1995 tasting - Tuesday 13 January 2026 (B&F) New Date

[jdaw1]

Julian and I would like to share a chateaubriand (blue)

Confirmed. Plus starter of Scotch Egg, and with the main course fries and carrots. And, pls, the usual Welsh Rarebit (extra extra extra cheesey).

[jdaw1]

Usual practice for me is morning decant, into cool decanter, kept cool by ice packs. But I’m bringing a Graham LBV (bot. 2001), as donated by Harry, and likewise a Tesco 1995 doesn’t need a twelve-hour decant. I propose:
• 7am for the Warre Cavadinha 1995, and kept cool;
• After lunch (so in my office) for the Tesco 1995, and kept cool;
• At B&F (so approximately pop-and-pour) for the Graham 1995 LBV, having been kept cool.

Any objections?

[mcoulson]

Usual practice for me is morning decant, into cool decanter, kept cool by ice packs. But I’m bringing a Graham LBV (bot. 2001), as donated by Harry, and likewise a Tesco 1995 doesn’t need a twelve-hour decant. I propose:
• 7am for the Warre Cavadinha 1995, and kept cool;
• After lunch (so in my office) for the Tesco 1995, and kept cool;
• At B&F (so approximately pop-and-pour) for the Graham 1995 LBV, having been kept cool.

Any objections?

So we are 11 people with 12 bottles ?

[jdaw1]

So we are 11 people with 12 bottles ?

Using that version of non-Euclidean mathematics in which 12 ≈ 16, yes, definitely, precisely what Martin said.

Edit: TVVV, TV, FG, ChAA, Os, Cs, Pt, In, N, RP, W ʟʙᴠ, W, V, G ʟʙᴠ, GM, Ts.

[jdaw1]

… a draft of the placemats, pictures of which have been added to the first post.

Usual request: please would somebody carefully check the placemats.

[Alex Bridgeman]

… a draft of the placemats, pictures of which have been added to the first post.

Usual request: please would somebody carefully check the placemats.

Only one question — why is Warre Cavadinha abbreviated to W and not WC?

[Bertie3000]

Please can Neil, Christian (via Mike) and Ian confirm meal choices. The menu is pasted earlier in this thread.

[Bertie3000]

… a draft of the placemats, pictures of which have been added to the first post.

Usual request: please would somebody carefully check the placemats.

I am assuming the FG and TV were given to Mike by Charles last week. I can see the placemats still say CPR - does this need to be updated?

[Bertie3000]

… a draft of the placemats, pictures of which have been added to the first post.

Usual request: please would somebody carefully check the placemats.

Zak is currently included on the placemats. He has not confirmed and said he will only know this week. Placemats missing Christian (CDH). Thank you Julian.

[jdaw1]

Only one question — why is Warre Cavadinha abbreviated to W and not WC?

Carelessness. Believed fixed.

I am assuming the FG and TV were given to Mike by Charles last week. I can see the placemats still say CPR - does this need to be updated?

Was given to Mike by Charles, who has kindly donated them to a tasting despite his absence. I thought it proper to credit Charles. If you want done differently, then say how.

Zak is currently included on the placemats. He has not confirmed and said he will only know this week. Placemats missing Christian (CDH). Thank you Julian.

Zak is coming. He’s not a fool; only a fool would not attend; therefore he will attend. How could he not? And Christian added.

[flash_uk]

Please can Neil, Christian (via Mike) and Ian confirm meal choices. The menu is pasted earlier in this thread.

On it, re Christian.

[flash_uk]

Please can Neil, Christian (via Mike) and Ian confirm meal choices. The menu is pasted earlier in this thread.

On it, re Christian.

For Christian:
Smoked Salmon
Prawn Linguine
Affogato

Thx

[idj123]

I have checked and the odd bottle of V that I thought I had, I don’t. I have therefore sourced a GM for this tasting instead. Apologies for that.

On the food front, could I order a Welsh Rarebit for starter (if that’s possible – if not, no starter). For main, new year, new chance for the B&F and so I will have a sirloin steak (medium rare) with fries and creamed spinach. Dessert tbd on the night. Thanks.

[idj123]

And I now see that we already have a GM in attendance, further apologies!

[mcoulson]

Food order is complete with the exception of Zak ....

[jdaw1]

I have checked and the odd bottle of V that I thought I had, I don’t.

@Martin, @Alex B.: please could one of you volunteer to provide 1995 Vesuvio.

[Alex Bridgeman]

I have 3 at home. I can bring one of those.

Ian - can you bring either a Crasto or Warre LBV? Or do you want to adopt the bottle from me?

[jdaw1]

And the placemats have been updated; also a typo — not seen by any of the checkers! — has been fixed.

[idj123]

I have 3 at home. I can bring one of those.

Ian - can you bring either a Crasto or Warre LBV? Or do you want to adopt the bottle from me?

I don’t have either of these but could I not just bring the GM that I have sourced or has Neil’s bottle of the same already been adopted?

[akzy]

Should have a good idea by Tuesday if possible.

[Bertie3000]

Should have a good idea by Tuesday if possible.

Hi Zak hope you can make it. If you can make it, can you confirm food order at same time. The menu is pasted earlier in the thread.

[Bertie3000]

Food order is complete with the exception of Zak ....

Thank you for helping collate the food order Martin. Can everyone please check their food order is correct. I will submit the food order sheet, linked in the opening post, at the end of Tuesday.

Neil - can I check if you confirmed your order. You are the only person on the sheet not highlighted in green.

[Bertie3000]

I have 3 at home. I can bring one of those.

Ian - can you bring either a Crasto or Warre LBV? Or do you want to adopt the bottle from me?

I don’t have either of these but could I not just bring the GM that I have sourced or has Neil’s bottle of the same already been adopted?

For ease, can I suggest:

1 Ian brings GM
2 Neil no longer brings GM
3 I adopt V from Alex.

Any objections? Please can those above confirm this works.

[idj123]

I have 3 at home. I can bring one of those.

Ian - can you bring either a Crasto or Warre LBV? Or do you want to adopt the bottle from me?

I don’t have either of these but could I not just bring the GM that I have sourced or has Neil’s bottle of the same already been adopted?

For ease, can I suggest:

1 Ian brings GM
2 Neil no longer brings GM
3 I adopt V from Alex.

Any objections? Please can those above confirm this works.

Works for me, thanks Michael.

[Alex Bridgeman]

I have 3 at home. I can bring one of those.

Ian - can you bring either a Crasto or Warre LBV? Or do you want to adopt the bottle from me?

I don’t have either of these but could I not just bring the GM that I have sourced or has Neil’s bottle of the same already been adopted?

For ease, can I suggest:

1 Ian brings GM
2 Neil no longer brings GM
3 I adopt V from Alex.

Any objections? Please can those above confirm this works.

Works for me, thanks Michael.

Works for me too.

[jdaw1]

1 Ian brings GM
2 Neil no longer brings GM
3 I adopt V from Alex.

Accordingly, or at least I hope accordingly, the placemats have been updated. At the weekend, somebody please check carefully.

[akzy]

Unfortunately won't be able to make it. I will get to one soon!

[jdaw1]

Links:

• Review of the evening as a whole;
• Tasting notes:
  • 1995 Taylor Vargellas Vinha Velha;
  • 1995 Taylor Quinta do Vargellas;
  • 1995 Fonseca Guimaraens;
  • 1995 Churchill Quinta da Agua Alta;
  • 1995 Osborne;
  • 1995 Quinta do Crasto;
  • 1995 Quinta do Portal;
  • 1995 Quinta do Infantado;
  • 1995 Quinta do Noval;
  • 1995 Ramos Pinto;
  • 1995 Warre LBV;
  • 1995 Warre Quinta da Cavadinha;
  • 1995 Quinta do Vesuvio;
  • 1995 Graham LBV;
  • 1995 Graham Malvedos;
  • 1995 Tesco;
• Placemats;
• Food order;
• Planning and arrangements.