Port recommendations?

Tom,

Buy whatever your retailer has, the State stores here in PA carry about 25 Ports (a lot are not true Ports). Keep a record of how you enjoyed/tolerated them. Of all things (and I will be flamed on this), I find Taylor's Tawny a very reasonably inexpensive ($15.99 a gallon) sipping Port wine! If your budget allows, & you don't become addicted to the pleasures of Port, well of course experiment, Forget the reviews, WHO knows what they like better then themselves?

I watched a millionaire (quite common, I hear now days) order linguini with butter melted on it, and smiled & enjoyed it thoroughly!

See what you like before you become educated/tainted.

I also like Clocktower (Yalumba) Port (from Australia) $10 here a bottle.

Experimenting will be the best days of your Port experiencing!

DE

My wife and I am quite fond of Sandeman's 20-year Tawny Port as well as Rosemount's "Old Benson" Tawny (from Australia). Haven't had the Delaforce recently enough to remember how these might compare ;-(

Cheers, Gary

In the "ruby" area, I'd try the "branded" Graham's Six Grape, and also begin branching out toward vintage with some of the LBV (Late Bottled Vintage) rubies, that are much less expensive, than vintage, but quite good. Most are closer to a weak vintage, than to the normal rubies.

For a comparison to the Delaforce Tawny, you might want to look into the Ports for Taylor Fladgate. I still place their 20 yo Tawny at the top of the stack, and much less expensive than their 30 & 40 Tawnies. As a counter-point, I like to do an A - B of the Taylor and Porto Barros 20 yo Tawny, especially when I can find them bottled in, or near the same year.

Australia does some very nice port-style wines, that have good QVP. Some US ( usually CA) producers also make some less-expensive but drinkable port-style wines.

Once you have gone through some LBV's, look at the Single Quinta vintage Ports. They are usually a step up in price, but drink well, without severe aging.

Most of all enjoy this journey! Hunt

In article , jo554joJOpot654 snipped-for-privacy@COMcomca55sTTTt.n%^ERTet says...

[SNIP]

I'm assuming that you are referring to the "Taylor Port" from the Canandaigua Wine Company [capitalization not mine]. I have not tasted any of their "port" products in many, many years, and might be surprised to find that they are drinkable. I'm sure that the formula has been changed over the decades (I do not recall any "Tawny" way back then), but way, way back, we used this liquid as a base for our "beach-party bash" refreshment. The choice was an easy one, back then. It was cheap at ~US$1.90/gallon. It was alcoholic - a prerequisite for any "base" for our punch, and it was sweet, which went with the "seasonal fruit," that we bought from the A&P Foodstore to go into the mix, along with whatever other alcoholic beverages we could coerce someone's older brother into buying for us. I see that the price increased, but not to the levels of some grape products.

Along those lines, many years ago, while dining with some good friends, the wife, who was very well versed on things vinous, ordered a glass of "Taylor Port," as an after dinner drink. I was floored. Here, after all those years, my "wino" friend had ordered the same stuff that we used to use as a base for our beach party punch! I was incredulous. When I inquired of her choice (this was after a bottle or two of fairly young, but nice Bordeaux had been ordered and consumed), she smiled and ordered me a glass also. Her I was with a glass of the very same wine I had spent almost $2/gallon, and I saw on the dessert menu, that it was going to cost me $12.00!!!!!! Again, she smiled, and said, "there is Taylor, and then there is Taylor. There is Port and then there is port." This went totally over my young head, but I tried this root beer colored liquid and.... Oh My God, what a revelation I had. This was a Taylor Fladgate & Yeatman 20 Year Tawny, and it was delicious. I nursed it, and smelled it, and swirled it, and couldn't part with the empty glass, until the waiter finally pulled it from my hands. The next afternoon, I went to the wine shop in a tony part of town and found their Port room. After I had examined bottles for about 10 minutes, the owner asked if he could help me in some way. My only response was, "I want to learn about Port." For the next two hours, I was "grasshopper," to his "Master." I ended up dropping about $200 for his recommended minimum sampling case, and have to admit, all these many decades later, that it may have been the best value I have ever received from a mere $200 investment.

There will be no flame. I have not tasted Taylor (Canandaigua Wine Company) Port [again, their capitalization], in over 40 years. It might well be better than my failing memory allows for it. However, I would urge anyone, who has the slightest interest in Port (Oporto) wine to experience all that they can through the great range of the real Port wine. While I do sample many port- style wines from around the world, nothing comes close IMHO. Some are quite good, but that is about as far as it gets. Yes, the real stuff is more expensive. However, there is such a broad range produced, and most of it is so good, that it IS worth the price. The only problem that I find is (to paraphrase an unknown philosopher) "... so much Port... so little time!" Because of the love that I have found for the stuff, I usually pass on the dessert wine list, unless there is something really spectacular on it, in favor of traipsing off to my cellar and grabbing a bottle from there for the guests at the table.

Thank you for the trip down memory lane. I do not mean to disrespect your suggestion, as every person, contemplating news wines should try as much and as many varied examples, as they can, so they can form their own opinions. I just could not help reminiscing about MY introduction to Port.

Hunt

On Sun, 22 Aug 2004 11:39:49 -0400, snipped-for-privacy@thevatican.rag quoth:

I usually get the Osborne LBV for about $15-17. Not too syrupy, tastes like real wine, and the price is right. Some of the more mainstream cheap ports taste too much like cough syrup for me. (*cough*Six Grapes*cough*)

Warre's Otima tawny is interesting as a diversion - very buttery. Once a year is enough for that one, though.

bkr

Thanks for sharing that. For me it was Chardonnay and Cabernet, but I have some *astounding* Ports laid down too. 1994 Croft's anyone? :^)

Tom S

One thing to add to your good advice: LBVs, unlike tawnies, do not last long once opened.

Mark Lipton

Too true. It isn't that they go bad, it's simply that they get consummed. A snowy winter's evening and a fire in the fire place will almost always be good for a second glass....

But, on topic, I like the reserve tawnies, Taylor Fladgate and others produce them in 10, 20 and 40 year styles and for my taste the 20 year is the best value for the money. I've tried some of the LBV's and find too much variation for me to get a sense of what they are about. Typically they come across as more ruby than tawny and not what I prefer. And, having entered the serious port game too late in life, I didn't lay down bottles of vintage ports when young to be enjoyed now and I can't afford vintage port that is drinkable which someone else has laid down.

Fallback position for me has been a dependence upon the Australian "ports" which are mostly in the tawny style (at least what shows up in my area). For $8-20/bottle, I get a warm, comfortable port that I don't hesitate to consume. Clocktower is a pretty good example as is Whiskers Blake which I usually throw in the shopping cart whenever I'm in the giant liquor emporium whether I need it or not.

Recently I bought four bottles of Quinta Noval Silvado 2000, recommended by Sam's in Chicago. Don't know what is in store, but will probably pull a cork on the first cold night in Colorado this fall.

Ed Rasimus Fighter Pilot (USAF-Ret) "When Thunder Rolled" "Phantom Flights, Bangkok Nights" Both from Smithsonian Books

***

Right you are Mark. And, unlike Vintage Port, most LBV's & Tawnies are meant to be consumed upon release. Warre's, Niepoort and Noval do their LBV's a bit differently, and I've had to decant Warre's and Niepoort LBV. Noval would possibly need decanting too, but I've not tasted their LBV.

Thanks, Hunt

Hunt,

First of all, thanks for taking the time to elaborate on this wine/subject, honestly!

Yes, I looked at the bottle & it is made by the Big "C"

I'm sure that the formula has been changed over the decades (I do

God, I hope not...I tried their Ruby Port & it also reminded me of days unbridled partaking!.....LOL....

I'm, sure with your refined pallet, this "Tawny" will be subpar.....& I'm not being a smarta$$, It overly sweet, traces of Kool-Aid, and all the sweet fruit rolled into one.....however....not having monies to enjoy the Ports I would like to, I use this as a start, then really savor the others.

Beautiful........I totally understand......I think heaven only serves the likes of this........

The next afternoon, I went to the wine

I feel as though we are from the same fabric.......I paid a fellow $6 an hour to tutor me on computers in 1982....it was the best investment!....I only wish I could have been there, what an experience it must have been!

Oh, I guess I deserve it.........However...I have become endeared to it....I guess, good times, good friends, sharing, and the availableness/price contribute to this.

I'm sure even if I won the lottery......I would still have a place in my heart/occasionally to buy Taylor Tawny Port......

I agree 100%.....

No, Thank You for the Gentleman you are!

I salute you, hopefully our paths may cross someday, until then, I wish you only the best.

Sincerely,

DE

enjoyed/tolerated

Ed,

In the "old days" Applejacks in Littleton, had a wonderful Port section with many, many older Ports are reasonable prices. Last time I was up there though, they were more BnB wine, and not even a shadow of their former self. However, in Denver, The Vineyard, in Cherry Creek N had a very nice selection of Ports with a few years on them. The prices were a bit up from Applejack's, but still affordable.

It's getting to the point now, where I question the acquisition of recently released Vintage Ports, because I won't live to enjoy them - so glad I put in tons of '63s, '70's, '77s, "84s (never quite lived up to my expectations), and '94s. I wish now I'd done even more '94s, but hey, we all know about hindsight.

The guys up in Boulder (both Master Sommeliers), whose company's name I cannot recall, also had some very nice aged Vintage Ports. How I miss my old selections, because in AZ, the prices are over the top, and the selections are in the cellars (figuratively).

I, too, think that the Taylor 20 yo Tawny is the top of the Tawny list. Another that I'd recommend is the Porto Barros 20 Anos (obviously with the ~ on the n). Those two are as good as it gets, and the Porto Barros is so rare here, that it is the cost of anyone from Denver coming to stay at my place and play Winter golf!

To Port, Hunt

I also like the Taylor Flatulence, and find it goes well with stinky cheeses - like the aged petite Muenster I'm nibbling on now. ;^)

Tom S

C'mon down to the Springs. Cheer's still remains a wonderful store for bargains in wine and they continue to offer a reasonable selection of ports. And, they've been stocking my personal favorite in "Brandy de Jerez" Cardenal Mendoza. Add in a reliable source for Rex Goliath and a sale at $4.99/bottle about once a month and you've got a good reason for the trip.

For premium wines and even more port choices, try Colorado Liquor Outlet--original store on Briargate Blvd near Academy and new, "largest in Colorado" shop on Woodmen Road near Carefree. They don't advertise in the paper, so you won't get the lure of an Applejack or Countyline ad once a week. They do feature a wine boutique section that showcases some fine wines (and a cooler room attached for the whites and sparklers!) I've found some exceptional bargains there including a Ridge Monte Bello at $65 (could have ordered direct from Ridge for $120) as well as some nice Italians, Rhones and Bordeaux.

Might be worth your while to take a look. Besides, Colo. Springs needs the money!

Ed Rasimus Fighter Pilot (USAF-Ret) "When Thunder Rolled" "Phantom Flights, Bangkok Nights" Both from Smithsonian Books

***

Wow, sounds like the Springs has changed, since I last visited there. Back in the old days (when Applejack's was still a wine store of note), we used to " pack a lunch" for the drive out to Lakewood. It was rather like going in to Chicago from the hinterlands, to do Christmas shopping at Marshal-Fields.

Do you know if Lucas Liquors in the Park Meadows area of Denver is still going? They, too, had some interesting Ports, but had them scattered throughout their store. They once claimed to be the largest retail wine shop, west of MS River, but I do not know how their marketing folk defined "largest ."

Next trip up, I'll take your recommendations and stop in on the Springs' wine shops. As I usually travel with a half-dozen empty shippers, I'm always looking for stuff that is rare to us down in the Sonoran Desert. For being the

5th largest ciry in US (again, what criteria do the marketing types use for some of this?), we have an OK, but not great selection of wines. A lot of really good vino does not get imported to PHX - so for that, I just buy it elsewhere, and ship it to myself - in the Winter!

Thanks for the update, Hunt

I do agree, though find the Tawnies seem to go better with any food items (and cigars), than does the Vintage stuff. That, I just want by itself, save some great company with whom to enjoy it.

Hunt

PS I know an Internal Medicine guy, who can cure that Taylor problem of yours with just a simple proceedure... :-}

In article , jo554joJOpot654 snipped-for-privacy@COMcomca55sTTTt.n%^ERTet says... [SNIP]

Yes, I hope so. And in the meantime, here's to Port (of all colors)!

Hunt

In Denver, also check out Total Beverage. The one I am familar with is on

104th North (something Glen I believe is the actual community). Last time I was there they had a quite decent selection of port, from ruby to 30+ yr old with the hand painted dates. All very reasonably priced. They also have a nice wine selection if you care for that as well.

The 20YO Taylor Fladgate Tawny is quite nice, though we prefer Sandemans for about the same money. The 10YO is a good alternative for about 40% less (at least in GA). The 30 and 40 YO to me don't offer enough difference to justify the prices.

Cheers, Gary

The 'burg is Northglen (maybe two "n's"), but I have not heard of Total Beverage. Must have sprung up, since I left that area. Next trip up, I'll have to look into it. Also Boulder Wine Merchant (I think that is the official name) has a good Port selection, and is run by TWO Master Sommeliers - something you don't find too often.

While the Taylor 20 is probably my favorite, with the Barros 20 Anos next, I too like the Sandemans, as well as the Cockburns. All of these producers have excellent 20's and very, very drinkable 10's. Each producer has a distinctive house style, and I appreciate each.

I agree about the 30's and 40's. They are good. They impress the in-laws, but are just not up to the 20's. That doesn't mean, however, that I'd refuse a glass of either!!!!!!!!

Hunt

Thanks for all the responses to my post! You've given me quite a few options to try - and I'm looking forward to it! Tom