Taylor Single Harvest Tawny Tasting - 16 May 2024

[nac]

(possibly 21st November).

Are placemats urgently needed?

Nope - going to be next May.

[nac]

(possibly 21st November).

Are placemats urgently needed?

Nope - going to be next May.

First post updated.

[nac]

Will endeavour to confirm the date next week.

[nac]

Subject to confirmation by B&F re room availabilty, this is going to be Thursday 16th May.

[Glenn E.]

Subject to confirmation by B&F re room availabilty, this is going to be Thursday 16th May.

Most excellent, I look forward to it!

[mcoulson]

16th in the diary.....

[winesecretary]

And in mine

[nac]

The tasting will now also include the Taylor VVO Coronation Edition. Assuming 12 attendees this means £220 per head for the wines.

I'm still awaiting confirmation of the 16th May date from B&F, but I'm assuming this is OK so could people confirm availability for this please (if you haven't already done so).

Note that this tasting will be for 12 people maximum.

[CPR 1]

Sounds great. Confirmed for the 16th.

Thank you



Sent from my SM-S911B using Tapatalk

[PhilW]

Confirming.

[Glenn E.]

Just to be explicit about it, I confirm for the 16th!

[Bertie3000]

I am off on holiday on the 16th so cannot attend. Very jealous.

[M.Charlton]

Confirmed - thanks, Neil!

[nac]

Confirmed as Thursday 16th May 2024.

[jdaw1]

Draft of the placemats added to the first post.

On the placemats is written, magnanimously, “Taylor”, but perhaps fairer would have been “Krohn”.

[Glenn E.]

New abbreviation? "TK" for the Single Harvest Tawnies from 1962 to 1971 that Taylor purchased from Krohn?

(only half serious)

[PhilW]

Abbreviation reflects brand, which is how these were sold, hence correct.

[flash_uk]

Confirmed. Thx Neil.

[Doggett]

I am unable to firmly commit to this unfortunately as I have some bookings. It is possible that I may still be able but in terms of fairness, if commitments are required now, and it is limited to 12, I should relinquish my place and demote to the reserves if possible. I think I have tasted them all on release or thereabouts and it would have been fantastic to taste them together. For what it is worth I would say the 1964 was the best for me, but that maybe biased by the fact I enjoyed my bottle over 3 nights in Sept 2015. The two nights before my wedding and the last glass of the evening of the big day… which was followed by my honeymoon in the Yeatman… good times!

[Glenn E.]

The tasting will now also include the Taylor VVO Coronation Edition. Assuming 12 attendees this means £220 per head for the wines.

I'm still awaiting confirmation of the 16th May date from B&F, but I'm assuming this is OK so could people confirm availability for this please (if you haven't already done so).

Note that this tasting will be for 12 people maximum.

Per this post, I believe there is an error in the first post and the placemats.

VVO bottled 2022 should be the Platinum Jubilee Edition
VVO bottled 2023 should be the Coronation Edition

From everything that I have heard, they are not the same wine. Based on a couple of reviews, it sounds to me like the Coronation Edition is an older and nicer Port.

[jdaw1]

The draft of the placemats has been updated in accordance with my understanding of Glenn’s guidance. Glenn: please re-inspect and comment.

[winesecretary]

Is it just me that finds the rising tide of excitement in one, as a tasting like this in which one is going to participate comes to fruition, a considerable pleasure in its own right? Especially where the tasting is, as here, going to significantly expand the boundaries of one’s knowledge. Following as I do the Julianic code of pre-loading on water, I don’t get post-tasting triste, so it is all upside.

[nac]

The tasting will now also include the Taylor VVO Coronation Edition. Assuming 12 attendees this means £220 per head for the wines.

I'm still awaiting confirmation of the 16th May date from B&F, but I'm assuming this is OK so could people confirm availability for this please (if you haven't already done so).

Note that this tasting will be for 12 people maximum.

Per this post, I believe there is an error in the first post and the placemats.

VVO bottled 2022 should be the Platinum Jubilee Edition
VVO bottled 2023 should be the Coronation Edition

From everything that I have heard, they are not the same wine. Based on a couple of reviews, it sounds to me like the Coronation Edition is an older and nicer Port.

Yes - this was an error. I'd copied the Jubilee line and forgot to change the description. Now fixed.

[nac]

First post has been updated to reflect statements of availabilty for 16 May 2024.

There are a few still to respond, but please note that at this stage I won't be adding anyone to the list of attendees. The maximum for this will be 12, but ideally I'd like 10.

There will be a reserve list.

[jdaw1]

Is it just me that finds the rising tide of excitement in one, as a tasting like this in which one is going to participate comes to fruition, a considerable pleasure in its own right? Especially where the tasting is, as here, going to significantly expand the boundaries of one’s knowledge. Following as I do the Julianic code of pre-loading on water, I don’t get post-tasting triste, so it is all upside.

Posting styles: compare and contrast this to

I am quite exhilarated. Is it always this exciting in the quiet hours before a tasting? Was it like this at Scampton before 617 Squadron went out..?

[djewesbury]

And on my birthday! How charming.

[flash_uk]

Greetings Daniel - hope all well with you!

[Glenn E.]

The draft of the placemats has been updated in accordance with my understanding of Glenn’s guidance. Glenn: please re-inspect and comment.

I think that covers it!

[nac]

The Quevedo White was incorrectly described in the original list in the first post, but now updated.
It’s actually the “Very Old…” so amendment required to placemats.

[PhilW]

The Quevedo White was incorrectly described in the original list in the first post, but now updated.
It’s actually the “Very Old…” so amendment required to placemats.

To be fair, it depends whether you're looking at the box or the label. It is really "Quevedo 1970 white", but due to regulations had to be labelled as "Quevedo Very Old white port", and was released in 2020 in a box marked "50 year old port" (latter quite possibly on request of importer).

[nac]

The Quevedo White was incorrectly described in the original list in the first post, but now updated.
It’s actually the “Very Old…” so amendment required to placemats.

To be fair, it depends whether you're looking at the box or the label. It is really "Quevedo 1970 white", but due to regulations had to be labelled as "Quevedo Very Old white port", and was released in 2020 in a box marked "50 year old port" (latter quite possibly on request of importer).

Correct. But there's now a "proper" 50yo White Quevedo, which probably isn't the same as this.

[PhilW]

Correct. But there's now a "proper" 50yo White Quevedo, which probably isn't the same as this.

I don't think we're disagreeing

[Alex Bridgeman]

There are several “Very Old White”s from Quevedo - from 1970, 1975 and 1981 at a minimum. I’d like the placemat to make it clear which one we’re tasting.

[nac]

There are several “Very Old White”s from Quevedo - from 1970, 1975 and 1981 at a minimum. I’d like the placemat to make it clear which one we’re tasting.

It is definitely the 1970.

[Glenn E.]

The Quevedo White was incorrectly described in the original list in the first post, but now updated.
It’s actually the “Very Old…” so amendment required to placemats.

To be fair, it depends whether you're looking at the box or the label. It is really "Quevedo 1970 white", but due to regulations had to be labelled as "Quevedo Very Old white port", and was released in 2020 in a box marked "50 year old port" (latter quite possibly on request of importer).

IIRC, anything that is at least 10 years old can be called an "Old Port". Anything that is at least 20 years old can be called a "Very Old Port". There is also now (as of 2022) the new Very Very Old Port category, which I believe is intended for bottles that are 80+ years old. I haven't seen that regulation, though, so am not sure about the exact age required for something to be labeled VVO.

Anyway... for the Quevedo...

For us geeks, it is an unregistered 1970 Colheita Branco.

Legally...

1. They do not have proper/registered documentation to sell it as a 1970 White Colheita.
2. When it was made, the 50 Year Old White Port category was not yet available.

That left them with 2 options as far as I know. The most basic is for it to technically be "just" a Reserve White Port that they brand and label as something more special. The other is to bottle it as a "with an indication of age" 40 Year Old White Port, but that then requires a tasting panel review and it would be bottled and sold as a 40. I don't have a bottle of it, but I assume they went with the former as that gives them much more leeway.

We have another similar example: the Ste. Eufemia Special Reserve White is in reality an unregistered 1973 Colheita Branco. Note that when the Ste. Eufemia was made it was only a little over 30-ish years old, so they couldn't submit it as a 40 and/or call it a Very Old White. So it is technically a Reserve White Port (ergo, "Special Reserve White").

The new Quevedo 50 Year Old White Port is a blend "with an indication of age", as fits the new category. It would be very interesting to compare the two just to see what Claudia is doing with the blend vs what nature gave them as a Colheita.

I have a couple of bottles of the Ste. Eufemia Special Reserve White left and can bring one if we would like to add it to the tasting. I have both the normal bottle and the flared base bottle. AFAIK those are just different bottling runs for different markets, not different Ports.

[MigSU]

There is also now (as of 2022) the new Very Very Old Port category, which I believe is intended for bottles that are 80+ years old. I haven't seen that regulation, though, so am not sure about the exact age required for something to be labeled VVO.

Here you go!

https://files.diariodarepublica.pt/2s/2 ... 200102.pdf

[nac]

I have a couple of bottles of the Ste. Eufemia Special Reserve White left and can bring one if we would like to add it to the tasting. I have both the normal bottle and the flared base bottle. AFAIK those are just different bottling runs for different markets, not different Ports.

I think that sounds like a splendid idea.
The Quevedo won't be quite as lonely.

[Glenn E.]

There is also now (as of 2022) the new Very Very Old Port category, which I believe is intended for bottles that are 80+ years old. I haven't seen that regulation, though, so am not sure about the exact age required for something to be labeled VVO.

Here you go!

https://files.diariodarepublica.pt/2s/2 ... 200102.pdf

Obrigado!

I have a couple of bottles of the Ste. Eufemia Special Reserve White left and can bring one if we would like to add it to the tasting. I have both the normal bottle and the flared base bottle. AFAIK those are just different bottling runs for different markets, not different Ports.

I think that sounds like a splendid idea.
The Quevedo won't be quite as lonely.

I'll set one aside! Now I just have to remember to bring it.

[Glenn E.]

Question that is also relevant to this tasting posted in the Graham's vertical thread.

[Glenn E.]

My airfare has been purchased and the Ste. Eufemia Special Reserve White has been set out so that I don't forget it!

[Axel P]

Please put Ralph and me on the list. Thank you

[nac]

Please put Ralph and me on the list. Thank you

I've added you to the "interested" list, but given that my preference is for this to be only 10 heads, it's unlikely (at the moment) that you'll make it to the table.

[nac]

I would like to attend if space permitting

I've added you to the "interested" list, but previous comments about number of attendees still apply.

[nac]

I'd like to get the confirmed attendee list sorted fairly soon, so if you're on the "interested" list and haven't confirmed you can make the date please do ASAP.

Those marked in bold on the first post are definitely "at the table". List will be updated as availabilities are confirmed.

[Doggett]

With enormous regret I must withdraw and miss this tasting. Enjoy!

[hadge]

I can't make this date of the 16th May. Enjoy.

[forest26]

Confirmed

[Axel P]

Let me know if you decide to increase the table to 12

[nac]

The list of attendees has been updated and all have confirmed attendance.
This is going to stay as 10 heads, but there are currently two reserves (Axel & Ralph) should anyone drop out.

To maintain a sensible bottles/head ratio I've decided that we'll just stick to the Taylor bottles and skip the whites. As such, the Quevedo is removed and Glenn doesn't need to bring the Ste. Eufemia Special Reserve.

Julian - could you update the placemats please?

I'll do the food order in a couple of weeks.

Very much looking forward to this.

[Glenn E.]

To maintain a sensible bottles/head ratio I've decided that we'll just stick to the Taylor bottles and skip the whites. As such, the Quevedo is removed and Glenn doesn't need to bring the Ste. Eufemia Special Reserve.

Noted, thank you. It shall go back to sleeping in my wine fridge.