2014 pre-Harvest Tour tasting, London, 9/23

[Glenn E.]

TV64 would be splendid!

I think Rob was referring to the T64SHT, rather than TV64.

That would also be splendid!

I'll amend the 1st post until Rob confirms one way or the other.

[PhilW]

TV64 would be splendid!

I think Rob was referring to the T64SHT, rather than TV64.

That would also be splendid!

I'll amend the 1st post until Rob confirms one way or the other.

I'm also not sure if he was offering to bring it, or just asking about it! BTW, RAYC should be listed as RAYC rather than RayC in the first post, since this is Rob (who uses initials RAYC) rather than Ray C which is another user on the board - just to keep things simple

[Glenn E.]

I'm also not sure if he was offering to bring it, or just asking about it!

I'm being optimistic!

BTW, RAYC should be listed as RAYC rather than RayC in the first post, since this is Rob (who uses initials RAYC) rather than Ray C which is another user on the board - just to keep things simple

Done. And duly noted.

[Glenn E.]

3 bottles of Port have mysteriously appeared at my house. Hopefully they do not mysteriously break prior to traveling to London.

[AW77]

When I offered the '92 Andresen Colheita I didn't know that people would roll out more impressive bottles (like the '69 TV) and thus raise the bar.
So shall I bring something else? I could get for example a '83 Niepoort, '85 Taylor or '85 Fonseca from merchants here in Germany. (I like ruby style ports so '80s ports are just my cup of tea at the moment.)

[Glenn E.]

Any of those would be good. I would choose the Fonseca personally, but they're all very good.

[WS1]

3 bottles of Port have mysteriously appeared at my house. Hopefully they do not mysteriously break prior to traveling to London.

Thanks in advance for bringing those 3 bts home

regards
WS1

[Glenn E.]

3 bottles of Port have mysteriously appeared at my house. Hopefully they do not mysteriously break prior to traveling to London.

Thanks in advance for bringing those 3 bts home

Happy to be of service.

[Glenn E.]

Any of those would be good. I would choose the Fonseca personally, but they're all very good.

To further clarify, 1985 Fonseca is always welcome at a tasting. Any tasting.

For example, at a typical Port tasting my TN might contain something like, "F85: what all middle-aged Ports aspire to be. Solid structure, great fruit, well-balanced tannins and acidity. A fabulous Port."

While at a Colheita tasting my TN might contain something like, "F85: presents atypically for a Colheita, but a fabulous Port nonetheless."

While at an Old & Odd tasting, my TN might contain something like, "F85: odd that this doesn't seem particularly old, but a fabulous Port nonetheless."

While at a claret tasting, my TN might contain something like, "F85: ah, finally something I can drink amongst all this rubbish claret. This is a fabulous Port."

What am I doing at a claret tasting, you might ask? Well, obviously, I heard there might be some 1985 Fonseca present.

In summary: F85 is always welcome.

[jdaw1]

A grade-A splendid post, perfect in every way except for its failure to mention to substitutability of Graham for Fonseca.

[Glenn E.]

A grade-A splendid post, perfect in every way except for its failure to mention to substitutability of Graham for Fonseca.

{sackcloth and ashes}

[AW77]

OK, then I will get a '85 Fonseca. I could get a bottle from BBR. I would pay for it via my credit card. Would anyone of the London-based attendees volunteer to pick up the bottle and bring it (ideally already double-decanted) to the tasting? How about flash_uk? He seems to be an expert on this particular wine.

[flash_uk]

OK, then I will get a '85 Fonseca. I could get a bottle from BBR. I would pay for it via my credit card. Would anyone of the London-based attendees volunteer to pick up the bottle and bring it (ideally already double-decanted) to the tasting? How about flash_uk? He seems to be an expert on this particular wine.

Or you could just adopt one of mine?

[AW77]

Or you could just adopt one of mine?

Thanks for the offer. I already dropped BBR an e-mail. So if it doesn't work out with BBR, I would like to come back to your generous offer.

[AW77]

The comparison (http://www.theportforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=8782) of the F85 and the T85 gave me this idea:
How about also getting a T85 to compare it with the F85 that I will bring ? We could split the costs of the T85 evenly among the attendees.
There is one for 48 Pounds:
http://www.corneyandbarrow.com/p-17726- ... hants.aspx?

[Glenn E.]

The comparison (http://www.theportforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=8782) of the F85 and the T85 gave me this idea:
How about also getting a T85 to compare it with the F85 that I will bring ? We could split the costs of the T85 evenly among the attendees.
There is one for 48 Pounds:
http://www.corneyandbarrow.com/p-17726- ... hants.aspx?

Sounds like a great idea to me! I'd love to try one of these allegedly fabulous UK T85s.

[AW77]

Sounds like a great idea to me! I'd love to try one of these allegedly fabulous UK T85s.

Good. Where do we get the T85 from? Could we adopt it from someone or would someone go and pick it up at Corney & Barrow's London shop?

[Glenn E.]

Sounds like a great idea to me! I'd love to try one of these allegedly fabulous UK T85s.

Good. Where do we get the T85 from? Could we adopt it from someone or would someone go and pick it up at Corney & Barrow's London shop?

The London shop doesn't look to be in any of our planned touristing areas, so it would be mildly inconvenient for me to pick up.

Would they deliver to TBH on the day of the tasting, with instructions for decanting by TBH staff? It seems that would be optimal.

[AW77]

Or perhaps one of the London-based attendees could pick up the bottle and bring it already double-decanted to the tasting (I think decanting is best done by someone from TPF). I could pay for the bottle from Germany using my credit card. If we are 6 people at the tasting, this would be 8 Pounds per person. I guess the others wouldn't mind two glasses of T85 for 8 quid. And if they do, you and me will have the T85 all for ourselves.

[djewesbury]

I didn't think Corney's London base is a shop; think it's just their HQ.

[idj123]

I have a case of T85 in storage and so would be more than happy to reclaim a bottle for this 'play off' between F85 and T85 (I'll bring another bottle for the 'bring a bottle' main theme).

Ian

[Glenn E.]

I have a case of T85 in storage and so would be more than happy to reclaim a bottle for this 'play off' between F85 and T85 (I'll bring another bottle for the 'bring a bottle' main theme).

Excellent! Thank you. This tasting gets more and more interesting as the date approaches.

[AW77]

I have now purchased a bottle of F85 from BBR. Flash_uk has volunteered to pick it up and bring it already decanted to the tasting. Thank you very much for this, Mike.

@ Glenn: Could you please update my status at your initial post?

[Glenn E.]

@ Glenn: Could you please update my status at your initial post?

Done! I also updated idj123's status to include the T85.

[CaliforniaBrad]

Any of those would be good. I would choose the Fonseca personally, but they're all very good.

To further clarify, 1985 Fonseca is always welcome at a tasting. Any tasting.

For example, at a typical Port tasting my TN might contain something like, "F85: what all middle-aged Ports aspire to be. Solid structure, great fruit, well-balanced tannins and acidity. A fabulous Port."

While at a Colheita tasting my TN might contain something like, "F85: presents atypically for a Colheita, but a fabulous Port nonetheless."

While at an Old & Odd tasting, my TN might contain something like, "F85: odd that this doesn't seem particularly old, but a fabulous Port nonetheless."

While at a claret tasting, my TN might contain something like, "F85: ah, finally something I can drink amongst all this rubbish claret. This is a fabulous Port."

What am I doing at a claret tasting, you might ask? Well, obviously, I heard there might be some 1985 Fonseca present.

In summary: F85 is always welcome.

Haha. A masterful post.

[Glenn E.]

Any status updates?

idj123/RAYC - bottle confirmation?

WS1/djewesbury - attendance update?

[djewesbury]

Any status updates?

idj123/RAYC - bottle confirmation?

WS1/djewesbury - attendance update?

I feel pessimistic. I don't have my timetable yet but regardless the first week of teaching looks to be hectic.
I will update ASAP.

[WS1]

Any status updates?

idj123/RAYC - bottle confirmation?

WS1/djewesbury - attendance update?

Hi Glenn,

should work out. There was a bit of upheaval since I have to be in Germany on the 22nd of September for business . But should be back just in time for the pre-Harvest Tour tasting. Bt will be Niepoort Garrefeira 64. I was told by RAYC you have not had yet so it will be an excellent occasion.

regards

WS1

[idj123]

Have been unable to secure either FG64 or GM64 and so will default to Pocas.1964 Colheita (in addition to the T85), if that's acceptable? If the T64 colheita materialises then this would be an interesting comparator.

Ian

[Glenn E.]

Bt will be Niepoort Garrefeira 64

I am honored, thank you. That is a very rare bottle. Even Dirk, who is also a 1964 birthday, forgot that they made a 1964 Garrafeira!

Have been unable to secure either FG64 or GM64 and so will default to Pocas.1964 Colheita (in addition to the T85), if that's acceptable? If the T64 colheita materialises then this would be an interesting comparator.

Also excellent, thank you. I have access to the T64 Colheita here in the states, but I'm already bringing 16 total bottles to the UK and I'm not sure how¹. If a plan somehow materializes and I can acquire one in time, I'll bring one over. (And post about it so we don't duplicate.)

¹ Is a standard Styrofoam shipper sufficient for the hold of an airplane, provided I wrap it and tape it up securely in a box? If so that would easily handle the case of QH11 and then the rest of the bottles could go in my Wine Cruzer.

[DRT]

I have access to the T64 Colheita here in the states, but I'm already bringing 16 total bottles to the UK and I'm not sure how. If a plan somehow materializes and I can acquire one in time, I'll bring one over.

You could call BBR and ask them if they would have one waiting for you at Heathrow. I have done this before but it depends which terminal you are flying into. Or you could order one and tell them I will collect it for you and I could leave it with your other bottles?

[djewesbury]

You could call BBR and ask them if they would have one waiting for you at Heathrow.

What, really? Will a man from Berry's stand there with a sign saying 'Glenn'? Really?

[Glenn E.]

I believe BBR has a shop inside the terminal. Either that or Derek's account with BBR is more impressive than he has let on.

[AW77]

A look at the BBR-website tells one that they have two shops at Heathrow Airport: one at Terminal 3 and one at Terminal 4.
(Source: http://www.bbr.com/about/history-key-dates)

[djewesbury]

Wow. That's impressive.

[Glenn E.]

A look at the BBR-website tells one that they have two shops at Heathrow Airport: one at Terminal 3 and one at Terminal 4.
(Source: http://www.bbr.com/about/history-key-dates)

Sadly I believe that incoming flights from Seattle arrive at Terminal 5. However something could still be arranged, as a visit to BBR in London is on my list of things I'd like to do while there.

[Alex Bridgeman]

If you call Berry's in advance, you might be able to get them to give you a guided tour of their shop, Pickering Place and the houses round the back that they own. The history that they live and work in is well worth the trouble of a visit and a guided tour.

[idj123]

If we really would like the T64 to be in attendance, the cheapest I've seen it for on-line is I believe £138 at Fareham Wines on the South Coast. I just happen to have a meeting in Fareham on 4 September and so if we all prepared to share the costs I could drop by and pick up a bottle?

[Glenn E.]

RAYC was considering bringing a 1964 Taylor, but has not yet confirmed whether that meant the Krohn Colheita or the Vargellas VP. I think we should wait until he clarifies.

That price is better than what I can find in the US, though your VAT is higher than my taxes so it probably evens out.

[idj123]

Happy to wait until RAYC responds but just to note that the £138 is inclusive of all taxes.

[CPR 1]

If there is room for one more? it would be a pleasure to join you all and meet Glenn

Thanks

Charles

[jdaw1]

Houston, we’ve had a problem here. … Houston, we’ve had a problem.

We were told yesterday that The Bung Hole is about to start some renovation. This renovation might still be happening on the 23^rd of September.

Naturally, we small-c conservatives promptly rebelled against the idea of renovation. Lord Salisbury (one of my heroes): “Whatever happens will be for the worse, and therefore it is in our interest that as little should happen as possible.” Alas it seemed that the waiter had insufficient authority to turn the tide of history for us, and might indeed have been unwilling to try.

I am only the messenger. For the sake of ancient tradition, I should be shot.

[Glenn E.]

If there is room for one more? it would be a pleasure to join you all and meet Glenn

I believe so; I've added you to the list.

Do you have a bottle in mind that you will be bringing?

[Glenn E.]

Houston, we’ve had a problem here. … Houston, we’ve had a problem.

We were told yesterday that The Bung Hole is about to start some renovation. This renovation might still be happening on the 23^rd of September.

Hmm. This is not good news.

But as this is not Sparta, we'll resist the urge to push the messenger into a well.

[AW77]

Can someone from London recommend an alternative venue? Just in case the Bunghole won't be open on our big day.

[Alex Bridgeman]

Can someone from London recommend an alternative venue? Just in case the Bunghole won't be open on our big day.

There are plenty of alternatives available; let's wait to see whether there is a problem before we look to change venue.

[PhilW]

We were told yesterday that The Bung Hole is about to start some renovation. This renovation might still be happening on the 23^rd of September.

Julian's prescience is unfortunately accurate. I have just received an email letting me know that they will no longer be able to host our booking on the 23rd due to the refurbishment (which should end by Oct 10th, btw) which means we will need to change venue.

Davy's have offered us a room in Truckles, which might be an option (though I have not yet checked about availability of glassware etc) but I do note their lack of steak-based mains at this location which might make an alternative preferable. I could easily go back to Davy's and ask whether another of their central London restaurants with a good selection of steaks could host us (perhaps Champagne Charlies, though their function room sizes of 6, 8 or 45 probably don't work for our current group of ~10 for tasting and food), or we could move to another restaurant if we have other preferred options.

Of places we have used before, The Crusting Pipe (now also owned by Davy's) does not have a large enough private room, and the tunnel would likely be pretty warm; The Steak exchange might be an alternative; people may wish to suggest other options. I'm happy to sort and book, if people can make suggestions on options of how we might proceed (with Glenn having casting vote, of course).

[Glenn E.]

Bummer!

I don't really have a preference for venue, other than it needs to be accessible from the area around TBH via public transit. Steak isn't mandatory for me, though it is preferable, so Truckles would suffice if others agree. The location is certainly good - I could walk from the hotel.

I will be slightly pressed for time on Tuesday, so if the new venue is very far from TBH I will likely arrive late, or we could delay the start. Either is fine with me - I'll get there when I get there.

[AW77]

I don't really have a preference for venue, other than it needs to be accessible from the area around TBH via public transit. Steak isn't mandatory for me, though it is preferable, so Truckles would suffice if others agree. The location is certainly good - I could walk from the hotel.

Truckles is ok for me, too. It's just 1,4 miles away from my hotel (according to Google maps). So even a taxi late in the evening will not bakrupt me.
In other news: pilots at Germanwings are on strike. Hopefully, it will be over by the 23rd of September. The last strike at Lufthansa in 2013 took over a month, though. (And I seem always to pick the days when flights are cancelled due to strike.)

[CPR 1]

The location of Truckles is good thus it gets my vote.

I plan to bring a bottle of Smith Woodhouse 77