What a tremendous event! The level of enthusiasm and exuberance exceeded probably any other offline I’ve attended, and while it was chaotic , noisy , and cramped , I wouldn’t change a thing! It was wonderful to see familiar faces (some of which I haven’t seen in ages – DRAB! ), old friends, and new friends as well. My only regret is not being able to get acquainted with all the people present that I hadn’t met before, but hey - there’s always a next time!

ALotaFagina did a marvelous job of making arrangements with Chapeau!, and Philippe Gardelle and his staff simply excelled beyond my wildest expectations. How they managed to keep composure and prompt, seamless service among this wild bunch is beyond me, but that’s what they did . And the food, the food! Ooh la la! Just tremendous, what a spectacular menu and superb execution! Bravo!

The nature of the event made two things impossible. 1) Tasting every wine available and 2) taking detailed notes. However, I did jot down a few comments as conditions permitted, and these follow. Any scores I give in this review are off-the-cuff, non-analytical, and only a means for the reader to gage my enthusiasm for a particular wine under these circumstances – much in the way Parker scores wine in his “Hedonist Gazette”, and thus should not be taken too seriously. For the sake of the record I have also included wines I know were present but that I was unable to taste. I am sure that I have missed some even so.

1990 Piper-Heidsieck Champagne
(not tasted)

1985 Grgich Hills Cabernet
(not tasted, but I hear it was a stunner)

2002 Fritz Haag Riesling Auslese Long Gold Cap Mosel-Saar-Ruwer Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr (I think I got this right, and yes – I did have to look it up)
(not tasted)

2002 August West Rosella’s Pinot Noir
(not tasted)

1998 Clos Mimi Shell Creek Syrah
(not tasted)

1998 Lewelling Cabernet
(not tasted)

1996 Smith Haut Lafite
(not tasted)

1996 Ravenswood Hollick Cabernet
(not tasted)

2002 Aubert Ritchie Vineyard Chardonnay
Just outstanding, packed with tropical fruit, viscous yet pure, dense fruit, yet never ponderous our heavy. 94 OTC points.

2001 Nicolas Potel Volnay Pitures
Just a stunning young Burg, with wonderful spicy fruit yet retaining that unmistakable old world quality. Rich and vibrant, with a lush mouthfeel and a long, fine finish. 93 OTC (off-the-cuff ) points.

2001 Claude Dugat Gevrey Chambertin
A beautiful expression of G-C, with a soft lovely nose of sweet cherries and earth. Elegant and pure on the palate, with an elegant frame of very fine tannins. Balanced and undeniably attractive. 92 OTC points.

1983 Gruaud Larose
There were two bottles of this beauty, and from what I hear the bottle I did not taste from lacked the stink on the nose present from the bottle I did taste. No matter, the stink was of minor consequence, as the wine displayed a gorgeous palate, rich with earth, leather, plum, spice. The texture on this was wonderful, with fully integrated tannins, depth, and plenty of character. 91 OTC points.

2001 Ojai Roll Ranch Syrah
WOW, this stuff is dense and delicious! Huge aromas of blueberries, cream, and spice. Amazing depth of pure sweet fruit, a velvety, fat texture, and a finish that won’t quit. 95 OTC points.

2001 Vision Cellars Garys’ Vineyard Pinot Noir
A very nice, extracted, California style Pinot, the nose offered up cotton candy, red cherries, vanilla, and cream. Rich and thick on the palate, with full throttle fruit. 89 OTC points (Teri liked this wine a good deal more than I, the cotton candy aspect rather put me off a tad).

1997 Movia Pinot Nero (Slovenia)
This appeared to be a tremendously divisive wine, some loved it, other did not. I came down on the dislike side of the argument, though I did find it tremendously interesting to taste. The idea that this wine is 100% Pinot Noir is nearly impossible to accept, as I found zero Pinot character to it. The nose is pruney and sweet, and that character followed through on the palate – motor oil thick, the wine clearly had a not insignificant amount of residual sugar, and came across sweet and cloying. 75 OTC points.

1994 Duckhorn Three Palms Merlot (Mag)
Light bricking, with a dark ruby core, this wine likely shows what ageable California Merlot can do at it’s apex. Fully mature, the nose offers aromas of leather, earth, sandalwood, and plum. Youthful and vibrant on the palate, with fully resolved tannins and a medium finish. 93 OTC points.

1992 Merryvale “Oakville Grade” Cabernet (3L)
Presumably made from Harlan fruit, this wine is no Harlan. There was an interesting musty, earthy funk going on (not corked), and while this was enjoyable, it was a bit odd. 88 OTC points.

2001 Viader Cabernet
I only had a small sip of this in passing, and while this is a very tasty wine it came across as a bit flat and uninteresting at this tasting. I have had this on previous occasions where I thought it showed much better. 88 OTC points.

2001 Vina Montes Folly (Chili)
Wow and I glad I got a taste of this before it disappeared. A deep, intense nose of blackberries and cassis, rich and spicy, with a wonderful earthy aspect, beautiful balance, and a tremendous long finish. 95 OTC points.

1997 Groth Cabernet Sauvignon (mag)
The soft, fairly muted nose doesn’t do justice to the lovely palate on this wine. Rich cassis and spice, smooth sweet tannins, and a long finish. 91 OTC points.


1997 Caymus Napa Cabernet (mag)
I tasted this immediately after the Groth, and while I failed to take notes I recall thinking it was notably better than the Groth, plenty of forward fruit and structure, satisfying. 93 OTC points.

1995 Rieussec Sauturnes
I had this with the foie gras and duck salad, and what a wonderful match it made. Earthy notes, with orange and minerals, excellent balance, viscous with vibrant acidity, great stuff. 93 OTC points.

1998 Leonetti Reserve Cabernet
Many thanks to Orlando for generously sharing the small amount he had left, this was one wine I was really looking forward to – and it did not disappoint. A tremendous nose that is vibrant and stunning in it’s depth, with cassis, minerals, black fruits, and spice. A truly exciting wine to taste, the vibrancy and depth on the palate forces a smile and the wine finishes lush and long. 95 OTC points, and one of the top wines of the night.

1987 Snoqualmie Merlot
Really amazing color for such an old Merlot, with only light bricking, the wine offers and elegant nose of dusty plum, earth, and sweet cherries. The palate however is seriously tannic – searingly so, and I fear they are unlikely to settle before the fruit leaves the building. 83 OTC points.

2002 Clos Mimi Petite Rousse
I was glad to have a chance to taste this controversial (of late) wine, and I can confidently report back that I found not a hint of vegetal or unripe flavors in this bottle. I will say however it was a bit overdone for my taste, with just gobs of bacon fat and meat, interspersed with sour cherries. 86 OTC points.

1994 Spelletich cellars
I tasted and enjoyed this wine very much, but sadly have no notes to offer.

1996 Clarendon Hills Blewitt Springs Old Vines Grenache
A clear standout as one of the top wines of the tasting for me, this had such a lush, pure appeal that it was impossible to resist. Dense black cherries and blackberries, with a lush seamless feel in the mouth. Powerful sweet fruit, silky tannins, a really sexy wine if there ever was one. 95 OTC points.

2000 Elderton Command Shiraz
An outstanding young shiraz, with wonderful spicy fruit and eucalyptus notes. Vibrant, focused, and seamless on the palate, with fine long finish. 95 OTC points.

2001 Larkin Cabernet Franc
Despite a somewhat volatile nose, I found this wine quite enjoyable. Pepper, black cherries, and spice with good ripeness and a persistent palate. 89 OTC points.

1989 Guiraud Sauternes
Hi, my name is Eric, and I am a Sauternes-head. A heavenly wine toward the end of the evening, I found this plush and rich, with nice balance, wonderful botrytis notes, orange, and earth. 93 OTC points.

1955 Taylor’s Port
Some were saying the brandy is showing a bit too much at this point, and I can’t really argue, but that didn’t effect my enjoyment of this wine. It was the perfume that really got me, and despite the alcoholic bite the wine had a soft mouthfeel, despite the undeniable power and structure. 93 OTC points.

Thanks to everyone for sharing such wonderful wines, and more importantly, for such excellent company!

Once ... in the wilds of Afghanistan, I lost my corkscrew, and we were forced to live on nothing but food and water for days. - W. C. Fields

[This message was edited by Eric White on Jul 25, 2004 at 09:44 PM.]

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[This message was edited by Sociando-Dehlinger on Jul 26, 2004 at 02:56 AM.]

This might be the best 'net off line I've ever attended period.

The food, the wine, and most of all, the company was wonderful.

What a fun fun evening.

Maya

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[This message was edited by Sociando-Dehlinger on Jul 26, 2004 at 02:57 AM.]

I had posted this on the old thread- but Eric started a new one-so let me add this.........
Oh my God...so much more than a wine orgy-the restaurant was utterly brilliant-how they could have turned out such fine food (including amazing apps,foie gras, day boat scallops,venison, and a molten chocalate dessert-and that's only what I had)for such a large group I don't know.

It was just the best "offline" I have ever attended. It was so much better than the weddings and Bar Mizvahs I've attended! I looked back at one point, heard and saw so much laughter, it was socially.intellectually, and sensually, a grand feast.

The wines actually were all over the map; in this large a group, obviously no one could taste everything. Two of my highlights: 1996 Smith Haut Lafite- it was just so genuinely expressive of a sense of place and terroir-had all of that "scorched earth", tobacco, cigar box and gravel...but with fruit too!

And of course the Port was amazing (and I only got to taste it because Maya braved the onslaught for me) but it only went so far. By the way, they will not let me change my handle here, over at Vino Cellar I'm Wine Mook, and EBob- just me- Leonard Maran. It was great to see everyone i know already, and to meet new people. Thanks again ALotaFagina and Phillipe for Chapeau. so Tsunami was it ok?

A postscript re; Eric's notes on the wines. The Ojai that I saw was the Bien Nacido not the Roll Ranch.The Merryvale I tasted was, sadly, not scorable. SFWine said it was corked....don't know, but whatever happenned here it was not felicitious.

The 97 Caymus-it was ok- no sense of place (it is a cuvee). The 1994 Duckhorn Three Palms Merlot I thought had a great nose but on the palate was a little less thrilling. the 94 Spelletich Napa Valley Cab was, I thought, drinking quite well.The 77 BV was a surprise as it was still kicking!

The 83 Gruuad Larose- I had a 180 degree response from Eric's- lovely on the nose, a bit past it on the palate. The Groth I could have tasted but chose not to- hey I'm a lightweight.

The Clarendon-I'm not a fan of these fruity Grenache, so I don't get it. The 98 Leonetti- a fine wine, dark and ripe, with the kind of acids that California has, of late, eschewed. There was a L'Ecole from up north which was also fine.

The 95 Rieussec with foie gras, need I say more than just describe? The Fritz Haag, thanks to Amy, I had a small, superlative taste (this went fast!)

http://www.castroonline.com/spectrum/winemook.html

[This message was edited by Sociando-Dehlinger on Jul 26, 2004 at 03:01 AM.]

I'm fine Eric; somehow earlier tonight the symbol for modifying posts was not revealed and I kept re-posting even though I thought I was editing.

[This message was edited by Sociando-Dehlinger on Jul 26, 2004 at 03:49 AM.]

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[This message was edited by Sociando-Dehlinger on Jul 26, 2004 at 02:58 AM.]

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What me worry?

You ok Leonard?

Once ... in the wilds of Afghanistan, I lost my corkscrew, and we were forced to live on nothing but food and water for days. - W. C. Fields

quote:

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(and I only got to taste it because Maya braved the onslaught for me)

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It was the very least I could do as you had to listen to me rant and rave about the world at large. A true captive audience.

2002 Fritz Haag Riesling Auslese Long Gold Cap Mosel-Saar-Ruwer Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr

This was by far the WOTN. Gusbo, thank you for unconditional generosity and sharing this wonderful wine with us. It was great meeting you and your wife. The '94 Spelletich was drinking very well also.

It was interesting watching Skwid eat his entire meal one handed, while his other hand firmly grappled the port he brought.

Good to meet Orlando and Tsunami as well. Thanks for travelling so far to meet with this crazy group.

And the 2001 Dugat Gevry Chambertin was excellent as well. Thank you Paul for freely sharing that as well.

Thanks to gusbo, my wine of the night were 1986 & 1990 d'Yquem...

---------------------------
www.winebid.com
2004 Whirlwind Tour

quote:

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Originally posted by pyang:
Thanks to gusbo, my wine of the night were 1986 & 1990 d'Yquem...

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Any tasting notes for those of us not worthy?

I've got a couple of 1990s sleeping, I keep thinking about cracking one open some day soon.

Eric, are you showing off?

Cheers to GrapeFriends!

wineworship,

There was no notes to speak of, as it was the second session of wine drinking from that night.

I would advice to keep on letting them sleep for at least another five years. In both cases, they are still babies and just drinking VERY young.

---------------------------
www.winebid.com
2004 Whirlwind Tour

I just remembered yet another wine:

1999(?) L'Ecole #41 Cabernet
I did not take notes, but this was delicious stuff!

Once ... in the wilds of Afghanistan, I lost my corkscrew, and we were forced to live on nothing but food and water for days. - W. C. Fields

Just hit ground in Puerto Rico.
Excellent in all regards. We finished the night until 3AM at GUSBO place with Tsunami and Pyang.
My small notes to follow, when I finish dinner tonight!! I brought back home 44 bottles.

Webmarin, a pleasure to meet you and enjoy all those wines.
Sam, thanks!!
Eric, another thank!
Phillipe, thanks for an EXCELLENT restaurant, food, wine and your company.

Orlando

[This message was edited by orlando on Jul 26, 2004 at 10:28 PM.]

[This message was edited by orlando on Jul 26, 2004 at 10:30 PM.]

quote:

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Originally posted by pyang:
Thanks to gusbo, my wine of the night were 1986 & 1990 d'Yquem...

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Pyang, that was a secret, but because you mention them, I will go for the 90 now and the 86 needs some time. Both really need years, but the 86 is a much more powerful, sweet wine that will keep for decades.
Orlando