23rd April - 2004 "vintage"

[Stuart Chatfield]

Apologies if this has been discussed (you may have noticed a lack of posts from me due to an endless series of colds, flu etc. that has seriously dented my port consumption in the last month ) but 23 April approaches.

Whilst our various threads have come to the conclusion that a back-to-back is very unlikely, Sunday is, of course, the day when we will officially know this (well from Taylor's at least).

Presumably we'll all keep our ears to the ground for this. I'll need something to celebrate as I am aiming for 23 April to be my return-to-drinking day and will be celebrating it with one of my favourites (not sure which one yet - probably SW77 or Warre 70).

Actually, come on Fladgate and Co., let's make it a vintage and I may even crack open a Taylor 77. 8)

[Guest]

...you can crack open something good and celebrate my birthday on the 23rd! OR William Shakespeare's, since you're from London :)

Stewart

[toronto_norm]

Forgive my ignorance on the subject, but do all of the major port producers announce on April 23 whether they intend to declare a Vintage Port from the vintage 2 years prior? Or is it just Taylor?

I'm expecting (hoping) for some vintage declarations for 2004 and several single quinta VPs as well....my son's birth year.

thanks, Norm

[Stuart Chatfield]

No ignorance really - I started the post and I don't know. Taylor definitely does and, if I recall rightly, the others follow suit in the following weeks. I'm not sure if being a Sunday messes this up. I think they say something, even if it is only to announce a single quinta. By all reports, there's going to be at least a Vargellas, even if not a VP.

In theory, if it is not a VP, the Vargellas might be a good bet as 2004 was supposed to be v. close to '03 in quality and it was a close decision. (However, I had high hopes for Vargellas 1991 on that basis, until I actually tasted it :? . )

I think it is something to do with St George's day. St George being the patron saint of England because...........errr..........he was a non-existent Arab or Turkish man who had nothing to do with England at all .

Anyway, let's all raise a toast on Sunday to the Queen (well today is her bday), Shakespeare, Stewart, St George and Taylors.

[Ted D]

...you can crack open something good and celebrate my birthday on the 23rd! OR William Shakespeare's, since you're from London :)

Stewart

Well Stewart,
Since my recently adopted daugther turned 2 on your birthday :) I had a Rare Wine Co Boston Bual Madeira. Didn't dare have anything better since I was travelling and with non wine drinking friends (who all sampled and quite enjoyed as did I)

Ted