Search found 16472 matches

by Alex Bridgeman
06:28 Thu 16 Apr 2026
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: T Minus 25 years 2011 Horizontal - London Thu 23rd April 2026
Replies: 57
Views: 11824

Re: T Minus 25 years 2011 Horizontal - London Thu 23rd April 2026

jdaw1 wrote: 20:27 Wed 15 Apr 2026 A draft of the placemats has been added to the first post.

Please check carefully.
The Noval is coming from Martin (who has adopted it from me), not from George. Martin is also bringing an undisclosed bonus bottle.

Christopher is bringing the Bioma.
by Alex Bridgeman
07:11 Wed 15 Apr 2026
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: 2024 Vintage Declarations
Replies: 7
Views: 2990

Re: 2024 Vintage Declarations

Köpke have just announced a 2024 vintage.
by Alex Bridgeman
19:46 Tue 14 Apr 2026
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: 60 @ 66 - Tuesday 14 April 2026
Replies: 106
Views: 26291

Re: 60 @ 66 - Tuesday 14 April 2026

Voting sheet
Voting sheet
IMG_8386.jpeg (139.75 KiB) Viewed 425 times
by Alex Bridgeman
22:58 Mon 13 Apr 2026
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: 60 @ 66 - Tuesday 14 April 2026
Replies: 106
Views: 26291

Re: 60 @ 66 - Tuesday 14 April 2026

Will anybody be passing my work and able to take from me an unopened bottle? Unfortunately not me on this occasion. I have to be in the Liverpool Street area tomorrow afternoon. Oh. Can I give you my unopened bottle - I will also be near Liverpool Street. Otherwise I would be decanting at 0700, or ...
by Alex Bridgeman
18:58 Mon 13 Apr 2026
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: 60 @ 66 - Tuesday 14 April 2026
Replies: 106
Views: 26291

Re: 60 @ 66 - Tuesday 14 April 2026

jdaw1 wrote: 18:55 Mon 13 Apr 2026 Will anybody be passing my work and able to take from me an unopened bottle?
Unfortunately not me on this occasion. I have to be in the Liverpool Street area tomorrow afternoon.
by Alex Bridgeman
15:19 Mon 13 Apr 2026
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: 1990 Quinta do Vesuvio
Replies: 2
Views: 885

Re: 1990 Quinta do Vesuvio

The decanter didn’t get finished on Saturday night or on Sunday night. It was probably drinking better on Sunday than Saturday having found a better balance, the sweetness being better matched by the acidity. She who has a better palate than mine (SWHABPTM) took a sip and exclaimed “Ooh that’s liquo...
by Alex Bridgeman
15:13 Mon 13 Apr 2026
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: 60 @ 66 - Tuesday 14 April 2026
Replies: 106
Views: 26291

Re: 60 @ 66 - Tuesday 14 April 2026

I’m planning to bring both of my bottles (Taylor and Síbio) with me to decant them at about 4pm to give them a couple of hours double decanted before we drink them.
by Alex Bridgeman
17:03 Sat 11 Apr 2026
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: 1990 Quinta do Vesuvio
Replies: 2
Views: 885

1990 Quinta do Vesuvio

Bottle number 21384. The last from a case of six. Opened and decanted an hour ago. A dusky rose red, quite lightly pigmented at about 50% opacity. Cherry cola on the nose, maybe that's being unfair - it's red cherries, smelling quite sweet with a cola root element to it but fresh and elegant rather ...
by Alex Bridgeman
16:35 Fri 10 Apr 2026
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: 2016 Churchill Gricha
Replies: 1
Views: 1413

Re: 2016 Churchill Gricha

Could this be a VP that’s shut down? It’s about the right age to be completely dumbed down.

It would be interesting to try again in 10 years to see how it changes.
by Alex Bridgeman
06:32 Fri 10 Apr 2026
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: 60 @ 66 - Tuesday 14 April 2026
Replies: 106
Views: 26291

Re: 60 @ 66 - Tuesday 14 April 2026

Since we seem to be teetering on the brink of the slippery slope of being completist (at least as much as we can be within the limits of our cellars), I'd observe that I have Quinta de la Rosa, Ferreira and RCV's Quinta do Síbio at home. The Síbio might be an interesting bottle to compare to the RCV...
by Alex Bridgeman
22:32 Wed 08 Apr 2026
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Port Wine Picture in Cellar
Replies: 25
Views: 3716

Re: Port Wine Picture in Cellar

Não, não “três”. O nome vai ser “Três Velhotes”.

A minha pergunta para ti, é porque? (É uma brincadeira.)
by Alex Bridgeman
12:54 Wed 08 Apr 2026
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Port Wine Picture in Cellar
Replies: 25
Views: 3716

Re: Port Wine Picture in Cellar

If it’s going to become a care home for elderly, male Port-lovers to rest their weary bones while consuming copious quantities of Port, I shall call it “Quinta dos Três Velhotes”.
by Alex Bridgeman
14:35 Mon 06 Apr 2026
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: 63@63.. ?
Replies: 31
Views: 3726

Re: 63@63.. ?

I’m away for some of September, but haven’t locked dates in yet. Put me down as available for both dates, (but the Tuesday slightly preferred).
by Alex Bridgeman
11:19 Mon 06 Apr 2026
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: The Port Forum Xmas Tasting
Replies: 7
Views: 1089

Re: The Port Forum Xmas Tasting

2 days after my birthday, how could i not! John, apologies, but because we can only fit 10 people around the table in Tom’s pub, the people who attended last year (and the people on last year’s waiting list) get first refusal. But I can put you at the top of the list of people joining the waiting l...
by Alex Bridgeman
10:37 Mon 06 Apr 2026
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: The Port Forum Xmas Tasting
Replies: 7
Views: 1089

The Port Forum Xmas Tasting

I’ll post properly in due course, but a place holder to say Tom has offered to host us on Thursday 10th December.
by Alex Bridgeman
06:25 Mon 06 Apr 2026
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: 63@63.. ?
Replies: 31
Views: 3726

Re: 63@63.. ?

Yes please, subject to the date.
by Alex Bridgeman
06:24 Mon 06 Apr 2026
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: T Minus 25 years 2011 Horizontal - London Thu 23rd April 2026
Replies: 57
Views: 11824

Re: T Minus 25 years 2011 Horizontal - London Thu 23rd April 2026

My food choice:
Ham hock terrine
Burger (as rare as allowed) + cheese, no bun, fries and a side of roasted carrots.
Dessert to be decided on the night.
by Alex Bridgeman
16:51 Sun 05 Apr 2026
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Port for Easter
Replies: 14
Views: 1911

Re: Port for Easter

I opened a bottle of Warre 1986 Bottle Matured LBV last night. I picked up the wrong bottle - I meant to open a Smith Woodhouse 1986 LBV.

But it’s delicious.
by Alex Bridgeman
19:42 Fri 03 Apr 2026
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Port for Easter
Replies: 14
Views: 1911

Re: Port for Easter

Ramos Pinto made an absolute blinder with their 1982. It’s a candidate for Port of the 1980s — as is Warre 1980.

You are having a good Easter’s drinking!
by Alex Bridgeman
19:11 Fri 03 Apr 2026
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Port for Easter
Replies: 14
Views: 1911

Port for Easter

042886DF-D25D-41B7-9DED-8F781916A546.jpeg Yesterday, some of my “friends” took the p**s out of me for my lazy choice of Port. I really couldn’t be bothered to decant anything or go to any more effort than pull out a t-stopper. IMG_8350.jpeg So today I’ve opened something better. And it has reminded...
by Alex Bridgeman
13:54 Thu 02 Apr 2026
Forum: Travel
Topic: oPortUno - a new Port wine bar in Porto
Replies: 4
Views: 2167

oPortUno - a new Port wine bar in Porto

Maria Tita, who many of you would know from her time working with Blackett, São Leonardo, Quinta das Lamelas and running the Avepod wine bar has opened a new Port themed wine bar and has invited us all to visit when we are next in town. The bar is OportunO and can be found at 207-209 Rua do Comércio...
by Alex Bridgeman
23:03 Wed 01 Apr 2026
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Latest buy
Replies: 2431
Views: 6350118

Re: Latest buy

That is a really interesting bottle. I wonder why they decided to bottle such a varied mix of shippers?
by Alex Bridgeman
21:26 Mon 30 Mar 2026
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: The problem with tastings
Replies: 10
Views: 1789

Re: The problem with tastings

And I thought the problem with tastings was that we ran out of Port too early in the evening.
by Alex Bridgeman
00:13 Sat 28 Mar 2026
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Port Wine Picture in Cellar
Replies: 25
Views: 3716

Re: Port Wine Picture in Cellar

mosesbotbol wrote: 00:57 Fri 27 Mar 2026 Do any port houses even have 500K+ bottle counts in their cellars?
That’s only 375,000 litres. Roughly 750 pipes.

I’m sure Churchill and Taylor have balseiros that are about that size. Although the Taylor one contains, IIRC, Special Reserve.
by Alex Bridgeman
23:54 Fri 27 Mar 2026
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: Tue 21 April 2026: Elizabeth II’s 100th
Replies: 61
Views: 14026

Re: Tue 21 April 2026: Elizabeth II’s 100th

I’m not attending. But if I was, I’d bring something appropriate like a Vesúvio 2015 in recognition of the year she became our longest reigning monarch.
by Alex Bridgeman
21:47 Fri 27 Mar 2026
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: 60 @ 66 - Tuesday 14 April 2026
Replies: 106
Views: 26291

Re: 60 @ 66 - Tuesday 14 April 2026

No starter
Medium rare tomahawk shared with Martin plus skinny fries and a portion of roasted carrots.
Dessert tbdotd
by Alex Bridgeman
11:17 Fri 27 Mar 2026
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: 60 @ 66 - Tuesday 14 April 2026
Replies: 106
Views: 26291

Re: 60 @ 66 - Tuesday 14 April 2026

Anyone want to share a medium rare tomahawk steak?
by Alex Bridgeman
11:16 Fri 27 Mar 2026
Forum: Meaningless Drivel
Topic: annoying math problem
Replies: 10
Views: 2941

Re: annoying math problem

I think Julian is right (no surprise really). The average cost of a book is equal to the average cost of a cover plus the average cost per page x average number of pages. You should have enough data to solve the simple two unknown formula. You can make your life easy by assuming either of: (i) No in...
by Alex Bridgeman
18:49 Tue 24 Mar 2026
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: 2024 Ramos Pinto Ervamoira
Replies: 1
Views: 797

Re: 2024 Ramos Pinto Ervamoira

Julian also tasted this at the bft. Everyone, encourage him to post his thoughts too!
by Alex Bridgeman
18:49 Tue 24 Mar 2026
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: 2024 Ramos Pinto Ervamoira
Replies: 1
Views: 797

2024 Ramos Pinto Ervamoira

From Ramos Pinto. A cask sample shown at the BFT on 23-Mar-2026. Dark maroon bordering on purple in colour, with a narrow rim. Damson fruit and esteva perfume on the nose, ripe and fragrant without being sweet. The fruit on the palate is caged and restrained. The interplay between the ripeness of th...
by Alex Bridgeman
18:01 Tue 24 Mar 2026
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: 60 @ 66 - Tuesday 14 April 2026
Replies: 106
Views: 26291

Re: 60 @ 66 - Tuesday 14 April 2026

And I have a minor problem. My BBR bottled T60 listed in my cellar records turns out to be “believed T60” when I get the bottle out. It has no label and a dark green foil. According to Vintageport.info the T60 should have a black foil. Noval 1960 was bottled by BBR with a dark green foil… I have no...
by Alex Bridgeman
17:01 Tue 24 Mar 2026
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: 60 @ 66 - Tuesday 14 April 2026
Replies: 106
Views: 26291

Re: 60 @ 66 - Tuesday 14 April 2026

And I have a minor problem. My BBR bottled T60 listed in my cellar records turns out to be “believed T60” when I get the bottle out. It has no label and a dark green foil. According to Vintageport.info the T60 should have a black foil. Noval 1960 was bottled by BBR with a dark green foil… I have no ...
by Alex Bridgeman
23:24 Mon 23 Mar 2026
Forum: Reviews
Topic: 1966s, at sixty, on Tue 17 Mar 2026, at B&F
Replies: 13
Views: 3297

Re: 1966s, at sixty, on Tue 17 Mar 2026, at B&F

Some time ago we said the same thing about 1963’s. Then they came out of whatever phase they went into and were fabulous again. Do you think the same has now happened to the 1966’s? And a few years before that we were saying the same thing about the 1960s. I wonder if there’s something to be learne...
by Alex Bridgeman
18:06 Sun 22 Mar 2026
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Latest buy
Replies: 2431
Views: 6350118

Re: Latest buy

I think it was bottled in 1976...
by Alex Bridgeman
23:54 Sat 21 Mar 2026
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Latest buy
Replies: 2431
Views: 6350118

Re: Latest buy

4 bottles of Quevedo 2012 White Colheita (bottled 2026). Stocking up for the summer.
by Alex Bridgeman
19:18 Fri 20 Mar 2026
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Cork Rests
Replies: 51
Views: 9979

Re: Cork Rests

Is this a design flaw?
Is this a design flaw?
IMG_8235.jpeg (68.85 KiB) Viewed 8259 times

This came out of a bottle of Port this evening.
by Alex Bridgeman
20:50 Thu 19 Mar 2026
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Cork Rests
Replies: 51
Views: 9979

Re: Cork Rests

Is there a cork rest for the caged mushroom corks that come out of bottles of sparkling Port?
by Alex Bridgeman
09:31 Tue 17 Mar 2026
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: 1966 Fonseca
Replies: 2
Views: 1021

Re: 1966 Fonseca

Berry Brothers bottling
Berry Brothers bottling
IMG_8225.jpeg (2.02 MiB) Viewed 1010 times
BBR logo
BBR logo
IMG_8226.jpeg (1.51 MiB) Viewed 1010 times
Dark green foil
Dark green foil
IMG_8227.jpeg (1.35 MiB) Viewed 1010 times

The bottle about to be double decanted. Acquired from Berry Brothers in St James on 20th February 2006, priced at £128. Ex BBR cellar stock.
by Alex Bridgeman
22:55 Mon 16 Mar 2026
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: 66 @ 60 - Tuesday 17 March 2026
Replies: 88
Views: 26400

Re: 66 @ 60 - Tuesday 17 March 2026

I plan to double decanted my F66 about 8am.

If I can make it into London tomorrow night I’ll share it. If I can’t make it into London, I’ll console myself with it.

Currently looking 70/30 in my favour for me to make it.
by Alex Bridgeman
09:47 Sun 15 Mar 2026
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Cork Rests
Replies: 51
Views: 9979

Re: Cork Rests

What a statement piece!
What a statement piece!
Cork rest mark 1.png (246.67 KiB) Viewed 8929 times

I must admit, it's not easy to sneak the Mark 1 version into the house without the other half noticing. It's also quite a challenge to find bottles with corks big enough to fit on the Mark 1.

I'm relieved that the Mark 2 version is smaller and lighter.
by Alex Bridgeman
22:33 Fri 13 Mar 2026
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: 4 Bottles to sell!
Replies: 21
Views: 5287

Re: 4 Bottles to sell!

Can't cook with them as I don't drink - i said that at the start!!!!! As for deleting, according to the FAQs, I can't delete my message once I have had a reply! So it seems that I am stumped! I am unlikely to return to this forum ,if an administrator happens to catch these comments, I hereby give m...
by Alex Bridgeman
21:23 Fri 13 Mar 2026
Forum: Travel
Topic: Port in Paris
Replies: 1
Views: 1628

Re: Port in Paris

I have a vague recollection that Portologia is in Paris.

But a quick Google suggests that it is now permanently closed.
by Alex Bridgeman
23:57 Mon 09 Mar 2026
Forum: Reference
Topic: List of grape varieties permitted by the IVDP for use in production of Port
Replies: 12
Views: 9125

Re: List of grape varieties permitted by the IVDP for use in production of Port

I am waiting for the time that someone in the Douro goes completely rogue and makes a Vinho Fortificado de Portugal which falls outside the scope of the IVDP. Almost as if it was a family reserve which hadn't been registered and recorded... AFAIK, you can't, all wine spirit (aguardente) in the Dour...
by Alex Bridgeman
23:54 Mon 09 Mar 2026
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Dating a bottle with no label
Replies: 9
Views: 2446

Re: Dating a bottle with no label

I would have guessed the bottle to be 1920s to 1940s.
by Alex Bridgeman
23:50 Mon 09 Mar 2026
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: Tue 21 April 2026: Elizabeth II’s 100th
Replies: 61
Views: 14026

Re: Tue 21 April 2026: Elizabeth II’s 100th

jdaw1 wrote: 19:40 Mon 09 Mar 2026 In the FT there was a good comment from somebody with handle “Vintage Chateau d'Yquem”.
Only those with a subscription to the FT will know just how good the comments were...
by Alex Bridgeman
23:43 Mon 09 Mar 2026
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: 2024 Vintage Declarations
Replies: 7
Views: 2990

Re: 2024 Vintage Declarations

Churchill, Niepoort and Quevedo are showing 2024 cask samples at the bft.
by Alex Bridgeman
23:41 Mon 09 Mar 2026
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: 2024 Vintage Declarations
Replies: 7
Views: 2990

Re: 2024 Vintage Declarations

Here PCM reports that Sogrape have declared Sandeman and Ferreira 2024
by Alex Bridgeman
23:30 Mon 09 Mar 2026
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: 2023 Declarations
Replies: 27
Views: 78743

Re: 2023 Declarations

Although I've demoted this topic from being a sticky, if anyone becomes aware of any 2023 declarations which are not on the first post then please say so in the thread.
by Alex Bridgeman
23:28 Mon 09 Mar 2026
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: 2024 Vintage Declarations
Replies: 7
Views: 2990

2024 Vintage Declarations

Churchill Kopke Group Burmester Kopke Niepoort Quevedo Ramos Pinto Ramos Pinto Ramos Pinto Quinta de Ervamoira Sogrape: Ferreira Sandeman Symington Family Estates Cockburn Dow Graham Graham Stone Terraces Quinta de Roriz Quinta do Vesuvio Quinta do Vesuvio, Capela de Vesuvio Smith Woodhouse Warre L...