Category Archives: Ariel’s

1994-2 Ridge Petite Sirah

Number 10 —  February, 1994

 

Upcoming Events

At Andy’s urging, I have rescheduled the two day Haut Brion tasting for sometime in the fall, after the WDW resort bargains come back.  The March 5th tasting will be a normal Saturday evening tasting. We will convene at  5 p.m. sharp, at Matha’s Vineyard. The theme will be:

MARCH 5, 1994 RIDGE PETITE SIRAH VERTICAL
x160 1973 Ridge York Creek Petite Sirah 35
x161 1974 Ridge York Creek Petite Sirah 35
x162 1975 Ridge York Creek Petite Sirah 35
x163 1976 Ridge York Creek Petite Sirah 35
x166 1977 Ridge York Creek Petite Sirah 35
x167 1978 Ridge York Creek Petite Sirah 35
x168 1979 Ridge York Creek Petite Sirah 35
x170 1980 Ridge York Creek Petite Sirah 35
Total Tasting Cost $280

 

Auction News

My bottom fishing at the January 29 Butterfield auction netted the following wines:

1938

 Ch. Mouton Rothschild
(A good pre-war vintage.  Mouton is a first growth red Bordeaux.)

120

1947

 Clos de Tart
(Wonderful year for red Burgundy.  Clos de Tart was the standout wine at the Henline’s Burgundy tasting several years ago.)

120

1961

 Ch. Haut Brion Blanc

(This is that spectacular and exclusive white Graves from our first tasting, but from the stellar 1961 vintage.  The 1988 is $160 at release!)

190

$ 430

 

 

I have also obtained a subscription to the new Davis & Co. Auctions in Chicago.  These are run by the people who used to run Christie’s, and seem to offer opportunities very similar to Butterfield.  I’ll bring the catalog to the next meeting.

Treasurer’s Report

Our current balance:

Previous Balance

-261.00
Purchases

-430.00
Catalog Subscription

-80.00
Balance

-771 .00

 

I’m floating the deficit until next dues, but some of you are not current (you know who you are), so pay up!

See you March 5th.

 

 

1993-8 Cheval Blanc

Number 8 —  December, 1993

 

Don’t forget! Saturday, December 4th, 1993, 5 p.m. sharp, Matha’s Vineyard,  Chateau Cheval Blanc Tasting.  Each couple may bring two wines to share during the appetizers or dinner.

The theme of this tasting will be Chateau Cheval Blanc, with ten vintages going back to 1933.  Wines to be included:

1933

Ch. Cheval-Blanc

Red

Bordeaux

 

120

 1937

 

Ch. Cheval-Blanc

Red

Bordeaux

 

125

 1957

 

Ch. Cheval-Blanc

Red

Bordeaux

 

72

 1958

 

Ch. Cheval-Blanc

Red

Bordeaux

 

72

 1969

 

Ch. Cheval-Blanc

Red

Bordeaux

 

100

 1974

 

Ch. Cheval-Blanc

Red

Bordeaux

 

32

 1981

 

Ch. Cheval-Blanc

Red

Bordeaux

 

54

 1982

 

Ch. Cheval-Blanc

Red

Bordeaux

 

200

 1989

 

Ch. Cheval-Blanc

Red

Bordeaux

 

105

 1990

 

Ch. Cheval-Blanc

Red

Bordeaux

 

90

 

Total Cost:

 

$970

 

 

 

Enclosed are Robert Parker’s and Michael Broadbent’s Tasting Notes.  Please study them in case there is a pop quiz.  I have no tasting note for the ’90, but it was rated above 95 by both Wine Spectator and Parker.

See you December 4th!

 

1993-5 70’s California Cabernet

Number 5 —  August, 1993

 

Auction News

We were fortunate to obtain two excellent lots at the July 17th, 1993 Butterfield & Butterfield  auction:

Lot 118

1937 Ch. Leoville-Barton

1937 Ch. Langoa-Barton

 

Lot 186

1960 B.V. Georges de LaTour Private Reserve

1966 B.V. Georges de LaTour Private Reserve

1968 B.V. Georges de LaTour Private Reserve

1968 B.V. Cabernet Sauvignon

 

The first lot went for only $170, $30 below our bid.  We’ll probably use this lot for an older Bordeaux tasting, or along with our Cheval Blancs.

The second lot contains my personal favorite wine, the 1968 BVGDLTPR.  These will all fit into an inevitable comprehensive GDLT tasting.

Treasurer’s Report

Our current balance is:

Previous Balance

 

212.50

 Wine

 

 

-462.00

 Shipping

 

 

-59.00

 Balance

 

 

-308.50

 

 

 

Upcoming Events

September 11th is the date for our early 70’s California Cabernet tasting!  Andy has made the following arrangements:

We will meet at Matha’s Vineyard (next to Arial’s Restaurant in the Beach Club Resort) at 4 p.m., sharp.  The Syndicate will provide appetizers for a half hour stand-up social.  Each couple may bring up to two wines to share during the appetizers or dinner.

At 4:30 we progress to Arial’s, where the table will be set with bread and ten glasses per person.  The following wines will be poured:

1970

Mayacamas

Cabernet Sauvignon

1973

Heitz Martha’s Vineyard

Cabernet Sauvignon

1974

BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve

Cabernet Sauvignon

1974

Charles Krug

Cabernet Sauvignon

1974

Freemark Abbey

Cabernet Bosche

1974

Freemark Abbey

Cabernet Sauvignon

1974

Joseph Phelps

Cabernet Sauvignon

1976

Jordan

Cabernet Sauvignon

1977

BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve

Cabernet Sauviginon

1977

Heitz Martha’s Vineyard

Cabernet Sauvignon

 

The manager of Arial’s will be joining us during the tasting.

Following the tasting, dinner may be ordered from any of the menu selections or day’s specials.  During dinner, the Syndicate will provide the following wines:

1971

Ch. Haut-Brion Blanc

White

1972

Mayacamas, Late Harvest

Zinfandel

 

The cost for dinner will be the menu price of the items you order, less 20%.  The 20% will be added back on as a gratuity.  In addition, $2 per person will be added to cover all wine corkage.

We have arranged this corkage charge to allow members to bring their own wines to share during the appetizers or dinner.

New Members

According to Andy, Howard and Becky will be joining prior to this tasting, which fills out our couples roster.  Martin Chaney is joining our group as a single.  This leaves an opening for one other single.  Welcome to all new members.

See you September 11th.