Search found 3797 matches

by PhilW
06:22 Tue 07 Apr 2026
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: 63@63.. ?
Replies: 28
Views: 1986

Re: 63@63.. ?

winesecretary wrote: 20:36 Mon 06 Apr 2026 Damn. I am mandatorily away all of that week at a conference. Ironically it will be taking place at the Port Forum (in Barcelona).
Are you suggesting a venue change? Does "The Port Fòrum" (TPFr) have sufficient glasses available? In which case we would become "63@63..TPF@TPFr"
by PhilW
15:39 Mon 06 Apr 2026
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: 63@63.. ?
Replies: 28
Views: 1986

Re: 63@63.. ?

Either work for me currently
by PhilW
11:39 Mon 06 Apr 2026
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: 63@63.. ?
Replies: 28
Views: 1986

Re: 63@63.. ?

Yes, absolutely.
by PhilW
07:41 Sun 05 Apr 2026
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: Ramos Pinto Vertical - Tuesday 9 June
Replies: 50
Views: 10826

Re: Ramos Pinto Vertical - Tuesday 9 June

Bertie3000 wrote: 16:30 Sat 04 Apr 2026 We have two adopters - could they reach out to relevant people to see if they could adopt one of the years that needs adopting (1970/1983/1985). It is not clear yet whether we need any bottles younger than 1994.
Ian has offered for me to adopt the 1983.
by PhilW
15:47 Fri 03 Apr 2026
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: Tue 21 April 2026: Elizabeth II’s 100th
Replies: 50
Views: 9520

Re: Tue 21 April 2026: Elizabeth II’s 100th

Please add "+ fries + peppercorn sauce" to my sharing Tomahawk. ty.
by PhilW
15:44 Fri 03 Apr 2026
Forum: Travel
Topic: oPortUno - a new Port wine bar in Porto
Replies: 4
Views: 1402

Re: oPortUno - a new Port wine bar in Porto

I hope they have Carmina Burana playing on loop when you enter... "O Por-tuno <bom> <bom>"...
Sounds well worth a visit next trip.
by PhilW
10:48 Thu 02 Apr 2026
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Latest buy
Replies: 2429
Views: 6325989

Re: Latest buy

I love the idea of this; maybe it was a blend of their favourite shippers, or just what they had left from each cask after the main bottling, and who knows what the proportions might be. Would love the know the story behind it (did they know the Avery family perhaps?).
by PhilW
08:28 Tue 31 Mar 2026
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: The problem with tastings
Replies: 8
Views: 1144

Re: The problem with tastings

Phil: your recent proposal doubtless has many fine technical merits. Pray tell, could a tasting organiser, and hypothetically a tasting organiser who has had his share of the Port being tasted, be confident of being able to effect it accurately? Hah! In a thread where the square root sum is potenti...
by PhilW
09:34 Mon 30 Mar 2026
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: The problem with tastings
Replies: 8
Views: 1144

Re: The problem with tastings

Interesting analysis; so much to respond to... Just a couple for now. Before analysis of the more subtle attack described by Julian, the Quadrature method looked the most effective for defence against simple attacker, but the effort of calculation and hence risk of error might outweigh the risk of T...
by PhilW
08:18 Mon 30 Mar 2026
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: Tue 21 April 2026: Elizabeth II’s 100th
Replies: 50
Views: 9520

Re: Tue 21 April 2026: Elizabeth II’s 100th

nac wrote: 22:00 Sun 29 Mar 2026 Assume room booked? First post not entirely positive about this.
First post could indeed use a little more love.
by PhilW
10:30 Fri 27 Mar 2026
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Latest buy
Replies: 2429
Views: 6325989

Re: Latest buy

A great find I generally wax all my old bottles. Personally if it had some seepage as you have lost 3/4 of the cork I would find an excuse to drink it soon Agree with Christopher, and even more so not just because of the seepage, but since you sampled some as well - so rather than a recorked vts-le...
by PhilW
11:06 Sun 22 Mar 2026
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: Ferreira VP Vertical - March 19, 2026
Replies: 7
Views: 1149

Re: Ferreira VP Vertical - March 19, 2026

a Mystery Port. Suitably mysterious Port? 2026-03-12 16.25.56.jpg Love it. Interesting that they've maintained the feather/medals as also used on the Ferreirnha range, which also included Acyprestes (both as 1872, and as undated tawny), which were likely bottled just prior to this one; the earliest...
by PhilW
22:35 Fri 20 Mar 2026
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Cork Rests
Replies: 51
Views: 7093

Re: Cork Rests

But think of the discomfort that some of the poor champagne corks must be feeling through their hips maintaining such an angle, particularly those who have withered, dried or shrunk and can no longer maintain such a broad-based mushroom. And their caps keep falling off. Can't anyone provide succor?
by PhilW
12:00 Tue 17 Mar 2026
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: 1966 Fonseca
Replies: 2
Views: 690

Re: 1966 Fonseca

Decanted 07:30. Unknown bottler, but from a stash that has shown well previously. The sediment was perhaps interesting (for those with sufficient geekiness) - there seemed to be none to begin with, almost nothing in the gauze/funnel. The bottle is of light green glass, and I could see no sediment in...
by PhilW
16:12 Sun 15 Mar 2026
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Cork Rests
Replies: 51
Views: 7093

Re: Cork Rests

Despite great personal injury from his use of the laser engraver on the Mk1 and 24 hrs in hospital I'm pleased to report that Beaker under the personal direction of Dr. Bunsen Honeydew from Muppet Labs Inc and a trip to Hobby Craft have perfected a scalable solution for Branding the Mk2 Cork Stand....
by PhilW
10:23 Sun 15 Mar 2026
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: Tue 21 April 2026: Elizabeth II’s 100th
Replies: 50
Views: 9520

Re: Tue 21 April 2026: Elizabeth II’s 100th

jdaw1 wrote: 21:35 Sat 14 Mar 2026 Food order started.
Food order please:
- Starter: Scotch Egg
- Main: *Sirloin (med-rare) + fries + peppercorn sauce
- Dessert: TBD on day.

*Please upgrade to Tomahawk (med-rare) to share with CPR if special steaks are possible; thx.
by PhilW
09:58 Sun 15 Mar 2026
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Cork Rests
Replies: 51
Views: 7093

Re: Cork Rests

Alex Bridgeman wrote:
Cork rest mark 1.png

I must admit, it's not easy to sneak the Mark 1 version into the house without the other half noticing. It's also quite a challenge to find bottles with corks big enough to fit on the Mark 1.

I'm relieved that the Mark 2 version is smaller and lighter.
[emoji1787][emoji106]
by PhilW
19:59 Sat 14 Mar 2026
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: 66 @ 60 - Tuesday 17 March 2026
Replies: 88
Views: 21999

Re: 66 @ 60 - Tuesday 17 March 2026

flash_uk wrote:
jdaw1 wrote: 09:07 Sat 14 Mar 2026
jdaw1 wrote: 19:49 Mon 09 Mar 2026The placemats and the images in the first post have been updated.
Please would somebody carefully check the placemats.

Had a look - placemats seem fine.
+1
by PhilW
22:47 Wed 11 Mar 2026
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Cork Rests
Replies: 51
Views: 7093

Re: Cork Rests

Absolutely. Love the cork rest concept.
Totally ridiculous, and brilliant.
by PhilW
19:48 Wed 11 Mar 2026
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: Tue 21 April 2026: Elizabeth II’s 100th
Replies: 50
Views: 9520

Re: Tue 21 April 2026: Elizabeth II’s 100th


NigelM wrote: Mike would like to source his own port, but I will give him only a week or so to confirm suitability, otherwise I will make him adopt!
in case it helps, the queen's children were all born in decent port years - perhaps except for Anne, unless you live at Raby.

by PhilW
21:53 Tue 10 Mar 2026
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Latest buy
Replies: 2429
Views: 6325989

Re: Latest buy

Christopher wrote:Not sure which vintages are in it but thought a bit of fun. I also purchased the Cockburn of Leith multi shipper magnum for a bit of fun!
Nice - I thought that looked like a really interesting bottle, will be intrigued to hear about it when you open it.
by PhilW
16:16 Tue 10 Mar 2026
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: Tue 21 April 2026: Elizabeth II’s 100th
Replies: 50
Views: 9520

Re: Tue 21 April 2026: Elizabeth II’s 100th

I shall bring a Koppenhagen 1947 (believed Dow) being the year of Elizabeth's marriage.
by PhilW
12:10 Tue 10 Mar 2026
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Dating a bottle with no label
Replies: 9
Views: 1847

Re: Dating a bottle with no label

Thank you, both. Will the year be on the cork? I plan to open it soon and will let you know. Yes, I would expect the year and shipper to be on the cork as Harry says, and Berry Bros might also be mentioned on there. e.g. "Taylor, Vintage 1927, Bottled 1929" (each line separated by comma&q...
by PhilW
12:00 Mon 09 Mar 2026
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Dating a bottle with no label
Replies: 9
Views: 1847

Re: Dating a bottle with no label

Hi Granmaa, I have seen other similar bottles from Berry Bros (note, before they became Berry Bros & Rudd, so pre-) with varying capsule colours in the same design as on your bottle, from the 1920s.
by PhilW
07:47 Fri 06 Mar 2026
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: Tue 21 April 2026: Elizabeth II’s 100th
Replies: 50
Views: 9520

Re: Tue 21 April 2026: Elizabeth II’s 100th

Seven years ago we commemorated Victoria’s 200th ( planning , review ). ... (It is acknowledged that this is only one week after ’60 @ 66 . (Edit, following Mike’s comment: and two days before the 2011 tasting .) So?) Fabulous idea, yes please. (Minor note: I am unlikely to be able to make both thi...
by PhilW
23:08 Fri 27 Feb 2026
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: What should I do with this slightly heat-damaged Taylor 1983?
Replies: 14
Views: 3745

Re: What should I do with this slightly heat-damaged Taylor 1983?

Port & wine reduction/jus with duck breast or some form of wellington. Or bolognese, provided you have sufficient parmesan.
Or... haggis.
by PhilW
07:21 Thu 26 Feb 2026
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: Fonseca and Niepoort - 19th January 2027
Replies: 31
Views: 14240

Re: Fonseca and Niepoort - 19th January 2027

Christopher wrote: 22:04 Thu 19 Feb 2026 Missed this one!
Can I please be added to reserves
Of course; done.
Christopher wrote: 15:04 Wed 25 Feb 2026 If you decided to go back further I could help on Fonseca but not Niepoort
Noted and appreciate the offer.
by PhilW
10:55 Wed 25 Feb 2026
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: 1977 Justerini and Brooks
Replies: 2
Views: 1559

Re: 1977 Justerini and Brooks

Note - whilst label says "Shipped by Smith Woodhouse" the capsule says "Gould Campbell", so the latter is assumed to be the identity. Cork just stamped "JUSTERINI'S VINTAGE". I believe all Gould Campbell vintage port is shipped by "Smith Woodhouse & Ca. Lda.&q...
by PhilW
13:54 Tue 24 Feb 2026
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: NV Quevedo Unrecorded Tawny (bottled 2025)
Replies: 3
Views: 1932

Re: NV Quevedo Unrecorded Tawny Bottled 2025

Andy Velebil wrote: 13:41 Tue 24 Feb 2026 What does “Unrecorded” mean?
From Oscar's youtube video description for this wine, this is tawny from a barrel for which there are no records (whether never recorded, or records lost).
by PhilW
10:59 Tue 24 Feb 2026
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: 66 @ 60 - Tuesday 17 March 2026
Replies: 88
Views: 21999

Re: 66 @ 60 - Tuesday 17 March 2026

Food order please:
- Starter: Scotch Egg
- Main: Sirloin (med-rare) + fries + peppercorn sauce - but please upgrade to Tomahawk (med-rare) to share with CPR if special steaks are possible; thx.
- Dessert: TBD on day.
by PhilW
10:11 Mon 23 Feb 2026
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: 1989 Quevedo Colheita (bottled 2025)
Replies: 5
Views: 2455

Re: 1989 Quevedo Colheita Bottled 2025

winesecretary wrote: 21:31 Sun 22 Feb 2026 Palate, sadly, congruent, with a faecal finish.
Yikes.
winesecretary wrote: 21:31 Sun 22 Feb 2026 Flawed sample.
I'd hope so, given the previous comment!
by PhilW
19:54 Sun 22 Feb 2026
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: 2005 at 21 Tasting - Tuesday 3 November
Replies: 13
Views: 3311

Re: 2005 at 21 Tasting - Tuesday 3 November?

I like the 2005s a lot. They may not have the same longevity as some others years, and seem to be earlier maturing, but also seem to be lovely. Probably time I opened a case. So, yes please. ChG, Ni, TTF, Q
(all currently unopened cases in storage, so would need notice please)
by PhilW
07:16 Fri 20 Feb 2026
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: CANCELLED - Ends in a 7 - Tuesday 12th January 2027
Replies: 29
Views: 10769

Re: CANCELLED - Ends in a 7 - Tuesday 12th January 2027

5th or 12th works for me ..... But why not hold it on the 7th ? For that matter how about the holding it on the 7th of July 2027 at 7pm ? You could also fix it at 14 people and hold it on two tables .... You'd have to let people have 7 points to vote with, there would be carnage. You could also hav...
by PhilW
11:12 Thu 19 Feb 2026
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: 1986 Quevedo White Colheita (bottled 2026)
Replies: 7
Views: 2972

Re: 1986 Quevedo White Colheita (bottled 2026)

I was fortunate to taste this recently, and agree with Alex that this is a lovely white colheita; I didn't score it quite as highly as Alex, my score being the equivalent of roughly 93-94 on Alex's scale, but it has a lovely intensity (less common in many white ports) and is very well balanced, very...
by PhilW
11:37 Wed 18 Feb 2026
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: Fonseca and Niepoort - 19th January 2027
Replies: 31
Views: 14240

Re: Fonseca and Niepoort - 19th January 2027

**Please note date change** The date has now been set as 19th January 2027, with Daniel Niepoort and David Guimaraens joining us as guests for the evening. Based on the bottles offered, the range of vintages/bottles will be the range of 1945 to 1977 for which both producers declared (45, 55, 60, 63,...
by PhilW
16:30 Sun 15 Feb 2026
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: NV Vasconcellos Tawny 80YO
Replies: 0
Views: 3254

NV Vasconcellos Tawny 80YO

Tasted as part of this tasting pack. Vasconcellos 80yt Much, much darker with a greening rim, slightly thicker legs, and an incredible nose. Huge intensity, with lovely waves of complexity with toffee, burnt caramel, walnuts and hints of cigar, very well balanced by a wonderful huge acidity; great l...
by PhilW
16:30 Sun 15 Feb 2026
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: NV Vasconcellos Tawny 50YO
Replies: 0
Views: 3132

NV Vasconcellos Tawny 50YO

Tasted as part of this tasting pack.

Vasconcellos 50yt
Slight more intense than the 40yt, but with much more complexity and depth. Slightly dryer, and only a hint of the orange, again with a slightly sour finish.
Rating: vg+
by PhilW
16:30 Sun 15 Feb 2026
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: NV Vasconcellos Tawny 40YO
Replies: 0
Views: 3199

NV Vasconcellos Tawny 40YO

Tasted as part of this tasting pack.

Vasconcellos 40yt
Much more intensity than the 30yt, similar underlying flavour to the younger tawnies with the hint of seville orange in the back; much longer finish, with slight bitterness at the end, this was very enjoyable.
Rating: vg/vg+
by PhilW
16:29 Sun 15 Feb 2026
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: NV Vasconcellos Tawny 30YO
Replies: 0
Views: 3173

NV Vasconcellos Tawny 30YO

Tasted as part of this tasting pack. Vasconcellos 30yt Similar in style to the 20yt, though much fuller (rather than more intense) flavour; Initially very fresh, full and rounder than the 20yt, perhaps a touch over-sweet to begin, but then later the acidity balances well, leading to a clean, slightl...
by PhilW
16:29 Sun 15 Feb 2026
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: NV Vasconcellos Tawny 20YO
Replies: 0
Views: 3128

NV Vasconcellos Tawny 20YO

Tasted as part of this tasting pack.

Vasconcellos 20yt
A good 20 year tawny with lots of sevill oranges in the flavour; slight sourness initially, good acidity, then slightly sweet on finish with an odd edge.
Rating: g+
by PhilW
16:03 Sun 15 Feb 2026
Forum: Reviews
Topic: 2026 : Vasconcellos tawny tasting
Replies: 3
Views: 3937

2026 : Vasconcellos tawny tasting

When you walk along the front in Vila Nova de Gaia as I did on a recent visit, you may notice a table in the middle of the street with several bottles covered in perspex boxes in front of a large white building, the left-hand side of which (behind the tables and bottles) is shut, while the the right...
by PhilW
15:11 Tue 10 Feb 2026
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: Fonseca 1948-1997, Tuesday 10th February 2026
Replies: 144
Views: 94848

Re: Fonseca 1948-1997, Tuesday 10th February 2026

'75 and '77 decanted at 13:30.
Eta B&F 5:30-45
by PhilW
13:01 Sat 31 Jan 2026
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: Ramos Pinto Vertical - Tuesday 9 June
Replies: 50
Views: 10826

Re: Ramos Pinto Vertical - Tuesday 9 June

Yes please, but I would need to adopt.
by PhilW
12:16 Wed 28 Jan 2026
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: 1967 Cockburn
Replies: 6
Views: 3243

Re: 1967 Cockburn

I like Ck67; it's a gentle and enjoyable softer port rather than powerhouse, and often found at quite reasonable prices.
I haven't seen another bottle of the "Joanna" bottling of Ck67 for a while now.
by PhilW
17:30 Sun 25 Jan 2026
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: 60 @ 66 - Tuesday 14 April 2026
Replies: 89
Views: 19031

Re: 60 @ 66 - Tuesday 14 April 2026

Yes please/reserve. Of not yet listed I have Adams (believed Royal Oporto Carvalhas), Justerini (which might be Taylor) and OBV.
by PhilW
16:26 Sun 25 Jan 2026
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: Sighted somethings, Wed 25 Feb 2026
Replies: 63
Views: 21053

Re: Something, incl. Quevedo closures, Wed 25 Feb 2026

Unlikely to make the date. Will be interested to hear how it goes.
by PhilW
18:34 Fri 23 Jan 2026
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: 66 @ 60 - Tuesday 17 March 2026
Replies: 88
Views: 21999

Re: 66 @ 60 - Tuesday 17 March 2026

Yes please, F or S.
by PhilW
08:35 Wed 21 Jan 2026
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: Fonseca 1948-1997, Tuesday 10th February 2026
Replies: 144
Views: 94848

Re: 2026, Fonseca 1948-1997, Tuesday 10th February 2026

Alex Bridgeman wrote:
PhilW wrote: 07:17 Wed 21 Jan 2026
CPR 1 wrote: 22:40 Tue 20 Jan 2026 Scotch Egg
Ribeye (medium rare) with Peppercorn sauce, fries and spinach
Welsh rarebit
My dinner order identical to Charles' please.
Would happily upgrade to Tomahawk if someone would like to share one.
I'll share a tomahawk steak if you're happy with medium-rare?
Works for me.
by PhilW
07:17 Wed 21 Jan 2026
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: Fonseca 1948-1997, Tuesday 10th February 2026
Replies: 144
Views: 94848

Re: 2026, Fonseca 1948-1997, Tuesday 10th February 2026

CPR 1 wrote: 22:40 Tue 20 Jan 2026 Scotch Egg
Ribeye (medium rare) with Peppercorn sauce, fries and spinach
Welsh rarebit
My dinner order identical to Charles' please.
Would happily upgrade to Tomahawk if someone would like to share one.