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A bloke on an American wine forum recently posted a note from a bottle of 1961 Warre Vintage Port. As I had previously been completely unaware that Warre declared a 1961, and since no notes for said bottle are found within the tasting note section of this forum, I thought I would seek a little wisdom from this board as to its production, qualities, availability, and related issues.

Any thoughts?

Perhaps a bottling date?

jdaw1 wrote:Perhaps a bottling date?

Explain. You would like the bottling date of the specific bottle? I doubt that would be possible in this case.

Have you ever heard of the W61? I'm looking for the dynamic duo of T&W to help me through the darkness on this one.

Bottle photo (and UK availability) here

Broadbent has no note of a Warre 1961 but rates the vintage 3 stars, stating:

"Good wines made but vintage not declared. Too soon after the '60s and, by the time decisions were to be made, the high quality of the '63s was known. In a way a pity, as the '61 vintage was so brilliant elsewhere, in Bordeaux particularly, that there would have been a sales rub-off. However, this was the year when not only single-quinta wines began to show their paces but LBVs put in a major appearance, mainly for early consumption"

RAYC wrote:Bottle photo (and UK availability) here

Excellent work!

Really surprised to just be learning about this bottle now. How very curious indeed.

My guess is that this was not a declared vintage, but that Warre made some good quality wine that year and decided to bottle a small run for a specific purpose - somethimes this is for a family or friend who has a special event, somethimes this is a small release to support a particular market (remember the unusual Bomfim ports sold into Denmark from full Dow declaration vintages).

My guess is that this is one of those ports - very rare and unusual. If I was born in '61 then I might be tempted. But I wasn't, so I'm not. I've had the Vargellas, Noval and the Fonseca Guimaraens from '61 and enjoyed them all so if you've got the money to spare then it might be worth the risk.

AHB wrote:My guess is that this was not a declared vintage, but that Warre made some good quality wine that year and decided to bottle a small run for a specific purpose - somethimes this is for a family or friend who has a special event, somethimes this is a small release to support a particular market (remember the unusual Bomfim ports sold into Denmark from full Dow declaration vintages).

Since it has been selo’ed and bottled with standard Warre label this does suggest it was made to be sold. I do wonder if it is a LBV, though. Looking round the web, there are some other pictures of a 1961 Warre which show its bottling date as 1965.