ThePortForum.com

I am happy to join the team plan.

Do the lots get shipped to the US if we win?

DRT wrote:Might be fun for a few of us to throw in £100 each and let our auction expert buy the whole lot as team port?

Count me in too!

g-man wrote:Do the lots get shipped to the US if we win?

My idea was that "Team Port" means "Port that we drink together at offlines". Shipping some of it to the US would be complicated, and probably very expensive in relation to what it might be. (e.g. do you want to pay $300 to ship 12 bottles of Cruz White?)

DRT wrote:

g-man wrote:Do the lots get shipped to the US if we win?

My idea was that "Team Port" means "Port that we drink together at offlines". Shipping some of it to the US would be complicated, and probably very expensive in relation to what it might be. (e.g. do you want to pay $300 to ship 12 bottles of Cruz White?)

ackers here in ny if i win a bid in hk, it comes back on a pallet to me for free, I just have to pay the fee it costs to ship from their docsk to my house + local ny taxes.

wans't sure if christies is the same =)

The Chicago Wine Company (TCWC) had an auction today. Bid on a lone bottle of 1958 Warre Vintage Port [English bottled; Very high-shoulder fill; Slight label conditions; Signs of past seepage], which I managed to pick up for $90. Notes on the forum suggest this is a mid-level port that I shouldn't hesitate to consume.

Maybe a candidate for a NYC holiday tasting?

wouldn't be the kind to turn down port.

Chris Doty wrote:The Chicago Wine Company (TCWC) had an auction today. Bid on a lone bottle of 1958 Warre Vintage Port [English bottled; Very high-shoulder fill; Slight label conditions; Signs of past seepage], which I managed to pick up for $90. Notes on the forum suggest this is a mid-level port that I shouldn't hesitate to consume.

Maybe a candidate for a NYC holiday tasting?

The Dow 1958 was the first ever Port i tasted at a TPF offline (just over one year ago, review here).

I seem to remember that the consensus around the table was pleasant suprise at how well this was drinking for a port from a vintage with a fairly lightweight reputation. That said, it was obviously fully mature and i would have thought at this stage on a gentle downward trajectory. Hope it shows well for you!

ahb was kind enuf to bring one and uncletom threw in a 55'

both awesome ports.

Chris Doty wrote:The Chicago Wine Company (TCWC) had an auction today. Bid on a lone bottle of 1958 Warre Vintage Port [English bottled; Very high-shoulder fill; Slight label conditions; Signs of past seepage], which I managed to pick up for $90. Notes on the forum suggest this is a mid-level port that I shouldn't hesitate to consume.

Maybe a candidate for a NYC holiday tasting?

What an excellent find. I saw they had just a couple of VPs on the list, which was why I didn't list it. If you had your eye on any particular auctions, say in late october, let's talk Perhaps we can get some additional interesting things for dec

SushiNorth wrote:

Chris Doty wrote:The Chicago Wine Company (TCWC) had an auction today. Bid on a lone bottle of 1958 Warre Vintage Port [English bottled; Very high-shoulder fill; Slight label conditions; Signs of past seepage], which I managed to pick up for $90. Notes on the forum suggest this is a mid-level port that I shouldn't hesitate to consume.

Maybe a candidate for a NYC holiday tasting?

What an excellent find. I saw they had just a couple of VPs on the list, which was why I didn't list it. If you had your eye on any particular auctions, say in late october, let's talk Perhaps we can get some additional interesting things for dec

yea my budget opens up in late oct/nov too.

Chris Doty wrote:The Chicago Wine Company (TCWC) had an auction today. Bid on a lone bottle of 1958 Warre Vintage Port [English bottled; Very high-shoulder fill; Slight label conditions; Signs of past seepage], which I managed to pick up for $90. Notes on the forum suggest this is a mid-level port that I shouldn't hesitate to consume.

IMO, it's an elegant port that is very enjoyable to drink. I don't think it's likely to start fading any time soon, perhaps just become a little more elegant and more delicate / floral.

AHB wrote:IMO, it's an elegant port that is very enjoyable to drink. I don't think it's likely to start fading any time soon, perhaps just become a little more elegant and more delicate / floral.

Yes -- the notes on this board are generally positive, but a bit mixed. While I'm sure it will hold for longer, as I generally have a strong preference for some level of primary fruit in my port, it is unlikely that this bottle will see 2013.

FYI -- in the next two weeks there are two upcoming US auctions featuring some interesting Port. If you were considering bidding, I would encourage you to contact me.

There is a US auction coming up this saturday; a group of us are bidding jointly and aim to win the older Port vintage lots. If anyone else was of a similar mind, I'd encourage you to reach out to me.

I notice that Sothebys have just increased their buyer's premium on wine sales from 15% + VAT to 17.5% + VAT.

Interesting that they felt no need to reduce buyer's premium when wine prices were shooting through the roof but are very quick to increase them once prices start to soften - or am I just too cynical?

AHB wrote:I notice that Sothebys have just increased their buyer's premium on wine sales from 15% + VAT to 17.5% + VAT.

Interesting that they felt no need to reduce buyer's premium when wine prices were shooting through the roof but are very quick to increase them once prices start to soften - or am I just too cynical?

there's also been a slow down in the auction markets, gotta squeeze out the consumer one way or another

I'm currently bidding on a Taylors 1968 QdV on Ebay. If others are also bidding, please PM me and we can deconflict.

P.S.-Apologies if this is the incorrect way to do this.

Alex M wrote:I'm currently bidding on a Taylors 1968 QdV on Ebay. If others are also bidding, please PM me and we can deconflict.

P.S.-Apologies if this is the incorrect way to do this.

This is a very good way of doing things, especially if you see something that you like in multiple bottle quantities, but don't want as many as are included in a lot. Doesn't happen often with eBay, but can happen quite easily with the auction houses. If you see something you like the look of but only want a share of the lot, say so here and we might be able to put together a little buying syndicate.

AHB wrote:This is a very good way of doing things, especially if you see something that you like in multiple bottle quantities, but don't want as many as are included in a lot. Doesn't happen often with eBay, but can happen quite easily with the auction houses. If you see something you like the look of but only want a share of the lot, say so here and we might be able to put together a little buying syndicate.

Indeed. As someone who only tends to buy small quantities, there are quite a few auctions (such as Charterhouse's auction yesterday) where there are several lots of interest; perhaps two lots of 3-5 bottles which I'd be happy buying outright, and/or 2-3 lots of 12-18 bottles where I'd be interested in a share. The primary difficulty for me is that when only planning to bid on a small number of auctions/bottles, there is significant risk of only winning one lot, which then adds a significant premium for the travel/delivery costs. In the quantities I would buy this could easily eliminate the savings of using an auction compared with retail for non-local auctions, assuming it wasn't something particularly rare/old. As a syndicate with plans for multiple lots, the whole proposition becomes far more viable.

I love a bargain as much as anyone and like the idea of an informal syndicate along the lines of "I'd like 6 but there's 18 at this auction, PM if you're interested".

I've been a bit knackered to go out apart from work and back and have managed to empty the port cabinet of daily drinkers so I'm going to need to stock up soon

Anyone attending Roseby this week? One lot on Wed I'd be interested in bidding/sharing, but am unable to attend or pickup this w/e and they don't offer package/delivery.

I'm planning to place a couple of bids at McTears on Wed; if anyone else if thinking of bidding, please PM me so we can ensure to avoid conflict. Thanks.

i find it amusing that after over a year or so
this particullar seller is still looking for a sucker.

http://www.brentwoodwine.com/os/itemhtml/ht632893.shtml

g-man wrote:i find it amusing that after over a year or so
this particullar seller is still looking for a sucker.

http://www.brentwoodwine.com/os/itemhtml/ht632893.shtml

Did I read the link right on my phone? $300 for a Warre 1961 LBV ? Wow!

AHB wrote:

g-man wrote: Did I read the link right on my phone? $300 for a Warre 1961 LBV ? Wow!

That appears to be where the bidding is set to 'open'. Wow indeed.

ajfeather wrote:

AHB wrote:

g-man wrote: Did I read the link right on my phone? $300 for a Warre 1961 LBV ? Wow!

That appears to be where the bidding is set to 'open'. Wow indeed.

This is the same site that spent well over a year trying to sell the 1937 Warre Colheita for $385/bottle. I offered a more reasonable price periodically, but they insisted that they'd be able to sell them at or near that price.

After about 18 months, they finally stopped trying and moved them into their retail stock where I purchased 4 for $250 each, which is what I'd offered them periodically. Note: had they accepted my earlier offer, they'd have also made 14% buyer's premium that isn't charged when purchasing from their retail stocks.

anyone here looking at the 92 stuff on morrell's auction?

3 full cases of D77 sold just shy of £500 each at Sotheby's on Wednesday (the fourth was unsold). That's a lot of money for approx. 27 bottles of bad wine...

djewesbury wrote:3 full cases of D77 sold just shy of £500 each at Sotheby's on Wednesday (the fourth was unsold). That's a lot of money for approx. 27 bottles of bad wine...

i'd take a punt at what looks to be 65$/btl

cheapest i see that here state side is usually 90$

g-man wrote:

djewesbury wrote:3 full cases of D77 sold just shy of £500 each at Sotheby's on Wednesday (the fourth was unsold). That's a lot of money for approx. 27 bottles of bad wine...

i'd take a punt at what looks to be 65$/btl

cheapest i see that here state side is usually 90$

It's quite a punt. Not sure I've ever had a good one.

djewesbury wrote:

g-man wrote:

djewesbury wrote:3 full cases of D77 sold just shy of £500 each at Sotheby's on Wednesday (the fourth was unsold). That's a lot of money for approx. 27 bottles of bad wine...

i'd take a punt at what looks to be 65$/btl

cheapest i see that here state side is usually 90$

It's quite a punt. Not sure I've ever had a good one.

I've had many. In fact I can only recall 2 "bad" ones, and those were both corked so I didn't notice and had to be told by others that they were bad.

$65 for a 36-year old Port from top tier producer and a classic vintage? Yes, please. And I'm not even a fan of Dow.

Glenn E. wrote:

djewesbury wrote:

g-man wrote:

djewesbury wrote:3 full cases of D77 sold just shy of £500 each at Sotheby's on Wednesday (the fourth was unsold). That's a lot of money for approx. 27 bottles of bad wine...

i'd take a punt at what looks to be 65$/btl

cheapest i see that here state side is usually 90$

It's quite a punt. Not sure I've ever had a good one.

I've had many. In fact I can only recall 2 "bad" ones, and those were both corked so I didn't notice and had to be told by others that they were bad.

$65 for a 36-year old Port from top tier producer and a classic vintage? Yes, please. And I'm not even a fan of Dow.

yea, I dont recall having one that blew my socks off, but at 65$. I'd take that over any of the recently released vintages @ 80$/btl

djewesbury wrote:3 full cases of D77 sold just shy of £500 each at Sotheby's on Wednesday (the fourth was unsold). That's a lot of money for approx. 27 bottles of bad wine...

I can recall four D77s, 3 flawed and finally 1 very very good wine.

I swore off buying any ages ago (along other 77s, to be honest) and would likely not be interested even at $65 p/b (certainly not in size).

What's interesting about it, however, is that on a restaurant wine list, a D77 could easily fetch $250+ per, and I hardly doubt a single bottle would be sent back by the somm.

bonne chance

What's interesting about it, however, is that on a restaurant wine list, a D77 could easily fetch $250+ per, and I hardly doubt a single bottle would be sent back by the somm.

Probably because the problem tends to be slight. Those of us who drink VP on a daily basis are more attuned to defects, whereas the occasional drinker might wonder whether a hint of VA was normal, before rejecting a bottle.

I remember the news footage when the space shuttle blew up shortly after launch in 1986. A lady close enough to the camera to be clearly heard asked: 'is it supposed to do that?'

Chris Doty wrote:

djewesbury wrote:3 full cases of D77 sold just shy of £500 each at Sotheby's on Wednesday (the fourth was unsold). That's a lot of money for approx. 27 bottles of bad wine...

I can recall four D77s, 3 flawed and finally 1 very very good wine.

I swore off buying any ages ago (along other 77s, to be honest) and would likely not be interested even at $65 p/b (certainly not in size).

What's interesting about it, however, is that on a restaurant wine list, a D77 could easily fetch $250+ per, and I hardly doubt a single bottle would be sent back by the somm.

bonne chance

i've turned back many a bottles from teh 70s.

last one was a fonseca 74 which was just horrid.

All anyone be attending any of the big London auctions this coming Thursday (12th)?

Not in person, but have placed a few absentees at Bonhams

Same as Uncle Tom-although being a novice probably means I've made a horlicks of it and I'll either end up with nothing or have to pawn the wife's jewellery!

although being a novice probably means I've made a horlicks of it and I'll either end up with nothing or have to pawn the wife's jewellery!

There is much to be gained from sharing one's ambitions before bidding at a wine auction. The more seasoned campaigners amongst us have a wealth of information regarding price and relative scarcity, that we are very happy to share..

"To jaw-jaw is always better than to war-war" - Churchill

Probably sage words indeed Tom, especially now in hindsight I've founded I've secured zip (wife will be happy though!). I felt I knew a little bit about prices (albeit with little auction experience), but it would seem that with hammer prices averaging over 20% above upper estimate for the lots I bid on, I've clearly got alot to learn! And no doubt I've been undone by one or two of the frequenters to this Forum-still, I'm not bitter (gnash, gnash)! However, now that I've overcome my initial deflation, I'm looking forward to the next auction-now where's that jewellery....

Can anybody provide any direction and guidance with regards to organising delivery from Strackers?

Alex M wrote:Can anybody provide any direction and guidance with regards to organising delivery from Strackers?

Do you mean Straker Chadwick? I used Benelux Shipping before who are keenly priced. Best to speak to them on the phone (chap there is called David); he'll most likely be collecting other items..

Many thanks! Any indication of price?

Alex M wrote:Many thanks! Any indication of price?

All depends on how much you've bought and where it's going - Iast time I used them I had six bottles to get from London to Belfast and I think it was around £55. I was very pleased with this as they always pack bottles well and always ship them insured. I dare say it'll be a lot less within Britain (by which I mean mainland UK). Do say I recommended them, I think he sometimes rolls his eyes when I get in touch and tell him the latest complex shipment I need him to make..!
Daniel

Strakers are very obliging about delivery, and their quoted prices always look modest.

My apology for 'exercise' is progressively walking the coastline, warts 'n' all, which has so far taken me from Cromer pier in Norfolk to St Brides bay in Pembrokeshire (nearly 14yrs to date..)

This means that from time to time I currently find myself driving near or not so far from Strakers either on my way down or back, and am no stranger to collecting both for myself and for others.

My sprained ankle now finally recovered (suffered in June jumping out of a hotel bed with excess enthusiasm, whilst staying in Milford Haven..) I expect to venture down again (weather permitting..) in mid November

uncle tom wrote:I expect to venture down again (weather permitting..) in mid November

Today I had a look at their catalogue for Saturday week. A bit disappointing, save perhaps one lot.

Today I had a look at their catalogue for Saturday week. A bit disappointing, save perhaps one lot.

Yes, mostly bits and pieces of non-port stuff. The exception is the lot with the lone bottle of Niepoort '75 in, which I would like for a '75 horizontal in two years time.

Bonhams have several stashes in their next sale, but almost entirely stuff I'm up to speed on..

uncle tom wrote:the lot with the lone bottle of Niepoort '75

The Berisford is one that I have never heard of, a quick google tells me nothing either.