Wednesday October 8, 2008

[Alex Bridgeman]

Experience indicates that because people like to taste at different paces, it is better to place all wines for the session on the tasting mats and then to allow people to taste their wines as they wish.

Similar to the way in which Linden organised the Noval / Nacional tasting.

[Andy Velebil]

I do notice that several people listed as coming have not confirmed bottles yet. Is that the case or cash contributions or something else? If so we need to figure that out ASAP.

[jdaw1]

Some, including me, have sent £££ to DRT. He will ensure that things are fair — though I know not the details.

[Andy Velebil]

Some, including me, have sent £££ to DRT. He will ensure that things are fair — though I know not the details.

I was just looking over the original #1 post and there was a number of names with blanks after them. Just wanted to get everything rapped as we are getting close and now is the time to make sure all is finalized.

[jdaw1]

On the subject of the alleged 1895.

… to see the ’90’s catching up and beating the (as it seemed to me) always over-rated ’87’s : or to pit against each other two such vintages as ’96 and ’97 from the same shippers—these were intellectual as well as merely sensuous exercises, and pleasing as both.

No mention there of the 1895.

I subjoin a list of the ports in my cellar at different or the same times. …

Cockburn
1851
—81
—84
—90
—96
1900
…

From his lists Saintsbury never owned a ’95 from any shipper, whether or not Cockburn. Of course, absence of evidence is not incontrovertible evidence of absence, but is nonetheless suggestive.

Simon: please post, or email me, pictures of that which has caused you to believe your bottle to be 1895. People will be interested.

[DRT]

Some, including me, have sent £££ to DRT. He will ensure that things are fair — though I know not the details.

I was just looking over the original #1 post and there was a number of names with blanks after them. Just wanted to get everything rapped as we are getting close and now is the time to make sure all is finalized.

All cash contributions are now in and we are making a final attempt at sourcing a small number of older vintages. I believe we already have every known vintage from 1955 onwards. Any money that we cannot spend on additional bottles (because we can't find them) will be used to pay for the food, glass hire etc on the day.

Derek

[DRT]

The only wine of outstanding vintage character and merit of this decade was that of 1927, and, incidentally, was the only vintage offered during those ten years by Messrs. Cockburn

This seems to confirm that ADVs 1924 is not a Cockburn.

...but, as agreed earlier in this thread, we will just drink it anyway

[jdaw1]

Cockburn also didn’t declare 1977, but that won’t stop us drinking one. Some wondered whether 1924 was similar.

[DRT]

Quite possibly. But could also be a bottle of something unknown bottled by the wine merchant Cockburn's of Leith in Edinburgh, as could the 1895. Credit is given to AHB for this theory

[Andy Velebil]

We shall find out in due time...we need some Tongs to take off the head and retreive the cork in one undamaged piece to try and find out what the branding says

[SEAN C.]

Is the 1924 not Cockburn as well the 1895? Is the lineup still the same?..and what was the story on the 1977?

Here's a picture of the 1908 I'm bringing:

[jdaw1]

Is the 1924 not Cockburn as well the 1895? Is the lineup still the same?..and what was the story on the 1977?

Translation: Sean hasn’t been following this thread, and, rather than read it himself, wants a summary. (Go on: tell me I’m wrong.)

Cockburn did not declare 1977. There was a ‘family bottling’, obviously of many fewer pipes. We have a bottle, from Cockburn themselves, of the 1977. Hurray!

1924 came from Christies, London, 7th June 2007, lot 306 (you’ve also tasted a Croft 1927 from the same lot).

Believed Cockburn—Vintage 1924: Remains of embossed wax capsule. No label. Level into neck (1)

Out of interest, here are a couple of pictures of the 1924 "Cockburn" that will be making an appearance on October 8. If anyone can help to identify these, please do.

Could be a family-bottling Cockburn 1924. But it also could be something else.

The 189?: Simon Lisle has been asked a few times for a picture, but he also isn’t following the thread. I don’t know how best to nudge him into action.

[Axel P]

... there might be a 1947 inbound. Will let you know if it is confirmed...

Axel

[SEAN C.]

Is the 1924 not Cockburn as well the 1895? Is the lineup still the same?..and what was the story on the 1977?

Translation: Sean hasn’t been following this thread, and, rather than read it himself, wants a summary. (Go on: tell me I’m wrong.)

You my friend are 100% correct!
Thanks for the summary!! Are you going Julian?

[jdaw1]

Translation: Sean hasn’t been following this thread, and, rather than read it himself, wants a summary. (Go on: tell me I’m wrong.)

You my friend are 100% correct!
Thanks for the summary!! Are you going Julian?

1. Pay attention! Being asleep has cost you a place at this coming weekend’s excellent tasting; don’t repeat the error.

2. Yes, a month or so ago my travel plans changed, facilitating my presence at the Cockburn.

[Andy Velebil]

... there might be a 1947 inbound. Will let you know if it is confirmed...

Axel

Very cool Axel.

[DRT]

The 189?: Simon Lisle has been asked a few times for a picture, but he also isn’t following the thread. I don’t know how best to nudge him into action.

I should be collecting the 198? from Simon this weekend and a picture will follow shortly thereafter.

Derek

[jdaw1]

I should be collecting the 198? from Simon this weekend and a picture will follow shortly thereafter.

Oh dear. We’ve been swindled.

[g-man]

According to my records:
We need to agree start times. Perhaps 14:30 punctual and 19:00 punctual?

That is impressive. The longest time I've ever spent at the porcelain temple continuously was 2 hours (without passing out). But with all that port, I guess it's only natural =)

Alex, make sure you're sober enough to get on a plane to NY.

[DRT]

Pictures of the 1895? as promised:



The only identifying mark n the bottle is the hand-written label tied to the neck, which has a question mark on it. The small round label on the bottle is completely illegible. After taking this picture I cleaned the neck of the bottle to see whether or not the cork is branded. The bottom half that I could see below the wax capsule looks completely black and sodden so we will have to wait until it is opened.

Derek

[jdaw1]

Wow. So maybe Cockburn, maybe some year within a percentage point or few of 1895. We’ll find out on the night, perhaps.

[Alex Bridgeman]

Alex, make sure you're sober enough to get on a plane to NY.

I'm confident of making it. Despite further drinking on Oct 9, I am fully expecting to be able to get on a plane for NY via Stockholm on Sunday the following week!

[Andy Velebil]

He all,
Since many of us leave for Portugal in less than a week, just want to make sure all is wrapped up.

1-What time is the offical start time? (round one and two)

2- Who's bringing decanters so we can decant the wines (for those not decanted ahead of time).

3- Cloth filter for decanting. I can bring cloth filters for the decanting if we don't already have that taken care of.

4- Seems Covenant Garden is a large place, for those not familiar is there a floor or section that the Crusting Pipe is in, or is it quite easy to locate even for us Yanks

5-whatever else I forgot to ask.

[jdaw1]

He all,

?

1-What time is the offical start time? (round one and two)

14:30 punctual and 19:00 punctual

2- Who's bringing decanters so we can decant the wines (for those not decanted ahead of time).

The decanting committee (DRT+AHB+JDAW) will be double-decanting, so we won’t need decanters.

3- Cloth filter for decanting. I can bring cloth filters for the decanting if we don't already have that taken care of.

Coffee filter is usual. (See previous decanting experiment.)

4- Seems Covenant Garden is a large place, for those not familiar is there a floor or section that the Crusting Pipe is in, or is it quite easy to locate even for us Yanks

One storey below ground level, near the centre of the Covent Garden market. Several tube stops are within easy reach, including Covent Garden on the Piccadilly line, or, only a little further and on the District line, Charing Cross or Temple.

5-whatever else I forgot to ask.

Look. Observe hue and translucency, and, if possible, texture. Smell carefully. Swirl. Repeat smelling. Take a small sip, and taste and smell. Re-smell. Take a larger sip, noting carefully the olfactory and textural sensations throughout the mouth and throat. Locate pen. Record sensations.

[Andy Velebil]

ok thanks

Look. Observe hue and translucency, and, if possible, texture. Smell carefully. Swirl. Repeat smelling. Take a small sip, and taste and smell. Re-smell. Take a larger sip, noting carefully the olfactory and textural sensations throughout the mouth and throat. Locate pen. Record sensations.

negative ghost rider, i will be chugging out of the bottle