ThePortForum.com

Epoca, in Brooklyn, was selling glasses of “Porto, Quinta de Monte Redondo† (presumably this) for $5, and Porto, El Huique (Spanish?), for $7.

Jean Georges, in the Trump International Hotel & Tower:

1950 Cockburn $900
1912 Croft $2000
1996 Bomfim $96
1963 Fonseca $950
1908 Gilbey $1200
1966 Graham $600
1963 Graham $1000
1955 Graham $1500
1987 Nacional $800
1975 Nacional $1050
1985 Taylor $256
1970 Taylor $600
1955 Taylor $1500
1948 Taylor $2200
1945 Taylor $2900
1935 Taylor $2700
1927 Taylor $3500
1922 Warre $1600
1927 Warre $1600

Also, if you’re treating me:
1921 d’Yquem $25k
1871 d’Yquem $20k

It will be difficult to trump that list


Sorry, couldn't resist it

Derek

jdaw1 wrote:Jean Georges, in the Trump International Hotel & Tower:

1950 Cockburn $900
1912 Croft $2000
1996 Bomfim $96
1963 Fonseca $950
1908 Gilbey $1200
1966 Graham $600
1963 Graham $1000
1955 Graham $1500
1987 Nacional $800
1975 Nacional $1050
1985 Taylor $256
1970 Taylor $600
1955 Taylor $1500
1948 Taylor $2200
1945 Taylor $2900
1935 Taylor $2700
1927 Taylor $3500
1922 Warre $1600
1927 Warre $1600

Also, if you’re treating me:
1921 d’Yquem $25k
1871 d’Yquem $20k

I take it that these were the bottle prices rather than being served by the glass!

Great list, if frighteningly expensive.

Alex

AHB wrote:I take it that these were the bottle prices rather than being served by the glass!

Yes, I believe so.

AHB wrote:Great list, if frighteningly expensive.

Exactly what I thought as I decided, upon considered reflection, not to order a bottle of port. And I did tell the (very nice) sommelier that the port list was excellent and “fully valued†. He didn’t disagree.

Also some puzzling relative value. Surely Warre 1927 is better than Warre 1920? Surely Taylor 1970 is better than Nacional 1987? Is Taylor 1948 that much worse than Taylor 1927?

It's not a hotel or a bar but I have to put a word in here for Oddbins at Westminster.

Whilst picking up my Noval 2000 LBV I noticed a glass case in the corner of the shop containing some good stuff. The surprise that I found when I moved in for a look was the Graham's 1991 at £55 per bottle - I bought a case of these 2 years ago for £19 each including tax and delivery. Low price on Wine Searcher is £32 so auction price must be no more than half the Oddbins shelf price.

The good news is that this ridiculous pricing stops people from drinking the stuff so there is more floating around for us

Derek

I had a look at the Room Service menu last night when I checked into my latest hotel. The good news is that they actually have port available on their room service menu.

They offer Fonseca Bin 27 by the bottle for the bargain price of $65 (£32.20).

I didn't have any - don't want to ruin my tastebuds for tonight!

Alex

Tonight I made a brave decision and decided to order a main course and desert instead of a starter and main course. I am so glad I did.

After my medium rare rib-eye steak I ordered "cheese" - a very posh trolley arrived with 7 cheeses from which I could choose whatever I wanted. For some reason I glanced down to the lower level of the trolley and noticed a ships decanter full of purple liquid. Splendid.

"What is that?" I asked my easern European waiter. "Eet iz Grahhamz Veeentij Pourt neinte neinte vive" I was told - "Malvedos 95" registered in my head. "Could I have some in a large glass, please?" I asked. I was then presented with a 250ml glass of port - result - very nice

I can't believe I have stayed in this hotel about 40 times in the past 3 months and have never met this guy. He is my new best friend

Alex jetting all over America, Derek staying in London Hotels...

Oh well, suppose I'll have to make do with the real fire, feet up, home cooking, Cohiba, Warres LBV and a good book.
Must try the Jetset lifestyle, one day...

Alan

Don't.

Unless someone can find me some port-buddies in Asia, the next couple of weeks will be a lot less fun than this week has been.

Taking as my text for the day, that the labourer is worthy of his hire (St Mark, I think), hence everyone has to be able to make a profit. Why, and this question is not rhetorical, must one pay such a whacking premium when eating out?

It is notorious that one can drink local wine in France, to name, but one, at a modest premium. So why do the rules differ? A gross margin of, say, 50% is understandable, I guess, but why more? Is it not better to keep the stock moving?

I had the good fortune to be taken out for a meal in Madison, New Jersey a couple of weeks ago. Madison is a dry town, no liquor licenses made available to the restauranteurs. The upside of this is that you are free to have wine with your meal, just not to buy it from the restaurant.

Interestingly, the food prices were similar to the prices in those nearby restaurants where wine was available and they clearly make enough profit as they have been going for a good many years.

Alex

What happens when the TPF pedant meets the TPF vicar?

Overtired and emotional wrote:Taking as my text for the day, that the labourer is worthy of his hire (St Mark, I think)

Luke 10:7, actually.

Not a hotel, restaurant or bar but I thought this would amuse some of you here.

I visited a wine merchant in Edinburgh today to see what ports they had in stock. They had 4 different bottles on the shelf...

Taylor's Finest Ruby
Taylor's Finest Tawny
Taylor's Chip Dry White
Fonseca Unfiltered LBV 2000

As you might guess I was attracted to the Fonseca as I haven't seen their LBV for sale in the UK previously. At £12.95 a bottle I thought it was reasonable value, especially compared to the £9.95 price tag on the basic Taylor's Ruby and the Tawny

However, I did feel the need to point out to the store manager that, at £24.95, the Chip Dry was just slightly over-priced

I will report on the Fonseca another day.

Derek

Chez Turnbull, Chesterfield:

Graham's Malvedos 1996 at £0.91p per glass

At £18.50 per glass, I was tempted to order a glass of Warre's 1977 Vintage Port in the Vintage Wine Bar in Dubai last weekend. Not cheap of course, but not overly expensive for Middle Eastern standards either. But I was clever enough to ask how long the bottle has been open.

"Oh, only about a month sir."

We ordered a lovely bottle of Crozes-Hermitage instead.

RonnieRoots wrote:At £18.50 per glass, I was tempted to order a glass of Warre's 1977 Vintage Port in the Vintage Wine Bar in Dubai last weekend. Not cheap of course, but not overly expensive for Middle Eastern standards either. But I was clever enough to ask how long the bottle has been open.

"Oh, only about a month sir."

We ordered a lovely bottle of Crozes-Hermitage instead.

I know what you mean, but I think I'd have still been tempted.

I might have even tried it on and explained how it was past it's best, but as the location has such high standards, and as it's one of my favourites, in pristine condition, do they want to do a deal!

Quilon Indian restaurant in Buckingham Gate, London have Otima 20 yr old on the menu at £26 a bottle. Not bad considering 2 starters and 2 curries cost £108

Worth a visit if you are on expenses

Derek

Derek T. wrote:Quilon Indian restaurant in Buckingham Gate, London have Otima 20 yr old on the menu at £26 a bottle. Not bad considering 2 starters and 2 curries cost £108

Worth a visit if you are on expenses

Derek

Worth turning up and having it with poppadums

KillerB wrote:

Derek T. wrote:Quilon Indian restaurant in Buckingham Gate, London have Otima 20 yr old on the menu at £26 a bottle. Not bad considering 2 starters and 2 curries cost £108

Worth a visit if you are on expenses

Derek

Worth turning up and having it with poppadums

...only if you want to spend £5 on one poppadum and another £5 on each of the accompanyments

as of a couple of weks ago, I am no longer allowed to drink in hotel lobbies...well at least one particular hotel lobby. I will say no more, the statute of limitations has not expired yet

ADV wrote:as of a couple of weks ago, I am no longer allowed to drink in hotel lobbies...well at least one particular hotel lobby. I will say no more, the statute of limitations has not expired yet

What happens on tour stays on tour

Derek

PS: You are going to tell me in October, aren't you?

Derek T. wrote:Not a hotel, restaurant or bar but I thought this would amuse some of you here.

I visited a wine merchant in Edinburgh today to see what ports they had in stock. They had 4 different bottles on the shelf...

Taylor's Finest Ruby
Taylor's Finest Tawny
Taylor's Chip Dry White
Fonseca Unfiltered LBV 2000

As you might guess I was attracted to the Fonseca as I haven't seen their LBV for sale in the UK previously. At £12.95 a bottle I thought it was reasonable value, especially compared to the £9.95 price tag on the basic Taylor's Ruby and the Tawny

However, I did feel the need to point out to the store manager that, at £24.95, the Chip Dry was just slightly over-priced

I will report on the Fonseca another day.

Derek

I now have a vested interest. Have you tried this yet? (20th June refers!)

Derek T. wrote:

ADV wrote:as of a couple of weks ago, I am no longer allowed to drink in hotel lobbies...well at least one particular hotel lobby. I will say no more, the statute of limitations has not expired yet

What happens on tour stays on tour

Derek

PS: You are going to tell me in October, aren't you?

Well it didn't happen on the tour, it was here in my home state...and yes I will tell you later over a bottle or three of Port