Question about Port

[IanHummel]

I know nothing about port, but my Dad has a bottle of this:

How is it? He mentioned he wanted to drink it around Christmas or Thanksgiving.

 

[jfields]

Wow! Nice.

I don't know anything about that paticular brand. I'm guessing that it is not anything special. But, the fact that it is from 1970, makes it special, added with the fact that it is your fathers.

 

[denverdog]

I found some basic information (most of which is on the bottle if you can decipher it) and this thread that talks a little bit out. It does say that chances our it is well past its prime, but who cares as it will be an excellent moment to share with your dad. :thumbs:

BASIC INFO
Wine: 1970 Borges & Irmao Porto Alto Douro
Type: Red - Fortified
Producer: Borges & Irmao
Varietal: Port Blend
Designation: Alto Douro
Country: Portugal
Region: Douro
Appellation: Porto

 

[IanHummel]

So I guess my next question is when does Port usually peak at it's "prime" ? I've seen all these mentions of 13 year, 17 year bottles, what is the usual target range so to say?

 

[Hoss]

So I guess my next question is when does Port usually peak at it's "prime" ? I've seen all these mentions of 13 year, 17 year bottles, what is the usual target range so to say?

Ports are among my favorite wines.

I'd think that as all things organic the peak periods are going to vary depending on the type of wine and the vintage year. The same exact grape produced by the same vineyard may have varying peak dates depending upon the vintage year due to weather and other things affecting the vitality/character of the grapes for that particular season.

The best thing you can do is pop the bottle and taste it for yourselves. That's my favorite policy. :laugh:

As a home wine maker, i have the ability to start out with several cases of one type from one year and can sample it all along it's progress curve until i think it's reached perfection. In your case the best thing i could think of would be to see if you can find a wine advisor for that year and see if yours is included.

That being said, as long as it's been properly stored i think it's going to be great. Enjoy!

 

[anvil]

Good Score bro.
That will drink real nice.
And go with a good cigar even better

 

[NorCalCigarLover]

A quality Vintage Port can generally age for quite some time and don't really start showing their true character until they do have some bottle age on them. I was thinking of getting THIS for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, that was until I blew my wine budget this past weekend :whistling: . A couple of years ago I tasted through some Ports from the 40's, 50's and 60's that were still outstanding!

Hoss is dead on ..... pop it and try it.

 

[Matt R]

I've recently seen 1970 vintage ports listed for anywhere between $60 USD and $180USD, depending on the bottler.



The vintage chart works on a scale of one to ten: the higher the number, the better the vintage.

The letters represent how the vintage has aged; some may need cellaring, while others may have already reached their peak. Vintage charts are subjective generalizations that assume perfect maturation conditions.

Vintages without marks produced no quality wine, were not shipped or, due to rarity, have never been tasted.



Port Vintage Chart Key
10= Sensational!
9= Very Fine
8= Above Average
7= Average
6= Below Average
Below 6= Beware!

HO = Hold, Slow to Mature
RS = Ready Soon
DW = Drinking Well
AS = Age Showing
ED = Early days (untasted)
NV = No vintage declared


2004
ED
2003
ED
2002
ED
2001
NV
2000
9 HO
1999
NV
1998
NV
1997
8 HO
1996
NV
1995
NV
1994
9 HO
1993
NV
1992
9 RS
1991
9 RS
1990
NV
1989
NV
1988
NV
1987
NV
1986
NV
1985
9 DW
1983
9 DW
1982
8 DW
1981
NV
1980
8 DW
1979
NV
1978
8 DW
1976
NV
1975
8 DW
1971
NV
1970
9 DW

 

[vange]

Vintage Ports (VPs) take 10-50 (more along the lines of 10-30 though) years to reach peak maturity. Not knowing much about that particular brande all I can suggest is a decanter and a filter and let it breath for a few hours and ENJOY and let us know how it is! I am curious.

FYI: For the expert opinion www.fortheloveofport.com has a great port forum!