PhilW wrote: ↑22:01 Fri 31 Jan 2020
And BBR75 is clearly QH, either in addition to GC (if both existed) or GC is an error in their list for '75.
I have often reflected on the fact that, as brands, neither QH nor GC are underpinned by a quinta. And as such, they are essentially ports created from either purchased grapes/wines, or some ad-hoc blend of owned grapes/wines. Assuming this to be correct, I can imagine it would be easy in 1977 when bottling the 1975, to get a bit muddled about which brand went in. Or to just have two different bottlings from different brands.
Not unlike the Ts94, where we have speculation that some offerings were QH, and others W.
PhilW wrote: ↑22:01 Fri 31 Jan 2020
Indeed. And we have additionally determined since that BBR47 is Fonseca, and BBR55 is Graham.
And BBR75 is clearly QH, either in addition to GC (if both existed) or GC is an error in their list for '75.
I was not aware of the other pre-47 vintages, so that is interesting and useful additional information, thank you.
p.s. Wasn't there a Berry's Own Selection which Tom brought once from a vintage which was pre-Rudd? (can't find my note on that currently)
Interesting-thanks Julian and Phil for this additional information. The list I received from BBR also initially had GC as the producer of the 75 but they have now corrected this to QH-there was no GC in addition. I was told of a reference to the BBR 55 but that they did not know the producer.
We are full; reserve list started. First post also updated to include bottles currently held (Alex and Tony, you both mention others and so can you clarify please). At present, it looks as though we are missing 60, 83, 91 and 94.
Taking Charles's suggestion I am tempted to extend the tasting to up to including 2011. Comments on this please? Clearly, with the revealing of pre-60 vintages any of these would also be welcome!
In some vintage years there is a “Berry Brothers & Rudd” Vintage Port, sold by the eponymous wine merchant. The sources are shown, as kindly revealed by Berry Brothers & Rudd.
The list sent by Berry Brothers & Rudd started in 1960, so did not reveal the shippers of the earlier selections: 1917, 1920, 1924, 1927, 1935, and 1955.
1960 Rebello Valente
1963 Taylor Fladgate
1966 Warre
1970 Warre
1975 Gould Campbell
1977 Quarles Harris
1980 Warre
1983 Warre
1985 Shipped by Smith Woodhouse
1991 Bottled by Smith Woodhouse
1994 Produced & bottled by Smith Woodhouse
1997 Produced & bottled by Warre
2000 Produced by Smith Woodhouse
2003 Produced by Quinta de la Rosa
2011 When we asked Charles Symington, Head Winemaker at Dow, Graham and Warre, to send in samples for our Own Selection from the superb 2011 vintage, he was happy to oblige. After extensive tasting, we concluded the wine made in the style of Graham best captured the essence of this extraordinary year with its precision, purity and power. The blend is mainly Touriga Nacional and Tinta Roriz, with a small percentage of Souzão sourced from some of the best vineyards of the Douro Superior. The nose glories in notes of gum cistus and violet, and the palate is beautifully rounded, yet with finely etched tannins on the finish – making this vintage, to my mind, the best since 1994.
The BBR 2011 was made in the style of Graham, but might not be Graham itself.
To note that on the list supplied to me BBR 2007 was also included (bottled by SFE).
idj123 wrote: ↑08:41 Sat 01 Feb 2020
We are full; reserve list started. First post also updated to include bottles currently held (Alex and Tony, you both mention others and so can you clarify please). At present, it looks as though we are missing 60, 83, 91 and 94.
Taking Charles's suggestion I am tempted to extend the tasting to up to including 2011. Comments on this please? Clearly, with the revealing of pre-60 vintages any of these would also be welcome!
I suggest limiting the tasting to the 14 (or so) oldest bottles we are able to obtain. If that means we get to 2007 then lets extend to 15 and include the 2011 (if we have some available). But otherwise lets not be excessive and stick to the 14 oldest we can find.
Top Ports in 2023: Taylor 1896 Colheita, b. 2021. A perfect Port.
2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.
idj123 wrote: ↑08:41 Sat 01 Feb 2020
We are full; reserve list started. First post also updated to include bottles currently held (Alex and Tony, you both mention others and so can you clarify please). At present, it looks as though we are missing 60, 83, 91 and 94.
Taking Charles's suggestion I am tempted to extend the tasting to up to including 2011. Comments on this please? Clearly, with the revealing of pre-60 vintages any of these would also be welcome!
I suggest limiting the tasting to the 14 (or so) oldest bottles we are able to obtain. If that means we get to 2007 then lets extend to 15 and include the 2011 (if we have some available). But otherwise lets not be excessive and stick to the 14 oldest we can find.
Alex, agreed but can people still confirm whether they have any 2000, 03, 07 or 2011 so that we have as full a picture as possible?
CPR 1 wrote: ↑18:32 Tue 11 Feb 2020
If still required BBR has 91 for sale on the website for a relatively reasonable £45
Thanks for spotting Charles and agree, unless anyone already has, then a group purchase is in order. And talking of what everyone has, can everyone who hasn't already please confirm if they are able to contribute or whether they will likely be adopting ( there's obviously still time left to potentially secure something).
And if anyone is looking to secure in the meantime suggest that we try and track down the 83 as that currently looks the impediment to having a ' straight flush'.
Because of travel restrictions I wouldn’t be able to attend this even if I was on the list. I do have the 83 if it is needed and can send it to Alex. Whoever needs to adopt can provide one for me at a future tasting.
I've just had an email from Berry's saying that they are reopening their cellars and entertainment spaces in St James's.
Are we likely to see this tasting take place?
Alex
Funnily enough whilst I was away on hols (until the beginning of this week) I received an e-mail from the chap at BBR who was presuming that it would be postponed. I have responded questioning whether BBR would still be able to accomodate and will expect a response on Monday (when the chap is back in). Will then confirm the position.
As expected, BBR confirmed that it will not be presently possible to hold the tasting in the format proposed ; they can only host a maximum of 8 persons and that is for a tutored tasting. Another one to add to next year's expanding list!
A short update on this tasting. Having met with the chap this week, we are good to go again in either January or February 2022. Am due to be provided with some dates next week and will then post the new date (taking care to avoid any current clashes). I will then ask for reconfirmations (including any updates to available bottles).
Folks, we now have a new date (see first post) Wednesday 2 February 2022. All other details remain unchanged but can I pleas ask all those who previously confirmed (including those on the reserve list) to reconfirm and to also confirm/reconfirm the BBR bottlings that they hold.
Cost for wine and after tasting food will be about £20 a head (I will establish how substantive the food will be). They would also like to write up the tasting in a blog or their magazine.