Broadbent celebrates 80th with old friends Lafite and Cockburn's 27
May 3, 2007
By Adam Lechmere
Michael Broadbent, one of the international wine industry's most admired figures, celebrated his 80th birthday last night with a handful of old friends.
While these included friends from Decanter (where he has been a columnist for 30 years) like publishing director Sarah Kemp and consultant editor Steven Spurrier, it was very much a 'non-industry do', Kemp said.
In the dining room in the exclusive club in St James's Street there were also some old pals in the shape of a Pol Roger 1988, a Chassagne Montrachet Champ Gain 2000, Haut Batailley 2000, Lafite 1996, Moscato d'Asti Nivole, and a Cockburns 1967 and 27.
Many of the wines were there for a reason – beyond their obvious rarity and excellence. The Moscato is an old favourite, and 1927 is Broadbent's birth year. As for the 67, Cockburns was one of the only major Port houses to declare that year, 'and a very good wine it is,' Spurrier said.
As for the Lafite, it was sent that afternoon by Hugh Johnson, and decanted at five o'clock. Johnson announced, 'I couldn't bear to think of Michael celebrating his 80th birthday without Lafite.'
Guests included the critic's daughter Emma – but not his wine merchant son Bartholomew, who lives in San Francisco and was unable to come, Broadbent said, because his wife had gone to Virginia and left him in sole charge of their twins.
Another guest was celebrated businessman Sir Thomas 'Tommy' Macpherson, war hero and former chairman of Vinopolis, who boasted he was 'several years older' than his host.
Kemp said, 'It was a cheerful, friendly gathering. There were about 25 people there, and not that many wine industry people at all.'
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I was sorry to miss this but the reason was not that my wife had arbitrarily decided to nip off to Virginia, which sounded bad in the article, but that I had sent her to a luxurious spa, Canyon Ranch in Arizona, as a thank you for the fact that a business engagement of mine required her to miss her 25th High School reunion the week prior. And the fact that I'll be in London later this month for the London Wine Fair, Michael agreed it didn't make sense to fly over just for the dinner! Toddler twins are doing well in mother's absence - but I don't know where they picked up on the word "sh*t!"
Bartholomew Broadbent, San Francisco, California, USA
Please extend my congratulations to Mr. Broadbent, with great admiration and respect, although a couple of days late. I am proud to remember some correspondence with him some ten years ago. Being the ever inquisitive and open-minded person that he is, I am sure Mr. Broadbent would love to try some of the fruit wines that are made in Sweden, and that the country perhaps would be famous for, had they been marketed abroad. I would be more than happy to provide Mr. Broadbent with a few samples.
Stefan Eldh, Örsundsbro, Sweden
Congratulations on celebrating this life milestone. You are an inspiration to all of us in the wine literature endeavor. You always maintain a discerning palate, a gentlemanly demeanor and a most cordial “bon homie”. It has been a great pleasure knowing and working with you over the years and do hope to receive an invite to your 90th celebration!
Elliott Mackey
dear friends.....we had the 1927 cockburn last night, hands down the best porto we have had to date, better than any 1963 and we have had them all as well as any 1945, thx again....
my dad loved it too and he drinks manachewitz ..... we were celebrating his 80th birthday in northern California at west county grill!
C Gelsman
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I was sorry to miss this but the reason was not that my wife had arbitrarily decided to nip off to Virginia, which sounded bad in the article, but that I had sent her to a luxurious spa, Canyon Ranch in Arizona, as a thank you for the fact that a business engagement of mine required her to miss her 25th High School reunion the week prior. And the fact that I'll be in London later this month for the London Wine Fair, Michael agreed it didn't make sense to fly over just for the dinner! Toddler twins are doing well in mother's absence - but I don't know where they picked up on the word "sh*t!"
