Monday 19th October 2026 - a vertical of old Sandeman

[Alex Bridgeman]

On Monday 19th, I’m going to organise another tasting which is an excuse to open some of my older bottles in the company of their peers. We will be hosted by Julian around his new dining table. He is 10 minutes walk from Streatham Hill train station or a 1 minute walk from the nearest bus stop.

I suggest budgeting £100 per head to cover the cost of hiring in the glasses we use and making a contribution towards the cost of our food.

Places are limited to 8, with one being held for an industry guest (although I may decide not to invite anyone and so release the seat to a TPF member).

As last year, places will be allocated to those offering the oldest bottles.

Attending

1. Industry Guest
2. Cliff (1908, 1945, 1955m)
3. Phil (1911)
4. Alex (1920, 1946)
5. Julian (1931)
6. Martin (1934)
7. Charles (1935, 1943)
8. Neil (1942)

Vintages

• 1908 - Cliff
• 1911 - Phil
• 1920 - Alex
• 1931 - Julian
• 1934 - Martin
• 1935 - Charles
• 1942 - Neil
• 1943 - Charles
• 1945 - Cliff
• 1946 - Alex
• 1955 (magnum) - Cliff

Reserves / interest expressed

• Harry (1945)
• Ian (1947)
• Nigel (1955)
• John David France (1958)
• Wolfgang
• Michael
• Mike
• Christopher
• Tony

[WS1]

Would be interested in that. One you may find interesting is old Rioja e.g. 1920 or 1928 Paternina.

Regards WS1

[mcoulson]

Ok now this one I can do date wise so if there is space I'd like to join in ....

[CPR 1]

Very interested subject to having a suitable bottle

[Bertie3000]

Very interested too.

[NigelM]

Would love to, but not sure I can compete at the Highest 'Old Bottle' level. Stick me down if you fall short

[idj123]

Not sure, that I will have a bottle old enough but yes, I’m interested.

[flash_uk]

Yes please Alex

[Christopher]

Yes please
Shipper dependent

[jdaw1]

I will not have eligible bottles, but please allow me a brief hope that it is not impossible.

Ok, that’s done. That little hope has now been extinguished.

[hadge]

I think that i'm going to be watching this one from the side, have a big dinner the next night plus half term.

[PhilW]

Odd, I thought I'd replied already.
Obviously interested; as Christopher says, likely shipper-dependent.

[forest26]

I enjoyed last years - it would be great to join you. Please can you add me.

[nac]

Yes please

[cem]

Yes please

[hadge]

it is looking like my dinner the next night might be moved. so yes please

[JohnDavidFrance]

Interested for sure, though most of my old bottles are colheitas i think

[Alex Bridgeman]

I've now had the chance to look through my cellar list in detail and also to give some thought about shippers we haven't tasted recently in London.

With both of those things in mind, I've decided to make Sandeman the theme of this year's old Port dinner. Our last London tasting of Sandeman was 15 years ago!

There's going to be a change of venue. I've accepted Julian's generous offer to host us in his house at his new dining table, which is slightly larger than the table in Noble Rot and with all the space and equipment we'll need for decanting. He's also offered to use the culinary skills of his youngest to prepare a hearty winter lamb stew (or similar, with a vegetarian alternative also available) for our dinner and, I am sure, we can organise starter and/or dessert and/or cheese between the rest of us.

In return, I'm sponsoring Julian into the tasting with a bottle of the 1931 vintage.

I'll contribute a bottle of 1946 since that's such an unusual year that we don't get many chances to open a bottle like that - plus it's 80 years old and is probably not going to get any better if I hold on to it for another 20 years. At least at this tasting it's being opened in context. I'll also hope to contribute the oldest bottle at the tasting...

The remaining seats will be allocated to the people who can contribute the oldest bottles in the best condition. Now you know the shipper, if you'd like a seat, please let me know what bottle(s) you'd like to offer.

The first post is being updated to reflect the new arrangements.

[NigelM]

I can offer S55

[Alex Bridgeman]

I can offer S55

You're on the list...at least for now...

[PhilW]

I would definitely like to join you, and can offer a Sandeman 1911.

[CPR 1]

Excellent choice of shipper - I would like to offer 1935

[NigelM]

I can offer S55

You're on the list...at least for now...

[mcoulson]

I can offer a 1934 ....

[hadge]

I can offer a 1945 will have a look at what else i have.

[jdaw1]

My best is a 1931. I would feel hard-done-by if that weren’t enough for a seat.

[jdaw1]

Foodstuffs being considered include Scouse, sighted and blind. Welsh rarebit training is soon to commence.

It is not a restaurant. Broadly (with vegetarian exception), we will be having the same thing — and plenty of it.

[nac]

I have a 1942.

[Alex Bridgeman]

I’ve just realised I’m in danger of being knocked out!

Right, so there’s two new rules being implemented as of now.

If you get knocked out, there is nothing to stop you from coming back with an older bottle which gets you back around the table.

But if you do, you have to bring not just your “winning” bid bottle, but also any bottles you bid earlier in the process.

So if, for example, A N Other offers a bottle of 1944 Sandeman for the dinner, that would knock me off the table. But I’m perfectly at liberty to respond with a bid of a bottle of Sandeman 1943 — but I’d also have to bring the 1946 to go alongside the 1943.

The second new rule is the “size matters” rule. In the event of two people offering the same vintage, the decision will follow the path of:

1. Bottle must be in good condition, as accepted by the organiser.
2. Oldest vintage
3. Size of bottle (larger trumps smaller)
4. Order in which offered

Anyone who wants to change their existing bid as a result of these new rules has until 23.59 on Monday to do so or will otherwise have to comply with these two new rules.

[CPR 1]

I’ve just realised I’m in danger of being knocked out!

Right, so there’s two new rules being implemented as of now.

If you get knocked out, there is nothing to stop you from coming back with an older bottle which gets you back around the table.

But if you do, you have to bring not just your “winning” bid bottle, but also any bottles you bid earlier in the process.

In the event of two people offering the same vintage, the decision will follow the path of:

1. Bottle in best condition
2. Oldest vintage
3. Size of bottle (larger trumps smaller)
4. Order in which offered

Is the 2nd part of this really needed?

[jdaw1]

I propose another rule: “AHB is dictator”.

His acolytes are vaguely aware that the dictator likes old, that the dictator likes large, that the dictator likes tappit hen more than tregnum, that the dictator likes good fill levels, and that the dictator likes time to write his tasting notes.

[Alex Bridgeman]

I’ve just realised I’m in danger of being knocked out!

Right, so there’s two new rules being implemented as of now.

If you get knocked out, there is nothing to stop you from coming back with an older bottle which gets you back around the table.

But if you do, you have to bring not just your “winning” bid bottle, but also any bottles you bid earlier in the process.

In the event of two people offering the same vintage, the decision will follow the path of:

1. Bottle in best condition
2. Oldest vintage
3. Size of bottle (larger trumps smaller)
4. Order in which offered

Is the 2nd part of this really needed?

Fair point. Probably not. But I was feeling nice.

And then a thought struck me. It’s not part 2 that’s wrong. It’s part 1.

Part 1 has been amended (henceforth known as The Forst Amendment) and instead will read “Bottle must be of good quality, acceptable to the organiser”.

[Alex Bridgeman]

I propose another rule: “AHB is dictator”.

His acolytes are vaguely aware that the dictator likes old, that the dictator likes large, that the dictator likes tappit hen more than tregnum, that the dictator likes good fill levels, and that the dictator likes time to write his tasting notes.

Another good point. Perhaps a third rule is required. "In the event of a tie after the 4 previous rules have been applied, the seat shall be awarded to the person who habitually takes longest to write their tasting notes."

[cem]

I have a 1908, which I will be happy to bring.

[NigelM]

I was contemplating buying a 1920 to get on the list, but that wouldn't seem right, so I am going to bow out gracefully and stay at home and wash my hair.

[cem]

I’ve just realised I’m in danger of being knocked out!

Right, so there’s two new rules being implemented as of now.

If you get knocked out, there is nothing to stop you from coming back with an older bottle which gets you back around the table.

But if you do, you have to bring not just your “winning” bid bottle, but also any bottles you bid earlier in the process.

In the event of two people offering the same vintage, the decision will follow the path of:

1. Bottle in best condition
2. Oldest vintage
3. Size of bottle (larger trumps smaller)
4. Order in which offered

Is the 2nd part of this really needed?

Well, it does open up increasing granularity:

Which one was bottled first?
Which bottler was founded first?
Which one had the greatest proportion of the most mature grapes picked first?
Which one had the greatest proportion of grapes from the oldest vines?
Who is the most convincing bullshit artist?

[NigelM]

I’ve just realised I’m in danger of being knocked out!

Right, so there’s two new rules being implemented as of now.

If you get knocked out, there is nothing to stop you from coming back with an older bottle which gets you back around the table.

But if you do, you have to bring not just your “winning” bid bottle, but also any bottles you bid earlier in the process.

In the event of two people offering the same vintage, the decision will follow the path of:

1. Bottle in best condition
2. Oldest vintage
3. Size of bottle (larger trumps smaller)
4. Order in which offered

Is the 2nd part of this really needed?

Well, it does open up increasing granularity:

Which one was bottled first?
Which bottler was founded first?
Which one had the greatest proportion of the most mature grapes picked first?
Which one had the greatest proportion of grapes from the oldest vines?
Who is the most convincing bullshit artist?

[mcoulson]

I am going to bow out gracefully and stay at home and wash my hair.

That's not going to take very long ...

[NigelM]

I am going to bow out gracefully and stay at home and wash my hair.

That's not going to take very long ...

Rude

[Alex Bridgeman]

I’ve just realised I’m in danger of being knocked out!

Right, so there’s two new rules being implemented as of now.

If you get knocked out, there is nothing to stop you from coming back with an older bottle which gets you back around the table.

But if you do, you have to bring not just your “winning” bid bottle, but also any bottles you bid earlier in the process.

In the event of two people offering the same vintage, the decision will follow the path of:

1. Bottle in best condition
2. Oldest vintage
3. Size of bottle (larger trumps smaller)
4. Order in which offered

Is the 2nd part of this really needed?

Well, it does open up increasing granularity:

Which one was bottled first?
Which bottler was founded first?
Which one had the greatest proportion of the most mature grapes picked first?
Which one had the greatest proportion of grapes from the oldest vines?
Who is the most convincing bullshit artist?

All I was trying to do was not get bumped off my own tasting! And to encourage people to bring more than one bottle, and bigger bottles.

I don't mind at all if someone wants to bring multiple bottlings of the same (old) Port to see who is the most convincing bullshit artist!

[Alex Bridgeman]

I was contemplating buying a 1920 to get on the list, but that wouldn't seem right, so I am going to bow out gracefully and stay at home and wash my hair.

All I can say is that if I had a choice of spending money buying 1920 Port or shampoo, I know which I would be buying...

[NigelM]

I was contemplating buying a 1920 to get on the list, but that wouldn't seem right, so I am going to bow out gracefully and stay at home and wash my hair.

All I can say is that if I had a choice of spending money buying 1920 Port or shampoo, I know which I would be buying...

[Alex Bridgeman]

OK. I've now elected to bring a bottle of 1920, my only bottle of 1927 looks a bit pale so I don't want to bring that vintage.

Sorry Harry...

[NigelM]

Alex, exciting as this is, would it be a good idea to set a final date after which no further changes to the attendees list can be made?

Or you may end up with someone being 'offed' the week or even the day before the event

[jdaw1]

Or you may end up with someone being 'offed' the week or even the day before the event

Mere minutes before: doorbell rings with a Sandeman 1851, Sandeman 1815, and Sandeman 1797; Mr Youngest-Vintage is evicted after being allowed to see the recently arrived bottles; Mr Second-Youngest-Vintage, feeling genuinely aggrieved, is evicted slightly more forcefully; Mr Third-Youngest-Vintage, suddenly understanding the Spurs in Game 4, is utterly crestfallen.

But no no no, Mr Already-Rejected Markey says that Alex B. shouldn’t drink Sandeman 1851, 1815, and 1797.

[hadge]

OK. I've now elected to bring a bottle of 1920, my only bottle of 1927 looks a bit pale so I don't want to bring that vintage.

Sorry Harry...

I thought that would be the case.

I’m watching to see who puts forward a 1927 as i need that for the 20th Anniversary event.

[Alex Bridgeman]

Alex, exciting as this is, would it be a good idea to set a final date after which no further changes to the attendees list can be made?

Or you may end up with someone being 'offed' the week or even the day before the event

I think for the Taylor tasting the cut-off was 3 weeks before the tasting. So that would be Monday 28th September.

[NigelM]

Or you may end up with someone being 'offed' the week or even the day before the event

Mere minutes before: doorbell rings with a Sandeman 1851, Sandeman 1815, and Sandeman 1797; Mr Youngest-Vintage is evicted after being allowed to see the recently arrived bottles; Mr Second-Youngest-Vintage, feeling genuinely aggrieved, is evicted slightly more forcefully; Mr Third-Youngest-Vintage, suddenly understanding the Spurs in Game 4, is utterly crestfallen.

But no no no, Mr Already-Rejected Markey says that Alex B. shouldn’t drink Sandeman 1851, 1815, and 1797.

Alas, maybe a Mr 'making a strong re-entry' Markey!

[NigelM]

I think my great great Grandmother, Gladys Sandeman, has a bottle of 1878 tucked away in the shed. Might not be true

[idj123]

Presently, I can only offer a S47.