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benread wrote:Fonseca: 1960,1963,1966,1970,1977,1980,1985,1992,1997,2000
Fonseca Guimaraens: 1942 (poss),1962 (poss),1965,1968,1972,1976,1978,1984,1986,1988,1991,1996

Please could there be a decision about which vintages are included and which excluded?

DRT wrote:The line-up currently looks like this:

1933
1942
1957
1961
1965
1967
1968
1972
1976
1978
1982
1984
1986
1987
1988
1991
1995
1996
1998
2001
2004
2005

Derek

We might add 2 more to that list.

DRT wrote:We might add 2 more to that list.

Which?

Also please let me know who should be credited for which bottles.

DRT wrote:The line-up currently looks like this:

1933
1942
1957
1961
1965
1967
1968
1972
1976
1978
1982
1984
1986
1987
1988
1991
1995
1996
1998
2001
2004
2005

Derek

Thanks for all the work on this; I can’t wait!

jdaw1 wrote:

DRT wrote:We might add 2 more to that list.

Which?

jdaw1 wrote:Also please let me know who should be credited for which bottles.

Fonseca 1992 has been added to the post-dinner flight and will hopefully provide an interesting comparison with the FG91.

One other classic Fonseca vintage will be sourced for inclusion in the pre-dinner flight.

I will email you a list of the sources of the bottles.

Updated draft of placemats.

• Two sessions.
• +Credit for bottles.
• ±Some bottles.

JacobH wrote: Fonseca 1992 has been added to the post-dinner flight and will hopefully provide an interesting comparison with the FG91.

One other classic Fonseca vintage will be sourced for inclusion in the pre-dinner flight.

I will email you a list of the sources of the bottles.

Outstanding choice. Perfect ports for the "baseline-comparison".

Axel

The process of collecting funds and sourcing the wines is almost complete. Special thanks are due to Ben Read and Andy Velebil who, in addition to their contribution of funds, have very generously donated the FG91 and F70 to the line-up as gifts. Thank you.

DRT wrote:...F70...

Is this wishful thinking? Don't you mean the F92?

Have you decided which other vintage to include from the early years? My suggestion would be to include the 1960 Fonseca, which would hopefully make an interesting comparison with the 1961 FG.

AHB wrote:

DRT wrote:...F70...

Is this wishful thinking? Don't you mean the F92?

Oh that is still coming too, but I decided yesterday that the 1970 would be my gift to the group as we need at least some regular vintages of Fonseca to compare the FG's against. So the F70 will also be included, you will drink it, and hopefully like it.*

*yes, I'm being a stubborn American now

Andy Velebil wrote:

AHB wrote:

DRT wrote:...F70...

Is this wishful thinking? Don't you mean the F92?

Oh that is still coming too, but I decided yesterday that the 1970 would be my gift to the group as we need at least some regular vintages of Fonseca to compare the FG's against. So the F70 will also be included, you will drink it, and hopefully like it.

Oh no! Not the Fonseca 1970 again! Can't we have something different?

Tell you what, since we've got neither the 1969 nor the 1971 FG vintages included in the line-up to compare with the F70, why don't we open and drink the F70 before the off-line and swap it for a bottle of the F60 and it can be our little secret? Shhhh!

I can see where this is going.

Updated draft of placemats.

• +1960 (but whom to credit?).

A practical question - who is going to print the tasting mats?

Not I.

But please could it be somebody arriving for the arranging.

If required, I am able to print, and can drop off the evening before (or morning of the event). I do not anticipate being able to get over to the RAF club earlier than 5.00-5.30ish on the day though.

Thanks, Rob, that is very good of you to volunteer.

Thanks also for your very generous gift of a bottle of F77 to add to the post-dinner line-up.

Derek

Updated draft of placemats.

• +1977, from RAYC.
• +Rob C. = RAYC. Already present was Ray C. = RLC. Hence present are:
  • Industry guest, TBA.
  • Ben R.
  • Derek T.
  • Ray C.
  • Axel P.
  • Julian W.
  • Tom A.
  • Alex B.
  • Simon G.
  • Jacob H.
  • Christopher G.
  • Rob C.
  • Wolfgang S.
  • Andy V.
  If you aren’t on that list, you aren’t drinking with us.

Updated draft of placemats.

• +CSD, ”“CMAG.
• Industry guest revealed and no surprise.
• Hence present are:
  • Adrian B.
  • Ben R.
  • Derek T.
  • Ray C.
  • Axel P.
  • Julian W.
  • Tom A.
  • Alex B.
  • Simon G.
  • Jacob H.
  • Rob C.
  • Wolfgang S.
  • Andy V.
  • Chris D.
  If you aren’t on that list, you aren’t drinking with us.

Fonseca 1960 has now been added to the line-up...

1933 Fonseca Guimaraens
1942 Fonseca Guimaraens
1957 Fonseca Guimaraens
1960 Fonseca
1961 Fonseca Guimaraens
1965 Fonseca Guimaraens
1967 Fonseca Guimaraens
1968 Fonseca Guimaraens
1970 Fonseca
1972 Fonseca Guimaraens
1976 Fonseca Guimaraens
1977 Fonseca
1978 Fonseca Guimaraens
1982 Fonseca Guimaraens
1984 Fonseca Guimaraens
1986 Fonseca Guimaraens
1987 Fonseca Guimaraens
1988 Fonseca Guimaraens
1991 Fonseca Guimaraens
1992 Fonseca
1995 Fonseca Guimaraens
1996 Fonseca Guimaraens
1998 Fonseca Guimaraens
2001 Fonseca Guimaraens
2004 Fonseca Guimaraens
2005 Fonseca Guimaraens

Updated draft of placemats.

• Adjustment to 1960s Fonsecas and their contributors.
• Please check carefully.

Since in my opinion we should not do this without the Fonseca 85 I will bring a bottle and donate this. I do like this wine a lot and do believe that it is one of the best ports made in the last 25 years, if not the best.

Axel

I hereby encourage donations of other excellent vintages of Fonseca that we are missing, especially 1881, 1884, 1887, 1896 (especially especially!), and 1900. And 1912, 1927, 1934 and 1945.

Full credit will be given on the placemats.

(Thank you Axel F85 is indeed an great port.)

Axel and Rob,
Thanks for your excellent donations!

Andy Velebil wrote:Axel and Rob,
Thanks for your excellent donations!

Indeed!

Do the decanting committee need any extra assistance? I am free all day, so if you need any glass / decanter / funnel polishing, I should be able to help. Though not to worry if you have everything in hand!

Fonseca 1985 has now been added to the line-up...

1933 Fonseca Guimaraens
1942 Fonseca Guimaraens
1957 Fonseca Guimaraens
1960 Fonseca
1961 Fonseca Guimaraens
1965 Fonseca Guimaraens
1967 Fonseca Guimaraens
1968 Fonseca Guimaraens
1970 Fonseca
1972 Fonseca Guimaraens
1976 Fonseca Guimaraens
1977 Fonseca
1978 Fonseca Guimaraens
1982 Fonseca Guimaraens
1984 Fonseca Guimaraens
1985 Fonseca
1986 Fonseca Guimaraens
1987 Fonseca Guimaraens
1988 Fonseca Guimaraens
1991 Fonseca Guimaraens
1992 Fonseca
1995 Fonseca Guimaraens
1996 Fonseca Guimaraens
1998 Fonseca Guimaraens
2001 Fonseca Guimaraens
2004 Fonseca Guimaraens
2005 Fonseca Guimaraens

Thank you, Axel.

Does anyone think that 27 is not quite enough?

DRT wrote:Does anyone think that 27 is not quite enough?

Me. We had 30 something bottles at the Malvedos tasting IIRC.

Anyone else care to make a very generous donation of a regular Fonseca?

Andy Velebil wrote:Anyone else care to make a very generous donation of a regular Fonseca?

I own no regular Fonseca but am happy to contribute in cash if it would help

I think this is a fantastic line-up and, not being the type to leave port go to waste, am already quite daunted by the volume!

Others who have done these large tastings before will have a better feel than I, but is it really possible to add too many more bottles without compromising enjoyment of what is already there?

That said-

jdaw1 wrote:And are we really refusing F66?

RAYC wrote:I think this is a fantastic line-up and, not being the type to leave port go to waste, am already quite daunted by the volume!

Others who have done these large tastings before will have a better feel than I, but is it really possible to add too many more bottles without compromising enjoyment of what is already there?

That said-

jdaw1 wrote:And are we really refusing F66?

The funny thing is, I'd normally tend to agree with you. That is, until the Malvedos tasting where some 30+ bottles were opened and scarcely a drop was left at the end. So to answer your question, No!

And what is this about refusing a F66????

Have the authorities yet ruled on the ’66? And have the authorities ruled wisely?

Updated draft of placemats.

• +1985.
• Please check carefully.

jdaw1 wrote:Have the authorities yet ruled on the ’66? And have the authorities ruled wisely?

Assuming the two attendees who have yet to pay their contribution do so, we have precisely £7 remaining in the team fund. Does anyone have a time machine so that we can return to 1968 and purchase an F66?

DRT wrote:we have precisely £7 remaining in the team fund.

Precisely! A whole number of pounds! Nice coincidence, that one would expect to happen about one time in a hundred.

DRT wrote:Does anyone have a time machine so that we can return to 1968 and purchase an F66?

It would seem a terrible waste of a time machine to purchase only one bottle.

DRT wrote: we have precisely £7 remaining in the team fund.

Drastic times called for drastic measures, and i took the liberty of putting the £7 on Oxford to win by a margin of 2&1/2 lengths or more at 5/2.

Doesn't get us to a F66, but might at least buy us each a half pint of Timothy Taylor from the pub around the corner beforehand...

RAYC wrote:

DRT wrote: we have precisely £7 remaining in the team fund.

Drastic times called for drastic measures, and i took the liberty of putting the £7 on Oxford to win by a margin of 2&1/2 lengths or more at 5/2.

Doesn't get us to a F66, but might at least buy us each a half pint of Timothy Taylor from the pub around the corner beforehand...

I put the £7 on Scotland to beat Brazil by 6 goals at 25,000/1 - I can't bear to look at the result so please can someone confirm that I am now able to complete the line-up and transfer the venue to The Yeatman Hotel?

Scotland fell short by only a few goals.

jdaw1 wrote:Scotland fell short by only a few goals.

So we won 3-0? Splendid!

As I notice it is missing, I could happily add a 00'F to the mix if it would be a welcome addition.

Chris Doty wrote:As I notice it is missing, I could happily add a 00'F to the mix if it would be a welcome addition.

Consider your hand snapped off

Thank you

Fonseca 2000 has now been added to the line-up...

1933 Fonseca Guimaraens
1942 Fonseca Guimaraens
1957 Fonseca Guimaraens
1960 Fonseca
1961 Fonseca Guimaraens
1965 Fonseca Guimaraens
1967 Fonseca Guimaraens
1968 Fonseca Guimaraens
1970 Fonseca
1972 Fonseca Guimaraens
1976 Fonseca Guimaraens
1977 Fonseca
1978 Fonseca Guimaraens
1982 Fonseca Guimaraens
1984 Fonseca Guimaraens
1985 Fonseca
1986 Fonseca Guimaraens
1987 Fonseca Guimaraens
1988 Fonseca Guimaraens
1991 Fonseca Guimaraens
1992 Fonseca
1995 Fonseca Guimaraens
1996 Fonseca Guimaraens
1998 Fonseca Guimaraens
2000 Fonseca
2001 Fonseca Guimaraens
2004 Fonseca Guimaraens
2005 Fonseca Guimaraens

JDAW, please update placemats.

Updated draft of placemats.

• +1966;
• +2000.
• Please check carefully.

That means we have thirty-five vintage ports, making this the largest-equal tasting.

Edit: counting error, much regretted. Only twenty-nine, so falling far short of noteworthy.

jdaw1 wrote:Updated draft of placemats.

• +1966;
• +2000.
• Please check carefully.

That means we have thirty-five vintage ports, making this the largest-equal tasting.

... so far

Thank you to the very kind chap who donated the 1966. A splendid fellow if ever I met one

Thank you Julian and Chris.

But - 35?

jdaw1 wrote:Updated draft of placemats.

• +1966;
• +2000.
• Please check carefully.

That means we have thirty-five vintage ports, making this the largest-equal tasting.

RAYC wrote:Thank you Julian and Chris.

But - 35?

Despite best efforts I have not yet managed to secure a Fonseca 1935. Sorry.

Ha - no, was querying the counting - I make 29.

Sackcloth and ashes! A counting disaster. Twenty-nine it is we might be thirsty.

DRT wrote:Fonseca 1935

jdaw1 wrote:

DRT wrote:Fonseca 1935

Can I please borrow your sackcloth and ashes?