A birthday tasting 2011 - 4th April 2011

Post by **DRT** » 21:05 Mon 28 Mar 2011

A plea:

Please bring all of the tasting sample bottles you have. There will be more ports in the line-up than the average man can consume in a four hour period. Some participants might choose to take some home to taste later and your assistance in providing suitable containers will be appreciated.

Post by **jdaw1** » 21:28 Mon 28 Mar 2011

Updated draft of placemats.

+1975.
Changed to one session, as that is how it will be set out. It does not mean that we must drink it in one swift sitting.
As arrangement details unknown, /WaterCountsOverrideShowEverySheet true def.

Post by **DRT** » 21:35 Mon 28 Mar 2011

jdaw1 wrote:As arrangement details unknown, /WaterCountsOverrideShowEverySheet true def.

Good call.

Post by **DRT** » 21:38 Mon 28 Mar 2011

Latest line-up...

1933 Fonseca Guimaraens
1942 Fonseca Guimaraens
1957 Fonseca Guimaraens
1960 Fonseca
1961 Fonseca Guimaraens
1965 Fonseca Guimaraens
1966 Fonseca
1967 Fonseca Guimaraens
1968 Fonseca Guimaraens
1970 Fonseca
1972 Fonseca Guimaraens
1975 Fonseca
1976 Fonseca Guimaraens
1977 Fonseca
1978 Fonseca Guimaraens
1982 Fonseca Guimaraens
1984 Fonseca Guimaraens
1985 Fonseca
1986 Fonseca Guimaraens
1987 Fonseca Guimaraens
1988 Fonseca Guimaraens
1991 Fonseca Guimaraens
1992 Fonseca
1995 Fonseca Guimaraens
1996 Fonseca Guimaraens
1998 Fonseca Guimaraens
2000 Fonseca
2001 Fonseca Guimaraens
2004 Fonseca Guimaraens
2005 Fonseca Guimaraens

Andy Velebil · Post by **Andy Velebil** » 03:14 Tue 29 Mar 2011

DRT wrote:Latest line-up...

1933 Fonseca Guimaraens
1942 Fonseca Guimaraens
1957 Fonseca Guimaraens
1960 Fonseca
1961 Fonseca Guimaraens
1965 Fonseca Guimaraens
1966 Fonseca
1967 Fonseca Guimaraens
1968 Fonseca Guimaraens
1970 Fonseca
1972 Fonseca Guimaraens
1975 Fonseca
1976 Fonseca Guimaraens
1977 Fonseca
1978 Fonseca Guimaraens
1982 Fonseca Guimaraens
1984 Fonseca Guimaraens
1985 Fonseca
1986 Fonseca Guimaraens
1987 Fonseca Guimaraens
1988 Fonseca Guimaraens
1991 Fonseca Guimaraens
1992 Fonseca
1995 Fonseca Guimaraens
1996 Fonseca Guimaraens
1998 Fonseca Guimaraens
2000 Fonseca
2001 Fonseca Guimaraens
2004 Fonseca Guimaraens
2005 Fonseca Guimaraens

I love it

Axel P · Post by **Axel P** » 18:03 Tue 29 Mar 2011

Andy Velebil wrote: I love it

Me too, this will be fantastic. Well done, guys.

Axel

Post by **jdaw1** » 21:28 Tue 29 Mar 2011

Who is to print the placemats?

Post by **DRT** » 21:42 Tue 29 Mar 2011

Rob is printing and bringing to TCP on Sunday.

Post by **DRT** » 21:43 Tue 29 Mar 2011

A number of good fellows have agreed to chip-in and add a 1955. Please update placemats.

Post by **jdaw1** » 21:54 Tue 29 Mar 2011

Updated draft of placemats.

+1955.

Also uploaded is a file with almost the same name, ‟.ps” replacing ‟.pdf”. If a last-moment change should be needed and be beyond my powers, I might seek help from those with expertise.

Post by **DRT** » 00:16 Wed 30 Mar 2011

A major disaster has occurred. I have just visited my wine fridge to extract the bottles I need for the coming week and one that I thought I had seems to have been removed at some unknown earlier date. I must apologise profusely.

No doubt you will all be devastated to know that the F75 will not appear in the line-up. Sorry.

Post by **jdaw1** » 08:33 Wed 30 Mar 2011

You’ve lost the 1975! The Fonseca 1975?

The Wine Society’s Vintage Port offer in February 1978, at £4.90 per bottle, wrote:full and fruity wine that will make a lovely bottle at the end of the next decade

You’ve lost it. Plonker!

Updated draft of placemats.

”“1975.

Post by **jdaw1** » 09:58 Wed 30 Mar 2011

Folks: please don’t forget to bring a writing implement, and also some sample bottles.

RAYC · Post by **RAYC** » 10:59 Wed 30 Mar 2011

DRT wrote:No doubt you will all be devastated to know that the F75 will not appear in the line-up. Sorry.

Well...at least that's a defense to the charge that things may have got a little carried away...!

The '55 is a fabulous addition though.

Post by **jdaw1** » 11:27 Wed 30 Mar 2011

Now at thirty Ports, and fourteen people:with a few spare we will need 440ish glasses. Should the RAF club be forewarned of this?

JacobH · Post by **JacobH** » 12:59 Wed 30 Mar 2011

jdaw1 wrote:Now at thirty Ports, and fourteen people:with a few spare we will need 440ish glasses. Should the RAF club be forewarned of this?

I think probably yes...

Andy Velebil · Post by **Andy Velebil** » 13:12 Wed 30 Mar 2011

DRT wrote:A major disaster has occurred. I have just visited my wine fridge to extract the bottles I need for the coming week and one that I thought I had seems to have been removed at some unknown earlier date. I must apologise profusely.

No doubt you will all be devastated to know that the F75 will not appear in the line-up. Sorry.

OMG, whatever shall we do? The tasting may need to be canceled without such a bottle present

Great news on the 1955 and thank you to those who contributed

Post by **DRT** » 16:31 Wed 30 Mar 2011

jdaw1 wrote:Now at thirty Ports, and fourteen people:with a few spare we will need 440ish glasses. Should the RAF club be forewarned of this?

Good point!

Post by **DRT** » 16:33 Wed 30 Mar 2011

jdaw1 wrote:You’ve lost the 1975! The Fonseca 1975?
The Wine Society’s Vintage Port offer in February 1978, at £4.90 per bottle, wrote:full and fruity wine that will make a lovely bottle at the end of the next decade
You’ve lost it. Plonker!

Updated draft of placemats.
”“1975.

I don't think lost is the correct word. I was there at some point in the not too distant past. It isn't there now. What might have happened?

Post by **jdaw1** » 17:23 Wed 30 Mar 2011

DRT wrote:What might have happened?

Perhaps bug-eyed high-technology space aliens teleported it to their planet for use in a, what to us would be very bizarre, mass mating ritual.

Perhaps.

Post by **DRT** » 18:36 Wed 30 Mar 2011

jdaw1 wrote:
DRT wrote:What might have happened?
Perhaps bug-eyed high-technology space aliens teleported it to their planet for use in a, what to us would be very bizarre, mass mating ritual.

Perhaps.

I'm so glad you have come up with a plausible explanation. I was starting to think I might have got whammed one night, drunk it and then forgotten all about it. Your story sounds much more likely.

Great news!! I've just found it!

Post by **jdaw1** » 20:28 Wed 30 Mar 2011

Is Adrian Bridge right- or left-handed?

Post by **DRT** » 20:45 Wed 30 Mar 2011

jdaw1 wrote:Is Adrian Bridge right- or left-handed?

I will ask.

Post by **jdaw1** » 21:32 Wed 30 Mar 2011

Post moved forward two.

Post by **DRT** » 21:48 Wed 30 Mar 2011

jdaw1 wrote:I will post these links again on the new page that is about to start.

When?

Post by **jdaw1** » 21:50 Wed 30 Mar 2011

Review and tasting-note threads created.

(These links were posted two posts ago, but are now at the start of this new page.)

Post by **DRT** » 07:06 Thu 31 Mar 2011

IMPORTANT

1. The tasting will commence at 18:30 and we have lots to get through so please, if at all possible, do not be late.”

2. Could those who have volunteered to help with glass-washing duty please report to Brigadier-General J. D. A. Wiseman at 2pm at The RAF Club. Those who have volunteered will receive an email confirming arrangements shortly.

3. Could all others please note that we now have more than enough hands to cope with the preparations so please arrive no earlier than 18:00 and no later than 18:25. If you do arrive early there is a waiting room just around the corner, opposite the Hard Rock Cafe, which serves a delightful range of pre-tasting refreshments.

” AHB has handed in a note from his Mum asking for special dispensation to be late as he has forgotten his gym kit and needs to collect it from his Gran's house in Milton Keynes after school.

Axel P · Post by **Axel P** » 07:21 Thu 31 Mar 2011

DRT wrote:Brigadier-General J. D. A. Wiseman

The last email I received showed "staff sergeant" as the current rank of Mr. Wiseman. Things go fast these days in the royal armed forces...

Axel

Post by **DRT** » 07:37 Thu 31 Mar 2011

Axel P wrote:
DRT wrote:Brigadier-General J. D. A. Wiseman
The last email I received showed "staff sergeant" as the current rank of Mr. Wiseman. Things go fast these days in the royal armed forces...

Axel

Clearly there is a problem with the slowness of Luftwaffe intelligence

Post by **jdaw1** » 07:57 Thu 31 Mar 2011

Would people be terribly upset if I were to donate a bottle of 1998 Fonseca Quinta do Panascal, to compare to the 1998 Fonseca Guimaraens?

Updated draft of placemats.

+Panascal 1998.

Post by **DRT** » 07:58 Thu 31 Mar 2011

jdaw1 wrote:Would people be terribly upset if I were to donate a bottle of 1998 Fonseca Quinta do Panascal, to compare to the 1998 Fonseca Guimaraens?

Alex, I know what you are thinking. I deny everything.

Post by **jdaw1** » 09:27 Thu 31 Mar 2011

If an official emergency were declared and I’m willing to declare it I could ask whether Hailsham Cellars would be able to post a 1996 Fonseca Quinta do Panascal to the RAF Club. Again, would anybody be very upset? (Minor upset doesn’t matter.)

Edit: cancel that. A phone call produced the answer ‟We are on the ’98 now”.

JacobH · Post by **JacobH** » 11:16 Thu 31 Mar 2011

DRT wrote:
Axel P wrote:
DRT wrote:Brigadier-General J. D. A. Wiseman
The last email I received showed "staff sergeant" as the current rank of Mr. Wiseman. Things go fast these days in the royal armed forces...

Axel
Clearly there is a problem with the slowness of Luftwaffe intelligence

Especially since, going by the date the rank of Brigadier-General was abolished, JDAW would have held it for approximately 90 years.

Or is he secretly a Canadian?

Andy Velebil · Post by **Andy Velebil** » 13:09 Thu 31 Mar 2011

jdaw1 wrote:Would people be terribly upset if I were to donate a bottle of 1998 Fonseca Quinta do Panascal, to compare to the 1998 Fonseca Guimaraens?

Updated draft of placemats.
+Panascal 1998.

As soldiers we must be prepared in the event a tragedy occurs involving a rouge cork tree and all back ups must be in decanted and poured just in case. New environmental rules also dictate nothing goes to waste

Post by **DRT** » 16:54 Thu 31 Mar 2011

EMERGENCY!!!!

I have just realised that we do not have an FG74. This is the only gap in the FG line-up from 1965 to 2005

Does anyone have one hidden under the floorboards, in a cupboard, anywhere?

I have searched all the online places I know and get only one hit, which turns out to be "Out of Stock".

Please look in all the usual places you normally look when searching for port. Time is short.

Tom, don't trust your database. Go and look at all 3,000 labels in your cellar. I'm sure I saw one in there last time I visited.

Oh, and while you are all looking, please shout if you see the 64, 62, 58, 54, 52, 46, 44 or 31

Post by **jdaw1** » 17:28 Thu 31 Mar 2011

DRT wrote:IMPORTANT

DRT wrote:EMERGENCY!!!!

It is for the reader to judge relative gravity.

Post by **DRT** » 17:32 Thu 31 Mar 2011

jdaw1 wrote:
DRT wrote:IMPORTANT
DRT wrote:EMERGENCY!!!!
It is for the reader to judge relative gravity.

Yes. Some posts on this forum sometimes drift slightly away from being completely serious so I wanted to draw attention to these two particular posts in case people skimmed over them thinking that they might not be life-threatening issues.

JacobH · Post by **JacobH** » 17:44 Thu 31 Mar 2011

DRT wrote:I have just realised that we do not have an FG74. This is the only gap in the FG line-up from 1965 to 2005

Presumably this also means we will also be unable to do the definitive horizontal of all 1974 Vintage Port?

Post by **DRT** » 17:47 Thu 31 Mar 2011

JacobH wrote:
DRT wrote:I have just realised that we do not have an FG74. This is the only gap in the FG line-up from 1965 to 2005
Presumably this also means we will also be unable to do the definitive horizontal of all 1974 Vintage Port?

Dear God! It's worse than I thought. We need two of everything!!!!

JacobH · Post by **JacobH** » 17:56 Thu 31 Mar 2011

DRT wrote:
JacobH wrote:
DRT wrote:I have just realised that we do not have an FG74. This is the only gap in the FG line-up from 1965 to 2005
Presumably this also means we will also be unable to do the definitive horizontal of all 1974 Vintage Port?
Dear God! It's worse than I thought. We need two of everything!!!!

If we could locate a Dow and Vargellas ’72 and the 1974 we could top off the ‟most definitive FG tasting, ever”, with ‟the most definitive ’72 and ’74 tastings, ever”...

Post by **jdaw1** » 18:46 Thu 31 Mar 2011

Updated draft of placemats.

+Guimaraens 1964. (Also FG64 TN thread created and linked.)

Post by **jdaw1** » 21:38 Thu 31 Mar 2011

DRT wrote:I have just realised that we do not have an FG74. This is the only gap in the FG line-up from 1965 to 2005

jdaw1 wrote:
+Guimaraens 1964. (Also FG64 TN thread created and linked.)

Of course gaining the FG64 makes the problem worse, as it widens the range over which FG74 is the only gap: now from 1964 to 2005. So finding the ’74 has become even more important.

Post by **DRT** » 14:05 Fri 01 Apr 2011

FG64 is now in my possession.

Post by **jdaw1** » 06:04 Sat 02 Apr 2011

FP98 in mine.

Post by **DRT** » 06:45 Sat 02 Apr 2011

jdaw1 wrote:FP98 in mine.

Could you spare 13 small samples, please? I promise you will have sufficient left for yourself.

Post by **jdaw1** » 15:08 Sat 02 Apr 2011

F66: I’ve looked in the place where the Fonseca 1966 was meant to be, and what was there was a bottle of Fonseca 1966. That bullet successfully dodged.

JacobH · Post by **JacobH** » 16:14 Sat 02 Apr 2011

jdaw1 wrote:Updated draft of placemats.
+Guimaraens 1964. (Also FG64 TN thread created and linked.)

Should the title be updated to note that there is a bottle of Panascal included? Also, is the wine-of-the-night page too dense to be practical (a genuine question: I haven’t tried printing it to see)?

Rob: a word of warning; if you try printing this on a Postscript printer it may take several hours to print. It might be worth doing a test run to gauge speed in the morning.

Post by **jdaw1** » 17:46 Sat 02 Apr 2011

JacobH wrote:Rob: a word of warning; if you try printing this on a Postscript printer it may take several hours to print. It might be worth doing a test run to gauge speed in the morning.

Not so. The printing is of the PDF, which has been distilled. The calculations for each page have been done. (Average page size: only 4k!)

Vote recorder: if too dense, the second (‟Q:”) session-voting pages could be used. Between the six voting pages something should work.

JacobH · Post by **JacobH** » 22:33 Sat 02 Apr 2011

jdaw1 wrote:
JacobH wrote:Rob: a word of warning; if you try printing this on a Postscript printer it may take several hours to print. It might be worth doing a test run to gauge speed in the morning.
Not so. The printing is of the PDF, which has been distilled. The calculations for each page have been done. (Average page size: only 4k!)

I have replied in the placemat thread on the basis that it is probably more relevant there.

jdaw1 wrote:Vote recorder: if too dense, the second (‟Q:”) session-voting pages could be used. Between the six voting pages something should work.

Ah, true.

PS. I forgot to mention that the debugging output is attached as the very last page of the document: should it be there?

Post by **jdaw1** » 08:06 Sun 03 Apr 2011

JacobH wrote:I forgot to mention that the debugging output is attached as the very last page of the document: should it be there?

I saw no harm, and possible small gain if somebody else (you?) had to make some last-moment alteration.