The Auswine Forum

I have been clearing our my parents house and have come across some wines and ports stored laying down in a dark cupboard. Do I risk opening them or send them straight down the drain?

Browns 1991 Bin 60 Hermitage
Hardys 100th Anniversary Shiraz 1997
Tyrrell's 1972 Vintage Port
Tyrrell's 1977 Vintage Port
St Hallett's Anniversary Port 1967 Vintage
Saltram 1980 Vintage Port
Hoffmann's 1981 Vintage Port
Hoffmanns 1979 Vintage Port

Advice would be appreciated

They're unfortunately not worth anything dollar wise but they're probably all worthwhile looking at, could be some real surprise packets amongst them.

I've had a number of those late seventies/early eighties Vintage Ports and some really surprise with how well they've developed.

I can't speak specifically about any of those wines but I'd either drink them or auction them, don't tip them down the drain. There's a fair chance the VP's may be interesting drinks.

Have a look at Isle of Wine and see some of the prices people will pay for vintage ports of unknown storage and provenance.

Then look at some of the on-line auction sites and see some of the ridiculous prices some people will pay for stuff.

There are regular bargains at auction too but some wines seem to go for bizarre prices.

Thanks for those responses. I'll look into it a bit more.

Just thought I'd add a bit more about the Hoffmans:
The 1979 label has
Ghan Port
Hoffmanns 1979 Vintage Port
was selected to Commemorate the
LAST TRIP of the "GHAN" TRAIN
to Alice Springs in November 1980

The 1981 is not a commemorative bottle but quotes many Silver Medals.

I would think they would all be a pleasure to explore.

In the last 2 weeks I have opened:

1. a 1978 Brown Bros port which was probably at the limit of its life but still in good condition and very enjoyable

2. A 1976 Buller port which had a perfect cork and at least another 10 years of legs left, however it was fabulous, in fact there is still some in the decanter and 24hrs later its still very good.

Open them and have fun.

I think the St Hallett will probably still be good, similarly the saltram.

Like many others, I think you will enjoy opening every one of them.

I would drink them all. Stand them upright for a couple of days to allow the sediment to settle and then decant carefully. You may be surprised.

My only experience with older Australian ports is with a bottle of 1967 Stonyfell and a 1973 De Bortoli commemorative port for a Griffith wine festival. Both were opened in 2004 and were excellent, rich, complex and very sweet. They may not be "real" Port as in Portugese but they were a delight. The De Bortoli was the sweeter of the two and served blind to my "port expert" friend he did not guess it to be a port, rather a dessert wine.

Enjoy them......................Mahmoud.

I had a 1968 Tyrrell's VP a couple of years ago and it was brilliant.
Try them all and post your notes.

Hi Gayle T
Other than the first red, I'd imagine that all the other wines will be fine. Traditionally the older vintage ports were thought to reach their peak in the 20 - 40 year age range, so all of yours are in that period. You haven't indicated where you live but if you are in Adelaide, sent me a note, as I'd love to be there when you open the older ones. Good luck

I was interested to read your post because recently we hosted a farewell party for a friend who pulled some VPs out of her cellar. We got through:

- Orlando 1974
- McWilliams Centenary 1977
- Lindemans Bin 5734 1980
- Bullers Calliope 1978
- Yalumba "Dulcify" 1979
- Chateau Reynella 1972

All the VPs were drinking beautifully, the Bullers particularly impressed me.

She also opened a Redmans 1979 Cabernet (magnum) which was delicious, a Lindemans Porphyry Bin 36 1983 almost gone but still just drinkable - but a Leasingham Bin 49 Cabernet 1981 and a Great Western Malbec 1969 had to be poured down the sink.

Hope you have fun with the old VPs and maybe some pleasant surprises. By the way, we kept the dregs from the VPs, mixed them together, strained them and used them in a sauce for slow cooked lamb shanks the following week - wonderful!

Ratcatcher wrote:
Have a look at Isle of Wine and see some of the prices people will pay for vintage ports of unknown storage and provenance.

I had a look at Isle of Wine and a couple of my list are fetching some good prices.

Thanks for the tip Ratcatcher.

Well I appear to have stumbled on a good find. I am looking forward to some pleasant evenings sampling the ports especially.

Gayle T