quote:

I've had fun with Explorateur and St. Andre with champagne.

PH

TMI

Festiva:
Really sorry you guys can't make it, though we understand.
PH (1)PH: backfin and parmesan canapes; 1995 Heidsieck Blanc de Blancs.
The Irwins (2): Salmon Mousse, etc. Pommery Brut Royal NV; Pommery 1989 Cuvee Louise
Gentleman farmer (2) NV Billecart Salmon Brut Reserve and NV Heidsieck Blue Top; gateau de fromage
Les Habus (2) Tblisi sparkler & Domaine Carneros or Taittinger
Jace (2)Cheeses and maybe a '96 Lenoble Grand Cru (bdb)

a further note on the directions. Although it's tough to miss the castle, across the street is the Castello where our Italian neighbor has his vineyards, though they are dormant this time of year.
But in his yard you will see an illuminated 6 foot per side structure, with plastic sheeting around it. That is where he houses his rosemary plant, which he heats during the winter lest it die. So, when you see this strange looking 6' cube structure, you'll know we're across the street.
But, were the only Norman Castle on the block so, as I say, it isn't easy to miss.

What is the magic hour, please?
No maybe.

Any preferences out there for 7 vs. 7:30 as posttime for our soiree?

7 works for me!

PH

OK--
It will be SEVEN O'CLOCK.

Looking forward to it.

I checked the cellar and we will bring the Georgian Sparkling (Kiuve Margo) and Domaine Caneros La Reve 2001. We will also bring marinated shrimp with champagne buerre blanc.

As for Habu, it does not indicate the poisonous snake, nor the SR-71 spy plane pilots association. Our use of habu comes from a trip to Uzbekistan where in a discussion with some locals we were able to "hook a brother up". Unable to translate hook a brother up into Uzbek we shortened it to habu.

Chris

quote:

Domaine Caneros La Reve 2001

Georgian Sparkling (Kiuve Margo)

Looking forward to tasting these two. Habu: Any idea what grape(s) the Georgian wine is made from?
You'll have to share the story of how you came to go to Uzbekistan.

added to menu:
sliced chicken breast, with very light orange marmalade and honey glaze.

yummm, thanks

Final lineup:


Maryland Offline
December 23, 2007

1995 Heidsieck Blanc de Blancs
Pommery Brut Royal NV
1989 Pommery 1989 Louise
NV Billecart Salmon Brut Reserve
NV Heidsieck Blue Top
1996 Lenoble Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs
2001 Domaine Carneros La Reve
Kiuve Margo, Georgian Sparkling Wine

2005 Quarts de Chaume, Domaine des Baumard,
(Chenin Blanc)-Loire (375ml.) (Yeah, I know--infanticide)
1990 Sauternes- Chateau Suduiraut (375ml.)



Assorted Cheeses
Baked Brie with Amaretto Drizzle
Salmon Mousse
Backfin and Parmesan Canapes
Marinated Shrimp in Beurre Blanc
Chicken Breast lightly glazed in orange and honey, Dolmades garni


Cheesecake Supremo
Assorted Cookies
Chocolates, Mixed Nuts

Coffee, Tea

This message has been edited. Last edited by: irwin,

Did y'all take pics? Based on the lineup and the company, I'm sure a good time was had by all! Looking forward to hearing all about what I missed last night.

Which Baumard did you try?

Had a great time last night. Some terrific wines were consumed with some wonderful people. It was great to meet Habu and Ms. Habu.
Habu brought a really interesting wine, the Georgian Sparkler, which had a faint hint of cherry in it, and some really light sweetness (not overbearing at all). This wine has a completely different character than any Champagne I have ever had. I am always fascinated to try things like this, and appreciated the opportunity.
The 1989 Pommery Louise was my WOTN. It was so pleasant and drinkable. A little richer and yet softer than the others.
I actually felt that the 2001 Domaine Carneros La Reve was a close second, although again quite different. It was graceful. It was delicate. It was complex. It had a great nose.
Purple Haze (not to speak for him) felt that the 1996 Lenoble was lightly corked, though I did not perceive this. But, my wife agreed with Purple Haze, and her palate is better than mine, so I defer.
The Heidsieck Blue Top and the Pommery NV Brut Royal are solid wines, quite available, very approachable and not super expensive.
The 1995 Charles Heidsieck Millenaires Blanc de Blancs was also a great wine. It was my wife's WOTN. It is 100% Chardonnay and has a glassy color that is quite pale and silvery. It had smooth texture and a little spiciness that I could not exactly identify. Not pepper for sure. Maybe some citrus or ginger or something like that. Or honey, or some combination of these things.
We did not open my 1921 Charles Heidsieck. The fluid level in the bottle is low.... Very low. .... Lower than a snake's belly in a wagon wheel rut.
It's been dead for years, but makes a nice display artifact.

The Sauternes had that typical butterscotch color and was not overly sweet, so I thus liked it alot. The Quarts du Charme was beautiful in the glass, and I thought a fine finish. Both went superbly well with Gentleman Farmer's signature Cheesecake.

9/25/05 was our first Maryland Offline.
WE ROCK!!

What an impressive lineup...and the wines sound pretty good too. As sorry as I am to have missed the celebration, I look forward to our 2008 season. (I think we have better prospects than any of our region's sports teams).

Happy Holidays!

Did you folks take pictures? I was hoping to print out a picture of GF's cheesecake to carry around in my wallet. I'd take it out and look at it any time I need a little inspiration!

Purple Haze took photos. He is working on them.
GF's cheesecake was really terrific.

Pictures on PC. Waiting for me to upload them to Flickr. I haven't had a minute since the offline. Work. Home. Sleep. Work. Home. Sleep. Ugh......

PH

Finally. Had to pay ransom to Flickr to get my pics up.

December 2007 Offline Photos Here!

PH

What a great evening.

Thanks to the Irwins for hosting at their beautiful Baltimore Castle. A really lovely and warm home.

Great eats and drinks across the board. Loved the shrimp in champagne sauce. (Thanks, HABUs)

My bubbly of the night was the 1989 Pommery Cuvee Louise by a nose over the 1995 Heidsieck BdB. My WOTN by a landslide was the 2005 Baumard QdC. Not really fair to put a sweetie in competetion with bubblies, but what the heck. The Baumard was absolutely stunning. Even better than the 2002 IMO.

PH

Thanks for the pictures, PH.
I can't wait to see if Wine+Art can guess what we have!
Note: the unopened bottle of champagne in the lineup picture is the 1921 Charles Heidsieck.
Note: The dog is part border collie, part springer spaniel, and gets me up at 5:00 to 5:30 every a.m. so we can go herd sheep. I keep telling her there are no sheep, but she doesn't seem to get it.

quote:

Originally posted by irwin:

Thanks for the pictures, PH.
I can't wait to see if Wine+Art can guess what we have!

Oh, I just love test and always have.

Irwin, before I guess, we also have a border collie mix. She (Montana) will turn 17 this year!

I'm at a server disadvantage not seeing in person...

The first one looks like a print by a Marc Chagall inspired student, or perhaps Marc Chagall. The third print looks clearly like a Dali, the great Salvador!

The other two pieces have me stumped. The second and forth one looks like Dali meets Chagall meets Man Ray.

Show me more!

wine+art: 17! wow.
Yes, the first is a charcoal by Chagall, and the 3rd is a Dali. You got them.
#2 is by Erte. #4 is by Odilon Redon, a French master (1840-1916).
Pretty good that you could get those that fast.

(Note-- These are not terribly expensive things--they are not oils. I would be certain that the value of the wine in Wine+Art's cellar exceeds the cumulative value of these items)

This message has been edited. Last edited by: irwin,

Great pics PH. Your mastery of the tripod and adroit maneuvering were magnificent!

My WOTN was the 1989 Pommery Cuvee Louise. So much so, I picked up a bottle at Beltway (left two for you Irwin!)

Thanks again to Lady C and Irwin for lowering the moat to allow us "peasants" in the castle! Oh, I'm still waitin' for the salmon recipe