FTLOP #19 Feedback

Post by **Roy Hersh** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 10:45 pm

I'd be interested in your opinions, suggestions and/or critical feedback regarding the newletter that was just released. Please do share your thoughts about the articles, overall content or specific area. Thanks!

Frederick Blais · Post by **Frederick Blais** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 3:48 pm

Roy I did read it with lot of pleasure last night. Especially for the tasting of the Vargellas. We don't find many tasting notes around these, especially the Vinha Velha, yes your are correct the 95 was released in Canada, the 2000 too but not the 1997 unfortunately.

To the light of your comments I understand that this is more a collection item , still very good but if the regular bottling of Taylor beats it every year, one might argue why make it, and especially buy it, in declared vintage.

Oh! And I'm really looking forward to the new look and feel of the web site, it looks really top!

Jay Powers · Post by **Jay Powers** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 11:22 pm

Roy

As always, I enjoyed your newsletter. I was a bit suprised at the 85 Warre's note though, I find that to be much better then you did for that bottle! After sharing so many ports on the recent FTLOP trip, I was a little surprised that our palate's were so different on that one, which I love, at least from the bottles in my cellar.

Keep up the good work!

Jay

*sweetstuff · Post by *sweetstuff » Thu Nov 16, 2006 3:08 pm

One issue that I'd like you to think about is making sure that there is easy access from the forums to the newsletters, and vince versa if that is a problem (I haven't looked).

Thanks Roy, and keep up the good work.

Derek T. · Post by **Derek T.** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 3:32 pm

Roy,

A great Newsletter - it made my 2 hour train journey to London go in a flash today

I am SOOOO jealous about the Vargelas tasting. The older wines are just not available on the market and to try them all at the same tasting must have been a great honour. Perhaps this is a theme for our next harvest tour?

Derek

PS: Glad to see you have been brave enough to ask for the support you deserve

Post by **Andy Velebil** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 5:45 pm

I haven't finished it yet, been a busy week for me, but I really enjoyed the Vargellas article. Vargellas bottles and tasting notes are a bit hard to come by, but a beautiful Quinta it is.

I also enjoyed the note on the Ferreira 20 Year Old Duque de Braganca Tawny Port. As regulars here know by now, it is my favorite 20 yr tawny and it was great of you to post about our "challenge" (thanks Gustavo

) and just shows what a great bottle it is...now if they could only get their VP's up to that quality.

I only had time to skim the Noval section, but I am drooling in anticipation. If I can get some work done early tonight I will pour a glass and savor it.

PS: Glad to see you have been brave enough to ask for the support you deserve

I agree with Derek 100% ...even if he does spit the good juice

Post by **Roy Hersh** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 3:22 pm

Thanks guys. Trust me, I am not looking for pats on the back. I really do want some constructive criticism and feedback. Otherwise, I don't know if you all find the articles of interest or not. Suggestions are always appeciated!

Post by **Andy Velebil** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 4:20 pm

Roy, trust me I have no problem offering constructive criticism when it due. I really enjoyed the article about Vargellas and Noval, which was perfect timing after the trip.

As a matter of fact, your scores on the 2000 Noval and NN are exactly the same as mine! I see I've taught you well, my young apprentice

Derek T. · Post by **Derek T.** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 5:17 pm

Roy Hersh wrote:Thanks guys. Trust me, I am not looking for pats on the back.

Trust me, Roy, I'm not trying to blow smoke up your ass ("arse" in the UK) when I say that the Vargellas notes were great to read. Legendary tastings like this and the Noval v Nacional event make great reading. The only problem is they make me jealous because I wasn't there :x

In terms of suggestions for the Newsletter. How about trying to persuade some of those high profile contacts of yours in the Douro (hi, guys, I know you are reading this

) to give you short articles or interviews on the latest harvest, the history of their Quinta's, their thoughts on where the port industry is going, etc - might be interesting reading

Derek

Post by **Andy Velebil** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 5:28 pm

Ok, you asked...I think people want to hear about the trip. So rearrange the plans and put that article on the fast track :twisted:

Post by **Roy Hersh** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 8:07 pm

Andy,

I have already been working on the 2004 VP Forecast article, which is the Featured article in the coming year end issue #20. I do plan to move the trip ahead of two or three other issues I had planned and will have it in the January and February (maybe lead into March too) issues. I realize it is hard to keep quiet about some of the great topics I know you guys are dying to break loose with, but you'll just have to bear with me for a short while so that I can do justice to all of these topics while ensuring a smooth rollout (with Stewart of course!) of the new newsletter and website.

As far as our scores coinciding on the Noval/Nacionals ... er, that was from a different tasting with different bottles, so I am not sure that it is AS relevant.

However, I certainly do appreciate all you have taught me about Port over the past few decades!!

Derek,

You make an excellent point and in 2007, I will ask AGAIN for more participation from the trade. I know they must realize the relevance to providing insight here, but don't blame them for not doing so in a direct manner. There are other ways to provide educational and news worthy information here though and I will make this part of my agenda. FYI, during my June trip ... I did discuss this very topic with a handful of key Port trade members. For whatever reason, I can't even seem to get their press releases. Something is wrong with that picture ... but I take full responsibility for not being a squeakier wheel.