For The Love Of Port

I don't know if ABSL has a computer. What i do know, and have a couple of cases of ABSL Madeiras to prove it it that they do ship overseas.
For purity, intensity, clarity they are second to no one. I hope that i can keep ordering their subtle, nuanced wines for many years to come.
Computer or not.

Suggest what most of us use to check-out the wine scene: wine searcher.com. The pro version is, personal opinion, a good investment.

good and happy hunting

This is non contreversial topic....... Decanter, many of us are aware of this, just came out with their world wine awards for 2012. The backbone of this complex and thorough exercise rests on the shoulders, should i say palates, of the Regional Chairs. All professionals with impeccable credentials. ...

Suggest that you take a look at Michael Broadbent 'Vintage wine'. The section on 20th century Madeira is not the deepest, six pages, but this is the voice of 'The Master'. I would never accuse him of being 'soooo amazingly boring..... He knows more than any of us, and has an extraordinary insight an...

And the silence was deafening...... I loved the post. I loved it because it was refreshing. I loved it because it took me away from the sooooo serious assesment of the 68 D'oliveira Bual or the Blandy's 76 Terrantez. So amaizingly boring. It took me away from the TTT notes with the smugness of the e...

Excellent questions Peter. Sediment? I've come across traces, nothing comparable to vintage ports both younger and older. More often a crust, as in crusted port, on the side of the bottle. Which had obviously had rested on said 'side' for some time. I think your deductions do make a lot of sense Enj...

Can't remember Peter when and if i ever came across a bottle of Madeira that was off. Remarkably tough,resilient, consistent wine. As far as bottle variation is concerned i have one experience which could be of interest: a lot of 5 mid 19th century Bual which was acquired in the States in the mid-se...

Good note. Well written. Good and surprising. Did you come across an 'off' bottle? That would be highly unusual but not impossible. Blandy's Bual 1920 is one of the better example of last century's Madeira. The wine maker, Francisco Albuquerque was-is proud of it. Rightly so i think. My notes (4) ar...

Let's keep the story short. Some years ago was based in NY working for a US hotel company. Said company purchases a hotel in Toronto. Am send there to manage the property. Once arrived one of my first stop over was to check out the wine cellar which was a particularly large and extensive one. Spotte...

Not my best for 2012 but the most interesting so far: Vinhos Barbeito, Cask 119 Verdelho, 1996.
I am with Spurrier on that one: elegant, floral, great purity, subtle balance. Delicious summer wine.

Thank you Peter for taking the time. Most gracious reply.
Cordially
Philippe

I think you are right Peter. I also think that my take is accurate. Question of view points, question of perspective. Before signing off, a couple of points. I was mildly annoyed by your position when we went through the TT tasting discussion. I had my first Madeira tasting with John Cossart and oth...

Madeira course 101. Good promo for Blandy's. Estufagem-Canteiro, not exactly a revelation.....
Hope members from Germany and Las Vegas will not get upset by my comments and tell me
in capital letters to 'Join the conversation'....

Interesting couple of days. Emotions flying about. I want to thank Roy for his note which reminds us all what a classy man he is. Great values of integrity and honesty. Quite heart warming. I am thankful to Andy for cooling the game. It honors him. I was deeply touched by Eric's note. He took the hi...

What more do you want me to Say Eric?
You are saying what half a dozen other members stated.
I get it.
I whipped myself publicly, shot myself privately.

Making a point is a good thing. There is such a thing as over-making a point.
Is this necessary?

I think, but this is merely an impression, that my thoughts have not have not received a ringing endorsment.... I think further that i may not be invited to some of your next xmas parties...... And i have to accept, my act of public contrition, that i know nothing about old madeiras, that the invita...

A couple of thoughts Roy. You made the call. You decided to go selective. It is what it is. Is there a more democratic way? Absolutely. Is this the time and the place to do discuss it ? Absolutely not. Should there be another top level event in the future and if suggestions are requested then sugges...

Not an event.... sounds more like entering Valhalla.....
Curiosity question:
Besides being willing and able to bring a bottle dating back to Henri the Navigator or close how were the invitations extended? In other words how were the Chosen Ones chosen?

63 Sandeman on Monday. Great year, uneven bottles from Sandeman. This one was the last of a case purchased in the early nineties. Terrible nose: steamed vegetables that never went away in spite of decanting and airing. The wine did not seem affected. Tight,still fresh and vibrant. Good balance, ling...

I decant. I am a follower of the great Hersh decanter method . You know, cheesecloth etc. Useless the other day with a bottle of Miguel Jardim Boal Velho '1906 old wine etc, etc'. No sediment. Perfect cork. But a good idea at noon for one of it's brothers (bottle number 077). One full table spoon on...