Confrare Weekend

[Axel P]

This year I am going to become a member of the portwine brotherhood, exactly on June 26th at the Palacio da Bolsa.

Since I was very slow to post TNs recently I do promise to write a TN on every port that I will taste on this weekend (being June 23rd to 28th).

Axel

[jdaw1]

Congratulations.

[DRT]

Congratulations, Axel.

I can't wait to see you in the fancy cape and hat

[Axel P]

Thanks, I will forward the pics.

Axel

[Alex Bridgeman]

I love the idea of the weekend being June 23-28!

Congratulations.

[Axel P]

I love the idea of the weekend being June 23-28!

Well this is what you call a weekend when you are retired or portuguese.

AXel

[Axel P]

Race of the Barca Rabelos 2011 petit.jpg (51.83 KiB) Viewed 6558 times

found in the essencia do vinho magazine, June edition

[Glenn E.]

Congratulations, Axel!

[Axel P]

Here is the list of events planned:

Wednesday, Warmup-Port, since I do not have to fly myself anymore (Kopke Colheita 1984, half bottle, bougt at Porto Airport for 18 EUR)
Thurday, Tasting of the TFP and Symington 09s and watch the fireworks
Friday, Tasting of the Niepoort 09s and Regatta
Saturday, Confraria
Sunday, Visit at Crasto and Constantino Tasting
Monday, Relax

List of Ports and pics to follow.

Most of this will be done by a binational team of TPF-members.

Axel

[Axel P]

First feedback from the regatta:

"This was one the most unusual regattas I have ever took part in" George Sandeman said, when setting foot on solid ground again. Everybody was getting excited, because there was quite a strong wind around regatta-starting-time, but this wind proved to be extremely unstable and actually not from anywhere close to astern. Since sailing against the wind without any longitudional stability (the barcas rabelos do not have a fin) is very difficult and the rudders are also not of the modern kind, some boats went sideways, some backwards and only very few in the direction they intended to go. Many boats had to be towed from the south side of the Douro to the North not to collide with the side-walls, resulting in quite a few disqualifications, as boats were not allowed to be towed forward in the direction of the finish line.

I had never seen a race where the position of the boats changed so rapidly. The overall result was that the Calem-Boat won, two masts broke due to the unstable and very breezy wind, two people and a full bottle of Sandeman Founders Reserve went overboard (no permanent damages or losses except the bottle, which was very gently replaced at the following dinner).

Overall, not what everybody expected, but extremely enjoyable.

Axel

[Axel P]

Wines tasted:
2009s: Taylor, Fonseca, Croft, Taylor VVV, Dows SdR, Vesuvio, Warre, Nova, Crasto
1938 Sibio VP
1896 Colheita (Riesling bottle - Producer not known)
1883 Colheita Dows properties
1980 Graham
2007 Graham
1977 Sandeman
2003 Vau
40y old White Andresen
1921 Constantino
1887 Constantino
NV Roncao Velho Constantino
1935 Constantino
1935 Colheita Constantino
1910 Colheita Constantino
1958 Dow VP (brougth by Dominic and Rupert)
1947 Dow VP (brougth by Dominic and Rupert)
1963 Constantino
1927 Constantino
1947 Constantino
1896 Constantino Colheita
1987 Crasto
2001 Crasto
2003 Crasto
2004 Crasto
2003s (served at the Confraria: Crasto, Niepoort, Fonseca, Ramos Pinto, Vale Meao), 20y old Confraria Port.

Axel

[jdaw1]

Please have a photo of the bottle of Sibio 1938.

[Axel P]

IMG_0349.JPG (59.2 KiB) Viewed 6457 times

[jdaw1]

Fabulous thank you.

If you have higher resolution, please email but when you are home.

[JacobH]

20y old Confraria Port.

That sounds interesting; what is it?

[Axel P]

It is a special blend with a distiguished label from the Confraria. Well made 20y old Port, blended by David Guimaraens.

Foto will follow soon.

Axel

[Axel P]

Confraria 20y old Tawny.jpg (76.57 KiB) Viewed 6423 times

[Axel P]

Fotos:

Confraria.jpg (45.24 KiB) Viewed 6401 times

Constantinos.jpg (88.8 KiB) Viewed 6401 times

Missing on this: 1887 Vintage and 1983 Margaux Mg.

Axel

[JacobH]

It is a special blend with a distiguished label from the Confraria. Well made 20y old Port, blended by David Guimaraens.

A sort-of IVDP version of the English shippers’ commemorative vintage port bottlings? Sounds fun, in any case. What does it taste like?

Fotos:

Confraria.jpg

Is that inside the Palácio da Bolsa? It looks rather light for the Court-Room where they said the ceremonies took place.

And let’s see a version with a proper resolution

[Axel P]

Is that inside the Palácio da Bolsa? It looks rather light for the Court-Room where they said the ceremonies took place.

The ceremony was held in the main hall, where the exhibitions are normally held. There are some other, but smaller rooms such as the Sala Tribunal or Court Room, which would be insufficient due to space.

A sort-of IVDP version of the English shippers’ commemorative vintage port bottlings? Sounds fun, in any case. What does it taste like?

Exactly. Very fresh, nutty and deep 20y old Port. TNs to follow

Axel