Tues Dec 13th 2016 - Noval vertical

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 19:17 Mon 10 Oct 2016

We have a minor problem and as the newly promoted organiser of the event I have to make a decision to fix the minor problem.

Potentially we have as many as 25 ports to taste for the Noval vertical. "That's not a problem!" I hear you cry and normally you'd be right. The minor problem is that the Red Room at the Boot & Flogger is only available for the evening and 25 ports is too many for an evening's tasting. For those of you who doubt me on this consider the palate fatigue that many complained about at the Vesuvio tasting (23 ports) or the 1997 horizontal (20 ports).

So to help me as I consider our options I have created a survey. If you are attending or on the reserve list then please vote this week so I can at least see whether there is a clear majority preference before I ignore it and make my decision anyway.

Thanks.

idj123 · Post by **idj123** » 12:43 Tue 11 Oct 2016

Have voted. For the bottles that I could supply please see my earlier post -with the definite offer of the 58.

Doggett · Post by **Doggett** » 19:26 Tue 11 Oct 2016

Could I please add my name to the reserves should a seat become available.

Many thanks,

Simon

Post by **flash_uk** » 11:05 Thu 13 Oct 2016

flash_uk wrote:The only Noval I have are 6 bottles of 1970. Have not tried any from this stash so will give one a go in the next few weeks!

The trial proved very positive.

Post by **PhilW** » 08:44 Mon 24 Oct 2016

PhilW wrote:I would love to attend, but will not know whether my condition will allow it until later. Perhaps put me down as reserve, or conditional?

Confirming I do expect to be able to attend.

SCP · Post by **SCP** » 22:31 Thu 27 Oct 2016

SCP wrote:I am not yet sure if I can make this, but have a bottle of 1942 Noval to contribute if I do. Need to check my notes on condition, but i think it's been recorked by Peter Wylie.

Unfortunately, I am not able to attend, but the bottle may be...

Post by **flash_uk** » 16:05 Fri 28 Oct 2016

PhilW wrote:
PhilW wrote:I would love to attend, but will not know whether my condition will allow it until later. Perhaps put me down as reserve, or conditional?
Confirming I do expect to be able to attend.

Great news Phil!

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 09:02 Mon 31 Oct 2016

Simon removed from the list of attendees and Jorgen added.

Please be aware that for us to put together a run of vintages of 1927, 1931, 1933 (possibly Noval), 1934, 1942, 1945, 1947, 1950, 1955, 1958, 1960, 1963, 1966, 1970, 1975 for this tasting will cost something in the order of £300 per person attending. To this cost needs to be added food, service and glass hire which will add up to another £60 per person.

Once I have had confirmation from the various contributors of bottles that the values for the bottles they are contributing is correct, I will firm up on the figure above but for now you can use this as the basis of budgeting. Once the cost is confirmed I will begin collecting money from people.

In addition, we will be eating from the Christmas menu (we have no choice) and need to pre-order no later than 11th November. Please post in this thread your choices from the following menu:

STARTERS
Spiced carrot and parsnip soup (v. gf.) - Parsnip crisps and cumin, coriander yoghurt
Crayfish, prawn and smoked salmon cocktail - Seafood mayonnaise and bloody Mary dressing
Duck liver parfait (n.) - Fig and mustard relish, seeded sourdough Melba toast, pickles
Salad of roasted squash (v. gf.) - Baked ricotta, lemon and olive dressing

MAINS
Grilled 220g sirloin steak - Roasted Provençal tomato, watercress and a peppercorn sauce
Roast free-range Staffordshire turkey - Apricot and sage stuffing, Davy’s Port wine gravy, cranberry relish
Pan-fried sea bass (gf.) - Fennel and basil whipped mash, roast pepper, herb and caper dressing
Wild mushroom risotto (v. gf.) - Topped with portobello mushroom stuffed with kale, spinach, Ticklemore crisp
All main courses served with seasonal vegetables and potatoes

DESERT
Christmas pudding (n.) - Almond brandy butter, mulled cranberries and cream
British cheese plate - Stilton, Cheddar, roasted grapes, Medjool date confit, biscuits
Potted dark chocolate cherry trifle (n.) - Amaretti biscuits, cherry cream
Sticky toffee Christmas pudding (v. n.) - Walnut butterscotch sauce, clotted cream, walnut brittle

V. vegetarian GF. gluten free N. contains nuts

Post by **PhilW** » 11:21 Mon 31 Oct 2016

Menu choices for me please:
STARTER: Crayfish, prawn and smoked salmon cocktail
MAIN: Roast free-range Staffordshire turkey
DESERT: Sticky toffee Christmas pudding

CPR 1 · Post by **CPR 1** » 15:12 Mon 31 Oct 2016

Thanks for organising Alex,

Menu Choice
Starter - Duck liver parfait
Main - Steak rare
Desert: Sticky toffee Christmas pudding

Post by **jdaw1** » 22:11 Mon 31 Oct 2016

Please:
• Duck liver parfait
• Grilled 220g sirloin steak (blue)
• Christmas pudding

PopulusTremula · Post by **PopulusTremula** » 21:40 Tue 01 Nov 2016

Alas, i am now unable to attend because of work. My 94 and/or 97 are though, should they be required.

Magnus

Post by **flash_uk** » 21:43 Tue 01 Nov 2016

PopulusTremula wrote:Alas, i am now unable to attend because of work. My 94 and/or 97 are though, should they be required.

Magnus

Ah, sad to hear you can't make it Magnus. Hope to catch up sometime in 2017!

Post by **flash_uk** » 21:50 Tue 01 Nov 2016

Alex, food order for me, please:
Crayfish, prawn and smoked salmon cocktail - Seafood mayonnaise and bloody Mary dressing
Grilled 220g sirloin steak - Roasted Provençal tomato, watercress and a peppercorn sauce (Rare)
Sticky toffee Christmas pudding (v. n.) - Walnut butterscotch sauce, clotted cream, walnut brittle

Thanks!

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 23:04 Tue 01 Nov 2016

Magnus, sorry you're having to drop out. It would have been nice to have caught up.

Cookie - you're now promoted to the attendees list.

Simon - you're getting dangerously close to attending...

WS1 · Post by **WS1** » 16:05 Wed 02 Nov 2016

Please:
• Duck liver parfait
• Grilled 220g sirloin steak (medium rare)
• Christmas pudding

Looking fwd to the event!

regards

WS1

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 17:44 Tue 08 Nov 2016

Messages have just been emailed to people asking for payment to be made to enable me to equalise the costs of the bottles being opened for the vertical. Please pay the requested amounts promptly as it will assure your seat at the tasting.

Many thanks.

Alex

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 17:45 Tue 08 Nov 2016

uncle tom wrote:Attendees so far:
Possible guest from Quinta do Noval;

EDN;

THRA;

AHB - prawn cocktail, steak (medium rare), cheese;

JDAW - Duck liver parfait, Grilled 220g sirloin steak (blue), Christmas pudding;

MPM - Crayfish, prawn and smoked salmon cocktail - Seafood mayonnaise and bloody Mary dressing, Grilled 220g sirloin steak - Roasted Provençal tomato, watercress and a peppercorn sauce (Rare), Sticky toffee Christmas pudding (v. n.) - Walnut butterscotch sauce, clotted cream, walnut brittle;

CPR - Duck liver parfait, Steak rare, Sticky toffee Christmas pudding;

WPS - Duck liver parfait, Grilled 220g sirloin steak (medium rare), Christmas pudding;

AP;

PW - Crayfish, prawn and smoked salmon cocktail, Roast free-range Staffordshire turkey, Sticky toffee Christmas pudding;

JB;

RLC;

TC;

IDJ.
Reserves:
DG

Simon D

And a nudge to those who have not yet said what they want to eat.

forest26 · Post by **forest26** » 14:39 Fri 11 Nov 2016

Hi Alex

Can I go for prawn cocktail, steak (medium rare), cheese;

Cheers

Tony

Post by **jdaw1** » 20:21 Tue 15 Nov 2016

The Quinta do Noval 1963 has been entrusted to the care of the new deputy manager of The Boot & Flogger, Christopher Ross.

Deleted_User_1 · Post by **Deleted_User_1** » 19:45 Wed 16 Nov 2016

Excellent news: Payment made.
Food:
Crayfish, prawn and smoked salmon cocktail
Grilled 220g sirloin steak (Rare)
Christmas pudding

Post by **jdaw1** » 22:39 Wed 16 Nov 2016

Alex: should I construct the food order?

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 22:11 Thu 17 Nov 2016

jdaw1 wrote:Alex: should I construct the food order?

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

If you have the time that would be most appreciated. Thank you.

Post by **jdaw1** » 23:18 Thu 17 Nov 2016

∃ a current draft of the food order.

idj123 · Post by **idj123** » 13:33 Fri 18 Nov 2016

I must admit to preferring the normal menu but:

Starter-Crayfish, Prawn etc cocktail
Main-Sirloin steak (medium rare)
Dessert-Cheese

Thanks.

Post by **jdaw1** » 20:16 Fri 18 Nov 2016

Missing Dirk, Tom, Alex, Axel.

Post by **PhilW** » 20:46 Fri 18 Nov 2016

jdaw1 wrote:∃ a current draft of the food order.

You have given "sticky toffee Xmas pudding" to all who wanted normal vs sticky toffee version.

While I'm here, please switch me over to a steak, rare, please. Not sure what I was thinking.

Doggett · Post by **Doggett** » 21:47 Fri 18 Nov 2016

I believe. Have been promoted from reserve to being able to attend this tasting. That being the case, may. Please have the following

Spiced carrot and parsnip soup
Roast free range Staffordshire turkey and trimmings
British cheese plate

And I shall very much look forward to seeing everyone for a lot of very lovely port.

Many thanks,
Simon

Post by **jdaw1** » 22:51 Fri 18 Nov 2016

PhilW wrote:You have given "sticky toffee Xmas pudding" to all who wanted normal vs sticky toffee version.

Thank you for checking. Fixed.

PhilW wrote:While I'm here, please switch me over to a steak, rare, please. Not sure what I was thinking.

Fixed.

+SCD.

Also the list of people on the placemats has been updated, I hope to the latest version.

Post by **PhilW** » 09:22 Sat 19 Nov 2016

jdaw1 wrote:
PhilW wrote:You have given "sticky toffee Xmas pudding" to all who wanted normal vs sticky toffee version.
Thank you for checking. Fixed.

Not fixed - at least as far as it looks when I reload - it now appears to show everyone having "normal" xmas pud. Some of us want normal xmas pud, some of us want sticky toffee xmas pud.

Post by **jdaw1** » 10:21 Sat 19 Nov 2016

PhilW wrote:
jdaw1 wrote:
PhilW wrote:You have given "sticky toffee Xmas pudding" to all who wanted normal vs sticky toffee version.
Thank you for checking. Fixed.
Not fixed - at least as far as it looks when I reload - it now appears to show everyone having "normal" xmas pud. Some of us want normal xmas pud, some of us want sticky toffee xmas pud.

I failed to notice the two types. Then I carelessly assumed that nobody could want anything as terrible as a ‘Sticky toffee’ variant. So, thank you for re-checking. Re-fixed — hopefully more satisfactorily.

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 22:17 Mon 21 Nov 2016

Phil's bottle of 1955 is now at the B&F.

Please could I have prawn cocktail thingy starter, sirloin steak (medium rare) and cheese for dessert.

Christian Seely is hoping to join us but does not expect to arrive before 9.30pm and hopes to be permitted to sip from whatever is left over when he arrives.

uncle tom · Post by **uncle tom** » 07:58 Tue 06 Dec 2016

I can make a trip in to drop bottles tonight, tomorrow or Thurs

- Anyone fancy giving me an excuse to bring an extra bottle for a warm-up??

Doggett · Post by **Doggett** » 17:36 Tue 06 Dec 2016

uncle tom wrote:I can make a trip in to drop bottles tonight, tomorrow or Thurs

- Anyone fancy giving me an excuse to bring an extra bottle for a warm-up??

I would loved to have joined you Tom, but amazingly have some bookings in the diary. I hope you have a good trip in and look forward to seeing you at the tasting next week.

Post by **flash_uk** » 17:52 Wed 07 Dec 2016

The N70 is now standing in the cellar at the B&F.

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 20:09 Wed 07 Dec 2016

Dia, Tom, Axel, Jorgen,

I have been chased by the Boot & Flogger to give them the pre-order for food. You are currently missing from the food order. Please could you drop an email to the Boot & Flogger and let them know what you would like to eat. The email address is bootandflogger@davy.co.uk. Please make it clear in your email subject that you are attending the Port Forum dinner on Tuesday December 13.

Everyone else - your order has been passed to the B&F on your behalf.

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 20:11 Wed 07 Dec 2016

uncle tom wrote:I can make a trip in to drop bottles tonight, tomorrow or Thurs

- Anyone fancy giving me an excuse to bring an extra bottle for a warm-up??

Unfortunately I missed this. I met up with Christopher on Tuesday night and we could easily have met at the B&F. Sadly neither Wednesday (ie. today) or Thursday work for me as I'm not in the UK.

Doggett · Post by **Doggett** » 20:21 Wed 07 Dec 2016

AHB wrote: Everyone else - your order has been passed to the B&F on your behalf.

Many thanks Alex.

Post by **jdaw1** » 22:21 Fri 09 Dec 2016

Links:

CPR 1 · Post by **CPR 1** » 21:32 Mon 12 Dec 2016

Alex / Tom

Do you need any help decanting / setting up? If so I should be free in the afternoon, if not I will keep out of your way!

Post by **jdaw1** » 08:25 Tue 13 Dec 2016

Damn — I forgot to bring my camera. Please could somebody else cope.

Post by **jdaw1** » 08:58 Tue 13 Dec 2016

Are any attendees caught by the Southern Rail strike?

Post by **PhilW** » 09:21 Tue 13 Dec 2016

jdaw1 wrote:Damn — I forgot to bring my camera. Please could somebody else cope.

Coping.

Doggett · Post by **Doggett** » 10:48 Tue 13 Dec 2016

jdaw1 wrote:Are any attendees caught by the Southern Rail strike?

Yes... Barely any trains to the southern sticks that is south croydon. But with enough determination, we shall overcome!

uncle tom · Post by **uncle tom** » 10:58 Tue 13 Dec 2016

No strikes on my line, but the signalling has gone down in sympathy..

- Now waiting for a cab..

Decanting kit packed and ready - is someone in control of the placemats?

Hope to be on parade c.1pm

Post by **flash_uk** » 11:39 Tue 13 Dec 2016

uncle tom wrote: - is someone in control of the placemats?

I can drop placemats off just before 3 if needed.

Doggett · Post by **Doggett** » 12:04 Tue 13 Dec 2016

flash_uk wrote:
uncle tom wrote: - is someone in control of the placemats?
I can drop placemats off just before 3 if needed.

I don't think there is a rush on placemats (other than for decanting logistics) as I believe we are waiting for the table in the red room that is booked for a long lunch. I believe Alex may already have placemats under control but will leave him to confirm that.

Tom - I should see you at 1ish as I have left early to overcome the strike issues that us southerners are enjoying.

Deleted_User_1 · Post by **Deleted_User_1** » 13:45 Tue 13 Dec 2016

I am planning to arrive around 17:45hrs....my line is showing no problems

Post by **jdaw1** » 14:44 Tue 13 Dec 2016

Yesterday Alex told me that he had printed.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

Axel P · Post by **Axel P** » 17:09 Tue 13 Dec 2016

I will have exactly what Alex has for dinner. Thanks