Search found 767 matches

by rich_n
09:44 Sun 05 Oct 2025
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: The pheonix lives on: Tuesday 28th October 2025 - Blind bring a bottle
Replies: 14
Views: 994

Re: The pheonix lives on: Tuesday 28th October 2025 - Blind bring a bottle

I'm going to have to drop out, hopefully there will be others who are keen.
by rich_n
23:46 Fri 26 Sep 2025
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: Thursday 29th January 2026 - Virtual Tasting
Replies: 13
Views: 1845

Re: Thursday 29th January 2026 - Virtual Tasting

Port in January? Sounds ideal, please count me in.
by rich_n
18:00 Thu 25 Sep 2025
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: CLWS 1994 Tasting - Wednesday 3rd Dec 2025
Replies: 2
Views: 826

Re: CLWS 1994 Tasting - Wednesday 3rd Dec 2025

The Central London Wine Society (who hold their tastings at The Civil Service Club, just off Whitehall) are doing a 1994 horizontal for their Xmas Port Tasting this year. Tickets are £50. If you're interested, let me know & I'll forward contact info. I might be interested depending on the date.
by rich_n
17:59 Thu 25 Sep 2025
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: Thursday 25th September 2025 - Virtual Tasting
Replies: 38
Views: 15563

Re: Thursday 25th September 2025 - Virtual Tasting

I was aiming for 7pm, I'll keep an eye on here to see if Neil is able to start the meeting sooner than 8.
by rich_n
10:15 Thu 25 Sep 2025
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Crusted port database
Replies: 306
Views: 157637

Re: Crusted port database

Yates Bros 1983 can also be added to the list. Is this still being maintained? It looks unlikely since the Dow 2013 I've just decanted for tonight isn't on there. I believe there is at least one Graham missing (also bottled 2013) and there are two relatively recent Churchill bottlings (2007 and 201...
by rich_n
16:03 Thu 18 Sep 2025
Forum: Travel
Topic: Vesuvio Visit Sept 2025
Replies: 6
Views: 1995

Re: Vesuvio Visit Sept 2025

Looks fantastic! Will have to consider adding a visit in the future - looks like a very indulgent and fun day.
by rich_n
14:35 Thu 18 Sep 2025
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: 1985 Virtual Tasting hosted by Anthony Symington!
Replies: 13
Views: 2560

Re: 1985 Virtual Tasting hosted by Anthony Symington!

Alex Bridgeman wrote: 14:33 Thu 18 Sep 2025
rich_n wrote: 11:47 Thu 18 Sep 2025 That is very tempting!
I know! But it’s already a very busy time of year in my diary…
That's the only reason I haven't already purchased a ticket...
by rich_n
21:46 Tue 16 Sep 2025
Forum: Introductions
Topic: An overdue post
Replies: 13
Views: 4052

Re: An overdue post

Welcome! Good to see another port fan from a similar vintage to myself! I suspect we live in the shadow of 1983... but still a good year for port and exceptional to Bordeaux. :) I'm 1981 which is a year that lives in infamy as far as vintage port is concerned! (Although I had a Kopke 1981 Colheita ...
by rich_n
21:17 Mon 15 Sep 2025
Forum: Introductions
Topic: An overdue post
Replies: 13
Views: 4052

Re: An overdue post

Welcome! Good to see another port fan from a similar vintage to myself!
by rich_n
13:59 Wed 10 Sep 2025
Forum: Travel
Topic: Porto, October 10th till 14th
Replies: 13
Views: 4774

Re: Porto, October 10th till 14th

I won't be in the area in October, but which lodges have you not visited yet? Maybe we can help with suggestions of which ones to go to. I'm also trying a black glass blind tasting at the Quevedo tasting room on my next trip - that might be a bit of fun! Hi Alex, Might visit Quevedo then, someone w...
by rich_n
21:39 Sun 07 Sep 2025
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: 2017 Graham Stone Terraces
Replies: 11
Views: 8401

Re: 2017 Graham Stone Terraces

winesecretary wrote: 17:16 Sun 07 Sep 2025 I was wondering whether his glass got switched.
Quite possibly - I noted the note below also didn't align with the rest of the tasting notes (but does align much better with these...):

2017 Maynard Organic
by rich_n
15:23 Sun 07 Sep 2025
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: 2017 Graham Stone Terraces
Replies: 11
Views: 8401

Re: 2017 Graham Stone Terraces

Tasted blind. Very deep red; opaque. Big nose of sour fruit. Dense fruit on the palate, tasting slightly baked. Lots of tannins and purple fruit with a touch of high tones, the tannins being very firm. Baked fruit and brioche on the nice finish. Good length. 87-89/100. When revealed this must surel...
by rich_n
09:11 Fri 05 Sep 2025
Forum: Selling Port
Topic: 1970 Warre Vintage Port
Replies: 5
Views: 1881

Re: 1970 Warre Vintage Port

Hi Martin - and many thanks for your reply. I did ask BBR about BBX auction and they told me that they only auction items from bonded storage and as these bottles are duty paid no can do. They did offer buy-back at £46 / bot but this seems too low for me so I am therefore looking into a private sal...
by rich_n
22:35 Thu 04 Sep 2025
Forum: Selling Port
Topic: Port Value Assessment Accuracy...
Replies: 7
Views: 3925

Re: Port Value Assessment Accuracy...

...except for a valuation on a late 00s Taylor VV, which it values at £300+ for 6 bottles! I'd buy that! '00s VVV is typically $200 per bottle here in the US. Not sure it's worth that (for me) in London, though, because I then have to get it to WA which adds significantly. Is that at retail? Or wha...
by rich_n
22:34 Thu 04 Sep 2025
Forum: Selling Port
Topic: Port Value Assessment Accuracy...
Replies: 7
Views: 3925

Re: Port Value Assessment Accuracy...

Any guesses on how they're finding market valuations? From Seckford's site, Market Price Guide If available, this guide valuation shows the best listed price for a wine in the secondary market. To calculate it, Liv-ex, a global trade fine wine exchange, look at list prices from a large group of tru...
by rich_n
11:31 Thu 04 Sep 2025
Forum: Selling Port
Topic: Port Value Assessment Accuracy...
Replies: 7
Views: 3925

Re: Port Value Assessment Accuracy...

Any guesses on how they're finding market valuations? Could be using a data service from someone like wine-searcher: https://www.wine-searcher.com/trade Possibly, but then that would surely need to be adjusted since Seckford is not just a straight retailer and my assumption is that Wine Searcher ar...
by rich_n
09:44 Thu 04 Sep 2025
Forum: Selling Port
Topic: Port Value Assessment Accuracy...
Replies: 7
Views: 3925

Port Value Assessment Accuracy...

I'm aware that a fair few of the regular posters on here either have a Seckfords account or have purchased wine from them. I recently noticed that they added a market valuation function to their site for reserves held in account. Has anyone else seen this and if so, how accurate do you think it seem...
by rich_n
10:53 Wed 03 Sep 2025
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Quinta de Val da Figueira 10YO Tawny
Replies: 10
Views: 3533

Re: Quinta de Val da Figueira 10YO Tawny

I'd be keen to take a couple if anyone wants fewer than 6 and is available in London to sort out collection (and then for me to collect from them when I'm in London). No problem if this doesn't work out but this is a delicious wine and I'd like to have a couple more bottles of it for near-future dr...
by rich_n
15:53 Mon 01 Sep 2025
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Quinta de Val da Figueira 10YO Tawny
Replies: 10
Views: 3533

Re: Quinta de Val da Figueira 10YO Tawny

I'd be keen to take a couple if anyone wants fewer than 6 and is available in London to sort out collection (and then for me to collect from them when I'm in London). No problem if this doesn't work out but this is a delicious wine and I'd like to have a couple more bottles of it for near-future dri...
by rich_n
22:14 Tue 26 Aug 2025
Forum: Reviews
Topic: My Annual College Buddy Weekend at the Beach - 2025
Replies: 9
Views: 3328

Re: My Annual College Buddy Weekend at the Beach.

You have some very lucky friends! I hope one day to be able to do similar tastings for some of my closest amigos.
by rich_n
15:40 Fri 22 Aug 2025
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: Mystery Evening at the Boot & Flogger 16th Sept 2025
Replies: 69
Views: 24033

Re: Mystery Evening at the Boot & Flogger 16th Sept 2025

Unfortunately I’m going to have to drop out of this tasting due to diary congestion. There is a tiny chance that I’ll be able to make it at the last minute, but I’ll have to take my chances on there being a seat available. :-( Alex - I've placed you on the reserve list - Richard your in .... And ba...
by rich_n
16:37 Thu 21 Aug 2025
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: Taylor Vertical - Post WW2 - 28 October 2025
Replies: 65
Views: 81051

Re: Taylor Vertical - Post WW2 - 28 October 2025

winesecretary wrote: 11:33 Thu 21 Aug 2025 @rich_n - on the list
Many thanks.
by rich_n
16:35 Thu 21 Aug 2025
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Port for sale by retailer
Replies: 1618
Views: 1234487

Re: Port for sale by retailer

Waitrose are running their "buy 6 bottles and get 25% off" sale again until Tuesday 26th August. This is when I restock on Kopke 10YO White and maybe buy an extra bottle or two of Warre 2011 LBV. Pocas 2016 available too, and at a price that ends up being under £25 a bottle. Very tempting...
by rich_n
21:41 Wed 20 Aug 2025
Forum: Beer, Spirits, Cigars, and Pork Pies
Topic: Quinta do Noval Olive Oil
Replies: 10
Views: 6365

Re: Quinta do Noval Olive Oil

Please can you put me down for a half dozen of the regular oil.
by rich_n
21:36 Wed 20 Aug 2025
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: Taylor Vertical - Post WW2 - 28 October 2025
Replies: 65
Views: 81051

Re: Taylor Vertical - Post WW2 - 28 October 2025

I can now attend, please add me and I'm happy to adopt as preferred.
by rich_n
21:44 Sun 17 Aug 2025
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: NV Quevedo Lagrima
Replies: 0
Views: 2546

NV Quevedo Lagrima

Light orange fading to fully translucent at the rim. Not a big nose, faint orange blossom. Velvety entry, almost treacle in it's weight but not nearly as sweet as I had expected from this wine. Its certainly not dry but it's got a way to go to get to PX levels of saccharine. The entry carries honeye...
by rich_n
21:43 Sun 17 Aug 2025
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: NV Quevedo Special Reserve
Replies: 0
Views: 2227

NV Quevedo Special Reserve

Tasted at the Quevedo location in central Vila Nova de Gaia, which is a lovely space to drink in and well worth a visit for anyone nosing around that part of the city.

Very easy drinking. Fruit, caramel and orange notes. Not an overly complex wine but extremely drinkable. V good.
by rich_n
21:41 Sun 17 Aug 2025
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: NV Churchill White (Dry Aperitif)
Replies: 0
Views: 2206

NV Churchill White (Dry Aperitif)

Tasted at the Churchill lodge in Gaia, at the end of a not significant amount of port tasting (including 5 wines at the Graham lodge). My note is unsurprisingly short, and reads: It's not complicated. It's delicious. If you like an aged white you should be drinking this. I bought some to bring back ...
by rich_n
21:39 Sun 17 Aug 2025
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: 1997 Churchill
Replies: 0
Views: 2107

1997 Churchill

Tasted at the Churchill lodge in Gaia. Brick red, opaque to near the rim. Very vegetal on the nose, lots of herbs and maybe spinach and courgette (as crazy as that sounds). A little acidity. Maybe even meaty?! Glorious on the palate. So amazingly balanced - muted red fruits and marmite. Redcurrants ...
by rich_n
21:38 Sun 17 Aug 2025
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: 2011 Churchill
Replies: 0
Views: 2175

2011 Churchill

Tasted at the Churchill lodge in Gaia. Maroon red to brick red at the rim, very opaque. Light red fruits on the nose. A touch of minerality and a herbal note. Maybe honeycomb and a little orange? Fairly muted. Lush entry on the palate. Dominated by red fruits and a caramel and milk chocolate orange ...
by rich_n
21:37 Sun 17 Aug 2025
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: NV Churchill Crusted 2012
Replies: 0
Views: 2196

NV Churchill Crusted 2012

Tasted at the Churchill lodge in Gaia, alongside the 2007 bottling. Purple to brick red on the rim, opaque. Nose is fairly dumb, mostly mineral. Not overly inviting. The palate is an entirely different story! Lush candied strawberries on the entry flooding the senses with caramel and vanilla - these...
by rich_n
21:35 Sun 17 Aug 2025
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: NV Churchill Crusted 2007
Replies: 0
Views: 2220

NV Churchill Crusted 2007

Tasted at the Churchill lodge in Gaia, alongside the 2012 bottling. Red brick, opaque to the rim. Redcurrants, strawberries and a little cranberry on the nose. Some acidity cutting through the sweetness. An elegant entry to the palate with red and black cherries leading the way, followed by a raspbe...
by rich_n
21:34 Sun 17 Aug 2025
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: 2017 Warre
Replies: 0
Views: 2218

2017 Warre

Tasted at the Graham's Lodge.

Very opaque purple.

Nose is heavily blackcurrants - Ribena!

Much more on the palate - a blackcurrant and strawberry compote. Maybe some blueberry. Caramel and milk chocolate. Gentle tannins and some minerality (and maybe a little salinity). V good.
by rich_n
21:33 Sun 17 Aug 2025
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: 1990 Graham Single Harvest Tawny
Replies: 0
Views: 2167

1990 Graham Single Harvest Tawny

Tasted at the Graham's Lodge Fascinating colour! Gold and green on the rim. Nuts and citrus on the nose. Maybe some butterscotch and a little Tonka bean. On the palate it leads with the citrus acidity and butterscotch. Then walnuts and almonds, along with caramel. Tonka beans and almost a slight mea...
by rich_n
21:32 Sun 17 Aug 2025
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: 2016 Graham
Replies: 0
Views: 2292

2016 Graham

Tasted at the Graham's Lodge as part of their Super Premium tasting package. Totally opaque purple, opaque almost to the rim. Fairly muted nose. Maybe a touch of cherry. A little mineral. Lovely elegant entry with a load of black cherries and milk chocolate. A touch of caramel sweetness. Surprisingl...
by rich_n
21:30 Sun 17 Aug 2025
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: 2000 Graham
Replies: 0
Views: 2170

2000 Graham

Tasted at the Graham's Lodge as part of their Super Premium tasting package. Mostly opaque, maroon but fading brick red to the rim. Cherries on the nose, but with a note I'm struggling to place. Found it later - it's a citrus orange note. Big sweet black cherries, followed by strawberries and milk c...
by rich_n
21:29 Sun 17 Aug 2025
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: 1994 Graham
Replies: 0
Views: 2225

1994 Graham

Tasted at the Graham's Lodge as part of their Super Premium tasting package. Brick red, fades to edges with a touch of green on the rim. Beautiful nose, red fruits dominated by strawberries and sweet red cherries. A slight herbaceous note. Stunning entry - sweet red fruits with strawberries and cara...
by rich_n
21:28 Sun 17 Aug 2025
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: 2003 Graham
Replies: 0
Views: 2207

2003 Graham

Tasted at Bonfim in the Douro thanks to Alex Bridgeman! Mostly opaque starting to go brick red. Muted nose, a little red fruit and some minerality. Lush on the palate red cherries with an immediate tannic grip and eucalyptus note. Rich caramel in the mid palate. Maybe touch of mint on the finish? De...
by rich_n
21:27 Sun 17 Aug 2025
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: 1997 Graham Single Harvest Tawny
Replies: 0
Views: 2211

1997 Graham Single Harvest Tawny

Tasted at the Factory House thanks to a very fortunate set of circumstances and a very generous offer from Alex Bridgeman. Brick red in colour, fading to almost transparent at the rim with a touch of green. Butterscotch, almonds, and a little red fruit tartness on the nose. On the palate this is a d...
by rich_n
20:28 Thu 14 Aug 2025
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Latest buy
Replies: 2330
Views: 5717570

Re: Latest buy

@rich_n - you can happily drink a bottle of that a year for the next couple of decades or so and so watch it develop. What a lovely thing to be able to do. That's certainly the plan! Maybe every other year... Dang. I'd love to partake in that. Great price for a great wine. If you make it over to Br...
by rich_n
23:47 Wed 13 Aug 2025
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Latest buy
Replies: 2330
Views: 5717570

Re: Latest buy

2000 Croft, purchased from Seckford - 2 cases of 12 x 750ml, £250 a case IB. A bargain that I couldn't resist. There's still one more case listed if anyone's feeling keen... Wow. At £30 per bottle, including duty and VAT, that’s brilliant value for money. That’s a great find - an excellent Port at ...
by rich_n
14:50 Wed 13 Aug 2025
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Latest buy
Replies: 2330
Views: 5717570

Re: Latest buy

2000 Croft, purchased from Seckford - 2 cases of 12 x 750ml, £250 a case IB. A bargain that I couldn't resist.

There's still one more case listed if anyone's feeling keen...
by rich_n
14:22 Tue 12 Aug 2025
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: 6th August - Virtual Tasting "a port you enjoy drinking when it's supposedly too hot for port"
Replies: 41
Views: 45617

Re: 6th August - Virtual Tasting "a port you enjoy drinking when it's supposedly too hot for port"

I've been angling for an excuse to pop a Croft 45 for years.. ..still amazed that your random shout outs of tag numbers not only landed on Cr45 but landed on my most ullaged bottle, thereby upholding my 'survival of the fittest policy' Perfect! It sounded like it was a delicious bottle too, from yo...
by rich_n
16:39 Thu 07 Aug 2025
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: 6th August - Virtual Tasting "a port you enjoy drinking when it's supposedly too hot for port"
Replies: 41
Views: 45617

Re: 6th August - Virtual Tasting "a port you enjoy drinking when it's supposedly too hot for port"

Rich, thanks for organising last night's catch up. It was nice to see everyone even if the bottle we randomly chose for Tom to open blew everyone else's choices away. I hope the Achilles heals soon. Thanks Alex, I hope so too! And cheers to a lovely group for some excellent conversation last night,...
by rich_n
18:27 Wed 06 Aug 2025
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: 6th August - Virtual Tasting "a port you enjoy drinking when it's supposedly too hot for port"
Replies: 41
Views: 45617

Re: 6th August - Virtual Tasting "a port you enjoy drinking when it's supposedly too hot for port"

Alex Bridgeman wrote: 17:49 Wed 06 Aug 2025
rich_n wrote: 17:17 Wed 06 Aug 2025 I might be online at 8pm rather 7.30, apologies.
I also need to apologise. Mrs B decided that she needed to try the wine I was (am?) going to drink for our offline. 40 minutes before the official start time we have only 1/3rd of the bottle left…
I'm sure you'll find an alternative!
by rich_n
16:37 Wed 06 Aug 2025
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: 6th August - Virtual Tasting "a port you enjoy drinking when it's supposedly too hot for port"
Replies: 41
Views: 45617

Re: 6th August - Virtual Tasting "a port you enjoy drinking when it's supposedly too hot for port"

Alex Bridgeman wrote: 09:58 Wed 06 Aug 2025
flash_uk wrote: 09:34 Wed 06 Aug 2025
Alex Bridgeman wrote: 08:40 Wed 06 Aug 2025 ...and to catch up on yesterday’s cricket.
Oval Invincibles smashed London Spirit.
That’s not helpful. Talk about spoilers!
TBF the "Hundred" barely counts as real cricket...
by rich_n
16:37 Wed 06 Aug 2025
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: 6th August - Virtual Tasting "a port you enjoy drinking when it's supposedly too hot for port"
Replies: 41
Views: 45617

Re: 6th August - Virtual Tasting "a port you enjoy drinking when it's supposedly too hot for port"

What time are we aiming to start tonight? My tasks for today are to paint the en suite, change a solenoid on a remote valve and to catch up on yesterday’s cricket. I need to ensure all tasks are completed by the time we start! That's a good question! Shall we aim for 7.30, but with no pressure to b...
by rich_n
09:17 Wed 06 Aug 2025
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: 2019 Quevedo LBV (bottled 2024)
Replies: 3
Views: 5886

Re: 2019 Quevedo LBV (bottled 2024)

Fair enough! I will probably end up buying some but might be a bit more restrained until I can actually taste it myself.