BBR VP Tasting-Wednesday 2 February 2022

[nac]

-wine to be brought double-decanted (Neil, they have said 'but please advise otherwise ')

Not actually sure I’ll be able to get there in advance anyway, so just assume I’ll bring it with me.

[Christopher]

Apologies I am going to need to drop out , sorry for short notice

[Alex Bridgeman]

Thank you for your efforts Ian, sounds like a great evening. I am still in need of adopting too, inquires have been made but nothing confirmed yet.

Simon - confirmed. You can adopt the ‘97 mag.

[flash_uk]

I'm also needing to adopt. Is anyone able to assist? Thanks.

[winesecretary]

Two persons could, perhaps, adopt the mag?

[Doggett]

Thank you for your efforts Ian, sounds like a great evening. I am still in need of adopting too, inquires have been made but nothing confirmed yet.

Simon - confirmed. You can adopt the ‘97 mag.

Have contacted you Alex as slightly earlier I was offered the 2000 to adopt which I accepted. Whatever is easiest for all I am happy with, but for the moment I am down for the 2000 so the ‘97 still available for adoption.

[akzy]

Apologies I am going to need to drop out , sorry for short notice

I suppose that makes me next? I have the 77 and 94 - both of which I believe are accounted for. I can adopt/ share an adoption/ provide quality amusement as required.

[Doggett]

The placemats seem to suggest Gould Campbell for the ‘75, but the photo of nac’s bottle in the thread has Quarles Harris on the label.

[idj123]

Apologies I am going to need to drop out , sorry for short notice

I suppose that makes me next? I have the 77 and 94 - both of which I believe are accounted for. I can adopt/ share an adoption/ provide quality amusement as required.

Shame you can’t make it Christopher but Zak, yes, you’re next. Might I suggest a joint adoption of the 97 mag with Mike?

[jdaw1]

Placemats updated: 1975 has become QH; 1997 and 2000 adoptions added.

[winesecretary]

77 stood up for the occasion

[nac]

75 has been stood up for a few days. Will be double decanted and Vac-u-Vined this evening.

Hopefully it'll be OK as it's my last bottle of three, purchased from BBR's broking list back in 1996(?) when the "list" was a physical document that you received in the post. Distant memory says the others were fine...

In respect of post-tasting eating, quite a few have said they intend to, but we don't have a venue. Should we just wing it? Given the numbers potentially involved getting a single table at short notice might be an issue. I could see if one of the private rooms at 67 Pall Mall is available. Thoughts?

[Doggett]

Unlikely to participate on the Dinner front but would join for a Post BBR/Pre Dinner drink depending on the venue and plan allow for this.

[CPR 1]

Apologies all, especially for the short notice but I wont be able to make this. Ian I will sort out with you what I owe for the food at BBR.

I hope you all have a great tasting, I look forward to the notes / reviews.

[idj123]

Apologies all, especially for the short notice but I wont be able to make this. Ian I will sort out with you what I owe for the food at BBR.

I hope you all have a great tasting, I look forward to the notes / reviews.

Charles, that is disappointing for you but I understand the reasons. Sadly, it also means that we will be without both the 80 and 85. Should we attempt to fill the void (and with what) or leave fallow-comments please?

[idj123]

Stop press-no sooner had I pressed submit on the above when I receive word that BBR might be able to ride in to the rescue. More details to follow…

[idj123]

Yes, touch wood, we have re-access to the 1980?and 1985.

Dave, Charles’s misfortune does mean that you have a last minute place at the table, should you still be able to take it?

[nac]

I could see if one of the private rooms at 67 Pall Mall is available.

Checked & not available.

[Alex Bridgeman]

Neil - I’m going to pass on dinner tonight and take the opportunity to get home at a sensible time. That should earn me a few brownie points.

[Doggett]

For those looking for Dinner after, Davy’s St. James is very close, I believe has some private rooms (if needed) and often has one of the staff members from the B&F there (I can’t recall his name) so are familiar with the Forum.

https://www.davy.co.uk/wine-bar/davys-at-st-james/

[Doggett]

@Jdaw This is probably a question for BBR tomorrow, but when they supplied you with the shippers by vintage for their Port, was Gould Campbell an error when listed as 1975 (Quarles Harris) or did they have multiple shippers in some years? If they did have multiple shippers in some years, I guess we would like to know which years and which additional shippers to add to the list. Then we can be accurate for the second edition of THE BOOK.

[jdaw1]

@Jdaw This is probably a question for BBR tomorrow, but when they supplied you with the shippers by vintage for their Port, was Gould Campbell an error when listed as 1975 (Quarles Harris) or did they have multiple shippers in some years? If they did have multiple shippers in some years, I guess we would like to know which years and which additional shippers to add to the list. Then we can be accurate for the second edition of THE BOOK.

I cannot find the original document which was my source. So maybe it was a transcription error from me. But I think that unlikely — I was careful, and did check. So maybe it was an error, or an incompleteness, of BBR’s.

Take your pick.

[benread]

BBR 2003 (Quinta de la Rosa) now fully decanted according to some very specific instructions from AHB. Apparently the "Audouze" method of which I have never previously heard.

9pm Tuesday - corked pulled and gently reinserted loosely. Bottle left undisturbed in cellar.
8am Wednesday - bottle collected from cellar and double decanted back into the original bottle.

Interesting that the cork was removed more cleanly than any cork I can remember. Perhaps the quality of this cork was particularly good? It also has the QdlR logo on the foil seal. Was it normal for the BBR bottlings to have the producer seal on the foil cap?

[winesecretary]

BBR 1977 (Quarles Harris) decanted 0800. Cork, in fine condition, marked 'Berry's Own Selection 1977'. QA sample excellent.

[Alex Bridgeman]

Ben - I don’t recall seeing producer seals or producer branding on any BBR bottles I’ve opened previously. The cork on my 1997 didn’t refer to the shipper.

If anyone not staying for dinner plans to have an early supper before the tasting, drop me a WhatsApp. I plan to have a quick meal around 17.30 at Cafe Zedel.