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This thread commemorates the evening when we wish our good friends, and the only Royal participants of the Forum, our best wishes as they embark on their adventure in Oman.

To get the ball rolling, here is a picture of Ronnie with his new company car...

Here is a link to my TN of the Ramos Pinto 1994 which I will update throughout toinight and tomorrow.

Derek

I like the picture!

Here's our impression of the port we opened for tonight, the Niepoort 1994.

Not too fond of how it's showing. I may switch later to a glass of Otima 20YOT.

RonnieRoots wrote: I may switch later to a glass of Otima 20YOT.

Sounds like a good plan

I'm glad you like the picture of yourself. Who's the guy standing next to you with the red hat and long white robe?

Derek

So, are The Roots going to tell us something of their plans for their exciting adventure in Oman? What will you be doing? How long will you be there? How on earth are you going to access enough VP to keep you sane?

Derek

I am reliably informed that AHB will be joining us within the next 30 minutes. His bus was late

Derek

Alright, here are some pictures of when we were there last year to check out the place.

This is our new house:



Me acting as the tourist:



LadyR doing after we bbq'ed an endangerd species:



Walking in a surprisingly green spot:



More to come!

This was our second choice as a home:



Downtown Muscat:



Life in Oman will be work, work, work...:

Hello!

I'm in from New Yoik and I have Graham's, just about to filter some.

Aah, glad you could join us Mr Kilbey

Ronnie,

I like the pictures but I am starting to worry that you will be over-worked and will have little time to post on the forum or drink port Are you sure you can cope with this level of stress in your life?

Derek

Derek T. wrote:So, are The Roots going to tell us something of their plans for their exciting adventure in Oman? What will you be doing? How long will you be there? How on earth are you going to access enough VP to keep you sane?

Derek

LadyR will work for PDO (Petroleum Development Oman) in Muscat, a company in which Shell (her emplyer) participates. We are stationed there for the coming 4 years. She can tell you more into detail what she will be doing there, I don't get much further than telling she's a geologist.

I don't know yet what I'll do there, but I certainly intend to find a job. Hopefully somehow related to wine.

From what I've seen, the supply of VP is extremely limited, but it is possible to find Noval and Noval Nacional (at least in Dubai), so we may come back rather spoiled. Or worse, bored with Nacional.

I guess we just have to cope with not having so many VP's around. All the more reason to come back from time to time to have a serious offline!

Ronnie,

I'm guessing here but I think a Geologist must have something to do with counting sand grains or drawing maps of deserts. I really do hope it's the latter of these otherwise LadyR will be very busy

Four years is a long time. You need a port import plan. Do you know if it is possible to post single bottles into the country? If so, I'd be happy to be part of the supply line and I have about 30 single bottle carriers in the loft - It would be just like being in the War where the poeple in the free world post food parcels to those in oppressed lands to keep them alive!

Derek

It has something to do with computer models. When I see LadyR at work, I always wonder what she does with all those lines on here screen.

Import plan? Not a chance. No shipping of alcohol allowed into the country. People who fly into the country are allowed two bottles each. We made sure to leave some styrofoam packers here, so whenever people come over to visit we can instruct them on what to bring in their luggage.

RonnieRoots wrote:It has something to do with computer models.

Yes, I've seen those websites too

RonnieRoots wrote:Import plan? Not a chance. No shipping of alcohol allowed into the country.

Bummer - Out of interest, how cheap can you get flights to Oman from the UK or Netherlands?

Derek

I'm here! A little late due to unexpectedly being asked out for a meal by my wife - an invitation that comes rarely and is never refused.

I have a Martinez 1994 in front of me that was opened and decanted at 8:30 this morning, this being based on the rather forceful showing of the Ramos Pinto '94 that was the twin of the one Derek is drinking and which we opened last Thursday.

Happy offline everyone! Happy afternoon KillerB!

Alex

AHB wrote:I'm here! A little late due to unexpectedly being asked out for a meal by my wife - an invitation that comes rarely and is never refused.

I have a Martinez 1994 in front of me that was opened and decanted at 8:30 this morning, this being based on the rather forceful showing of the Ramos Pinto '94 that was the twin of the one Derek is drinking and which we opened last Thursday.

Happy offline everyone! Happy afternoon KillerB!

Alex

Glad to see you could make it along, AHB, I was starting to think you were sulking after watching the Rugger

Derek

Derek T. wrote:

RonnieRoots wrote:Import plan? Not a chance. No shipping of alcohol allowed into the country.

Bummer - Out of interest, how cheap can you get flights to Oman from the UK or Netherlands?

Derek

Around 500-600 euro (incl. taxes). Apparently it's possible to book as cheap as 300 euro when booking early and doing some thorough internet search.

Hi Alex! Looking forward to your opinion on the Martinez.

Don't mention the rugger - I haven't seen it yet and have a houseful (6) of bloody kids that will be staying overnight and so won't see the game until tomorrow. I don't know the result and don't want to until I watch the game, so please stay mum.

I spent this afternoon at the theatre with Michael watching the Brainiacs Live show. It was really good - a great way to get early teenage children interested in science. Lots of bangs, flashes, smells and smoke. Excellent show. They're doing a tour of the UK and are playing Glasgow Clyde Auditorium on Friday 23rd May if Ross is even mildly interested in Science.

Alex

Evening Alex.

I'm going to have to stop this tasting now as I am enjoying it a little too much and Board-O has asked me not to get sozzled on account of having some flipping good wines available.

I can stay on-line for a while watching the deteriorating mental state of the other particpants though.

RonnieRoots wrote: Apparently it's possible to book as cheap as 300 euro when booking early and doing some thorough internet search.

The way things are going that will soon be about £450

But, seriously, if it's possible to get flights for 300 Euro and you will be there for 4 years there is no excuse not to have a TPF Offline while you are there. We need a plan

Derek

That's pretty cool! Although I must say that I like mythbusters better.

Derek T. wrote:

RonnieRoots wrote: Apparently it's possible to book as cheap as 300 euro when booking early and doing some thorough internet search.

The way things are going that will soon be about £450

But, seriously, if it's possible to get flights for 300 Euro and you will be there for 4 years there is no excuse not to have a TPF Offline while you are there. We need a plan

Derek

I agree! The winter months are lovely there.

KillerB wrote:I'm going to have to stop this tasting now as I am enjoying it a little too much and Board-O has asked me not to get sozzled

- you've caught New Yoikers disease already - you know, the condition that gives you the idea that a grown man can't drink more than half a bottle of port without needing extra medical insurance

Have some water. You'll be fine

Derek

RonnieRoots wrote: The winter months are lovely there.

When is it winter in Oman? - and is it hotter than summer in Edinburgh?

Derek

November to March, average daytime temperature between 25 and 30 degrees Celsius.

RonnieRoots wrote:November to March, average daytime temperature between 25 and 30 degrees Celsius.

Don't confuse him with double figures when talking about weather in Edinburgh.

Please note that Board-O is opening wines (plural) and I am taking the remainder of this Port plus some Champagne.

Am I the only one who's noticed Ronnie's bottle quality index name-thingy...Niepoort Paint 1994. Genius. Hopefully tomorrow this becomes Niepoort Saint 1994, and not Niepoort Taint 1994, if y'all know what I mean.

No use in giving him any '94 port. That's at least 30 year too young for him.

I thought, to help everyone keep track of the postings in the offline thread, that I would post my initial thoughts on the Martinez in this thread and then later I'll copy them across to the Tasting Notes forum.

So, here goes. 12 hours after decanting.

Deep red in colour, just beginning to be transparent in the centre, but only just. Vivid licorice All Sorts on the nose, lots of smells (including farmyard smells) but not many of fruit; strange and not necessarily attractive.

Lovely entry; sweet and with plenty of concentrated fruit, a very pleasing mixture of red and black fruits with that distinct licorice undertone but also some of the same earthy farmyard flavours picked up on the nose - I wonder if this is suffering from a very, very slight bottle stink? The farmyard smells might also be described as over-ripe wild blackberries, the kind that squidge all over your fingers when you try and pick them.

The aftertaste is strong and pronounced, dominated by tobacco infused strawberries and chocolate it last a very long time indeed. The aftertaste is up with the greats and is by far and away the best feature of this bottle of port.

What strikes me about this port is just how smooth and integrated it is. This is truly a lovely port, but I am not sure how much life it has ahead of it. Certainly it will last 10 years, probably 20. Will it be declining in 30 years time - perhaps, whereas some of the other '94s I've tried have the tannins and acidity to support the fruit through 30, 40 or even 50 years before they hit their maturity plateau.

RonnieRoots wrote:

More to come!

Is this you looking for a good spot to build terraces and plant some vines?

I would say it has to be possible.

AHB wrote:I thought, to help everyone keep track of the postings in the offline thread

This is an off-line - 6 concurrent conversations are obligatory

Derek

It all makes sense now, the glorious heat all year round in Oman...and it's not its proximity to the equator. It's quite apparent from the picture that Oman benefits from not one, but TWO suns: the one in the sky, and Ronnie's legs. Somebody get me my Blu Blockuhs !!!

That's why I have so much sympathy for redheads.

I forgot to give a score to the Martinez. Despite its funky nose and off tones, this is a really concentrated port with a very full bodied mouthfeel. Although I find the funky tones odd, they don't seem to be putting me off this port in any way or making me feel reluctant to take another mouthful.

For the moment, I am going to place this as above average, and with the potential to be significantly well above average in another 10 years. I shall award this an Uncle Tom score of 7/8 for the moment, subject to revision later tonight or tomorrow. 91/100.

AHB,

How did my score on the RP94 compare with your score from Thursday?

Derek

Nice one. I must say I've never encountered the bottle stink in this port. I found one note that I wrote.

At this point, and before I fall asleep on the kitchen floor, I would like to raise a glass and toast The Roots - I hope they have the time of their lives in their new homeland- cheers

Derek

Thanks. I'm going to change to beer at this point.

Derek T. wrote:AHB,

How did my score on the RP94 compare with your score from Thursday?

Derek

I don't know, your post didn't contain a link to the tasting note so I can't possibly comment.

AHB wrote:

Derek T. wrote:AHB,

How did my score on the RP94 compare with your score from Thursday?

Derek

I don't know, your post didn't contain a link to the tasting note so I can't possibly comment.

Apologies. You will find it here

Derek

RonnieRoots wrote:Nice one. I must say I've never encountered the bottle stink in this port. I found one note that I wrote.

I would agree wholeheartedly with your note. Those funky farmyard aromas and tastes that I was commenting on could well be the leather that you were writing about. Interesting port, potentially a really good port and one which is further mature than many others (the RP, for example).

Alex

Derek T. wrote:At this point, and before I fall asleep on the kitchen floor, I would like to raise a glass and toast The Roots - I hope they have the time of their lives in their new homeland- cheers

Derek

Cheers! Have fun in your new home and make sure that you stay in touch through here. When I can persuade my employer to send me to the UAE I will be sure to let you know.

The Martinez always reminds me somewhat of the Warre's 1994, in its delicateness, and indeed more mature than the real top notch ports from that vintage.

Derek T. wrote:How did my score on the RP94 compare with your score from Thursday?

I still don't know - I've left my notes upstairs and Elizabeth has gone to bed! I think I'm about to move from the PC in the study to the laptop upstairs and continue on the offline for another 30 minutes or so.

I must say, this Martinez is really growing on my. My, it is yummy!

I need some Middle East education. In this thread we have mentioned Oman, Dubai and UAE. How does all that fit together? Are they part of the same country? Are they adjoining countries?

Derek

RonnieRoots wrote:The Martinez always reminds me somewhat of the Warre's 1994, in its delicateness, and indeed more mature than the real top notch ports from that vintage.

I've only had the Warre '94 once and I wasn't impressed. I found it unintegrated, but perhaps it was just too young.

To the Roots! I raise a toast to you both and thank you so much for sharing your lives, your wine and both your homes with Mandy and me over the last four years. It's sad to think you will be so far away for the next four, but I suppose things won't be too entirely different than they are now, aside from the fact that I can't just hop in a car and drive to Oman. You've been so incredibly gracious and I can't think of a better representation of the open-armed hospitality and generosity we'd hoped to encounter when first we embarked on this wine adventure. You were class acts from start to finish; even through the wedding-day attire debacle, you made concessions on account of pure friendship alone, and we're forever grateful for that. Keep us in the loop as often as you can, let us know about everything except for what might make us unbearably jealous of you...wait, that might actually prevent you from writing anything at all. Well, just keep drinking. That's all I gotta say really--Simon says drink. Keeeeeep drinking. And keep posting. Give Maartje hugs and smooches for us.

As far as my wine selection for the evening goes...well, sadly there isn't one, and I hate to admit that. But somebody started feeding me some crazy drink last night made from fermented agave nectar, or something like that. It had the most peculiar name, something that sounded exactly like 'te kill ya'. Why would somebody name a drink in such a way? Well, the proof was in the pudding, no question 'bout that. And here I am drinking Yogi Detox Tea, Vintage 2008. Really deep licorice notes in this one here, with some juniper berry and jasmine that really light the palate up and leave the body feeling rejuvenated and detoxed. Ahh.

Derek T. wrote:I need some Middle East education. In this thread we have mentioned Oman, Dubai and UAE. How does all that fit together? Are they part of the same country? Are they adjoining countries?

Derek

The UAE (United Arab Emirates) is a federation of 7 neighbouring states on the Arabian Peninsula. The best known of the 7 are Abu Dhabi and Dubai. They have borders with Oman and Saudi Arabia.

I know my employer has business based in the UAE but not in Oman. The closest I am likely to get to Oman on business is Dubai.

AHB wrote: The closest I am likely to get to Oman on business is Dubai.

Thanks. How close is close?

Derek