How long does unopened tawny port last?

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I know you aren't supposed to age tawny ports

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I've never heard this. I would think the alcohol content of port would prevent it from 'spoiling'.

That may be your tawniest tawny.....

Port's generally can last a long, long time unopened. If it has been kept in ideal conditions, it is good to go. I'm not sure the condition of your furniture you found it in, though.

Tawny's are usually meant to be drunk closer to bottling because of the oxidation, etc., though.

I always seem to get the dried out, crumbling cork in LBV ports that I buy and drink.

I have a few vintage bottles from 1977, 1980 and 1994 stored on their side and I rotate them every few months. Are those corks going to keep much longer?

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I have a few vintage bottles from 1977, 1980 and 1994 stored on their side and I rotate them every few months. Are those corks going to keep much longer?

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A few points to make:

1. Bottles of Vintage Port should not be rotated. Vintage Ports continue to throw sediment throughout their life in a bottle and it is preferable to have all the sediment settle and crust in one place. Most bottles of Vintage Port that you will buy will have white paint indicating the up position for continued storage.

Why is this the preferred method of storage? When the bottle is finally opened it should be decanted with the white paint in up position (crust to the bottom)in order not to loosen the crusted sediment when decanting, leading to a much cleaner drink.

2. Between 20 to 30 years of bottle age a vintage port's top should be sealed with ceramic to ensure further integrity of the cork's seal.

3. I would plan on consuming the 1980 ports soon as most, if not all of the 80s, have already peaked.

4. Depending on the producer, the 1977 should still have plenty of bottle life left (Fonseca, Dow, Taylor, Graham, Warre, Noval Nacional), although many of the lesser producer's 77s should be enjoyed now. For my 50th pulled the cork on a 77 Fonseca that needed 45 min. to an hour to fully open. What a fantastic bottle of wine that was enjoyed that evening.

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For my 50th my friend gave me a 1963 Vintage Graham Port, which is the year I was born and we opened tasted and let it sit an hour and it was different and marvelous. After doing research he determined 63 was a very bad year for almost everything with the exception of ports which were very well done and the year is considered a benchmark. I don't consider myself much more than a novice but that was one I will always remember. Ports have become special to me since. Isn't that a great way to celebrate a benchmark birthday? Now I will be looking for a 77 Fonseca. Cheers.

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Great story. I love the 1963s. Best bang for the buck is the Croft (personal favorite and still reasonably priced). The 1966 Noval is another you should try (still reasonably priced of a 49 year old wine). Could probably find both for the cost of the 1977 Fonseca. Cheers.