Search found 15471 matches
- 08:40 Wed 12 Feb 2025
- Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
- Topic: 19 Feb 25 (TBC) - Niche-interest bottlings & old reliables
- Replies: 56
- Views: 6512
Re: 19 Feb 25 (TBC) - Niche-interest bottlings & old reliables
Has anyone let the Boot & Flogger know that we will need a humongous number of glasses next week?
- 08:37 Wed 12 Feb 2025
- Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
- Topic: 19 Feb 25 (TBC) - Niche-interest bottlings & old reliables
- Replies: 56
- Views: 6512
Re: 19 Feb 25 (TBC) - Niche-interest bottlings & old reliables
With three people needing to adopt, I am suddenly feeling much less concerned about Harry bringing 6 bottles and Julian bringing 3.
Phew!
Phew!
- 23:56 Tue 11 Feb 2025
- Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
- Topic: 19 Feb 25 (TBC) - Niche-interest bottlings & old reliables
- Replies: 56
- Views: 6512
Re: 19 Feb 25 (TBC) - Niche-interest bottlings & old reliables
Large bangers and mash for me please - but with skinny fries instead of mash!
- 22:36 Tue 11 Feb 2025
- Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
- Topic: 19 Feb 25 (TBC) - Niche-interest bottlings & old reliables
- Replies: 56
- Views: 6512
Re: 19 Feb 25 (TBC) - Niche-interest bottlings & old reliables
please could people bring a fully mature Port for which there are two or fewer tasting notes on the Tasting Note Data Base. can I ask what 'fully Mature' actually means date wise I can't imagine a 2022 vintage would qualify and I'm sure an 1890 would but where is the transition point ? The normal r...
- 20:32 Tue 11 Feb 2025
- Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
- Topic: 1970 Horizontal, flights 1-4, Friday 3 October 2025
- Replies: 10
- Views: 224
Re: 1970 Horizontal, flights 1-4, Friday 3 October 2025
Reconfirmed - and available to help from about 10.30.
…or earlier if I decide to stay in town overnight.
…or earlier if I decide to stay in town overnight.
- 20:31 Tue 11 Feb 2025
- Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
- Topic: 1970 Horizontal, flight 0, Thursday 2 October 2025
- Replies: 9
- Views: 168
Re: 1970 Horizontal, flight 0, Thursday 2 October 2025
I confirm my availability for the new date.
I also confirm my availability to help set up on both days, should that be needed.
I will email you details on bottles I can supply a little later…
I also confirm my availability to help set up on both days, should that be needed.
I will email you details on bottles I can supply a little later…
- 13:22 Tue 11 Feb 2025
- Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
- Topic: 19 Feb 25 (TBC) - Niche-interest bottlings & old reliables
- Replies: 56
- Views: 6512
Re: 19 Feb 25 (TBC) - Niche-interest bottlings & old reliables
Harry now has control of the first post, so please keep an eye on it to see if / how / when things change. Yesterday Harry described his plan. As described yesterday (which was several bottles of Port ago) this will be an evening of two halves. The first half will be a blind tasting with 4-6 bottles...
- 20:34 Mon 10 Feb 2025
- Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
- Topic: 19 Feb 25 (TBC) - Niche-interest bottlings & old reliables
- Replies: 56
- Views: 6512
Re: 19 Feb 25 (TBC) - Niche-interest bottlings & old reliables
On the assumption that RAYC is not able to be in the UK next week, I will hand control of the first post over to Harry tomorrow so he can organise a tasting he has hoped to run for some months.
- 17:18 Sun 09 Feb 2025
- Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
- Topic: Monday 10 February 2025 - 2000 VP Tasting
- Replies: 141
- Views: 27538
Re: Monday 10 February 2025 - 2000 VP Tasting
What time will bottles be arriving on Monday?
Would a willing pair of hands be of help in decanting, pouring and setting out?
What time should said willing pair of hands plan to arrive?
Would a willing pair of hands be of help in decanting, pouring and setting out?
What time should said willing pair of hands plan to arrive?
- 13:25 Sun 09 Feb 2025
- Forum: Port Conversations
- Topic: Wanted: metal lid off a Graham 10YO tawny tube
- Replies: 2
- Views: 128
Re: Wanted: metal lid off a Graham 10YO tawny tube
That's exactly what I'm after! Thank you Michael, much appreciated.
- 13:22 Sat 08 Feb 2025
- Forum: Port Conversations
- Topic: Wanted: metal lid off a Graham 10YO tawny tube
- Replies: 2
- Views: 128
Wanted: metal lid off a Graham 10YO tawny tube
Does anyone coming to the Boot and Flogger on the 10th or the 19th have a lid from a tube of Graham 10YO tawny they don’t want? I’m one short for a little “re-purposing” project at home. If someone could bring one with them, I’d be very grateful. I’m not certain, but I think the lid of the Graham, T...
- 23:27 Fri 07 Feb 2025
- Forum: Port Tasting Notes
- Topic: 1976 Fonseca Guimaraens
- Replies: 2
- Views: 114
- 15:09 Thu 06 Feb 2025
- Forum: Port Tasting Notes
- Topic: 1976 Fonseca Guimaraens
- Replies: 2
- Views: 114
1976 Fonseca Guimaraens
Fonseca Guimaraens 1976. Still a bizarre wine, black-red colour, hardly any sediment, tasting like chalk and black cherry. So strange. Not growing up at all. 88/100.
- 22:58 Wed 05 Feb 2025
- Forum: Travel
- Topic: Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
- Replies: 19
- Views: 5423
Re: Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
It sounds wonderful! I love your writeups and photographs. It's almost as if I were there! I also like first photograph (the map), which showed the room rate as 242 EUR? That's really not bad at all for a high-end hotel. Is the room rate the same in all 3 wings, or does that vary? It varies by room...
- 22:15 Wed 05 Feb 2025
- Forum: Travel
- Topic: Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
- Replies: 19
- Views: 5423
Re: Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
And that concludes my write-up of my visit to the most excellent Kopke Tivoli in Vila Nova de Gaia - unreservedly recommended.
- 22:09 Wed 05 Feb 2025
- Forum: Travel
- Topic: Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
- Replies: 19
- Views: 5423
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. But at least once the bath is full you can swim lengths unti...
- 20:58 Wed 05 Feb 2025
- Forum: Travel
- Topic: Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
- Replies: 19
- Views: 5423
Re: Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
In summary, the hotel was wonderful and we are definitely returning to stay again — and have already booked! What did it for us was the staff. The staff are absolutely wonderful. They have created an atmosphere at the hotel which is relaxed and comfortable while still proving immaculate service. Nac...
- 20:32 Wed 05 Feb 2025
- Forum: Travel
- Topic: Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
- Replies: 19
- Views: 5423
Re: Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
IMG_1179.jpeg It might be a little mundane, but the car park is definitely worth a mention. In a town where car parking spaces are at a premium, the hotel has a secure, gated and internal car park sitting in the centre of the building. The space has 3 rapid charging points, wide spaces to comfortab...
- 20:30 Wed 05 Feb 2025
- Forum: Travel
- Topic: Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
- Replies: 19
- Views: 5423
Re: Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
The hotel comes with a spa and 24 hour gym. It will surprise no-one to learn that I didn't try out the gym - but it looked very impressive and was built around a full width, floor-to-ceiling window looking over the Douro. The spa offers a wide variety of massage and other treatments, an indoor pool,...
- 19:45 Wed 05 Feb 2025
- Forum: Travel
- Topic: Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
- Replies: 19
- Views: 5423
Re: Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
IMG_1153.jpeg Breakfast is served in the Boa Vista restaurant on the middle floor of the hotel. In the summer breakfast will be available on the terrace but in February we were very happy to take the option to eat inside! (The restaurant is also the family restaurant. We had Sunday lunch with frien...
- 22:28 Tue 04 Feb 2025
- Forum: Travel
- Topic: Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
- Replies: 19
- Views: 5423
Re: Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
IMG_1106.jpeg The rooms are all of a similar size. There's no getting away from the fact that they are smaller than the rooms at the Yeatman, but they are very well appointed. All have walk-in showers, some of the suites also have baths. All the rooms come supplied with steamers, perfect for gettin...
- 22:05 Tue 04 Feb 2025
- Forum: Travel
- Topic: Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
- Replies: 19
- Views: 5423
Re: Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
IMG_1099.jpeg To one side of the wine bar is the destination restaurant. The hotel has partnered with Nacho Manzano, the three Michelin starred Asturian chef responsible for the success of his family's restaurant Casa Marcial. The menu for the hotel will be based on the legacy of the rich culinary ...
- 17:59 Sun 02 Feb 2025
- Forum: Travel
- Topic: Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
- Replies: 19
- Views: 5423
Re: Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
IMG_1143.jpeg The hub of the hotel, and to one side of the reception area, is the wine bar and destination restaurant. Both have stunning views over the gardens, the river and of Porto opposite. IMG_1141.jpeg One side of the wine bar is made up of a wall of glass fronted wine storage cabinets. Kopk...
- 11:33 Sun 02 Feb 2025
- Forum: Travel
- Topic: Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
- Replies: 19
- Views: 5423
Re: Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
The interiors of the hotel are true to its origin, as a warehouse being used to store and mature Port. Some of the internal walls show the massive stone blocks used to construct the original walls and where the rooms beams used to sit. IMG_1065.jpeg Other areas of newer construction are more modern,...
- 11:21 Sun 02 Feb 2025
- Forum: Travel
- Topic: Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
- Replies: 19
- Views: 5423
Re: Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
The hotel makes the most of its outside space with the majority of rooms having some form of private outdoor space, but the communal areas spread across 5 floors. IMG_1054.jpeg In the summer the hotel will really come into its own. There is the rooftop bar, a terrace outside the wine bar, outdoor ta...
- 11:08 Sun 02 Feb 2025
- Forum: Travel
- Topic: Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
- Replies: 19
- Views: 5423
Re: Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
IMG_7700.jpeg IMG_1111.jpeg The indoor pool is small but well appointed with two waterfalls, two jacuzzi seats and three bubble jets for guests to swim through. All this in a room with a reflective glass ceiling that when combined with the picture windows makes the space feel much larger than it re...
- 23:50 Sat 01 Feb 2025
- Forum: Travel
- Topic: Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
- Replies: 19
- Views: 5423
Re: Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
Our arrival was not on the best of days and the background to our exploration of the hotel was of high, grey cloud. But it didn't take a lot of imagination to see how the outdoor pool in the gardens will be a magical place on a hot and sunny day. Surrounded by a manicured lawn, with sunbeds scattere...
- 23:33 Sat 01 Feb 2025
- Forum: Travel
- Topic: Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
- Replies: 19
- Views: 5423
Re: Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
The hotel has 120 rooms ranging from "Skylight" rooms where the natural light is provided by a lightwell through the roof of the old warehouse - which also provides a little outside space in the summer - to some large penthouse suites. The majority of rooms are facing Porto with views of t...
- 23:08 Sat 01 Feb 2025
- Forum: Travel
- Topic: Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
- Replies: 19
- Views: 5423
Re: Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
Taxis drop off in Rua do Barão de Forrester. You can tell when you arrive because the wall suddenly turns a terracotta red. The entrance to the hotel is clear and leads to a wide patio and a flight of steps down to reception — but if you arrive with bags then use the lift in the black glass cubicle ...
- 20:21 Sat 01 Feb 2025
- Forum: Travel
- Topic: Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
- Replies: 19
- Views: 5423
Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
Saturday 1st February 2025 saw the opening day of Gaia’s latest luxury hotel. Aimed at being a direct competitor to the Yeatman, the Kopke Tivoli is a conversion of part of Kopke’s cellars that lie just a block up the hill from the river, on the opposite side of the road from the Hilton and the Niep...
- 20:19 Thu 30 Jan 2025
- Forum: Other Fortified Wines
- Topic: NV Quady Starboard Batch 88
- Replies: 0
- Views: 1458
NV Quady Starboard Batch 88
Starboard batch 88, a half bottle filled about 20 years ago. Sealed with a t-stopper, made from Tinta Roriz, Tinta Cão and Tinta Amarela. Imported by Cabot Cellars, Orchard House, Nailsea, Bristol, BS19 1JD. Deep orange in colour with a hint of cherry in the tone; 40% opaque. Mild blueberry and whit...
- 11:51 Tue 28 Jan 2025
- Forum: Port Tasting Notes
- Topic: NV Messias White 50YO
- Replies: 0
- Views: 324
NV Messias White 50YO
6cl sample of Messias 50YO White. Dark brown colour, 30% opaque. Generous vinagrinho on the nose, but not much fruit. On the palate the wine shows more fruit, dried apple, mango and a fragrant acacia honey. All combine to deliver a wonderful mouthful of wine. Dark honey and fragrant lime oil dance a...
- 11:51 Tue 28 Jan 2025
- Forum: Port Tasting Notes
- Topic: NV Messias White 40YO
- Replies: 0
- Views: 140
NV Messias White 40YO
6cl sample of Messias 40YO white. Darker and more brown than the 30YO. A wonderful clover honey on the nose, sweet and complex. So refined on the palate! Smooth, perfumed honey just oozes over the tongue - but don’t miss the acidity that lurks and smirks under all that honey. Glorious honey and lemo...
- 11:50 Tue 28 Jan 2025
- Forum: Port Tasting Notes
- Topic: NV Messias White 30YO
- Replies: 0
- Views: 126
NV Messias White 30YO
6cl sample of Messias 30YO white. A step up from the 20YO on the nose, a little denser in the honeyed fruit. Rich apricot and peach in syrup on the palate, slightly thickened in texture. The acidity is pitched just perfectly to give a big aftertaste full of satsuma zest. Big, delicious and well bala...
- 11:49 Tue 28 Jan 2025
- Forum: Port Tasting Notes
- Topic: NV Messias White 20YO
- Replies: 0
- Views: 118
NV Messias White 20YO
Messias White 20YO - a 6cl sample tube not properly sealed and which had leaked a little in transit. A dark amber colour. Much better balanced on the nose than the 10YO White tasted alongside this wine, this has a richness and ripeness to the fruit that is welcoming. The balance holds on the palate;...
- 11:48 Tue 28 Jan 2025
- Forum: Port Tasting Notes
- Topic: NV Messias White 10YO
- Replies: 0
- Views: 125
NV Messias White 10YO
Messias White 10YO - 6cl sample tube not properly sealed and which had leaked a little in transit. A warm golden colour. Gentle tinned peaches on the nose, with a bitterness to the sweet fruit on the palate. A long finish of white radish - herbaceous but bitter - with a distinct minerality to it. No...
- 00:11 Fri 24 Jan 2025
- Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
- Topic: 19 Feb 25 (TBC) - Niche-interest bottlings & old reliables
- Replies: 56
- Views: 6512
Re: 19 Feb 25 (TBC) - Niche-interest bottlings & old reliables
B&F has not been booked but I have been told that there is still availability for a table for 14 people.
- 23:09 Thu 23 Jan 2025
- Forum: Port Conversations
- Topic: Pointless Statistics
- Replies: 255
- Views: 246001
Re: Pointless Statistics
- 23:06 Thu 23 Jan 2025
- Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
- Topic: 19 Feb 25 (TBC) - Niche-interest bottlings & old reliables
- Replies: 56
- Views: 6512
Re: 19 Feb 25 (TBC) - Niche-interest bottlings & old reliables
Bear with. I have reached out to Rob.
If his travel plans have changed significantly I’ll take over this date and turn it into a “bring a bottle” tasting.
But it’s still a few weeks away so let’s wait a few days to see if Rob’s still expecting to make the trip.
If his travel plans have changed significantly I’ll take over this date and turn it into a “bring a bottle” tasting.
But it’s still a few weeks away so let’s wait a few days to see if Rob’s still expecting to make the trip.
- 18:26 Wed 22 Jan 2025
- Forum: Port Conversations
- Topic: 1985 Cálem - suspicious bottle
- Replies: 30
- Views: 1206
Re: 1985 Cálem - suspicious bottle
That looks genuine to me. How odd.
Have you asked the IVDP to confirm the sello was one given to Calem?
Have you asked the IVDP to confirm the sello was one given to Calem?
- 18:08 Wed 22 Jan 2025
- Forum: Port Conversations
- Topic: Pointless Statistics
- Replies: 255
- Views: 246001
Re: Pointless Statistics
Time for some more pointless statistics. On 31 December 2024, my cellar comprised of the following (with 2012 figures in brackets) Port 86% (91%) Bordeaux 3% (3%) South Africa 2% (0.5%) Italy 1% (less than 0.5%) Australia 1% (1%) Portugal 1% (less than 0.5%) Spain 1% (0.5%) England 1% (less than 0.5...
- 12:13 Tue 21 Jan 2025
- Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
- Topic: Monday 13th October 2025 - Taylor Vertical
- Replies: 37
- Views: 2190
- 12:11 Tue 21 Jan 2025
- Forum: Port Conversations
- Topic: Taylor’s Historic Collection IV - The Globe
- Replies: 2
- Views: 350
Re: Taylor’s Historic Collection IV - The Globe
If anyone tries the wine, please report your thoughts here. I missed out on the last two releases so am curious to know what this one tastes like.
- 12:10 Tue 21 Jan 2025
- Forum: Port Conversations
- Topic: Taylor’s Historic Collection IV - The Globe
- Replies: 2
- Views: 350
Re: Taylor’s Historic Collection IV - The Globe
The text of the press release reads: Taylor’s Unveils The Globe: The Fourth Limited Edition from Its Historical Bottle Collection. Taylor’s Port unveils The Globe, the latest addition to the highly sought after Taylor’s Historical Limited Editions. Reflecting on the success of previous releases, Adr...
- 07:41 Tue 21 Jan 2025
- Forum: Port Conversations
- Topic: A reliable company to collect and forward bottles won at Auction
- Replies: 24
- Views: 24569
Re: A reliable company to collect and forward bottles won at Auction
A round robin collection approach would be more efficient, but I assumed collecting about 30 bottles per visit and then outsourcing the delivery to DHL.
- 00:32 Tue 21 Jan 2025
- Forum: Port Conversations
- Topic: A reliable company to collect and forward bottles won at Auction
- Replies: 24
- Views: 24569
Re: A reliable company to collect and forward bottles won at Auction
The discussion about Benelux and the need for a service to be able to collect, pack, ship and deliver bottles purchased at auction made me sit down and work out the economics of what I used to do - to travel to an auction house and collect my purchases. (The furthest I ever went was Perth, Perthshir...
- 21:17 Mon 20 Jan 2025
- Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
- Topic: Tastings (Physical & Virtual) - Planner
- Replies: 78
- Views: 67311
Re: Tastings (Physical & Virtual) - Planner
The emergency offline in London on January 3rd did happen. It took place at 67 Pall Mall and featured Kopke 1975 Colheita, Warre 1980, Fonseca 1963 and Fonseca 1934 (from Castle Raby). Attended by me, Martin and Nigel.
- 20:42 Mon 20 Jan 2025
- Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
- Topic: Monday 13th October 2025 - Taylor Vertical
- Replies: 37
- Views: 2190
Re: Monday 13th October 2025 - Taylor Vertical
I've now had chance to collate everything people have offered onto a spreadsheet (I love a good spreadsheet) and have updated the first post with the allocation of seats and assignment of bottles. This allocation can and will change as people buy / discover / offer up older bottles. Essentially thou...
- 19:48 Mon 20 Jan 2025
- Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
- Topic: Monday 13th October 2025 - Taylor Vertical
- Replies: 37
- Views: 2190
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. You didn't come across to me as grumpy; I apologise for making it seem that I thought you had. (We are nice and ...
- 08:20 Sun 19 Jan 2025
- Forum: Selling Port
- Topic: Benelux Shipping - Micheal Vaus
- Replies: 3
- Views: 4977
Re: Benelux Shipping - Micheal Vaus
Sorry John, I’ve never used Benelux Shipping.