Search found 2190 matches

by winesecretary
12:13 Mon 10 Feb 2025
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: 2000 Sainsbury's Taste The Difference
Replies: 2
Views: 67

Re: 2000 Sainsbury's Taste The Difference

I should add - this has very clearly been recorked- presumably to remove a branded one.
by winesecretary
11:42 Mon 10 Feb 2025
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: 2000 Sainsbury's Taste The Difference
Replies: 2
Views: 67

Re: 2000 Sainsbury's Taste The Difference

Opened 09/02/25 2130

Decanted 10/2/25 1130

Rich thick sediment

QA sample promising
by winesecretary
11:41 Mon 10 Feb 2025
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: 2000 Osborne
Replies: 1
Views: 67

Re: 2000 Osborne

A bottle purchased at auction in about 2018.

Opened 09/02/25 2130

Decanted 10/2/25 1130

Thick heavy sediment

QA sample fine.
by winesecretary
09:29 Mon 10 Feb 2025
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: 2000 Gould Campbell
Replies: 1
Views: 61

Re: 2000 Gould Campbell

Opened 09/02/25 2130 decanted 10/2/25 0930.

Immense amounts of thick sediment.

Quality assessment sample suggests this is a bruiser.
by winesecretary
09:21 Mon 10 Feb 2025
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: 2000 Dow
Replies: 1
Views: 41

Re: 2000 Dow

Opened 09/02/25 2130 decanted 10/2/25 0915

Very heavy thick sediment

Quality assessment sample excellent
by winesecretary
09:15 Mon 10 Feb 2025
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: 2000 Niepoort Secundum
Replies: 1
Views: 65

Re: 2000 Niepoort Secundum

Opened 9/2/25 2130 decanted 10/2/25 0909.

Heavy fine sediment. Decanting sample fragrant.
by winesecretary
19:04 Sun 09 Feb 2025
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: Monday 10 February 2025 - 2000 VP Tasting
Replies: 141
Views: 27422

Re: Monday 10 February 2025 - 2000 VP Tasting

Official start time of 1800. Some of us will be there from circa 1700, pouring things into glasses. Many hands (say, five pairs) make light work. Much more than that is likely to make it difficult to manouevre. Self, nac, one of nac's guests, alex would be fine. One or two more welcome but if the bu...
by winesecretary
20:24 Fri 07 Feb 2025
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: Monday 10 February 2025 - 2000 VP Tasting
Replies: 141
Views: 27422

Re: Monday 10 February 2025 - 2000 VP Tasting

@ idj - Real Compania Velha? Were we that bad in a previous life?

Seriously, 20 really is enough, chaps…
by winesecretary
20:16 Fri 07 Feb 2025
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: Monday 10 February 2025 - 2000 VP Tasting
Replies: 141
Views: 27422

Re: Monday 10 February 2025 - 2000 VP Tasting

I have failed to pre-deliver my ports to the B&F due to pressure of work. I will follow the Julianic method set out above.
by winesecretary
23:17 Thu 06 Feb 2025
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: 2012 Quevedo Colheita Quinta Vale D’Agodinho
Replies: 0
Views: 59

2012 Quevedo Colheita Quinta Vale D’Agodinho

From 90 ml bottled 2024

80% opaque, red rim

Bright cherries-in-kirsch nose.

Palate very much congruent.

Some ground almonds, late.

Nice, and interesting, but definitely unusual.
by winesecretary
22:13 Thu 06 Feb 2025
Forum: Reviews
Topic: 2000 Horizontal, Mon 10 Feb 2025, B&F
Replies: 5
Views: 145

Re: 2000 Horizontal, Mon 10 Feb 2025, B&F

I think that technically 2000 is last century, or certainly last millennium.
by winesecretary
22:06 Wed 05 Feb 2025
Forum: Travel
Topic: Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
Replies: 19
Views: 5384

Re: Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia

In fairness to the Tivoli, the rooms at the Yeatman are ridiculously large. It feels like a quarter of a mile from door to terrace. And the baths… I decided to have a bath in my room there one evening and it took about 30 minutes to fill.
by winesecretary
22:01 Wed 05 Feb 2025
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: Software that makes placemats
Replies: 1293
Views: 1257903

Re: Software that makes placemats

2… I can see it …
by winesecretary
20:57 Wed 05 Feb 2025
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: Software that makes placemats
Replies: 1293
Views: 1257903

Re: Software that makes placemats

Possibly also the 00 / 2000 backdrop. Just feels right.
by winesecretary
20:55 Wed 05 Feb 2025
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: Software that makes placemats
Replies: 1293
Views: 1257903

Re: Software that makes placemats

But also, there is a sparseness to them that is very pleasing. A bit like the sonnet form, there is a compression from the strict requirements of getting 20 in that strips them to the essentials.
by winesecretary
08:29 Wed 05 Feb 2025
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: Monday 10 February 2025 - 2000 VP Tasting
Replies: 141
Views: 27422

Re: Monday 10 February 2025 - 2000 VP Tasting

That is indeed a magnificent set of place mats. Thank you Julian.
by winesecretary
20:54 Tue 04 Feb 2025
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: Monday 10 February 2025 - 2000 VP Tasting
Replies: 141
Views: 27422

Re: Monday 10 February 2025 - 2000 VP Tasting

As to whether we have too much port - a vote - do we pour small and everyone takes 1/3 of a bottle of their preference home? Or do we trim the list? A question for the ages, in a sense. Possibly a matter of both, if we end up being 12 persons, where 16 ports might be advisable. I think to get it dow...
by winesecretary
17:00 Tue 04 Feb 2025
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: 1966 Sandeman
Replies: 3
Views: 375

Re: 1966 Sandeman

Well that looks like a very good time indeed.
by winesecretary
19:29 Mon 03 Feb 2025
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: 19 Feb 25 (TBC) - Niche-interest bottlings & old reliables
Replies: 39
Views: 6110

Re: 19 Feb 25 (TBC) - Niche-interest bottlings & old reliables

Chopped sausages
Harissa chicken, green salad on the side
Sticky toffee pudding
by winesecretary
19:27 Mon 03 Feb 2025
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: Monday 10 February 2025 - 2000 VP Tasting
Replies: 141
Views: 27422

Re: Monday 10 February 2025 - 2000 VP Tasting

My food choices

Avocado bruschetta
Pie, additional green salad on the side
Welsh rarebit
by winesecretary
10:30 Mon 03 Feb 2025
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: Monday 10 February 2025 - 2000 VP Tasting
Replies: 141
Views: 27422

Re: Monday 10 February 2025 - 2000 VP Tasting

Neil, if Harry can't make it, remove Mz and QH and I will remove TTD. 16 enough for 13. If Harry can make it then keep Mz in and I will keep TTD in. (I suspect the TTD is QH-adjacent hence that way round.)
by winesecretary
21:57 Sun 02 Feb 2025
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: 2012 Quevedo Colheita Tinta Francisca
Replies: 0
Views: 743

2012 Quevedo Colheita Tinta Francisca

From 90ml Much brighter in glass that the 2014 Colheita ex LBV. -70% opaque, cherry red. Very much fruit driven nose. Confit cherries, hint of sherbet. Bright fruit on the front palate, but then a quite dramatic shift to some interesting mature sous-bois on the finish. Possibly a little monotonal, b...
by winesecretary
21:50 Sun 02 Feb 2025
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: 2014 Quevedo Colheita ex LBV
Replies: 0
Views: 49

2014 Quevedo Colheita ex LBV

From 90ml

Rim browning, but still 95% opaque

Smells of prunes and of dried figs. Fig rolls?

Congruent palate with a little bit of fruit pointing through before the finish.

Pleasant wine, fully mature.
by winesecretary
21:14 Sun 02 Feb 2025
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: Monday 10 February 2025 - 2000 VP Tasting
Replies: 141
Views: 27422

Re: Monday 10 February 2025 - 2000 VP Tasting

Julian, thank you, helpful request for clarification - please open night before, leave open, double decant morning and seal.
by winesecretary
21:07 Sun 02 Feb 2025
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: Monday 10 February 2025 - 2000 VP Tasting
Replies: 141
Views: 27422

Re: Monday 10 February 2025 - 2000 VP Tasting

I will drop my ports off at the B&F this week and ask that they be opened and decanted on the morning of the tasting. If you are travelling with your port, then opening and double decanting the night before should offer a similar experience.
by winesecretary
21:01 Sun 02 Feb 2025
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: Monday 10 February 2025 - 2000 VP Tasting
Replies: 141
Views: 27422

Re: Monday 10 February 2025 - 2000 VP Tasting

@ Luke, thanks for the food order.
by winesecretary
21:01 Sun 02 Feb 2025
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: Monday 10 February 2025 - 2000 VP Tasting
Replies: 141
Views: 27422

Re: Monday 10 February 2025 - 2000 VP Tasting

@idj - thank you, but already standing up
by winesecretary
23:50 Sat 01 Feb 2025
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: Monday 10 February 2025 - 2000 VP Tasting
Replies: 141
Views: 27422

Re: Monday 10 February 2025 - 2000 VP Tasting

Martin’s guest is adopting his Warre.
by winesecretary
20:32 Sat 01 Feb 2025
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: Monday 10 February 2025 - 2000 VP Tasting
Replies: 141
Views: 27422

Re: Monday 10 February 2025 - 2000 VP Tasting

Alex M’s unavailability means we are 13, five of whom will be adopting from nac, but nac is currently providing six wines for adoptions. We either need another person, or we need to take a wine out I think (given Julian’s and my already enthusiastic oversupply).
by winesecretary
21:32 Fri 31 Jan 2025
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: 1996 Taylor Vargellas
Replies: 0
Views: 435

1996 Taylor Vargellas

From half bottle 3 hour decant 80% opaque, paling rim Still curiously mute on the palate, as this particular wine tends to be. Some hints of dry red fruits. On front palate a welcome lush sweetness, maraschino cherries, with almond- topped cherry crumble, but it dries out mid palate and becomes goji...
by winesecretary
18:56 Wed 29 Jan 2025
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: Monday 10 February 2025 - 2000 VP Tasting
Replies: 141
Views: 27422

Re: Monday 10 February 2025 - 2000 VP Tasting

@Alex - sorry to hear, but such is life...
by winesecretary
13:45 Wed 29 Jan 2025
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: Monday 10 February 2025 - 2000 VP Tasting
Replies: 141
Views: 27422

Re: Monday 10 February 2025 - 2000 VP Tasting

This tasting is suddenly the week after next. Please could you notify your menu choices by COB Monday 3rd? https://www.davywine.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/10605-Davys-Menu-Aug24_Core_Final.pdf Please can the following be brought George - GC , [ Sainsbury's TTD ], Niepoort Secundum , Osborne , ...
by winesecretary
21:52 Sun 26 Jan 2025
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: 2014 Quevedo Colheita (bottled 2024)
Replies: 0
Views: 204

2014 Quevedo Colheita (bottled 2024)

From 90 ml

19.5%

90% opaque, dull red rim.

Bright and distinctly atypical and high toned nose with almond milk raspberry jam and vanilla

On the palate sweet and rich with jammy raspberries (with lots of pips) and chocolate cherries in kirsch. Good length.

Weird but fun.
by winesecretary
21:24 Sat 25 Jan 2025
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: 2019 Quevedo
Replies: 0
Views: 252

2019 Quevedo

From 90ml Not clear when bottled but assume 2021 95% opaque, crimson rim Proper TN dominant nose, blueberry and blackcurrant Big rich thick palate, real weight to this one. Admirable rich berry fruit finish. Blackberry. Some nice fine tannins to structure the finish. This will age, but is jolly nice...
by winesecretary
21:03 Fri 24 Jan 2025
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: 2019 Quevedo LBV (bottled 2024)
Replies: 0
Views: 262

2019 Quevedo LBV (bottled 2024)

From 90ml. 19.5%. Purple, with violet rim Slightly confected nose with sherbet and warm balsamic macerated strawberries. Very sweet on the palate. ‘Marshmallow port!’ Says my co-taster. And then, half-way back in the mouth, it’s just gone. Bang. Nothing. Extraordinary. There’s some chocolate if you ...
by winesecretary
20:20 Fri 24 Jan 2025
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: 1985 Cálem - suspicious bottle
Replies: 30
Views: 1198

Re: 1985 Cálem - suspicious bottle

Given the multiple data points it is most likely that this falls into the first two paragraphs of my 2216 of Wednesday.
by winesecretary
20:46 Thu 23 Jan 2025
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: 2022 Quevedo VP
Replies: 0
Views: 265

2022 Quevedo VP

From 90ml 19.5% Pop and pour 95% opaque, red rim Nose dominated by garrigue, reminds me of the rosemary found on 1960 Butler Nephew Palate rich and sweet and very soft. Swirls of fruit that taste of red 3 and red velvet cake. Cool blueberry, late. No discernible tannins at this stage. Sweet fruit do...
by winesecretary
20:29 Thu 23 Jan 2025
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: 1985 Cálem - suspicious bottle
Replies: 30
Views: 1198

Re: 1985 Cálem - suspicious bottle

Rummy - if you bought from GN they are pretty reliable in my experience.
by winesecretary
18:25 Thu 23 Jan 2025
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: 1985 Cálem - suspicious bottle
Replies: 30
Views: 1198

Re: 1985 Cálem - suspicious bottle

Right - so it seems like it is in fact a late release from a cold producer cellar with capsule label and selo applied at point of release, but which was also bottled (re bottled ?) in different bottles from the original release. I’ve seen Taylor LBV of that era with those positioning indents, so I k...
by winesecretary
22:34 Wed 22 Jan 2025
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: 1985 Cálem - suspicious bottle
Replies: 30
Views: 1198

Re: 1985 Cálem - suspicious bottle

I have been doing some more digging. There do indeed seem to be two bottle variants for this port, so I will become marginally less suspicious than I was.
by winesecretary
22:16 Wed 22 Jan 2025
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: 1985 Cálem - suspicious bottle
Replies: 30
Views: 1198

Re: 1985 Cálem - suspicious bottle

The bottles in the case in Martin’s pic doesn’t have the indents at the back (which indents were what gave me pause for thought on Rummy’s bottle). It’s not very likely there were multiple bottle types used to bottle one VP in the late 1980s.

I am now even more suspicious than I was.
by winesecretary
21:20 Wed 22 Jan 2025
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: 2003 Horizontal - Tue 18 March 2025
Replies: 47
Views: 9881

Re: 2003 Horizontal - Tue 18 March 2025

@ BRPetrie - The best reason to back out of a tasting….
by winesecretary
21:16 Wed 22 Jan 2025
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: 1985 Cálem - suspicious bottle
Replies: 30
Views: 1198

Re: 1985 Cálem - suspicious bottle

If it is genuine, it must be a late release with label selo and capsule applied at point of release. If it is a late release from producer cold cellar stocks, disregard what follows. Absent that - I have my doubts about the bottle - is that a 1987 (VP) bottle? I have more doubts about the label, but...
by winesecretary
11:04 Tue 21 Jan 2025
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: A reliable company to collect and forward bottles won at Auction
Replies: 24
Views: 24552

Re: A reliable company to collect and forward bottles won at Auction

I used to get Michael to pick up stuff for me from Straker Chadwick and points south and west. He typically delivered to my office himself, presumably on the basis it could be combined with a visit to LCB. As I recall cost was £50-£70 a dozen.
by winesecretary
11:14 Mon 20 Jan 2025
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: Monday 13th October 2025 - Taylor Vertical
Replies: 37
Views: 2177

Re: Monday ?13th? October 2025 - Taylor Vertical

@ Alex - I am sorry if I came across as grumpy, I was attempting gracefully to resign my seat to those who enjoy this stuff (even) more than I do. I will enjoy reading the tasting notes.