Hi,

This isn't really a proper tasting note, because I'm not really in a
sufficiently clear headed state to be honest. I'll try to talk about the
1988 Haut Brion tomorrow.

For "afters", Tony opened his penultimate bottle of Quinta da Noval 1960
(not the Nacional) which we had first of all at lunch and then again this
evening.

Eyes - very pale, almost tawny, though a touch redder - an old gentleman.
Nose good vinous porty but with a distinct hint of coffee. On the mouth,
this wine was very gentle, all the tannins and brandy had long ago been
integrated and it was beautifully delicate and subtle. Not a powerful wine,
but full of charm with almost a gossamer feel to it. By no means completely
dried out. Long. A perfect accompaniment to the wonderful chocolates we
finished our christmas meal with. Had I had room, and thought of it, I'd
have tried it tonight with a morsel of the perfect Colston Basset Stilton we
got last Saturday from Neal's Yard. Maybe tomorrow.


--
All the Best
Ian
I prefer to call my prejudices "working hythoseses".

Hi

Before Michael picks me up on it, yes I _know_ it should have been Quinta do
Noval!! Put it down to being tired and emotional and incapable of typing
anyway.


at 22:42:53 +0000, I said:-
>
>For "afters", Tony opened his penultimate bottle of Quinta da Noval 1960

Duh!
--
All the Best
Ian
I prefer to call my prejudices "working hythoseses".

Ian Hoare > wrote:

>> For "afters", Tony opened his penultimate bottle of Quinta da
>> Noval 1960

> Before Michael picks me up on it, yes I _know_ it should have
> been Quinta do Noval!! Put it down to being tired and emotional
> and incapable of typing anyway.

Come on Ian, I catched such a terrible coald, I didn't even
realize the typo. What's even more boring: yesterday evening I
took the last sip of a Mazanilla San León from Argüeso (from a
screw-capped half bottle), and it tasted like tap water. (No, it
was *not* the wine's fault!)

M.

Hi Michael Pronay,

on Wed, 26 Dec 2007 12:01:48 +0100, you said:-

>Ian Hoare > wrote:
>
>>> For "afters", Tony opened his penultimate bottle of Quinta da
>>> Noval 1960
>
>> Before Michael picks me up on it, yes I _know_ it should have
>> been Quinta do Noval!! Put it down to being tired and emotional
>> and incapable of typing anyway.
>
>Come on Ian, I catched such a terrible cold, I didn't even
>realize the typo.

Poor you!! But you must admit, that if you'd been on form, you would have
teased me terribly about it!

Anyway, we had another port today. I don't know if you were aware of the
"Boxing Day" tradition in the UK, when the Christmas celebrations are
continued for a second day of great excess. Anyway, after the Turkey
yesterday, with the Haut-Brion '86, and the Quinta do Noval, today was a
massive 3 rib beef roast. Properly hung (3 weeks) and properly cooked (33
mins per kg - that's 15 mins a pound for the metrically challenged) in a hot
oven, it was divine accompanied by Ch Belcastel 1996 (which was quite
surprsingly foward and showing very nicely indeed). With the Stilton, we
had Taylor's 1963, which frankly I preferred to the Quinta do Noval. A
little fuller in the mouth and with more fruit on the nose. Another fine
meal. Tomorrow it's slumming it with the mindblowing Goose Pie that my niece
made and brought with her. Plus some dutch smoked eel, and some excellent
Orkney smoked salmon and mackerel. Life doesn't get much better.

>took the last sip of a Mazanilla San León from Argüeso (from a
>screw-capped half bottle), and it tasted like tap water. (No, it
>was *not* the wine's fault!)

That's AWFUL. Go to bed with a glass of honey, lemon and hot water with a
large slug of whisky. It's my father's favourite recipe for not curing a
cold.
--
All the Best
Ian
I prefer to call my prejudices "working hythoseses".