2000 Warre’s Vintage Port. Douro Valley, Portugal. 20% alcohol. $33 (per half bottle).

This wine was decanted for 10 hours prior to tasting. Black purple red color with lots of thin legs displaying light to moderate coloration. Gushing alcoholic fruit aromas with white and black pepper. After 24 hours in the decanter, the wine still displayed a strong nose with prominent peppery aromas. The wine is surprisingly supple and approachable now. Drink 2015 to 2030. 91 points.

JNW-
Have you tried any other 2000 VP?

I purchased a mixed case, mostly Taylor-Fladgate, but some Graham, and single Fonseca, and Vesuvio bottles. While I realize prices escalate slowly, and there is a debate whether waiting 20 years to buy is preferable to early purchase, the average per bottle price of $58 was too good to resist.

However, I have no experience drinking VP this early and relied only on barrel tastings and comments by a Robert Hersch on another board. What else have you tried and liked? Can you relate the quality of this vintage to '97 or '94 this soon, and if so what are your impressions.

Nope. I purchased a case of the Taylors but I will not be opening a 750 of anything for quite some time. Saw a half bottle of the Warre's and thought I would pick it up to give it a try. Sadly, no trade tastings of 2000 Port in my neck of the woods.

Since I have only tasted the Warre's I don't have enough information to reliably compare it to 97 or 94. However, iIts difficult to believe that the 2000 will be better than 94 - just because 94 was so fine. 77 for not much more money however is a confirmed fantastic vintage. Buying 77 Grahams rather than more 2000s makes more sense to me.

I have 1 Graham's '77 VP. I have seen some elsewhere locally of all things but at close to $100.

Seems like a fair price to me especially when current retail prices of 2000s in San Francisco are $80 to $90 a bottle for the big names. A smart retailer is finally doing a comparative tasting next week for a number of select 2000s versus some 97s and 94s so the 2000 vintage should come into better focus for me next week.

I know you will try the Taylor. So far, all those who have tried it have been quite laudatory in their reports. I am curious above the Vesuvio and Fonseca, where reports so far are more inconsistent.