Douro Port 1927

I just found a bottle of my grandfather's unopened Douro Port Vintage 1927.

I see that this could be a valuable bottle of wine, and I would like to see someone get it who appreciates it.

How can I value it and sell it?

1927 was an excellent year for Port, but unless you can provide adequate storage details, no one will purchase an 80 y/o bottle of wine on a bet. It also depends on the house -- Fonseca, Taylor, Niepoort, etc. carry more value than a lesser house. They sell for more than $1,000.

1927 was an excellent year for Port, but unless you can provide adequate storage details, no one will purchase an 80 y/o bottle of wine on a bet.

... or at least will restrict what they offer.

Of all the aged wines, I reckon Port is one of the easiest to enjoy if wine isn't normally your thing, so if all else fails, find a suitable occasion with friends and open it up. If you do this then let it stand upright in a cool, dark place for at least a week. Then carefully (to avoid disturbing the sediment) uncork it and pour gently into a jug or decanter. Aim to stop pouring at around the last 5%, or specifically if it starts to come out cloudy.

Noting the prices quoted by Randy, I can appreciate however that if you can get near that, then selling it makes sense and it may allow you do do something else productive with the money.

regards

Ian

Thanks to both of you for your help...

1927 was an excellent year for Port, but unless you can provide adequate storage details, no one will purchase an 80 y/o bottle of wine on a bet. It also depends on the house -- Fonseca, Taylor, Niepoort, etc. carry more value than a lesser house. They sell for more than $1,000.

Hmm,
I regularly buy Port at auction and certainly 1927 is one of the best.
However, I stopped buying 1927 a couple of years back when the price crept up to $4-500 US. I've never seen anything higher than that price - even at retail you can get Cockburn 1927 (certainly one of the best) for $5-600!

Jim, there is an amazing range of prices -- the highest I see on Wine Searcher Pro is $2000 for a Taylor Port, the lowest $127 a bottle. Obviously, the label makes a big difference.

You can get a few of the prices and folks who offer port by going to http://www.wine-searcher.com/

It can be a problem selling a single bottle of wine, even an expensive one, particularly if you don't have a good storage history for the bottle.

A couple of ideas: if you are near a wine retailer who handles port, you might stop by and see if they have any suggestions. Or, contact an auction house -- you might be able to get them to take your bottle on consignment.

If you could give us more specifics about the wine and perhaps a general idea of where you live we might be able to be more helpful.

Regards, Bob

even at retail you can get Cockburn 1927 (certainly one of the best) for $5-600

Not anywhere I've seen. Some recent prices from Tinamou:

1935 Croft $899.00
1943 Sandeman $599.00
1945 Dow $799.00
1945 Fonseca $1429.00
1948 Taylor Fladgate $1199.00

Just checked with Wylie Fine Wines in UK - which is where I buy, and they have 6 Cockburn's 27 priced between £350-450 (and 5 other shippers) i.e $7-900US.
Actually the £ price hasn't changed much - it's the US$ exchange rate that's dropped - but really I'm not trying to make a political statement, I just haven't been following exchange rates.
At auction, estimates for Cockburn 27 are £200-300.