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Nickolls & Perks are running a great virtual event - hosted by Anthony Symington over zoom!

Details are as follows -
We’ll be exploring the legendary 1985 vintage - a benchmark year for Port, defined by a warm summer and large yields, it was declared by all major Houses. Expect rich, expressive wines with exceptional maturity.

From the comfort of your home, you’ll have the rare opportunity to taste, compare, and contrast Ports from multiple Houses in a guided, interactive session. Whether you're a seasoned collector or a curious enthusiast, this is a unique chance to deepen your appreciation for this remarkable vintage.

Line up
Smith Woodhouse 1985
Warre's 1985
Cockburn's 1985
Graham's 1985
Dow's 1985

How it works?
Ahead of the event, you will receive your Port samples in the post, alongside a tasting card and food pairing suggestions.
You will then be sent a zoom link via email, so you are ready to log on at the start time. We suggest you get all your samples ready beforehand.
Anthony Symington will join us live on zoom, and guide you through each vintage. There will be opportunity for questions and discussion throughout.
The session will also be recorded, so if you cannot join us live, you can listen in anytime.

*samples can only be delivered to UK addresses*

Visit Nickolls & Perks website to book / see below for link

Hi Isobel and thanks for posting, very interesting to hear about the event.

For anyone interested, the link to the tickets is here.

The tasting is on 26th November at 19.00. Tickets cost £55.

That is very tempting!

rich_n wrote: ↑11:47 Thu 18 Sep 2025 That is very tempting!

I know! But it’s already a very busy time of year in my diary…

Alex Bridgeman wrote: ↑14:33 Thu 18 Sep 2025

rich_n wrote: ↑11:47 Thu 18 Sep 2025 That is very tempting!

I know! But it’s already a very busy time of year in my diary…

That's the only reason I haven't already purchased a ticket...

lport224 wrote: ↑09:20 Thu 18 Sep 2025 *samples can only be delivered to UK addresses*

I haz a sad.

I could probably even make a Zoom call on Nov 26 at 7:00 pm GMT. I'd have my usual mid-day conflicts, but those tend to work out okay when we do Port Forum Virtual Tastings.

Have added this to the planner.

Appear to be free that evening so have signed up.

Glenn E. wrote: ↑16:57 Thu 18 Sep 2025

lport224 wrote: ↑09:20 Thu 18 Sep 2025 *samples can only be delivered to UK addresses*

I haz a sad.

I could probably even make a Zoom call on Nov 26 at 7:00 pm GMT. I'd have my usual mid-day conflicts, but those tend to work out okay when we do Port Forum Virtual Tastings.

You might not be able to get samples sent to you, but you could always ask nicely if you might be allowed to join the Zoom call anyway.

Alex Bridgeman wrote: ↑09:59 Fri 19 Sep 2025

Glenn E. wrote: ↑16:57 Thu 18 Sep 2025

lport224 wrote: ↑09:20 Thu 18 Sep 2025 *samples can only be delivered to UK addresses*

I haz a sad.

I could probably even make a Zoom call on Nov 26 at 7:00 pm GMT. I'd have my usual mid-day conflicts, but those tend to work out okay when we do Port Forum Virtual Tastings.

You might not be able to get samples sent to you, but you could always ask nicely if you might be allowed to join the Zoom call anyway.

Don't the Symington's have an import arm in the U.S.? I would have thought they could distribute something through that, but maybe it's too tricky selling directly to a consumer in the U.S. What a shame.

Mike J. W. wrote: ↑16:31 Sat 20 Sep 2025

Alex Bridgeman wrote: ↑09:59 Fri 19 Sep 2025

Glenn E. wrote: ↑16:57 Thu 18 Sep 2025

lport224 wrote: ↑09:20 Thu 18 Sep 2025 *samples can only be delivered to UK addresses*

I haz a sad.

I could probably even make a Zoom call on Nov 26 at 7:00 pm GMT. I'd have my usual mid-day conflicts, but those tend to work out okay when we do Port Forum Virtual Tastings.

You might not be able to get samples sent to you, but you could always ask nicely if you might be allowed to join the Zoom call anyway.

Don't the Symington's have an import arm in the U.S.? I would have thought they could distribute something through that, but maybe it's too tricky selling directly to a consumer in the U.S. What a shame.

They do, but this is being put on by Nickolls & Perks and not by they Symingtons. And as you said, it's tricky in the US. As I recall, Vintage & Fine Wines cannot ship to WA and only has a list of about 6-8 states that they can ship to.

I am in contact with Nickolls & Perks to see if there is some way we can make this work - they're looking into possible logistics on their end. I have 3 of the Ports in my own cellar, and I suspect that someone around here (read: Seattle) would have a 4th. The only one I'm not sure about in our local group is the Cockburn, but we could substitute Gould Campbell for that if we were to open our own bottles.

I'm also hoping that if there isn't a way we can get the Port for the tasting, that they'll be amenable to the idea of me joining the Zoom call anyway.

Glenn E. wrote: ↑16:44 Mon 22 Sep 2025

Mike J. W. wrote: ↑16:31 Sat 20 Sep 2025

Alex Bridgeman wrote: ↑09:59 Fri 19 Sep 2025

Glenn E. wrote: ↑16:57 Thu 18 Sep 2025

lport224 wrote: ↑09:20 Thu 18 Sep 2025 *samples can only be delivered to UK addresses*

I haz a sad.

I could probably even make a Zoom call on Nov 26 at 7:00 pm GMT. I'd have my usual mid-day conflicts, but those tend to work out okay when we do Port Forum Virtual Tastings.

You might not be able to get samples sent to you, but you could always ask nicely if you might be allowed to join the Zoom call anyway.

Don't the Symington's have an import arm in the U.S.? I would have thought they could distribute something through that, but maybe it's too tricky selling directly to a consumer in the U.S. What a shame.

They do, but this is being put on by Nickolls & Perks and not by they Symingtons. And as you said, it's tricky in the US. As I recall, Vintage & Fine Wines cannot ship to WA and only has a list of about 6-8 states that they can ship to.

I am in contact with Nickolls & Perks to see if there is some way we can make this work - they're looking into possible logistics on their end. I have 3 of the Ports in my own cellar, and I suspect that someone around here (read: Seattle) would have a 4th. The only one I'm not sure about in our local group is the Cockburn, but we could substitute Gould Campbell for that if we were to open our own bottles.

I'm also hoping that if there isn't a way we can get the Port for the tasting, that they'll be amenable to the idea of me joining the Zoom call anyway.

I have all of those Ports except maybe for the Cockburn, but I wouldn't open all of those bottles, lol. I'll keep an eye on this thread for updates. Thanks Glenn.

I’m in: ticket bought.

Placemats made and offered to Nickolls & Perks. Perhaps you’ll need to print your own.

Are we game for mischief? (Is that even a question?)

Should we all open an extra Symington ’85?

Mike J. W. wrote: ↑16:55 Mon 22 Sep 2025 I have all of those Ports except maybe for the Cockburn, but I wouldn't open all of those bottles, lol. I'll keep an eye on this thread for updates.

Oops, forgot to come back with the results.

Sadly, N&P can't help us, so we can't participate.

Anyone else other than myself and Julian?

jdaw1 wrote: ↑22:51 Thu 20 Nov 2025 Are we game for mischief? (Is that even a question?)

Should we all open an extra Symington ’85?

Think the only others are QH (of which I have none) and GC (of which I have some).
Should have thought about this sooner and offered samples.

Was there a recording of the Zoom tasting? If so, any chance of posting the link?