Tuesday 11th September - The Bunghole

[Alex Bridgeman]

I've been advised that Port deprivation can return extremely easily if the sufferer does not pay close and proper attention to the cure. In order to try to prevent any recurrence of my Summer Port Deprivation Syndrome, I also plan to visit the Bunghole on the evening of Tuesday 11th September. Again, if you would care to join me then please say so here.

[DRT]

By strange co-incidence I need to be in London on 11th Sep so will be please to join you.

What is the theme?

[Alex Bridgeman]

What is the theme?

How does "Port in Bottles" suit you?

[jdaw1]

Permission granted. Hurray! I’m in.

The prohibition on decanting into a decanter is noted.

[Alex Bridgeman]

Permission granted. Hurray! I’m in.

Excellent news

The prohibition on decanting into a decanter is noted.

Clarification: "Port in Bottles" can equally be interpreted as "Port Which Has Been in Bottles at Some Point in its Evolution". The only port not allowed is port which is in a box or barrel ... or which is from a French supermarket!

[DRT]

I now have to be elsewhere on 11th Sep. Sorry, I will have to miss this

[DRT]

I have booked the large room at the Bunghole.

[jdaw1]

Is this just two of us? AHB + JDAW?

[Alex Bridgeman]

It does appear to be. Is that a problem? I have a bottle which is perfect for only 2, provided both are drinking lightly.

[RAYC]

I am hoping to make an appearance, but perhaps a tad late, so feel free to proceed with your bottle suitable for two.

[jdaw1]

With three of us, and one showing late, would sighted be more friendly? Which would mean I could have you two choose.

[Alex Bridgeman]

Sighted works for me. I plan to bring a Smith Woodhouse 1977.

[RAYC]

i'll bring along a Gould 77 i've been wanting to test the condition/provenance of.

if i suspect it's corked, i'll have a spare.

[jdaw1]

It does appear to be. Is that a problem? I have a bottle which is perfect for only 2, provided both are drinking lightly.

Does that mean a magnum? Or is that a ‟perfect” contribution if there are only two light drinkers, by which AHB might have meant a half?

Fonseca 1985: should I test a 24-hour decant?

[Alex Bridgeman]

It does appear to be. Is that a problem? I have a bottle which is perfect for only 2, provided both are drinking lightly.

Does that mean a magnum? Or is that a ‟perfect” contribution if there are only two light drinkers, by which AHB might have meant a half?

Fonseca 1985: should I test a 24-hour decant?

Are we having to declare bottle size, as well as port? How very structured and organised. Yes, my bottle is a magnum.

24 hour decant for the F85 sounds well worth trying given its recent truculence.

[RAYC]

24 hour decant for the F85 sounds well worth trying given its recent truculence.

Agreed.

Unless someone suggests otherwise, I will open the GC77 at 7.00ish and decant at 9.30ish.

[Alex Bridgeman]

Morning decant for the GC77 sounds perfect.

I've had to decant this evening, to avoid bringing a port soup that takes 15 hours to completely decant.

SW77 from magnum is in magnificant form, judging by the far too modest decanter priming sample I've just finished.

Did I say I was bringing a magnum? Must have been my mistake. There seems only to be a bottle left in the decanter...

[jdaw1]

F85 decanted 11pm this evening. All seems good.

[Alex Bridgeman]

Some links:

The review thread
Fonseca 1985 tasting note
Gould Campbell 1977 tasting note
Graham 1960 tasting note
Smith Woodhouse 1977 tasting note

[jdaw1]

The placemats.