Tue 11 Jun 2019 — 1994 Mini Horizontal

[Christopher]

The 1994’s reach their quarter century this year, I think that is reason enough to see how they are getting on. I also think they are rather good value so a good opportunity to see which ones to look out for.
I am not sure this needs to be a big tasting depending on how much interest there is

I was thinking the second week of June so after half term and before we run into the holiday season. So Tuesday 11th June as a first suggestion.

Just to spice it up I wonder if anyone is up for doing it blind?
Normal Venue B&F
Green Room booked, menu sheet as standard, if different from standard please notify by 1st June

Any takers?

Attendees:

1. CMAG
2. THRA (Bu, Ca, Ck, Erv, F, GC, Ko, Mz, MzEV, Rm, SW, T, V)
3. CPR (Bringing F and MzEV, one of which is for AP from JDAW)
4. IDJ (Sk, Ck, SW, Ni, Tes, GC?)
5. MPM (Cr)
6. BMHR
7. GEAG (SW)
8. RGO
9. JDAW (Bringing RP)
10. Nick A (Cr, D, F, G, W)
11. PW (Bringing Ch (also has G, RO))
12. Axel P (RP being given to JDAW, JDAW providing an adoption in exchange from CPR)

Reserve List:

This has all got rather complex but I believe below is who is now coming and what they are bringing

CMAG T94 - will purchases as no one has available.
THRA - Ves 94
CPR F94
IDJ - Tesco 94 and Skf 94
MPM - Cr94
GEAG SW94
RGO GC 94 ( adopting from Tom )
JDAW N94
Nick A D94 and W94
PW Ch 94 and G 94
Axel P - Eira Velha 94 - adopting from CPR

So Imake that 11 attendeees and 14 ports!

I am a checking I have Tom's port correct. I will be reaching out to a couple of people re missing food orders.

Thanks Julian I agree sheets.


Draft of the placemats:

[forest26]

Great idea - count me in


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[CPR 1]

Yes please, I was going to suggest a similar theme but you have beaten me to it.

[idj123]

Yes, I'm in (had a G94 at the weekend and it was more evolved than I was expecting).

[flash_uk]

Yes please Christopher. Nice idea!

[Alex Bridgeman]

I’m in. And I like the idea of doing it blind, or at least semi-blind.

You could get someone not attending to do the admin if you wanted to make sure there were no duplicates at the tasting.

[DRT]

Yes please!

[DRT]

JDAW texted me to say yes please.

[RGO]

Yes please!

[jdaw1]

JDAW texted me to say yes please.

Indeed, yes please.

[DaveRL]

A good idea. Yes please.

[PhilW]

Sounds good to me also.

[flash_uk]

This was the line-up when a few of us last tasted a 1994 horizontal.

[jdaw1]

Would a Ramos Pinto 1994 be useful? I have others — will report back on Sunday, so should be able to bring more than one.

[DRT]

Would a Ramos Pinto 1994 be useful? I have others — will report back on Sunday, so should be able to bring more than one.

I was going to ask the same. I have one that was a gift from the house that is occupying a space in my fridge that could be used for something else.

Julian, I am happy for you to bring yours but equally happy to donate mine as an extra.

[Alex Bridgeman]

Would a Ramos Pinto 1994 be useful? I have others — will report back on Sunday, so should be able to bring more than one.

I was going to ask the same. I have one that was a gift from the house that is occupying a space in my fridge that could be used for something else.

Julian, I am happy for you to bring yours but equally happy to donate mine as an extra.

Would a Ramos Pinto 1994 be useful? I have others — will report back on Sunday, so should be able to bring more than one.

Ahem. CMAG was suggesting we do this blind.

[DRT]

Would a Ramos Pinto 1994 be useful? I have others — will report back on Sunday, so should be able to bring more than one.

I was going to ask the same. I have one that was a gift from the house that is occupying a space in my fridge that could be used for something else.

Julian, I am happy for you to bring yours but equally happy to donate mine as an extra.

Would a Ramos Pinto 1994 be useful? I have others — will report back on Sunday, so should be able to bring more than one.

Ahem. CMAG was suggesting we do this blind.

So we will have one bottle out of twelve that is known to be there and none of us except the Monkey will guess which it is.

[PhilW]

Ahem. CMAG was suggesting we do this blind.

So we will have one bottle out of twelve that is known to be there and none of us except the Monkey will guess which it is.

That depends how the organiser chooses to run this. We will all know at least one producer which is present (which we have supplied, ignoring any adopters) even if we do not know which one it is.

We have had tastings before where we knew what was present but not which was which - which adds some complexity on the day of decant with pre-supplied bottles, though worked well and allows for pre-arrangement to avoid duplicates. The other obvious alternative would be for us all to bring pre-decanted bottles, with who brings what either managed by an arbiter (who knows everything) or not managed at all in which case everyone only knows their own bottle but we risk (likely) duplicates. Organiser's choice.

[Christopher]

I need to add a CMAG guest

[Christopher]

I would like this tasting to be semi blind. I think it makes sense for everyone to declare what they bring so we get a good selection and avoid me doing the usual of guessing it’s a different port when it is the same.
By being semi blind we avoid label bias and I think makes it a bit more fun.
It would be good if people can bring decanted bottles as I think they will need a decent decant to show their best.
There are certain logistical issues I need to think through! Ideally I want to avoid a situation where I know what they all are - if I am setting a blind theme it would be poor form not to put myself up to it!

[Alex Bridgeman]

I would like this tasting to be semi blind. I think it makes sense for everyone to declare what they bring so we get a good selection and avoid me doing the usual of guessing it’s a different port when it is the same.
By being semi blind we avoid label bias and I think makes it a bit more fun.
It would be good if people can bring decanted bottles as I think they will need a decent decant to show their best.
There are certain logistical issues I need to think through! Ideally I want to avoid a situation where I know what they all are - if I am setting a blind theme it would be poor form not to put myself up to it!

The usual way to achieve this is to ask someone not attending the tasting to act as your coordinator. They liaise with each person coming and agree what Port each person will bring. On the day, each person arrives with their port decanted (but not double decanted so as to avoid clues from the bottle shape), knowing what they have brought but not knowing what anyone else has brought. All are tasting blind with the exception of their own wine. The only thing which everyone knows is the vintage.

[PhilW]

I would like this tasting to be semi blind. I think it makes sense for everyone to declare what they bring so we get a good selection and avoid me doing the usual of guessing it’s a different port when it is the same.

Excellent, and my preferred alternative as it happens.

The usual way to achieve this is to ask someone not attending the tasting to act as your coordinator. They liaise with each person coming and agree what Port each person will bring. On the day, each person arrives with their port decanted (but not double decanted so as to avoid clues from the bottle shape), knowing what they have brought but not knowing what anyone else has brought. All are tasting blind with the exception of their own wine. The only thing which everyone knows is the vintage.

Agree probably the most practical. The other option would be if all bottles were pre-delivered to TBH and we used the decant/label/shuffle/label blinding method we've used previously so that no-one knows which is which (that method did work well previously at a blind matrix, but requires a little more planning, and bottle pre-delivery).

[jdaw1]

People are reminded of the blinding technique used on 3^rd June 2014, which “could be done by ≈‘1¼’ people only one of whom has any expertise or competence”.

[jdaw1]

In Sussex I had 1994s from only one non-RP producer. A bottle is now with me in London. Do I reveal the shipper?

[Christopher]

Please can everyone say what they can bring.
I think to be honest being semi blind V blind will be tricky enough anyway.

Many thanks

[PhilW]

I have odd bottles of Churchill, Graham and Royal Oporto to hand (others in storage if none of those suit).

[Alex Bridgeman]

I was really surprised when I looked to see what I have to offer. Apart from the Broadbent (of which I have only the one being consumed on 1 May) the only other bottle of 1994 Vintage Port I have at home is Vesuvio. This is what I was intending to bring to the 1994 horizontal.

If I have to bring something else, I have reasonably conveniently at hand Eira Velha (from Martinez), Martinez, Taylor, Tesco or Warre.

[richmills]

Can I put in a request to attend my first tasting, or is this one now full? I'm looking to expand my collection of 94's and this could give me just the information I need (plus my wife is away on the proposed date so I'm certain to get a pass for the evening )

[Alex Bridgeman]

Can I put in a request to attend my first tasting, or is this one now full? I'm looking to expand my collection of 94's and this could give me just the information I need (plus my wife is away on the proposed date so I'm certain to get a pass for the evening )

It’s not full, so I’m sure Christopher will be happy to add you to the list of attendees. Just for the admin (and to stop Julian asking), could you let us know your initials and whether you are left or right handed. And also, for purposes of full disclosure, a share of the costs including dinner is usually around £55-60 or £15-20 if you don’t eat.

[richmills]

Can I put in a request to attend my first tasting, or is this one now full? I'm looking to expand my collection of 94's and this could give me just the information I need (plus my wife is away on the proposed date so I'm certain to get a pass for the evening )

It’s not full, so I’m sure Christopher will be happy to add you to the list of attendees. Just for the admin (and to stop Julian asking), could you let us know your initials and whether you are left or right handed. And also, for purposes of full disclosure, a share of the costs including dinner is usually around £55-60 or £15-20 if you don’t eat.

Thank you. My initials are RJM, I'm right handed, and to respond to the earlier request about what 94's I have: Grahams, Vesuvio, Dow, Warre and Offley Boa Vista.

Cheers, Rich.

[idj123]

Put me down for this please-it’s something that was touted a little while ago. Unfortunately, I drank the single bottle of G94 I have in the house, the other weekend and so it may have to be Sk or Ck.

[DaveRL]

I have found (of those which I think are here) Warre, Offley, Vesuvio, Tesco and Taylor. I thought I had some Graham's here too, but the little minxes are hiding.

[idj123]

Looks like I also have SW, Ni, Tesco and possibly GC.

[Axel P]

Please reserve a seat for me.

I would bring RP, but this would travel on the day. Does anyone have a bottle to swap?

Thanks

Axel

[Christopher]

RJM you are very welcome. Will be great to see you, I have added you to the list. Can you please have a look at the Boot and Flogger’s menu and advise what you would like as a starter, main and pud. We will then add you to the standard order sheet which we will let them know a week ahead to help with admin.

Axel- have added you as well, great you can come we are now full and a reserve list is in operation.

[flash_uk]

I could bring a Croft.

[richmills]

RJM you are very welcome. Will be great to see you, I have added you to the list. Can you please have a look at the Boot and Flogger’s menu and advise what you would like as a starter, main and pud.

Thanks Christopher

I'll go for:
Starter: Nothing for me thanks.
Main: Ribeye steak (medium rare) with gratin potatoes, bearnaise sauce, and a side of green beans + shallots.
Desert: Nothing for me thanks.

Cheers, Rich.

[g-man]

if you guys are still interested in running this tasting blind, I'm happy to volunteer since I would have no vested interest in guessing the bottles being across the Atlantic.

I'd ask folks to take a vote and however you guys decide if you want a blind or not, I will then propose a method for letting me know your appropriate contribution to the blind tasting.

[uncle tom]

Put me on the reserves list please.

Have 23 '94 VPs in stock..

[benread]

Might I be added to the reserve list please? I have one child away with school that week so logistics much easier!


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[Christopher]

Tom my guest has dropped out so there is a free place I will put you down for if you are still free.
Ben you are on the reserve list at the moment.
Admin needs to step up a gear here- that is me!
So we need 14 different ports I will send out some Emails to get this going.

[jdaw1]

I owe Axel a bottle of Port. Please could I adopt another 1994 for him?

[uncle tom]

Tom my guest has dropped out so there is a free place I will put you down for if you are still free.

Splendid

[CPR 1]

I owe Axel a bottle of Port. Please could I adopt another 1994 for him?

Yes no problem, I will sort with CMAG

[jdaw1]

I owe Axel a bottle of Port. Please could I adopt another 1994 for him?

Yes no problem, I will sort with CMAG

I owe you. Please let me know the score.

[CPR 1]

I plan to bring a Fonseca and an Eira Velha

[Alex Bridgeman]

Unfortunately I am going to have to withdraw. An overlapping appointment means that I would not be able to attend until about 21.15 at the earliest

[winesecretary]

Hello. I would like to attend if a place becomes free. But, the only 1994 I have is Smith Woodhouse, which I believe someone else is bringing. (Indeed, the fact I have no others is the reason I would so like to attend- to know which I want to buy.) Would it be possible to adopt? Or, tell me what's missing and I will try to hunt it out.

[DRT]

Apologies, I can no longer attend as I need to be in Leeds on 11th June.

[richmills]

Apologies from me also, something has come up and I'll not be able to make it now after all.