Monday 13th October 2025 - Taylor Vertical

[jdaw1]

The draft of the placemats has been updated, there being pictures in the first post.

We might need a Taylor vertical- part 2 - the postwar years. That I would very much like to attend. In fact, I’ll arrange it.

Taylor Vertical - Post WW2

[Alex Bridgeman]

First post updated.

Sorry Mike.

To get a seat at the table would now require a 1906, 1904 or older wine. (And I’ve never tasted either of those!)

[jdaw1]

a 1906

Proper rare, that. Also see TH06, re Broadbent.

[Alex Bridgeman]

1908 is the oldest Taylor that I have knowingly tasted to date. There might be some older unknowns which were Taylor, but who knows. I don’t.

[nac]

(Sorry Mike)

A degree of inevitability

Given this isn't happening until October, I'm pretty certain my 48 and I will also get relegated.

[Mike J. W.]

(Sorry Mike)

A degree of inevitability

Given this isn't happening until October, I'm pretty certain my 48 and I will also get relegated.

I think you could be relatively safe, Neil. I suspect if someone had a 1906, 1904 (or older) and they wanted into the tasting they would have popped up by now. I can only think of one TPF member who hasn't responded yet that has a really deep cellar. Good luck.

P.S. If I hit the lottery between now and then, you'll be out for sure.

[jdaw1]

The rules could be made more fun.

• People may opt to “hold firm”.
• To bump from the list somebody who has so opted, it must for a bottle ≥10 years older than the current youngest missing vintage. If a bottle not that old were offered, it would be the next in line who is compared to that newly offered bottle.
• But if bumped, that person’s bottle still comes.

So if Neil now were to “hold firm”, it would take an 1896 to bump him, but if a ’96 were offered, Neil’s ’48 would still be drunk by the attendees — so not by Neil.

Alex: do you approve the rule variation? Neil, if he does, danger danger decision!

[nac]

Mr Carter has a couple of bottles of "Believed" Taylor 1884 for sale if the lottery numbers do come through.

[nac]

The rules could be made more fun.

• People may opt to “hold firm”.
• To bump from the list somebody who has so opted, it must for a bottle ≥10 years older than the current youngest missing vintage. If a bottle not that old were offered, it would be the next in line who is compared to that newly offered bottle.
• But if bumped, that person’s bottle still comes.

So if Neil now were to “hold firm”, it would take an 1896 to bump him, but if a ’96 were offered, Neil’s ’48 would still be drunk by the attendees — so not by Neil.

Alex: do you approve the rule variation? Neil, if he does, danger danger decision!

@Julian - be quiet troublemaker.

[jdaw1]

@Julian - be quiet troublemaker.

Yes sir. Sorry sir.

[Alex Bridgeman]

As it is, Neil is potentially the only vintage which will appear at both this tasting and at the post-war Taylor tasting George is organising.

[Mike J. W.]

Mr Carter has a couple of bottles of "Believed" Taylor 1884 for sale if the lottery numbers do come through.

Alex may require documented proof, but I'll certainly keep them in mind. I also better go buy some lottery tickets.

[Mike J. W.]

@Julian - be quiet troublemaker.

Yes sir. Sorry sir.

For some reason Julian's comment reminded me of the quote from the movie The Quiet Man where a drunken Squire Red Will Danaher (Victor McLaglen) says "Yes ma'am. Sorry ma'am" to his sister Mary Kate Danaher (Maureen O'Hara) after she basically tells him to shut up. I love that movie.

[jdaw1]

But I didn’t understand the reprimand. My proposal would have put Neil in a stronger position, not a weaker one.

[Alex Bridgeman]

I've given up trying to push water uphill with Hawksmoor, they have just been too difficult and too unresponsive for me to organise this tasting with them.

By contrast, Noble Rot in Shepherd Market, Mayfair have been incredibly helpful and following a very successful lunch experience a few weeks ago, have agreed to host us on October 13th.

I have ordered a suckling pig for the 8 of us attending. The format of the evening will be:
6.00pm aperitifs; order starters from the a la carte menu
6.30pm starters
7.00pm suckling pig main course
7.45pm dessert
8.00pm table cleared and laid out for tasting of 12 vintages of Taylor VP (currently 1948-1900). 96 glasses have been ordered in so we can taste all the wines side-by-side.
11.00pm carriages

Aperitifs and wine to accompany the pig will be ordered from the restaurant wine list.

If anyone wants to opt out of the suckling pig, please tell me as soon as you can.

I estimate the cost to be around £150-170 per person, covering food, glass hire, service and corkage.

The first post has been updated with the information above.

[cem]

Excellent choice Alex

[jdaw1]

The placemats have been updated for the new location.

[Alex Bridgeman]

The placemats have been updated for the new location.

Thank you Julian.

I no longer have easy access to a laser printer. Would anyone be able to print the placemats and bring them to the tasting? The good news is that is doesn’t need to be anyone who arrives early since we won’t start the Port tasting until after we’ve eaten.

[mcoulson]

I can sort printing .....