Thursday 19th May 2016, 66@50

Post by **flash_uk** » 12:28 Mon 11 Jan 2016

This post to hold details as they develop.

50 years ago, the 1966 vintage was born. Happy birthday '66 vintage - to celebrate, we shall be drinking you.

When: 6½pm on Thursday 19th May 2016

Theme: The 1966 vintage.

Venue: The Red Room, The Boot & Flogger, 10-20 Redcross Way, London SE1 1TA, tel +44 20 7407 1184 (streetmap.co.uk, bing, maps.google.co.uk).

People:

MPM (Taylor);
SCD (Croft);
IDJ (Fonseca);
CPR (Graham, Offley);
JDAW (Warre adopted from PW);
AHB (Smith Woodhouse);
PW (Dow);
TC (Noval, Rebello Valente, Gould Campbell, Messias, Calem da Foz);
THRA (Cockburn);
DG (adopting from Tony);
WPS (adopting Sandeman from THRA);
open space;
open space;
open space.

(wines in bold have been delivered to the B&F in advance)

Reserves or Tentative List:

Placeholder.

Regretably unable to attend:

DRT (Sandeman).

Draft of the food order. Draft of the placemats.

Who has what (in bold not yet used in the lineup):

Sandeman (DRT, TC);
Graham (MPM, CPR, PW);
Warre (MPM, TC, PW);
Taylor (MPM, CPR, TC);
Croft (MPM, SCD);
Dow (IDJ, TC, PW);
Fonseca (IDJ)
Gould Campbell (TC);
Niepoort ();
Noval (IDJ, TC);
Offley (IDJ, CPR);
Ramos Pinto ();
Smith Woodhouse (AHB);
Messias Cachao (TC);
Calem Quinta da Foz (TC);
Rebello Valente (TC);
Cockburn (THRA).

There are many other houses who released '66. As and when anyone signals they can provide anything not mentioned above, I can add it.

Post by **flash_uk** » 12:28 Mon 11 Jan 2016

With the calendar starting to fill up, I thought I'd float the prospect of a 66 horizontal marking the 50th birthday of the 66 vintage. I have plucked a date out of the air that is sufficiently far away to hopefully mean our diaries are not already booked. Please confirm if interested and if the date works. If the date is no good, is sometime in May OK, or better to hold off until say October?

Post by **DRT** » 12:45 Mon 11 Jan 2016

I'm in and the date currently works. I have a Sandeman that I can throw into the mix.

Doggett · Post by **Doggett** » 12:52 Mon 11 Jan 2016

Great plan Mike. I am sure I can make the date work and would love to join this tasting. at this stage I may need to adopt, but will also try and find a suitable bottle in the meantime.

Simon

idj123 · Post by **idj123** » 13:48 Mon 11 Jan 2016

Mike, wouldn't want to miss this one-count me in. Of the ones currently omitted, can put up the Dow, Fonseca, Noval and Offley.

CPR 1 · Post by **CPR 1** » 14:14 Mon 11 Jan 2016

Yes please - Date is good, a good way to enjoy my birthday +1

I have Grahams, Offley and Taylor to hand

Post by **jdaw1** » 14:45 Mon 11 Jan 2016

Yes please. I will revert with what little I have.

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 19:02 Mon 11 Jan 2016

I'm free that night and would like to attend. Not already volunteered I have a bottle of Smith Woodhouse I could contribute.

Post by **PhilW** » 19:27 Mon 11 Jan 2016

Yes please, tentatively (subject to ability to attend, ifyswim). Will respond (jdaw1 I am ashamed for you - "revert"? Please no!) subsequently with what I can offer.

PopulusTremula · Post by **PopulusTremula** » 08:52 Thu 14 Jan 2016

Due to arrive in London the following day, the pain of missing this tasting is rather intensely felt!

Post by **flash_uk** » 10:10 Thu 14 Jan 2016

PopulusTremula wrote:Due to arrive in London the following day, the pain of missing this tasting is rather intensely felt!

Ah, shocker!

No chance to change flights?

PopulusTremula · Post by **PopulusTremula** » 14:21 Thu 14 Jan 2016

flash_uk wrote:
PopulusTremula wrote:Due to arrive in London the following day, the pain of missing this tasting is rather intensely felt!
Ah, shocker!
No chance to change flights?

Sadly not. Being let out for a weekend away on my own I had better not rock the boat...

forest26 · Post by **forest26** » 11:50 Sun 17 Jan 2016

Hi Guys
Can I add my name to this.
I have to hand
Calem (Q da foz), S, W, T, GC,D, Messias Cachao

Kindest regards
Tony

Post by **flash_uk** » 19:05 Sun 17 Jan 2016

Top post updated to include everyone so far.

I think it would be good to transport bottles for this one to the B&F in good time (like 4-6 weeks in advance). As we get closer to the date we can confirm who should bring what and get all that going.

Post by **jdaw1** » 19:18 Sun 17 Jan 2016

flash_uk wrote:There are many other houses who released '66.

Probably including many of:

Adams;
Barros;
Berry Brothers & Rudd Selection;
Cálem;
Cálem Quinta da Foz;
Cockburn;
Constantino;
Croft;
Delaforce;
Dow;
Ferreira;
Fonseca;
Gould Campbell;
Graham;
Kopke;
Mackenzie;
Messias Quinta do Cachão;
Morgan;
Niepoort;
Offley Boa Vista;
Quarles Harris;
Quinta do Noval;
Quinta do Noval Nacional;
Robertson Rebello Valente;
Sandeman;
Smith Woodhouse;
Taylor;
Tuke Holdsworth;
Warre.

Post by **DRT** » 19:30 Sun 17 Jan 2016

PopulusTremula wrote:
flash_uk wrote:
PopulusTremula wrote:Due to arrive in London the following day, the pain of missing this tasting is rather intensely felt!
Ah, shocker!
No chance to change flights?
Sadly not. Being let out for a weekend away on my own I had better not rock the boat...

Magnus, it would be a travesty if you missed this by one day.

Is there anything we can do to help explain to your good wife that this is probably the greatest tasting that any of us will attend this year and probably for a very long time after that? Would it help if we explained to your wife how much we enjoy your company and would love to have you with us for this momentous event? Would it help if she knew how happy it would make you to be able to join us and how grateful you would be for her thoughtfulness and understanding in allowing you to extend your weekend by just one day?

If there is anything we can do (other than giving you the ammunition above

) please let us know.

I do hope you can join us.

Doggett · Post by **Doggett** » 21:54 Tue 19 Jan 2016

Shouldn't we reserve a spot for Tom? Others will know better, but I believe he is back at the end of March, so if he is not able to come then we have ample time to draft up another for the spot.

Simon

Post by **flash_uk** » 22:28 Tue 19 Jan 2016

Doggett wrote:Shouldn't we reserve a spot for Tom? Others will know better, but I believe he is back at the end of March, so if he is not able to come then we have ample time to draft up another for the spot.

Simon

Good thinking. Place added.

RonnieRoots · Post by **RonnieRoots** » 09:21 Wed 20 Jan 2016

No doubt this will be a great tasting with many a lovely wine. Sorry to miss this...

Post by **PhilW** » 14:37 Tue 29 Mar 2016

Confirming I will be attending.
Can bring D, W or G, I think.

flash_uk wrote:I think it would be good to transport bottles for this one to the B&F in good time (like 4-6 weeks in advance). As we get closer to the date we can confirm who should bring what and get all that going.

Propose to bring selected bottle (if any) to B&F on 21st April (pre-BFT night) which is 4 weeks prior, if who is bringing what could be sorted before, please?

forest26 · Post by **forest26** » 15:22 Tue 29 Mar 2016

A timely reminder! I can send my bottles to one of you or direct to B&F.

At the moment I have available.
D, W, N, RV, Ca(foz), GC, S (lib release), Ms(cachao), G. There may also be a chance to get a bottle of the new G66 library release for this event. My efforts to source F have been thwarted by unbelievably high prices.

Can you let me know which of these are needed.

Cheers

Tony

Post by **PhilW** » 17:21 Tue 29 Mar 2016

forest26 wrote:At the moment I have available.
D, W, N, RV, Ca(foz), GC, S (lib release), Ms(cachao), G.

Mike - not sure how many (or which, if assuming subset of all possible) bottles we're likely to have, but a request to include the RV if possible please?

Doggett · Post by **Doggett** » 21:58 Sat 02 Apr 2016

Mike - I have a Croft to contribute to this tasting.
Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help with the organising.
Simon

Post by **flash_uk** » 14:37 Sun 03 Apr 2016

OK folks, top post updated with suggestions for who brings what. I've currently kept it to one bottle per person, and as it stands we have no Niepoort. We included Tom as he was away on holiday and I haven't yet checked if he can make it. If he can, I have a hunch he might have a Ni somewhere in his bottle mountain.

uncle tom · Post by **uncle tom** » 15:25 Mon 04 Apr 2016

Thanks for the pre-emptive inclusion - am definitely in..

Have 14 '66s available, but no Niepoort sadly. Even Dirk has a problem getting a '66 as the Niepoort cellar stock belongs to his sister who was born in '66..

Perhaps the most obvious contribution from me would be the uber rare Cockburn..

Post by **flash_uk** » 20:50 Mon 04 Apr 2016

uncle tom wrote:Thanks for the pre-emptive inclusion - am definitely in..

Have 14 '66s available, but no Niepoort sadly. Even Dirk has a problem getting a '66 as the Niepoort cellar stock belongs to his sister who was born in '66..

Perhaps the most obvious contribution from me would be the uber rare Cockburn..

Excellent. The Ck was one of the few not already mentioned that could have been a candidate for inclusion. Thank you Tom.

Post by **flash_uk** » 20:35 Mon 11 Apr 2016

Right, time to get organised for this one. I see that everyone bar Tony and Derek will be at the B&F on Thursday 21 April for the Graham vs Dow evening.

If possible can those attending on the 21st bring along their '66s, and we can leave them standing in the cellar at the B&F. That will give a good 4-5 weeks of resting time, and I'll decant them on the day of the '66 event.

Post by **flash_uk** » 19:30 Tue 12 Apr 2016

To summarise, we now have 15 shabby ports among 10 reprobates. This seems fine. If anyone has additional 66s that might be included, let me know by PM and I'll see if I can find one or two more attendees to shoulder the load.

Post by **jdaw1** » 21:51 Tue 12 Apr 2016

flash_uk wrote:among 10 reprobates

And me!

forest26 · Post by **forest26** » 13:22 Wed 13 Apr 2016

Hi

Can I send my ports to one (or two to lighten the load) of you so that you can take them to the B&F. Send me a PM and I will organise postage
Cheers

Tony

Doggett · Post by **Doggett** » 13:27 Wed 13 Apr 2016

forest26 wrote:Hi

Can I send my ports to one (or two to lighten the load) of you so that you can take them to the B&F. Send me a PM and I will organise postage
Cheers

Tony

I could take two along if that helps. I will send you a PM with address details...and let me know when to expect them if so.
Simon

Post by **PhilW** » 13:53 Wed 13 Apr 2016

forest26 wrote:Can I send my ports to one (or two to lighten the load) of you so that you can take them to the B&F. Send me a PM and I will organise postage

If Alex gives you the name of the manager, you could send them direct to the B&F? I've done this before at a different branch of Davy's and just asked them to put the package in the cellar awaiting our need.

Constandia · Post by **Constandia** » 21:12 Tue 19 Apr 2016

I would be interested in filling up a space and if that's possible then I could arrange it with TC to adopt one of his bottles. Or contribute with some money in the pot?

Post by **flash_uk** » 22:15 Tue 19 Apr 2016

Constandia wrote:I would be interested in filling up a space and if that's possible then I could arrange it with TC to adopt one of his bottles. Or contribute with some money in the pot?

Excellent, welcome aboard Dia. First post updated.

Constandia · Post by **Constandia** » 13:58 Thu 21 Apr 2016

flash_uk wrote:
Constandia wrote:I would be interested in filling up a space and if that's possible then I could arrange it with TC to adopt one of his bottles. Or contribute with some money in the pot?
Excellent, welcome aboard Dia. First post updated.

Thank you, I will arrange adopting a bottle with Tony.

Post by **flash_uk** » 13:58 Fri 22 Apr 2016

First post updated with details of some wines which have now been delivered to the B&F in advance. Ian - did you bring the Fonseca on Thursday night? Can't recall as I was already seated when you arrived!

idj123 · Post by **idj123** » 19:30 Sat 23 Apr 2016

flash_uk wrote:First post updated with details of some wines which have now been delivered to the B&F in advance. Ian - did you bring the Fonseca on Thursday night? Can't recall as I was already seated when you arrived!

Mike, yes, safely delivered and taken away with all the other bottles by the chap at the B&F. Tom suggested he could provide the Df and Chris would see what he could do regarding the Ferreira.

Post by **flash_uk** » 19:09 Tue 26 Apr 2016

Could attendees please post details of their food order from the menu below.

Starters
Truffle Mac & Cheese £5.25
Potted shrimps with granary toast £8.25
Wild mushrooms on toast with walnut pesto £7.25 v.
Roasted beetroot and goat’s cheese salad with toasted walnuts £7.25 v.
Plate of smoked salmon £7.25
Duck liver parfait with toast £6.95
Smoked mackerel with apple and fennel £7.95
Chilli squid on toast with garlic mayonnaise £8.50

Cold main dishes
served with green salad and buttered new potatoes
Cold poached salmon £13.95
Hand carved home baked ham £12.95
Cured ox tongue £13.95
Rare sirloin of beef £13.95
Mixed meat selection £15.50
Game Pie £13.95

Hot main dishes
Gammon, egg and chips with, or without, black pudding £12.95/£13.95
Grilled scallops and bacon with tiger prawns, spring onion and chilli £17.95
Chargrilled 220g sirloin steak with hand-cut chips and grilled tomato £22.50
* add peppercorn sauce or Café de Paris butter £2.00 *
Bangers and mash with roasted red onion gravy £11.95
Artichoke and spinach tart with mixed leaf salad £13.25 v
Superfood salad with grilled halloumi, edamame beans, quinoa and avocado £10.95 v.
Corn-fed chicken supreme with crispy pancetta and new potatoes £12.50
Wild mushroom risotto with truffle oil £10.95
Sea bass fillet with spiced lentils and rocket £14.95

Sides £3.50 each
Buttered new potatoes| hand-cut chips| peas and beans with minted butter| creamed spinach| mixed salad

CPR 1 · Post by **CPR 1** » 19:38 Tue 26 Apr 2016

Chilli squid on toast with garlic mayonnaise
Chargrilled sirloin steak with chips - Black and blue and a side of creamed spinach

Thanks

uncle tom · Post by **uncle tom** » 08:23 Wed 27 Apr 2016

Duck liver parfait - Sirloin (med rare) + peppercorn sauce

Thanks

Post by **PhilW** » 09:19 Wed 27 Apr 2016

I am becoming a creature of habit:

PhilW wrote:If possible I would like the same as last time, please:
Starter: Welsh rarebit
Main: Chargrilled sirloin steak (black and blue) with hand-cut chips and grilled tomato.
+Side: Creamed spinach
+Sauce: Please, please, please some Béarnaise sauce by special request again

The Welsh rarebit with rocket was particularly good last time (as was the Béarnaise

)

Post by **jdaw1** » 09:29 Wed 27 Apr 2016

Flash: who to make food order file? Thee or me?

Duck liver parfait with toast
Chargrilled 220g sirloin steak (blue) with hand-cut chips and grilled tomato
Peas and beans with minted butter

Post by **flash_uk** » 07:11 Thu 28 Apr 2016

jdaw1 wrote:Flash: who to make food order file? Thee or me?

I can do it.

Constandia · Post by **Constandia** » 20:15 Thu 28 Apr 2016

Can I please have the duck liver parfait to start and a rare sirloin steak to follow with creamed spinach. Thanks

Post by **DRT** » 06:28 Fri 29 Apr 2016

Duck liver parfait followed by sirloin steak (medium rare) for me, please.

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 07:20 Fri 29 Apr 2016

For me please, no starter, main of sirloin steak (black and blue) with handcut chips and CARAMELISED RED ONION GRAVY.

Got to do something to keep the kitchen team on their toes!

Post by **PhilW** » 08:21 Fri 29 Apr 2016

AHB wrote:... and CARAMELISED RED ONION GRAVY.

Got to do something to keep the kitchen team on their toes!

I've been wanting to try a good marrow-bone gravy for a while - but their special request Bearnaise has been excellent.

Post by **jdaw1** » 08:49 Fri 29 Apr 2016

AHB wrote:and CARAMELISED RED ONION GRAVY.

+1 please.

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 21:28 Fri 29 Apr 2016

PhilW wrote:
AHB wrote:... and CARAMELISED RED ONION GRAVY.

Got to do something to keep the kitchen team on their toes!
I've been wanting to try a good marrow-bone gravy for a while - but their special request Bearnaise has been excellent.

I thought "If it's good enough for the sausage and mash, it'll be good enough for the steak and chips."

Now is the time to put that thought to the test.

Post by **DRT** » 00:34 Sat 30 Apr 2016

AHB wrote:I thought "If it's good enough for the sausage and mash, it'll be good enough for the steak and chips."

Why stop at the caramelised red onions? Would it not make more sense to also include the sausages in the gravy?