Tues 5 May, The Best of the Fonseca Bicentennial Tastings

[flash_uk]

Next Tuesday I am tied up at the office until around 6pm, which means getting to the B&F for about 6.30pm. Given the number of bottles and the full quota of attendees, some pre-pouring is likely to be helpful. Is anyone able to get there a bit early, and is anyone able to get there a bit early with printed placemats?

My SWMBO doesn’t want me to leave Streatham early. If necessary I could, expensively, appeal and plead. So have me down as a reserve.

Updated draft of the placemats (or see first post, not forgetting to re-load its images).

• +1948 (AHB);
• +1994 (MPM);
• Just one pre-pouring sheet, the 1948, which can then be used as a measure for all to self-pour. Is this satisfactory?

I am working on a plan to shift my late meeting on Tuesday...
I don't think having just the 48 as a pre pour will work, as Alex will not arrive in time to make it work. Under a new scenario, if I can arrive at say 1730 with printed materials, with CPR, together we can pre pour 4 bottles, which can serve as a guide for subsequent self pouring (except perhaps for the 48).

[flash_uk]

Edit: perhaps we skip the Waterloo if only 12?

Warerloo appropriate to the date: perhaps instead skip 1994?

Bicentenary also appropriate for the date. I'd quite like to see where the 94 has got to, given it is supposed to be a belter. Perhaps sacrifice the Waterloo=£12 reserve ruby...can be sampled many times ahead at leisure?

[Alex Bridgeman]

I'd also like to keep the '94 in the line-up. If anything, I would prefer to sacrifice one of the 1985s.

[jdaw1]

Obvious decision: sacrifice the 1896.

[jdaw1]

Updated draft of the placemats (or see first post, not forgetting to re-load its images).

• +BMHR;
• Four pre-pouring sheets, ’55 ’60 ’63 ’66. Please confirm satisfactory.
• Please confirm that I have correct the bottles, the people, and the crediting of the former to the latter.

[DaveRL]

I can get there at 5.30 if I can be of help

[flash_uk]

I can get there at 5.30 if I can be of help

Thanks Dave. I should be able to confirm later today if my meeting has moved and can also get there for 5.30.

[flash_uk]

The food order for the event is now complete for confirmed attendees. Let me know if there are any mistakes with your order.

[flash_uk]

I should be able to confirm later today if my meeting has moved and can also get there for 5.30.

Confirmed. Will be there at 5.30pm!

[jdaw1]

Links:

• Review of the evening as a whole;
• 1948 Fonseca (AHB);
• 1955 Fonseca (IDJ);
• 1958 Fonseca Guimaraens = † (THRA);
• 1960 Fonseca (IDJ);
• 1963 Fonseca (TC);
• 1966 Fonseca (IDJ);
• 1970 Fonseca (RLC);
• 1975 Fonseca (TC);
• 1977 Fonseca (PW);
• 1980 Fonseca (RLC);
• 1983 Fonseca (CPR);
• 1985 Fonseca single (DRL);
• 1985 Fonseca magnum (JDAW);
• 1992 Fonseca (MPM);
• 1994 Fonseca (CPR);
• Fonseca Waterloo (MPM);
• Fonseca Bicentenary Crusted (MPM);
• Food order;
• Placemats (and parameters by which made);
• Planning and arrangements.

[jdaw1]

Who is bringing the 1994? CPR or MPM?

[flash_uk]

Who is bringing the 1994? CPR or MPM?

CPR

[PhilW]

Updated draft of the placemats (or see first post, not forgetting to re-load its images).

• +BMHR;
• Four pre-pouring sheets, ’55 ’60 ’63 ’66. Please confirm satisfactory.
• Please confirm that I have correct the bottles, the people, and the crediting of the former to the latter.

All looks correct to me; only discrepancies between first post and placemats is that THRA is on the placemats but not first post, and the credit for bottles is RLC&THRA instead of RLC per first post; I assume both of these changes represent updates pending on the first post and are correct on placemats.

[jdaw1]

All looks correct to me

Thank you for checking.

only discrepancies between first post and placemats is that THRA is on the placemats but not first post, and the credit for bottles is RLC&THRA instead of RLC per first post; I assume both of these changes represent updates pending on the first post and are correct on placemats.

Instruction has been less than entirely clear on this matter, so I have guessed. Perhaps clearer instruction will follow.

[flash_uk]

Tom was not sure if he would make it. I'll drop him an email and find out if he can.

[jdaw1]

Magnum of Fonseca 1985 decanted.

[flash_uk]

Bicentenary Crusted and the '92 both decanted. All seems well.

[DaveRL]

Single '85 decanted. Seems OK. Tiny bit broke off bottom cork. Gritty sediment. Looks dark. Smell closed. Dregs fruity plummy tasty. So far so good.

[Deleted_User_1]

All looks correct to me

Thank you for checking.

only discrepancies between first post and placemats is that THRA is on the placemats but not first post, and the credit for bottles is RLC&THRA instead of RLC per first post; I assume both of these changes represent updates pending on the first post and are correct on placemats.

Instruction has been less than entirely clear on this matter, so I have guessed. Perhaps clearer instruction will follow.

I alone will be contributing the '70 and '80...If Tom can make it he will bring his own wine.

[idj123]

The F66 (bottled by BBR) decanted at 7am; the F60 (Oporto bottled) at 1.15pm and the F55 (bottled by Peatling and Cawdron) at 1.30pm. Hopeful about the 66 and 55, less so the 60 as it was a leaker and the cork plunged into the bottle before the worm had hardly touched it- still, fingers crossed!

[Deleted_User_1]

F'80 decanted 11.15...cork fell straight in but somehow is damaged...very light and has a sediment suspension...very suspect.
The F'70 decanted at 12.00 following a long fight with the '80's cork, however, is looking splendid...that is if it really is a F'70....no IVDP cello on an unusual necked and clear green bottle and the cork which extracted in one piece but with a chunk missing in the middle has a Fonseca Vintage marking but no date.
I shall be intrigued as to what everyone else thinks.

[forest26]

Looking forward to this.
F63 and F75 decanted 10am both bottles had level in neck and no seepage - Note f63 is EB unknown shipper. Everything seems ok. Cork on f63 put up a little resistance and was somewhat damaged (my heavy handedness not the fault of the cork). I should be there about 6:15

[uncle tom]

GF likes her birthday presents, exit visa granted, FG58 decanted..

[Alex Bridgeman]

Bicentenary Crusted and the '92 both decanted. All seems well.

Did anyone take any pictures of the Bicentenary Crusted, or at least make a note of the year in which it was bottled?

[flash_uk]

Bicentenary Crusted and the '92 both decanted. All seems well.

Did anyone take any pictures of the Bicentenary Crusted, or at least make a note of the year in which it was bottled?

Pics are further back in the thread here. Bottled 2008.

[Alex Bridgeman]

Bicentenary Crusted and the '92 both decanted. All seems well.

Did anyone take any pictures of the Bicentenary Crusted, or at least make a note of the year in which it was bottled?

Pics are further back in the thread here. Bottled 2008.

Ah. Thank you.

[flash_uk]

I have now finally sorted out the financial maths.

First however, is a huge thank you to Alex, who has very generously donated his Fonseca 1948 rather than have it included in the calculations (doff of hat several times). The average cost per person is consequently somewhat lower than it would have otherwise been. Thank you Alex, I look forward to the tasting where I bring a suitably aged gem for you to enjoy.

The chart below shows who owes/is owed what (find your name in the column and read the bottom row, in bold). Amounts in brackets mean you are owed. For those that owe, I'll PM my bank details and you can make a transfer. For those that are owed, Tom, Julian, Ian, Phil - I already have your bank details and will transfer to you. Charles, Tony and Ray - you will need to PM me your bank details and I can transfer to you.



Many thanks again everyone for a great evening.