Thu 19th December 2013: The Unknown Shipper at the Bell

djewesbury · Post by **djewesbury** » 11:50 Fri 13 Dec 2013

Clue: I used it in my previous post.

Post by **jdaw1** » 12:52 Fri 13 Dec 2013

djewesbury wrote:I will be arriving at Audley End around 4 pm. Who will be there then?

Does that mean that you intend to be on the 14:43 out of Kings Cross? If so, I could meet you at Kings Cross.

djewesbury · Post by **djewesbury** » 12:59 Fri 13 Dec 2013

jdaw1 wrote:
djewesbury wrote:I will be arriving at Audley End around 4 pm. Who will be there then?
Does that mean that you intend to be on the 14:43 out of Kings Cross? If so, I could meet you at Kings Cross.

I'm going to be getting a train from Stansted Airport at 15.27 - I don't think this originates in London. I get to Audley End at 15.40. From there, I might take a round trip in a taxi to drop my bag off at the Saffron and come back to the Bell. See you there?

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 21:18 Mon 16 Dec 2013

jdaw1 wrote:Splendid, because Alex is printing today, after which I’ll add the parameters to the review section.

Except I didn't - having a bit of a tough time at work at present and didn't get the chance to print the labels and tasting note sheets. Can anyone else do so?

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 21:27 Mon 16 Dec 2013

If heading direct to the Bell by train, get off at Wenden's Ambo train station but bring a torch and boots as it is a short but muddy walk.

Will anyone need a set of port tongs? The bottle I'm bringing won't need port tongs and I won't bring a set unless someone else needs them.

I'm driving out of central London on Thursday, leaving at about 15:30-16:00 so if anyone wants a lift from London then let me know. The plan (traffic dependent) is to head from London to the hotel, check-in and drive from the hotel to the pub. Next morning after a leisurely breakfast I'll catch a taxi back to the pub, pick up the car and then head back into London - early afternoon lifts back to London on Friday are also available.

And a last question - I'm bringing a bottle to the Bell to give to Wolfgang, 3 magnums to give to Rob. Am I supposed to bring any other bottles for anyone else?

djewesbury · Post by **djewesbury** » 21:33 Mon 16 Dec 2013

Is the train station called Wendens Ambo or Audley End?

How early is early on Friday morning? I'm returning from Stansted on the first Belfast flight but I can easily get a taxi (I'm guessing I should book it the night before).

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 21:43 Mon 16 Dec 2013

djewesbury wrote:Is the train station called Wendens Ambo or Audley End?

Audley End - then you'll either have to walk the 5 minutes to the Bell or get a taxi to pick you up and take you to the hotel.

djewsbury wrote:How early is early on Friday morning? I'm returning from Stansted on the first Belfast flight but I can easily get a taxi (I'm guessing I should book it the night before).

I'm offering a lift to London early afternoon. I don't expect to be getting up early! I'll make it down to breakfast just before breakfast closes about 9:30.

djewesbury · Post by **djewesbury** » 21:46 Mon 16 Dec 2013

Ha. Yes, sorry.

Post by **jdaw1** » 21:50 Mon 16 Dec 2013

AHB wrote:I'm driving out of central London on Thursday, leaving at about 15:30-16:00 so if anyone wants a lift from London

Yes please.

In which I’ll get labels and print.

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 22:04 Mon 16 Dec 2013

jdaw1 wrote:
AHB wrote:I'm driving out of central London on Thursday, leaving at about 15:30-16:00 so if anyone wants a lift from London
Yes please.

In which I’ll get labels and print.

Plan to be at Bell Wharf Lane (just by the junction of Queen Street and Upper Thames Street) NCP at 4pm. If I can leave earlier, I will give you as much warning as possible (which might be as little as 20 minutes).

Post by **PhilW** » 23:26 Mon 16 Dec 2013

AHB wrote:
djewesbury wrote:Is the train station called Wendens Ambo or Audley End?
Audley End - then you'll either have to walk the 5 minutes to the Bell or get a taxi to pick you up and take you to the hotel.

or if the are no taxis as happened to me one time, there is a fairly frequent (every 15mins?) bus direct from the station to Saffron Walden town centre which is quick and easy for getting to the hotel.

Deleted_User_1 · Post by **Deleted_User_1** » 20:22 Tue 17 Dec 2013

I am available for taxi work at Stansted or Audley End from around 5.00pm if required...still hoping for last minute drop outs.

uncle tom · Post by **uncle tom** » 02:43 Wed 18 Dec 2013

Steak order confirmed - new spuds will be the default, but chips available if preferred.

Due to table space limitations, there will be six ISO glasses per person, to use or re-use as desired..

Post by **jdaw1** » 12:26 Wed 18 Dec 2013

Updated draft of the paperwork.
(In following diagram lilac is edge of label, green is boundary of writing zone; neither of these colours will print.)

Post by **jdaw1** » 12:27 Wed 18 Dec 2013

What time are we booted out of the Bell? On return to the hotel, is there anywhere civilised to smoke? And if so, how many of us would be smoking? (IÂ can transport up to four sticks.)

If nowhere civilised, then not bringing any.

Post by **DRT** » 12:50 Wed 18 Dec 2013

If memory serves correctly there is an outdoor smoking area/beer garden at the back of the main bar/restaurant of the hotel.

Post by **jdaw1** » 13:44 Wed 18 Dec 2013

DRT wrote:If memory serves correctly there is an outdoor smoking area/beer garden at the back of the main bar/restaurant of the hotel.

Hmm. BBC Weather says ‟2Â°C”. Would I be alone?

Post by **DRT** » 13:56 Wed 18 Dec 2013

jdaw1 wrote:
DRT wrote:If memory serves correctly there is an outdoor smoking area/beer garden at the back of the main bar/restaurant of the hotel.
Hmm. BBC Weather says ‟2Â°C”. Would I be alone?

I don't know, but you would certainly be the only one wearing just a t-shirt.

Post by **jdaw1** » 14:22 Wed 18 Dec 2013

Slight change of plan for the stickies. Last year or was it the year before? some people were using a number for one bottle, whilst others were using it for a different bottle. So I’m allowing partial pre-declaration. E.g., cool-initialled person XYZ can pre-declare ‟XYZ#1” and ‟XYZ#2”, lessening the likelihood of confusion.

I’m predeclaring:
• JDAW;
• Sandeman Vau 1999 (from a double magnum); and
• Sandeman Vau 2000 (also from a double magnum).

Updated draft of the paperwork.
(In following diagram lilac is edge of label, green is boundary of writing zone; neither of these colours will print.)

djewesbury · Post by **djewesbury** » 15:37 Wed 18 Dec 2013

I opt to smoke. But if raining I may decline.

Post by **jdaw1** » 19:21 Wed 18 Dec 2013

jdaw1 wrote:Slight change of plan for the stickies. Last year or was it the year before? some people were using a number for one bottle, whilst others were using it for a different bottle. So I’m allowing partial pre-declaration. E.g., cool-initialled person XYZ can pre-declare ‟XYZ#1” and ‟XYZ#2”, lessening the likelihood of confusion.

Updated draft of the paperwork. See pictures two posts back.

Post by **jdaw1** » 20:06 Wed 18 Dec 2013

Re-updated draft of the paperwork. See pictures three posts back.

Post by **jdaw1** » 22:10 Wed 18 Dec 2013

Re-re-re-updated draft of the paperwork.
(In following diagram lilac is edge of label, green is boundary of writing zone; neither of these colours will print.)

Post by **jdaw1** » 22:10 Wed 18 Dec 2013

Printing now.

Post by **DRT** » 22:15 Wed 18 Dec 2013

jdaw1 wrote:Printing now.

Beginning to sulk now

djewesbury · Post by **djewesbury** » 22:16 Wed 18 Dec 2013

DRT wrote:
jdaw1 wrote:Printing now.
Beginning to sulk now

Think of how much faster you'll be in 2014 with both of your bionic knees. We won't be able to keep up with you.

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 22:28 Wed 18 Dec 2013

DRT wrote:
jdaw1 wrote:Printing now.
Beginning to sulk now

No need to sulk. We'll keep you informed as to what we're drinking. Have you got Skype or FaceTime?

djewesbury · Post by **djewesbury** » 22:30 Wed 18 Dec 2013

AHB wrote:
DRT wrote:
jdaw1 wrote:Printing now.
Beginning to sulk now
No need to sulk. We'll keep you informed as to what we're drinking. Have you got Skype or FaceTime?

And of course we are living in an age of new

sample jars. Will someone bring a handful?

EDIT: I am bringing two 10cl bottles of different malt whiskies for those braving a cigar later on at the Saffron.

Post by **DRT** » 22:30 Wed 18 Dec 2013

AHB wrote:
DRT wrote:
jdaw1 wrote:Printing now.
Beginning to sulk now
No need to sulk. We'll keep you informed as to what we're drinking. Have you got Skype or FaceTime?

Both. And a bottle of something from 1970.

uncle tom · Post by **uncle tom** » 23:19 Wed 18 Dec 2013

Are we doing this 100% fortified?

- or do we need some red juice for dinner?

~~~

As a somewhat sober opener to this year's event, I will be presenting a small selection of bottles that I believe to be fake. These bottles were recently offered (as genuine) by one of the world's most prestigious auction houses.

To date, their response to this revelation has been very disappointing. I have urged them to act correctly, and to inform all purchasers of bottles from this source that there is a problem with the integrity of some bottles from one of their vendors, and that they should therefore desist from further distribution until enquiries are completed.

As of this moment, I have no evidence that they have complied with my request, or have any agenda to do so

I would therefore ask all of you to visually examine these bottles and post a personal opinion of their integrity on both TPF and FTLOP.

I will do likewise. The auctioneer has had fair warning of my intentions.

djewesbury · Post by **djewesbury** » 23:23 Wed 18 Dec 2013

This sounds extremely interesting Tom. And it chimes with the thread I was re-reading earlier about the low gains to be made faking VP. I'm intrigued.

Post by **jdaw1** » 23:35 Wed 18 Dec 2013

Decanter labels made.

Post by **jdaw1** » 23:36 Wed 18 Dec 2013

uncle tom wrote:Are we doing this 100% fortified?

My #2 is a Sauternes, gifted by my brother.

Post by **jdaw1** » 23:39 Wed 18 Dec 2013

uncle tom wrote:As a somewhat sober opener to this year's event, I will be presenting a small selection of bottles that I believe to be fake. These bottles were recently offered (as genuine) by one of the world's most prestigious auction houses.

To date, their response to this revelation has been very disappointing. I have urged them to act correctly, and to inform all purchasers of bottles from this source that there is a problem with the integrity of some bottles from one of their vendors, and that they should therefore desist from further distribution until enquiries are completed.

As of this moment, I have no evidence that they have complied with my request, or have any agenda to do so

I would therefore ask all of you to visually examine these bottles and post a personal opinion of their integrity on both TPF and FTLOP.

I will do likewise. The auctioneer has had fair warning of my intentions.

Send the auctioneer an email containing this link: www.ThePortForum.com/viewtopic.php?t=6804&start=79.

Post by **jdaw1** » 00:33 Thu 19 Dec 2013

Links: the sticky labels and other paperwork, and parameters by which constructed.

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 05:25 Thu 19 Dec 2013

Is anyone visiting Seckfords before the Bell and able to collect a bottle of Rioja for me please?

Deleted_User_1 · Post by **Deleted_User_1** » 08:53 Thu 19 Dec 2013

It appears I am in..woohoo...confirming that I will be adopting from Tom as it is late notice...and...if anyone needs a lift from Stansted or The Saffron Hotel then please let me know.

djewesbury · Post by **djewesbury** » 09:23 Thu 19 Dec 2013

Cookie wrote:It appears I am in..woohoo...confirming that I will be adopting from Tom as it is late notice...and...if anyone needs a lift from Stansted or The Saffron Hotel then please let me know.

Hi Cookie, good to hear you'll be there.. I'm flying to Stansted this afternoon and will be getting a train to Audley End arriving shortly before 4.. Are you going to be around? I'll go and check in at the hotel and go back to the Bell then..

Post by **PhilW** » 12:46 Thu 19 Dec 2013

djewesbury wrote:
Cookie wrote:It appears I am in..woohoo...confirming that I will be adopting from Tom as it is late notice...and...if anyone needs a lift from Stansted or The Saffron Hotel then please let me know.
Hi Cookie, good to hear you'll be there.. I'm flying to Stansted this afternoon and will be getting a train to Audley End arriving shortly before 4.. Are you going to be around? I'll go and check in at the hotel and go back to the Bell then..

I'll be arriving at Audley end at 16:23, and making my way to the Saffron (bus or taxi depending on availability). If it fitted with your timing and with Daniel, might we be able to share a lift at around 17:15 from the Saffron to the Bell (in which case I won't book a taxi in advance for that time)?

djewesbury · Post by **djewesbury** » 12:50 Thu 19 Dec 2013

PhilW wrote:
djewesbury wrote:
Cookie wrote:It appears I am in..woohoo...confirming that I will be adopting from Tom as it is late notice...and...if anyone needs a lift from Stansted or The Saffron Hotel then please let me know.
Hi Cookie, good to hear you'll be there.. I'm flying to Stansted this afternoon and will be getting a train to Audley End arriving shortly before 4.. Are you going to be around? I'll go and check in at the hotel and go back to the Bell then..
I'll be arriving at Audley end at 16:23, and making my way to the Saffron (bus or taxi depending on availability). If it fitted with your timing and with Daniel, might we be able to share a lift at around 17:15 from the Saffron to the Bell (in which case I won't book a taxi in advance for that time)?

Sounds good to me!

djewesbury · Post by **djewesbury** » 13:53 Thu 19 Dec 2013

No flight delays. Weather clear after snow earlier on and a fierce storm last night. See you all soon.

RAYC · Post by **RAYC** » 10:04 Sun 22 Dec 2013

In terms of comments on names on the review thread (link):

The Ramos Pinto 27 was more than just "late bottled" - it is a fully registered "LBV" in the modern sense (registered at some point in the 80s i think i recall reading somewhere).

The Graham 1982 is marketed as a "Single Harvest Tawny" - arguably we should respect the wishes of the winemaker on that

Whitwhams has an "H" and i think should be styled the "1880 Millennium Port". I would not be offended by the addition of an apostrophe, though there is none on the label!

Post by **jdaw1** » 10:11 Sun 22 Dec 2013

RAYC wrote:The Ramos Pinto 27 was more than just "late bottled" - it is a fully registered "LBV" in the modern sense (registered at some point in the 80s i think i recall reading somewhere).

The Graham 1982 is marketed as a "Single Harvest Tawny" - arguably we should respect the wishes of the winemaker on that

Whitwhams has an "H" and i think should be styled the "1880 Millennium Port". I would not be offended by the addition of an apostrophe, though there is none on the label!

Thank you. Done.