Monday 10 February 2025 - 2000 VP Tasting

[jdaw1]

There is now a draft of the food order. Usual rules: if it is wrong, that is your fault for not checking. Check your order!

Link to the food order has been sent to the B&F.

[winesecretary]

As to whether we have too much port - a vote - do we pour small and everyone takes 1/3 of a bottle of their preference home? Or do we trim the list?

A question for the ages, in a sense.

Possibly a matter of both, if we end up being 12 persons, where 16 ports might be advisable.

I think to get it down to 16 I would drop Osborne, Mz, QH, TTD.

There is also the chance of something being faulty on opening, which might lead to the loss of a couple more, and the need for emergency adding-back-in.

I have ordered 280 glasses, just in case.

[CPR 1]

I would like to get a broad view of the vintage thus would be keen to keep in Mz and QH - but I suspect 18 is about right for a Monday night.....

[mcoulson]

I'm really looking forward to the range of ports here so I'd pour short and stick with the numbers .....

Plus is it actually possible to have too much port ?

[hadge]

i would go with the wide range and smaller pours with topping up for those who want more.

i'm currently looking good for this.

[jdaw1]

I suspect 18 is about right for a Monday night.....

i would go with the wide range

Plus is it actually possible to have too much port ?

Charles wants 18; Harry wants 24; Martin wants 36. Maybe twenty isn’t wrong.

[flash_uk]

I suspect 18 is about right for a Monday night.....

i would go with the wide range

Plus is it actually possible to have too much port ?

Charles wants 18; Harry wants 24; Martin wants 36. Maybe twenty isn’t wrong.

Seconded.

[jdaw1]

Current draft of the placemats has been updated to reflect latest knowledge.

Luckily nobody will have noticed the addition of a mystery “Ben L.”, who is a backup in the event that Rob C. is a no-show. Indeed, Ben L. has already refused the tentative invitation — that doesn’t matter, he actually wants to play and if necessary he would find means.

[flash_uk]

Current draft of the placemats has been updated to reflect latest knowledge.

Luckily nobody will have noticed the addition of a mystery “Ben L.”, who is a backup in the event that Rob C. is a no-show. Indeed, Ben L. has already refused the tentative invitation — that doesn’t matter, he actually wants to play and if necessary he would find means.

Splendid placemats - thanks you!

[winesecretary]

That is indeed a magnificent set of place mats. Thank you Julian.

[mcoulson]

placemats look fab - I can hardly wait !!!

[jdaw1]

Placemats conversation continues here in placemat thread.

[jdaw1]

Links:

• Review of the event as a whole;
• Tasting notes:
  • 2000 Taylor;
  • 2000 Fonseca;
  • 2000 Croft;
  • 2000 Dow;
  • 2000 Warre;
  • 2000 Graham;
  • 2000 Quinta do Vesuvio;
  • 2000 Martinez;
  • 2000 Cockburn;
  • 2000 Gould Campbell;
  • 2000 Smith Woodhouse;
  • 2000 Quarles Harris;
  • 2000 Sainsbury's Taste The Difference;
  • 2000 Niepoort;
  • 2000 Niepoort Secundum;
  • 2000 Sandeman;
  • 2000 Sandeman Vau;
  • 2000 Portal;
  • 2000 Osborne;
  • 2000 Quinta do Passadouro;
• The placemats (and discussion about);
• The food order;
• Planning and arrangements.

[jdaw1]

Pictures added to S, SV, and Pt.

[Christopher]

What a totally splendid tasting you have lined up!

[nac]

Picture & provenance added for T, F, G, V, Mz, SW & QH.

[nac]

For the seven bottles I'm bringing, I've averaged out the cost across them all. So, if you're adopting one of them from me it will be £40. Any unadopted extra bottles will become team adoptions (cost per head tbc once we know how many heads).

[jdaw1]

Harry H. is in. (Do we have enough bottles?)

No response from Rob C. (multiple multiple attempts, multiple channels), so he’s out, replaced by Alex B.

[mcoulson]

Have to say I'm really looking forward to this event ....

[jdaw1]

Reminder:

I will drop my ports off at the B&F this week and ask that they be opened and decanted on the morning of the tasting. If you are travelling with your port, then opening and double decanting the night before should offer a similar experience.

decanting the night before should offer a similar experience.

I could do so the night before, or in the morning, or Audouze at the two times. Which preferred?

please open night before, leave open, double decant morning and seal.

[idj123]

Harry H. is in. (Do we have enough bottles?)

I can bring an RCV if one wishes?

[winesecretary]

I have failed to pre-deliver my ports to the B&F due to pressure of work. I will follow the Julianic method set out above.

[winesecretary]

@ idj - Real Compania Velha? Were we that bad in a previous life?

Seriously, 20 really is enough, chaps…

[PhilW]

@ idj - Real Compania Velha? Were we that bad in a previous life?

Seriously, 20 really is enough, chaps…

I think you're thinking of Real Vinicola; nothing wrong with some good RCV.
As for 20; you've got a full 14, you're not even at 1.5bts each yet!

[mcoulson]

Seriously, 20 really is enough, chaps…

Everything in moderation including moderation

Oscar Wilde

[jdaw1]

I think you're thinking of Real Vinicola; nothing wrong with some good RCV.

RCV = Real Companhia Velha
RO = Royal Oporto
ROC = Royal Oporto Quinta das Carvalhas
ROCo = Royal Oporto Quinta do Corval
RVn = Real Vinicola

[jdaw1]

Reminder:

I will drop my ports off at the B&F this week and ask that they be opened and decanted on the morning of the tasting. If you are travelling with your port, then opening and double decanting the night before should offer a similar experience.

decanting the night before should offer a similar experience.

I could do so the night before, or in the morning, or Audouze at the two times. Which preferred?

please open night before, leave open, double decant morning and seal.

[jdaw1]

On Monday the B&F closes at 22:00. Given that, what is our official start time?

[Alex Bridgeman]

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?

[jdaw1]

What time should said willing pair of hands plan to arrive?

I'll be in the office on Monday 10th, so can print the placemats then.
Will do them early afternoon to catch any late changes. Aim to then be at B&F for 1700.

I will have three decanters (S, SV, Pt) with me in my office, not far from 67 Pall Mall. If any attendees will be making that journey before, approx., 17:30, and would be willing to cause earlier arrival of my three, please ping me to arrange.

[winesecretary]

Official start time of 1800.

Some of us will be there from circa 1700, pouring things into glasses.

Many hands (say, five pairs) make light work. Much more than that is likely to make it difficult to manouevre. Self, nac, one of nac's guests, alex would be fine. One or two more welcome but if the bulk of attendees could aim for no earlier than 1740 we should have most of the ports on the table by then.

I am very much looking forward to this tasting. My life is quite busy and stressful at the moment and it will be good to put the computer down for a few hours.

[mcoulson]

Nigel and I will be there for 5 to help pour

[jdaw1]

My cork pictures posted: Portal and Sandeman shattered; only Sandeman Vau came out cleanly.

Alex has volunteered to collect my decanters from St James’s.

[nac]

I might now be struggling to get to the B&F much before 1730.
Is anyone else able to print the placemats?

I can still do them but worried I’ll be holding up getting organised if I’m delayed with the paperwork.


Edit: backup has been found. It’s good.

[hadge]

If I get there early I will have a drink or two at the bar as per George's rules!!

[mcoulson]

I'll do the printing .......

[nac]

I'll do the printing .......

Many thanks.

[nac]

Picture & provenance added for T, F, G, V, Mz, SW & QH.

Bottles opened & decanted 0730-0810 this morning.

No obvious faults at this stage.

All corks looked pretty much new, with little or no staining.

Varying amounts of sediment. From Taylor with loads to Martinez with very little.

All the Symington stable wines had a secondary PET capsule under the foil.

[pommy42]

Cockburns decanted at 9.02 this morning, no apparent faults, limited sediment

[mcoulson]

I'll do the printing .......

Many thanks.

It's all printed now - just need to remember to bring them !

[nac]

Picture & provenance added for T, F, G, V, Mz, SW & QH.

Bottles opened & decanted 0730-0810 this morning.

No obvious faults at this stage.

All corks looked pretty much new, with little or no staining.

Varying amounts of sediment. From Taylor with loads to Martinez with very little.

All the Symington stable wines had a secondary PET capsule under the foil.

Approx 6 hour decant and now back in the bottles.

[nac]

Not late. Just arrived...

[Alex Bridgeman]

Well would you believe it? That's the first time I've tasted Smith Woodhouse 2000 VP.

Who'da'thut it?

[hadge]

wow!