Croft vertical, Tue 07 Nov 2023

[jdaw1]

Harry does have a ’27, and a ’94, and has volunteered both. Thank you.

Food order submitted.

I expect that David G.’s possible ’17 won’t arrive in time, so it has been removed from the placemats. Indeed, placemats believed good: somebody please check.

[jdaw1]

Bottle bringing:

• CPR:
  • Cr50;
  • Cr60;
  • Cr70;
  • Cr75;
  • Cr03;
• GEAG:
  • Cr91;
  • Cr00;
  • Cr11;
• IDJ:
  • Cr66;
  • Cr77;
• HTWH:
  • Cr27;
  • Cr94;
• TC: Cr35;
• AHB: Cr45;
• PW: Cr55;
• MSC: Cr63.

Which is sixteen bottles between fourteen of us (JDAW, WHW, MS, IDJ, PW, AHB, TC, MJM, HTHW, SCD, MSC, GEAG, CPR, CMAG).

[jdaw1]

I have done the accounts, and propose to instruct various payments. Any objection to that happening in advance?

[Alex Bridgeman]

No objection from me.

[PhilW]

I have done the accounts, and propose to instruct various payments. Any objection to that happening in advance?

Fine by me.

[flash_uk]

Harry does have a ’27, and a ’94, and has volunteered both. Thank you.

Food order submitted.

I expect that David G.’s possible ’17 won’t arrive in time, so it has been removed from the placemats. Indeed, placemats believed good: somebody please check.

Placemats checked - look good to me.

[flash_uk]

I can be there early on the 7th, but I can't print. Placemat set-up will need attention given we are 14 and A3+half A4.

Who can print and be there for 5-5.30??

[flash_uk]

Printing now sorted. Looking forward to this one!

[idj123]

Apologies for the delay (been on hols) but my food order reverts to my usual:
Mac n cheese
Steak (M-R) and fries with green beans

Thanks

[jdaw1]

I expect that David G.’s possible ’17 won’t arrive in time, so it has been removed from the placemats.

I can only apologise to David Guimaraens for this dastardly and wicked slur upon his splendid character and his skills of organisation. Barely had I posted these foolish words, a mere one sunrise later, when, by the postman, they were proved to be utterly wrong, with no basis in truth or fact. Written in haste; regretted at leisure. I am sorry.†

The placemats have been updated.

† Ed: is this enough?

[jdaw1]

Please can we try for a consistent decanting? Could we all open bottles the night before, and decant between 07:00 and 09:30?

[Alex Bridgeman]

Will do.

[mcoulson]

Please can we try for a consistent decanting? Could we all open bottles the night before, and decant between 07:00 and 09:30?

Certainly can do just that ...

[jdaw1]

Small concern. The last message from SCD might have been a while ago:

Can I please go on the reserve list

He read a WhatsApp message of mine in late September. If anybody has recent news, especially if correlated with possible attendance, please let me know — privately if appropriate.

[Doggett]

My apologies. Not been on the site for a while and I had forgotten about this tasting. I am afraid I have too many rooms booked in that evening to get away so could a reserve please be promoted. I had no appropriate bottle so hopefully It will be straightforward. My apologies for the late notice.

[jdaw1]

Our two ‘reserves’ are people who had withdrawn. Further reserves are being sought.

[winesecretary]

I am happy to open and decant my youngsters in line with the request above.

[M.Charlton]

Our two ‘reserves’ are people who had withdrawn. Further reserves are being sought.

I can now make that evening, if you’re still looking for someone to take a seat?

[jdaw1]

Our two ‘reserves’ are people who had withdrawn. Further reserves are being sought.

I can now make that evening, if you’re still looking for someone to take a seat?

It might be yours. It has been offered to somebody else, and a decision will come soon.

[Alex Bridgeman]

Please can we try for a consistent decanting? Could we all open bottles the night before, and decant between 07:00 and 09:30?

A request for clarification.

Are you asking us to decant into a decanter between 07.00 and 09.30 and to bring the decanter with us?

Or are we to double decanter at that time?

Or are we to decant, leave the Port in the decanter for a while and then double decant?

Please clarify the instructions.

[jdaw1]

I don’t believe that there is a material between single and double decanting (yes, this statement could have playful consequences). Both thoroughly tumble the liquid with air: they are properly mixed. Does a second tumble add to that? Well, in this context, air is mixed in, so I think not. So either single into decanter, or immediately back into the bottle — whatever is convenient.

We will be fourteen, so will be pre-pouring, so decanters will not be circulating.

[jdaw1]

Our two ‘reserves’ are people who had withdrawn. Further reserves are being sought.

I can now make that evening, if you’re still looking for someone to take a seat?

Seat is yours. Please confirm. You are to order food on the day.

[jdaw1]

Somebody important†, somebody important who loves Croft, is unable to attend. We — all of us ‘we’, not just AHB + JDAW — are to post TNs. Threads will be made.

† Ask on the day, if you must.

[jdaw1]

Somebody important†, somebody important who loves Croft, is unable to attend. We — all of us ‘we’, not just AHB + JDAW — are to post TNs. Threads will be made.

Links:

• Review of evening as a whole;
• Tasting notes:
  • 1927 Croft;
  • 1935 Croft;
  • 1945 Croft;
  • 1950 Croft;
  • 1955 Croft;
  • 1960 Croft;
  • 1963 Croft;
  • 1966 Croft;
  • 1970 Croft;
  • 1975 Croft;
  • 1977 Croft;
  • 1991 Croft;
  • 1994 Croft;
  • 2000 Croft;
  • 2003 Croft;
  • 2011 Croft;
  • 2017 Croft;
• Placemats, and the food order;
• Planning and arrangements.

[M.Charlton]

Our two ‘reserves’ are people who had withdrawn. Further reserves are being sought.

I can now make that evening, if you’re still looking for someone to take a seat?

Seat is yours. Please confirm. You are to order food on the day.

Thank you - I can confirm.

[jdaw1]

Current draft of the placemats

• Review of evening as a whole;
• Tasting notes:
  • 1927 Croft;
  • 1935 Croft;
  • 1945 Croft;
  • 1950 Croft;
  • 1955 Croft;
  • 1960 Croft;
  • 1963 Croft;
  • 1966 Croft;
  • 1970 Croft;
  • 1975 Croft;
  • 1977 Croft;
  • 1991 Croft;
  • 1994 Croft;
  • 2000 Croft;
  • 2003 Croft;
  • 2011 Croft;
  • 2017 Croft;
• Placemats, and the food order;
• Planning and arrangements.

[jdaw1]

The cost of bottles is being settled by a near-minimal set of bilateral payments. Instructions have been sent by PM.

If late payers need nudging, nudge me and I will nudge the reprobates.

[jdaw1]

It’s going to be a splendid tasting. In the last century, only two decades are not represented: 1980s, and 2020s.

[Christopher]

Thank you for all your hardwork organising this Julian
Much appreciated

[Alex Bridgeman]

I am about to open (but not decant) my bottle of 1945.

Is this too early?

[jdaw1]

2017 just opened; pictures of cork in Cr17 thread.

[jdaw1]

I will arrive at about 17:00, for setup. Bottles will arrive pre-decanted, so what needs doing is layout and pre-pouring. And, perhaps, quality-assuring a glass of beer.

[flash_uk]

I will arrive at about 17:00, for setup. Bottles will arrive pre-decanted, so what needs doing is layout and pre-pouring. And, perhaps, quality-assuring a glass of beer.

I should arrive at around 1715 to assist.

[Alex Bridgeman]

I have a meeting which starts about 4pm. As soon as that’s over, I’ll head to the B&F.

[PhilW]

I should be there around 17:30 to help.

[forest26]

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Croft 35 - decanted 10am

[idj123]

Bottles decanted in accordance with Julian’s directions. No taste test but colour (of both) suggests fully mature VP. ETA a little earlier than normal at around 5.35pm all being well.

[nac]

Disappointed to have to withdraw from this. The lineup looks amazing. Hopefully all the bottles behave.

[winesecretary]

That was a wonderful tasting, ably organised by Julian and well supported by a generous and convivial crowd. I had a lovely time. Thank you to Julian and to you all.