Latest buy

[nac]

3 x 1999 Sandeman Vau magnums

[Andy Milner]

8 Fonseca 92 sold on behalf of Keble College by Hansons, at a surprisingly reasonable £200 + fees.

[winesecretary]

Andy, that’s a fantastic price (fully paid up, probably less than release price, I think) for a great port, arguably one of the two stars of the vintage, and starting to drink beautifully now.

[Andy Milner]

Andy, that’s a fantastic price (fully paid up, probably less than release price, I think) for a great port, arguably one of the two stars of the vintage, and starting to drink beautifully now.

Indeed, admit I was a little surprised at the lack of bids, 100 per 4 was below the reserve but there have been a few instances of this recently, Bacchus auction in June was very similar.

[Glenn E.]

Yes, that's an amazing price for a fantastic Port. Well done!

[winesecretary]

A case of Fonseca 1985 with excellent provenance at auction for fifty-four quid a bottle delivered. The best port of the 1980s for the price of an acceptable mature Cote Rotie from an unfashionable producer. Mad really.

[Mike J. W.]

A case of Fonseca 1985 with excellent provenance at auction for fifty-four quid a bottle delivered. The best port of the 1980s for the price of an acceptable mature Cote Rotie from an unfashionable producer. Mad really.

If I did my math right, that's approximately $65 US for a fantastic Port that has just finally come around. Excellent score!

[Glenn E.]

Yeah that's an excellent price for a superb Port. Its only real rival from the 1980s in my opinion is 1987 Taylor Vargellas, and if you want to stretch a bit then maybe 1985 Graham. For an otherwise down decade for TFP, the 1985 Fonseca and the 1987 Vargellas are beautiful.

[Mike J. W.]

Yeah that's an excellent price for a superb Port. Its only real rival from the 1980s in my opinion is 1987 Taylor Vargellas, and if you want to stretch a bit then maybe 1985 Graham. For an otherwise down decade for TFP, the 1985 Fonseca and the 1987 Vargellas are beautiful.

The 1980 Dow is very good as well.

[Glenn E.]

Yeah that's an excellent price for a superb Port. Its only real rival from the 1980s in my opinion is 1987 Taylor Vargellas, and if you want to stretch a bit then maybe 1985 Graham. For an otherwise down decade for TFP, the 1985 Fonseca and the 1987 Vargellas are beautiful.

The 1980 Dow is very good as well.

10-15 years ago I would have agreed with no reservations. But the last 2 bottles that I've had had faded dramatically (completely different sources) and were merely "really good Port" rather than the epic blockbuster it had been until recently. These latest ones were no better than, and possibly not as good as, 1985 Dow. So yeah it's very good, but at least for me it is no longer on the level of 1985 Fonseca or 1987 Vargellas or 1985 Graham.

[Mike J. W.]

Yeah that's an excellent price for a superb Port. Its only real rival from the 1980s in my opinion is 1987 Taylor Vargellas, and if you want to stretch a bit then maybe 1985 Graham. For an otherwise down decade for TFP, the 1985 Fonseca and the 1987 Vargellas are beautiful.

The 1980 Dow is very good as well.

10-15 years ago I would have agreed with no reservations. But the last 2 bottles that I've had had faded dramatically (completely different sources) and were merely "really good Port" rather than the epic blockbuster it had been until recently. These latest ones were no better than, and possibly not as good as, 1985 Dow. So yeah it's very good, but at least for me it is no longer on the level of 1985 Fonseca or 1987 Vargellas or 1985 Graham.

I'll have to crack one open when I get mine out of storage in a few weeks and see how they are. The last one I had about a year ago was excellent.

[Alex Bridgeman]

Mike, don’t get sucked in to Glenn’s plan. He’s just trying to get you to set up a “Best of the Eighties” tasting that he can come to.

[Mike J. W.]

Mike, don’t get sucked in to Glenn’s plan. He’s just trying to get you to set up a “Best of the Eighties” tasting that he can come to.

Lol. He's devious that way is he?

[Glenn E.]

Mike, don’t get sucked in to Glenn’s plan. He’s just trying to get you to set up a “Best of the Eighties” tasting that he can come to.

Lol. He's devious that way is he?

I can neither confirm nor deny this accusation.

[MigSU]

3 x Sandeman 20yo 50cl

Paid €18.50 for each. Crazy.

[Mike J. W.]

3 x Sandeman 20yo 50cl

Paid €18.50 for each. Crazy.

Great price!

[MigSU]

4 x Niepoort Bioma Vinha Velha Crusted (bottled 2014)
2 x Taylor's 2017
2 x Warre's 2017

[Andy Milner]

Despite the time of year, there is still the odd auction bargain out there, owc of 6 Smith Woodhouse 2016 £100 ib 15% commission.

[Justin K]

1 x Calem 40 year old tawny at auction (will make a nice gift to give someone).
11 x Bomfim 2013 at Asda for £22 each (will make a nice mention in my will as I don’t think I’ll live long enough to drink it).

[Andy Milner]

1 x Calem 40 year old tawny at auction (will make a nice gift to give someone).
11 x Bomfim 2013 at Asda for £22 each (will make a nice mention in my will as I don’t think I’ll live long enough to drink it).

Thanks for the tip, indulged in half a dozen myself. As for leaving it in your will, tish pish and nonsense, it will be practically at it's best in a year or two......Dig in!

[nac]

1 x Warre Cavadinha 1979

[Andy Milner]

Anyone else pick up a case of the 94 vesuvio from Strakers yesterday?

Also picked up a Grahams 40yr bottled 2007 from an auction in Carlisle yesterday £45

[mcoulson]

Well I won't be buying any of this any day soon ... In a corner shop in funchal ....

IMG-20231230-WA0000.jpg (388.94 KiB) Viewed 51823 times

[winesecretary]

I know that shop well and will indeed be visiting it in three weeks. Lots of expensive wine in poor condition. But the occasional not unamusing little trouve nevertheless. They used to have a wonderful range of miniatures of old spirits, which I think the owner used to buy off the stewards of cruise ships. But I drank most of those!

[mcoulson]

I know that shop well and will indeed be visiting it in three weeks. Lots of expensive wine in poor condition. But the occasional not unamusing little trouve nevertheless. They used to have a wonderful range of miniatures of old spirits, which I think the owner used to buy off the stewards of cruise ships. But I drank most of those!

What you should do is go here

https://maps.app.goo.gl/pdqmF2pznfUeb9ri8

Much better selection and sensible prices including €23 for a Sandeman lbv ... Which I have now half despatched ...