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JDAW and I will be forming a quorum at the Crusting Pipe in Covent Garden on the evening of Monday 1st February 2010. We will each have a randomly selected bottle of VP in hand to share with each other and whoever wishes to join in.

When: Monday, 1 February 2010, 18:30pm.

Where: Crusting Pipe, Covent Garden, London.

Theme: Bring a bottle of Port to share.

Attendees:

1. JDAW;
2. DRT;
3. AHB;
4. Christopher;
5. Cookie;
6. Chris Doty;
7. Benread (provisional - presumably subject to approval of SCP-DFR)
8. Glenn E. (in spirit (and with spirits) from Seattle, unless British Airways are giving away free flights.)

The above list will be updated as and when more people decide to join us.

Derek

Edited by jdaw1 to correct the date. March is wrong; February is correct; 2019 wrong; 2010 correct.

DRT wrote:Monday 1st March 2010

Err, Monday 1st February 2010. (Edit: since corrected.)

DRT wrote:JDAW and I

It looks like I’m included. Hurray!

DRT wrote:a randomly selected bottle of VP

It is somewhat difficult to define ‘randomness’, as it depends on the knowledge of the observer. Nonetheless, the selection of my bottle might not be very random.

DRT wrote:When: Monday, 1 February 2019, 18:30pm.

Thank you for the advance notice! I am already out the following evening, so it may take some negotiation but I will see what I can do!

Edited by jdaw1 to correct the quotation of DRT’s initially wrong date. March is wrong; February is correct. Just to prevent later confusion by others.

jdaw1 wrote:

DRT wrote:a randomly selected bottle of VP

It is somewhat difficult to define ‘randomness’, as it depends on the knowledge of the observer. Nonetheless, the selection of my bottle might not be very random.

In this instance "random" is defined as: "whichever bottle of port you wish to share with friends with there being no defined theme that you need to stick to other than the bottle you bring must contain Port".

Ben has remarked that I failed to notice Derek’s choice of year as well as month. Re-correcting.

I have nothing in my diary to cause me to be elsewhere on 1 Feb. For the moment, please include me on the list of participants.

AHB wrote:I have nothing in my diary to cause me to be elsewhere on 1 Feb. For the moment, please include me on the list of participants.

Done.

AHB wrote:I have nothing in my diary to cause me to be elsewhere on 1 Feb.

If only it were so easy. I find myself in a similar situation, but alas I find that I also have nothing in my wallet, and last I checked British Airways was still requiring payment for their services.

Raise a glass for me. I will join you in spirit (and with spirits) from Seattle.

Glenn E. wrote: I will join you in spirit (and with spirits) from Seattle.

Added to Attendees list.

Since that will be the first day of me to drink Port again, I will open a bottle and will think of you sitting in the Crusting Pipe. Please enjoy the tasting.

Axel

I will be delighted to join you on 1st Feb...loooking forward to it.

Cookie

Attendee list updated to include Christopher and Cookie.

Any more?

Can I make it a provisional "yes" please.

List update.

Current draft of the placemats.

But what should I bring? Ch85? OBV70? V92? F85? D70? Please express a preference.

jdaw1 wrote:Current draft of the placemats.

But what should I bring? Ch85? OBV70? V92? F85? D70? Please express a preference.

Hmmm? What a dilema. A list with F85 in it. Hmmm? Let me think for a while. Hmmm? Oh, go on then, please bring an F85.

But it’s too young. Surely you’d rather that we drank it in ten years, wisely using the time to drink the older already-mature stuff?

OK, maybe not. Is Derek’s haste unanimous?

Why not drink the Dow 70? It's gorgeous.

RonnieRoots wrote:Why not drink the Dow 70? It's gorgeous.

Very true. Delicious. But OBV70 is seen less often, so more interesting.

jdaw1 wrote:But it’s too young. Surely you’d rather that we drank it in ten years, wisely using the time to drink the older already-mature stuff?

OK, maybe not. Is Derek’s haste unanimous?

You are correct. It is too young and too good to "waste" in such an unstructured event. OBV70 would be perfect.

DRT wrote:You are correct. It is too young and too good to "waste" in such an unstructured event. OBV70 would be perfect.

But most people have never had Ch85, which is drinking very nicely, and as it is very rare indeed, are unlikely to taste it except at an event just like this.

jdaw1 wrote:

DRT wrote:You are correct. It is too young and too good to "waste" in such an unstructured event. OBV70 would be perfect.

But most people have never had Ch85, which is drinking very nicely, and as it is very rare indeed, are unlikely to taste it except at an event just like this.

Why did you ask?

DRT wrote:Why did you ask?

I think there are solid reasons for D70, OBV70 and Ch85. The arguments for each should be considered.

The V92 (source: ‘Mr. V.’) overlaps with a subsequent tasting; and the F85 is too young. But each of D70, OBV70 and Ch85 is a sensible choice, and I don’t know for which I would vote.

jdaw1 wrote:But OBV70 is seen less often...

Except when acquiring bottles from our friendly Essex based supplier!

jdaw1 wrote:

DRT wrote:Why did you ask?

I think there are solid reasons for D70, OBV70 and Ch85. The arguments for each should be considered.

The V92 (source: ‘Mr. V.’) overlaps with a subsequent tasting; and the F85 is too young. But each of D70, OBV70 and Ch85 is a sensible choice, and I don’t know for which I would vote.

But aren't you missing the theme? This isn't a theme that says "Bring the bottle that most people vote for", it's "Bring a random bottle". You've selected a population, now choose a bottle at random.

But I would agree that the Vesuvio '92 would be a fine port to drink at the Vesuvio vertical - are you attending? I must take a look at the Vesuvio attendees list. If you are attending I would suggest moving the V92 out of the population for random choice for 1st Feb and using it on Feb 23. Choose randomly among the others.

If you are not attending on Feb 23 then leave the V92 in the population since it is unlikely that we will have a bottle of this vintage since no-one else has said they have one.

AHB wrote:But aren't you missing the theme? This isn't a theme that says "Bring the bottle that most people vote for", it's "Bring a random bottle". You've selected a population, now choose a bottle at random.

Different people give different weights to different criteria. From the outside, the ordering of these criteria is functionally equivalent to random. Therefore inviting people to vote as the ordering of their personal criteria direct would indeed generate a random result.

Don’t believe me: behold DRT’s flailing around.

AHB wrote:But I would agree that the Vesuvio '92 would be a fine port to drink at the Vesuvio vertical - are you attending?

Source: you. Have you no more? If I do attend (which is unlikely), then of course. However, I will be at that cellar on Fri 29th Jan, and could collect it to be given to an attendee of the V vertical. Maybe this conversation should be held elsewhere.

AHB wrote:If you are not attending on Feb 23 then leave the V92 in the population since it is unlikely that we will have a bottle of this vintage since no-one else has said they have one.

Depends on that other conversation.

Hi there,

if still possible, can I come as well please? Since Ben intends to come as well I fear I have to bring another Port from 1970.
Just recently refound a Cockburn 1970 in my flat which I can bring. If the interest is on an 80ties Port I would like to suggest Croft da Roeda 1980 which maybe also interesting for you.
Please let me know

regards

WS1

Wolfgang raises a good point - which 1970 wines have the folks attending who were born that year already drunk?

PS - Julian - I vote for the Fonseca 1985; it's at least 6 weeks since I last tasted one.

AHB wrote:PS - Julian - I vote for the Fonseca 1985; it's at least 6 weeks since I last tasted one.

Yes, they might have matured since then.

AHB wrote:Wolfgang raises a good point - which 1970 wines have the folks attending who were born that year already drunk?

Alex,

February & March are suddenly looking very promising for TPF tastings! Whilst I am always going to be happy to drink 1970 this year (and particularly for the next 2 months!) I am conscious it does not have quite the same attraction for everyone. That said, I do have the 1970 (which I will not name here) which I suggested to you we pair against a bottle of yours recently. If permission can be secured from SWMBO, that may be an option.

To answer your question (and without any records currently due to a major PC failure) I think it is Noval, OBV and Dalva currently. I have also consumed quite a few Dow 1960 which was the port my grandfather left me.

Ben

Hi Ben,

with regards to ports from 1970 I had this year Croft and OBV so far. The Dalva I had at the christmas bash last year.

regards

WS1

Alex or Ben: would one of you please volunteer to print and bring the placemats?

Hi there,

after having had a look at the placemats I fear I was forgotten or there was no space anymore;

Please let me know.

regards

WS1

WS1 wrote:after having had a look at the placemats I fear I was forgotten or there was no space anymore

Fixed. Sorry.

Links: print placemats.

not a prob, thanks

jdaw1 wrote:Alex or Ben: would one of you please volunteer to print and bring the placemats?

Alex: I remain provisional - more so in that I am currently on antibiotics for a chest infection (that even French 10YO Tawny could not cure!) picke dup skiing this week. Would you be able to take responsibility for the placemats please.

Thank you.

benread wrote:Alex: I remain provisional - more so in that I am currently on antibiotics for a chest infection (that even French 10YO Tawny could not cure!) picke dup skiing this week. Would you be able to take responsibility for the placemats please.

Thank you.

Will do.

benread wrote:

jdaw1 wrote:Alex or Ben: would one of you please volunteer to print and bring the placemats?

Alex: I remain provisional - more so in that I am currently on antibiotics for a chest infection (that even French 10YO Tawny could not cure!) picke dup skiing this week. Would you be able to take responsibility for the placemats please.

New links:

• Usual printing directions;
• Placemats for seven people: JDAW, DRT, AHB, WS, CMAG, RLC, BMHR;
• And placemats for six without BMHR.

jdaw1 wrote:New links:

• Usual printing directions;
• Placemats for seven people: JDAW, DRT, AHB, WS, CMAG, RLC, BMHR;
• And placemats for six without BMHR.

Now don't be silly. I am not going to print and carry 13 sets of placemats so that I have a set with or without Ben. I will print the set that includes Ben and his bottle and simply use a blue biro to scribble out Ben's bottle and placemat if he is not able to attend.

benread wrote:... chest infection ... French 10YO Tawny ...

That's all I pulled out of Ben's post, and my thought was "yeah, that sounds about right."

Hope you feel better soon, Ben!

Hi Ben,

wish you a speedy recovery. Please let me know if you can make it or not. If not I may safe the Cockburns 1970 for you until you are back.

regards

WS1

AHB wrote:Now don't be silly. I am not going to print and carry 13 sets of placemats so that I have a set with or without Ben. I will print the set that includes Ben and his bottle and simply use a blue biro to scribble out Ben's bottle and placemat if he is not able to attend.

Of course you won’t. I knew that. But Ben might post here before you print, hopefully with good news but maybe with bad, and a decision can be taken based on that.

I’ll be in Cambridge or London, so won’t by that time be able to update.

I would be most pleased to attend if there is still space.

Chris Doty wrote:I would be most pleased to attend if there is still space.

Chris,

Absolutely there's space for you and you would be most welcome. The evening usually starts with people arriving between 6:30 and 7:00, we have a bite to eat and then drink some port. These offlines are very informal - come along with a bottle (usually of double decanted vintage port) and about £30-40 to cover the cost of food, service and corkage. We usually wind up around 11:00. If you like to take notes, then bring a pen.

But most important of all, be prepared to have fun.

Chris Doty wrote:I would be most pleased to attend if there is still space.

Chris, I have added your name to the list of attendees. See you on Monday!

I have booked The Boardroom at The Crusting Pipe on the basis that it looks like we will be 6, unless Ben gets a bonus port-pass from Mrs Read. If we end up being 7 we could probably still fit in the Boardroom, or relocate to a tunnel. It's Monday night so it is unlikely to be busy.

See you all there.

Derek

As it turns out, TCP-Seattle Annex will have 5 and we'll be sampling a few more 2007 VPs. And whatever else I open on the spur of the moment.

Glenn E. wrote:As it turns out, TCP-Seattle Annex will have 5 and we'll be sampling a few more 2007 VPs. And whatever else I open on the spur of the moment.

Excellent! But we will all be tucked up in bed by the time you start your end of the 1st Feb Virtual Off-line

DRT wrote:I have booked The Boardroom at The Crusting Pipe on the basis that it looks like we will be 6, unless Ben gets a bonus port-pass from Mrs Read. If we end up being 7 we could probably still fit in the Boardroom, or relocate to a tunnel. It's Monday night so it is unlikely to be busy.

See you all there.

Derek

My problem is health related unfortunately! A bad chest infection picked up skiing has knocked me off my stride! Working hard on being fighting fit for 11th February.

benread wrote:My problem is health related unfortunately! A bad chest infection picked up skiing has knocked me off my stride!

Sure, sure. We all know it was that French 10y old Tawny that did you in.