Thu 17th January - The Dow Magnumonicon

Organise events to meet up and drink Port.
User avatar
Alex Bridgeman
Graham’s 1948
Posts: 14879
Joined: 13:41 Mon 25 Jun 2007
Location: Berkshire, UK

Thu 17th January - The Dow Magnumonicon

Post by Alex Bridgeman »

This tasting will be at the Davy Bar & Grill, High Holborn, WC1V 6DT starting as close to 18:30 as we are able to manage. The large private room has been booked for the tasting with discussions continuing whether we will also eat in the room or whether there will be space in the main part of the restaurant for us to move to a seperate table for our dinner.

A rather wonderful opportunity has arisen, where Symington Family Estates have offered us the opportunity to have an ex-cellars magnum vertical of Dow vintage ports - a case of magnums of Dow port from the vintages of 1994, 1985, 1980, 1977, 1970 and 1963 - a "tasting in a box".

The cost of these ports is a shade under £1,000. I have purchased the case will use it as the theme for this tasting. We'll split the cost of the port between the people who attend.


Attending
1/ AHB (confirmed)
2/ CMAG (confirmed)
3/ JDAW (confirmed)
4/ Cynthia Jenson (confirmed)
5/ Nicola Thomson (confirmed)
6/ WS1 (confirmed)
7/ ADV (confirmed)
8/ Nicos Neocleus (confirmed)
9/ Magnus (confirmed)
10/ DRT (confirmed)
11/ BMHR (confirmed)
12/
13/
14/

Waiting List
1/ RAYC (attendance subject to work commitments)
Last edited by Alex Bridgeman on 07:51 Thu 17 Jan 2013, edited 22 times in total.
Top Ports in 2023: Taylor 1896 Colheita, b. 2021. A perfect Port.

2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.
User avatar
RAYC
Taylor Quinta de Vargellas 1987
Posts: 2060
Joined: 23:50 Tue 04 May 2010
Location: London

Re: Date tba - The Dow Magnumonicon

Post by RAYC »

Very exciting.

When were these shipped?

For something like this, i would suggest we play it very safe and get these to the location that they will be decanted and allow at least a good 3 months of rest before opening.

Which suggests to me that beginning of 2013 is the earliest date...

12 bottle equivalent = 12 person limit? (including a Symington rep?) Or full 14?
Last edited by RAYC on 15:34 Mon 17 Sep 2012, edited 1 time in total.
Rob C.
User avatar
Alex Bridgeman
Graham’s 1948
Posts: 14879
Joined: 13:41 Mon 25 Jun 2007
Location: Berkshire, UK

Re: Date tba - The Dow Magnumonicon

Post by Alex Bridgeman »

CMAG has indicated that he would like to attend.
Top Ports in 2023: Taylor 1896 Colheita, b. 2021. A perfect Port.

2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.
User avatar
Alex Bridgeman
Graham’s 1948
Posts: 14879
Joined: 13:41 Mon 25 Jun 2007
Location: Berkshire, UK

Re: Date tba - The Dow Magnumonicon

Post by Alex Bridgeman »

RAYC wrote:Very exciting.

When were these shipped?

For something like this, i would suggest we play it very safe and get these to the location that they will be decanted and allow at least a good 3 months of rest before opening.

Which suggests to me that beginning of 2013 is the earliest date...

12 bottle equivalent = 12 person limit? (including a Symington rep?)
These have not yet been shipped, but expect to be shipped in a month or so.

I quite like the idea of having something to look forward to in the cold winter months. Maybe a February date would be a good one.

I'm always happy to accommodate 14 people at a tasting. With 14 people you get a reasonable pour and when it's 14 people sharing a magnum then you get a generous pour. If we fear a port shortage then we can always do what we have done in the past - have the main event and then have port dessert.

Good suggestion to consider a Symington rep. I'll give that some thought...
Top Ports in 2023: Taylor 1896 Colheita, b. 2021. A perfect Port.

2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.
User avatar
RAYC
Taylor Quinta de Vargellas 1987
Posts: 2060
Joined: 23:50 Tue 04 May 2010
Location: London

Re: Date tba - The Dow Magnumonicon

Post by RAYC »

AHB wrote:I'm always happy to accommodate 14 people at a tasting. With 14 people you get a reasonable pour and when it's 14 people sharing a magnum then you get a generous pour. If we fear a port shortage then we can always do what we have done in the past - have the main event and then have port dessert.
Very good points - agree completely.
Rob C.
User avatar
jdaw1
Cockburn 1851
Posts: 23613
Joined: 15:03 Thu 21 Jun 2007
Location: London
Contact:

Re: Date tba - The Dow Magnumonicon

Post by jdaw1 »

Yes please.

I have W85 and T85 in magnum. Would it be worthwhile to compare them to the D85?
User avatar
WS1
Cruz 1989
Posts: 1058
Joined: 23:08 Wed 04 Feb 2009
Location: Hertfordshire

Re: Date tba - The Dow Magnumonicon

Post by WS1 »

would also be interested. Please put me down.

regards

WS1
"Sometimes too much to drink is barely enough"
Mark Twain
Andy Velebil
Quinta do Vesuvio 1994
Posts: 3028
Joined: 22:16 Mon 25 Jun 2007
Location: Los Angeles, Ca USA
Contact:

Date tba - The Dow Magnumonicon

Post by Andy Velebil »

Don't know travel and work issues quite yet but save me a seat.
griff
Warre’s Traditional LBV
Posts: 347
Joined: 09:43 Thu 03 Jun 2010
Location: Sydney

Re: Date tba - The Dow Magnumonicon

Post by griff »

Yes please! All dates possible at this stage.
Andy Velebil
Quinta do Vesuvio 1994
Posts: 3028
Joined: 22:16 Mon 25 Jun 2007
Location: Los Angeles, Ca USA
Contact:

Re: Date tba - The Dow Magnumonicon

Post by Andy Velebil »

I neglected to add available date preferences, my apologies. February works best, but late January would also generally work. The closer to a weekend the better due to flying, time change, and work schedule issues.
PopulusTremula
Warre’s Traditional LBV
Posts: 330
Joined: 17:45 Mon 23 May 2011

Re: Date tba - The Dow Magnumonicon

Post by PopulusTremula »

Sounds really interesting, please count me in.

/Magnus
User avatar
DRT
Fonseca 1966
Posts: 15779
Joined: 23:51 Wed 20 Jun 2007
Location: Chesterfield, UK
Contact:

Re: Date tba - The Dow Magnumonicon

Post by DRT »

Yes please!
"The first duty of Port is to be red"
Ernest H. Cockburn
User avatar
benread
Niepoort 1977
Posts: 1555
Joined: 21:36 Thu 17 Apr 2008
Location: Reigate, Surrey
Contact:

Re: Date tba - The Dow Magnumonicon

Post by benread »

I would love to attend if dates work out. Mondays are generally easiest but with enough notice another date is possible. As some of you know, Dow was the port I was gifted at borth, so of great interest!
Ben
-------
Vintage 1970 and now proud owner of my first ever 'half-century'!
User avatar
RAYC
Taylor Quinta de Vargellas 1987
Posts: 2060
Joined: 23:50 Tue 04 May 2010
Location: London

Re: Date tba - The Dow Magnumonicon

Post by RAYC »

Might be a controversial suggestion (particularly when other mags are being offered), but one potentially interesting option (if we are looking to add a few bottles) is to do a mini Senhora de Ribeira vertical to the end.

I have always been rather impressed when i have tasted Ribeira - i have a feeling that it is rather overlooked in terms of its future potential...
Rob C.
User avatar
RonnieRoots
Fonseca 1980
Posts: 1981
Joined: 08:28 Thu 21 Jun 2007
Location: Middle Earth

Re: Date tba - The Dow Magnumonicon

Post by RonnieRoots »

Very much interested! But I can't possibly say when I will make it over to the UK at this stage, so don't hold a seat for me, but if you are going to make a waiting list, please put me on it.
User avatar
Alex Bridgeman
Graham’s 1948
Posts: 14879
Joined: 13:41 Mon 25 Jun 2007
Location: Berkshire, UK

Re: Date tba - The Dow Magnumonicon

Post by Alex Bridgeman »

RonnieRoots wrote:Very much interested! But I can't possibly say when I will make it over to the UK at this stage, so don't hold a seat for me, but if you are going to make a waiting list, please put me on it.
Noted.
Top Ports in 2023: Taylor 1896 Colheita, b. 2021. A perfect Port.

2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.
User avatar
Alex Bridgeman
Graham’s 1948
Posts: 14879
Joined: 13:41 Mon 25 Jun 2007
Location: Berkshire, UK

Re: Date tba - The Dow Magnumonicon

Post by Alex Bridgeman »

RAYC wrote:Might be a controversial suggestion (particularly when other mags are being offered), but one potentially interesting option (if we are looking to add a few bottles) is to do a mini Senhora de Ribeira vertical to the end.

I have always been rather impressed when i have tasted Ribeira - i have a feeling that it is rather overlooked in terms of its future potential...
I'm not hugely keen on the idea of a Senhora da Ribeira vertical. In my experience, too many of the vintages are currently going through their awkward phase. I'd prefer just to have a "bring and drink" course after the Dow magnums of part ready to drink.

Happy to have a Senhora da Ribeira tasting at another time though.
Top Ports in 2023: Taylor 1896 Colheita, b. 2021. A perfect Port.

2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.
User avatar
DRT
Fonseca 1966
Posts: 15779
Joined: 23:51 Wed 20 Jun 2007
Location: Chesterfield, UK
Contact:

Re: Date tba - The Dow Magnumonicon

Post by DRT »

At this point we have 12 x 75cl of Port and 11 people.

If I wasn't me I might be tempted to ask why we need a second tasting. Luckily, I am me, and wouldn't dream of asking such a ridiculously stupid question.

Obvious candidates to add would be single bottles (or magnums if we have to :roll: ) of Dow 1955, 1960, 1966, 1983 and 1991.
"The first duty of Port is to be red"
Ernest H. Cockburn
Cynthia J
Warre’s Warrior
Posts: 97
Joined: 19:19 Tue 19 Oct 2010
Location: Cambridge, UK
Contact:

Re: Date tba - The Dow Magnumonicon

Post by Cynthia J »

If I can possibly get there, I would love to sit in on this one... and you know how little I drink, so I won't upset your calculations at all! At this stage, any date is do-able.
User avatar
Alex Bridgeman
Graham’s 1948
Posts: 14879
Joined: 13:41 Mon 25 Jun 2007
Location: Berkshire, UK

Re: Date tba - The Dow Magnumonicon

Post by Alex Bridgeman »

DRT wrote:At this point we have 12 x 75cl of Port and 11 people.

If I wasn't me I might be tempted to ask why we need a second tasting. Luckily, I am me, and wouldn't dream of asking such a ridiculously stupid question.

Obvious candidates to add would be single bottles (or magnums if we have to :roll: ) of Dow 1955, 1960, 1966, 1983 and 1991.
Happy to add to the line-up - but only if the wines are from Dow and in magnum.
Top Ports in 2023: Taylor 1896 Colheita, b. 2021. A perfect Port.

2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.
User avatar
DRT
Fonseca 1966
Posts: 15779
Joined: 23:51 Wed 20 Jun 2007
Location: Chesterfield, UK
Contact:

Re: Date tba - The Dow Magnumonicon

Post by DRT »

AHB wrote:
DRT wrote:Dow 1955, 1960, 1966, 1983 and 1991.
Happy to add to the line-up - but only if the wines are from Dow
I can confirm that Dow 1955, 1960, 1966, 1983 and 1991 are all "from Dow".
"The first duty of Port is to be red"
Ernest H. Cockburn
User avatar
Alex Bridgeman
Graham’s 1948
Posts: 14879
Joined: 13:41 Mon 25 Jun 2007
Location: Berkshire, UK

Re: Date tba - The Dow Magnumonicon

Post by Alex Bridgeman »

DRT wrote:
AHB wrote:
DRT wrote:Dow 1955, 1960, 1966, 1983 and 1991.
Happy to add to the line-up - but only if the wines are from Dow
I can confirm that Dow 1955, 1960, 1966, 1983 and 1991 are all "from Dow".
So now you just have to have the shoe elves deliver them to you in magnum!
Top Ports in 2023: Taylor 1896 Colheita, b. 2021. A perfect Port.

2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.
User avatar
DRT
Fonseca 1966
Posts: 15779
Joined: 23:51 Wed 20 Jun 2007
Location: Chesterfield, UK
Contact:

Re: Date tba - The Dow Magnumonicon

Post by DRT »

AHB wrote:
DRT wrote:
AHB wrote:
DRT wrote:Dow 1955, 1960, 1966, 1983 and 1991.
Happy to add to the line-up - but only if the wines are from Dow
I can confirm that Dow 1955, 1960, 1966, 1983 and 1991 are all "from Dow".
So now you just have to have the shoe elves deliver them to you in magnum!
Does anyone have the phone number of Magelvium?
"The first duty of Port is to be red"
Ernest H. Cockburn
User avatar
Axel P
Taylor Quinta de Vargellas 1987
Posts: 2027
Joined: 08:09 Wed 12 Sep 2007
Location: Langenfeld, near Cologne, Germany
Contact:

Re: Date tba - The Dow Magnumonicon

Post by Axel P »

Alex,

please put me down if the date works for me. When do you think you will finally decide to put down a date? Shall I book the club for this? Shall we invite people to bring regular bottles along for comparison reasons? I guess this would make most of the fun.

Axel
worldofport.com
o-port-unidade.com
User avatar
Alex Bridgeman
Graham’s 1948
Posts: 14879
Joined: 13:41 Mon 25 Jun 2007
Location: Berkshire, UK

Re: Thu 17th January - The Dow Magnumonicon

Post by Alex Bridgeman »

A date of Thursday 17th January is now proposed for this tasting.

Please could those who have previously indicated that they would be interested in attending now confirm that they are still interested given the date has now been fixed.

The plan is still to have only the 6 magnums at the tasting, splitting their £1,000 cost between the people attending. I also intend to have the tasting at The Bung Hole (aka Davy's Holborn Bar and Grill) and eat off the standard menu which will cost around £35 per head. As a guide, please budget £135 for your costs if you plan to attend. I will probably collect the cost of the port from people who confirm their attendance before the end of October as I will need to pay for these bottles shortly.
Top Ports in 2023: Taylor 1896 Colheita, b. 2021. A perfect Port.

2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.
Post Reply