Penfolds 5 star Club Port 1956?

[Mark S]

Have seen these around from time to time, finally procured one in apparently very good condition (Level halfway up the neck) Does anyone know this wine? - is it simply a curio, or maybe a gem of a very old port? Was it made in the vintage, or tawny, port style? I love the old Seppelts Para ports from the 1930's & 1940's, is it like them?

[Davo]

Had a 1953 earlier this year for some reason.

Still drinking exceedingly well. My tasting notes are on the old board. If you like good aged port I think you will like this.

[707]

These were made in the the mid/late 70s before the truth in labelling laws were introduced to wine.

It's a tawny port blended from a range of years the average of which was 1956. That means there was older stuff than 1956 and much younger stuff.

Being a tawny style it wouldn't normally get any better after bottling and maybe has lost some freshness. Last one I tried a few years back was quite good but not in the class (or style) of those great old Vintage Ports.

Cheers - Steve

[radioactiveman]

I managed to pick up some Hardy's Vintage Port at an auction today, a '72 and a'77. Anyone had these before and are they any good? The level on the '72 is near the bottom of the neck but the '77 looks better. I also picked up a bottle of Seppelt Tokay, a Show Rutherglen Tokay to be precise. No year of release anywhere but won medals at shows '76 thru '79. The label does say it is the first release. Bottle looks in great condition, just wondering about what's inside. If I do try this, will a tokay keep a while after opening or will it have to be consumed within a day or two?

Thanks in advance

Jamie

[Mark S]

Thankyou gentlemen, for your info on the 5 star port 1956 - had no idea it was put out in the 1970's. by the way, are the tasting notes from the old board still accessible?
I've tried both the 1972 and 1977 Hardy's Vintage ports - something may have been wrong with my '72 - smelt like my grandad's shoes - palate kept a somewhat hard, bitter edge for the first couple of days, when it finally softened, that "dead fruit" character predominated. The 1977 was better, heavy sediment, lightish colour, medium-sweet, gentle, fine bouquet. Tried a few other old Hardy's VP's, in spite of vintage port's reputation as a tough, long-lived keeper, my experiences were of tired, flat or oxidized wines, in general - but then, had got most of them at auction.

[707]

I've had some excellent 1977 Hardys VPs over the years but can't remember any outstanding 1972s though. 1977 Chateau Reynella is now outshining the much hyped and bemedalled 1975.

Buying VPs from auction can leave one with tired examples. Remember that 70s wines have been in someones possession for nearly thirty years and I'd think most of them have been in unsuitable cellaring. Anyone with a good cellar is unlikely to offload such beautiful gems after all this time for the pitance they fetch at auction.

Cheers

[radioactiveman]

Buying VPs from auction can leave one with tired examples. Remember that 70s wines have been in someones possession for nearly thirty years and I'd think most of them have been in unsuitable cellaring. Anyone with a good cellar is unlikely to offload such beautiful gems after all this time for the pitance they fetch at auction.

Cheers

Point taken. It's probably a good thing I got them for $9 each (plus 11% buyers premium). I'll be disappointed if they're no good, but the pain won't spread to my wallet

Jamie