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We started this a while ago in this thread but it's time to update it as it's time is now.

What: Dow Vintage Port, starting in 1960.
[*]Acquired to date: 60, 63, 66, 70, 77, 83, 85
[*]Seeking: 72, 75(?), 80
[*]Acquired but doubtful if it's worth including: 94, 97, 00, 03, 07

When:
[*]March 18-20 Glenn is in town
[*]Feb 18-20 precede president's day, affording people more time to see NY

Where:
[*]Beacon Restaurant is only feasible on a sunday (i.e. Feb 20)
[*]Perhaps at someone's home?

SushiNorth wrote:We started this a while ago in this thread but it's time to update it as it's time is now.

What: Dow Vintage Port, starting in 1960.
[*]Acquired to date: 60, 63, 66, 70, 77, 83, 85
[*]Seeking: 72, 75(?), 80
[*]Acquired but doubtful if it's worth including: 94, 97, 00, 03, 07

When:
[*]March 18-20 Glenn is in town
[*]Feb 18-20 precede president's day, affording people more time to see NY

Where:
[*]Beacon Restaurant is only feasible on a sunday (i.e. Feb 20)
[*]Perhaps at someone's home?

the 07 is the 100 pter.

I have 1 bottle.

SushiNorth wrote:What: Dow Vintage Port, starting in 1960.
[*]Acquired to date: 60, 63, 66, 70, 77, 83, 85
[*]Seeking: 72, 75(?), 80
[*]Acquired but doubtful if it's worth including: 94, 97, 00, 03, 07

I have '77, '80, and '94. There's also a '91 (and a '92 Bomfim) which probably belong in the "doubtful" category if you're just concentrating on more-or-less mature Ports.

I'd base inclusion of the younger Ports on the number of attendees. Excluding the "doubtful" list that's still 10 bottles, so we (as a bunch of lightweight Americans) would need 10 people to drink that.

For obvious reasons, I'd prefer March 18-20.

Glenn E. wrote: I'd base inclusion of the younger Ports on the number of attendees. Excluding the "doubtful" list that's still 10 bottles, so we (as a bunch of lightweight Americans) would need 10 people to drink that.

For obvious reasons, I'd prefer March 18-20.

i dont think i've ever been sated by only a single bottle with food involved =)

i need to get a 2011 calendar so i can start planning the rest of my life...

g-man wrote:i dont think i've ever been sated by only a single bottle with food involved =)

g-man speaks for all mankind.

Glenn E. wrote:

SushiNorth wrote:What: Dow Vintage Port, starting in 1960.
[*]Seeking: 72, 75(?), 80

I have '77, '80, and '94. There's also a '91 (and a '92 Bomfim) which probably belong in the "doubtful" category if you're just concentrating on more-or-less mature Ports.

For obvious reasons, I'd prefer March 18-20.

Simply because you have the impossible-to-get Dow 1980, i'd prefer March 18-20.

Now, given that this is one of our larger tastings (bottle-wise), would Saturday March 19th be possible? It happens that it is also the night of Purim, a day when we jews are SUPPOSED to get drunk (of course, i'll wait until after taking notes).

g-man, you had suggested harry's -- do you think we can get "That room" on the 19th?

SushiNorth wrote:Now, given that this is one of our larger tastings (bottle-wise), would Saturday March 19th be possible?

Friday March 18th is optimal because my wife is otherwise occupied with ACPT activities that night, but I might be able to swing Saturday March 19th instead.

Glenn E. wrote:

SushiNorth wrote:Now, given that this is one of our larger tastings (bottle-wise), would Saturday March 19th be possible?

Friday March 18th is optimal because my wife is otherwise occupied with ACPT activities that night, but I might be able to swing Saturday March 19th instead.

Alright, keep us posted. It's easier for us to set up the tasting (and for folks who may want to travel in from Boston/DC/etc to make it) if we plan it for a weekend.

if we set the date,
i can ask

I can manage Saturday the 19th.

I would give some thought to whether you want to bring a back-up Dow 1977 due to the problems with this Port, or even swap it with something in the "Acquired but doubtful if it's worth including" category...

Thanks for the suggestion, I actually was just thinking about the best way to handle backups for several of these wines (I do have backups, but we'll need to see if its worth building that into the cost)

SushiNorth wrote:Thanks for the suggestion, I actually was just thinking about the best way to handle backups for several of these wines (I do have backups, but we'll need to see if its worth building that into the cost)

You could probably get away without worrying about backups for all of them apart from the 77 (especially if you decide to have more than a bottle per person) and just taking any bad bottles (collectively) on the chin. But you could quite easily get through 3 or 4 bottles of the Dow before you found a good one!

JacobH wrote:I would give some thought to whether you want to bring a back-up Dow 1977 due to the problems with this Port

I'm 2-for-3 with the 1977 Dow, with the lone flawed bottle having been corked. However, no one noticed that it was corked on the day of the tasting (with 5 hours of decanting, as I recall) and it was not until the next day that it was so wretchedly corked that Roy and Stuart couldn't stomach finishing the bottle.

The other 2 bottles were both fabulous.

I can bring (or pre-ship) my remaining bottle to serve as a backup if desired.

JacobH wrote:I would give some thought to whether you want to bring a back-up Dow 1977 due to the problems with this Port, or even swap it with something in the "Acquired but doubtful if it's worth including" category...

i did open a bottle of this from the same lot sushi that we bought from, it was corked but not noticeable amongst our guests as per
http://theportforum.com/viewtopic.php?f ... =50#p38749

One final suggestion: perhaps bring a roll of cling-film in case both the first and second choice Dow 1977s are corked and you are reduced to The Chemical Solution!

JacobH wrote:One final suggestion: perhaps bring a roll of cling-film in case both the first and second choice Dow 1977s are corked and you are reduced to The Chemical Solution!

ewww!

JacobH wrote:One final suggestion: perhaps bring a roll of cling-film in case both the first and second choice Dow 1977s are corked and you are reduced to The Chemical Solution!

It must be Saran Wrap. Other cling films are made from a different chemical.

Sushi,

can you set the thread title to saturday March 19th.

We would also liek to start recruiting some tasters so I can reserve a spot at the restaurant.

Kari has started researching flights, so we should have our reservations soon. Once those are done I'll arrange to ship my spare '80 Dow to one of you so that it has a chance to settle down again before the tasting.

I am interested. It depends on the exact date but it looks good for now. The only Dow I have in my collection is the 2000. I would be willing to sacrifice a bottle of that on the altar of educational curiosity if the infanticide will not upset too many people.

SushiNorth wrote:. . . would Saturday March 19th be possible? It happens that it is also the night of Purim, a day when we jews are SUPPOSED to get drunk . . .

I concur. An excellent choice. I had planned to have another wine bash that evening to celebrate the holiday, but it fell through, so I vote for the 19th. I will have to give up going to see The Vagina Monologues because my Temple is performing it on Purim! Needless to say, it's not an Orthodox Shul.

BTW - As to corked Dow 1977, I had a bottle a few years ago and it was in perfect shape, WOTN in a horizontal with Warre, Smith Woodhouse, Crofts and Fonseca.

J a y H a c k wrote:

SushiNorth wrote:. . . would Saturday March 19th be possible? It happens that it is also the night of Purim, a day when we jews are SUPPOSED to get drunk . . .

I concur. An excellent choice. I had planned to have another wine bash that evening to celebrate the holiday, but it fell through, so I vote for the 19th. I will have to give up going to see The Vagina Monologues because my Temple is performing it on Purim! Needless to say, it's not an Orthodox Shul.

BTW - As to corked Dow 1977, I had a bottle a few years ago and it was in perfect shape, WOTN in a horizontal with Warre, Smith Woodhouse, Crofts and Fonseca.

Welcome, and glad to have you on board for this tasting. It will indeed be on the 19th. Most of the bottles are coming from my cellar, though at the moment we haven't gone past the late 80's/early 90's. I do think 94-2007 is an important range to be educated on, however, so let's keep in mind you've got the 2000 as the planning for this tasting progresses. Once the complete lineup is in place, we'll work out pricing/etc.

Attendees:
Glenn E.
Sushinorth
g-man
Jay H.
Moses B. + 1

SushiNorth +1 ("R.D.")

Moses +1,
Sandy +1,
Josh + 1,
Jay H.
Tbird,
Glenn,
G-man
1 person from winespectator,

Alright, that puts us at 11. We've room for 1 more, and I think i know who it may be, so at this point additional signups are waitlist.

FYI Sandy's +1 is Ruth. They were on the Harvest Tour with Moses and I this fall and are a lot of fun!

Hello. If you could please add me on as 1 person, that would be great. Thanks!

sorry John, we are already 12 full.

You are first on the waitlist though,

Hi G-Man-
Are you sure I am not the 12th? I may be miscounting the tally above but for some reason I think there are only 11 so far with room for 1 more. Anyway, pls let me know. Thanks

2 people dropped,

John, you're in.

we have room for 1 more

Sandy +1,
Josh + 1,
Jay H.
Tbird,
Glenn,
G-man
John in nyc
1 person from winespectator,


1 person not yet responded

waitlist : none

g-man wrote:Sandy +1,
Josh + 1,
Jay H.
Tbird,
Glenn,
G-man
John in nyc
1 person from winespectator,


1 person not yet responded

waitlist : none

Actually, I'm +2 (both attended past events)
Daniel S
Rich D

Sandy +1,
Josh + 2,
Jay H.
Tbird,
Glenn,
G-man
John in nyc
1 person from winespectator,
Lamont Huxley

waitlist
differentdave
nolan + 1
doubled

Okay, I do have a reservation for 12 starting at 4:30pm on saturday March 19th, 2011 for harry's steakhouse downtown.

however,

there's two caveats, one is that the private cellar room that i like which is quiet and peaceful is not opened on saturday unless we get a pre fixed menu.

2. the prefix is i believe 115$/person + standard tax + 20% tip.

if we do not want that option, I have the gm calling me back with options. We can get the general room and because we're doing it early enough we might have a "peaceful" tasting irregardless.

Corkage is graciously waived.

g-man wrote:Okay, I do have a reservation for 12 starting at 4:30pm on saturday March 19th, 2011 for harry's steakhouse downtown.

however,

there's two caveats, one is that the private cellar room that i like which is quiet and peaceful is not opened on saturday unless we get a pre fixed menu.

2. the prefix is i believe 115$/person + standard tax + 20% tip.

if we do not want that option, I have the gm calling me back with options. We can get the general room and because we're doing it early enough we might have a "peaceful" tasting irregardless.

Corkage is graciously waived.

Excellent, I was hoping they might have some options for us. I don't mind doing a prefix (it makes the math easier at the end of the night), but I'm hesitant to pay a high premium for the private room if it's not necessary.

No premium is good, though frankly $115+tax/tip per person for the room and dinner doesn't seem like much of a premium at a quality Manhattan steakhouse. Quiet and peaceful is also good.

I defer to the local experts.

Really looking forward to this, assume the restaurant will have proper glasses for us.

cjsavino wrote:Really looking forward to this, assume the restaurant will have proper glasses for us.

Heck no -- which is why I'm bringing 4 cases of glasses

Just a note, this tasting has been expanded (backchannel) at the request of the tasters. We are now looking at a full lineup from 1960-2007, the only missing bottles (i believe) are 72 and 75.

SushiNorth wrote:Just a note, this tasting has been expanded (backchannel) at the request of the tasters. We are now looking at a full lineup from 1960-2007, the only missing bottles (i believe) are 72 and 75.

The 1972 was a bit of an unexpected delight at the Dow tasting we had: I thought it was as good as the 1970 so I would certainly include it if possible.

During our tasting, I also kept wondering whether Dow was actually that much drier than other Ports or whether I was suffering from acute label-bias. I'm not sure what the way to counter this might be, but it might be worth including something known for being a bit sweeter as a palate calibrator.

Glenn E. wrote:No premium is good, though frankly $115+tax/tip per person for the room and dinner doesn't seem like much of a premium at a quality Manhattan steakhouse.

Yikes; makes me glad that I have never felt a need to try a Manhattan steakhouse!

JacobH wrote:

Glenn E. wrote:No premium is good, though frankly $115+tax/tip per person for the room and dinner doesn't seem like much of a premium at a quality Manhattan steakhouse.

Yikes; makes me glad that I have never felt a need to try a Manhattan steakhouse!

i can honestly say that london has nothing that even remotely comes close to a ny steakhouse serving USDA prime dry aged steaks.

g-man wrote:i can honestly say that london has nothing that even remotely comes close to a ny steakhouse serving USDA prime dry aged steaks.

I don't doubt that, but was just a bit shocked about the price (not to mention the 20% service charge)!

g-man wrote:i can honestly say that london has nothing that even remotely comes close to a ny steakhouse serving USDA prime dry aged steaks.

I don't doubt that, but was just a bit shocked about the price (not to mention the 20% service charge)!

JacobH wrote:

g-man wrote:i can honestly say that london has nothing that even remotely comes close to a ny steakhouse serving USDA prime dry aged steaks.

I don't doubt that, but was just a bit shocked about the price (not to mention the 20% service charge)!

yea, that's if we wanted to get the private room without people stepping in and around us =)

g-man wrote:

JacobH wrote:

Glenn E. wrote:No premium is good, though frankly $115+tax/tip per person for the room and dinner doesn't seem like much of a premium at a quality Manhattan steakhouse.

Yikes; makes me glad that I have never felt a need to try a Manhattan steakhouse!

i can honestly say that london has nothing that even remotely comes close to a ny steakhouse serving USDA prime dry aged steaks.

Have you tried the Rib Room? As memorable for me as Luger, Primehouse, Sparks, MarkJoseph or Strip House, which were I think my favourites during a very indulgent year i spent in NY. Though budget for £115+tax/tip....

RAYC wrote:

g-man wrote:

JacobH wrote:

Glenn E. wrote:No premium is good, though frankly $115+tax/tip per person for the room and dinner doesn't seem like much of a premium at a quality Manhattan steakhouse.

Yikes; makes me glad that I have never felt a need to try a Manhattan steakhouse!

i can honestly say that london has nothing that even remotely comes close to a ny steakhouse serving USDA prime dry aged steaks.

Have you tried the Rib Room? As memorable for me as Luger, Primehouse, Sparks, MarkJoseph or Strip House, which were I think my favourites during a very indulgent year i spent in NY. Though budget for £115+tax/tip....

i actually have not and will give it a shot when i'm out there.

http://harrysnyc.com/harrys-events-package.pdf

this is the menu btw if you guys are into prefix.