesting experiment one night when trying to figure out what to open.

Something to be added to my sacrificial wine choices.

A cellar defender perhaps?!

I've just come across a bottle of Noval's LB, which I bought for a haggled £10. Why would I do this when I can get a bottle of the same wine from a supermarket for the same price?

Because this one, I estimate, was bottled about 1975 so I have a reserve ruby port with the benefit of about 35 years of bottle age. An interesting experiment one night when trying to figure out what to open.

Earlier this year I opened a very similar bottle, and was pleasantly surprised!

I still have the bottle - does yours have green glass, driven cork, and stencilled text?

Tom

I just acquired a bottle of Fonseca Terra Bella, their new organic certified Ruby Reserve. I'll be opening it this weekend to see what it's like!

I've had one other organic Port that I know of - the Rol Roi Reserva. My memory is that it was fruitier and more vibrant than a normal Reserve, and I hope the Fonseca gives a similar result.

their new organic certified Ruby Reserve

< groan >

Heaven protect us from futile fads..

Tom

Latest Buys:

12 x 1985 Smith Woodhouse (Richard Kihl)
24 x 1994 Taylor (Justerini & Brooks)
12 x Niepoort Vintage Port (Bonham's)

on Roy's "Fortification" Tour:

1 x S. Leonardo 30 Year Old Tawny
1 x 2003 Quinta do Javali LBV
1 x 1952 Dalva Golden White Colheita
1 x Quinta do Portal Vintage Port
1 x Quinta do Portal Vintage Port +

after I returned:

12 x 2000 Graham's Vintage Port (Justerini & Brooks)

and then today:

1 x 2000 Fonseca Vintage Port

I'll probably go back and buy all the 2000 Fonseca's that I didn't buy tomorrow.
-Dave-

uncle tom wrote:

I've just come across a bottle of Noval's LB, which I bought for a haggled £10. Why would I do this when I can get a bottle of the same wine from a supermarket for the same price?

Because this one, I estimate, was bottled about 1975 so I have a reserve ruby port with the benefit of about 35 years of bottle age. An interesting experiment one night when trying to figure out what to open.

Earlier this year I opened a very similar bottle, and was pleasantly surprised!

I still have the bottle - does yours have green glass, driven cork, and stencilled text?

Tom

Exactly as you describe. There's also a little strapline on the stencilled text which says "Imported by Rutherford Osborne & Perkins Ltd, London SW1V 4TG"

Alex

"Imported by Rutherford Osborne & Perkins Ltd, London SW1V 4TG"

- Ditto, on a back label, except mine says Rutherford Osborne & Perkin Ltd, Brentford, Middlesex - I suspect it predates postcodes, which came into use on letterheads and labels around 1972.

Mine also has the appearance of being hand blown, with an old style IVDP seal.

- I'll try to rermember to bring the empty bottle to your June bash so we can compare them.

Tom

Glenn E. wrote:I just acquired a bottle of Fonseca Terra Bella, their new organic certified Ruby Reserve. I'll be opening it this weekend to see what it's like!

I've had one other organic Port that I know of - the Rol Roi Reserva. My memory is that it was fruitier and more vibrant than a normal Reserve, and I hope the Fonseca gives a similar result.

Is this the same wine as the Fonseca Terra Prima which Derek and I have drunk?

As far as I am aware Infantado is now fully organic and a few other Quintas are experimenting with it. Although I share Tom’s sentiments about fads, I can’t help thinking that the fewer artificial chemicals involved in Port the better, especially for long-term ageing prospects.

JacobH wrote:Is this the same wine as the Fonseca Terra Prima which Derek and I have drunk?

Yes, I believe so. It is known as Terra Bella in the US and Terra Prima elsewhere. (Or something like that.)

Latest buy: Quinta Val de Figueira 2000.

Actually the best vintage from the year 2000 that I´ve tasted !!!

several bottles of Nieeport 03, Croft 03 and Vesuvio 99

The Croft '03 is a great wine, but was closed down last time I tried it in January.

I tryed the Croft 03 2 weeks ago, and i was a little disapointet - maybe because i was closed ???
How long time open before drinking ??????