Beverages/Old Port Wine
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Question
I bought a bottle of Niepoort's 20 Years Old Port in 1977 while visiting Oporto, Portugal. I have stored it in a box wrapped in a blanket since 1977. I really want to open it and drink it but would enjoy knowing the value before making that decision.
Thank you.
HI John
Tawny ports are lovely wines, and this one should be pretty darn nice...if the cork has held. But they are also released when they are ready to drink, and that's why they use a short cork with a plastic cap, instead of a longer full-length cork.
That also means that they are not really sold with the idea of aging them for long periods of time, and so they don't usually appreciate in value too much. I'd guess this one might be worth about $50-75 to someone...but you can't legally sell it to them. You'd have to go through an auction house or a retailer, and pay a commission.
Bottom line? Should be very tasty, so drink it up!
Paul Wagner
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Questioner's Rating
| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Thank you so much. We opened it and it was wonderful. The situation is that I have a business partner of 21 years leaving our business and we brought in a new partner so the timing was good. We opened it around a wonderful Christmas dinner with staff and families. It was emotional as when I bought it I was 22, just released from the Navy and hitchhiking around Europe. I carried that bottle for three months in a backpack, then stored it for 30 years. VERRRRRY smooth and everyone agreed it was wonderful. Thank you again. John | ||
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Paul Wagner
Expertise
I have spent most of my adult life eating and drinking throughout the world, and can usually remember some of it!
Experience
Past/Present clients
Diageo Chateau & Estate Wines Company, The Court of Master Sommeliers, Constellation Wines, The Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux, Vinitaly, Napa County Agricultural Commissioner.
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