New York, Saturday 29th March 2008

[jdaw1]

Would people be interested in a 1977 horizontal some time in the second half of March 2008? I can supply:

• 1977 Warre;
• 1977 Fonseca;
• 1977 Niepoort;
• 1977 Sandeman;
• 1977 Smith Woodhouse;
• 1977 Quinta do Cachão;
• 1977 Ferreira.

What dates work in the second half of March 2008? What other 1977s do we have?

Edit: Early Tue 19 Feb title altered from “New York, late March 2008† to “New York, Saturday 29th March 2008†.

[g-man]

I can supply

• Dow 1977
• Croft 1977

[jdaw1]

• 1977 Sandeman

This weekend I went to visit my friend’s cellar wherein are stored some of my goodies. The Sandeman 1977 was leaking, so opened, and was foul. Undrinkable. That still leaves:

• JDAW:
  • 1977 Warre;
  • 1977 Fonseca;
  • 1977 Niepoort;
  • 1977 Smith Woodhouse;
  • 1977 Quinta do Cachão;
  • 1977 Ferreira;
• Jeff:
  • 1977 Dow;
  • 1977 Croft;

[jfacciol]

Let's see what I have to add that's not already on offer. Hmmm,

Delaforce 1977
Graham 1977
Quarles Harris 1977
Robertson's Rebello 1977
Taylor 1977

Related, but not the same year, Ferreira 1978 (might be fun to compare to the 1977).

[g-man]

Combined list of possible Purple Sunshines for the 77 tasting.

• JDAW:
  • 1977 Warre;
  • 1977 Fonseca;
  • 1977 Niepoort;
  • 1977 Smith Woodhouse;
  • 1977 Quinta do Cachão;
  • 1977 Ferreira;
• Jay:
  • 1977 Delaforce;
  • 1977 Grahams;
  • 1977 Taylor;
  • 1977 Quarles Harris;
  • 1977 Robertson's Rebello;
• Jeff:
  • 1977 Dow;
  • 1977 Croft;

Potential Bishop of Norwich acquiescences:

• Julian;
• Jay;
• Jeff;

Notice the troubling coincidence that major NY drinkers' names begin with the letter J.

[jfacciol]

Now, all we need is about eight or nine additional port drinkers, preferably all with J as the initial letter of their names so that the symmetry is not spoiled.

Perhaps we can have this tasting on a weekend so that more folks can join us. One friend of mine remarked to me that only "priests, professors and pensioners" could attend a tasting during the work week.

[jdaw1]

A weekend would help Sean and Moses. Though, obviously, they’re not invited unless they change their names.

[John Danza]

Hi Julian,

I would love to attend, as I have a free airline ticket burning a hole in my pocket. Unfortunately, the latter half of March is pretty tight for me and the only dates that would work would be the evening of Friday the 14th or Friday the 28th. If one of those ends up being the date and you get the date early enough for me to get a ticket, I'll be there.

As far as the 1977 ports, in the cellar I have Fonseca, Graham, and Warre. While those are duplicates to those you've listed, I could supply one of them so someone else doesn't have to.

All the best,
John Danza

[jfacciol]

Either date is open right now for me.

[Andy Velebil]

There is a very slim possiblilty that I may be able to make this. I won't know until mid-feb, but if I can I'll be sure to let you know.

[John Danza]

Hi Julian,

I guess I pulled the trigger too soon. I check the American website and I can't use my free ticket on those days that I noted as open in March. I'll have to pass. Bummer!

[jdaw1]

That’s a shame because:

1. I’d like to meet you; and
2. your name begins with a “J†.

[DRT]

Friday 28th March is my 43rd birthday. My name does not currently begin with J but my girlfriend's name (Joanne) does and if I was coming along she probably would too.

Please confirm whether or not I meet the entry criteria. If I do I will make enquiries about the possibility of attending.

Derek

PS: If I do attend, and given that it will be my birthday, I would have to insist on adding a bottle of Taylor's Quinta de Vargellas 1965 to the line-up otherwise I will not reach the age of 44.

[jdaw1]

I leave to go snowboarding very early on Friday 29 February, returning late Saturday 15th March. So Thursday 28th would be terrible for me (and I’m bringing most of the 1977s).

And beacause John Danza’s ticket doesn’t work on that date, we aren’t tied to it. What about one night between Thursday 20th March and Sunday 23rd March 2008?

[DRT]

Please confirm whether or not I meet the entry criteria. If I do I will make enquiries about the possibility of attending.

[jdaw1]

Nothing is wrong that a quick deed poll can’t fix.

[g-man]

I leave to go snowboarding very early on Friday 29 February, returning late Saturday 15th March. So Thursday 28th would be terrible for me (and I’m bringing most of the 1977s).

And beacause John Danza’s ticket doesn’t work on that date, we aren’t tied to it. What about one night between Thursday 20th March and Sunday 23rd March 2008?

i'm confused julian,

Derek mentioned the Friday March the 28th.

I don't see how that would affect your snowboarding at all.

Perhaps the anticipation of something a month away is just too great?[/b]

[jdaw1]

I leave to go snowboarding very early on Friday 29 February, returning late Saturday 15th March. So Thursday 28th would be terrible for me (and I’m bringing most of the 1977s).

And beacause John Danza’s ticket doesn’t work on that date, we aren’t tied to it. What about one night between Thursday 20th March and Sunday 23rd March 2008?

i'm confused julian,

Derek mentioned the Friday March the 28th.

I don't see how that would affect your snowboarding at all.

Perhaps the anticipation of something a month away is just too great?[/b]

Ahh, so he did. Whoops. Sorry. Yes, Friday 28th March works for me.

[jfacciol]

The 28th does not work for me. What about the 29th or the 30th?

[jdaw1]

The 28th does not work for me. What about the 29th or the 30th?

Sat 29th March and Sun 30th March both work for me.

[g-man]

The 28th does not work for me. What about the 29th or the 30th?

Sat 29th March and Sun 30th March both work for me.

sat 29th seems to be good for me too.

Shall we set the date?

[jdaw1]

sat 29th seems to be good for me too.

Shall we set the date?

Let’s allow Derek T. a chance to respond. He might be coming all the way from England for it.

[DRT]

Sorry guys, I can't justify the $1600 plus whatever other expenses this would cost Jo and I to attend.

...and, apparently, I should be spending money on a family holiday rather than an Off-line

Have fun.

Derek

[g-man]

Sorry guys, I can't justify the $1600 plus whatever other expenses this would cost Jo and I to attend.

...and, apparently, I should be spending money on a family holiday rather than an Off-line

Have fun.

Derek

a trip to ny would make an excelent family holiday =)

look forward to meeting you next time then.

[jfacciol]

Do we have a date? I still think it should be on a weekend. And how many are interested? So far, I only count three. Not enough for an interesting horizontal, although we could have a second 1977 later in the year.

[jdaw1]

Today I have asked five other people whether they could and would join us on Saturday 29th March: let’s, at least tentatively and for the moment, assume that date.

[jdaw1]

Available bottles:

• JDAW:
  • 1977 Warre;
  • 1977 Fonseca;
  • 1977 Niepoort;
  • 1977 Smith Woodhouse;
  • 1977 Quinta do Cachão;
  • 1977 Ferreira;
• Jay:
  • 1977 Delaforce;
  • 1977 Grahams;
  • 1977 Taylor;
  • 1977 Quarles Harris;
  • 1977 Robertson's Rebello;
• Jeff:
  • 1977 Dow;
  • 1977 Croft;

My vote for eight bottles: Fonseca, Taylor and Graham’s (the big three, to compare); Delaforce and Niepoort (new friends I’m liking); and Quinta do Cachão (one recent and lightly favourable experience), Ferreira (which has a better reputation than my recent experiences), and Quarles Harris (never before passed my lips). But I’d happily swap one of these for a Gould Campbell, of which people have spoken well.

First draft of placemats.

[SushiNorth]

I've been trying (unsuccessfully) to plan a late march party for friends as an excuse to open a 77. I don't have any of the bottles on your "needs" list, though I've some 77 S&W and a 77 Warres. Oh, and Hi -- I'm new and in the NY area (and also start with a J -- see Intros).

[jdaw1]

1. Link to that introduction thread.

2. You mention “S&W†: is that really “SW† (being Smith Woodhouse), or is it something my brain can’t quite identify?

3. If you tell me your initials you’ll get a page on the placemats. Good trade!

[SushiNorth]

Lol, yes, SW/SWC, I always think of it as Smith & the Woodhouses, (thus S & W), but you're right -- no & in the name.
And as for initials, JS. Is it set for the 29th?

[DRT]

Lol, yes, SW/SWC, I always think of it as Smith & the Woodhouses, (thus S & W), but you're right -- no & in the name.
And as for initials, JS. Is it set for the 29th?

WARNING: our resident AR Pedant will complain bitterly that you have only provided 2 initials. Minimum of 3 required unless you have no middle name(s).

[jdaw1]

Is it set for the 29th?

A team decision: I’m good. Jay, Jeff: can we fix the date?

JS added to the placemats.

will complain bitterly that you have only provided 2 initials.

Derek meant, of course, “have provided only 2 initials†. Or even “have provided only two initials†.

[SushiNorth]

Or perhaps, more that they were those two particular initials
JES, then, if you prefer and prevents confusion with that "other" -- JS

[jfacciol]

I am also fine for 29 March and have penciled it into my date book (yes book and not pda).

[g-man]

I'm fine with the date too

[jdaw1]

1. Four is quorate: date fixed as Saturday 29th March 2008. Title of thread altered.

2. I offered the sommelier at Dovetail (star of thread The new woman in the life of jdaw1) a seat at the table, in return for a table sans corkage. She agreed: we can have table 60 which can seat, at a squeeze, ten. It is strongly suspected that bringing bonus glasses would be wise. This semi-reservation needs to be confirmed: explicit agreement or disagreement would be helpful.

3. I re-invite comment on my port selection (Fonseca, Taylor, Graham’s, Delaforce, Niepoort, Quinta do Cachão, Ferreira, and Quarles Harris).

[g-man]

1. Four is quorate: date fixed as Saturday 29th March 2008. Title of thread altered.

2. I offered the sommelier at Dovetail (star of thread The new woman in the life of jdaw1) a seat at the table, in return for a table sans corkage. She agreed: we can have table 60 which can seat, at a squeeze, ten. It is strongly suspected that bringing bonus glasses would be wise. This semi-reservation needs to be confirmed: explicit agreement or disagreement would be helpful.

3. I re-invite comment on my port selection (Fonseca, Taylor, Graham’s, Delaforce, Niepoort, Quinta do Cachão, Ferreira, and Quarles Harris).

I'd vote for the Dow
to have the top 4 first flights instead of something else.

[jdaw1]

OK, Fonseca, Taylor, Dow, Delaforce, Niepoort, Quinta do Cachão, Ferreira, and Quarles Harris. Works for me. Other objections?

Placemats updated.

[jfacciol]

Julian, well done. All sounds good to me. I gather that we are five so far.

[SushiNorth]

By the by -- Dovetail sounds like a fabulous place. Nice choice

[jdaw1]

Invitation extended to new TPF member joepm1.

To prevent things becoming too large, let’s say now eight people maximum. So far there are four (not counting people I have forgotten): JDAW, JG, FF, and JES. And maybe my wife. Who I hadn’t forgotten.

[jfacciol]

Plus the somelier or are you not counting the new woman in our life, Julian?

[jdaw1]

Oooh! But it is very important to remember the wife and not to remember the new woman. The other way about would be a cause of great awkwardness.

Yes, plus JL. She will be, I suspect, a part-time drinker, so let’s call it eight+one.

[Alex Bridgeman]

I strongly recommend the Smith Woodhouse being included in the line-up, if you can. This is almost as good as or perhaps better than the Gould Campbell. Perhaps instead of the Ferreira?

[SushiNorth]

It sounds like folks felt good about the lineup, but I do have some sw77

[jdaw1]

For a long time QH has been firmly at the bottom of the Symington list of port houses, and until recently was the company name in the small print on products such as Tesco own brand vintage port.

As far as I can make out, the Syms blend a respectable wine for QH labelled product, using the stocks available to them at the time - but do not saddle themselves with a house style for the brand.

SW in; QH out? Objections?

[g-man]

i'm getting parched just thinking about it.

line up looks great

[jfacciol]

No objection from me.

[SushiNorth]

Excellent. jdaw, shall I bring one of mine?

[EricD]

I'm in! I can make it for the 29th!

I would most likely adopt a bottle, as it looks like we've got the lineup covered, although I could contribute a Graham or a Warre.