Search Results

Bid on this 2-bottle lot of Sandeman 20 Year Old Tawny Port (97DC, 94JS, 92RP, 92WS). Decanter: "Sandeman has a long track record for producing outstanding tawnies at every level. Lovely pale amber-tawny colour with a soft, alluring character on the nose and palate. Silky and seductive with creamy fruit, toasty complexity and lithe length of flavour. (RM)" (12/2022)

Bid on this 3-bottle lot of 1994 Fonseca Vintage Port (100WS, 98DC, 97RP). Wine Spectator: "Hold on to your hat. This is the best Fonseca since 1977, and it's probably even better than that classic vintage--more like the breathtaking 1948. Mind-blowing, with masses of color, aroma and fruit flavor. Smells like fermenting berries, boasting loads of crushed grape, violet and berry character. Big, full-bodied and very sweet, with tons of tannins and a sweet finish. Tannic and huge, it's a long-term, great Port. *No. 1 Top 100 Wines of 1997, Cellar Selection* (JS)" (04/1997)

Bid on this bottle of 1967 Cockburn's Vintage Port. Wine Spectator: "Medium ruby with a garnet edge, intense plum and blackberry nose, medium-bodied, with plenty of berry flavors, tightly knit tannins and a medium finish. It will continue to improve. (JS, Web-1989)"

Bid on this bottle of 1983 Warre's Vintage Port (90RP). Wine Advocate: "This house makes rather restrained yet rich, flavorful vintage port and a very good tawny called Nimrod. Their vintage ports seem slow to develop...they have a unique mineral-scented character that gives them their own complexity and style. The 1983 is richly perfumed and fragrant, which is so typical of the ports from this vintage, and is seemingly more forward than normal. (RP)" (01/1989) Wine Advocate: "This house makes rather restrained yet rich, flavorful vintage port and a very good tawny called Nimrod. Their vintage ports seem slow to develop...they have a unique mineral-scented character that gives them their own complexity and style. The 1983 is richly perfumed and fragrant, which is so typical of the ports from this vintage, and is seemingly more forward than normal. (RP)" (01/1989)

Bid on this 3-bottle lot of 1980 Taylor Vintage Port (91VN). Vinous: "The 1980 Taylor's Vintage Port has a deep, clear garnet colour. The nose is very backward, quite austere and conservative with notes of cherry and raspberry leaf, a touch of cigar box developing with aeration. It perhaps lacks a little joie-de-vivre, especially when compared to vintages in the 1970s. The palate is attractive though, with notes of raspberry, plum, white pepper, blood orange and a touch of apricot. This 1980 has good acidity but plays it safe, unwilling to take chances. Yet there is perceptible lushness on the finish with black plum notes despite lacking the precision of the great vintages. (NM)" (06/2018)

Bid on this 6-half-bottle lot of 1997 Niepoort Vintage Port (375ml) (97JS, 96WS, 90ST). James Suckling: What a vivid and fascinating wood port with delicate caramel, honey, dried fruit and cedar character. Medium body, yet dense and silky. Bright. Hints of tannins. This is a wonderful colheita that will improve with age as well. Bottled in 2016. Drink or hold. *Top 100 of 2017* (11/2017)

Bid on this 2-bottle lot of 1960 Sandeman Vintage Port. Sandeman started in 1790 with George Sandeman, a Scott who set up a wine merchant business in London specializing in Port and Sherry. Robert Parker for the Wine Advocate had this to say about the historic producer: "Sandeman is one of the biggest and most conspicuous of the port houses, with extensive interests in the sherry business as well. They advertise significantly and their products are well-represented in virtually every American marketplace. The quality is quite good given the quantity of wine produced."

Bid on this 2-bottle lot of 1977 Fonseca Vintage Port (100JS, 100WS, 95JG). James Suckling: "I found a bottle of 1977 Fonseca in my cellar - probably my last. It was absolutely gorgeous. I gave this fortified wine a perfect score in its youth and I think it has finally evolved into its perfection as a mature vintage Port... This is in total balance now with such harmony. What amazing aromas of berry and flowers. Full and sweet, the tannins are complete dissolved. The fruit is perfect. This goes on for minutes. " (06/2016)

Bid on this 4-bottle lot of 1983 Fonseca Vintage Port (92RP). Wine Advocate: "Fonseca is one of the great port lodges, producing the most exotic and most complex port. . . it excels in its magnificently complex, intense bouquet of plummy, cedary, spicy fruit and long, broad, expansive flavors. With its lush, seductive character, one might call it the Pomerol of Vintage ports. When it is young, it often loses out in blind tastings to the heavier, weightier, more tannic wines, but I always find myself upgrading my opinion of Fonseca after it has had 7-10 years of age. The 1983 is magnificently scented, full-bodied, creamy, rather forward, but showing great length and character. (RP)" (12/1988)

Bid on this 3-bottle lot of 1983 Graham's Vintage Port (94DC, 93WS, 92RP). Decanter: "Still quite tight-knit on the nose, mid-weight with gentle, rather lovely cherry fruit and a spicy vestige of the firm tannins that were the hallmark of the 1983 vintage at the outset. (RM)" (10/2019)

Bid on this 3-bottle lot of 1970 Warre's Vintage Port (91JS). James Suckling: "Surprisingly delicate and fruity at this stage. Ready to drink with a lightly sweet fruit, raspberry, and dark berry character and a bright acidity." (12/2010)

Bid on this bottle of 1970 Fonseca Vintage Port (96WS, 95RP). Wine Spectator: "Some people may enjoy this wine's rather fat, rich and powerful fruit now, but I still find it too young for drinking. Deeply colored, with smoky mint, tar and fruit aromas, full-bodied, with concentrated fruit flavors and plenty of tannins. (JS)" (01/1989)

Bid on this 4-bottle tasting lot; including 3-bottles of 1983 Quinta do Cachao Vintage Port and 1-bottle of 1994 Dow's Vintage Port (99DC, 97WS, 96RP). Of the 1994 Dow's Vintage Port, Decanter writes: "This was my pick of the vintage when it was first declared in 1996, and nearly 30 years later I feel fully justified in recommending it again. Retaining its deep colour, opening up to reveal ripe, exotic aromas of gum cistus, eucalypt and mint, so very expressive of the Douro. Ripe, quite powerful and still tight-knit with lovely rich, minty fruit, broad yet firm, tannins rising to a fresh, gripping, opulent finish (especially for Dow in its customary drier style). Now glorious to drink – it should last a lifetime. (RM)" (10/2023)

Bid on this 3-bottle lot of 1994 Fonseca Vintage Port (100WS, 98DC, 97RP). Wine Spectator: "Hold on to your hat. This is the best Fonseca since 1977, and it's probably even better than that classic vintage--more like the breathtaking 1948. Mind-blowing, with masses of color, aroma and fruit flavor. Smells like fermenting berries, boasting loads of crushed grape, violet and berry character. Big, full-bodied and very sweet, with tons of tannins and a sweet finish. Tannic and huge, it's a long-term, great Port. *No. 1 Top 100 Wines of 1997, Cellar Selection* (JS)" (04/1997)

Bid on this 6-half-bottle lot of 1997 Niepoort Vintage Port (375ml) (97JS, 96WS, 90ST). James Suckling: What a vivid and fascinating wood port with delicate caramel, honey, dried fruit and cedar character. Medium body, yet dense and silky. Bright. Hints of tannins. This is a wonderful colheita that will improve with age as well. Bottled in 2016. Drink or hold. *Top 100 of 2017* (11/2017)

Bid on this 2-bottle lot of 1977 Graham's Vintage Port (93RP, 91WS). Wine Advocate: "Graham is another great port house, producing one of the deepest-colored and sweetest styles of vintage port. Along with Taylor and Fonseca, Graham has probably been the most consistent producer of great port in the post- World War II era. Their tawnys are quite good rather than exceptional, but their vintage ports are truly sublime and sumptuous. (RP)" (12/1988)

Bid on this 4-bottle lot of 1983 Fonseca Vintage Port (92RP). Wine Advocate: "Fonseca is one of the great port lodges, producing the most exotic and most complex port. . . it excels in its magnificently complex, intense bouquet of plummy, cedary, spicy fruit and long, broad, expansive flavors. With its lush, seductive character, one might call it the Pomerol of Vintage ports. When it is young, it often loses out in blind tastings to the heavier, weightier, more tannic wines, but I always find myself upgrading my opinion of Fonseca after it has had 7-10 years of age. The 1983 is magnificently scented, full-bodied, creamy, rather forward, but showing great length and character. (RP)" (12/1988)

Bid on this bottle of 1983 Graham's Vintage Port (94DC, 93WS, 92RP). Decanter: "Still quite tight-knit on the nose, mid-weight with gentle, rather lovely cherry fruit and a spicy vestige of the firm tannins that were the hallmark of the 1983 vintage at the outset. (RM)" (10/2019)

Bid on this 3-bottle lot of 1970 Warre's Vintage Port (91JS). James Suckling: "Surprisingly delicate and fruity at this stage. Ready to drink with a lightly sweet fruit, raspberry, and dark berry character and a bright acidity." (12/2010)

Bid on this 4-bottle tasting lot; including 1-bottle of 1994 Dow's Vintage Port (375ml) (97WS, 96RP, 93DC), 1-bottle of 1994 Fonseca Vintage Port (375ml) (100WS, 98DC, 97RP), 1-bottle of 1997 Dow's Vintage Port (375mL) (95WS, 94WE, 92VN), and 1-bottle of 1997 Taylor Vintage Port (375ml) (96RP, 96WE, 95ST, 94WS). Of the 1994 Fonseca Vintage Port (375ml), Wine Spectator writes: "Hold on to your hat. This is the best Fonseca since 1977, and it's probably even better than that classic vintage--more like the breathtaking 1948. Mind-blowing, with masses of color, aroma and fruit flavor. Smells like fermenting berries, boasting loads of crushed grape, violet and berry character. Big, full-bodied and very sweet, with tons of tannins and a sweet finish. Tannic and huge, it's a long-term, great Port. *1997 Wine of the Year* (JS)" (04/1997)

Bid on this 3-bottle tasting lot; including 1-bottle of 1994 Quinta do Vesuvio Vintage Port (96WS, 95DC, 93RP), 1-bottle of 1997 Graham's Vintage Port (94WS, 93RP, 90VN), and 1-bottle of 2000 Cockburn's "Quinta Dos Canais" Vintage Port (92WS, 91WE). Of the 1994 Quinta do Vesuvio Vintage Port, Wine Spectator writes: "Terrific aromas of berries and violets, with a hint of mint. Full-bodied and lightly sweet, with fine, silky tannins that build on the palate and caress the tongue. Outstanding concentration and harmony. Greatest Vesúvio this century. (JS)" (04/1997)

Bid on this bottle of 1963 Sandeman Vintage Port (96WS, 93RP). Wine Spectator: "This may be one of the most underrated '63s made. Its deep red color gives little indication of the wine's age, and there is an abundance of youthful, rich fruit on the nose and palate. Full tannins and an assertive finish back up everything. Will still improve with age. (JS)" (01/1989)

Graham's was founded in 1820 in Portugal's Douro Valley and sits among the country's elite Port houses. For their aged Tawny Port bottlings, Graham's sources grapes from the pure schist soils of vineyards in the hot, dry mesoclimate at the heart of the Douro Valley. The 20-year is a distinct step up from Graham's 10-year, with a signature nuttiness and powerful thrust of flavors highlighted by orange peel and spice. Fine acidity drives the finish, which should really be graded on a different scale than what other wines would consider 'long.' One begins to think it may never end.

Smith Woodhouse’s 2015 Late Bottled Vintage Port was matured in wood for four years. Bottled in 2019, without any fining or filtering, it was then aged in bottle for a further six years in the Smith Woodhouse lodge in Vila Nova de Gaia, prior to release. This prolonged ageing, first in wood and then in bottle is key to the development of the rich and spice-forward aromas and flavors that give this Port a style and complexity akin to that of Vintage Port. Most LBV Ports produced today are matured exclusively in wood, filtered before bottling and placed on the market without any bottle-ageing. Smith Woodhouse’s traditional method of maturation, combining both wood and bottle-ageing, distinguishes it from most other LBV Ports currently available.

Sweet, woody, spicy fruitcake and cinnamon reveal themselves on the nose. On the palate, the flavors are wonderfully balanced, no surprise given that the average age of the wine here is actually 15 years and not 10. Since there is no category for 15 year tawnies, Kopke simply chooses to label it as a 10 year tawny. This is just as tasty and elegant a 10 year tawny as one would expect out of this traditional house specializing in this style.

95 points James Suckling: "Ruby brown with an orange and lemon-yellow edge. Intense aromas of dried citrus, some volatility (which adds to the complexity), almonds, treacle tart and caramel. A fantastically full-bodied, dense and very layered, chewy palate that remains so sweet and decadent. Love the mango and dried-peach undertones on the finish." (09/2018) 95 points Wine Spectator: "Fresh and focused, with a mix of peach cobbler, dried white nectarine, cinnamon and bitter almond notes all zipped up with a bitter orange thread on the finish. Delicious. (JM)" (02/2025) 94 points Wine Enthusiast: "This is a beautiful wine, aged tawny at its peak. The wood aging has given the old gold character that shines though the spirit, the sweet nuttiness and hints of red fruits to give a plushy, wood-paneled wine that, of course, is ready to drink. (RV)" (05/2019) 93 points Wine Advocate: "The NV 30 Years Old Rare Tawny Port is a field blend bottled in 2018 with 134 grams of residual sugar and a bar-top cork. It is here in the lineup that you get a livelier Porto with a fine expression of fruit—but also a bit more of a brandy nuance, just a bit. It is a bit woody as well. The "old tawny" flavors then mingle with the brandy to create a dry and very serious feel. Still, this powerful tawny is gripping on the finish, intense and long. There's a spicy nuance on the fresh and juicy finish that I just loved. The fruit is nicely lifted, and it just seems very fresh. It was pretty delicious and surprisingly refreshing when tasted two days later. In the new Dow lineup, this might be the liveliest and the brightest, the one with the freshest feel. The 40 has other virtues and is equally if not more interesting, but this holds its own. I liked it a lot. (MS)" (04/2019) Jancis Robinson: "A blend of traditional Portuguese varieties. Macerated and fermented for 36–48 hours in stainless-steel lagares, with no malolactic fermentation. Aged in seasoned oak casks for an average of 30 years. RS 115 g/l, TA 4.5 g/l, pH 3.35.Gorgeous, orange tawny colour. Great, confident construction. A truly complete wine with a certain dustiness, but with real life and a cocktail of dried fruits and some nuts. Long and really interesting. 18/20 points (JR)" (09/2022)

Bid on this 2-bottle lot of 2000 Cockburn's Vintage Port (95RP, 92VN, 92WE). Wine Advocate: "Potentially one of the most compelling wines of the vintage, this inky black/purple-colored 2000 exhibits notes of scorched earth, melted asphalt, blackberry liqueur, and a pungent, penetrating intensity that reverberates in the mouth as well as the head. Full-bodied, massive, and concentrated, with a 45-second finish, this thrilling effort should drink well between 2010-2035. (RP)" (10/2002)

Bid on this 4-bottle lot of 1985 Graham's Vintage Port - (96RP, 94JS, 96WS) Graham is the undisputed star and kingpin of the 1985 vintage ports. Yes, it is made in a sweeter style than the other ports, but it is a fabulous wine because of a dazzling level of black-cherry fruit, an enormous structure, and staggering depth, dimension, and length. (RP)

Graham's was founded in 1820 in Portugal's Douro Valley, and sits among the country's elite Port houses. For their aged Tawny Port bottlings, Graham's sources grapes from the pure schist soils of vineyards in the hot and dry mesoclimate at the heart of the Douro Valley. The 10-year has a deep tawny color and profile, but retains still retains a hint of fresh fruit at its modest age. Nuts and figs grace the nose and palate to represent Graham's house style of richness and versatility.

Warre's is known for their sense of restraint and elegance in their vintage ports. While it sometimes means wines that age very well if not quite as long as the big four houses, the 1977 shows beautiful development and tastes wonderfully now. This is ideally to be enjoyed this holiday season and over the next few years.

Quinta do Infantado has been a leader in estate-bottled Ports since 1979. Until that time, all exported Ports had to be shipped in bulk to Vila Nova de Gaia, 60 miles west of the Douro Valley, where they were bottled and shipped. This practice effectively prevented small private producers from exporting their wines, since the cost of running an operation in another town was prohibitive for these vineyard owners. In 1986 the laws were changed. The Quinta is based in Pinhão, specifically in the subdistrict of Gontelho where the best Port vineyards may be found. The estate has been owned by the Roseira family since the end of the 19th century and is now managed by brother and sister, João Roseira. Their basic Ports are outstanding examples of elegance and richness.

95 points Wine Spectator: "Punchy, juicy and fresh in feel, with flavors of açaí berry, mulberry and blackberry preserves that are laced with hints of licorice root, ganache and graphite. A subtle Turkish coffee hint flitters in the background. Very solid. Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca. Best from 2038 through 2050. (JM)" (11/2024) 93 points Wine Advocate: "93+ points. The 2022 Quinta da Cavadinha Vintage Port feels quite closed and less aromatic and expressive than their other Ports from 2022. It's complex, nuanced and nicely structured, with abundant, fine-grained tannins and a long finish. I wonder if the depth comes from the 35% of old vines in the blend that also contains 45% Touriga Franca and 10% each Touriga Nacional and Sousão. It comes with 102 grams of sugar, pretty similar to its siblings. Like at Dow's, the wine fermented in modern automated lagars and aged in large old oak casks for 18 months. 24,900 bottles produced. It was bottled in 2024. (LG)" (12/2024)

The Dow's Vintage 1977 was released with some bottles bearing a special edition label to mark the Queen's Silver Jubilee, but the wine is the same with or without the special label.

95 points Wine & Spirits: "Shimmering with quiet energy, this is a scintillating Port with bright amber fruit flavors of apricot. Light in body and lasting in complexity, it captures the welcoming scent of a Port lodge in Gaia, an antique scent of old wine in old wood, of humidity enriching the fruit, revealing a creamy note of caramel-coated peaches in the middle, then turning drier, more austere in the end. A lovely 20-year-old, at the cusp of freshness and maturity." (12/2023) 94 points Decanter: "Displaying a dedication to their old vines and single vineyard terroir, this 20-year-old tawny from Quinta Bom Retiro is generous and contemplative. The melding of fruit and oak aromatics are well balanced with dried apricot, raisins and honey, mingling with notes of cinnamon, burnt sugar and Madagascar vanilla beans. The palate is cool, and a nutty richness is given over to caramel, gingerbread, rum raisins and Christmas spices. The finish lingers on for what feels like a solid 5 minutes. Bottled in 2017. (CP)" (11/2024) 93 points Wine Enthusiast: "This quinta, in the heart of the Douro Valley vineyards, has produced an elegant Port, ripe and finely balanced. Its opulent texture gives it a smooth feel, lifted by the dried fruit, spice and freshened by acidity. This is a delicious wine to drink now. (RV)" (12/2020) 93 points Wine Advocate: "The NV RP 20 Year Old Tawny Port Quinta do Bom Retiro is a single-quinta Tawny coming in with 126 grams of residual sugar and a bar-top cork. It was bottled in February 2020. This seems pretty much on track for what the brand normally shows, but it is especially enticing right now. It shows power, depth and spice. There are classic hints of caramel and a fresh feel. That wonderful freshness is what really sells this elegant Tawny and makes it irresistible. It is impeccably balanced. The lift to the fruit gives this some extra juiciness on the bright finish. (MS)" (11/2020) 92 points Wine Spectator: "Juicy and fresh-edged, with a mix of gently mulled red and black cherry fruit streaked with hazelnut and sandalwood accents. Ends with a dusting of allspice on the generous finish. (JM)" (02/2025) Jancis Robinson: "Baked cherry with marzipan, nuts, sweet spices, caramel, toffee and lingering prune fruit. A thing of beauty, for sure, and the only niggle is that the finish is over-reliant on sugar for its complexity and length. (RH)" (09/2024)

94 points James Suckling: "Extremely floral and fruity with hints of lilacs and crushed fruit. Full body with refined tannins integrated with a solid core of fruit, and a rich, round texture. This is lightly sweet and follows through to a long, long finish." (05/2013) 94 points Wine & Spirits: "This is a classic Cima Corgo wine based on old-vine mixed plantings on either side of the Douro, Cavadinha (north of Pinhao) and Bom Retiro (across the river to the south). The vinhas velhas at these quintas make up 80 percent of the blend, with contributions from tourigas francesa and nacional. This presents the ripe 2000 vingage in luscious and supple roundness, the tannins completely integrated into the fruit, taking the wine in a savory direction of mountain herbs and cool schist. The wine shows Warre's gentle power, a vintage at its prime, ready to enjoy with after-dinner conversation, it should hold well over the next five to ten years." (10/2021) 94 points Wine Spectator: "This is starting to hit its stride, with a strapping feel to its mix of fig, blackberry and boysenberry compote flavors pushed from behind by brambly grip, a tarry edge and extra waves of licorice snap, Christmas pudding and dark earth. The chewy finish has muscle and drive. Still needs a little time. (JM)" (07/2021) 92 points Jeb Dunnuck: "The 2000 Vintage Port is more complex than the Late Bottle Vintage and gives up terrific notes of ripe plums, black olives, tobacco leaf, and Asian spices. This gives way to a medium to full-bodied, textured, balanced Port that has terrific fruit as well as length. It’s drinking great today, holds up nicely with extended air, and should shine for another decade or more." (03/2018) 91 points Wine Advocate: "Straightforward yet intense, ripe black raspberry liqueur and cassis scents are followed by a medium to full-bodied, elegant, restrained, balanced port with moderately high tannin as well as outstanding purity. It is a vintage port with impeccable finesse. (RP)" (10/2002) 91 points Vinous: "Full medium ruby. Complex, perfumed nose combines crystallized blackberry and cassis, licorice, violet, spice cake, bitter chocolate and mint. Thick, dense and powerful, with slightly grapey, medicinal flavors of black fruits, violet, licorice, dark chocolate and spices. This shows terrific intensity, purity of flavor and length on the palate, with solid but fine tannins. Ultimately quite seamless and silky, even though still young. (ST) 91+" (02/2003) Jancis Robinson: "Deep blackish purple. Lovely lift and savour. Slight hint of sawdust on extremely luscious fruit then some fine tannins. Pretty interesting, if non-classic wine. A real flatterer. Long but with great interest. Dry finish. 18.5/20 points (JR)" (10/2004)

92 points Wine Spectator: "Extremely impressive, with beautifully balanced, harmonious sweet fruit on the palate. Medium ruby-red, ripe cherry and cassis aromas, medium-bodied, with rich, velvety fruit flavors, full, soft tannins and a powerful finish. (JS)" (01/1989)

93 points Wine Advocate: "93+ points "The NV 10 Years Old White Port bottled in 2023 has a peachy nose intermixed with some nutty and spirity hints. It has concentration and power, with a classical style and was aged in an oxidative way that gives it plenty of nutty notes and with the extract from the contact with the skins. This is a fairly recent wine, because they didn't have enough stock of white Port. They wanted to show that white Port could be a serious wine, not something to make a fresh drink, with structure, complexity and age. It has 20% alcohol and 111 grams of sugar. 3,000 bottles produced." (LG)" (04/2024) 91 points Wine Enthusiast: "Rich and jammy with deliciously fresh lemon-curd flavors to balance, this is a fruity wine. Its acidity sits well with the ripe toffee and marmalade flavors to give an immediately attractive aftertaste. (RV)" (08/2019) 90 points Wine Spectator: "Light-footed, showing a note of wild herb to the well-burnished flavors of baked peach, apricot and ripe citrus, with a long and full aftertaste of mint, caramel and white chocolate. (Web-2013)"

93 points James Suckling: "Beautiful sweet berries with walnut, toffee and caramel undertones on the nose. The palate is medium-bodied with medium sweetness and a chocolate and toffee aftertaste. A richer style of 10-year-old and delicious. " (07/2021) 91 points Wine Spectator: "This has a nice racy edge to the mix of slightly dried red cherry and raspberry fruit, backed by red tea and singed vanilla. Shows good tension from start to finish. Drink now. 500 cases imported. (JM, Web only-2023)" (02/2025) John Gilman: "Garnet-tawny colour. There is still a strong, ripe-fruit nose here for a tawny style, bringing energy, bite and raw sweetness to the wine. Positively youthful with some grip and warming alcohol. Steeped summer-pudding fruit and a hint of dried cherry. Peppery on the finish. (TP)" (12/2022)

Bid on this 3-bottle lot of 1980 Taylor Vintage Port (91VN). Vinous: "The 1980 Taylor's Vintage Port has a deep, clear garnet colour. The nose is very backward, quite austere and conservative with notes of cherry and raspberry leaf, a touch of cigar box developing with aeration. It perhaps lacks a little joie-de-vivre, especially when compared to vintages in the 1970s. The palate is attractive though, with notes of raspberry, plum, white pepper, blood orange and a touch of apricot. This 1980 has good acidity but plays it safe, unwilling to take chances. Yet there is perceptible lushness on the finish with black plum notes despite lacking the precision of the great vintages. (NM)" (06/2018)

Bid on this 3-half-bottle lot of 1997 Niepoort Vintage Port (375ml) (97JS, 96WS, 90ST). James Suckling: What a vivid and fascinating wood port with delicate caramel, honey, dried fruit and cedar character. Medium body, yet dense and silky. Bright. Hints of tannins. This is a wonderful colheita that will improve with age as well. Bottled in 2016. Drink or hold. *Top 100 of 2017* (11/2017)

Bid on this 3-bottle tasting lot; including 1-bottle of 1994 Churchill's Late Bottled Vintage Port, 1-bottle of 1995 Ferreira Vintage Port (90WS), and 1-bottle of 1996 Graham Vintage Port "Malvedos". Of the 1994 Churchill's Vintage Port, Wine Spectator writes: "A gorgeous, voluptuous young Port, best Churchill ever. Intense aromas of dark chocolate and grapes. Full-bodied, with powerful, chewy tannins, yet it's sweet and fruity on the finish. (JS)" (04/1997)

Bid on this 2-bottle lot of 1977 Fonseca Vintage Port (100JS, 100WS, 95JG). James Suckling: "I found a bottle of 1977 Fonseca in my cellar - probably my last. It was absolutely gorgeous. I gave this fortified wine a perfect score in its youth and I think it has finally evolved into its perfection as a mature vintage Port... This is in total balance now with such harmony. What amazing aromas of berry and flowers. Full and sweet, the tannins are complete dissolved. The fruit is perfect. This goes on for minutes. " (06/2016)

Bid on this 2-bottle tasting lot; including 1-bottle of 1997 Dow's Vintage Port (95WS, 94WE, 92ST) and 1-bottle of 2000 Dow's Vintage Port (99JS, 95DC, 95WE, 94RP, 94WS, 93VN). Of the 2000 Dow's Vintage Port, James Suckling writes: "Shows the intense ripeness of the vintage with hints of raisins and other dried fruits. Full-bodied, medium sweet and so very velvety. A big mouthful. Superb. Just starting to open." (01/2017)

92 points Wine Enthusiast: " Niepoort, pioneer in Douro still wines, has produced a fine, ripe Port. It is elegant with a red rose aroma, a core of tannins and a firm edge of tannin. (RV)" (04/2025)

94 points James Suckling: "A beautiful, vintage-dated tawny that straddles the fruit of a young port with the nutty and walnut character of a tawny. It shows dried fruit, such as figs and raisins. Some chocolate, too. Medium sweet. Lightly balsamic. Drink or hold. " (11/2020)

94 points Wine Spectator: "Dark in profile, with warm buckwheat, singed juniper and espresso notes leading off, backed by warm black currant and fig compote flavors. Has heft, but the brambly undertow is easily absorbed through the finish. Approachable, but there's no rush at all. (JM, Web-2017)" 90 points Int'l Wine Cellar: "Medium ruby. Enticing aromas of cassis, lilac, licorice and mint. Rich, sweet and nicely concentrated; floral and dark berry flavors are fresh and pure. Stylish and seamless. Finishes with even, fine tannins and very good persistence. (ST)" (05/2000)

100 points Wine Spectator: "In a word, superb. It's full-bodied, moderately sweet and incredibly tannic, but there's amazing finesse and refinement to the texture, not to mention fabulous, concentrated aromas of raspberries, violets and other flowers. Perhaps the greatest Taylor ever, it's better than either the '92 or the '70, though it's very like the '70 in structure. Best after 2010. " (04/1997) 99 points Wine Enthusiast: "This is very much in the mold of the 1992—maybe slightly less rich but just by a whisker. It's dense without being heavy, with a beautifully spice-filled and long finish. Flavors of chocolate, mint and plum pudding linger elegantly for a few seconds longer than the '92. Hold. (JC)" (02/2007) 97 points Wine Advocate: "When tasting young vintage ports, Taylor is always the most backward. Yet potentially, it has the capability to be the most majestic. This classically made, opaque purple-colored wine is crammed with black fruits (blueberries and cassis). It reveals high tannin and a reserved style, but it is enormously constituted with massive body, a formidable mid-palate, and exceptional length. It is a young, rich, powerful Taylor that will require 10-15 years of aging. Compared to the more flashy, forward style of the 1992, the 1994 has more in common with such vintages as 1977 and 1970. (RP)" (10/1996) 96 points Decanter: "A landmark vintage: the 1994s are just coming round to drink and promise a long life ahead (look out for ‘Expert’s Choice’ next month). Restrained aromas with ripe, plummy fruit just emerging. Full and sweet on the palate: well-defined plum and berry fruit backed by solid, ripe tannins with dark chocolate depth and concentration extending through the finish. (RM) " (12/2015)

96 points Wine Spectator: "Some people may enjoy this wine's rather fat, rich and powerful fruit now, but I still find it too young for drinking. Deeply colored, with smoky mint, tar and fruit aromas, full-bodied, with concentrated fruit flavors and plenty of tannins. (JS)" (01/1989) 95 points Wine Advocate: "Tasted at the Vintners Company’s 650th anniversary celebration at Vintners Hall, the Fonseca 1970 was the finest bottle I have encountered. The bouquet opens beautifully with heady scents of clove, ginger, small red cherries, bergamot and allspice, displaying exquisite definition and harmony. The palate follows suit with lovely balance and poise in the mouth, notes of kirsch, shaved ginger and walnut building to an opulent, viscous finish that lacquers the mouth. Yet this bottle shows more control than the bottle tasted four years ago. The 1970 Fonseca is in a very nice place at the moment. You should join it. Tasted May 2013. (NM)" (06/2013) Jancis Robinson: "Very deep crimson only just turning to ruby. Sweet - much more concentrated and vigorous than most. Very big and bold and impressive. A certain wild gaminess on the nose. Perhaps not the most subtle but certainly arresting. Rather too hard on the finish at the moment and, apparently, merely in middle age. You’ve got to admire it… Definite alcohol on the finish. A little bit exhibitionistic. 17/20" (10/2004)