Port

I've been drinking a bunch of Port. I know, I know, this surprises noone. But, I haven't been tracking any of it -- well, other than the row of bottles. I thought I might actually like to start commenting on some of the various ports as I drink them.

Offley - LBV 2004 - $21 SAQ - Surprised me with a non-reusable cork. A decent LBV, quite drinkable, some interesting notes.

Cabral - Caracter Resrva - $17 SAQ (10.25 special) - A quite nice ruby. I should buy a few more bottles at that price.

Barros - Tawny - $14.25 SAQ - An acceptable Tawny. I don't have a standard drinking tawny, and this might step up, especially at the price.

Ferreira - Don Antonia Reserva - $18 LCBO - My current day-to-day ruby. Quite nice, very drinkable, quite consitent.

Burmester - 10 yo Tawny - $34.25 SAQ - A very nice tawny. Rich, sweet, interesting notes. Well worth the price.

Taylor Fladgate - 40 yo Tawny - >$150 US - Caramels filled the room when the bottle was opened. Beautiful rich caramel, with many layers of flavour underneath. The quality was recognisable and appreciable. I'm glad to have tasted it, but I don't think for my tastes (and budget) it is generally worth the price.

Taylor Fladgate - LBV - ~$18 LCBO - Would be my day-to-day port, if I didn't like the Ferreira just a tad better. They're both in the same price & quality range. Commodorified slightly profers this to the Ferriera, so it all works out pretty well.

Taylor Fladgate - First Estate - ~$16 LCBO - Not a fan. I like Kopka (about $14) more than this, and I don't drink Kopka anymore. Harsh, and missing something.

(There'll be more posts to come...)

Grrr...

Car keys won't turn in ignition. Both of them. They'll turn in the door locks, but ignition seems jammed/stuck somehow. Not sure if this is fixable today. It somewhat compromises my plans, though.

And looks like I won't be able to get anyone to look at it until Monday.

I wonder how awful the buses are right now...

Holiday gaming part 3

This time chez ironphoenix. I arrived late to find a game of Dominion (really Seaside & Intrigue mixed) setup. Joined ironphoenix and ilanikhan in that, for the win. Then we played Rise of Empires, a new Martin Wallace game, much to ilanikhan's regret -- and ironphoenix pipped me for the victory. (lj-free) Steve joined us for dinner, then some Mu after dinner. ironphoenix won that, though ilanikhan was in the running right up until the last hand.