A Taylor Offline

[David Spriggs]

OP updated, thanks.

Still looking for 1963 and 1970. Plus other odd vintages of Single Quintas not on the list.

I'll discuss with my wife and either commit or withdraw from the tasting by tomorrow evening. I believe that I have a 1963 and 1970, but will check tonight. I also have 1966, 1977, and 1992.
-Dave-

[Roy Hersh]

I have just gone read the last two pages of this thread, but haven't checked the beginning again.

I will be in touch w/ Andy by phone on Tuesday to discuss my logistics challenge with wine judging in Ontario, CA early the next a.m; but if all goes well with that discussion, I am a definite, even if I have to change plans and miss my 17th Vancouver Wine Festival.

If you would consider not ending at 1992, and would push the boundary a little bit, I'd be happy to put up the Port for it. 1994 which is turning 20, is a monster that would have to be decanted on Friday night, but it is such an incredible VP and one of the truly great Taylor's and 1994''s too, that it should not be left out of a vertical that is showing the depth of Taylor.

Additionally, I can fill in some holes with a 1970 Taylor VP for sure, a 1987 Vargellas which is likely the best Taylor produced in the decade (to compare against the 1988 Vargellas) also the very solid 1991 Vargellas and if you want to see how explosive a crazy young VP can be, I'd bring down a 2011 too.

[Eric Menchen]

I have 1970, 1991, 1992, and 1994 as well. I just figured the 1968 was the more unique offering. Let me know if I can/should contribute something else as well. I'd like to figure this part out sooner rather than later as my plan will be to have a box ready to ship to Andy, and send it out whenever there is a week of decent weather. This week is not it.

[Glenn E.]

I recommend stopping at '88. While the '92 and '94 are both incredible Ports, I think they're both still very much too young. That and it seems that we're turning this into something rather huge. This has to be a quick "weekender" trip for me, so I'd rather not have 2 sessions of 15 Ports each! I'd much prefer 2 sessions of 7-8 Ports each. I'm happy to bow out if the consensus is for a large, formal tasting though.

[Tom D.]

Guys, we are starting to push above 20 bottles, which seems like plenty to me. I think we should keep the cut-off at 1992, possibly even 1990 if we pick up any more older bottles (we are still missing a few older Vargellas). For my palate, 10 Ports per session is plenty, especially with younger Ports. I'd like to hear how others feel about this.

Depending on the food, it's possible a couple bottles could shift to being paired with dinner, which might accommodate a couple additional bottles. More on that later.

Having said that, though...Roy, we'll find room for the 2011 somehow, I am itching to taste it. Roy, I'll put you down for the 1970 Taylor, for now.

I'm not going to quibble about who contributes what, dollar-wise or bottle-wise, I just don't care. For the guys who have yet to declare a Port to bring, there's probably room for one or two of you to split the 1980's assortment box with Glenn. That would probably be a better alternative than bringing something young.

[Glenn E.]

Roy, I'll put you down for the 1970 Taylor and 1987 Vargellas, for now.

Isn't there an '87 Vargellas in the auction lot that we bought?

Not that having 2 of them would necessarily be a bad thing... just sayin'... we could drink one of them on Friday night...

[Tom D.]

You're right Glenn. Roy's off the hook for that one, I'll edit my post.

[Tom D.]

Unfortunately, Moses won't be able to attend

Steve, you are officially in.

OP updated, Marc's contributions also added.

[Andy Velebil]

As there appears to a good number of us wanting to gather on Friday. Since Saturday will be at my house, I've checked with a place I do a lot of wine dinners at. As hosting two events at my house will probably be a bit much. The great part is this location has a hotel at the other end of the parking lot so no one will have to drive anywhere that night. Look it over and let me know if there are any objections.

I've made a reservation for 10 people. I can raise or lower that as needed but wanted to secure it now as it typically fills up early. Let me know if the following sounds good to everyone.

The location is at the California State Polytechnic University Pomona, Collins College of Hospitality Management. They operate a full multi-course restaurant that is really good. It is student operated with two Professors overseeing it. I do a lot of wine dinners here during the year and it rocks. Great location, great food, students wanting to learn, killer view of the hillside, and good prices. Typically, we do a "family style" dinner so everyone gets to try the variety of dishes they offer. You can check out the link to get an idea, though it changes a bit each new school Semester. The professors pair us with student servers who are typically working on a WSET or other Somm-type degree.

There is no corkage and we can bring as many bottles as we want. Typical cost is around the $40-55 per person (which includes the tip/tax). The tip is tax deductible as it goes to the schools program. We'll have a round table in the "presidents dinning room" so everyone can easily see each other and chat.

I'm checking on a group discount at the hotel the University runs, will report back on that. Regardless it's not very expensive if I can't get it, around $80-ish or so. But below is the hotel info. It's a nice hotel, nothing ultra flashy, but very clean and comfy. It's literally about 50 yards across the parking lot, so no driving for anyone. And best part is after dinner we can take our left overs back to the hotel and continue enjoying until we call it quits. There is a good free full breakfast in the am and a pool/spa.

PLEASE LET ME KNOW ASAP if you'll need a hotel room.

WHEN:
FRIDAY February 28th,

WHERE:
The Restaurant at Kellog Ranch
The Collins College of Hospitality Management
3801 West Temple Avenue, Building 79
Pomona, California 91768
http://www.csupomona.edu/~rkr/

TIME:
6pm dinner starts

HOTEL INFO:
Kellogg West Conference Center & Hotel
3801 W. Temple Avenue, Building 76
Pomona, CA 91768
1.800.KWEST.76 or 909.869.2222
http://www.kelloggwest.org/

DO NOT MAKE A HOTEL RESERVATION YET. I will advise on that shortly.

Here's a screen shot of the location, as the address is the main school's. Here's also the google map link so you get an idea of where it's at.
http://goo.gl/maps/pAhia

[Andy Velebil]

PLEASE let me know who plans to attend on Friday ASAP so I can better assess the numbers.

[Bradley Bogdan]

I'll plan on attending Friday.

[Tom D.]

Andy, I'll come up on Friday. How are the stems at this venue?

[Andy Velebil]

Andy, I'll come up on Friday. How are the stems at this venue?

average, and not what we'd prefer as picky wine needs.

If you're local please bring dry wine and port glasses if you can.

Those from out of town I'll bring extra glasses for you.

[Andy Velebil]

To keep this pre-event planning easier I've started a new thread with the pre-Taylor offline/dinner on Friday Feb 28th into it's own thread. Refer to this thread for Friday's fun.

http://www.fortheloveofport.com/ftlopfo ... =3&t=17193

[David Spriggs]

I'm happy to bow out if the consensus is for a large, formal tasting though.

OK... bow out.




*just kidding*

[David Spriggs]

I'm now confirming my attendance at this offline. I checked my cellar and I do have 1963, 1970, 1977, etc (as mentioned above).

[Andy Velebil]

I'm now confirming my attendance at this offline. I checked my cellar and I do have 1963, 1970, 1977, etc (as mentioned above).

Woohoo

You going to make the pre-offline on Friday? (See the new thread)

[David Spriggs]

Yes! I will make the pre-offline on Friday.

[Roy Hersh]

Outstanding. Thanks Andy!

I'll be there on Friday as discussed.

Thanks to you and Tom for organizing this fun FTLOP weekend.

[Tom D.]

Excellent David. I'll put you down for the 1963 for now. Thanks!