1905 C. da Silva Vintage Rare Douro Port
Of course the word “rare” doesn’t do any justice to any wine still around from 1905! I was amazed I could even find any info, especially tasting notes on it, but by an internet miracle I did.
I did find just one other bottle of this extremely rare Port that sold at auction in July 2012 for $1715 plus 17% ($292) auction fee and shipping fee. View this yourself at https://www.winebid.com/BuyWine/Item/Auction/255830/1905-C-Da-Silva-Garrafeira-Particular-Special-Rese~
I acquired my bottle many years back via Ebay (back when they allowed wine to be sold by private individuals) from a private collection that was inherited. It was stored impeccably, as it has continued to be. I fancied opening it at one of my daughter’s weddings.
Notes From The 2003 Great Seattle Port Tasting
“1905 C. da Silva - I have had a bunch of "off vintage" wines from this producer ... all pre-1927, and am usually pretty happy with the outcome. These days, C. da Silva is better known as Presidential Port, which from my experience, no longer produces vintage Port of a high quality. This particular wine was coffee colored with a greenish-yellow edge more indicative of Madeira than a Port. The toffee and hazelnuts were beautifully layered and this wine still showed fine balance. Its smooth, ultra-rich mouthfeel was very appealing and most of the guests seemed to really enjoy this very unique Port. This was Mr. Broadbent's first experience with a bottle from this vintage and he also seemed to like this wine. Da Silva was seamless with underlying hints of chocolate covered raisins and an enticing, lingering finish that was for lack of a better word ... "exotic" on the palate. 92 points ... probably stingy here.”
I did find just one other bottle of this extremely rare Port that sold at auction in July 2012 for $1715 plus 17% ($292) auction fee and shipping fee. View this yourself at https://www.winebid.com/BuyWine/Item/Auction/255830/1905-C-Da-Silva-Garrafeira-Particular-Special-Rese~
I acquired my bottle many years back via Ebay (back when they allowed wine to be sold by private individuals) from a private collection that was inherited. It was stored impeccably, as it has continued to be. I fancied opening it at one of my daughter’s weddings.
Notes From The 2003 Great Seattle Port Tasting
“1905 C. da Silva - I have had a bunch of "off vintage" wines from this producer ... all pre-1927, and am usually pretty happy with the outcome. These days, C. da Silva is better known as Presidential Port, which from my experience, no longer produces vintage Port of a high quality. This particular wine was coffee colored with a greenish-yellow edge more indicative of Madeira than a Port. The toffee and hazelnuts were beautifully layered and this wine still showed fine balance. Its smooth, ultra-rich mouthfeel was very appealing and most of the guests seemed to really enjoy this very unique Port. This was Mr. Broadbent's first experience with a bottle from this vintage and he also seemed to like this wine. Da Silva was seamless with underlying hints of chocolate covered raisins and an enticing, lingering finish that was for lack of a better word ... "exotic" on the palate. 92 points ... probably stingy here.”
$2500 O.B.O.