Here's a good source for all the info you could ever want on Port. Roy Hersch is the expert. For the 2003, I hope your not retiring for a long time.

[URL=http://www.fortheloveofport.com/newsletter.htm]

The 1985 Fonseca and Grahams are approachable now and can be bought for about the same price as current vintages (so you don't have to wait for retirement to enjoy them).

Cheers!

Thanks for the link, BogeyMan! Sounds like he's pretty excited about the 2003 vintage, too. And that tour he had planned for last month sounds awesome, too.

As I have yet to find a sugar daddy, and I'm about to take on a big fat mortgage, I think it will be a while before I retire....

Hardy's is an Australian producer that is selling a 3 liter box of Shiraz. It is drinkable. I won't bring it as a gift to any Christmas parties, but will drink it at home

fduvall

http://www.coteaux-languedoc.com/

I dined at Le Verjus in Toulouse and had an very good '98 Domaine De L'Hortus. Great unknown wines in this region of France.

Turley's Zins are very good, and quite reasonable if you can find them at retail (I paid $380 for a mixed case of 2002 Turley Zins). They also do a very good Charbono and one unusual white (called Turley White Coat, naturally).

Its not easy to find Turley in the store, but at least in the SF Bay Area there are a couple of places that get an allocation every year, so its worth hunting for.

Bob

Forgive me if I'm out of line, but I can't resist the opportunity to plug my own product: www.starrynightwinery.com.

We are a small, sub-6000 case production house focused primarily on Zinfandels from the Sonoma, Russian River, Lake County and Lodi appellations (although we also make a Chardonnay, a Syrah and a Rhone blend).

Based in CA with distribution in 19 other states. Look for us at your favorite wine shop or restaurant!

Most great Port ports take 20-30 years to come around. but there are exceptions. S&W '95 Madalena (single vineyard) vintage port is quite ready now, and very fine. It is usually made in "non-declared" years. They did an '01 that will probably also be ready in 10-15 years.

OZ port is ready at a very young age, by comparison. Many 10 year old OZ ports are ready now, and very good.

If you are doing the under-counter thing. I presume you are doing it to chill and keep cold, rather than to store for long periods. Go buy a good looking inexpensive fridge with glass door from a discounter. I have a Hejer HEC from Sam's club. Has all the bells and whistles. Glass door, darkened glass, lock, red/white wine storage choice. Temp adjustment, etc, etc. I keep it on white wine setting. It will only adjust to 45f. However, 45F is about 40 at the top, and 35 at the bottom. Every time we get a power hit, it reverts to red wine and about 55F. setting. Stores 30 bottles, plenty to keep the party goers out of my celler.

Just finished a 1981 Chateau Romer du Hayot Sauternes.

Heaven.

Not to hijack the thread by any means at all, but Home Deopt has the Magic Chef wine coolers in stock again.

Holds 50 bottles, in our local store they are $102 or something. An incredible deal. I bought three last year, they have not given me any problems at all, picked up another one yesterday.

$2 a bottle storage for temperature control is very hard to beat, and I understand lots of people get them for cigars too. They come and go fast, last year we had to go to several to get them all.

Until we build the center, they keep our collection at a nicely constant temperature and humidity.

Thanks for the heads up, cordelli! I don't see a 50 bottle Magic Chef on their website, but perhaps this will be my excuse to go check out their newish Manhattan store.

Last night's wine class was fortified wines, so the tasting was 3 sherries (a manzanilla, an oloroso, and a PX), 2 ports (one 10-yr. tawny and one vintage), and a Madeira. Just the smell coming off the six glasses was overwhelming, and I actually like the stuff!

Was reading a few yrs ago that since there was an over abundance of grapes the box wines were making a revival. The wineries were using the extra grapes and blending 3-4 varietals. Article talked about a "Black Box" wine that was good. I looked but never did find it! Maybe someone knows about it?

Thanks for the info about Magic Chef. I saw it at Home Depot and was surprised at the price. Shame we don't need a cooler for our fine Santa Barbara syrah's and pinot's. Try Flying Goat pinot. It's tremendous.

Regarding "box" wines, the Aussie's are doing a great job. Surprisingly good quality, and great price.

Never mind Canadian boxed wines, what about our excellent regular wines!! Beacuse of the favorable exchange rate , Canadian wines are not only world class, but Very reasonably priced! Its too bad you can't find them on the shelf anywhere in a mainstream outlet in the U.S.. Give one of the Niagara or Okanagan, B.C. Chards or Rieslings a try- you'll find them every bit as good as California or Washington state whites. the only Canadian red I would recommend wouyld be a Pinot Noir. Our climate unfortunately doesnt lend itself to reds very well.
Also try our Niagara icewines- World class, and affordable in U.S. $$!

Bob

What didn't I drink last night?

Fortunately my friends are insane enough to print out menus for their dinner parties--believe me, I wouldn't remember.

1990 Dom Perignon
2003 Chateau St. Jean Estate Viognier
a Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc that didn't make it on the menu (I think this one is a great value, although not for the screwcap-phobic)
1994 Etude Cabernet Sauvignon
1994 Beringer Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
1990 Beringer Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (this was pretty wonderful, and it was great to be able to compare it to the 1994)
1977 Graham Port

accompanied by a fabulous meal that didn't finish until 2:30am, followed by copious amounts of water and Ranitidine on my return home.