The Wine Thread

[mosesbotbol]

Originally Posted by Gabe215

Question for the experienced Vintage Port drinkers! Being from a state run liquor store state I usually go to Delaware or NJ to stock up and my favorite store in DE has a HUGE (1.5L?) bottle of Warre's 1985 Vintage Port for $160 tax free shopping in Delaware too! One is this a good price for this vintage? And secondly this will be my first bottle of vintage port and was wondering if the same rules that apply to non vintage port work with vintage port as well like being able to drink out of an opened bottle for at least 2 weeks before it starts to go bad? Any and all info appreciated!!

'85 Warres is a great vintage port, one of better ones of that vintage. Elegant and floral, Warres is a classy "feminine" style of port. You'll have about 4-5 days to drink that bottle once opened. As for price, it is no giveaway, but not a rip off either. Best way to keep the bottle is to pour the whole bottle through cheesecloth into a decanter. Rinse the 1.5 bottle out with just water then pour the port back into the bottle. Figure half a bottle a night and you'll done in time. Enjoy.

I would wait at least 6-7 hours before the first glass. It's best to pour (after you did the decanter thing) and half bottle's worth out each time and keep the magnum with a cork in it.

[pnoon]

Originally Posted by mosesbotbol

"feminine" style of port.

What does that mean? I've never heard that term used for wine beofre.

[Gabe215]

Thank you for the info, maybe I'll see if they have a 750 ml bottle, I didn't notice if they had a smaller bottle as I couldn't take my eyes off the magnum. I might be able to finish it off in 4-5 days if I have guests over, I've developed a love for port but that's a lot in a short amount of time, maybe wait to open during holidays! Vintage ports have driven corks correct? Also I bought one of these, will this do the trick for decanting, haven't used it yet I got this for an unfiltered LBV I have yet to open?
[IMG][/IMG]

[Gabe215]

Oh and went through a bottle of this tonight, wee bit better than 6 grapes!!
[IMG][/IMG]

[mosesbotbol]

Originally Posted by Gabe215

Thank you for the info, maybe I'll see if they have a 750 ml bottle, I didn't notice if they had a smaller bottle as I couldn't take my eyes off the magnum. I might be able to finish it off in 4-5 days if I have guests over, I've developed a love for port but that's a lot in a short amount of time, maybe wait to open during holidays! Vintage ports have driven corks correct? Also I bought one of these, will this do the trick for decanting, haven't used it yet I got this for an unfiltered LBV I have yet to open?

Geez, when I have port nights are my house, we plan on 1 to 1.5 bottles per person and don't leave until it's all finished....

The only way to really open up a wine (or port) is to pour in a decanter, swirl it around a couple of times and just wait it out. That bottle of '85 Warres has been in a bottle almost 30 years, it takes some time to come out of its nap and should not be rushed. The funnel will help open the wine up, but so will making sure the wine goes down the side of the decanter in a thin sheen. Make the wine go down the sides of the decanter, not directly to the bottom.

If you do buy the magnum, you can leave bottle upright and just pour out what you want for the night into a decanter and try not to unsettle what is in the decanter. You might get a few more days out of the magnum if you prevent aeration. Honestly, I think you'll enjoy the port more if you get a chance to drink more than just a glass or two. Try really "going for it" and enjoy the experience. Remember, at least 6-7 hours in the decanter before the main event. Make sure to try port from when you first decant until serving time to educate you on how it changes over time.

That's going to be a fun night of port.

[Gabe215]

Thanks Moses!! You are the man and have taught me a lot since my journey into red wines through your PM's with me way back, and with port on this thread, thank you very much!! Considering I drank that whole bottle of Cockburns SR last night I'm sure I'll put a hurting on that Vintage, and as you said I will definitely "go for it" lol.

[mosesbotbol]

Originally Posted by Gabe215

Thanks Moses!! You are the man and have taught me a lot since my journey into red wines through your PM's with me way back, and with port on this thread, thank you very much!! Considering I drank that whole bottle of Cockburns SR last night I'm sure I'll put a hurting on that Vintage, and as you said I will definitely "go for it" lol.

'85 Warres out of a magnum is going to be a fun experience. Wish I was there! I had a magnum of '70 Warres a few years ago. Doesn't come around that much. Grahams, Dow, & Fonseca are the best (along with Warres) of the vintage. Avoid Croft, Noval, and Sandeman for this vintage. Odd times for port in the early-mid 80's.

Things turned around for everyone by 1990 and has been producing excellent vintages steadily since.

[Gabe215]

Went down today and bought the magnum, just a few more questions, one is when I bought it, the store was storing all the vintage ports standing upright, not how I thought they were supposed to be laying Down with the white wax facing up. Since the bottle is so old is there a chance the cork dried up and the port spoiled? I doubt the bottle has been in the store for 29 years, but who knows?? Also when you said to decant for 6-7 hours before drinking do you mean in an open top decanter to aerate the wine or one that has a glass lid to pour and strain then put the lid on? Thanks

[mosesbotbol]

Originally Posted by pnoon

What does that mean? I've never heard that term used for wine beofre.

Softer, elegant, "pretty", finesse vs. a more brutish powerful style like Taylor. The most common producers that are known to have a feminine style or port are Ferreira and Warres. This is not negative term to describe wine at all.