Re: The Wine Thread
 

In the pictures shown, it takes 2 people (slaves), over a week create a 10 foot section. Imagine the labor and toll it took to create the valley going back to the 12th century.

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NOBODY TELL MY FIANCÉ THESE WERE A GREAT PRICE BUT STILL EXPENSIVE!!!
[IMG]http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/...psftaej1uq.jpg[/IMG]

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Beautiful bottle of '85 Warre's, Gabe

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Speaking on vintage port magnums, I recently picked up a case of 1975 Grahams Vintage Port in its original wooden case (OWC). Haven't had '75 Grahams in a 4-5 years and having a magnum format is pretty rare. Not their best vintage, but by itself is quite lovely.

Picked up 4-5 other cases of port, but that is another post...

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One of my all time favorites is the 1955 Taylor. I was fortunate enough to taste it several times. The oldest port I tasted was a 1890 Dow but it was a little past it's prime.

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Moses, if your willing to offload anything woth while at a somewhat worthwhile price PM me I'd love to cellardive what you have PM me oh master!! Thanks - Gabriel P!!

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'55 is a great vintage in general. All the big names had a good bottle that year. I've never had a Dow that old; I think 1900 & 1935 may have been the oldest. Speaking of Dow, I just picked up a case of 1970. Excellent port that does not get as much hype as Taylor, Fonseca and Graham, but should.

It's equal to or better than '63 and costs less. If you want something newer, 1994 or 2003 are great.

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How about if you are in Boston we will share a vintage?

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Every time I come back from Argentina, I get on a small wine kick. Not much of a wine drinker, but I do like Malbec. Been on a hunt to find a bottle of DV Catena. Had it recommended to me, and almost picked up a bottle at the airport.

Stopped by a local store yesterday and picked up a bottle of '08 Fabre Montmayou and '11 Catena. As was explained to me by the gent at the store, the Catena family produces a lot of different wines. So the bottle I picked up isn't the exact one I'm looking for, it should still be good. And I'll be headed back to Argentina in February. Now I just need to grill me up a nice steak.

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I agree with you on Dow. I consider it one of the Big Four along with Fonseca, Taylor and Graham.

I also like the single quinta ports from these producers as they are great values.

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Nice pairing - Kobe beef burgery with a nice CNdP (La Vieu Telegraph)

http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/...psb391ec00.jpg

http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/...psc892ac4c.jpg

The La Crau is a 2006, which has aged superbly - nice tannic backbone still there and an excellent balance of mineral and fruit.

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[IMG]http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/...pscyurv5r7.jpg[/IMG]

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How was the Noble One? Is that an Aussie "Sticky"? Semillon wines are yummy.

I've had the Noval Black before. Can't say it's one of my favorites at its price point, but other like it. It's selling well. I am just not a Noval ruby fan; I can't say I own one VP from them - not even a Nacional. Nacional outside of the 1980's are fantastic; rite of passage. I prefer their wood aged ports in general.

Look for Ferreira's Reserve ports at similar prices. Cockburn and Fonseca have a good ruby reserve. Ventozelo has a great one if you can find it. Very well done.

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Drinking a 1970 Offley Boa Vista VP. Bottled in London. Pretty good. Nice color, delicate with baking spices and light acidity. Was never one of the heavy hitters of the vintage, but not many have had it. Tuesday we had a 1970 Gonzalez Byass VP. Better than Offley and had some wonderful sweet blueberry notes on he 2nd day. Very smooth spirit.

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I agree the Noval Black wasn't the best in its price range and should've grabbed Cockburns. As for the Noble One I have yet to open it waiting to crack that open, it was at a great price point, all I know it's an Aussie desert wine and I've heard great things about, crazy how dark it is, it's the color of a white wine when new. Very jealous of your VP tastings!!

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I'm cold. It's crappy out. I nned a nap.



Oops, sorry. Thought this was the "whine" thread. :)

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I have been sampling some bottles from cases I bought over the last few months. We are invited to an early Thanksgiving this Sunday. I am bringing a 1970 Dow and 1980 Diamond Creek.

I leave for Singapore on Monday, so want to drink as much port as I can before I go. Fine wine and port is not cheap in there. Nor is the desire to drink it when it's hot and humid outside. Cigars aren't cheap either. Seemed like they were more expensive than Canada for instance.

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Tonight..

[IMG]http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/...ps6i4bvyb1.jpg[/IMG]

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YNDA Gabe ;)

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Thank Peter, the good times are coming!! Walk on!!!

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How was the Fonseca? I'd imagine it would take 24 hours in decanter to shine.

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It was very tasty and smooth!! Yea I should've let it sit for longer only let it sit for 2 hours, didn't plan on opening it. Moses when you tell me to decant 6 -24 hours. Am I supposed to use the decanter /aerator I have pictured with a large opening with no lid, or am I supposed to use one with a lid/filter and pour back in the bottle? I'm plan on busting out the '85 vintage during the holidays.

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Two hours is like nothing on the Fonseca.

Well, it depends. With the Fonseca, you could've left it in the decanter with a cloth over the opening to keep flies from going into it for 24 hours.

What I and many do is pour a bottle through cheese cloth into a decanter, rinse the original bottle out with just water and then pour the port back into the bottle. If you did that with Fonseca, 24-48 hours then drink. Always best to take a little sip here and there to see how it evolves.

The '85 (Warres, correct)?, I would leave in the decanter for 6-7 hours and drink or decant back in the bottle the night before. '85 is generally a great vintage, but some producers made junk that year like Croft, Sandeman, and Noval; avoid those. Talyor, Fonseca, Grahams, Dow, Warres, Ramos Pinto, Ferreira, a few others made great stuff that is a good value.

Heck, why pay $80 for a 2011 vintage when you can buy '85 for the same price? Even if you age it another 20-30 years, which one would you want to drink more in 30 years? I'll take the '85. I generally won't buy any VP past 2000; why bother?

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[IMG]http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7k3iy7ae.jpg[/IMG]

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Bump were are my winos at?? http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/...psnwjwpi4r.jpg

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I think they were scared off by the enormous pictures.
:2

;)

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Sorry that's just how mine post!

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You can resize them before posting.
:2

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For being 28 years old I'm not that tech savvy so just deal with my big pics LOL YNWA how bout Diego Costa getting fined for what happened to Emre Can Walk on Perer with your head held up high!!

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:tu

One of these days we should Skype Herf and I'll walk you through the process.

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Gabe you can also just click the "Go Advanced" button under the text entry box, from there you can add an attachment by clicking manage attachments, it will let you browse your machine, select the picture and upload it in a thumbnail version, people will see it full sized when they click on it... thusly ...

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No large pictures, just a bump! First warm day of the year here in the Philly Suburbs, went for a walk with an Opus X and Sandeman Founders Reserve

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You were walking around with a bottle or glass of port?

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He said he's from the Philly Suburbs, so you know he was drinking right out of the bottle. ;)
I've seen Keith do this many times. :r:r

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Hahaha not the bottle but yes a glass of Port.

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A Santa Barbara great. This 2006 Sea Smoke Pinot is a fantastic example of California Pinot if the alcohol level is controlled. Santa Rita Hills can surprise.
Delicious, with wonderful bouquet.

http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/...psyyktff13.jpg

Re: The Wine Thread
 

I like the older style Pinot's made in CA. I've had plenty bottles of Beaulieu Vineyard Beaumont Pinot Noir from the 1960's and early 70's that were ringers for Burgundy if served blind. I pick them up whenever I see them. CA's problem is not the grapes, but the wine making techniques. The golden age of Napa, they would mimic France's wine making style and they are still the best wines from CA (compared to today).

The tide is turning though. Wine makers are slowing "de-Parkerizing" their wines and hopefully the selection of classic Pinot Noir will grow.

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Agreed. The over extractin and big heat have really bothered some Santa Rita wines. . Sea Smoke makes a nice contrast to the norm, seemingly behaving as a cooler climate area.

I'm not sure "Sideways" did us any favors, as everyone started making Pinot - but it's a finicky little berry and not everyone should!

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"Sideways" did a lot for me. It made epic older Merlot's from the early 90's and older very affordable. Plenty of excellent older Merlot floating around for great prices...

I just was outbid on some '92 Duckhorn Merlot Mag's for like $50 each. I think my bid was around $45... Kind of pissed I did not chase them, but it's not like I need any more wine...

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Anybody worried about the recent studies that found arsenic in wine? Will this change your drinking habits?

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No, it's an over hype!!!

It won't change my wine drinking at all!

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ttttrrrruuuuth!!!!

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Arsenic is organic, as is copper which is also used a lot. Don't buy 2 Buck Chuck and the like.

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Drinking a home made Lodi Ranch Cab Sav and Broadbent Rainwater Madiera (first time ever drinking Madiera)

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I truly hope you enjoy the Madeira. Leacock's Rainwater Madeira is my go to, with respect to Madeira.

If you enjoy it, I recommend that you try Blandy's Malmsey 5yo Madeira, very rich and flavorful. Also, for a special treat, try Sandeman Fine Rich Madeira. It's exceptional.

If you try them, I'd love to hear what you think of them.

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With Madeira, I would suggest a 10 year minimum. Rainwater and 5 year just don't cut it for me... I'd rather drink Sherry at that price point.

I really like Broadbent's Colheita Madeira or 10 year. Their 10 year is the best value in Madeira as a whole IMO. D'Oliveira's 10 year is a close 2nd place.

If you had to drink a 5 year, Broadbent's probably your best bet. I haven't been a fan Blandy's "bread and butter" Madeira's and don't like the 500 ML bottles.

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Thanks for your opinions. We all have them and they are very subjective. What one likes, others may not. That is why tastings are what it takes, to truly find out what one likes.

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Rainwater and 5 Year are bottom of the barrel of Madeira; regardless of the producer. I do not believe Sandeman is selling anything beyond the most basic variety.

The other Madeira that is worth of mention without being too expensive is the Rare Wine Company Historic series. They range from dry to sweet. I think there is like 5-6 different ones. They are produced by Barbeito, which I think is one of the better vintage producers. I like their dry to medium editions the best.

If you want to spend a little more without being crazy... 1977 D'Oliveira Terrantez Madeira at around $150 or 1968 Vintage are two excellent ones.

As a whole, Madeira has climbed in price similar to what 1er Cru Bordeaux has and may be out of sight in the near future. 19th century bottles for like $200 are long gone...

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Again, I thank you for your thoughts. Obviously your taste and wallet are far above my range. I am quite happy with 5yo and 10yo Malmsey and the Rainwater. Personally, I will not spend over $30/$35 for any bottle of Wine.
However, it's a whole different story, when it comes to Bourbons, Scotches, etc. But then again, that's just me!

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Smoke what you like, like what you smoke. :D