19 Feb 25 (TBC) - Niche-interest bottlings & old reliables

[RAYC]

When: Wednesday 19 February 2025
Where: Boot & Flogger, if available. If not, TBC.


I am potentially passing through London in mid-Feb. When doing an inspection of my Big Yellow holdings recently, I was shocked at the number of unusual niche-interest ports (defined as fully mature but <3 prior TNs on TPF) that I'd obviously acquired with a view to tasting with the TPF crowd at some point or another, and I would like to start depleting these in appropriate company.

I'll bring 3 of those bottles + one "old reliable", plus one guest if numbers permit (but with priority to current regulars). Happy for others to bring their choice (or just to turn up without anything and I am happy to open another on their behalf - at current rate of vintage port consumption I have multiple lifetimes of stock that I need to figure out how to get through, but couldn't bear to sell....).

Bottles to be brought blind for casual guessing.

Attendees:

(1) RAYC
(2) Ben (BMHR)
(3) winesecretary (GEG)
(4) Mike (MPM)
(5) Alex (AHB)
(6) Charles (CPR)
(7) Harry (HTWH)
(8) Ian (IDJ)
(9) Michael (MC)
(10) Phil (PW)
(11) NAC
(12) MSC
(13) JDAW

Reserves:

(1) [open]
(2) KZZM (former attendee of a few tastings).

[benread]

I’m not sure if my recent attendance record meets your qualification criteria, but if a space ends up with my name on it, the fact both kids are away on school trips that week significantly simplifies the usual complications I face! And I may have a pair of bottles perfect for what you suggest!


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[winesecretary]

I think I have a number of appropriate wines for the theme and would very much like to attend.

[flash_uk]

Long time Rob! Count me in please.

[Alex Bridgeman]

I’m sure I have something which would fit the theme.

Yes please!

(If you need any UK based help in making arrangements, I’m happy to lend a hand.)

[CPR 1]

Great theme. Count me in please.

[hadge]

I'm aware we haven't met before, if there is space for me i would love to join in the fun and games, so yes please. I'm sure that i can find something fun for this.

[idj123]

Yes, count me in Rob.

[M.Charlton]

Ditto re not having met you before, Rob, but if there’s space please may I join?

[RAYC]

Excellent - first post updated. Will get on to admin with B&F.

[PhilW]

Sounds good, and would be great to see you again, please count me in.

[nac]

Yes please

[mcoulson]

May I join in please ?

[jdaw1]

Yes please.

It’s good to have you back on the forum. And we’ll definitely help deplete your stock of interesting bottles.

[pommy42]

Hi Rob, I too would love to be added to the reserves list for this one and attend if at all possible! Superb theme!

[jdaw1]

I don’t think that I have anything meeting standard of niche-interest. So there are two obvious possibilities.
• Bring an “old-reliable”.
• Adopt a “niche-interest”.

And it is well known, on this forum, which to choose when there are two possibilities.

[DRT]

I don’t think that I have anything meeting standard of niche-interest. So there are two obvious possibilities.
• Bring an “old-reliable”.
• Adopt a “niche-interest”.

And it is well known, on this forum, which to choose when there are two possibilities.

Both?

[jdaw1]

Both?

Why the question mark?

[DRT]

{sackclothandashes}

[Alex Bridgeman]

Rob - I love the theme, but I need to ask two points of clarification before I start my 12 weeks of detailed planning to decide which bottle to select and bring.

Niche interest is defined as "fully mature and <3 tasting notes on the database".

(1) Are you happy to leave the attendee to self-define what constitutes "fully mature" or would you prefer to impose a minimum age before a Port can be considered fully mature?

(2) Please can we agree that "<3 tasting notes" means "less than three tasting notes showing on the tasting note database index as at today's (30 November 2024) date"? That saves a lot of painful trawling through the Tasting Notes forum looking to see if someone has just posted a third tasting note on the 1815 Ferreira.

[winesecretary]

Put me down for this as I have found a couple of options in the cellar.

It’s not going to ruin the theme if I reveal now neither of them is the 1815 Ferreira.