ThePortForum.com

Date: Tuesday 13 November
Time: 18.45 for seating at 19.00
Location: Davy's Bar and Grill, High Holborn WC1V 6DT
Theme: Graham and Malvedos in good drinking windows

This will be on a "bring a bottle" basis, budget for the meal (including tip) being about £50-55 on top (subject to menu choices, to be circulated in due course).

As it is my birthday, i will provide a few vintages to start us off. Others have already declared generous contributions. If stuck for a bottle, i have options for adoption (others may do too) or please feel free to offer to share the costs of others. I would suggest avoiding the years 1997 to 2003 (inclusive) for the major vintages due to potentially awkward drinking phase.

Tim Stanley-Clarke, whose presentation of a Graham vertical (63-07) at Jeroboams in December 2009 first got me hooked on port, will be our guest of honour. I am also very pleased to say that Cynthia Jenson, who will be passing through London en route back to the Douro after the 2012 EWBC - Digital Wine Communications Conference in Turkey, will also be able to join us.

Current line-up (confirmed):

Graham 1942 (jdaw1+MW+DRT via THRA)
Graham 1955 (THRA)
Graham 1960
Graham 1963 (WS1)
Malvedos 1965 (AP)
Graham 1966
Malvedos 1968
Graham 1970 (SCP)
Graham 1975 (PW via THRA)
Malvedos 1976
Graham 1977 (Griff)
Malvedos 1978 (RAYC via THRA)
Malvedos 1979 Magnum (TS-C)
Graham 1980 (AHB)
Graham 1983
Malvedos 1984
Graham 1985
Graham 1985 Crusted
Malvedos 1987 (Jacobh)
Malvedos 1990 (jdaw1)
Graham 1991 (PW)
Graham 1994

Attendees: TS-C, CJ, RAYC, THRA, WS1, AP, Griff, AHB, jdaw1, AFNB, DRT, MW, Jacob-H, PW, SCP (Reserves: ...)

Initial email correspondence to determine level of interest has caused this to fill, so reserve spots only at the moment.

I’m in thank you.

Placemats presumably two A4 sheets of six glasses, unless you instruct to the contrary.

I have a G91 I could bring, if wanted?

PhilW wrote:I have a G91 I could bring, if wanted?

Great! list updated

jdaw1 wrote:I’m in thank you.

Also, until i hear to the contrary, SCP-DFL (who, for the avoidance of confusion, remains SCP-DFF in the registers) has a place

I didn't twig that it will be a birthday tasting. In that case I'll make it by hook or by crook!

Carl

RAYC wrote:

jdaw1 wrote:I’m in thank you.

Also, until i hear to the contrary, SCP-DFL (who, for the avoidance of confusion, remains SCP-DFF in the registers) has a place

Does that mean we are all paying for Team Wiseman to eat again?

Sounds like a fantastic tasting and I kindly ask to be added to the list of reserves.

Thanks
Magnus

I think I should forever be known as SCP-DFF. Any objections?

SCP-DFF wrote:I think I should forever be known as SCP-DFF. Any objections?

Quite right too! You've changed your name once, almost 10 years ago. Surely one name change in a lifetime is enough?

And it confused me utterly. I couldn't work out where Brixton came into SCP-DFL.

Or you could follow Prince's lead, and become "The Poster formerly known as SCP-DFF"

SCP-DFF wrote:I think I should forever be known as SCP-DFF. Any objections?

Be careful...this might mean that Julian can claim he is no longer within your Port Jurisdiction....!

RAYC wrote:

SCP-DFF wrote:I think I should forever be known as SCP-DFF. Any objections?

Be careful...this might mean that Julian can claim he is no longer within your Port Jurisdiction....!

He's not that brave.

Very pleased to say I am in, with bells on! I have offered a couple odd bottles for tasting, neither graham's nor malvedos nor good red herring (which is a good thing!), so not sure if they will fit with this event, otherwise I will leave them with Derek for the future. Also still hoping to dredge up some other oddity to bring along, wish me luck! Look forward to seeing all of you! bjs

A bump to remind people that the date is approaching, and to request two volunteers available from 5-5.30ish (T.B.C.) to help me pour.

Bunghole have asked me for menu choices in advance - here's the link to the menu, the usual off-menu bone-in rib is also available (but mushroom toast appears to have gone ). I'll send a chase-up email soon.

Anyone wanting to stay at mine after, please let me know.

RAYC wrote:two volunteers available from 5-5.30ish (T.B.C.) to help me pour.

Private DRT reporting for duty, Sir!

Hmm! Tried to PM but was told you don't exist, Rob... is this whole tasting a figment of my imagination then? Give the bunghole my regards and ask them to save me an artichoke starter and the pavé rump, as well cooked as they can do it in good conscience, which I realise is still pretty rare-ish. I would offer to help pour but I am a rotten sommelier and do not want to cost you a bottle of wine on the floor... also I will have the two mystery bottles with me, as hoped, which might make a nice aperitif. See you soon. Edit to add: bearnaise sauce for me too please!

I'm happy to help pour.

Is the Bunghole also offering us the Christmas menu to choose from? In which case I would like to have what is probably going to be my only traditional Christmas dinner:
Chicken Liver Parfait
Turkey Breast in Port gravy
Christmas pudding

I've also had a whisper in my ear that if we order at least a week ahead, we can have some of our old favourites cooked to order so there may be hope for those who would like to start with mushrooms and stinking bishop on toast.

If the lists of ports and people are correct, I’ll soon do my standard trick.

it's official....stinking bishop mushroom toast is STILL an option...especially for us.

Unfortunately - even for us - they are not so willing to move the Xmas menu forward to the first half of November!

Offers for help to set up from DRT and AHB gratefully accepted - i don't think further help is required (except from jdaw1 with placemats!).

Due to the travel plans of various people, i would suggest a later-than-usual 6.45pm arrival for 7.00pm start. Dinner will be 8.30-8.45ish.

1 of 3 possible beds at my place taken so far (floorspace with own sleeping bag is also possible).

RAYC wrote:i don't think further help is required (except from jdaw1 with placemats!).

First draft of the placemats.

RAYC wrote:Unfortunately - even for us - they are not so willing to move the Xmas menu forward to the first half of November!

Bah humbug!

So I'll have no starter; a burger (rare) with cheese, a side of mushrooms and bone marrow gravy; portions of Waterloo and Wigmore to finish with

Very much looking forward to this line-up and the evening. My contribution seems too small by comparison to others; I would be happy to additionally part-adopt with a more significant contributor, or kick in some extra towards the food bill, whatever would help.

Am not sure whether I will be able to be there early enough to assist with pre-pour, but will be if possible.
Food-wise, would like the stinking mushrooms and to try the Pave this time please (medium-rare) with Bernaise sauce. Looking forward to it.

No (fish, fish, fish or fish!) starter for me. Pave rump medium rare with field mushrooms and French fries, please.

Will possibly order some cheese on the night but please don't pre-order.

AHB wrote:So I'll have no starter; a burger (rare) with cheese, a side of mushrooms and bone marrow gravy; portions of Waterloo and Wigmore to finish

The same please.

What's all this "no starter" nonsense?