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To decant a VP for personal consumption on an uncomfortably hot summer's evening must show dedication - or lunacy... First bottle from a case with good provenance bought earlier this year. Before decanting, I cooled the glass of the decanter by running a cold tap over it for a couple of minutes. Dec...

From a case bought earlier this year, previously cellared by the Wine Society. The bottles all had respectable levels - except one. An excuse (if any were needed) to pop a bottle. A very serious wine, evidence that '87 was a year that could have been declared. In style the wine is intermediate betwe...

An odd bottle acquired earlier this year.

Light, fruity, fully mature and immediately approachable.

Probably won't last forever, but a very pleasant wine for summer drinking

Score 6-5

Tom

The runt of an English bottled case bought last October, and shared with JDAW & AHB. The level in the bottle was at low shoulder, yet there was no sign of seepage. Although not really necessary, I used my nitrogen needle to put back pressure on the cork before drawing it, and reached a respectab...

I was vaguely under the impression that they were still in business, but a spot of Googling revealed nothing - have they merged or folded recently?

Tom

From the internet weather reports, the weather appears to have been pretty close to forecast, and the forecast for the next 16 days continues to be close to ideal. So far, the year is looking a bit like 2000, with a wet spring provoking a small crop, followed by good early summer weather. IF the wea...

I do everything left handed except write.

My handwriting has always been appalling, so I blame my first teacher...

moT

Interesting note.

a faint hint of pipe tobacco

I tend to notice this as a slightly smoky note on the mid palate - the most consistant Warre signature I can identify.

Rarely disappoints does Warre...!

Tom

When I'm at home I normally clear about two decanters a week; but when I'm on my travels, that drops to virtually nothing. At the moment I'm coming to the end of my summer starvation (18 pounds down with 2 to go) which also limits my intake. In all, I drink about four dozen bottles of VP a year, plu...

I would strongly advise waiting at least two years before buying any 2006 History shows that when the economies of the principal markets catch a cold, the fine wine trade gets pneumonia. There is also very little evidence that the Sym's have actually sold much Vesuvio from 1999, 2001, 2004 & 20...

Congratulations Ben!

Do you have a name yet?

Tom

I bought half a case from Tom Chadwick's outfit when they had a clearance sale at the beginning of the year. Including delivery, they cost £13.06 each.

Noted that they are far from ready - mine will be allowed to rest peacefully for another decade..!


Tom

With Oporto bottlings you sometimes get different labels for wine released at different times.

Best example of this is the Graham '70, which at release had the old small lables, but later releases had the new larger format.

Personally, I think the older style is the better, aesthetically...

Tom

I have just realised that I have omitted to post on this thread.. :roll: A big thankyou to Joost for his excellent hospitality, and his interesting pre-match warm-up of mystery whites, one of which had me completely fooled! A big thankyou also to the culinary department, for an excellent supper! And...

UK and other overseas bottlers seem to have had various arrangements with the shippers regarding labels. I know Cockburn required the bottler to submit a proof of the label for approval. Graham appear to have supplied labels for use by the bottlers, as they are very consistent. Delaforce also seems ...

Those pale blue smudges on the grapes are actually coloured by copper carbonate. The copper sulphate is applied with lime (Bordeaux mixture) with the result that some chemical reaction occurs between the lime, atmospheric carbon dioxide and the copper sulphate, to produce some residues of insoluble ...

do you know precisely where that weather station is located? I believe they collect data from an airfield at Vila Real, which is quite high up and exposed. In summer, both temperature and humidity are likely to be a little higher at Pinhao. I've noticed that some online weather forecasts that claim...

The quantities are extremely small, it is applied before the grapes are any size, and being readily soluble is quickly washed off by rain. The colour is only really noticeable when the concentration is very high. From a colour standpoint, no chance. Otherwise, who knows? - but it's been used for ove...

Is copper sulfate blue? =)

Yes - why?

Tom

The Bell is booked for Dec 18th, approx 12 people.

Tom

The Accuweather forecast for the second half of the month shows good hot dry weather

We need a 'fingers crossed' emoticon..!

Tom

Croft '27

Tom

The Symington's 'Douro Insider Report' for May has finally been published.

A cool month by historic standards, with less than ideal fruit set. However, small crops often produce very good wines...

Worth a read:

http://www.thevintageportsite.com/vinta ... .aspx?pg=5

Tom

Before anyone prints out the placemats, I shall probably be bringing the Croft.

Tom

I think Roy is right to be dismissive of the conspiracy element. We seem to have an epidemic of conspiracy theories at the moment, and it amazes me how people who otherwise appear quite intelligent, can become loyal supporters of theories that are ludicrously implausible. BUT WAIT...!! What dark and...