ThePortForum.com

Posted: **20:30 Thu 30 Jan 2020**

Berry Bros have kindly offered to host this tasting at 3 At James's Street. It will try to cover all the BBR Own Selection VPs from 1960 through to 2003 (so 14 bottles if we have or can source all). We won't have full catering but there will be plenty of cheese and charcuterie and maybe some wine thrown in as well. Cost will be about £15 to £20 a head. BBR will be represented Tom Cave and Tom has also kindly offered to try and infill any missing bottles (although does not have the 60 bottled by RV). So who's in and (as importantly) who's got what?:

Tom Cave / Sebastian Balcombe 1960,
1991 &1985
idj123 (reconfirmed) 1966
MPM (reconfirmed) 1997 (mag) (part adopted from AHB)
NAC (75) (reconfirmed) 1975
PW (66) (reconfirmed) 1983
TC (70 +?) (reconfirmed ) 1970
Hadge (94) (reconfirmed) 1994
BMHR (reconfirmed) 2003
JDAW (reconfirmed) 1980 (adopted from CPR)
akzy (reconfirmed) 1997 (mag) (part adopted from AHB)
GEAG (77) (reconfirmed) 1977
AHB (63, 77, 85, 97 ) (reconfirmed) 1963
SCD (reconfirmed) 2000 (part adopted from BBR)

Reserve list

DRL (reconfirmed)

Current draft of the placemats.

BBR, by email: “We use Georgia as our official typeface for our placecards.” Alas, JDAW’s version has only old-style figures, so the similar Charter used instead.

Posted: **20:38 Thu 30 Jan 2020**

yes - i would be keen but not sure i have any BBR port, will have a look

Posted: **20:38 Thu 30 Jan 2020**

This really appeals to me. I’d love to be there please.

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Posted: **20:44 Thu 30 Jan 2020**

Yes please.

Posted: **20:45 Thu 30 Jan 2020**

Yes please
CMAG and RGO

Posted: **20:51 Thu 30 Jan 2020**

Yes please. All I have is the BBR Quarles Harris 1977.

Posted: **21:12 Thu 30 Jan 2020**

Yes please.

I have the 1963, 1977, 1985, 1997 and odd bottles of one or two other vintages. I also have a bottle of the BBR Crusted Port bottled in 2003.

Posted: **21:25 Thu 30 Jan 2020**

Yes please

Posted: **22:00 Thu 30 Jan 2020**

Yes please

Posted: **00:41 Fri 31 Jan 2020**

I don't have any but would be keen to join.

Posted: **09:26 Fri 31 Jan 2020**

Berrys own selection - 1970 and a few others.

Posted: **09:39 Fri 31 Jan 2020**

Checked last night; as per Ian I only have the Berry's Own Selection from '66.
(various other BBR-bottled, but am assuming it's BBR's own brand labelled "Berry's Own Selection" we're talking about here)

Posted: **09:58 Fri 31 Jan 2020**

Ian to confirm I can offer;

BBR 63, 77, 80, 85, 97 (but only in 1/2), 00 plus 2011 which might be intresting to see how it is getting on?

Posted: **10:00 Fri 31 Jan 2020**

Just checked & have one bottle of the 1975. Will save for September.

: BBR1975 crop.JPG (44.16 KiB) Viewed 30617 times

Posted: **10:04 Fri 31 Jan 2020**

nac wrote: ↑10:00 Fri 31 Jan 2020 Just checked & have one bottle of the 1975. Will save for September.

BBR1975 crop.JPG

I have cellar envy looking at the background to that photo

Posted: **10:22 Fri 31 Jan 2020**

That's a very interesting label - since in my lists BBR's own '75 is listed as being Gould Campbell, not Quarles Harris - but it's also the first time I've seen a photo of the actual label (which I'd like to add to the VPID if I may please? - once I finally get the major update done).

n.b. to anyone - I have no photo of the BBR77 either, so if anyone has one and could send me a label (and capsule?) image, please?

Posted: **10:42 Fri 31 Jan 2020**

PhilW wrote: ↑10:22 Fri 31 Jan 2020 That's a very interesting label - since in my lists BBR's own '75 is listed as being Gould Campbell, not Quarles Harris - but it's also the first time I've seen a photo of the actual label (which I'd like to add to the VPID if I may please? - once I finally get the major update done).

Permission granted. I’ll send you the hi-res version.

Posted: **10:48 Fri 31 Jan 2020**

Yes please, interesting. Sorry, but I don't have any of these.

Posted: **10:58 Fri 31 Jan 2020**

I'll need to adopt please.

Posted: **14:51 Fri 31 Jan 2020**

: thumbnail_20200131_111402 2.jpg (157.02 KiB) Viewed 30578 times

Posted: **14:51 Fri 31 Jan 2020**

: thumbnail_20200131_111443.jpg (118.4 KiB) Viewed 30578 times

Posted: **16:22 Fri 31 Jan 2020**

Thanks to both nac and CPR for the images

Posted: **20:13 Fri 31 Jan 2020**

PhilW wrote: ↑10:22 Fri 31 Jan 2020n.b. to anyone - I have no photo of the BBR77 either, so if anyone has one and could send me a label (and capsule?) image, please?

nac wrote: ↑10:42 Fri 31 Jan 2020Permission granted. I’ll send you the hi-res version.

Please also send to me (max resolution please), and allow it to be used in a later version of the Addendum. Thank you.

Posted: **20:43 Fri 31 Jan 2020**

The Book wrote:Berry Brothers & Rudd Selection

In some vintage years there is a “Berry Brothers & Rudd” Vintage Port, sold by the eponymous wine merchant. The sources are shown, as kindly revealed by Berry Brothers & Rudd.

The list sent by Berry Brothers & Rudd started in 1960, so did not reveal the shippers of the earlier selections: 1917, 1920, 1924, 1927, 1935, and 1955.

1960 Rebello Valente

1963 Taylor Fladgate

1966 Warre

1970 Warre

1975 Gould Campbell

1977 Quarles Harris

1980 Warre

1983 Warre

1985 Shipped by Smith Woodhouse

1991 Bottled by Smith Woodhouse

1994 Produced & bottled by Smith Woodhouse

1997 Produced & bottled by Warre

2000 Produced by Smith Woodhouse

2003 Produced by Quinta de la Rosa

2011 When we asked Charles Symington, Head Winemaker at Dow, Graham and Warre, to send in samples for our Own Selection from the superb 2011 vintage, he was happy to oblige. After extensive tasting, we concluded the wine made in the style of Graham best captured the essence of this extraordinary year with its precision, purity and power. The blend is mainly Touriga Nacional and Tinta Roriz, with a small percentage of Souzão sourced from some of the best vineyards of the Douro Superior. The nose glories in notes of gum cistus and violet, and the palate is beautifully rounded, yet with finely etched tannins on the finish – making this vintage, to my mind, the best since 1994.

The BBR 2011 was made in the style of Graham, but might not be Graham itself.

Posted: **21:01 Fri 31 Jan 2020**

Indeed. And we have additionally determined since that BBR47 is Fonseca, and BBR55 is Graham.

And BBR75 is clearly QH, either in addition to GC (if both existed) or GC is an error in their list for '75.

I was not aware of the other pre-47 vintages, so that is interesting and useful additional information, thank you.

p.s. Wasn't there a Berry's Own Selection which Tom brought once from a vintage which was pre-Rudd? (can't find my note on that currently)

Posted: **21:35 Fri 31 Jan 2020**

PhilW wrote: ↑21:01 Fri 31 Jan 2020 And BBR75 is clearly QH, either in addition to GC (if both existed) or GC is an error in their list for '75.

I have often reflected on the fact that, as brands, neither QH nor GC are underpinned by a quinta. And as such, they are essentially ports created from either purchased grapes/wines, or some ad-hoc blend of owned grapes/wines. Assuming this to be correct, I can imagine it would be easy in 1977 when bottling the 1975, to get a bit muddled about which brand went in. Or to just have two different bottlings from different brands.

Not unlike the Ts94, where we have speculation that some offerings were QH, and others W.

Posted: **07:12 Sat 01 Feb 2020**

PhilW wrote: ↑21:01 Fri 31 Jan 2020 Indeed. And we have additionally determined since that BBR47 is Fonseca, and BBR55 is Graham.

And BBR75 is clearly QH, either in addition to GC (if both existed) or GC is an error in their list for '75.

I was not aware of the other pre-47 vintages, so that is interesting and useful additional information, thank you.

p.s. Wasn't there a Berry's Own Selection which Tom brought once from a vintage which was pre-Rudd? (can't find my note on that currently)

Interesting-thanks Julian and Phil for this additional information. The list I received from BBR also initially had GC as the producer of the 75 but they have now corrected this to QH-there was no GC in addition. I was told of a reference to the BBR 55 but that they did not know the producer.

Posted: **07:41 Sat 01 Feb 2020**

We are full; reserve list started. First post also updated to include bottles currently held (Alex and Tony, you both mention others and so can you clarify please). At present, it looks as though we are missing 60, 83, 91 and 94.

Taking Charles's suggestion I am tempted to extend the tasting to up to including 2011. Comments on this please? Clearly, with the revealing of pre-60 vintages any of these would also be welcome!

Posted: **19:23 Sat 01 Feb 2020**

jdaw1 wrote: ↑20:43 Fri 31 Jan 2020
The Book wrote:Berry Brothers & Rudd Selection

In some vintage years there is a “Berry Brothers & Rudd” Vintage Port, sold by the eponymous wine merchant. The sources are shown, as kindly revealed by Berry Brothers & Rudd.

The list sent by Berry Brothers & Rudd started in 1960, so did not reveal the shippers of the earlier selections: 1917, 1920, 1924, 1927, 1935, and 1955.

1960 Rebello Valente

1963 Taylor Fladgate

1966 Warre

1970 Warre

1975 Gould Campbell

1977 Quarles Harris

1980 Warre

1983 Warre

1985 Shipped by Smith Woodhouse

1991 Bottled by Smith Woodhouse

1994 Produced & bottled by Smith Woodhouse

1997 Produced & bottled by Warre

2000 Produced by Smith Woodhouse

2003 Produced by Quinta de la Rosa

2011 When we asked Charles Symington, Head Winemaker at Dow, Graham and Warre, to send in samples for our Own Selection from the superb 2011 vintage, he was happy to oblige. After extensive tasting, we concluded the wine made in the style of Graham best captured the essence of this extraordinary year with its precision, purity and power. The blend is mainly Touriga Nacional and Tinta Roriz, with a small percentage of Souzão sourced from some of the best vineyards of the Douro Superior. The nose glories in notes of gum cistus and violet, and the palate is beautifully rounded, yet with finely etched tannins on the finish – making this vintage, to my mind, the best since 1994.

The BBR 2011 was made in the style of Graham, but might not be Graham itself.
To note that on the list supplied to me BBR 2007 was also included (bottled by SFE).

Posted: **11:40 Thu 06 Feb 2020**

I have a BBR 94 to bring a long and if you are still looking for it

Posted: **16:49 Tue 11 Feb 2020**

idj123 wrote: ↑07:41 Sat 01 Feb 2020 We are full; reserve list started. First post also updated to include bottles currently held (Alex and Tony, you both mention others and so can you clarify please). At present, it looks as though we are missing 60, 83, 91 and 94.

Taking Charles's suggestion I am tempted to extend the tasting to up to including 2011. Comments on this please? Clearly, with the revealing of pre-60 vintages any of these would also be welcome!

I suggest limiting the tasting to the 14 (or so) oldest bottles we are able to obtain. If that means we get to 2007 then lets extend to 15 and include the 2011 (if we have some available). But otherwise lets not be excessive and stick to the 14 oldest we can find.

Posted: **17:32 Tue 11 Feb 2020**

If still required BBR has 91 for sale on the website for a relatively reasonable £45

Posted: **11:19 Sat 15 Feb 2020**

hadge wrote: ↑11:40 Thu 06 Feb 2020 I have a BBR 94 to bring a long and if you are still looking for it

Thanks-accepted and appreciated.

AHB wrote: ↑16:49 Tue 11 Feb 2020
idj123 wrote: ↑07:41 Sat 01 Feb 2020 We are full; reserve list started. First post also updated to include bottles currently held (Alex and Tony, you both mention others and so can you clarify please). At present, it looks as though we are missing 60, 83, 91 and 94.

Taking Charles's suggestion I am tempted to extend the tasting to up to including 2011. Comments on this please? Clearly, with the revealing of pre-60 vintages any of these would also be welcome!
I suggest limiting the tasting to the 14 (or so) oldest bottles we are able to obtain. If that means we get to 2007 then lets extend to 15 and include the 2011 (if we have some available). But otherwise lets not be excessive and stick to the 14 oldest we can find.

Alex, agreed but can people still confirm whether they have any 2000, 03, 07 or 2011 so that we have as full a picture as possible?

CPR 1 wrote: ↑17:32 Tue 11 Feb 2020 If still required BBR has 91 for sale on the website for a relatively reasonable £45

Thanks for spotting Charles and agree, unless anyone already has, then a group purchase is in order. And talking of what everyone has, can everyone who hasn't already please confirm if they are able to contribute or whether they will likely be adopting ( there's obviously still time left to potentially secure something).

Posted: **11:23 Sat 15 Feb 2020**

And if anyone is looking to secure in the meantime suggest that we try and track down the 83 as that currently looks the impediment to having a ' straight flush'.

Posted: **13:29 Sat 15 Feb 2020**

I have the 2000

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Posted: **18:07 Fri 28 Aug 2020**

Ian,

I've just had an email from Berry's saying that they are reopening their cellars and entertainment spaces in St James's.

Are we likely to see this tasting take place?

Alex

Posted: **21:33 Sun 30 Aug 2020**

Because of travel restrictions I wouldn’t be able to attend this even if I was on the list. I do have the 83 if it is needed and can send it to Alex. Whoever needs to adopt can provide one for me at a future tasting.

Posted: **09:59 Sat 05 Sep 2020**

AHB wrote: ↑18:07 Fri 28 Aug 2020 Ian,

I've just had an email from Berry's saying that they are reopening their cellars and entertainment spaces in St James's.

Are we likely to see this tasting take place?

Alex

Funnily enough whilst I was away on hols (until the beginning of this week) I received an e-mail from the chap at BBR who was presuming that it would be postponed. I have responded questioning whether BBR would still be able to accomodate and will expect a response on Monday (when the chap is back in). Will then confirm the position.

Posted: **18:08 Mon 07 Sep 2020**

As expected, BBR confirmed that it will not be presently possible to hold the tasting in the format proposed ; they can only host a maximum of 8 persons and that is for a tutored tasting. Another one to add to next year's expanding list!

Posted: **15:52 Sat 23 Oct 2021**

A short update on this tasting. Having met with the chap this week, we are good to go again in either January or February 2022. Am due to be provided with some dates next week and will then post the new date (taking care to avoid any current clashes). I will then ask for reconfirmations (including any updates to available bottles).

Posted: **17:33 Tue 16 Nov 2021**

Folks, we now have a new date (see first post) Wednesday 2 February 2022. All other details remain unchanged but can I pleas ask all those who previously confirmed (including those on the reserve list) to reconfirm and to also confirm/reconfirm the BBR bottlings that they hold.

Cost for wine and after tasting food will be about £20 a head (I will establish how substantive the food will be). They would also like to write up the tasting in a blog or their magazine.

Posted: **18:56 Tue 16 Nov 2021**

I confirm I can attend. I’ll confirm later what I have.

Happy to write or help to write copy either for the blog (which would be on our review thread) or for the magazine.

Posted: **00:28 Wed 17 Nov 2021**

I'm on the reserve and have the 94. Reconfirming.

Posted: **13:19 Wed 17 Nov 2021**

Confirming my reserve list place please

Posted: **14:49 Wed 17 Nov 2021**

Confirming, I still have 77, 80 and 85 - sorry no 00

Posted: **19:00 Wed 17 Nov 2021**

Oh yes, definitely confirming. Please may I adopt?

Posted: **19:06 Wed 17 Nov 2021**

Thank you and yes. Confirmed.

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Posted: **22:02 Wed 17 Nov 2021**

Marvellous. Confirming, many thanks Ian.

Posted: **22:33 Wed 17 Nov 2021**

Reconfirming I will attend. Will re-check bottles.

Posted: **22:43 Wed 17 Nov 2021**

Confirmed and still have the 75.

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