How long must I wait, O Lord? How long?

[chazzerking]

I just received a bottle of Colheita Quinto de Noval 1971 Port for Chanukah. It was shipped from a West coast shop.How long do you think I need to let it settle before pouring it? no rush or anything, just trying to figure whther it would be it shape for Christmas eve tating.

[RicRios]

Don't despair, chazzer, you got it right on time!
Here's what the Guru has to say 'bout it:

1971 Quinta do Noval Colheita
Quinta do Noval
A Sweet Red Port wine from
Douro, Portugal


Source Wine Advocate # 107 Oct 1996
Reviewer : Robert Parker
Rating : 92
Maturity : Drink: 1996 - 2006
Current (Release) Cost : $75 (75)

One of the wines Quinta do Noval produces that was never exploited by previous importers are their Colheitas, which are essentially single vintage Tawny ports that are kept in barrel until the winery is ready to sell them. These impressive wines are one-hundred percent from the vintage shown on the bottle. Considering their ages, they are reasonably priced. The older Colheitas included the medium amber-colored 1971, an impressively rich, full-bodied, smoky, charcoal and sweet cherry-scented wine with a large, expansive, plump, succulent texture, moderate sweetness, and a smashingly long finish. It should continue to age well for another decade. I do not know what Quinta do Noval's opinion might be, but it seems to me that these single vintage old tawnys, once bottled, are unlikely to change since the wine's evolution has taken place in barrel prior to bottling. I would think vintages such as these could easily last 15, 20, or even 30 years, but I am not sure since this type of port has rarely been exploited in the international marketplace.
Importer: William Grant & Sons, Edison, NJ; tel. [phone]

Copyright © The Wine Advocate, Inc.
posted with permission of eRobertParker.com

[chazzerking]

I do appreciate the info, but that's not really what I was looking for. I was talking about resettling after the agitation of shipping. I know it's ready to drink, but how long does a port need to rest after shipping.

[RicRios]

For Xmas it'll be more than fine.

[WineAG]

Agreed. It should be fine for Christmas eve... or even the 1st night of Chanukah.

[Delucacheesemonger]

Being a tawny, thought there would be only minimal sediment. Drank a 1982 Nieport Colheita about 2 months ago, and there was no sediment at all.

[chazzerking]

Thanks all. We'll have some monday night.

[maria lorraine]

So, O Lord, not long shall I wait.