Quinta dos Malvedos: 22nd March 2010

[Andy Velebil]

You will be missed....unless I can reach some friends in the special forces. Keep an eye out for that white van Derek alluded to and don't go trying to run off if one pulls along side you, the side door slides open, and some ugly guys with machine guns pull you in.

[jdaw1]

don't go trying to run off if one pulls along side you, the side door slides open, and some ugly guys with machine guns pull you in.

I think the family would deem it a sufficient excuse. Don’t forget to take my phone.

[Axel P]

Sorry to hear that Julian, we will toast with the oldest in the direction of Paris.

Axel

[JacobH]

Julian; really sorry to hear you won't be with us on the 22nd. I've updated the guest list to reflect the changes.

I am also pleased to announce that we have confirmed that Paul Symington and Richard Mayson will be our guests for the evening. I hope they will make it a particularly interesting and informative tasting.

[JacobH]

I have also updated the list with what I think is the final selection of Ports.

[Axel P]

I am also pleased to announce that we have confirmed that Paul Symington and Richard Mayson will be our guests for the evening. I hope they will make it a particularly interesting and informative tasting.

Congratulations, Jacob, this is going to be an amazing tasting.

Sorry to hear that Julian is not present.

Best

Axel

[DRT]

Julian; really sorry to hear you won't be with us on the 22nd. I've updated the guest list to reflect the changes.

I am waiting to hear back from someone who may wish to take the place vacated by jdaw1.

In case that draws a blank, does anyone else want to join us? Please note that there will be a maximum of 14 seats and anyone who volunteers now will be 1st in the queue after the person that has already expressed interest.

[JacobH]

In case that draws a blank, does anyone else want to join us? Please note that there will be a maximum of 14 seats and anyone who volunteers now will be 1st in the queue after the person that has already expressed interest.

It might also be worth noting that no Port contribution would be required at this stage (unless you own a ’45 Grahams, in which case its contribution is pretty much compulsory ); we are dividing up the costs of the tasting between us so that everyone contributes a fair and equal amount.

[JacobH]

Somewhat terrifyingly, this post is now the 8th result which appears when you search for ‟Malvedos” or ‟Quinta dos Malvedos” on Google...

[WS1]

Hi Jacob,

after having thought about once more, if still possible I would like to join in and take over Julians place. Please let me know if this is still possible.

regards

WS1

[DRT]

My other possible attendee cannot join us so it looks like Wolfgang has the last seat

[JacobH]

after having thought about once more, if still possible I would like to join in and take over Julians place. Please let me know if this is still possible.

Great stuff. You have been readded to the list

[WS1]

Jacob, Derek,

I am very glad that I can join in. However in the unlikely event Julian can still come I am happy to give him his place back. Ultimately he has older rights. Even if this does involve white vans
The tasting looks brilliant and contains a lot of ports which are impossible to find.

Looking fwd to the event

regards

WS1

[JacobH]

Semi-Important Notice

Due to a couple of odd circumstances (including a miscalculation on my part), and the fact that the Vesuvio tasting ran underbudget, it has been suggested that we may be able to add a Graham's 1955 Vintage Port to this tasting.

This would require an additional contribution of about £7.50 per person.

If you have any strong preferences either for or against this, please let me know (either here or privately).

[Chris Doty]

Bring it on!

[Andy Velebil]

£7.50 is nothing to be able to try the 1955...In the words of Chris, "Bring it on."

[Alex Bridgeman]

£7.50 for a glass of Grahams 1955 - absolutely

[Alex Bridgeman]

Could I put a +1 on the waiting list, please; just in case anyone else needs to drop out. Thanks.

[WS1]

Jacob,

This is brilliant! I will transfer 15.00£ straight away to your account to get two glasses of Grahams 1955

I am sure DrDirk does not want to drink his so I am just helping out

Of course if he wants to drink it I will let him.


regards

WS1

[DRT]

More than fine with me.

[jdaw1]

1. 1957 Malvedos
2. 1958 Malvedos
3. 1962 Malvedos
4. 1964 Malvedos
5. 1965 Malvedos
6. 1966 Graham
7. 1968 Malvedos
8. 1970 Graham
9. 1976 Malvedos
10. 1978 Malvedos
11. 1979 Malvedos
12. 1982 Malvedos
13. 1984 Malvedos
14. 1985 Graham
15. 1986 Malvedos
16. 1987 Malvedos
17. 1988 Malvedos
18. 1990 Malvedos
19. 1995 or 1996 Malvedos
20. 2001 Malvedos
21. 2004 Malvedos
22. 2006 Malvedos
23. 2008 Malvedos (work in progress; may not be the final blend if / when a Malvedos 2008 is produced)

Updating placemats to reflect new information, but instruction needed.

• 1995 or 1996?
• Neither 2003 Graham nor 2000 Graham, nor even 1997 Graham!? Really! How do you live with yourselves? How do you go about your daily business as if you deserve to be treated with respect? I just don’t understand.
• Please confirm that this tasting is over two sessions.
• Where is the divide? I suggest ≤1979 and ≥1982.
• Within each session, would it help to have flights pre-marked? (See the current draft of the placemats or the manual’s Separating flights within a page for examples of such flight-marking.)
• And if so, how divided?

[JacobH]

Well, there sounds like a bit of a consensus on the 1955; I'll see if we can make it happen.

• 1995 or 1996?
• Neither 2003 Graham nor 2000 Graham, nor even 1997 Graham!? Really! How do you live with yourselves? How do you go about your daily business as if you deserve to be treated with respect? I just don’t understand.

You berate us for missing out the 2000, 2003 and 1997, but not the 1994? I think that needs an explanation

• Please confirm that this tasting is over two sessions.
• Where is the divide? I suggest ≤1979 and ≥1982.
• Within each session, would it help to have flights pre-marked? (See the current draft of the placemats or the manual’s Separating flights within a page for examples of such flight-marking.)
• And if so, how divided?

Will confirm, depending on the availability of the 1955.

[jdaw1]

Well, there sounds like a bit of a consensus on the 1955; I'll see if we can make it happen.

• 1995 or 1996?
• Neither 2003 Graham nor 2000 Graham, nor even 1997 Graham!? Really! How do you live with yourselves? How do you go about your daily business as if you deserve to be treated with respect? I just don’t understand.

You berate us for missing out the 2000, 2003 and 1997, but not the 1994? I think that needs an explanation

There is a small gap (1966 to 1970), and a larger gap (1970 to 1985), but there appeared to be a prohibition on mid-size gaps. I was just going with the pattern.

[JacobH]

It appears we are now on with the Graham 1955, thanks to Uncle Tom

In terms of payment for the addition £7.50:

Andy, Chris, Christopher: could you please bring another £7.50 in cash on the night?

Alex; Axel; Derek; Tom; I will contact you as things are slightly complex.

Ben, Ray, Wolfgang (+ Dirk): could you either transfer another £7.50 to me (ideally), or, alternatively, bring another £7.50 in cash on the night?

[JacobH]

Updating placemats to reflect new information, but instruction needed.

• 1995 or 1996?
• Neither 2003 Graham nor 2000 Graham, nor even 1997 Graham!? Really! How do you live with yourselves? How do you go about your daily business as if you deserve to be treated with respect? I just don’t understand.
• Please confirm that this tasting is over two sessions.
• Where is the divide? I suggest ≤1979 and ≥1982.
• Within each session, would it help to have flights pre-marked? (See the current draft of the placemats or the manual’s Separating flights within a page for examples of such flight-marking.)
• And if so, how divided?

I suggest that 1979 should be in the first session and 1982 in the second. I think that makes the second slightly larger, but that's not necessarily a bad thing (especially as the Ports will be younger). I have few views about dividing up the Ports within each session: does anyone have any suggestions?

Other thoughts: could we call the Ports Graham’s and Graham’s Malvedos rather than Graham and Graham Malvedos? (That is unless anyone can substantiate the rumour that has been around for years that the very youngest Malvedos will finally be released as a Quinta dos Malvedos SQVP?)

[Deleted_User_1]

It appears we are now on with the Graham 1955, thanks to Uncle Tom

In terms of payment for the addition £7.50:

Andy, Chris, Christopher: could you please bring another £7.50 in cash on the night?

Alex; Axel; Derek; Tom; I will contact you as things are slightly complex.

Ben, Ray, Wolfgang (+ Dirk): could you either transfer another £7.50 to me (ideally), or, alternatively, bring another £7.50 in cash on the night?

Money tranferred...see you on 23rd

[Deleted_User_1]

It appears we are now on with the Graham 1955, thanks to Uncle Tom

In terms of payment for the addition £7.50:

Andy, Chris, Christopher: could you please bring another £7.50 in cash on the night?

Alex; Axel; Derek; Tom; I will contact you as things are slightly complex.

Ben, Ray, Wolfgang (+ Dirk): could you either transfer another £7.50 to me (ideally), or, alternatively, bring another £7.50 in cash on the night?

Money tranferred...see you on 23rd

I mean 22nd ...it seems that I have the same problem as Wollfgang...more Port required.

[jdaw1]

Updated current draft of the placemats:

• 1955 added;
• As 4×3 on A3 is the same size circle as 2×3 on A4, using smaller paper size for ease of transport.
• Flightings removed pending instruction.

[JacobH]

Updated current draft of the placemats:

• 1955 added;
• As 4×3 on A3 is the same size circle as 2×3 on A4, using smaller paper size for ease of transport.
• Flightings removed pending instruction.

Excellent. Many thanks. I wonder if the regular Vintages should be demarcated in a different manner than by the radius decoration? Because of the way in which the pattern appears, the 1966 looks quite different from the 1970.

Other thoughts: could we call the Ports Graham’s and Graham’s Malvedos rather than Graham and Graham Malvedos? (That is unless anyone can substantiate the rumour that has been around for years that the very youngest Malvedos will finally be released as a Quinta dos Malvedos SQVP?)

[jdaw1]

Updated current draft of the placemats, looking far worse:

• Apostrophes added;
• Graham’s is plain.

1995 or 1996?

[JacobH]

Updated current draft of the placemats, looking far worse:

• Apostrophes added;
• Graham’s is plain.

Yes, sorry, you are correct. Any chance of a reversion?

Not sure about the answer to the 1995/6 question yet.

[jdaw1]

Updated current draft of the placemats:

• Typefaces changed, allowing retention of apostrophes.

[JacobH]

Ben & Ray, your £7.50 have been received. Many thanks.

Updated current draft of the placemats:

• Typefaces changed, allowing retention of apostrophes.

This file seems unwilling to open on my machine (looking at its contents, I wonder there was a problem in the PS to PDF conversion). Is there any chance you could re-generate it?

[jdaw1]

Updated current draft of the placemats:

• Typefaces changed, allowing retention of apostrophes.

This file seems unwilling to open on my machine (looking at its contents, I wonder there was a problem in the PS to PDF conversion). Is there any chance you could re-generate it?

Done, and re-uploaded. Then downloaded down from server and tested to confirm that it opens with both Mac Preview and Adobe Professional: it does.

[JacobH]

Updated current draft of the placemats:

• Typefaces changed, allowing retention of apostrophes.

This file seems unwilling to open on my machine (looking at its contents, I wonder there was a problem in the PS to PDF conversion). Is there any chance you could re-generate it?

Done, and re-uploaded. Then downloaded down from server and tested to confirm that it opens with both Mac Preview and Adobe Professional: it does.

Great. Many thanks. Excellent choice in Optima, too.

[Axel P]

Placemats look excellent, Julian. Thanks

Axel

[SCP-DFF]

Have you considered telling SCP-DFF that she is being entirely unreasonable and that her behaviour is unacceptable and an infringement of your basic human rights?

In the unlikely event that the above doesn't make SCP-DFF see sense, do you want us to come to Paris in a white van and kindnap you on 21st March?

Sorry about this, boys, but it just happens to be our daughter's 4th birthday. Although Julian doesn't care about birthdays, and I wouldn't be the one so upset, it's actually his daughter he'd have to answer too. And THAT might prove to be worse than me being upset with him. If it was my birthday, I'd probably let him go. He'd have to make it up to me in the end. See, I'm totally reasonable!

If he can negotiate something with Sophia, then you have a port-drinking teammate. Unlikely though.

Sorry!

[Alex Bridgeman]

Have you considered telling SCP-DFF that she is being entirely unreasonable and that her behaviour is unacceptable and an infringement of your basic human rights?

In the unlikely event that the above doesn't make SCP-DFF see sense, do you want us to come to Paris in a white van and kindnap you on 21st March?

Sorry about this, boys, but it just happens to be our daughter's 4th birthday. Although Julian doesn't care about birthdays, and I wouldn't be the one so upset, it's actually his daughter he'd have to answer too. And THAT might prove to be worse than me being upset with him. If it was my birthday, I'd probably let him go. He'd have to make it up to me in the end. See, I'm totally reasonable!

If he can negotiate something with Sophia, then you have a port-drinking teammate. Unlikely though.

Sorry!

Dear Sophia,

Have you heard about the wonderful toy shop called Hamleys? It's the perfect place for a 4 year old girl to visit for her birthday because it's full of the most fantastic shiny things that your devoted Daddy could buy for you as a bribe...sorry, birthday present. The only small problem is that you have to get there by train, but I'm sure your Daddy would take you.

Lots of love, from your Daddy's port drinking chums.


PS - how could your Daddy forget your birthday! After all, the day you were born was the (equal) second most important day of his life! When you are a little bit older and can get hold of your Daddy's diary / blackberry / calendar then you will have to put in there your birthday, your brother's birthday and your Mummy's birthday so that Daddy never forgets again.

[DRT]

I think it is appropriate to issue a Yellow Card to AHB for his inappropriate behaviour in the above post. When a friend's Mrs decides to give him a public flogging in front of his chums I think it is unnecessary to rub salt in his wounds at a time when he needs our support.

Shame on you AHB.

But I did LOL when I read SCP-DFF's post this morning.

[jdaw1]

Excellent choice in Optima, too.

One of my favourite sans-serif typefaces. Is there a slight trace of Art Deco in its design? Shame that I have don’t have an extra-bold or black version.

I didn’t forget anybody’s birthday. I know them. But I did fail to notice that trhe date of this tasting was one of them.

[Alex Bridgeman]

I think it is appropriate to issue a Yellow Card to AHB for his inappropriate behaviour in the above post. When a friend's Mrs decides to give him a public flogging in front of his chums I think it is unnecessary to rub salt in his wounds at a time when he needs our support.

Shame on you AHB.

I was only trying to be helpful! I thought if Mrs W reads the forum then perhaps Miss W lurks here and that my post would be helpful

However, I accept that perhps I should be relgated to meaningless drivel.

[Andy Velebil]

I think it is appropriate to issue a Yellow Card to AHB for his inappropriate behaviour in the above post. When a friend's Mrs decides to give him a public flogging in front of his chums I think it is unnecessary to rub salt in his wounds at a time when he needs our support.

Shame on you AHB.

But I did LOL when I read SCP-DFF's post this morning.

What a good laugh these posts gave me today.

But in reality Julian was just going to the tasting to check which Ports he needed to buy for his daughter to drink on her birthday when she gets older. So while missing a young birthday now, he was preparing to buy her a gift of a life time for later in life. And a gift anyone would love....er, well, maybe not everyone

[jdaw1]

If it was my birthday, I'd probably let him go. He'd have to make it up to me in the end. See, I'm totally reasonable!

Note the thorough reasonableness and general all-round wonderfulness of my missus.

[DRT]

If it was my birthday, I'd probably let him go. He'd have to make it up to me in the end. See, I'm totally reasonable!

Note the thorough reasonableness and general all-round wonderfulness of my missus.

Don't try to use us to rescue the situation. Just take you punishment like a man and report back when you are next "allowed" to attend a tasting.

[DRT]

Whilst searching through my wine fridge this evening I stumbled across a rogue Malvedos 1998 that I didn't know I had. It seems wrong to not allow it to come out play with its siblings on 22nd March.

Does anyone strongly object to having 25 rather than 24 bottles?

[jdaw1]

Updated current draft of the placemats:

• ‘Rogue’ 1998 Malvedos added !
• ! Necessitating three pages for the second flight.
• Please, 1995 or 1996?

[DRT]

Whilst searching through my wine fridge this evening I stumbled across a rogue Malvedos 1998 that I didn't know I had. It seems wrong to not allow it to come out play with its siblings on 22nd March.

Does anyone strongly object to having 25 rather than 24 bottles?

Updated current draft of the placemats:

• ‘Rogue’ 1998 Malvedos added

I hereby invoke Rule 47(b): If a member suggests adding a bottle to a tasting and no member objects prior to the Placemats being updated all subsequent objections are null and void.

[DRT]

Please, 1995 or 1996?

I will ask.

[jdaw1]

If a member suggests adding a bottle to a tasting, and that bottle fits the theme of the tasting (such as being ‟vintage port”), and that bottle won’t embarrass a wine-maker who is present, the answer is yes.

[DRT]

I hereby invoke Rule 47(b): If a member suggests adding a bottle to a tasting and no member objects prior to the Placemats being updated all subsequent objections are null and void.

If a member suggests adding a bottle to a tasting, and that bottle fits the theme of the tasting (such as being ‟vintage port”), and that bottle won’t embarrass a wine-maker who is present, the answer is yes.

Due to the clear and overwhelming concensus of opinion that it is the right thing to do, I have taken the liberty of adding GM98 to the line-up in the opening post of this thread.