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Is there a code in the placement of the little black dot? Or is it just poor printing?

It looks to me as though it is poor printing. From looking at your pictures, it also seems to be that the location of the initial Q also varies from label to label. Who knows...

As for decanting, I still have some of this left almost exactly 48 hours after decanting and it is stonking. The aftertaste is just unbelievably long although the nose is a little less developed than last night. The midpalate complexity is certainly still with you and the tannins are softer.

My suggestion as to preferred decanting time would depend on the Group's preference for the obviousness of the tannins - if you like your port "grippy" then decant for 19 hours. If you like your tannins more resolved then decant for 39 hours. If you're serving this to me then 39 hours please.

I've timed tasting notes for the 1991 from September 2006 and would recommend that this is also decanted for 39 hours (I tasted it at 36 and preferred it toi the way it tasted after 12 hours) but I have only ever tasted the 1990 once. However, given that this was made from the same grapes by the same winemaking team as the 1991 I would be tempted to decant them all 39 hours in advance of the tasting.

And all I can say is, you are going to really enjoy that Vesuvio 94, and the other two are also pretty good ports.

Have fun folks.

Alex

Hey Julian,
Steph dropped out, so it's just me,

still bringing the Chuchill 94 and the Vesuvio 95 ...

Looking at the suggestions, I'm goign to decant both of these roughly 30 hours before hand.

Unless anyone wants any differently?

Shame about Steph. Thirty hours works for me. (And thanks for bringing both bottles.)

Eric Duprey has told me that he will be bringing a Ramos Pinto Quinta da Ervamoira 1994.

Placemats updated.

All three double-decanted.
1994: very purple.
1991: quite purple.
1990: sensible red.

I have a meeting today at which I just can’t smell of port, really can’t, so haven’t sampled.

Eric D. is a great guy...glad he will be able to join you guys.

Hello Everyone. Looking forward to meeting you all tomorrow.

Sounds like you're all aiming at decanting around 30 hours, so I will do the same with the Ramos-Pinto.

Pleased to report the Vesuvio 95 is a good bottle.

No chunks on this bottle, very little sediments.

Milk chocolate, all spice, slight raisiny nose. Very very smooth going down with no hint of bite sweet taste with a slight bitter aftertaste. but no balance of acidity there. Dark opaque purple.

Can't wait to try this one tomorrow.

Churchill 94

Lotsa chunks caught in the muslin. Big raisin sized chunks.

clear garnet with a slight browning on the edges, much better legs then the vesuvio. muted slightly medicinal/mint nose, hint of anise. A very nice balance of acidity, again very smooth going down. with a slight burnt woody finish.

Both opened at 3:30pm on monday.

Perfect fill levels on both, no hint of cork on either.

Can't wait to see you guys tomorrow!

Have fun tonight chaps!

Well, how did it go..come on where are the Pics at, chop chop

Just arrived home. TNs tomorrow. But Vesuvio ’94 & ’95 fantastic. V92 simple: strawberries, perhaps. V91 foul. Duff Gordon 94 foul. Croft ’94 great. Churchill ’94 good initially, but then deteriorated. The Ramos Pinto single quinta controversial: I thought OK, others hated.

Some people didn’t show, so lots of port for few of us. There are pictures, but tomorrow, in the review.

5 courageous souls 8 massive bottles.

A great time all around. Thank you Julian for setting up the tasting.

We did a pretty good job packing away 5 1/2 bottles of port with Renee clearly leading the way.

TN in the TN section.

Wines of the night:

To drink now:
1. Vesuvio 95
2. Vesuvio 94
3. Croft 94

To Hold onto:
1. Vesuvio 94
2. Vesuvio 95
3. Croft 94

Review of the evening as a whole, and TNs:

• Vesuvio 1990;
• Vesuvio 1991;
• Vesuvio 1994;
• Vesuvio 1995;
• Churchill 1994;
• Croft 1994;
• Duff Gordon 1994;
• Pinto Ramos Quinta de Ervamoira 1994.