ThePortForum.com

Now offering a Society Crusted, bottled by Fonseca Guimaraens in 2006, for £13.75; and Vesuvio 04 for £36. Both good value, I'd say, especially factoring in the free delivery.

I was not much moved by the Wine Society Crusted 06 from Fonseca. Someone said it was better with plenty of air. Personally I would pay the pound extra and have the Graham's 98 crusted when it's on offer at Sainsbury. The Vesuvio looks reasonable, I have not heard the ports of 04 getting much of a press though.

I haven't got my wine society Christmas list yet, I have something coming in the post to look forward to.

Almost forgot. Senhora da Ribeira 05 at £45. A bit pricey? But it's good wine.

I was unimpressed with the Fonseca. On paper it is a great price for what should be a decent port, so I was disappointed. It is in a very disjointed state now, showing signs here and there of being good, but I have no idea whether it will come back together nor where it will go. I read it was a Wine Society "2013 Wine Champion" so it must have been in a good place last year. If anyone with more of a clue than I have thinks it will come together or tries it and has a better experience, I will buy another bottle.

The thing that drew my eye were not the ports, (a rather half hearted line up I thought) but the front page of the 'Society News'. I am glad to see the new and improved members room seems to preserve the faintly Stalinist air which pervades the society. I also thought the artists impression of a shed with lorries parked outside it was most uplifting. Brutalism is alive and well.

I am most tempted by the 20yo Blandys Terrantez.

LGTrotter wrote:I am most tempted by the 20yo Blandys Terrantez.

The rest of have decided that you should buy some and tell the rest of us what it's like.

And yes, the Society News is a little like Socialist Worker; or maybe Worker's Hammer. All that unconfined joy..

djewesbury wrote:

LGTrotter wrote:I am most tempted by the 20yo Blandys Terrantez.

The rest of have decided that you should buy some and tell the rest of us what it's like.

I'm on it, like a car bonnet. I usually get a dozen of something from them before Christmas.

djewesbury wrote:And yes, the Society News is a little like Socialist Worker; or maybe Worker's Hammer. All that unconfined joy..

The best bit of the year has to be the AGM. I must go one year and applaud our glorious leaders on the platform.

LGTrotter wrote:

djewesbury wrote:

LGTrotter wrote:I am most tempted by the 20yo Blandys Terrantez.

The rest of have decided that you should buy some and tell the rest of us what it's like.

I'm on it, like a car bonnet. I usually get a dozen of something from them before Christmas.

A dozen of them is a decentish outlay. Emma's books must be selling well..!

djewesbury wrote:A dozen of them is a decentish outlay. Emma's books must be selling well..!

Nice try. I meant a couple or a few. I have been down this path before of finding a sipping wine that is about £40 and drinking a bottle a week*, it leads to ruin. I will try a couple and see.

*1988 Terrantez Colheita D'Oliviera. Just brilliant.

LGTrotter wrote:

djewesbury wrote:A dozen of them is a decentish outlay. Emma's books must be selling well..!

Nice try. I meant a couple or a few. I have been down this path before of finding a sipping wine that is about £40 and drinking a bottle a week, it leads to ruin. I will try a couple and see.