Vintage Port

[Georgie]

OK, I need help here. I received a bottle of Ferreia 1994 Vintage Porto for my BD. As near as I can figure from reading Wine for Dummies, vintage ports shouldn't be consumed for twenty years. Am I understanding this correctly? I shouldn't drink this until 2014?

[Drew]

Georgie, here's a nice article on ports from Robin Garr's site.

http://www.wineloverspage.com/wineadvisor/tswa011218.shtml

Wines, and ports, are given estimated maturity dates by wine critics, educated guesses if you will, as to when the wine will peak. You'll see tn's that say, "best after 2008" or "best from 2003 through 2008". There's no hard or fast rule for when to drink. Some people prefer young ports and others aged ones. Provenance plays a HUGH role in how a wine ages. Also, aged ports do throw a lot of sediment so proper decanting is important. I drink wines/ports when I want to and I don't live or die by the maturity dates. I've read far too many tn's on mature wines that were disappointing to the taster, indicating the wine should have been drunk earlier. WW buys many wines by the case and opens them at different time periods and adjusts his maturity expectation accordingly and enjoys the transformation of the wine. I tend to buy more single bottles and drink my wines younger.

Drew

[Thomas]

I am with Drew on this subject. I know there are many wines with aging potential and that they live up to the potential, but for anyone to presume to give you an exact drinking date for a wine...well, I don't want to rant.

'94 was a good vintage for Port, and (in my always humble opinion) they are drinkable today, even if they will last ten more years. Besides, none of us are sure to have a lock on ten more years, and that would mean missing the experience--if I hate the grim reaper for anything it is for the possibility of reaping me in while I still have some unconsumed gems downstairs!!!

[Georgie]

Thanks guys. I hated the idea of having to wait 11 years to taste this! Nor did I really want to deal with half a bottle of sediment. I think it'll have enough as it is!

[Bucko]

In reply, the 1927 Ports are drinking well right now, seriously. Port is very long-lived and some people (myself included) like them with a lot of whiskers.

[Thomas]

Bucko, don't get me wrong. I like old Ports too.

I was spouting off about "experts" constanly helping to mystify wine with nonsensical shenanigans like telling people the exact date that a particular wine will be ready to drink. A general statement about ageability of particular wines that are produced in a particular style is all that is needed, yet many cannot help themselves, thinking to earn their pay they must give the public the benefit of their hyperbole of themselves.

[winoweenie]

I, like Bucko, like to put some wrinkles on my Vintage Ports. Don't have any 27s but the 63s are drinking up a storm rite now and seem to have a longer future than most of the bottles in the Bins. Haven't opened a 77 yet as every one I've tasted when out-'n-about are huge.WW