ThePortForum.com

John M wrote:I will be unable to attend...off on holiday.
Have Fun

Hopefully next time, you've been one of the most keen on tastings in the NY/NJ area...

April 1 is perfect! After so many years of waiting for a New York gathering I am thrilled to finally attend! Just let us know when and where in NYC. Midtown would be superb!!!!!! Thank you all in advance Arlene

Miguel Simoes wrote:Are we necessarily one person/bottle? I've found it tends to be a good deal more Port than i can stomach. How do you guys typically do it?

In London? Well, 1¼ to 2 bottles per person. Which probably doesn’t help you.

jdaw1 wrote:

Miguel Simoes wrote:Are we necessarily one person/bottle? I've found it tends to be a good deal more Port than i can stomach. How do you guys typically do it?

In London? Well, 1¼ to 2 bottles per person. Which probably doesn’t help you.

JDaw--I suppose we are not professionals over here!!!.

Miguel: Take your time, hydrate a lot, and if you must, then spit. The last one I went to in NYC we had 14-15 ports that we visited with over 5 hours.

John M wrote:hydrate a lot

In advance is as important as during. Try to have a pint of water an hour, from midday to midnight. Six pints of water over the afternoon before you start will give you stamina and sobriety.

jdaw1 wrote:

John M wrote:hydrate a lot

In advance is as important as during. Try to have a pint of water an hour, from midday to midnight. Six pints of water over the afternoon before you start will give you stamina and sobriety.

I think 'sobriety' is probably stretching the point.

@jdaw1, thanks much for your placemats and for finding out / knowing first names etc. Very much appreciated.

Do we have any further advance on a venue?

If Graham is the theme I have 85 or 94, but I also have a 55 which is the last of a small batch that have drunk wonderfully in the last couple of years but which probably needs to be drunk soon. I have flown with 55s lately and they have not suffered from the journey.

Is there any interest in the 55? Auction cost was around £105 stg I believe, if we're balancing bottle cost. I am happy to keep it if that is the preferred consensus.

I am a reciprocal member of the Players' Club and the Down Town Association and I've enquired of both of these whether it's possible for reciprocal members to book private rooms, and if so, what the terms might be.

Will advise what reply I receive.

Thank you Daniel for inquiring w them.

I've reached out to a couple of venues and the response has not been great. The big picture is that it being a Friday night plus a group potentially in the mid teens makes it tricky. The number of glasses needed is also an issue. A venue quoted me $25/person for glasses alone.

I will reach out to a couple more but am thinking we may have to restrict ourselves to a small-ish group so we can fly under the radar.

Your 1955 would be fantastic. I too am going off of the bottle purchase price for the ones I am offering to provide.

I won the bid on the 1985 Grahams at the auction that closed today, so i can bring that. I have not seen the bottle yet but I should be able to have it at my office by the end of the week.

Sorry folks been busy w kids. Give me parameters. How many people. How much we want to spend

I can bring 36 glasses s potentially

I will also admit that I have no Graham's of interestd except the 85

Still working out a venue... reached out to Aldea and Lupulo, see what we get there, a hoping something better than the below:

So far...
- Public (in NOLITA) came back w seating for up to 16, min food+beverage $1500 (plus tax+tip), corkage fee $25/bottle that would count towards min spend, two prix fixe menus to choose from ($65 and $85 / person). Am thinking this will come to $150-200 per person before Port... too pricey IMO
- North Sq (by Wash Sq Park) seats up to 24, min food+beverage $500 (plus tax+tip), corkage fee $15/bottle, service min of $185 for up to 12 people, double if more than 12 (or 20% of spend, whichever greater), prix fixe $60/person. Am thinking this would come to $100-135/person before Port... much better than above but still need to clear out that we'd get proper glassware - their offer was for 4 bordeaux glasses/person...
- Left Bank (last years venue, in Greenwich Village) seats up to 20, min food+beverage $1500 (plus tax+tip), $25 corkage fee, $25 glass rental fee (wouldnt count towards min spend), $65/person prix fixe, ahhhhhhh! we'd be looking at a crazy $200+/person for 12 people...
- The Palm Too never got back to me wrt tasting in the main room... a separate room would require a min $3000 spend. and glassware was clearly an issue

g-man wrote:Sorry folks been busy w kids. Give me parameters. How many people. How much we want to spend.
I can bring 36 glasses s potentially

g-man! wonderful to hear from you. I too have about 30 glasses i could bring.

I am only seeing your post now after submitting mine. If you have ideas reg places we could do it at pls feel free!

W you we're talking 7 forum members, Daniel wanted to extend an invite to 1-2 people and I have 3-4 friends who said they'd join. Doty mentioned having 6+ friends that could also be interested.

Am willing to cut my friends out if that means we're able to find a venue where we dont feel raped. So far the only finalized quote i got was from Public (see prior post) which would come to $150-200 before Port. It's a great venue and we'd get a room just for us, but feel that would be on the high end of what people would be looking to spend...

If people OK w spending kind of $$, that would make life a lot easier wrt finding a place.

Am guessing Port will end up be just under $100/person.

Good news.

Lupulo (www.lupulonyc.com) is lining up nicely.
- No corkage fee!
- No min consumption, or min number of people
- No goofy server requirements
- They'll need to rent glasses. Prelim number was $250 for it. They're looking into how they can scale that up/down w the number of people on our end, i'll keep you posted.
- I'll work through the menus later but looking like $95/person for food
- We'll have to shoot for 830pm start time so as to keep the table for the rest of the night

Am thinking we'll be about $150/person before Port. Likely $~100 for Port.

Reasonable enough?

Friday nights @ 8:30pm might be tough for me because of the kids

but I would happily contribute a bottle to the tasting regardless

wrt port glasses, i think that's going to be trouble wherever.

I do have boxes of the port tasting glasses we all have become accustomed to but as i would be coming from work, lugging boxes + bottles is not ideal.

And having to drive in after a night of drinking port is even worse.

In terms of places:
Palm Tribeca, I've already spoke to one of the GMs there, and they were willing to doa 95$/prefix + tax/tip and they would waive corkage if we ordered a few bottles of white/sparklers off their list.

There are a few other places down town taht I know the GMs of that i can ask

7-10 is doable @ 150$ ... but if we were to push it out to 15-20/people that might be really tough.

not to mention sourcing enough bottles!

Would be great if you could make it. And steak would be great too. I'll keep Lupulo in the back burner for now.

What time would you be shooting for? Can you zero in on how many we can be before they run into glassware issues?

Looking like $150 food + $100 port... likely at the Palm Tribeca.

Earlier on the below showed interest. Can each pls reaffirm it, along w the bottles each can bring?
- Miguel Simoes (70, 77, 83, 94)
- Jeff (g-man) (85)
- Chris Doty (60, 63, 66)
- Daniel Jewesbury (do you have any confirmed guests? 55, 85, 94)
- Arlene (you have a bottle you'd like to bring? looking to adopt?)
- Jay Hack (85)
- Moses Botbol (can you make it??)

Anyone I may be missing? Jeff, can you ping Josh? Am surprised he'd miss it.

Miguel Simoes wrote:Would be great if you could make it. And steak would be great too. I'll keep Lupulo in the back burner for now.

What time would you be shooting for? Can you zero in on how many we can be before they run into glassware issues?

Looking like $150 food + $100 port... likely at the Palm Tribeca.

Earlier on the below showed interest. Can each pls reaffirm it, along w the bottles each can bring?
- Miguel Simoes (70, 77, 83, 94)
- Jeff (g-man) (85)
- Chris Doty (60, 63, 66)
- Daniel Jewesbury (do you have any confirmed guests? 55, 85, 94)
- Arlene (you have a bottle you'd like to bring? looking to adopt?)
- Jay Hack (85)
- Moses Botbol (can you make it??)

Anyone I may be missing? Jeff, can you ping Josh? Am surprised he'd miss it.

the palm has no glass ware (except red wine glasses), it'd be the same deal where we'd have to bring in our own glasses or rent them. I should have been more clear.

I tried reaching out to josh, but he just bought a new home and has a 1yr old so ooks like he's been tied up

Its killing me to miss this--I have a bunch of various Grahams including some ex-cellar 1970 Grahams. Have fun---hope you find your venue.

Placemats updated to include Lupulo, and assuming bottles as: 1955 Daniel J.; 1960 1963 1966 Chris D.; 1970 1977 1983 1994 Miguel S.; 1985 Jay H. That is surely wrong, and can be changed as this thread updates.

jdaw1 wrote:Placemats updated to include Lupulo, and assuming bottles as: 1955 Daniel J.; 1960 1963 1966 Chris D.; 1970 1977 1983 1994 Miguel S.; 1985 Jay H. That is surely wrong, and can be changed as this thread updates.

@jdaw1: you rock. any plans of visiting NYC?

jdaw1 wrote:Placemats updated to include Lupulo, and assuming bottles as: 1955 Daniel J.; 1960 1963 1966 Chris D.; 1970 1977 1983 1994 Miguel S.; 1985 Jay H. That is surely wrong, and can be changed as this thread updates.

I'm still corresponding with the Players' Club [the apostrophe is moot - they don't use it] and the Down Town Association.

Miguel Simoes wrote:any plans of visiting NYC?

As and when, I will seize ancient powers and declare there to be an NYC tasting — even if I am the only attendee.

djewesbury wrote:I'm still corresponding with the Players' Club [the apostrophe is moot - they don't use it] and the Down Town Association.

If Lupulo is changed, the placemats will echo that change. Instructions awaited.

last minutew ork thing for me

i have to fly out for work for this tasting

if you guys have a place, I can drop the bottle off before hand

Sad to hear, you're on the the biggest enthusiasts in town...
Never thanked you for last year's bottle, it was truly outstanding!

Daniel, any word from the venues you're in touch with?

Anyone up for infanticide? I just found a lot at the Zachy's auction that is "mixed port" with a bottle of 2003 Graham thrown in. The lot is:

1 Warres Quinta Da Cavadinha 1995 750ml
2 Taylor Fladgate Quinta de Vargellas 1995 750ml
1 Taylor Fladgate 1997 375ml
1 Fonseca 1997 375ml
1 Warres 1997 375ml
1 Quinta do Vesuvio Port 2003 750ml
1 Dow 2003 750ml
1 Graham Port 2003 750ml

Assume with premium and tax the whole lot costs about $310. Since I live near their warehouse. I could pick it up on time even though the auction ends on the 28th. It's not that I need the rest of the bottles, but I could probably find people who want to get them as gifts.

The Players' Club told me this:

Our Kintsler Room is available on Friday, April 1st.

· Room Charge $1,200.00

· 2 X Server @ $35 per hour (minimum 4 hours)

· Menu attached.

This works out at over $100 each before we've eaten or drunk anything!

I travel to New York tomorrow morning. At this point I'm willing to cut out guests if we end up with a less extortionate evening - in which case I'll bring just my G55. If possible, could we confirm venue and guests as soon as possible? I'll be out of contact some of the next week.

Looking forward to this!

I should have said - the supply of bottles here is very heavily weighted to two people, Chris and Miguel. I can bring a 63 in addition to my 55, which evens things out; Chris, you can keep your 63 back in that case. Perhaps I'll just pack the 63 anyway, in case this message isn't read / replied to before I leave.

So -

are we still 9 people?
are we still at Lupulo?
are we OK for glassware?
do we want a 2003? (personally I'd say no, I don't see much point in trying these yet)

D

Let me reach out to Lupulo and see what the max party size for which they'd be OK not renting glassware. When I reached out to them last week w a target party size of 10-15 people they couldnt swing it. Glassware rental will be at least $225 (regardless of quantity, they've told me)

Love Jay Hack's enthusiasm but agree w no 2003. I own one that I could contribute but dont think it'll fit in well. Even my 1994 I will only take along if people are especially keen on it.

Sounds like in attendance
- Miguel Simoes (70, 77, 83 + 94 if needed)
- Chris Doty (60, 66 - Daniel is bringing a 63)
- Daniel Jewesbury (55, 63)
- Jay Hack (85)
- Arlene (you have a bottle you'd like to bring? looking to adopt?)
- Moses Botbol (can you make it??)

Not in attendance but generously wishing to contribute a bottle
- Jeff (g-man)

At this point looking like potentially 9 bottles for 5-6 of us. We're fast approaching London-like bottle/person ratios!

Chris, Arlene and Moses, can we hear from you guys reg the above?

Thanks Miguel, shaping up nicely.

Placemat King, can you update as per above?

Lupulo has about 40 Port glasses in house. I can take aprox 30.

If there's 6 of us and 9 bottles, we'll need 54 glasses which we should be able to cover easily.

Let me check w them reg menu but seems like we're set. A reminder that we should look to get there 830pm.

Chris, Arlene and Moses, can you pls let me know where you stand (per the questions above)?

Thanks again Miguel!

Placemats updated. Please check carefully.

jdaw1 wrote:Placemats updated. Please check carefully.

Thank you. Seems correct to my eye.

Expecting that printing would be in New York, the placemats are on 8½″×11″. Somebody with access to that paper size should be appointed the task of printing.

Miguel Simoes wrote: - Chris Doty (60, 66 - Daniel is bringing a 63)

My 66 is in storage, it turns out. I have 60 and 63 (and 70, 85, etc), but no 66 to hand, I'm afraid. I may be visiting storage before the event, and if so will update you, but at the moment it is unavailable.

Looking forward to it! Have we arranged pricing/menus?

Chris Doty wrote:

Miguel Simoes wrote: - Chris Doty (60, 66 - Daniel is bringing a 63)

My 66 is in storage, it turns out. I have 60 and 63 (and 70, 85, etc), but no 66 to hand, I'm afraid. I may be visiting storage before the event, and if so will update you, but at the moment it is unavailable.

Looking forward to it! Have we arranged pricing/menus?

My 55 and 63 have arrived safely in New York. Do we want to double up on another vintage to replace the 66 or should we not worry?

A summary of pricing / menus would indeed be handy, I've lost track of both.

I am being told by Lupulo that if we go for their $95/person menu they'll figure a way that we dont have to pay the glass rental charge. There will be no corkage fee or min spend.

Count on that for now food-wise, details below.

So, full details are
830pm Friday Apr 1st (Ill try to get there around 8pm, others feel free to do the same)
Lupulo (http://www.lupulonyc.com/) - northwest corner of 29th st and 6th av. The closest subway stations are 34th st. (A, C, E) and 28th st (1). Paid parking is also available directly behind the restaurant on 29th st.

Details of the $95/person menu are as follows:
Apps: Olives, Benton's Smokey Ham
First: Red Snapper Crudo (had it before and it was delicious), Chef Salad
Main: Rotisserie Dry Aged Rib-Eye OR Whole Roasted Lamb OR Whole Roasted Suckling Pig (all w veggies and roasted potatoes)
Dessert: Filhoses, Pastéis de Nata
There will be no corkage fee or min spend.

Need a final show of hands (especially from Arlene and Moses Botbol). Also, those bringing bottles, can you guys name the $$ for your bottles?

- Miguel Simoes (70, 77, 83 - $220)
- Chris Doty (60, 66? - would be awesome if you could get to your 66!)
- Daniel Jewesbury (55, 63)
- Jay Hack (85)
- Arlene (you have a bottle you'd like to bring? looking to adopt?)
- Moses Botbol (can you make it??)

If Moses is in we should have room for 2 more... I can guarantee one of those spots.

Updates:
Moses Botbol wont be able to make it.
Arlene and her husban Stephan will be able to make it and will bring a bottle TBD.
Daniel Ron, my friend, will be joining.
Main course will be Rotisserie Dry Aged Rib-Eye and there will be some Bolinhos de Bacalhau added as appetizers.


Full details as of Mar 27th
830pm Friday Apr 1st (Ill try to get there around 8pm, others feel free to do the same)
Lupulo (http://www.lupulonyc.com/) - northwest corner of 29th st and 6th av. The closest subway stations are 34th st. (A, C, E) and 28th st (1). Paid parking is also available directly behind the restaurant on 29th st.

Details of the $95/person menu are as follows:
Apps: Olives, Bolinhos de Bacalhau, Benton's Smokey Ham
First: Red Snapper Crudo (had it before and it was delicious), Chef Salad
Main: Rotisserie Dry Aged Rib-Eye (w veggies and roasted potatoes)
Dessert: Filhoses, Pastéis de Nata
There will be no corkage fee or min spend.

Attending (those bringing bottles pls say how much $$)
- Miguel Simoes + Daniel Ron (70, 77, 83 - $220)
- Chris Doty (60, 66? - would be awesome if you could get to your 66!)
- Daniel Jewesbury (55, 63)
- Jay Hack (85)
- Arlene and Stephan Basset (will bring 1 bottle TBD)

My 55 and 63 came to about $200 together.

I will ask my friend Mark if he wants to join; but do we have a bottle shortage??

djewesbury wrote:My 55 and 63 came to about $200 together. I will ask my friend Mark if he wants to join; but do we have a bottle shortage??

By London standards we may have such a shortage. We're at 8 bottles/8 people right now.

Two more bottles may still show up:
- Chris Doty has a 66 in storage that he may end up bringing
- Jeff-G mentioned he'd drop one at the restaurant even if he didnt make it to the tasting... he did exactly that last year (and it was gorgeous! a 1908 VP iirc)

What do you guys think? Should i bring my 94 back? One bottle per person should be ok, no?

Great to have your friend Mark join. That puts us at capacity. Speaking of which, more than 8 bottles and we may run into glassware issues at the restaurant.

Rather than run into glassware issues, I would drink one and empty the glass...

All, we're all set w Lupulo. Party of 8 at 830pm Friday.
Reservation is final and my credit card is about to be on the hook for $1042.45 (comes to $130/person inclusive of tax and tip - they charge tip on waived corkage fee - oh well)
Looking fwd to seeing you all there!

Please confirm the placemats have correct details.

all sounds good to me. have at least 3 guests (sarah, michael and tobey).

they can adopt from me or buy in, as you prefer

woo woo

Chris Doty wrote:all sounds good to me. have at least 3 guests (sarah, michael and tobey).
they can adopt from me or buy in, as you prefer
woo woo

Chris, I would love to make this wider but not sure it will be feasible at this point.

I had to give a final count to the restaurant on Sunday and there were just 8 of us.

Also they will likely bump into glassware issues. I specifically mentioned back on Mar 23rd that "When I reached out to them last week w a target party size of 10-15 people they couldnt swing it. Glassware rental will be at least $225 (regardless of quantity, they've told me)"

Would you be willing to take on the glassware charge if needed to accommodate your friends? Also would be great if they could adopt from you, otherwise there will only be 8 bottles for 11 people. We should keep it to at least 1 bottle/person.

Please let me know reg the above so I can reach out to Lupulo in knowledge of all facts.

OK experts. How would you like me to decant the 1985. I can do it at any time during the day into a stoppered decanter and bring it either in the decanter or pour back into the bottle after cleaning out the crud.

Ok chaps, I'm afraid I am going to have to bow out.

I will read the notes with interest!

Enjoy

Chris Doty wrote:Ok chaps, I'm afraid I am going to have to bow out.
I will read the notes with interest!
Enjoy

You'll be missed.

Have to ask that you paypal me $130 for the vacant spot that you're leaving behind. I'll PM you the email address.

Guys, if you have someone else that can fill Chris' spot pls let me know. I'll give Chris' $130 back if we're able to find someone.

J a y H a c k wrote:OK experts. How would you like me to decant the 1985. I can do it at any time during the day into a stoppered decanter and bring it either in the decanter or pour back into the bottle after cleaning out the crud.

I'll welcome some expert advice too reg my 70, 77 and 83. My current intention is to have them in decanter overnight the night before (9pm - 6am), then pour back into the bottles. Would that be reasonable?