So I have assembled a rather nice, diverse port collection over the last several years and I have a question regarding cellaring:

What is the difference in lifespan/aging improvement (if any) between, say, a 1977 Graham Porto Vintage (or any vintage or ruby port from Portugal) and some of the California ports such as Pragers or even the Frank Family Zin Port I just picked up?

I don't want to make the mistake of sitting on the Cali ports for too long.

Thanks...

I have been pleasently surprised by the ageability of some ruby wines from smaller houses like rozes, or infantado. Rozes for one, appears to focus more on their LBVS and they're fantastic with 5-10 years of age on them.

The Grahams 77 is drinking fantastically now with 30 minutes of decant and will probably hold for easily 7-10 years of perfect drinking window.

I won't comment on california port like wines.

quote:

Originally posted by g-man:
I won't comment on california port like wines.

Enquiring minds want to know.

quote:

Originally posted by DoubleD:

quote:

Originally posted by g-man:
I won't comment on california port like wines.

Enquiring minds want to know.

hehe

why not you pick up some of these bottles and surprise me at a blind tasting =)

I've gone through 5 of 6 375s of 97 Rancho Zabaco Cabernet Port in the last year, excellent stuff with many years of life ahead I would guess. All the other Cali ports I've drank have been younger, overall I would think they will age very well, Hietz Ink Grade being one to seek out.