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89 replies

Toronto Wine Cru - Feb 11 - Wine List Planning

J jhcwineMember
Folks

Crush can only provide afew decanters. Please bring one, if you wish to decant your wine.

Their corkscrews are also pretty basic. I will bring a wine foil cutter and a better quality corkscrew. It would be great if someone could bring another similar set.

Additionally, does anyone have a 1 or 2 ounce pour spout? It is not always easy to judge a 2 ounce pour, especially after many tastings.

Best

Julian
J jhcwineMember
I am also thinking of doing 1 or 2 blind tasting flights. Does anyone have (or have access to) blind tasting materials, such as wine bags, placemats, scoresheets, etc? I will drop by the Wine Establishment or the wine supplies store beside LCBO Queens Quay to see what they have available. Or I may just print something up at work. But if you have anything, please let me know.

Please also feel free to bring your own pen and paper, if you wish to take notes.

Thanks. Julian.
J jhcwineMember
Hi All

Crush is providing us with ice buckets for the whites, as well as 1 ounce pour bottle tops (so that we can pour out just under 2 ounces per (25 oz devided amongst 14).

I'd like to do 1 or 2 blind tasting flights. VinToronto is bringing placemats (Vin, thanks for offering 50; 30 will be more than ample). But I am still looking for tastful bottle covers (other than a paper bag marked with a number). Perhaps the fine wine reserve has something? Anyone else? Otherwise, I will jury rig.


I will bring a good cork screw (the higher quality lever kind with the thin screw); it will make the openning of 24 bottles somewhat easier. I will also bring a foil cutter (VinToronto will bring one as well). So if anyone has another good cork screw / wine bottle openner, please bring it.


Thanks

Julian
vintvintMember
quote:
Originally posted by theweb:
quote:
Originally posted by Rob_Sutherland:
Can we "Borrow" a couple of decanters from FWR for a few hours?


Not sure what the protocol is there. Do you want to email Marc? Would save me schlepping since I'll probably hoof it from Yonge and Carlton

I'm sure FWR would be happy to "rent" decanters... at $20/hr each. Gotta pay for the new location somehow!
I'll bring a decanter - we're a ten-minute walk from Crush.
T thewebMember
quote:
Originally posted by jhcolman:
Hi All

Crush is providing us with ice buckets for the whites, as well as 1 ounce pour bottle tops (so that we can pour out just under 2 ounces per (25 oz devided amongst 14).

I'd like to do 1 or 2 blind tasting flights. VinToronto is bringing placemats (Vin, thanks for offering 50; 30 will be more than ample). But I am still looking for tastful bottle covers (other than a paper bag marked with a number). Perhaps the fine wine reserve has something? Anyone else? Otherwise, I will jury rig.


I will bring a good cork screw (the higher quality lever kind with the thin screw); it will make the openning of 24 bottles somewhat easier. I will also bring a foil cutter (VinToronto will bring one as well). So if anyone has another good cork screw / wine bottle openner, please bring it.


Thanks

Julian


What's wrong with paper bags Smile ?

Julian, are you planning to take wines already committed and blind taste them in a flight? If so, I'm with Duojet, but its your show. Perhaps an option would be to meet at QQ tomorrow at 5pm and we can buy a few bottles to throw in as a blind flight?
J jhcwineMember
quote:
Originally posted by theweb:
quote:
Originally posted by theweb:
I'll bring 2002 Spottswoode and either 2000 Bellefont-Belcier or Bellisle Mondotte


Hi Julian- I couldn't find the '00 Bellefont-Belcier or Bellisle Mondotte (I thought I had them filed under "B") Smile, so I grabbed the '94 LMHB. I hope that's ok?


Hi TheWeb

Not a problem.

Could you let me know what wines you are bringing, for the flights list, ASAP, as I will type this up and produce copies tomorrow am.

Thanks

Julian
T thewebMember
quote:
Originally posted by jhcolman:
quote:
Originally posted by theweb:
quote:
Originally posted by theweb:
I'll bring 2002 Spottswoode and either 2000 Bellefont-Belcier or Bellisle Mondotte


Hi Julian- I couldn't find the '00 Bellefont-Belcier or Bellisle Mondotte (I thought I had them filed under "B") Smile, so I grabbed the '94 LMHB. I hope that's ok?


Hi TheWeb

Not a problem.

Could you let me know what wines you are bringing, for the flights list, ASAP, as I will type this up and produce copies tomorrow am.

Thanks

Julian


Sorry Julian, I had listed them above

2002 Spottswoode
1994 La Mission Haut Brion
J jhcwineMember
Hi TheWeb

I thought we could (with the contributors permission) select one flight (say the left bank vs new world, or another one)and hide the labels / but number the bottles. We'll record the wines and numbers before we distribute them. We'll pass down the numbered wines in order (1, 2, 3, 4) to be poured and set on correspondingly numbered placemats (which Vintoronto is bringing). So everyone can taste each wine and know that wine as a number, right there in front of them on their placemat. We'll reveal the names and numbers, after the flight is tasted. Should be interesting.

I don't foresee any sensitivities or concerns in doing that, do you? Everyone will still know what they tasted at the end of the flight. Am I missing something here? I don't want any concerns or hard feelings. This is supposed to be a fun time.

Cheers

Julian
T thewebMember
quote:
Originally posted by jhcolman:
Hi TheWeb

I thought we could (with the contributors permission) select one flight (say the left bank vs new world, or another one)and hide the labels / but number the bottles. We'll record the wines and numbers before we distribute them. We'll pass down the numbered wines in order (1, 2, 3, 4) to be poured and set on correspondingly numbered placemats (which Vintoronto is bringing). So everyone can taste each wine and know that wine as a number, right there in front of them on their placemat. We'll reveal the names and numbers, after the flight is tasted. Should be interesting.

I don't foresee any sensitivities or concerns in doing that, do you? Everyone will still know what they tasted at the end of the flight. Am I missing something here? I don't want any concerns or hard feelings. This is supposed to be a fun time.

Cheers

Julian


Sounds good JC. You're right, for sure this should be fun, and it will be. I'm good, can't wait!
J jhcwineMember
Hi All

Just a reminder that we'd appreciate everyone arriving on tine at 6:30 pm (I'll be there at 6:15) so that we have time to assemble the bottles into flights. For those that plan to taste all that they bring, please simply place the bottles on the counter at the back of the room.


Please place any true backups (bottles you do not plan to open, unless your primary bottles are corked) in a separate location, so that they are not accidentally opened.

See you at Crush Wine Bar, 455 King Street West, the Okenagan Room. Tel 416-977-1234.

Cheers

Julian
C csmMember
quote:
Originally posted by Rob_Sutherland:
If we're going to do a blind flight, I would suggest the Chardonnay flight.

We don't actually know what Jhcolman & Duojet are exactly bringing and everythign will probably be around the same vintage. Plus we can see who can tell the difference between the Meursault from the Morgeot (I know I won't be able to...).


Totally agree. Plus, since the chards likely will be tasted earlier in the evening, we'll have a chance to do this before what I'll call......palate fatigue (or in my case, incoherence) sets in.
D duojetMember
quote:
Originally posted by Rob_Sutherland:
If we're going to do a blind flight, I would suggest the Chardonnay flight.

We don't actually know what Jhcolman & Duojet are exactly bringing and everythign will probably be around the same vintage. Plus we can see who can tell the difference between the Meursault from the Morgeot (I know I won't be able to...).


I will wrap my chardonnay up tight.
J jhcwineMember
Folks:

Here is the final Wine List. I'll bring hard copy to Crush:

Old World Left Bank Bordeaux VS New World Cabernet

New World
jhcolman - 1996 La Jota Cabernet Sauvignon
Robert Sutherland - 2004 Kenwood Cabernet Sauvignon Artist Series
Magiare - 2003 Clark-Claudon Cabernet Sauvignon Ten Year Anniversary
TheWeb – 2002 Spottswoode Estate

Old World
Winderlust - 1990 Batailley
Mangiare - 2000 Chateau Senejac Haut-Medoc & 2000 Chateau Potensac Medoc
Aav28 – 85 Clos l'Eglise (backup only, if 86 Pavie is corked)
TheWeb - 1994 Château La Mission Haut-Brion

Bordeaux Right Bank vs New World Merlot or Meritage

Old World
Jhcolman - 2001 L'Evangile
Aav28 – 86 Pavie

New World
Bigprovolone - 2007 Tawse Meritage.
CSM - 2005 Dancing Hares

Old World Vs New World Pinot

Old World
VinToronto - 1993 Domaine Barthod-Noëllat Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Aux Beaux Bruns (1 + 1 backup)
1997 Faiveley Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru Aux Chaignots (1 + 1 backup).
Stewart Telford - 2005 Domaine Bertagna Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru Les Murgers
 
New World
BigProvolone - 2007 Tawse 17th St Pinot Noir
Duojet – 2006 Paul Hobbs Lindsay Estate Pinot Noir
VinToronto - 2003 Calera Mills (1 + 1 backup)

Old vs New World Sauvignon Blanc

Old World
Winderlust - 2006 Smith-Haut-Lafitte

New World
CSM - 2009 Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc

Chardonnay

Old World
Robert Sutherland - 2006 Bouchard Aîné et Fils Meursault
Stewart Telford - 2005 Chassagne Montrachet Premier Cru Morgeot Laboure-Roi

New World
Duojet - a Hanzell or Kistler chard
Jhcolman – 2007 Grgich Hills Estate Chardonnay 2007
- 2004 Ridge Monte Bello


Italian Barolo

1996 Fratelli Revello Barolo
2005 Fratelli Revello Barolo


Cheers

Julian
J jhcwineMember
Folks

Here is the Flights List. I will bring hard copy to the tasting (it is printed and ready to go).

FYI, I know that we generally taste ALL of the whites first, but there are several attendees who prefer whites over reds; we need to leave them something to drink during dinner. So I hav left the Sauvignon Blanc flight to be tasted at the beginning of the Main Course.

Pre-Dinner
Chardonnay Flights

Flight 1
Wine 1 - 2004 Ridge Monte Bello
Wine 2 - 2005 Chassagne Montrachet Premier Cru Morgeot Laboure-Roi

Flight 2 (Possible Blind Flight)
Wine 1 - 2006 Bouchard Aîné et Fils Meursault
Wine 2 - 2007 Grgich Hills Estate Chardonnay
Wine 3 - A Hanzell or Kistler chardonnay (Duojet)

After the Appetizer

Old World Vs New World Pinot

Flight 3
Wine 1 - 1993 Domaine Barthod-Noëllat Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Aux Beaux
Wine 2 - 1997 Faiveley Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru Aux Chaignots

Flight 4 (Possible Blind Flight)
Wine 1 - 2003 Calera Mills
Wine 2 - 2005 Domaine Bertagna Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru Les Murgers
Wine 3 - 2006 Paul Hobbs Lindsay Estate Pinot Noir
Wine 4 - 2007 Tawse 17th St Pinot Noir

With The Main Course

Old vs New World Sauvignon Blanc

Flight 5
Wine 1 - 2006 Smith-Haut-Lafitte
Wine 2 - 2009 Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc

Old World Left Bank Bordeaux VS New World Cabernet

Flight 6
Wine 1 - 1990 Batailley
Wine 2 - 1994 Château La Mission Haut-Brion
Wine 3 - 1996 La Jota Cabernet Sauvignon

Flight 7
Wine 1 - 2000 Chateau Senejac Haut-Medoc
Wine 2 - 2000 Chateau Potensac Medoc
Wine 3 - 2002 Spottswoode Estate

Flight 8
Wine 1 - 2004 Kenwood Cabernet Sauvignon Artist Series
Wine 2 - 2003 Clark-Claudon Cabernet Sauvignon Ten Year Anniversary

After The Main Course

Bordeaux Right Bank vs New World Merlot or Meritage

Flight 9 (Possible Blind Flight)
Wine 1 - 1986 Pavie
Wine 2 - 2001 L'Evangile
Wine 3 - 2007 Tawse Meritage.
Wine 4 - 2005 Dancing Hares

Before Or After Desert

Italian Barolo

Flight 10
Wine 1 - 1996 Fratelli Revello Barolo
Wine 2 - 2005 Fratelli Revello Barolo

BACKUPS Aav28 – 85 Clos l'Eglise (backup only, if 86 Pavie is corked)

See you there.

Cheers

Julian
vintvintMember
We gathered at Crush with a wish
to develop a taste for La Mish
theweb brought the bottle
and it was full throttle
with steak and the fish – delish!

The group was quiet at first
as chards and pinots were nursed
then cabs and merlots
then Spotts and Bordeaux’s
the timidity trend soon reversed.

Julian’s hand at the wheel
got corkage and food for a steal
and every decision
made with precision
pulled off an incredible meal.


Thank you all for your generosity, and to Julian for his organizational skills. A truly memorable evening with passionate, knowledgeable and fun people.
J jhcwineMember
Toronto Wine Cru

I'd like to thank all of you for bringing a wide variety of excellent wines to the event. At every event, I discover new wines, grapes and regions. Moreover, you are a generous, interesting and fun group, that I am priviledged to be part of.

And thank-you for putting up with my penchment for organization. The challenge at this type of event(individuals coming together to enjoy a common interest) is that everyone has a point of view, often commmon but occassionally divergent. In the end, these events only come together if the event organizor takes authority and makes it happen. I look forward to the next event, now being organized by VinToronto; I'll now follow his lead and offer help.

The following are some highlights (from my personal perspective):

  • Flight 1: The Chassagne Montrachet was fine(thank-you Stewart), but I was disappointed by the Ridge Monte Bello that I contributed.

  • Flight 2: All the wines were good (thank you Robert and Doujet), but I prefered the 2007 Grgich (ok, I brought it, so maybe I am biased).

  • Flight 3: The 1993 Domaine Barthod-Noellet was my favorite, with an awesome nose and complex palette (thank-you VinToronto). The 1997 Faively was also good, with a fresher nose and palette. Thanks VinToronto for generously contributing all those Burgundy Pinots.

  • Flight 4: The 2006 Paul Hobbs stood out for me. I have always preferred traditional Burgudies, so this California pinot was a pleasant surprise; thank-you Duojet. The 2007 Tawse was also a decent pinot, that I did not think Ontario was capable of producing; thank-you BigProvolone.

  • Flight 5: Well, I have never been a Sauvignon Blanc fan, and I did not initially like the Smith-Haut Lafitte, but it grew on me as I tasted it. Thank-you Winderlust. And many liked CSM's Merry Edwards.

  • Flight 6: My favourite (until I later tastede Spottswoode) was the 1996 La Jota(OK, I admit I brought it). It was very delicate for a California cab. I also loved the La Mission Haut-Brion; who could not; thank-you TheWeb.

  • Flight 7: -The 2000 Senejac had a wonderful nose; the Spottswood did not have as nice a nose. Thanks for bringing it, Mangiare! And then I tasted the Spottswood: WOW. A lovely palette with good complexity. The Spottswood was one of the wines of the night, for me. Thanks, TheWeb.


  • Flight 8: I preferred the Kenwood (Thanks, Robert).

  • Flight 9: What a flight!. The 1986 Pavie was ofcourse lovely, with good complexity; thank-you Aav28. The 2001 L'Evangile was fabulous; the nose did not reveal what was to follow in the palette, which was a delicate and complex wine. Again, my bias. Followed by 2 very different but still fine wines: the 2007 Tawse Meritage (thanks BigProvolone and the 2005 Dancing Hares (thanks CSM).

  • Flight 10 was the lone Italian but a fine Italian it was: A 1996 Fratelli Barolo. Thank-you Stewart.

    For me, the Wines of the Night were:

    - Whites: The 2007 Grich Hills and the 2006 Smith Haute Lafitte

    - Reds: The 2001 L'Evangile, the 2002 Spottswoode, the 1996 La Jotta and the 1986 Pavie

    If I had to pick 1, it would be the Spottswoode. The quality of the L'Evangile, the Pavie and the Smith Haut Lafitte were to be expected; they are well know classe growths. But the Spotsswoode was a pleasant surprise. I will definitely seek that one out. Thank you, TheWeb.

    Thanks again all for your generocity and companionship; a wonderful evening.

    Cheers

    Julian
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