London, Friday 11 July 2008, Odd+Great (Partially Sighted)

[jdaw1]

Orders from she who must be obeyed seem to imply that I’ll be available and not far from London on Friday 11th July or Saturday 12th July. Does anybody have any suggestions as to what sort of thing I could do that evening? You know, theatre, film, or something social.

And I would be coming from my father’s, should there be anything there that would be needed.

Edit: re-re-titled on Sat 7th June to “London, Friday 11 July 2008, Odd+Great (Partially Sighted)†.

[KillerB]

Whatever, I will make an effort.

[DRT]

That might just work. Depends on child related logistics and negotiations with former significant other. Will let you know. Please confirm date ASAP.

Thanks

Derek

[jdaw1]

Date slightly flexible, in that wifely plans not yet set in no-exchange tickets.
And yes, worthy of a new thread.

[benread]

I would love to join you but my plans for those dates are dominated by one small thing - baby due date is 12th July! You are at least talking my locality though!

[Alex Bridgeman]

That week is horribly free in my diary at the moment, which probably means I'll end up in a foreign country - anyone care to bet that irony will decide that to be New York?

However, as things stand at the moment, I could make Friday 11 July, but not Saturday 12. Thursday 10 July might be better for DRT than the Friday if there is some flexibility in the dates.

The Crusting Pipe may be a venue that is convenient for its location "near London", although I accept that it is not convenient for all.

Lastly, I suggest that in deference to Ben's likely inability to attend (or to attend but be unable to consume alcohol) that we do not set 1970 as the theme for this trip to the cinema or other social event.

How about something recent? Perhaps a 1991 or 1992 or 1994 tasting?

Alex

[jdaw1]

Agreed not the 1970.

What about London jumping the queue on Old and Odd (“O&O†)?

And I believe that the date has been set — in that the missus has bought tickets — even though I haven’t yet been told what the date is. You know how it is.

[jdaw1]

I’m available for cinema, theatre, or whatever, from about 2pm on Friday 11th July 2008. Or, if others strongly prefer, which AHB doesn’t, it could be the Saturday.

Ben: it’s your first child (please confirm). So at least 24 hours will elapse before the start of the rumblings and anything happening. Hence we should put you down tentatively, and if there are no reports of an imminent delivery as we decant, upgrade you to being a light-drinking participant.

[DRT]

Please put me down as "porbable" for this one. Awaiting confirmation of child's whereabouts that weekend. Given that he is 14 my chances of accurately determining that are greater than Ben's.

Please also put me down as "baggsied a bed/sofa/space on floor" should any of those options become available.

Can I suggest a slight expansion of the O&O theme to Old, Odd plus a couple of bottles that are more than likely going to be Great?

Derek

[jdaw1]

You’re welcome to bagsy accommodation, but, as yet, there isn’t any. And, of course, bonus bottles will appear.

Does this mean that we’ve agreed that it isn’t cinema, nor theatre?

[DRT]

Does this mean that we’ve agreed that it isn’t cinema, nor theatre?

I think so.

Derek

PS: If Ben gets called away during the event should we all go along to cheer on Mrs Read and offer moral support?

[jdaw1]

PS: If Ben gets called away during the event should we all go along to cheer on Mrs Read and offer moral support?

Mrs R could come. If things start, well, we’re all fathers, we know what to do. Ben wouldn’t even have to leave the tasting, and there’ll be celebratory drinks to hand. What could be better?

Separately, thread retitled to “London, Friday 11 July 2008, O&O|G†.

[DRT]

PS: If Ben gets called away during the event should we all go along to cheer on Mrs Read and offer moral support?

Mrs R could come. If things start, well, we’re all fathers, we know what to do. Ben wouldn’t even have to leave the tasting, and there’ll be celebratory drinks to hand. What could be better?

Splendid idea. Perhaps The Crusting Pipe could give us both tunnels: one for the tasting and one for the delivery?

Recommendation: Only the port tasting should be attempted blind

Derek

PS: What will we name the first TPF baby?

[jdaw1]

I declare that joke thoroughly exhausted.

[Alex Bridgeman]

What about London jumping the queue on Old and Odd (“O&O†)?

It looks like I am too late, but I would prefer not. I promised Jay that I would bring a bottle worthy of keeping his 1878 Schofield Brothers company.

Although I suppose that 20 year old Cruz Ruby tucked away in the cupboard might fit the bill of being "Odd"...

What definition should we use for "Old"? Older than Ben's first-born?

[benread]

Ben: it’s your first child (please confirm). So at least 24 hours will elapse before the start of the rumblings and anything happening. Hence we should put you down tentatively, and if there are no reports of an imminent delivery as we decant, upgrade you to being a light-drinking participant.

Yes it is our first. And yes please a provisional place would be good, subject to all the appropriate caveats.

PS: If Ben gets called away during the event should we all go along to cheer on Mrs Read and offer moral support?

I am sure she would welcome the support!

PS: If Ben gets called away during the event should we all go along to cheer on Mrs Read and offer moral support?

Mrs R could come. If things start, well, we’re all fathers, we know what to do. Ben wouldn’t even have to leave the tasting, and there’ll be celebratory drinks to hand. What could be better?

She has talked about the possibility of an additional birthing partner, but I think she meant her Mum!

Perhaps The Crusting Pipe could give us both tunnels: one for the tasting and one for the delivery?

Recommendation: Only the port tasting should be attempted blind

Derek

PS: What will we name the first TPF baby?

She is keen on a home birth. I think she meant our home and not a home for VP drunks!

As to your second question, see the attached thread where a few suggestions have already been made for Joost!

I also discovered over the weekend that there is an Australian "Tawny Port" called "Benjamin"!

[jdaw1]

It looks like I am too late, but I would prefer not. I promised Jay that I would bring a bottle worthy of keeping his 1878 Schofield Brothers company.

Although I suppose that 20 year old Cruz Ruby tucked away in the cupboard might fit the bill of being "Odd"...

Odd works. Though if there is a risk of ugliness, she is to bring a cute friend.

[DRT]

My attendee status can be upgraded from "porbable" to "confirmed"

Derek

[jdaw1]

Attendees:

1. jdaw1, guest of honour!
2. KillerB, of whom nothing has been heard since “Whatever, I will make an effort†.
3. Derek T., arrangements having been specially made.
4. benread, subject to wives, babies, dog-sitters, and like excuses. So probably no.
5. AHB, subject to “That week is horribly free in my diary at the moment, which probably means I'll end up in a foreign country†.

Theme?

• AHB: How about something recent? Perhaps a 1991 or 1992 or 1994 tasting?
• jdaw1 asked What about London jumping the queue on Old and Odd (“O&O†)?
• Derek T.: a slight expansion of the O&O theme to Old, Odd plus a couple of bottles that are more than likely going to be Great?

In the traditionally democratic manner, and allowing for the paucity of people, I hereby seize ancient powers and declare the theme to be Excuse to use an odd bottle that won’t fit into another tasting; or, failing which, something worth drinking; or both. Preceded by afternoon beer.

Bottles may be revealed in advance, here, to facilitate tasting mats (first draft thereof), but this is not required. I choose to reveal:

1. 1991 Skeffington (Paxton & Whitfield);
2. 1936 Massandra port from Livadia, then of the Soviet Union, now of the Ukraine.

[DRT]

Excuse to use an odd bottle that won’t fit into another tasting; or, failing which, something worth drinking; or both. Preceded by afternoon beer.

A splendid theme. I will browse the cellar list to see if I have one or two bottles that fit the criteria.

Question: Am I allowed to bend the rules slightly so that girlie lager can be consumed in the afternoon rather than beer? AHB may also require a waiver on this rule to allow him to drink half a pint of fizzy apple juice.

Derek

[Alex Bridgeman]

A splendid theme. I shall reveal, but much nearer the time.

[jdaw1]

I shall reveal, but much nearer the time.

Ideally before I depart for blighty.

[uncle tom]

No spouse, no kids (actual or on the production line) so no excuses..

Are we talking CP? or elsewhere?

Possible contributions:

- Old unknown bottle (unbranded cork) found in a bin of Taylor '55 and of similar age.

- Gonzalez Byass Coronation sherry 1937, driven cork, true vintage sherry (I think), second of two bottles, first was very good.

- Very ancient half bottle with illegible cork. Bottle has twin with word 'Croft' visible on cork. Possibly 100 years + old. Needs venue where neck can be cut off, or cork carefully pushed into bottle. Probably best not at CP.

- Unknown Warre, probably '58 or '63

- Ferreira '45, poor level.

- Croft '27, also poor level.

Suggestions?

Tom

[jdaw1]

Are we talking CP? or elsewhere?

The current draft of the placemats says, without it having been mentioned in HMTL, “The Crusting Pipe, Covent Garden, London WC2E 8RD†. Should a reservation be made? Derek?

My preference would be one of:

- Old unknown bottle (unbranded cork) found in a bin of Taylor '55 and of similar age.

- Ferreira '45, poor level.

but others might differ.

[DRT]

We should perhaps make a booking for The Boardroom given that numbers are unlikely to exceed 6 or 7? AHB has the best contacts at TCP to achieve this.

I would be delighted to drink any of the options offered by Tom.

I need to have a think about what I am bringing. Is blind an option or are we going to have a totally sighted event for a change?

[uncle tom]

are we going to have a totally sighted event for a change?

If we're drinking wines that we have little chance of identifying by taste, a sighted bash would seem more rational, but one or two mystery bottles would add a little to the amusement..

Tom

[jdaw1]

If we're drinking wines that we have little chance of identifying by taste, a sighted bash would seem more rational, but one or two mystery bottles would add a little to the amusement.

Seconded.

[DRT]

If we're drinking wines that we have little chance of identifying by taste, a sighted bash would seem more rational, but one or two mystery bottles would add a little to the amusement.

Seconded.

So should the title be O&O|G (Partially Sighted)?

[Alex Bridgeman]

Christopher G has just confirmed to me that he will attend.

TCP's Boardroom has been booked at a corkage fee of £10 per bottle agreed.

Don't forget that on a Friday night, TCP run their full price menu and not the heavily discounted Theatre Dinner menu.

Can someone update the attendee and / or port list please. (Christopher is not yet sure what he will bring.)

[DRT]

How many bottles are we aiming at for this one?

I would suggest that no more than two each would be sufficient.

Derek

[Alex Bridgeman]

Two each! I had enough difficulty sorting out one bottle to bring!

Does this mean that I need to search out another partially sighted unknown?

[DRT]

Two each! I had enough difficulty sorting out one bottle to bring!

Does this mean that I need to search out another partially sighted unknown?

The scope of the off-line permits one to be a Known Great

[Alex Bridgeman]

Is there something you have in mind?

[DRT]

Is there something you have in mind?

Hmmm? Who mentioned Fonseca 1966?

[DRT]

AHB called me today to let me know that he has found an alternative venue for this tasting. This followed our experience at TCP last week when the lack of air conditioning spoiled some of the ports.

Alex has negotiated a table at the Portal restaurant in London. I am reliably informed that the food is excellent, that they have air con, and they have agreed to charge £20 corkage per bottle provided none of the wines we bring are on their wine list.

This will work out to be a slightly more expensive night than we would have at TCP but I think it is worth the extra to be able to enjoy the ports at a reasonable temperature.

Please post any objections here ASAP otherwise the booking will be confirmed on AHB's return from the Netheregions.

Derek

[jdaw1]

OK with me.

Links: Portal Restaurant, 88 St John Street, EC1M 4EH (between Barbican and Farringdon tube stations). The wine list is too posh to mention prices.

Placemats updated, though still awaiting revelations from AHB ARK DRT.

[Alex Bridgeman]

Having eaten at Portal a few times, I can thoroughly recommend it (hence why it was high on the list for an alternative venue).

There should be no difficulty in not bringing a port that also appears on Portal's wine list, but please give me lots of warning if you do intend to.

A note of caution - Portal closes at 22:15. This is good for those of us with relatively early trains but may mean that two bottles per person is pushing our sensible drinking capacity. It will also be more expensive that TCP and I would suggest that we each budget for a cost of £80.

The table is booked for 5 people, being JDAW, DRT, AHB, THRA and CG. Others are welcome to join us provided I can have some advance warning in order to secure a larger table.

The owner of Portal may also join us later in the evening when the restaurant has quietened down a little.

Assuming that we are bringing 1 bottle each, I will bring the bottle mentioned before - unknown shipper from unknown vintage, believed to be Taylor 1963.

If we are going to stick to the original plan of bringing two bottles then I have a little more of a problem deciding what the second should be...

[jdaw1]

One bottle each, except me, because one of mine isn’t real port.

[JacobH]

Seeing as it carries pretty much the entire Quinta do Portal, is there any connection between the restaurant and Quinta beyond its name?

[edit to remove an offending apostrophe…]

[jdaw1]

A splendid theme. I shall reveal, but much nearer the time.

I leave for the UK in two days. My mother has no internet at all. Please reveal soon. As in, very soon.

Alex K. + Derek T.: you two too to reveal.

[DRT]

A splendid theme. I shall reveal, but much nearer the time.

I leave for the UK in two days. My mother has no internet at all. Please reveal soon. As in, very soon.

Alex K. + Derek T.: you two too to reveal.

can someone please confirm the current known line-up to inform my decision of what to bring.

I think Al-K may not be coming due to other things and that Christopher is coming but has not decided what to bring.

Derek

[jdaw1]

JDAW: 1991 Paxton & Whitfield BOB = Skeffington
JDAW: 1936 Massandra from Livadia, Ukraine
THRA: 1955? Taylor?
THRA: 1945 Ferreira
DRT: ?
AHB: ?
ARK: ?, if at all.

My list of people also includes a possible hello from JDAW’s chum MRZ. And BenRead.

[DRT]

Christopher G has just confirmed to me that he will attend.

[DRT]

JDAW: 1991 Paxton & Whitfield BOB = Skeffington
JDAW: 1936 Massandra from Livadia, Ukraine
THRA: 1955? Taylor?
THRA: 1945 Ferreira
DRT: ?
AHB: ?
ARK: ?, if at all.

I can't make my mind up. Current ideas are:

• 1965 Krohn Colheita
• 1964 Krohn White Colheita
• 1890 Unknown Shipper (my only US and tagged for the Xmas Bash)
• various VPs

Any preferences?

[jdaw1]

1890 Unknown Shipper

My preference, but that might be because I’m not scheduled to appear at the December tasting. Which, failing alternative instruction, I’ve added to the placemats.

[Alex Bridgeman]

I have revealed what I will bring - it will be the "Unknown Shipper of Unknown Vintage, thought to be Taylor 1963"

Unless someone wants to say "Oh no, not another Taylor '63" since he had one just a week or two ago. In which case I could bring a Gould Campbell '77 in the hope it's not corked, or a Martinez '67. Just let me know which.

Alex

PS - could someone please let Christopher know the change of venue

PPS - Yes, Jacob, the Quinta and the restaurant are connected. I seem to recall the family connection is one of cousins. The wine list of the restaurant is dominated by Quinta do Crasto's wines.

[DRT]

1890 Unknown Shipper

My preference, but that might be because I’m not scheduled to appear at the December tasting. Which, failing alternative instruction, I’ve added to the placemats.

Since there have been no objections and Jdaw has added it to the placemats I have decided to bring the Unknown Shipper 1890. I may bring a contingency bottle. If Jdaw has not yet left home could he please allow for this possibility on the placemats?

Please advise on decanting strategy for the 1890. I am tempted to decant at the venue in case it has a 15 minute drinking window.

Derek

[jdaw1]

1. Please look at the placemats and tell me what to add and what to delete.

2. 1890 should be a last-minute decant.

3. I was going to decant the 1936 at the last moment, and the Skeffington 1991 in the morning before leaving home. Unless anybody disagrees.

[Alex Bridgeman]

I would decant at the venue, and keep the bottle at cellar temperature when carrying it to the venue - if at all possible.

If an unknown 1890 is being brought, then I may change my bottle...but then again I may not.

[DRT]

1. Please look at the placemats and tell me what to add and what to delete.

If more than 7 won't fit on one (non-duplex) placemat then please leave as is. I suspect more than one additional bottle will turn up so we will have to cope in an off-piste fashion.

2. 1890 should be a last-minute decant.

Agreed.

3. I was going to decant the 1936 at the last moment, and the Skeffington 1991 in the morning before leaving home. Unless anybody disagrees.

I agree with both intentions.