So what Ports are you drinking this weekend?

[Roy Hersh]

I am heading down to Southern CA where I am judging in the New World International Wine Competition which I've been involved with since 1999. Can't wait to do it again this year, as I am one of the very few of the 4 dozen professional judges who is not a well-known winemaker. Always fun and on Sunday the first day, I will have at least 130 wines, but have never gone through less than 150 in reality. Then again we have 8 hours not including the meals. On Monday, the medal round day, they also break out the dessert wines and I'm always included in that panel too. Great stuff.

But this year, for the first time since 2008, I am heading down to LA and will be hanging out with Andy V. from this afternoon through tomorrow night. He's put together a rockin' offline down there and I can't wait to meet some new friends and a bunch of faithful that he has lined up. I am sure there will be at least a few goodies. I have an oldie with me for tonight and a MAG of Douro wine to enjoy w/ dinner.

For tomorrow, i've brought along a special treat for Andy, but will keep him guessing for a few more hours. Also an older Douro wine to share ... just because, he deserves it!

So what are you going to decant and enjoy this weekend while hanging out or possibly watching that funny little gold statute on Sunday night?

[Eric Menchen]

I haven't made Port plans yet, but might open something Sunday as we are having a small gathering for the little gold statue. Saturday I'll be judging beers. I received my BJCP test scores and I'm now a "Recognized" beer judge. If I judge a few more rounds I'll be "Certified." As previously discussed, I won't be drinking 130+ beers, but I will be swallowing the ones I do judge.

I'm guessing you, Andy, and the gathered faithful will be enjoying some wonderful bottles. Enjoy

[John M.]

Port Club Meeting tonight:

Warres Warior Reserve
Quinta do Noval Ruby
Quinta Do Estanho VVP 1994
Taylor Flagate VP 2007

[Glenn E.]

I still have about half a bottle of 2004 Quinta de la Rosa Vintage Port in my decanter, but when that runs out I'll be picking up a bottle of Sandeman 40-year old to try. I also have a 2000 Kopke LBV on death row, but I'm not sure when I'll get around to opening it.

[Scott Anaya]

Finally relaxing this weekend and watching whatever these awards are on t.v. with a Kopke 10 yr from a FTLOP exclusive offer some time ago...Thank you Roy The 3 cases that keep on giving!

I also got to crack the Sandeman 30 yr tawny which finally made its way to Alaska after 7 months of asking and WOW, Holy Cow....one of thee best tawnies I have ever had.

[Eric Menchen]

As the risk of annoying you with non-Port talk ...

Didn't get to the Port. On Saturday I evaluated 17 beers (writes up with scores) and tasted three others to pick the best out of a larger group--i.e. we evaluated ten, they evaluated ten, and then we all tasted the top three from both groups to come up with a final top three. Nothing terrible but nothing stellar on this day as I think my scores ranged from mid-20s to high 30s on a 50 point scale. I won't complain, however, as I once had a beer that I gave 13 points to.

On Sunday I drank a little red wine and a bit of bubbly as we watched the Oscars. I had a nice Argentine wine from Mendoza, Gruet bubbly from New Mexico, and Moet & Chandon White Star. We had so much food brought that I didn't even get to grill the lamb I had prepared. That might have led to more red wine and possibly Port drinking.

[Andy Velebil]

Just got back after a few days of altitude training in the mountains and the evening drinks were a 2007 Pombal do Vesuvio Douro, NV Broadbent Vinho Verde, 2004 Quinta do Crasto LBV, 1966 Barros VP. Tonight is the dinner with Rupert Symington and some 2007's, plus some of their Douro dry wines, oh and a 20 Year Old Graham's Tawny...can't wait for this dinner to start!

[dom carter]

hi,

Just come off 2 and a half weeks of anti-biotics ( bl**dy Staph infection!!) so i haven't touched a drop for a while!!

Luckily i'd opened a couple of bottles B4 my drug-induced tea-totalness and these now neeed finishing, so this weekend i've got;

1) 2000 Smith & Woodhouse Vintage - fruity with a load of Parma violets!

2) 2003 Grahams LBV - liking this a lot for an LBV, lots of liquorice!!

Dom

[Glenn E.]

Just got back after a few days of altitude training in the mountains and the evening drinks were a 2007 Pombal do Vesuvio Douro, NV Broadbent Vinho Verde, 2004 Quinta do Crasto LBV, 1966 Barros VP. Tonight is the dinner with Rupert Symington and some 2007's, plus some of their Douro dry wines, oh and a 20 Year Old Graham's Tawny...can't wait for this dinner to start!

Hey Andy,

Porto is a sea level. You don't need to do altitude training for the Harvest Tour!

[Andy Velebil]

Just got back after a few days of altitude training in the mountains and the evening drinks were a 2007 Pombal do Vesuvio Douro, NV Broadbent Vinho Verde, 2004 Quinta do Crasto LBV, 1966 Barros VP. Tonight is the dinner with Rupert Symington and some 2007's, plus some of their Douro dry wines, oh and a 20 Year Old Graham's Tawny...can't wait for this dinner to start!

Hey Andy,

Porto is a sea level. You don't need to do altitude training for the Harvest Tour!

Just prepping for those hikes up the steep vineyards

[Eric Menchen]

Porto is a sea level. You don't need to do altitude training for the Harvest Tour!

I always find my alcohol tolerance at sea level is higher than at my home altitude of 5000'. I think Andy's being smart here.

[Andy Velebil]

Porto is a sea level. You don't need to do altitude training for the Harvest Tour!

I always find my alcohol tolerance at sea level is higher than at my home altitude of 5000'. I think Andy's being smart here.

Don't often get that so thanks and as a reward you can open a second bottle tonight

[Al B.]

This coming weekend in the UK includes a public holiday on Monday (to celebrate May Day in honour of the Communist Revolution in Russia in 1917 or something). The weather forecast is for the temperature to drop from the current extremely pleasant 20-22C (68-72F) down to 9-10C (48-50F). This will require some warming nourishment as the cold winds start to gather again.

I have a number of bottles which are not in the best of condition and this weekend may well see the end of one of them - a bottle of Taylor 1935 which has a fill of only just above low shoulder. It might end up in a reduction, but it might drink like a nicely mature and elderly tawny. Who can tell.

And if it is truly shot to pieces, I can always refresh it with some of the Taylor 2003 LBV that is open at the moment

[Derek T.]

Spurred on by the recent good weather I am planning to drive to the Lake District on either Saturday or Sunday to climb the highest mountain in England, Scafell Pike so would probably not be drinking much port over te weekend. However, given Alex's post above I may have to take a detour via Wokingham and help him decide whether or not that Taylor 35 is any good and leave Scafell to enjoy the cold and the rain on its own

[Glenn E.]

the highest mountain in England, Scafell Pike

That's not a mountain. This is a mountain.



This weekend I'll be having 2 tawnies, 2 LBVs, an SQVP, and 3 VPs. For once I might actually out-drink Derek. If it comes to pass, mark the date in history.

[Derek T.]

the highest mountain in England, Scafell Pike

That's not a mountain. This is a mountain.

Agreed. But you can't "climb" 80% of the ascent of Scafell Pike in your car - the car park is at 200ft above sea level, so it's quite a good hike to the summit.

[Glenn E.]

the highest mountain in England, Scafell Pike

That's not a mountain. This is a mountain.

Agreed. But you can't "climb" 80% of the ascent of Scafell Pike in your car - the car park is at 200ft above sea level, so it's quite a good hike to the summit.

You can't drive up 80% of Mt. Rainier either - Paradise is at 5400 feet. (Sunrise, at 6400 feet, is only open July-Sept.) From Paradise it's a 4.5 mile, 4700 ft ascent to Camp Muir which is the usual starting point for those attempting the climb to the summit.

Paradise to Camp Muir is about a 6 hour round trip... 4 up, 2 down. At least that's what I've read... I've certainly never done it. However, if you get your butt over here, I promise that I'll do the hike with you!

[Derek T.]

if you get your butt over here, I promise that I'll do the hike with you!

That's a deal! I have no idea when that would be possible but so long as we both manage to stay a few steps ahead of the Grim Reaper I will do my best to make sure that one day it does

...and I also have an appointment with a nearby cellar whilst I'm in the 'hood