A very boring offline - Thu 3 Jan 2013
Posted: 16:51 Fri 04 Jan 2013
On Thursday 3rd January, 4 port lovers gathered together at the Davy's Bar & Grill (fomerly known as The Bung Hole) in Holborn. The plan was to bring a half bottle wrapped in foil so that it would be a relaxed and gentle evening. Although the Bung Hole was closed downstairs, we were well looked after in our usual fashion - although clearly an embarrasment as we given a table hidden out of sight behind the bar.
AHB brought a half bottle wrapped in foil, opened and decanted an hour or so before drinking began.
To AHB's alarm, WS1 brought a screw-top bottle of German red wine. Fortunately it had been emptied and filled with port. WS1 also brought a delicious bottle of Dalwhinne 1998 Shiraz.
RAYC brought a bottle of Warre 1970 with lovely pink/orange wax remaining around the neck of the bottle.
CMAG arrived unexpectedly, looked longingly at the glasses and bottles, made his apologies and departed.
AHB's port was mature, elderly and a little frail - but by no means undrinkable; perhaps it was showing "the patina of age" but AHB simply described it as having "that rosemary smell that really old vintage port gets". Consensus guess was that this was Sandeman 1960.
WS1's port was delicious, medium-bodied and perfectly poised to be drunk now or in 10 years time.
RAYC's port was full, rich and fruity with soft tannins showing on the finish. Another to be drunk now or in a decade or two. Consensus guess was Cockburn, but opinion was split whether the '63 or the '70.
AHB's port was revealed to be Cockburn 1955, bottled in Oporto in a half bottle.
WS1's port was revealed to be Cockburn 1955, bottled in the UK by an unknown bottler.
RAYC's port was revealed to be Cockburn 1955, bottled by Newcastle Breweries.
We held the very first Port Forum Verizontal Tasting! A Cockburn 1955 Verizontal! What a great way to start 2013's port tastings.
Organising the tasting
Cockburn 1955 from half bottle
Cockburn 1955, English bottled by an unknown bottler
Cockburn 1955, bottled by Newcastle Breweries
Placemats
AHB brought a half bottle wrapped in foil, opened and decanted an hour or so before drinking began.
To AHB's alarm, WS1 brought a screw-top bottle of German red wine. Fortunately it had been emptied and filled with port. WS1 also brought a delicious bottle of Dalwhinne 1998 Shiraz.
RAYC brought a bottle of Warre 1970 with lovely pink/orange wax remaining around the neck of the bottle.
CMAG arrived unexpectedly, looked longingly at the glasses and bottles, made his apologies and departed.
AHB's port was mature, elderly and a little frail - but by no means undrinkable; perhaps it was showing "the patina of age" but AHB simply described it as having "that rosemary smell that really old vintage port gets". Consensus guess was that this was Sandeman 1960.
WS1's port was delicious, medium-bodied and perfectly poised to be drunk now or in 10 years time.
RAYC's port was full, rich and fruity with soft tannins showing on the finish. Another to be drunk now or in a decade or two. Consensus guess was Cockburn, but opinion was split whether the '63 or the '70.
AHB's port was revealed to be Cockburn 1955, bottled in Oporto in a half bottle.
WS1's port was revealed to be Cockburn 1955, bottled in the UK by an unknown bottler.
RAYC's port was revealed to be Cockburn 1955, bottled by Newcastle Breweries.
We held the very first Port Forum Verizontal Tasting! A Cockburn 1955 Verizontal! What a great way to start 2013's port tastings.
Organising the tasting
Cockburn 1955 from half bottle
Cockburn 1955, English bottled by an unknown bottler
Cockburn 1955, bottled by Newcastle Breweries
Placemats