I'll certainly be there unless work gets in the way. It shouldn't do considering the restructuring that we are going through.
However, some guidance on the probable cost of the event would be welcome as I may need to be (much) more careful of my pennies in the future than I have needed to be in the past.
Top Ports in 2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.
2025: Quevedo 1972 Colheita, b.2024. Just as good as Niepoort 1900!
I am not yet sure if I can make this, but have a bottle of 1942 Noval to contribute if I do. Need to check my notes on condition, but i think it's been recorked by Peter Wylie.
Like SCP I am also not yet sure about whether I am able to attend, but the better half, in a moment of severe weakness, positively encouraged me to attend. I feel obliged therefore to do as I have been told..
Depending on the date I would very much like to join. Alas, I can only offer '94 and '97 but am happy to bring both.
I would appreciate an idea of the likely cost before arrangements are confirmed
Understood.
My workload is manic for the next few days, but when it eases I'll post a list of the vintages I can offer, with costings, so others can see how the numbers stack, and also see if they can better the costs.
I may be drunk, Miss, but in the morning I shall be sober and you will still be ugly - W.S. Churchill
Just a thought, but perhaps we should consider missing out 78, 82, 85, 87 and 91 (on the basis we know them to be mostly rubbish) and substitute with 2000, 2003 & 2011 (on the basis that they are normally fabulous and to give the Axa/Seely era a wider showing)?
"The first duty of Port is to be red" Ernest H. Cockburn
DRT wrote:we should consider missing out 78, 82, 85, 87 and 91 (on the basis we know them to be mostly rubbish) and substitute with 2000, 2003 & 2011 (on the basis that they are normally fabulous and to give the Axa/Seely era a wider showing)?
To assist Tom’s organisation of this, the B&F’s Red Room has been booked for fourteen people on Tuesday 13th December.
Two matters arise.
• “Week of 13th is probably our busiest week of the year. Providing 300 glasses might be a bit of an issue.” He said that the B&F could cope, but I smell imperfect certainty. He asked whether we could repeat the usage of external glasses.
• There is to be a Davy’s Christmas menu. Variations are not permitted: Christmas is as Christmas is. If Christmas menu he asks that the order come two weeks before; if à la carte, one week before.
I could do the Christmas menu: Duck liver parfait; Grilled 220g sirloin steak; Christmas pudding.
Just a thought, but perhaps we should consider missing out 78, 82, 85, 87 and 91 (on the basis we know them to be mostly rubbish) and substitute with 2000, 2003 & 2011 (on the basis that they are normally fabulous and to give the Axa/Seely era a wider showing)?
No. The post '97s are way too young and closed.
Some of the older ones have had poor reportage, but are evolving surprisingly well, so worth including.
I may be drunk, Miss, but in the morning I shall be sober and you will still be ugly - W.S. Churchill
Just a thought, but perhaps we should consider missing out 78, 82, 85, 87 and 91 (on the basis we know them to be mostly rubbish) and substitute with 2000, 2003 & 2011 (on the basis that they are normally fabulous and to give the Axa/Seely era a wider showing)?
No. The post '97s are way too young and closed.
Some of the older ones have had poor reportage, but are evolving surprisingly well, so worth including.
I will probably be tasting some or most of the post 97's at the quinta in a few weeks from now so will let you know how delicious they were
As for the wines from the dark days towards the end of the previous regime, we shall see, but I suspect your optimism is as seriously flawed as those wines.
Hey ho.
"The first duty of Port is to be red" Ernest H. Cockburn
Typical-you go away on hols for a week leaving the internet behind and lo and behold you come back to see that you're on the verge of missing out on a Noval vertical! Please say that there is still a place available ?
idj123 wrote:Typical-you go away on hols for a week leaving the internet behind and lo and behold you come back to see that you're on the verge of missing out on a Noval vertical! Please say that there is still a place available ?
The list is currently at 13 so it looks like you have grabbed the last seat
"The first duty of Port is to be red" Ernest H. Cockburn
Having spoken to Tom at length about this monumental event nearly two weeks ago I at least expected to be on the reserve list...I see that is not the case (thanks Tom) so could I please be added to the reserve list in the hope that a space becomes free.
Do we now need to start thinking about putting some more flesh on this tasting? For my own part, I have little bottles of Noval with only singles of the 60, 66, 82 and 85 (plus cases of the 11, 12 and 13 IB). I do have more bottles of the 58 however (acquired at auction a few years ago and believed to be in good shape). Therefore, I would be happy to put up one of these for the tasting?
DRT wrote:Unfortunately I can no longer attend this tasting due to a work commitment.
Enjoy! This should be a wonderful tasting.
DRT removed from the list of attendees and replaced by Tony as first reserve.
I've volunteered to help Tom organise this tasting as he is a tad busy at present. I'm currently looking for a venue we can use for the day and to assemble the wines.
Could people who have bottles of Quinta do Noval port they would be willing to contribute to the tasting please let me know (by posting below, by PM or by email) what bottles they could offer and the value they would like to receive for those bottles. Behind the scenes I will sort out the lowest cost option for us all.
Organiser's checklist:
Guests - done
Attendee list - done
Venue
Sourcing of bottles
Sourcing of glasses
Organise food
Costing and confirmation of attendees
Collection of funds
Design placemats
Print placemats
Decant and pour
Top Ports in 2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.
2025: Quevedo 1972 Colheita, b.2024. Just as good as Niepoort 1900!
We have a minor problem and as the newly promoted organiser of the event I have to make a decision to fix the minor problem.
Potentially we have as many as 25 ports to taste for the Noval vertical. "That's not a problem!" I hear you cry and normally you'd be right. The minor problem is that the Red Room at the Boot & Flogger is only available for the evening and 25 ports is too many for an evening's tasting. For those of you who doubt me on this consider the palate fatigue that many complained about at the Vesuvio tasting (23 ports) or the 1997 horizontal (20 ports).
So to help me as I consider our options I have created a survey. If you are attending or on the reserve list then please vote this week so I can at least see whether there is a clear majority preference before I ignore it and make my decision anyway.
Thanks.
Top Ports in 2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.
2025: Quevedo 1972 Colheita, b.2024. Just as good as Niepoort 1900!
SCP wrote:I am not yet sure if I can make this, but have a bottle of 1942 Noval to contribute if I do. Need to check my notes on condition, but i think it's been recorked by Peter Wylie.
Unfortunately, I am not able to attend, but the bottle may be...
Simon removed from the list of attendees and Jorgen added.
Please be aware that for us to put together a run of vintages of 1927, 1931, 1933 (possibly Noval), 1934, 1942, 1945, 1947, 1950, 1955, 1958, 1960, 1963, 1966, 1970, 1975 for this tasting will cost something in the order of £300 per person attending. To this cost needs to be added food, service and glass hire which will add up to another £60 per person.
Once I have had confirmation from the various contributors of bottles that the values for the bottles they are contributing is correct, I will firm up on the figure above but for now you can use this as the basis of budgeting. Once the cost is confirmed I will begin collecting money from people.
In addition, we will be eating from the Christmas menu (we have no choice) and need to pre-order no later than 11th November. Please post in this thread your choices from the following menu:
STARTERS
Spiced carrot and parsnip soup (v. gf.) - Parsnip crisps and cumin, coriander yoghurt
Crayfish, prawn and smoked salmon cocktail - Seafood mayonnaise and bloody Mary dressing
Duck liver parfait (n.) - Fig and mustard relish, seeded sourdough Melba toast, pickles
Salad of roasted squash (v. gf.) - Baked ricotta, lemon and olive dressing
MAINS
Grilled 220g sirloin steak - Roasted Provençal tomato, watercress and a peppercorn sauce
Roast free-range Staffordshire turkey - Apricot and sage stuffing, Davy’s Port wine gravy, cranberry relish
Pan-fried sea bass (gf.) - Fennel and basil whipped mash, roast pepper, herb and caper dressing
Wild mushroom risotto (v. gf.) - Topped with portobello mushroom stuffed with kale, spinach, Ticklemore crisp All main courses served with seasonal vegetables and potatoes
