Taylor Single Harvest Tawny Tasting - 16 May 2024

[djewesbury]

And on my birthday! How charming.

[flash_uk]

Greetings Daniel - hope all well with you!

[Glenn E.]

The draft of the placemats has been updated in accordance with my understanding of Glenn’s guidance. Glenn: please re-inspect and comment.

I think that covers it!

[nac]

The Quevedo White was incorrectly described in the original list in the first post, but now updated.
It’s actually the “Very Old…” so amendment required to placemats.

[PhilW]

The Quevedo White was incorrectly described in the original list in the first post, but now updated.
It’s actually the “Very Old…” so amendment required to placemats.

To be fair, it depends whether you're looking at the box or the label. It is really "Quevedo 1970 white", but due to regulations had to be labelled as "Quevedo Very Old white port", and was released in 2020 in a box marked "50 year old port" (latter quite possibly on request of importer).

[nac]

The Quevedo White was incorrectly described in the original list in the first post, but now updated.
It’s actually the “Very Old…” so amendment required to placemats.

To be fair, it depends whether you're looking at the box or the label. It is really "Quevedo 1970 white", but due to regulations had to be labelled as "Quevedo Very Old white port", and was released in 2020 in a box marked "50 year old port" (latter quite possibly on request of importer).

Correct. But there's now a "proper" 50yo White Quevedo, which probably isn't the same as this.

[PhilW]

Correct. But there's now a "proper" 50yo White Quevedo, which probably isn't the same as this.

I don't think we're disagreeing

[Alex Bridgeman]

There are several “Very Old White”s from Quevedo - from 1970, 1975 and 1981 at a minimum. I’d like the placemat to make it clear which one we’re tasting.

[nac]

There are several “Very Old White”s from Quevedo - from 1970, 1975 and 1981 at a minimum. I’d like the placemat to make it clear which one we’re tasting.

It is definitely the 1970.

[Glenn E.]

The Quevedo White was incorrectly described in the original list in the first post, but now updated.
It’s actually the “Very Old…” so amendment required to placemats.

To be fair, it depends whether you're looking at the box or the label. It is really "Quevedo 1970 white", but due to regulations had to be labelled as "Quevedo Very Old white port", and was released in 2020 in a box marked "50 year old port" (latter quite possibly on request of importer).

IIRC, anything that is at least 10 years old can be called an "Old Port". Anything that is at least 20 years old can be called a "Very Old Port". There is also now (as of 2022) the new Very Very Old Port category, which I believe is intended for bottles that are 80+ years old. I haven't seen that regulation, though, so am not sure about the exact age required for something to be labeled VVO.

Anyway... for the Quevedo...

For us geeks, it is an unregistered 1970 Colheita Branco.

Legally...

1. They do not have proper/registered documentation to sell it as a 1970 White Colheita.
2. When it was made, the 50 Year Old White Port category was not yet available.

That left them with 2 options as far as I know. The most basic is for it to technically be "just" a Reserve White Port that they brand and label as something more special. The other is to bottle it as a "with an indication of age" 40 Year Old White Port, but that then requires a tasting panel review and it would be bottled and sold as a 40. I don't have a bottle of it, but I assume they went with the former as that gives them much more leeway.

We have another similar example: the Ste. Eufemia Special Reserve White is in reality an unregistered 1973 Colheita Branco. Note that when the Ste. Eufemia was made it was only a little over 30-ish years old, so they couldn't submit it as a 40 and/or call it a Very Old White. So it is technically a Reserve White Port (ergo, "Special Reserve White").

The new Quevedo 50 Year Old White Port is a blend "with an indication of age", as fits the new category. It would be very interesting to compare the two just to see what Claudia is doing with the blend vs what nature gave them as a Colheita.

I have a couple of bottles of the Ste. Eufemia Special Reserve White left and can bring one if we would like to add it to the tasting. I have both the normal bottle and the flared base bottle. AFAIK those are just different bottling runs for different markets, not different Ports.

[MigSU]

There is also now (as of 2022) the new Very Very Old Port category, which I believe is intended for bottles that are 80+ years old. I haven't seen that regulation, though, so am not sure about the exact age required for something to be labeled VVO.

Here you go!

https://files.diariodarepublica.pt/2s/2 ... 200102.pdf

[nac]

I have a couple of bottles of the Ste. Eufemia Special Reserve White left and can bring one if we would like to add it to the tasting. I have both the normal bottle and the flared base bottle. AFAIK those are just different bottling runs for different markets, not different Ports.

I think that sounds like a splendid idea.
The Quevedo won't be quite as lonely.

[Glenn E.]

There is also now (as of 2022) the new Very Very Old Port category, which I believe is intended for bottles that are 80+ years old. I haven't seen that regulation, though, so am not sure about the exact age required for something to be labeled VVO.

Here you go!

https://files.diariodarepublica.pt/2s/2 ... 200102.pdf

Obrigado!

I have a couple of bottles of the Ste. Eufemia Special Reserve White left and can bring one if we would like to add it to the tasting. I have both the normal bottle and the flared base bottle. AFAIK those are just different bottling runs for different markets, not different Ports.

I think that sounds like a splendid idea.
The Quevedo won't be quite as lonely.

I'll set one aside! Now I just have to remember to bring it.

[Glenn E.]

Question that is also relevant to this tasting posted in the Graham's vertical thread.

[Glenn E.]

My airfare has been purchased and the Ste. Eufemia Special Reserve White has been set out so that I don't forget it!

[Axel P]

Please put Ralph and me on the list. Thank you

[nac]

Please put Ralph and me on the list. Thank you

I've added you to the "interested" list, but given that my preference is for this to be only 10 heads, it's unlikely (at the moment) that you'll make it to the table.

[nac]

I would like to attend if space permitting

I've added you to the "interested" list, but previous comments about number of attendees still apply.

[nac]

I'd like to get the confirmed attendee list sorted fairly soon, so if you're on the "interested" list and haven't confirmed you can make the date please do ASAP.

Those marked in bold on the first post are definitely "at the table". List will be updated as availabilities are confirmed.

[Doggett]

With enormous regret I must withdraw and miss this tasting. Enjoy!

[hadge]

I can't make this date of the 16th May. Enjoy.

[forest26]

Confirmed

[Axel P]

Let me know if you decide to increase the table to 12

[nac]

The list of attendees has been updated and all have confirmed attendance.
This is going to stay as 10 heads, but there are currently two reserves (Axel & Ralph) should anyone drop out.

To maintain a sensible bottles/head ratio I've decided that we'll just stick to the Taylor bottles and skip the whites. As such, the Quevedo is removed and Glenn doesn't need to bring the Ste. Eufemia Special Reserve.

Julian - could you update the placemats please?

I'll do the food order in a couple of weeks.

Very much looking forward to this.

[Glenn E.]

To maintain a sensible bottles/head ratio I've decided that we'll just stick to the Taylor bottles and skip the whites. As such, the Quevedo is removed and Glenn doesn't need to bring the Ste. Eufemia Special Reserve.

Noted, thank you. It shall go back to sleeping in my wine fridge.

[M.Charlton]

Very much looking forward to this.

Ditto. Thank you for organising, Neil!

[jdaw1]

Julian - could you update the placemats please?

Done, I hope correctly.

[Glenn E.]

To maintain a sensible bottles/head ratio I've decided that we'll just stick to the Taylor bottles and skip the whites. As such, the Quevedo is removed and Glenn doesn't need to bring the Ste. Eufemia Special Reserve.

Noted, thank you. It shall go back to sleeping in my wine fridge.

[Narrator: it did not go back to sleeping in his wine fridge.]

Since it was sitting out, I opened it for the Sammamish Port Club. It was delicious.

Color of light honey with perhaps a dab of extra orange tint. Nose of honey, grilled pineapple, cream cheese icing, and Brach's vanilla caramel swirl candies. The palate showed white peach, grilled pineapple, some honey, and some very light apricot. Medium body, good acidity, clean and moderately dry finish. 94 points.

For reference, I am typically 2 or 3 points higher than Alex when scoring... in this case I suspect 2 since this is a white Port. When we're 3 points apart it is more typically for a VP. This was a superb showing for a Port that has now been in bottle for well over 10 years (no bottling date on the bottle so I cannot be more precise, other than the upper limit is ~20 years in bottle).

[PhilW]

Noted, thank you. It shall go back to sleeping in my wine fridge.

[Narrator: it did not go back to sleeping in his wine fridge.]

Love the inner voice inclusion

[nac]

Julian - could you update the placemats please?

Done, I hope correctly.

Appears to be a "Michael M" on the attendees who isn't.
Other than that all good.

[nac]

This is now only a few weeks away, so now need to start considering the food order. Please let me know what you want.

Also, I can confirm that the per head cost (based on 10 attendees) for the 12 bottles is £250.88 - so £250!
To keep things simple on the night, we'll settle the food bill separately.

The bottles have been extracted from their cellar locations and stood up.
We are having the 1961, 1964-1971, VVO Platinum Jubilee, VVO Coronation, and the Golden Age 50.

My intention is to open (but not decant) the bottles the morning of the tasting, and then put the stoppers back in just before travelling to the B&F.

[Glenn E.]

For this Single Harvest Tawny Port tasting, I would like:

Potted Devon Crab
Davy's Kentish Bangers and Mash with Madeira gravy
side of Welsh Rarebit

Note that my orders for the 2 tastings during this week are different, if that is okay.

[mcoulson]

Can I have Ham Hock terrine, Sirloin (medium), skinny fries, green beans and peppercorn sauce

[CPR 1]

Can I please have:

Smoked Salmon
Davy’s burger, salad, dill pickle, chipotle mayonnaise, fries
Welsh rarebit

Thanks

[PhilW]

For me please:
Potted Devon crab
Slow roasted belly pork

[Alex Bridgeman]

I’ll have smoked salmon starter (with the chilli dressing on the side), and a main of slow roasted belly pork with fries instead of sweet potato mash and a side of roasted carrots.

[MigSU]

Make sure to order the rarebit in advance. I learned that lesson the hard way on Wednesday - and I wasn't the only one.

[flash_uk]

This tasting seems to have suddenly crept up!

Food order for me please:

Potted Devon crab
Sirloin (rare) + fried egg
Fries
Broccoli

Welsh rarebit

Thx

[M.Charlton]

Please could I have:
S: Potted Devon crab
M: Ribeye (rare) with Stilton sauce, fries, green beans (or spinach if they cannot accommodate)
S: Welsh rarebit

[winesecretary]

Starter: green salad
Main: harissa chicken
Pudding: Welsh rarebit

Thank you

[Doggett]

The 50YO, Very very Old and especially the 1896 were drinking beautifully at the b.f.t.

[jdaw1]

Julian - could you update the placemats please?

Done, I hope correctly.

Appears to be a "Michael M" on the attendees who isn't.
Other than that all good.

The placemats have been fixed.

[nac]

Julian - could you update the placemats please?

Done, I hope correctly.

Appears to be a "Michael M" on the attendees who isn't.
Other than that all good.

The placemats have been fixed.

Many thanks

[nac]

Bottle have been stood up (a while ago), extracted from cellar, and taken to London in readiness for next week...

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t1.JPG (66.1 KiB) Viewed 10744 times

[MigSU]

That's a beautiful lineup.

[winesecretary]

Is most certainly is!

[Doggett]

Is most certainly is!

Just looking at the pictures seems to have George slurring

[winesecretary]

At 1013 on a Sunday morning too

[Alex Bridgeman]

I've just seen the pictures - now I am feeling rather thirsty!

[nac]

Paperwork printed.