TPF 4th Anniversary virtual tasting

benread · Post by **benread** » 20:22 Mon 20 Jun 2011

Is there anybody there to raise a glass with?!

RAYC · Post by **RAYC** » 20:31 Mon 20 Jun 2011

Yes...with an 04 lbv (Quevedo)

My experience with 04s has been been a mixed bag - a pretty ungiving Niepoort and rather unattractive Infantado on the one hand, to the great "Dow Master Blend" 04 and excellent value (and only marginally less lovely) Croft 04. Can't recall the Taylor being up to much, and I don't remember ever seeing a Graham.

Sadly i missed out on the Quevedo 03s...

benread · Post by **benread** » 20:33 Mon 20 Jun 2011

I almost opened a Quevedo 2003 LBV when I saw your plans. They are good, but so is the 2004 LBV. What do you make of it?

RAYC · Post by **RAYC** » 20:34 Mon 20 Jun 2011

Still a deep garnet...but not the impenetable darkness you sometimes get with lbvs...a bit of heat on the nose and then very grippy in the palate - hopefully will blow off and soften a bit once it has had more than 30 seconds in the decanter

RAYC · Post by **RAYC** » 20:35 Mon 20 Jun 2011

really goood lip-smacking ainseed though. I do sometimes like it when port reminds me of a mouth full of black jacks

what have you gone for?

benread · Post by **benread** » 20:37 Mon 20 Jun 2011

2003 Graham's Crusted

RAYC · Post by **RAYC** » 20:43 Mon 20 Jun 2011

10 minutes on and i'm through my first glass - it is clear this bottle isn;t going to last the evening and the empty Croft 04 half bottle I had ready for remnants will go unused.

I'll put it down to the influence of the "Geordie Shore" episode i have going on sky plus in the background

RAYC · Post by **RAYC** » 20:45 Mon 20 Jun 2011

benread wrote:2003 Graham's Crusted

I had heard a rumour that the Graham's lodge stopped offering the Crusted port in the tasting flights as its QPR was so good that potential purchasers of the VP would taste it and get distracted...

I still have a few of the BBR 02 crusted left (Dow) - a rather uninspiring bottle label but i do rather enjoy the contents - certainly one to serve in a decanter!

benread · Post by **benread** » 20:49 Mon 20 Jun 2011

RAYC wrote:
benread wrote:2003 Graham's Crusted
I had heard a rumour that the Graham's lodge stopped offering the Crusted port in the tasting flights as its QPR was so good that potential purchasers of the VP would taste it and get distracted...

I had another bottle 6 months or so ago - 2002 I think - and vowed to buy some more on the basis it was such good value. It does need some time in the decanter though, which this didn't get! It is improving rapidly in the glass.

RAYC · Post by **RAYC** » 20:52 Mon 20 Jun 2011

some dense brambly fruits and violets coming to the fore ...the ainseed giving way to chocolate a bit...still very chewy...this is a serious lbv - certainly on a par with the Warre lbvs I would say and certainly has more punch.

I am looking forward to the TPS collaboration.

RAYC · Post by **RAYC** » 20:56 Mon 20 Jun 2011

I was hoping 170 would take me past Taylor's lbv...

Ben - if you ape the gratuitous 'post bagging' that was on display here, you'll be past 1000 in no time...

RAYC · Post by **RAYC** » 20:58 Mon 20 Jun 2011

benread wrote:I almost opened a Quevedo 2003 LBV when I saw your plans. They are good, but so is the 2004 LBV.

You are not wrong. I need to check how much i paid for this.

benread · Post by **benread** » 20:58 Mon 20 Jun 2011

RAYC wrote:I am looking forward to the TPS collaboration.

????

RAYC · Post by **RAYC** » 21:02 Mon 20 Jun 2011

ah...maybe i should keep schtum.

RAYC · Post by **RAYC** » 21:12 Mon 20 Jun 2011

Does anyone know whether the Quevedo 04 lbv is unfiltered?

the only clue lies in the spiel on the back label that suggests it can "age in bottle for several years", but there's certainly no sediment to speak of in the muslin or on rinsing the bottle.

benread · Post by **benread** » 21:13 Mon 20 Jun 2011

[quote="RAYC"]I was hoping 170 would take me past Taylor's lbv...[quote]

Somewhere on here is a list of the status levels but I am unable to locate it. Perhaps an Admin would confirm again!

Post by **DRT** » 21:18 Mon 20 Jun 2011

Good evening, chaps.

I am currently drinking Tesco Finest Douro red.

Does that count?

benread · Post by **benread** » 21:19 Mon 20 Jun 2011

DRT wrote:Good evening, chaps.

I am currently drinking Tesco Finest Douro red.

Does that count?

You say the first duty of port is to be red. It sounds red, but not port. What do you have to say for yourself?!

Post by **DRT** » 21:22 Mon 20 Jun 2011

benread wrote:
DRT wrote:Good evening, chaps.

I am currently drinking Tesco Finest Douro red.

Does that count?
You say the first duty of port is to be red. It sounds red, but not port. What do you have to say for yourself?!

{sack-cloth-and-ashes-icon}

Post by **DRT** » 21:23 Mon 20 Jun 2011

DRT is heading for the wine fridge to seek out a half bottle of Quevedo LBV 03. Back soon.

RAYC · Post by **RAYC** » 21:27 Mon 20 Jun 2011

DRT wrote:DRT is heading for the wine fridge to seek out a half bottle of Quevedo LBV 03. Back soon.

Very good.

I fear that, like the Morgan '91, the 2003 Quevedo lbv is one of those QPR miracles that i completely missed the bandwagon on. I'm not even sure i want to try either now!

benread · Post by **benread** » 21:36 Mon 20 Jun 2011

DRT wrote:DRT is heading for the wine fridge to seek out a half bottle of Quevedo LBV 03. Back soon.

I shall shortly be going to the kitchen for a small bottle of similar dimensions. Unfortunately, it contains boiled water and powdered milk and will signal the end of my evening! (Once I have finished the current glass

)

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 21:48 Mon 20 Jun 2011

Evening all - have I missed Ben?

The rest of the house have gone to bed, leaving me to watch Question of Sport in peace...with my 2 hour decanted bottle of Croft 1977 to sip through. It's bloody delicious! I must post a tasting note.

Rob - the Quevedo LBVs are all traditional bottled. No filtering, no fining, just racking.

How are you all chaps? Happy anniversary to you all.

marc j. · Post by **marc j.** » 21:48 Mon 20 Jun 2011

This evening I'm planning on opening a 1985 Warre to commemorate the 4th anniversary...

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 21:50 Mon 20 Jun 2011

marc j. wrote:This evening I'm planning on opening a 1985 Warre to commemorate the 4th anniversary...

Ooh. Nice choice. I haven't had one of those for a while and I think the '85s are drinking really well at the moment.

benread · Post by **benread** » 21:53 Mon 20 Jun 2011

AHB wrote:Rob - the Quevedo LBVs are all traditional bottled. No filtering, no fining, just racking.

Still here - just!

I was told, by Oscar, that his LBV's do have one very light filtering, but only enough to ensure anything not intended to be in the bottle (eg wood chips) does not enter it. Nothing that would remove any of the 'goodness'.

RAYC · Post by **RAYC** » 21:54 Mon 20 Jun 2011

marc j. wrote:This evening I'm planning on opening a 1985 Warre to commemorate the 4th anniversary...

Very nice indeed.

Having missed out on the two big UK Warre verticals, i realised recently that the only pre-00 Warre's I have tried (other than Berry's b.o.b. 1983 and a few Cavadinhas) are the '63 and the '97 (both v.good). For some reason (and despite its reputation), it does not seem to be a popular pick for TCP tastings...

RAYC · Post by **RAYC** » 21:58 Mon 20 Jun 2011

AHB wrote: I think the '85s are drinking really well at the moment.

Speaking of 85s (and this may be regarded as heresy), there's something in the finish of the Quevedo 04 lbv that reminds me of the Churchill 85.

RAYC · Post by **RAYC** » 22:02 Mon 20 Jun 2011

AHB wrote: just racking.

<best Manuel impression> que?

<a moment later> ah

Post by **jdaw1** » 22:03 Mon 20 Jun 2011

RAYC wrote:the only pre-00 Warre's I have tried

My immediate interest suggests that I might have mis-interpreted this.

RAYC · Post by **RAYC** » 22:07 Mon 20 Jun 2011

jdaw1 wrote:
RAYC wrote:the only pre-00 Warre's I have tried
My immediate interest suggests that I might have mis-interpreted this.

This is just padding to reach 8000. you should forfeit...

Have you anything open?

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 22:08 Mon 20 Jun 2011

jdaw1 wrote:
RAYC wrote:the only pre-00 Warre's I have tried
My immediate interest suggests that I might have mis-interpreted this.

The same immediate thought came to my mind, as well.

It seems we must bring more Warre and less Morgan 1991 and Quevedo 2003 LBV to offlines when Rob is attending.

Post by **DRT** » 22:10 Mon 20 Jun 2011

But Rob has never tasted Mg91!

JacobH · Post by **JacobH** » 22:17 Mon 20 Jun 2011

Somewhat late joining; what have I missed?

JacobH · Post by **JacobH** » 22:19 Mon 20 Jun 2011

Seems I should have opened a Quevedo LBV last night rather than the Croft, to fully participate. Opps.

Post by **DRT** » 22:23 Mon 20 Jun 2011

JacobH wrote:Somewhat late joining; what have I missed?

1. RAYC got a flat tyre and had to walk 4 miles.
2. DRT opened the wrong type of wine.
3. BMHR had to feed the baby.
4. JDAW's internal alarm went off when the abbreviation "pre-00 Warre" was used.
5. AHB found the only bottle of Cr77 that isn't damaged.
6. JGH arrived.

RAYC · Post by **RAYC** » 22:24 Mon 20 Jun 2011

JacobH wrote:Seems I should have opened a Quevedo LBV last night rather than the Croft, to fully participate. Opps.

Which Croft do you have open?

I've just tucked the remaining 1/3rd of my Quevedo away (though some still in glass), and opened a Tesco-special Croft 04 lbv as a benchmark test.

JacobH · Post by **JacobH** » 22:29 Mon 20 Jun 2011

It was the Tesco-special 2005. My 2004 is in halves which I am trying to do my best not to drink on the basis that they will then have a better chance of getting some bottle-age (being halves from a weaker year).

Last night this was a bit of a mess. I wrote:

On decanting, deep, complex treacly fruits on the nose. In the mouth, initially quite raw, quite acidic and with a bit too much grip (though not a tannic one) to it. Some round fruits follow.

Tonight, at 24 hours, the nose is similar but with slightly less complexity and the palate now has nice simple black cherries. Still a bit grippy though. I now wonder if it is a bit green; as if too many stems were left in the lagars (or perhaps the blend of grapes was a bit off).

Post by **jdaw1** » 22:30 Mon 20 Jun 2011

RAYC wrote:and opened a Tesco-special Croft 04 lbv as a benchmark test.

Please allow a distant observer to notice, to admire nay, even to praise your dedication, late in the working day, to the scientific method and, through rigorous experiment, to the advancement of knowledge.

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 22:33 Mon 20 Jun 2011

My Internet connection is back!

It seems we are developing a theme: Bargain LBV.

Croft or Quevedo are the popular choices. Has anyone tried the Croft 05 recently?

JacobH · Post by **JacobH** » 22:35 Mon 20 Jun 2011

AHB wrote:My Internet connection is back!

It seems we are developing a theme: Bargain LBV.

Croft or Quevedo are the popular choices. Has anyone tried the Croft 05 recently?

Drinking it as we speak

Not as good as the 2004 or Quevedos, though. I’d be interested to see how it did in blind comparison with the more recent TFP offerings.

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 22:36 Mon 20 Jun 2011

JacobH wrote:It was the Tesco-special 2005. My 2004 is in halves which I am trying to do my best not to drink on the basis that they will then have a better chance of getting some bottle-age (being halves from a weaker year).

Last night this was a bit of a mess. I wrote:

On decanting, deep, complex treacly fruits on the nose. In the mouth, initially quite raw, quite acidic and with a bit too much grip (though not a tannic one) to it. Some round fruits follow.

Tonight, at 24 hours, the nose is similar but with slightly less complexity and the palate now has nice simple black cherries. Still a bit grippy though. I now wonder if it is a bit green; as if too many stems were left in the lagars (or perhaps the blend of grapes was a bit off).

I didn't quite get my question and Jacob's answer in the right sequence. Hey ho.

Post by **jdaw1** » 22:39 Mon 20 Jun 2011

AHB wrote:Hey ho.

Consider yourself pleased that you haven’t spent the evening drinking third-rate Burgundy with natives of a land to which VP is a stranger.

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 22:40 Mon 20 Jun 2011

I've got to be away now, I've a rough day tomorrow and need to make sure I get some sleep. Night all.

JacobH · Post by **JacobH** » 22:41 Mon 20 Jun 2011

DRT wrote:
JacobH wrote:Somewhat late joining; what have I missed?
1. RAYC got a flat tyre and had to walk 4 miles.
2. DRT opened the wrong type of wine.
3. BMHR had to feed the baby.
4. JDAW's internal alarm went off when the abbreviation "pre-00 Warre" was used.
5. AHB found the only bottle of Cr77 that isn't damaged.
6. JGH arrived.

Thanks. Can we get you to compile lists at future non-vertical tastings? It might help us all keep track (or recreate what happened...)!

RAYC · Post by **RAYC** » 22:41 Mon 20 Jun 2011

I do think the Croft 04 (and 05) lbvs are a good bargain when on offer at Tesco.

But I genuinely don't think they are in the same league as the Quevedo, which i can well imagine mistaking for a VP if served blind.

And i have both open side by side.

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 22:42 Mon 20 Jun 2011

jdaw1 wrote:
AHB wrote:Hey ho.
Consider yourself pleased that you haven’t spent the evening drinking third-rate Burgundy with natives of a land to which VP is a stranger.

Eew! Even first rate Burgundy pales into insipid dishwater when tasted alongside fine vintage port. Give me port over DRC any day.

JacobH · Post by **JacobH** » 22:43 Mon 20 Jun 2011

RAYC wrote:I do think the Croft 04 (and 05) lbvs are a good bargain when on offer at Tesco.

But I genuinely don't think they are in the same league as the Quevedo, which i can well imagine mistaking for a VP if served blind.

Yes, they are in quite different leagues. Though I imagine the production of the Croft LBV for one year is probably greater than the total output of Port and Douro wines for Quevedo in the same period!

benread · Post by **benread** » 22:44 Mon 20 Jun 2011

AHB wrote:I've got to be away now, I've a rough day tomorrow and need to make sure I get some sleep. Night all.

Not as rough as today I hope?

RAYC · Post by **RAYC** » 22:44 Mon 20 Jun 2011

jdaw1 wrote:
AHB wrote:Hey ho.
Consider yourself pleased that you haven’t spent the evening drinking third-rate Burgundy with natives of a land to which VP is a stranger.

I remember all too well the endless chilled basic ruby and surprise that port could be considered an after-dinner drink rather than aperitif...