An evening of port in Belfast
Posted: 16:00 Sun 16 Nov 2014
DRT and JCT were visiting Ireland. Justin K & PK joined us (DJ and RAB) and we spent some time together.
In the afternoon we visited the Crumlin Road Gaol, now a tourist attraction, where we were shown the condemned man's cell. In the toilet next door to the cell stands a tall dresser, which would be slid to one side at the crucial time to reveal the execution room behind. The noose and trap door were still present; then we were taken to the unmarked graves outside. Very grim. The exceptionally amusing tour guide for some reason told all present that I was him in 20 years (it turned out I know his father and drink in his pub).
We went then to Ox Cave, a new wine bar opened by the owners of Ox restaurant, where we were served Baron de Brane 2005 Margaux through a Coravin. Apparently the argon capsules only last about 10 pours. This was a surprise.
At Jewesbury Towers we christened our newly converted outbuilding. First order of business was a blind tasting of the old and new pork pies side by side — hand-chopped versus coarsely minced. Surprisingly the unanimous verdict was that the minced was firmer and had a better taste. The purchase of the mincer was vindicated. Don António will be able to rest his hands.
For dinner we enjoyed a sirloin of Irish Moiled Beef (the Dexter of Ulster) with Heidsieck Monopole Blue Top, Quinta do Noval 1997 Colheita, Château Batailley 89, Léoville Las Cases 78 and Château d'Angludet 82. Then we moved on to an Irish-bottled Taylor 1970, a Fonseca 1970 and an unknown Taylor that was lighter and more mature than the 1970 and could have been anything from 1948 to 1966. The cork only gave us the name Taylor. Also a Dow 1985 that seemed a little closed to me.
I took no notes (I was busy!) but can remember that the unknown Taylor made both the T and F 70s (which were both excellent) seem very young and fruit-forward. It was mature, though not yet fully mature, still full of soft fruit and with some taut structure and it was nothing but delicious. This was one of a batch of 'unknown Crusted's bought at auction recently by THRA and others. One will join us at The Bell on 18th Dec.
The Irish T70 appeared to have been hand-corked, with no label or capsule, in a plain brown bottle, quite translucent. This came from an auction lot split between Justin K, DJ and one other. Apparently there's more where this came from; I seem to remember a story concerning several hundred bottles split between members of a family, and T70 opened for guests at breakfast. This is the much-fabled 'Irish hospitality'.
An excellent evening, more details of which may follow. Thank you to all concerned and especially to RAB for supreme hosting and assistance above and beyond the call of duty. We hope that the fixture may be repeated often.
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In the afternoon we visited the Crumlin Road Gaol, now a tourist attraction, where we were shown the condemned man's cell. In the toilet next door to the cell stands a tall dresser, which would be slid to one side at the crucial time to reveal the execution room behind. The noose and trap door were still present; then we were taken to the unmarked graves outside. Very grim. The exceptionally amusing tour guide for some reason told all present that I was him in 20 years (it turned out I know his father and drink in his pub).
We went then to Ox Cave, a new wine bar opened by the owners of Ox restaurant, where we were served Baron de Brane 2005 Margaux through a Coravin. Apparently the argon capsules only last about 10 pours. This was a surprise.
At Jewesbury Towers we christened our newly converted outbuilding. First order of business was a blind tasting of the old and new pork pies side by side — hand-chopped versus coarsely minced. Surprisingly the unanimous verdict was that the minced was firmer and had a better taste. The purchase of the mincer was vindicated. Don António will be able to rest his hands.
For dinner we enjoyed a sirloin of Irish Moiled Beef (the Dexter of Ulster) with Heidsieck Monopole Blue Top, Quinta do Noval 1997 Colheita, Château Batailley 89, Léoville Las Cases 78 and Château d'Angludet 82. Then we moved on to an Irish-bottled Taylor 1970, a Fonseca 1970 and an unknown Taylor that was lighter and more mature than the 1970 and could have been anything from 1948 to 1966. The cork only gave us the name Taylor. Also a Dow 1985 that seemed a little closed to me.
I took no notes (I was busy!) but can remember that the unknown Taylor made both the T and F 70s (which were both excellent) seem very young and fruit-forward. It was mature, though not yet fully mature, still full of soft fruit and with some taut structure and it was nothing but delicious. This was one of a batch of 'unknown Crusted's bought at auction recently by THRA and others. One will join us at The Bell on 18th Dec.
The Irish T70 appeared to have been hand-corked, with no label or capsule, in a plain brown bottle, quite translucent. This came from an auction lot split between Justin K, DJ and one other. Apparently there's more where this came from; I seem to remember a story concerning several hundred bottles split between members of a family, and T70 opened for guests at breakfast. This is the much-fabled 'Irish hospitality'.
An excellent evening, more details of which may follow. Thank you to all concerned and especially to RAB for supreme hosting and assistance above and beyond the call of duty. We hope that the fixture may be repeated often.
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