Wed 9 Sep 2015, Elizabeth II > Victoria, Boot & Flogger

[jdaw1]

To commemorate Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II exceeding the late Queen Victoria’s record time on the throne, a select band of us, some subjects of Her Majesty, some not so blessed, gathered in the Boot & Flogger to drink ‘Port Fit for a Queen’. We did well.

Links:

• Review of the evening as a whole;
• 1924 Offley (THRA);
• 1952 Graham Single Harvest Tawny (Flora) (JADS);
• 1952 Graham Single Harvest Tawny (Fauna) (JADS);
• 1952 Dalva Golden White (JDAW);
• 1955 Graham (DJ);
• 1955 Dow (DRT);
• 1960 Dow (IDJ) (IDJ);
• 1960 Dow (BMHR) (BMHR);
• 1960 Croft (WPS);
• 1960 Warre (W60) (PW);
• 1960 Warre (£) (PW);
• 1963 Taylor (JDAW);
• 1963 Cockburn (RAYC);
• 1970 Dow (WPS);
• 1970 Fonseca (CMAG);
• 1977 Taylor (CPR);
• Placemats (and parameters by which made);
• Food order (except that the B&F doesn’t do skinny fries);
• Planning and arrangements.

[jdaw1]

Sir Christopher Geidt KCB, KCVO, OBE
The Private Secretary to Her Majesty The Queen
Buckingham Palace, London SW1A 1AA

10^th July 2015

Dear Sir Christopher,

On the 9^th of September Her Majesty will surpass Victoria to become our longest-reigning monarch. Some friends and I, some loyal subjects and some citizens of allies, plan to celebrate this occasion with a Port tasting in SE1. The list of Ports is not yet fixed, but is likely to include some bottles from 1952, and some from other excellent years.^†

It has been reported that “The Queen’s hope is for a quiet day”, so we will celebrate quietly. We are very willing to host a representative of The Queen — whether a member of the Royal family, you, or somebody else — but we do understand that this is unlikely.

We wish Her Majesty the very best on the surpassing of Victoria’s sovereign record.

God save the Queen.



Julian D. A. Wiseman

† Planning for this tasting can be followed at www.ThePortForum.com/viewtopic.php?t=9935

(Image also in the planning thread.)

[DRT]

This was an utterly splendid tasting. The ports were excellent from top to bottom, with one "interesting" exception, and we absolutely achieved the objective of bringing port fit for a Queen.

Thank you to all for their contributions and their company, and thank you to Julian for rallying the troops.

[Andy Velebil]

Interesting? Spill your guts loyal subject.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[jdaw1]

Problems. We've been moved to the Green Room, without so much as a by-your-leave.

Some of the boxes of glasses were discovered today to be empty. Bring glasses!

This might have been mentioned once or twice (or perhaps sixty three times) throughout the evening but I am pleased to report that JDAW did Her Majesty proud by carrying on regardless and refusing to let small details stand in the way of ceremony. God save the Queen, and God help the Duty Manager the next time JDAW makes a booking

We had a splendid evening. It could have been an even more splendid evening, but we drank and ate well. Many yummy ports, and only one obvious duffer.

[jdaw1]

[jdaw1]

[jdaw1]

[jdaw1]

[jdaw1]

[jdaw1]

Lots of yummy Ports. Johnny Symington sent two bottles of the Graham 1952 Single Harvest Tawny. This has been bottled from six pipes, and our two bottles (labelled ‘Flora’ and ‘Fauna’, which somebody correctly said should have been ‘Victoria’ and ‘Elizabeth’) were quite different. Flora was good Port. But Fauna was significantly better: sweeter, fuller, richer. We were told that, in bottling the 1952, the bottles did not specify which cask. The lesson was learnt, and subsequent Single Harvest Tawnies have identified the cask.

Indeed an excellent evening in which we did Her Majesty proud.

This was an utterly splendid tasting. The ports were excellent from top to bottom, with one "interesting" exception

Interesting? Spill your guts loyal subject.

The 1924 Offley was a small bottle (65cl?) of something that might not have been entirely bottle aged. Whatever it was, it was past its prime.

[WS1]

It was a great evening indeed! Thanks a lot Julian for organising it! Great ports, great company what else could we have wished for despite not enough glasses and amendments to the booking! Quote for me of the evening was Johnny Symmington reflecting on the optimal age for a vintage port being ~45years. So the 1970 is in its prime
Other than that i found the Graham 52 Tawnies being really great; Fauna and also Flora; Fauna was a clear notch better though!

regards

WS1

[idj123]

This was indeed a splendid and for me, arguably, the best (for quality) tasting that I have attended thus far. All Ports (excepting the '24) showed superbly and on another night many of these could have been a WOTN. Very pleased and relieved that the D60 I brought showed well (although I preferred Ben's) and it was great to see that there appears to be plenty of life left in the 1960 vintage. Once again the F70 came out on top (how many times is that now?) but even by its own lofty standards this was an especially good bottle of F70. As Wolfgang says, Johnny's 45 year yardstick for great VP is currently proving correct.

The B&F let itself down a bit on the night with its organisation and water service but the old girl (HM) would have been proud that we maintained a stiff upper lip throughout whilst draining top juice from years associated with her and her reign.

[DRT]

Very true, Ian. It is pleasing to be able to report that, despite the grumblings from some in the organisation thread, no one had to be sent to Curmudgeon Corner and suitable respect and decorum was displayed by all during the toast. Well done team

[Andy Velebil]

I've decided to move to the London area to be around my favorite Port lovers. Anyone know if the Constables will hire their L.A. counterpart?

Edit: Nevermind I just looked at what they pay my counterparts in your parts. No way Jose, as we say.

[jdaw1]

I've decided to move to the London area to be around my favorite Port lovers. Anyone know if the Constables will hire their L.A. counterpart?

You will need to have lived in London within the geographical area covered by the Met for at least three of the last six years to be eligible to apply.

I telephoned to ask about senior L.A.P.D. officers, and was told that the requirement was likely to be similar. Seeking better.

(If there are a few more posts on this subject then they will be moved to a new thread.)

[Andy Velebil]

I've decided to move to the London area to be around my favorite Port lovers. Anyone know if the Constables will hire their L.A. counterpart?

You will need to have lived in London within the geographical area covered by the Met for at least three of the last six years to be eligible to apply.

I telephoned to ask about senior L.A.P.D. officers, and was told that the requirement was likely to be similar. Seeking better.

(If there are a few more posts on this subject then they will be moved to a new thread.)

See my above edit...

[flash_uk]

Very sad to have missed this one - sounds like it was a belter!

[PhilW]

It was a superb evening; a great selection and good range of some excellent ports. While an outstanding F70 took WOTN by a significant margin, the selection of ports on show were a cornucopia of riches; there was marvelous port everywhere*. To name highlights would be to list most of the bottles, but special thanks to Johnny Symington for bringing two bottles of the Grahams 1952 tawny, which it turned out were clearly from different barrels, fascinating, and to Julian for organisation and bringing his last bottle of Dalva Golden White '52, which was also a treat.

The Boot and Flogger had changed room on us at the last minute, which meant we were a little cramped, and failed to provide the required number of glasses, plus they also got some food wrong, but aside from some initial grumbles this all faded to irrelevancy in the face of a fantastic evening of port with friends.

*except in the top left corner, where a glass containing what one fellow attendee described as tasting of "stale urea" - and he was not wrong; we are appreciative to Tom for the opportunity to try a very unusual wine, an Offley '24 - and for the opportunity to tease him thoroughly since the bottle was unfortunately completely b******d.

[jdaw1]

Attendees: we have a problem. Bridgeman was absent. So perpetuity’s record of how these showed falls to our slender shoulders. We should make an effort. Please do.

DRT, RAYC: tomorrow you will be sent scans of your TNs. Please do the right thing.

[jdaw1]

Another lesson was learnt. Pre-pouring essential with 12 people. Too many times the bottle would go round, and those receiving it late would have too little. Must pre-pour with twelve.

[WS1]

Another lesson was learnt. Pre-pouring essential with 12 people. Too many times the bottle would go round, and those receiving it late would have too little. Must pre-pour with twelve.

I agree, but two version of glasses did not help as well as "Indian" pours

regards

WS1

[jdaw1]

Self-evidently, next time we have a tasting to commemorate an event of this type, we should invite the Leader of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition.

[djewesbury]

Did I mention that I thought the room was rather cosy? The only thing that marred my enjoyment was the man who kept reminding us that we were in the wrong room.

A note on 'Indian pours': I did not have excessive pours. All my glasses were carefully filled against the standard S.C. Bose port measure.

[WS1]

Self-evidently, next time we have a tasting to commemorate an event of this type, we should invite the Leader of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition.

for the Curmudgeon Corner so possible already identified candidates for this corner have a mate