ThePortForum.com

AHB wrote:Surely that means we now have a space in which to put our water glass?

I am not the only person who is apparently not desperate for QH. The 94 often only opens up on day 2, or 3 or 4 (Alex, with your habit of drinking over 3 or 4 days, would you concur?) so I think a young port that might be a bit unresponsive to a short decant isn't worth the price quoted.

djewesbury wrote:

AHB wrote:Surely that means we now have a space in which to put our water glass?

I am not the only person who is apparently not desperate for QH. The 94 often only opens up on day 2, or 3 or 4 (Alex, with your habit of drinking over 3 or 4 days, would you concur?)

It's been a long while since I last had a bottle of Tesco '94. I've been put off by the huge bottle variability that I've encountered so haven't bought any for ages.

AHB wrote:Surely that means we now have a space in which to put our water glass?

Super idea. A place for the water glass.

DRT wrote:

Axel P wrote:Would anyone volunteer for sending these.

I will happily volunteer but posting samples internationally in late June carries a significant risk of them being boiled before they arrive. Are you sure you want to take that risk?

I have just remembered about this.

Is Axel "in", and does he still want samples posted to Germany?

flash_uk and DRT and jdaw1 wrote:Place: The Bung Hole at 57 High Holborn, London WC1V 6DT, +44 20 7831 8365 (streetmap.co.uk, maps.google.co.uk, bing.com).

Has anybody booked? And requested 14×21 + spares ≈ 340 glasses?

jdaw1 wrote:

flash_uk and DRT and jdaw1 wrote:Place: The Bung Hole at 57 High Holborn, London WC1V 6DT, +44 20 7831 8365 (streetmap.co.uk, maps.google.co.uk, bing.com).

Has anybody booked? And requested 14×21 + spares ≈ 340 glasses?

Yes I booked quite some time ago, night of the 66 I think. Have not yet advised on quantity of glasses.

DRT wrote:

DRT wrote:

Axel P wrote:Would anyone volunteer for sending these.

I will happily volunteer but posting samples internationally in late June carries a significant risk of them being boiled before they arrive. Are you sure you want to take that risk?

I have just remembered about this.

Is Axel "in", and does he still want samples posted to Germany?

We still have a place set aside for Axel. He was unable to attend when the date had at one point been set for later in June. I've sent Axel a PM to see if he can come. If not then happy to sort out samples, although would need someone to point me in direction of where to get sample bottles.

flash_uk wrote:We still have a place set aside for Axel. He was unable to attend when the date had at one point been set for later in June. I've sent Axel a PM to see if he can come. If not then happy to sort out samples, although would need someone to point me in direction of where to get sample bottles.

Thanks. JDAW should be able to supply the bottles. If not I can get some to someone before the event.

A good way of securely transporting lots of samples is in one of those single bottle wooden boxes with a sliding perspex or wooden lid. They are light weight but very strong.

flash_uk wrote:

DRT wrote:

DRT wrote:

Axel P wrote:Would anyone volunteer for sending these.

I will happily volunteer but posting samples internationally in late June carries a significant risk of them being boiled before they arrive. Are you sure you want to take that risk?

I have just remembered about this.

Is Axel "in", and does he still want samples posted to Germany?

We still have a place set aside for Axel. He was unable to attend when the date had at one point been set for later in June. I've sent Axel a PM to see if he can come. If not then happy to sort out samples, although would need someone to point me in direction of where to get sample bottles.

We have hundreds of TPF-approved sample bottles. I thought Axel sent a PM saying he couldn't make it..?

djewesbury wrote:We have hundreds of TPF-approved sample bottles. I thought Axel sent a PM saying he couldn't make it..?

If he did I must have missed/deleted it

DRT wrote:A good way of securely transporting lots of samples is in one of those single bottle wooden boxes with a sliding perspex or wooden lid. They are light weight but very strong.

I think I have a single bottle wooden box with a flip over lid...will check.

flash_uk wrote:

djewesbury wrote:We have hundreds of TPF-approved sample bottles. I thought Axel sent a PM saying he couldn't make it..?

If he did I must have missed/deleted it

PM forwarded...

djewesbury wrote:

flash_uk wrote:

djewesbury wrote:We have hundreds of TPF-approved sample bottles. I thought Axel sent a PM saying he couldn't make it..?

If he did I must have missed/deleted it

PM forwarded...

OK, confirmed that Axel cannot attend in person, but would like samples.

flash_uk wrote:OK, confirmed that Axel cannot attend in person, but would like samples.

If AP is the 14^th person, please edit first post to show that.

We are full, list closed.

Given the youthful nature of the bottles for this event, I have been pondering whether a longer decant time might make sense. For example decanting on Sunday evening, giving roughly a 24 hr period until tasting.

Thoughts from those with more experience of these things?

I'd be in favour of that. What would the logistics be? Does it make for a bit of a handling for you on Sunday (Ulster dialect alert)?

It actually makes the logistics easier for me. Seven bottles to decant, would take me some time on Monday morning meaning in practice getting up at before 6 to get it all done and into work. Or rather decant on Sunday evening and have a normal Monday morning. Would be ideal though if everyone providing bottles did the same thing, rather than us having say half with a 12 hour decant and half with a 24 hour decant.

There is an added complication though with a need to arrange samples for Axel. With a view to minimising oxidisation, the samples would ideally be filled at decant point. I think I have a way forward on this, whereby the sample bottles for 17 of the 21 juices can be handed out to bottle providers at the June 3 event. The bottles not picked up by this would be G, T, F and N, so for these the sample would be taken at the start of the evening on the 16th. As I write this, I am questioning my own assertion that sampling at decant time would minimise oxidisation. Maybe that is a flawed proposition. I will start another post on this subject...

I was planning to decant the large-format Vau about 24 hours before. (And then drink some.) So works for me.

The night before works well for me, thus suggest we go for this

Night before certainly works for me also.

OK that's settled. Where possible, decant on Sunday evening. I will notify the others.

Now, there is the small matter of getting sample bottles to those supplying bottles, so that samples can be taken at decant point (having concluded here that this is the optimal option for sampling). Stand by.

DRT wrote:

jdaw1 wrote:

AHB wrote:(I also have Sandeman Vau, but that bottle is too big.)

I have two of the ’97 Vau double magnums to hand, which were at risk of being drunk at Christmas. Derek: if one is wanted for this tasting, speak soon. There could be decanting variations.

Yes, please. One decanted into various bottle sizes using various methods of filtration and one decanted into various bottle sizes Audouze.

We have a spare circle. We have a double magnum. What should be done?

Since the transport of the samples might be too difficult I am happy to step back and give my seat to the waiting list.

Axel

Axel P wrote:Since the transport of the samples might be too difficult I am happy to step back and give my seat to the waiting list.

Thank you.

Sample bottles not going to TBH tomorrow.

jdaw1 wrote:

DRT wrote:

jdaw1 wrote:

AHB wrote:(I also have Sandeman Vau, but that bottle is too big.)

I have two of the ’97 Vau double magnums to hand, which were at risk of being drunk at Christmas. Derek: if one is wanted for this tasting, speak soon. There could be decanting variations.

Yes, please. One decanted into various bottle sizes using various methods of filtration and one decanted into various bottle sizes Audouze.

We have a spare circle. We have a double magnum. What should be done?

What do you have in mind?

Posted: the complicated parameters used to make the placemats.

The Bung Hole have now been contacted to confirm 280 glasses plus the long dinner table outside the function room to be prepared. And the air conditioning to be cracked up to full potential.

Edit: I forgot to mention, they also confirmed that copious quantities of steak will be available.

flash_uk wrote:The Bung Hole have now been contacted to confirm 280 glasses plus the long dinner table outside the function room to be prepared.

Helen called me a few moments ago about the booking for today that I forgot to cancel — profuse apologies followed — and mentioned that 252 glasses had been reserved for Monday. Err, 252 ≠ 280.

jdaw1 wrote:

flash_uk wrote:The Bung Hole have now been contacted to confirm 280 glasses plus the long dinner table outside the function room to be prepared.

Helen called me a few moments ago about the booking for today that I forgot to cancel — profuse apologies followed — and mentioned that 252 glasses had been reserved for Monday. Err, 252 ≠ 280.

Mmm. I did the calculation 12x21 and said 252 then thought maybe a spare set would be useful so said 280 to cover it. Seems like 252 was only heard!

flash_uk wrote:Seems like 252 was only heard!

I asked when she had last been contacted. When told today, I decided that decisions had been taken, presumably wisely. If action is needed, please do it.

My humble apologies, but earlier today I was told that I will need to be in Bristol on Monday and Tuesday, including Monday night.

I do apologise for the inconvenience to all, and for the missing Martinez 1997. I am disappointed not to be able to attend as I was really looking forward to tasting the Noval 1997 again but work pays my port bills.

AHB wrote:need to be in Bristol on Monday and Tuesday, including Monday night.

Not good. Your presence, conversation aside. would have improved the quality of the TNs.

Does this remove any bottles?

jdaw1 wrote:

AHB wrote:need to be in Bristol on Monday and Tuesday, including Monday night.

Not good. Your presence, conversation aside. would have improved the quality of the TNs.

Does this remove any bottles?

Unfortunately it does. The Martinez will have to make an appearance at a later date.

jdaw1 wrote:

AHB wrote:need to be in Bristol on Monday and Tuesday, including Monday night.

Not good. Your presence, conversation aside. would have improved the quality of the TNs.

Oh dear. With both AHB and I absent the TNs could be a disaster.

DRT wrote:Oh dear. With both AHB and I absent the TNs could be a disaster.

AHB wrote:My humble apologies, but earlier today I was told that I will need to be in Bristol on Monday and Tuesday, including Monday night.

I do apologise for the inconvenience to all, and for the missing Martinez 1997. I am disappointed not to be able to attend as I was really looking forward to tasting the Noval 1997 again but work pays my port bills.

Sad news indeed. And then there were 11.

AHB wrote:The Martinez will have to make an appearance at a later date.

Flash: is there a substitute, or is a bigger rearrangement of the paperwork needed?

jdaw1 wrote:

AHB wrote:The Martinez will have to make an appearance at a later date.

Flash: is there a substitute, or is a bigger rearrangement of the paperwork needed?

I have no substitutes to hand. Can you revert to the 20 glass version over 3 rows?

flash_uk wrote:I have no substitutes to hand. Can you revert to the 20 glass version over 3 rows?

Twenty-glass version of the placemats has been uploaded, even if it is not quite as requested.

Edit: I’ll print and bring the sticky labels.

Croft Roeda and Vesuvio decanted at 18.30 today (Sunday)

Both looking good, despite the Croft cork completely disintegrating..

Edit: Have also popped a Calem Foz '80 for home consumption tonight, and it's darker than the two '97s..

Infantado, Passadouro, Morgan, Smith Woodhouse, Gould Campbell, Cockburn and Warre decanted tonight between 2145 and 2315. All smelling and looking good. Corks on the Morgan and Warre were a bit tricky.

jdaw1 wrote:

flash_uk wrote:I have no substitutes to hand. Can you revert to the 20 glass version over 3 rows?

Twenty-glass version of the placemats has been uploaded, even if it is not quite as requested.

Edit: I’ll print and bring the sticky labels.

I'll print the rest. Placemats on A2 and trimmed. The rest on A4.

Large SV97 decanting notes in its thread.

Both decanted last night. Fonseca cork disintegrated. Full of very fine grained sediment. Displaying the characteristics of a petulant youngster. Taylor cork extracted intact, sediment large. Well behaved. Both smelt OK, sip of dregs indicated the longer decant a probably will be a good idea.

Fr, D and RP decanted between 8.45pm and 9.15pm on Sunday-the cork of the former breaking into many bits, the D into two pieces and the RP intact (and I've now realised that I've left the two redeemable corks at home-schoolboy error!). Decanted bootles have alreday been in the car and on the train and so let's see what they make of the Central line later on!

Links:

• Review of the event as a whole;
• 1997 Cockburn (MPM);
• 1997 Croft Roeda (THRA);
• 1997 Dow (IDJ);
• 1997 Ferreira (IDJ);
• 1997 Fonseca (DaveRL);
• 1997 Gould Campbell (MPM);
• 1997 Graham (CPR);
• 1997 Quinta do Infantado (MPM);
• 1997 Morgan (MPM);
• 1997 Quinta do Noval (CMAG);
• 1997 Offley (JDAW from Stevens Garnier);
• 1997 Quinta do Passadouro ( Kindly donated by VintageWineAndPort.co.uk);
• 1997 Ramos Pinto (IDJ);
• 1997 Sandeman (JDAW from Stevens Garnier);
• 1997 Sandeman Vau, Double Magnum (JDAW);
• 1997 Sandeman Vau, Single (JDAW from Stevens Garnier);
• 1997 Smith Woodhouse (MPM);
• 1997 Taylor (DaveRL);
• 1997 Quinta do Vesuvio (THRA);
• 1997 Warre (MPM);
• Placemats (and parameters by which made);
• Planning and arrangements.

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