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Earlier this evening I had the good fortune to be checking the condition of a few bottles in the cellar and found a Fonseca 1966 with damp lines along some cracks in the wax.


Not being one to turn down a gift from the gods, the bottle was opened this evening. It’s a fabulous Port. And this one reminded me exactly why F66 is consistently one of my top 5 Vintage Ports.

Which left me wondering what are my other top 5 VPs?

So, in vintage and not in preference order, I came up with the following 5 - basically, if I was marooned on a desert island these are the Ports I would want to be able to drink:

• Fonseca 1966
• Constantino 1963
• Croft 1945
• Niepoort 1942
• Noval 1934

I’m interested to learn how my list compares with that of other people. Any thoughts?

Desert Island Port.

Croft 1945
Mackenzie 1955
Warre 1966
Taylor 1977
Fonseca 1985

Working through the decades covers all the bases from mature and glorious to still grapey and delicious.

If I was allowed 5 more I would add Noval 1931, Fonseca 1966, Warre 1970, Taylor 1992, and Vesuvio 1994.

If I was allowed still 5 more it would probably be the Warre 1922, Taylor 1948, Constantino 1963, Dow 1980 and Niepoort 2017.

All excellent choices. Surprised at the absence of 1927s: Niepoort, Noval, Cockburn. Also surprised at the absence of 1912 Cockburn, and of 1945 Niepoort.

What a lovely idea.

If I was allowed 5 more I might well include Taylor 1992 - an astonishing wine - and Vesuvio 1994. I might have a 1948 on the list too, although I would be hard pressed to choose from Fonseca, Graham or Taylor. Taylor 1924 would probably be in my second 5, as might Noval 1927.

1912 Cockburn is also very close to making the second tier 5, if not pushing in.

jdaw1 wrote: ↑23:08 Sun 23 Mar 2025 All excellent choices. Surprised at the absence of 1927s: Niepoort, Noval, Cockburn. Also surprised at the absence of 1912 Cockburn, and of 1945 Niepoort.

I don’t get to taste 1945 Niepoort often enough to have a it in my list. But Noval 1927 is in my second 5. And maybe I need to open another Ck12 this year, to see where in the list it should feature - it’s definitely in the list somewhere!

I have been lucky enough to have had some truly wonderful ports. this is quite a challenge as I like different ports for so many different reasons. I'm going with the Desert Island Port theme

Taylor 1935
Taylor 1945
Graham 1948
Fonseca 1955
Dow 1963 (in Mag only)
bonus bottle of Gould Campbell 1970 (a port I can't be without in the cellar, I have too much history with this port)

Maybe I should spend more time thinking about this.

jdaw1 wrote: ↑23:08 Sun 23 Mar 2025 All excellent choices. Surprised at the absence of 1927s: Niepoort, Noval, Cockburn. Also surprised at the absence of 1912 Cockburn, and of 1945 Niepoort.

Only had one of these before (it was great but not outstanding), therefore didn't have them as any of my options.

We had Cockburn 1912 together Harry, and it was good, but in the shadow of a truly tremendous Noval 1931.

winesecretary wrote: ↑23:42 Sun 23 Mar 2025 We had Cockburn 1912 together Harry, and it was good, but in the shadow of a truly tremendous Noval 1931.

Do I correctly interpret this post as a suggestion for a theme for a tasting?

Noval 1931 vs Cockburn 1912 - blind pairing?

(I’m free that evening!)

winesecretary wrote: ↑23:42 Sun 23 Mar 2025 We had Cockburn 1912 together Harry, and it was good, but in the shadow of a truly tremendous Noval 1931.

Yes, that was the one i was thinking of. my belief was that it had been over decanted.

I feel like there are probably multiple ways to address this list.

The 5 greatest VPs that I've ever had? Definitely includes 1927 Niepoort, 1927 Graham, and 1851 Warre. Off the top of my head I'm not sure what other 2 Ports I would add to that list, but they'd have to be truly spectacular to sit alongside those 3. And it does seem like there's very little chance that I'll ever get to taste any of these again, so it's not a terribly useful list. I suppose I could add 1896 Dow just on reputation alone, but I've never had it. And as much as I think it truly is one for the ages and a legend in the making, it doesn't quite feel right to put 2011 Graham's The Stone Terraces on that list because it is so much younger than the others.

So... how about the 5 best VPs that there's actually some chance I might get to taste again? Well then... 1945 Graham, 1948 Graham, 1955 Mackenzie, 1966 Graham, 1966 Fonseca. I've never had 1945 Croft or I'm sure it would be on the list. Yeah, yeah, I like Graham. Sue me.

The latter 2 from 1966 are creeping into readily available range, so let's do that list too. The top 5 VPs that I expect to have again... and again... and again... 1994 Vesuvio, 1987 Taylor Vargellas, 1985 Fonseca, 1985 Graham, 1977 Gould Campbell (from magnum). No one would complain if one of these showed up every month at Port Club. I probably have sufficient supplies to make that happen for 8 years all by myself!

@ Glenn - If I'm allowed Niepoort 2017, you're allowed Graham Stone Terraces 2011.

Croft 45
Graham 48
Noval 31
Fonseca 66
Taylor 27

My top five:
▶︎ 1878 Dow;
▶︎ 1927 Niepoort;
▶︎ 1927 Cockburn;
▶︎ 1927 Noval;
▶︎ 1931 Noval;
▶︎ 1942 Graham;
▶︎ 1945 Niepoort;
▶︎ 1966 Fonseca;
▶︎ Whatever I am drinking.

(Yes, I know.)

There appears to be a dearth of accountants and math majors in this thread.

Well you all have far more experience of this game than I so all I can do is list the 5 nicest ports I’ve had ….

Fonseca 34
Fonseca 66
Dow 63
Taylor 45
Fonseca 77 cause that’s what got me started on this silliness

Unfortunately my experience in older VP's is extremely limited. I do have a 1941 Constantino, a 1945 Croft and a 1948 Burmester (and a few 1955's) that I'll open one of these days, but for now, the oldest VP's that I have drunk is a 1960 Graham's and a 1960 Hooper's (surprisingly, the Hooper's was nice). So my favorite Top 5 VP's to date are:

1966 Fonseca (far and away my favorite VP)
1980 Dow
1985 Fonseca
1992 Taylor
1994 Vesuvio

Mike J. W. wrote: ↑15:52 Tue 25 Mar 2025 Unfortunately my experience in older VP's is extremely limited. I do have a 1941 Constantino, a 1945 Croft and a 1948 Burmester (and a few 1955's) that I'll open one of these days, but for now, the oldest VP's that I have drunk is a 1960 Graham's and a 1960 Hooper's (surprisingly, the Hooper's was nice). So my favorite Top 5 VP's to date are:

1966 Fonseca (far and away my favorite VP)
1980 Dow
1985 Fonseca
1992 Taylor
1994 Vesuvio

I read that list and just started chortling. Those are all fabulous Ports. I love them all, and just wish I was going to be around to drink them in 40 years time.

Four of them would be: G48, F55, F66, Ni77.
The final selection might be an old great rarity (F27, S35, Cr45, Ni55) or an excellent more easily obtained younger (W70, Ch82, V94); though if I bend the criteria slightly (since it's not a VP, but it is port) I'd add the Taylor 1896 single harvest tawny as my final choice.

The Taylor 1896 Single Harvest would be on the list of best ports for everyone who has ever tasted it, including me, but is not a VP.

winesecretary wrote: ↑23:27 Tue 25 Mar 2025 The Taylor 1896 Single Harvest would be on the list of best ports for everyone who has ever tasted it, including me, but is not a VP.

not me!!! sugar is out of balance with the rest of the port for me.

winesecretary wrote: ↑23:27 Tue 25 Mar 2025 The Taylor 1896 Single Harvest would be on the list of best ports for everyone who has ever tasted it, including me, but is not a VP.

I hear that the original Krohn bottling was better.

It could, at best, make my top 10.

I have currently given out 9 x 100-point scores. While at a tasting I will sometimes underline a score to indicate that it was my favorite of all similar scores at that tasting, but I don't do that at 100. They are all equally mind-blowingly magnificent. And yes, from that you may infer that I have had 2 x 100-point Ports at the same tasting. #2 and #3 on the list were back-to-back at Quinta do Mourao in 2014.

In chronological order...

Brunheda 1906 Colheita
The original hand-bottled Mourao "60"
Mourao "100" (old blend)
DR 1885
Mourao "100" (new blend)
Mourao CL
Brunheda "Muito Velho" 125+
Mourao 140+ VOT
DR 100 Year Old Tawny Cask #3

Every single one of those was a cask sample. I can picture the setting and location for each one. The DR 1885, both Mourao 100s, and the Mourao CL were all eventually released commercially, but I've never given a commercial release 100 points. (The Mourao "60" that was commercially released was not the same blend as the original hand-bottled version.) Of these that I have been lucky enough to taste more than once, the subsequent ratings were all 99 points. I know what to expect, so they aren't as mind-blowing the 2nd time around.

Glenn E. wrote: ↑17:42 Wed 26 Mar 2025

winesecretary wrote: ↑23:27 Tue 25 Mar 2025 The Taylor 1896 Single Harvest would be on the list of best ports for everyone who has ever tasted it, including me, but is not a VP.

I hear that the original Krohn bottling was better.

It could, at best, make my top 10.

I have currently given out 9 x 100-point scores. While at a tasting I will sometimes underline a score to indicate that it was my favorite of all similar scores at that tasting, but I don't do that at 100. They are all equally mind-blowingly magnificent. And yes, from that you may infer that I have had 2 x 100-point Ports at the same tasting. #2 and #3 on the list were back-to-back at Quinta do Mourao in 2014.

In chronological order...

Brunheda 1906 Colheita
The original hand-bottled Mourao "60"
Mourao "100" (old blend)
DR 1885
Mourao "100" (new blend)
Mourao CL
Brunheda "Muito Velho" 125+
Mourao 140+ VOT
DR 100 Year Old Tawny Cask #3

Every single one of those was a cask sample. I can picture the setting and location for each one. The DR 1885, both Mourao 100s, and the Mourao CL were all eventually released commercially, but I've never given a commercial release 100 points. (The Mourao "60" that was commercially released was not the same blend as the original hand-bottled version.) Of these that I have been lucky enough to taste more than once, the subsequent ratings were all 99 points. I know what to expect, so they aren't as mind-blowing the 2nd time around.

A quick look at my notes, I've only ever awarded a Port 100 points on 4 occasions, and only one of those was to a colheita. That was the Taylor bottling of the 1896 - and this was at a dinner where we drank side-by-side the 1855 Scion, 1863, 1896, Graham 1882, Whitwhams 1880 and the 1950s bottling of Niepoort VV. The points awarded that night were 99, 99, 100, 99, 94 and 97.

Alex Bridgeman wrote: ↑20:53 Wed 26 Mar 2025
A quick look at my notes, I've only ever awarded a Port 100 points on 4 occasions, and only one of those was to a colheita. That was the Taylor bottling of the 1896 - and this was at a dinner where we drank side-by-side the 1855 Scion, 1863, 1896, Graham 1882, Whitwhams 1880 and the 1950s bottling of Niepoort VV. The points awarded that night were 99, 99, 100, 99, 94 and 97.

Just another ho hum tasting, I see.

I also was present. It was arguably the greatest Colheita port tasting ever. I will never attend its like. The generosity of the host was justly celebrated and will be as long as I live.

The Salon champagne vertical beforehand wasn’t too shabby either.

winesecretary wrote: ↑22:04 Wed 26 Mar 2025 I also was present. It was arguably the greatest Colheita port tasting ever. I will never attend its like. The generosity of the host was justly celebrated and will be as long as I live.

The Salon champagne vertical beforehand wasn’t too shabby either.

I really need to move to the UK...for a few reasons.

Mike J. W. wrote: ↑22:30 Wed 26 Mar 2025 I really need to move to the UK...for a few reasons.

The weather is so similar to Seattle I could probably move there and not even notice the difference!

Except for the sudden abundance of Port tastings.

Glenn E. wrote: ↑23:05 Wed 26 Mar 2025abundance of Port tastings.

No: we barely do three a month.

jdaw1 wrote: ↑00:10 Tue 25 Mar 2025 My top five:
▶︎ 1878 Dow;
▶︎ 1927 Niepoort;
▶︎ 1927 Cockburn;
▶︎ 1927 Noval;
▶︎ 1931 Noval;
▶︎ 1942 Graham;
▶︎ 1945 Niepoort;
▶︎ 1966 Fonseca;
▶︎ Whatever I am drinking.

(Yes, I know.)

Your count to 5 is different than mine.

1908 Grahams
1931 Noval
1945 Croft
1948 Fonseca
1955 Grahams

Was tough to keep it to 5, but I think I would say the same ports if you asked me a month from now.

Odd that I mentioned Grahams when I am now more a fan of drier ports. Ferreira or Dow should be on that list somewhere too.

Glenn E. wrote: ↑17:42 Wed 26 Mar 2025 In chronological order...

Brunheda 1906 Colheita
The original hand-bottled Mourao "60"
Mourao "100" (old blend)
DR 1885
Mourao "100" (new blend)
Mourao CL
Brunheda "Muito Velho" 125+
Mourao 140+ VOT
DR 100 Year Old Tawny Cask #3

In May I went on another Port tour, and a few notable things happened.

First, at Andresen, we were privileged to get to taste the 1900 Colheita. It was so good that I forgot to give it a score. Was it 100 points? I don't know, but it seems reasonable given that I was so overwhelmed that I couldn't score it.

Then, at Brunheda, I got to taste the 1906 Colheita again for the first time from cask at the Quinta. If anything, it seemed even better than the other times that I have tasted it. I didn't even hesitate to give it 100 points again. That's the first time that I've ever given the same Port 100 points twice. Admittedly 15 years passed between those 2 times, so one could almost consider them different Ports due to the extra time in wood, but to me it's the same Port.

And then, at DR, we got to taste some very ancient Ports straight out of cask. As I recall these are about to be bottled but have not yet been announced, so out of respect I cannot give details, but one of them - and not the one you might automatically expect - received 100 points.

So my total is now at 11 times, but only 10 different Ports, and another "possible" that isn't official.

winesecretary wrote: ↑22:04 Wed 26 Mar 2025 I also was present. It was arguably the greatest Colheita port tasting ever. I will never attend its like. The generosity of the host was justly celebrated and will be as long as I live.

The Salon champagne vertical beforehand wasn’t too shabby either.

That was a truly marvellous dinner.