|
On Friday I had to get into White tie and tails for the Oakley Club dinner at Castle Ashby, the Marquis of Northamptons second (or third?) home.
Apart from being a bit tired after a busy week, I found that all my wing collars are size 16 and a half when I am a17, and my tails are more like wearing a straight jacket, they are so tight. I must have put on the odd pound since the last wearing. Probably time to pass these (in fact my late grandfathers ) down to my sons! I was seated next to a charming man who I knew to be a famous oarsman in his day, a sort of boyhood hero of mine when I used to row. He had been a Blue, an Olympian and for years Captain then President of Leander. All the Hunting members of the club were in their Pink (scarlet) tail coats, my Leander friend obviously spends his time wearing pink a lot! {mosgoogle}
Over dinner our discussion came around to Port, and what he was currently drinking. I was intrigued to hear that for years he had been enjoying the '08s, that is 1908, but was now enjoying his 55's and 60's. We agreed on a lot of his like and dislikes, particularly that the 66s and 60s are at this moment drinking better than 63s which are going through a bit of a spirity phase. We agreed that our all time favourites are the 27s. and we agreed on our favourite shippers, being Taylor, Fonseca, Grahams, Dow, and back then Cockburns and occasionally Croft. I have to say I was thrilled to be able to have this discussion as not many people nowadays have this knowledge, unless thay are in the business. As a parting shot, we were discussing the recent Nelson celebrations of Trafalgar, when he dropped in that on 21st October, Trafalgar Night, he had drunk an 1805 Madeira, and chose to limit the occasion two a couple of his best friends. But now Madeira is a whole different subject.....!
As a post script, on Friday we drank 1977 Warre, we both agreed a very good wine a bit young but now becoming ready to drink. Neither of us like to drink anything younger than 1970, which are now lovely, but nevertheless our host was generous and we drank our fair share without any complaint.
|
