Category Archives: Restaurants

2003-3 Seven Decades

Number 48 —  August, 2003

 

Oz at Al’s

 

Our Last Event

The Scavenger Hunt format was a lot of fun! Top vote-getter was ’96 Ch. Ausone although my favorite was the somewhat muddy ’68 BVGDLTPR. Priscilla, Linda and Al all had 11 out of 13 correct, although no one identified the ’58 BV, possibly because there wasn’t one.

 

Our Next Event

Our next event will be at 4:00PM Saturday, August 23rd, at Emeril’s.


The theme of this event is  Seven Decades.

 

The following wines will be poured blind:
2-2 1937 Ch. Latour Red Bordeaux 240
8-16 1945 Ch. Grand Puy Lacoste Red Bordeaux 260
6 1959 Ch. Margaux Red Bordeaux 120
C3 1968 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 70
2 1975 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 40
1-15 1981 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 55
3-16 1994 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 70
The following wines will be matched with dinner:
5-29 1998 Stony Hill Chardonnay Napa 25
5-14 1998 Meursault Les Grands Charrons Bouzereau-Gruere White Burgundy 35
1-24 1963 Inglenook Pinot Noir Napa 20
1-18 1984 Dunn Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 110
4-10 1963 Fonseca Port Portugal 165
1210

 

Coming Events

Auction Action

None

Treasurer’s Report

Previous Balance

-1260
Dues Payable

3500
Dinner -1623
Auction Purchases 0
Balance 617

Wow! A positive balance!! Please bring your dues of $250 per person to the event. 

 

2003-2 Scavenger Hunt!

Number 47 —  April, 2003

 

Our Last Event

It should have been called “The Wine Syndicate cooks for a hundred.” The food was delish — if over-abundant. The favorite wines were 1970 Ch. Lafite Rothschild, 1998 Stony Hill Chardonnay and 1978 Ch. Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon.

Our Next Event

Our next event will be at 4:00PM Saturday, April 19th, at The Alcorns’.
The theme of this event is  “Scavenger Hunt!“

Your assignment is to bring the following:

Note: Your wine doesn’t need to match your food.

 

Alcorn

A California white wine (or possibly salad dressing) from before World War II, and a hunk o’ beef.

Chaney

A bottle of wine with a label that the mice found particularly tasty, and a Habanera or Jalapeno flavored food that isn’t hot at all (riiiiiight).

Clausen

A pair of sparkling wines made by the same people from two different continents, and a vegetable that can be spelled using only letters in the phrase “needs balsamic vinaigrette”.

Crocket

A wine from Virginia that is actually drinkable (this may be a toughie), and a salad made only of things containing the letter ‘U’.

Gane

A wine whose name contains every possible vowel, and 14 Idaho baking potatoes.

Henline

A Burgundy without a hyphen, article or abbreviation in the name, and a fruit compote made only from things that grow on bushes.

Robinson

A dessert wine and a dessert that rhyme (or that you can convince us rhyme by the end of the meal).

Siegel

A wine with the greatest possible disparity between the Parker and the Wine Spectator ratings, and a cheese from someplace other than North America and Europe.

 

The following syndicate wines will be poured blind in the flights shown:

Find the Pinot
7-9 1990 Monthelie Red Burgundy 30
6-15 1991 Steele Pinot Noir Napa 18
5-4 1996 Chambertin Thomas-Moillard Red Burgundy 90
Find the ’58
8-10 1958 (actually 68 – oops) BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 185
3-7 1964 (actually 71 – oops) BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 60
2 1975 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 40
Find the Pomerol
7 1993 Ch. Lafite Red Pauillac 100
2-6 1994 Ch. La Fleur de Gay Red Pomerol 55
3-22 1996 Ch. Ausone Red St. Emilion 140
Find the Shiraz
4 1985 Chateauneuf-du-Pape Red Chateauneuf-du-Pape 90
4 1990 Crozes Hermitage Belle Red Crozes Hermitage 90
3-26 1991 Penfold’s Rosemount Estate Show Reserve Syrah Australia 40
938

 

 

Coming Events

August 2 or 9 Wine Syndicate at tbd

Treasurer’s Report

Previous Balance

-4573
Dues Payable

3500
Dinner 0
Rentals -187
Auction Purchases 0
Balance -1260

Please bring your dues of $250 per person to the event. 

 

2003-1 What would you get if Andy picked the wines?

Number 46 —  January, 2003

 

Our Last Event

 

Thanks to the Jim for organizing a delightful meal at Citrico’s and to Al, our Guest Corkmaster. Al brought two big surprises: A wine made by Joe Spinelli, and one made by John Henline from grapes planted by Martin, Steve and Linda.

Votes were evenly split over most wines in the first flight. In the second flight the clear winner was 1961 Cheval Blanc, although it suffered from the bad luck of being poured in a small glass.

Other wines that I personally found memorable were Martin’s 1975 Angelo Papgani Alicante Bouchet (which I identified blind — please hold your applause), and Ron’s 1997 Fox Creek Reserve Shiraz.

The appetizers were particularly tasty. My favorite was the tuna two ways, which was delightful with the Wild Hog Pinot Noir, and the Quail Pastilla. Many thanks to Citrico’s for the superb food and service.

Our Next Event

Our next event will be at 4:00PM Saturday, January 11th, at the Alcorn’s.
The theme of this event is “What would you get if Andy picked the wines?”

1 1996 Guenoc Genevieve Magoon Chardonnay Guenoc
5-27 1998 Stony Hill Chardonnay Napa 25
5 1992 Chablis Vaillons Dauvissat White Burgundy 40
5-18 1998 Meursault Les Grands Charrons Bouzereau-Gruere White Burgundy 35
2-13 1970 Ch. Lafite Red Bordeaux 85
4 1968 Inglenook Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 35
4 1970 Simi Cabernet Sauvignon Alex. Valley 35
3 1969 Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 35
2-16 1976 Ch. Cheval Blanc Red Bordeaux 30
1-23 1978 Ch. Montelena Centennial Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 55
2 1975 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 40
4 1975 Ch. Haut Brion Red Bordeaux 100
5-22 1937 Ramos Pinto Tawny Port Portugal 165
$680

The food will be tapas style.

Alcorn Thai Beef Cilantro Salad
Chaney Mexican Appetizers
Clausen Spanish
Crockett Peru Bay Scallop and Fugu Ceviche With Blackened Tomatillo Truffle Sauce
Gane Brazilian
Henline Ferenginar-Alterian Chowder
Robinson Portuguese
Siegel Italian Tira Misu, French Assorted Cheeses

 

4:00 – 4:30 Warm up wines on patio
4:30 – 6:00 Formal tasting – Andy is guest wine master
6:00 – 8:30 Dinner
8:30 – ??? Coffee, cigars, outdoor fire

 

Coming Events

April 19 Wine Syndicate at ?
Guest Corkmaster ?

Treasurer’s Report

Previous Balance

-7911
Dues Payable

3500
Dinner (rentals) -162
Auction Purchases 0
Balance -4573

Please bring your dues of $250 per person to the event. 

 

 

2002-4 What would you get if Al picked the wines?

Number 45 —  November, 2002

 

Our Last Event

Thanks to the Ron, Chef Bernard, and Sommelier David for a fabulous dinner at Emeril’s. The pocini mushoom sauce is still the showstopper.

Favorite wines were 1971 Besune Greves “Vigne de l’Enfant” Bouchard, 1961 Chablis Valmur Moreau, and 1971 Ch. d’Yquem.

Our Next Event

Our next event will be at 4:00PM Saturday, November 16th, at Citrico’s.
The theme of this event is “What would you get if Al picked the wines?” The answer is “95’s and 61’s”

1 1995 Guenoc Genevieve Magoon Chardonnay Guenoc
1995 Monticello Corely Estate Reserve* Chardonnay
6-18 1995 Wild Hog Sara Lee’s Vineyard Pinot Noir Napa 18
3-5 1995 Bonnes Mares Gruffier Red Burgundy 60
5-21 1995 Nuits St. Georges Les Hauts Poirets Jayer-Gilles Red Burgundy 45
1995 Arbios Alexander Valley* Cabernet Sauvignon
1995 Mystery* Cabernet Sauvignon
8 1961 Ch. Beausejour Red Bordeaux 40
8 1961 Ch. Calon Segur Red Bordeaux 40
8-11 1961 Ch. Cheval Blanc Red Bordeaux 385
8 1961 Ch. Duhart-Milon-Rothschild Red Bordeaux 40
7 1961 Ch. Lafite Red Bordeaux 150
7 1961 Ch. Lynch-Bages Red Bordeaux 150
8 1961 Ch. Pavie Red Bordeaux 40
8 1961 Ch. Trottevieille Red Bordeaux 40
1,008

* from Al’s cellar

Coming Events

December 1 Champagne at the Clausen’s
January 11 Wine Syndicate at the Alcorn’s
Tapas BYOF
Guest Corkmaster Andy

Treasurer’s Report

Previous Balance

-10711

Dues Payable

2800
Dinner 0
Auction Purchases 0
Balance -7911

Please bring your dues of $200 per person to the event. The dues don’t include dinner, which you’ll order off the menu. 

 

2002-3 What would you get if Ron picked the wines?

Number 44 —  August, 2002

 

Our Last Event

At our last tasting was the Syndicate’s first at Le Coq au Vin. They did a great job with the wine and food service, and we dawdled until after midnight outside on the patio. Favorite wine of the evening was overwhelmingly the 1976 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve. The 1971 Chateau Margaux was also a surprise, beating out the more highly regarded 1970 and 1979.

Our Next Event

Our next event will be at 4:00PM Saturday, August 24th, at Emeril’s. We didn’t discuss this, but I propose that the dues for this event be $250 a person with the syndicate picking up the meal. Let me know if this is OK.

Wines

The theme of this event is “What would you get if Ron picked the wines?”

First Flight – Burgundy from interesting years

1971 Beaune Greves “Vigne de l’Enfant” Bouchard
1983 Echezeaux Mongeard-Mungneret
1985 Morey St Denis Domaine des Lambrays
1990 Gevery Chambertin “Clos St. Jacques” Louis Jadot 

Second Flight – 1970 Bordeaux from different regions

1970 Cheval Blanc
1970 La Mission Haut Brion
1970 Lafite
1970 Leoville-Las Cases 

Dinner

1961 Chablis Valmur Moreau
1979 Barbaresco ” Santo Stefano” Castello di Neive
1990 Penfolds Bin 707
1986 Dominus
1971 d’Yquem

Menu

Emeril’s Orlando Welcomes
The Wine Syndicate
Saturday, August 24, 2002

Black Pepper Seared Ahi Tuna With A Lemon Grass Gastrique, Maine Lobster Gelatin With An Essence Of Herb Cream Cheese, Sterling Caviar, Quinell Of Avocado, Micro Greens And Hearts Of Palm

Roasted Jumbo Sea Scallops With Sweet Blitter & Parsley Sautéed Butternut Squash And A Porcini Mushroom Coulis

Pan Roasted Grouper Served With A Pesto Orzo, Roasted Red Peppers Saffron Poached Vidalia Onions And A Burgundy-Lemon Butter Salice

Mirliton And Crabmeat Stuffed Mississippi Farm Raised Quail With Braised Collard Greens, Jalapeno Cornbread And A Smoked Bacon Étouffée Sauce

Grilled Demi Lamb Chop And Seared Filet Of Beef With A Rustic Fingerling Potato Cake, A Wilted Spinach, Shallot And Sweet Corn Salad And A Fresh Huckleberry Reduction Sauce

Espresso Chocolate Mousse Served In a White Chocolate Shell Garnished With Brown Sugar Shortbread, Fresh Berries And Sweet Cream

Coming Events

 

Treasurer’s Report

Previous Balance

-5821

Dues Payable

3500
Dinner -1900
Auction Purchases -6490
Balance -10711

We decided to raise the dues temporarily to take advantage of the great auction market. The dues include dinner at Emeril’s. Please bring your dues of $250 per person to the event. 

By the way: the current acquisition cost of the Syndicate’s cellar is $21,500.

 

2002-2 Mini Verticals

Number 43 —  April, 2002

 

Trip to Tampa:

In the Spring of 2002 most of The Wine Syndicate group went to Tampa. Ron Siegel organized two wonderful dinners, and a luncheon and tasting in Tarpon Springs.
Ken from Bern’s set up this dinner at Spartaco. The chef/owner was charming and gracious. We put ourselves in his hands, and the courses just kept coming: Bruschetta, Calamari, Mozarella, Crab and Lobster on Angel Hair Pasta, Tangerine Sorbet, Broiled Grouper, Rack of Lamb, and Chocolate Mousse.

B21 didn’t look exactly like Ron was expecting. But it’s a wonderful wine shop, and they provided us with a lovely 12-bottle tasting. I took the opportunity to stock up on Italian reds, and even found Danielle’s long-sought-after Essencia.

B21 even paid for our wonderful lunch at Louis Pappas’, near the Tarpon Springs pier. Joan, our waitress, was an absolute hoot. The Greek food was delicious and heavy — one more course and we would have needed a wheelbarrow to get back to the car. We had to go back to the hotel and sleep it off.

Dinner at Bern’s Steakhouse with an opportunity to sample eight noteworthy wines from their incredible list. Ken and Drew were incredibly accommodating, and David Laxer came around to visit. For me, the wine of the weekend was the 1957 Morey-Saint-Denis Clos del La Roche from Pierre Ponnelle, a steal at $156. Thanks to Ron for all the arrangements… it was a blast.

Our Last Event

At our last tasting, we matched food with wine, and the syndicate members took turns as guest chef. Thanks to everyone for the wonderful delicacies! Every course was absolutely delicious!

My ratings of the wines were as follow. The group’s favorites are starred:

Year Winery Type Provider Rating
1988 Grigch Hills Chardonnay   19
1988 Stony Hill Chardonnay   18
1992 Guenoc Genevieve Magoon Chardonnay Chaney 19.5
1998 Gainey Henline Henline 20*
1983 Ch. Haut Brion Blanc White   19.5
1994 Guenoc Genevieve Magoon Chardonnay   19.5*
1966 Inglenook Cabernet Sauvignon   19*
1970 Ch. Lafite Red   18.5
1997 Sebastiani Cabernet Sauvignon Clausen 19
1978 Ch. Montrose Red   18.5
1979 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon   19*
1987 Grigch Hills Cabernet Sauvignon   18
1983 Ch. Leoville Poyferre Cabernet Sauvignon   18.5*
1998 Pride Port Siegle 20+
1993 Guenoc Meritage Red Cabernet Sauvignon   18
1994 Ch.  La Fleur de Gay Red   19*
1981 Ch. d’Yquem Sauternes (1/10)   20*
1993 Biondi Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc Robinson 19
1995 Fonseca Guinmaraens Port Siegle 20+
1998 Guenoc Port Alcorn 19

 

Our Next Event

Our next event will be at 6PM Saturday, April 27th, at Le Coq Au Vin. The Syndicate Cellar will provide wines, and guests are to bring their own glasses. Food will be paid for separately from the Syndicate dues. In exchange for a private room, please spend at least $71 per person on food and wine, and leave about a 33% tip.

For those who haven’t been to Le Coq Au Vin (Martin, this means you):

The theme of this event is Mini Verticals.

The following wines will be poured blind in the flights shown:

Bin Year Winery Type Region Size Price
1-31 1989 Stony Hill Chardonnay Napa 20
5-26 1998 Stony Hill Chardonnay Napa 25
5-13 1998 Meursault Les Grands Charrons Bouzereau-Gruere White Burgundy 35
8 1976 Pommard Clos Del La Commaraine Red Burgundy 25
4-13 1988 Grands Echezeaux Rene Engel Red Burgundy 115
4-6 1996 Echezeaux Bocquenet Red Burgundy 90
7 1970 Ch. Margaux Red Bordeaux 150
2-18 1971 Ch. Margaux Red Bordeaux 30
4 1979 Ch. Margaux Red Bordeaux 90
2(2) 1974 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet  Napa 2/10 40
1-17 1975 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet  Napa 55
1-16 1976 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet  Napa 55
2-21 1979 Dry Creek Petite Sirah Napa 20
2-29 1983 Dry Creek Petite Sirah Napa 20
2-27 1986 Dry Creek Petite Sirah Napa 20
790

 

 

Auction Action

Thanks to all of who signed up to buy duplicates from the January auction. Total successful bids were about $7000 including shipping, but with the duplicates removed, the Syndicate’s tab was about $5500. Thank goodness we caught the buyer’s market for wine when we did. Since then auction prices have gone through the roof.

Nearly all of our January lots went below the bottom estimate, many at less than half of retail:

1985 Barolo Zonchera Ceretto Red Italy 30
1995 Bonnes Mares Gruffier Red Burgundy 60
1990 Bonnes Mares Lignier Red Burgundy 60
1964 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 60
1964 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 60
1991 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 70
1991 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 70
1992 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 70
1992 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 70
1993 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 70
1994 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 70
1994 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 70
1994 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 70
1993 Ch. Ausone Red Bordeaux 75
1993 Ch. Ausone Red Bordeaux 75
1993 Ch. Ausone Red Bordeaux 75
1993 Ch. Ausone Red Bordeaux 75
1996 Ch. Ausone Red Bordeaux 140
1996 Ch. Ausone Red Bordeaux 140
1996 Chambertin Thomas-Moillard Red Burgundy 90
1996 Chambertin Thomas-Moillard Red Burgundy 90
1996 Chambolle Musigny Les Baudes Serafin Red Burgundy 55
1993 Charmes Chambertin Geantel-Pansiot Red Burgundy 60
1996 Clos des Lambrays Domaine des Lambrays Red Burgundy 45
1996 Clos Saint Denis Cuvee Unique Arlaud Red Burgundy 55
1996 Clos Saint Denis Cuvee Unique Arlaud Red Burgundy 55
1997 Clos Saint Denis Petel Red Burgundy 55
1986 Dominus Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 115
1996 Echezeaux Bocquenet Red Burgundy 90
1996 Echezeaux Bocquenet Red Burgundy 90
1996 Echezeaux Bocquenet Red Burgundy 90
1990 Echezeaux Clerget Red Burgundy 90
1996 Echezeaux Reserve Bocquenet Red Burgundy 90
1997 Echezeaux Reserve Bocquenet Red Burgundy 90
1963 Fonseca Port Portugal 165
1990 Gevrey Chambertin Le Poissenot Geantel-Paisot Red Burgundy 60
1985 Gould Campbell Port Portugal 30
1988 Grands Echezeaux Rene Engel Red Burgundy 115
1988 Grands Echezeaux Rene Engel Red Burgundy 115
1986 Heitz Martha’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 86
1987 Heitz Martha’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 86
1984 Kenwood Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 40
1990 Kenwood Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 40
1996 La Romanee du Chateau de Vosne Romanee Comte Liger-Belair Bouchard Red Burgundy 55
1990 Latricieres Chambertin Rossingol Red Burgundy 45
1998 Meursault Les Grands Charrons Bouzereau-Gruere White Burgundy 35
1998 Meursault Les Grands Charrons Bouzereau-Gruere White Burgundy 35
1998 Meursault Les Grands Charrons Bouzereau-Gruere White Burgundy 35
1998 Meursault Les Grands Charrons Bouzereau-Gruere White Burgundy 35
1998 Meursault Les Grands Charrons Bouzereau-Gruere White Burgundy 35
1998 Meursault Les Grands Charrons Bouzereau-Gruere White Burgundy 35
1996 Morey St. Denis Les Ruchots Reserve Magnien Red Burgundy 45
1996 Nuits St. Georges Clos Saint Marc Bouchard Red Burgundy 45
1995 Nuits St. Georges Les Hauts Poirets Jayer-Gilles Red Burgundy 45
1937 Ramos Pinto Tawny Port Portugal 165
1987 Richebourg Jean Gros Red Burgundy 135
1981 Smith Woodhouse Late Bottled Unfiltered Port Portugal 35
1981 Smith Woodhouse Late Bottled Unfiltered Port Portugal 35
1998 Stony Hill Chardonnay Napa 25
1998 Stony Hill Chardonnay Napa 25
1998 Stony Hill Chardonnay Napa 25
1998 Stony Hill Chardonnay Napa 25
Total, including a $1290 case of Ausone we’re trading to Ron for an assortment of similar value 5512

Duplicates Sale

The table below shows initials in the first column. Totals are shown in bold. The wines will be available by the end of February. If I don’t hear from you, I’ll just bring them to the next event.

Initials Year Winery Type Region Price
ac 1964 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 60
ac 1996 Clos des Lambrays Domaine des Lambrays Red Burgundy 45
ac 1996 Clos des Lambrays Domaine des Lambrays Red Burgundy 45
ac 1985 Gould Campbell Port Portugal 30
ac 1984 Kenwood Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 40
ac 1984 Kenwood Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 40
ac 1998 Meursault Les Grands Charrons Bouzereau-Gruere White Burgundy 35
ac 1998 Meursault Les Grands Charrons Bouzereau-Gruere White Burgundy 35
ac 1981 Smith Woodhouse Late Bottled Unfiltered Port Portugal 35
ac 1998 Stony Hill Chardonnay Napa 25
ac 1998 Stony Hill Chardonnay Napa 25
415
ag 1964 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 60
jh 1998 Meursault Les Grands Charrons Bouzereau-Gruere White Burgundy 35
jh 1998 Meursault Les Grands Charrons Bouzereau-Gruere White Burgundy 35
jh 1998 Stony Hill Chardonnay Napa 25
jh 1998 Stony Hill Chardonnay Napa 25
120
rr 1986 Dominus Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 115
rr 1987 Heitz Martha’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 86
rr 1987 Heitz Martha’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 86
rr 1984 Kenwood Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 40
327
rs 1985 Barolo Zonchera Ceretto Red Italy 30
rs 1985 Barolo Zonchera Ceretto Red Italy 30
rs 1990 Bonnes Mares Lignier Red Burgundy 60
rs 1964 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 60
rs 1964 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 60
rs 1963 Fonseca Port Portugal 165
rs 1990 Latricieres Chambertin Rossingol Red Burgundy 45
(paid) 450
rs 1993 Ch. Ausone Red Bordeaux 75
rs 1993 Ch. Ausone Red Bordeaux 75
rs 1993 Ch. Ausone Red Bordeaux 75
rs 1993 Ch. Ausone Red Bordeaux 75
rs 1993 Ch. Ausone Red Bordeaux 75
rs 1993 Ch. Ausone Red Bordeaux 75
rs 1996 Ch. Ausone Red Bordeaux 140
rs 1996 Ch. Ausone Red Bordeaux 140
rs 1996 Ch. Ausone Red Bordeaux 140
rs 1996 Ch. Ausone Red Bordeaux 140
rs 1996 Ch. Ausone Red Bordeaux 140
rs 1996 Ch. Ausone Red Bordeaux 140
(trade with syndicate) 1,290
sa 1985 Barolo Zonchera Ceretto Red Italy 30
sa 1993 Ch. Ausone Red Bordeaux 75
sa 1993 Ch. Ausone Red Bordeaux 75
sa 1996 Ch. Ausone Red Bordeaux 140
sa 1996 Ch. Ausone Red Bordeaux 140
sa 1986 Dominus Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 115
sa 1998 Meursault Les Grands Charrons Bouzereau-Gruere White Burgundy 35
sa 1998 Meursault Les Grands Charrons Bouzereau-Gruere White Burgundy 35
sa 1998 Stony Hill Chardonnay Napa 25
sa 1998 Stony Hill Chardonnay Napa 25
sa 1998 Stony Hill Chardonnay Napa 25
sa 1998 Stony Hill Chardonnay Napa 25
(paid) 745

Coming Events

Weekend in Tampa:
Berns
Hyatt
Starship?		 May 4-5
Syndicate at Emeril’s August 10

 

Treasurer’s Report

Previous Balance

-3109

Dues Payable

2800
Dinner 0
Auction Purchases -5512
Balance -5821

We decided to raise the dues temporarily to take advantage of the great auction market. Please let me know if this is a problem for anyone.

The strategy is certainly paying off, as the current acquisition cost of the Syndicate Cellar is over $15,000, and the retail value is at least twice that.

The dues this time do not include the dinner. Please bring your dues of $200 per person to the event. Also please bring funds for any duplicate wines you purchased. 

 

 

2002-1 Food and Wine in Blind Pairs

Number 42 —  February, 2002

 

Our Last Event

At our last tasting, we demonstrated that Stony Hill Chardonnay simply doesn’t age. Many of us identified the three ringers in the flight of nine, but no one had a clue as to the ages of the six Stony Hill Chardonnays — and none of them seemed more than a few years old.  The favorite wine was, not surprisingly, the 1978 Haut Brion Blanc.

Thanks to Fred Fenwick of Fenwick’s Caterer’s for a nice dinner and excellent service.

Our Next Event

Our next event will be at 4PM Saturday, February 16th, at our house again. This time we’re going back to a format of years gone by, and having a pot luck. This will allow us to establish a bank roll for a really spectacular tasting at a future date. Food assignments, as arranged by email, are show in the menu section.

For those with short memories, view a map to the Alcorn’s as either:

GIF PDF

The theme of this event is Food and Wine in Blind Pairs.

The following wines will be poured blind in the flights shown, accompanied by food:

Year Winery Type Appellation Price Bin
Appetizer Henline
1988 Grigch Hills Chardonnay Napa 32
1988 Stony Hill Chardonnay Napa 20 1-28
Salmon with Dill & California Rolls Clausen 
1994 Guenoc Genevieve Magoon Chardonnay Guenoc 1
1983 Ch. Haut Brion Blanc White Bordeaux 110 1
French Onion Soup Chaney
1966 Inglenook Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 50 4
1970 Ch. Lafite Red Bordeaux 85
Brown Derby Cobb Salad Crockett
1978 Ch. Montrose Red Bordeaux 30
1979 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 60 2
Chateaubriand and Veggies  Alcorn
1987 Grigch Hills Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 32
1983 Ch. Leoville Poyferre Red Bordeaux 75 6
Cheese Siegel
1993 Guenoc Beckstoffer Cabernet Sauvignon Guenoc Matt 1
1994 Ch.  La Fleur de Gay Red Bordeaux 55
Cary’s Chocolate Cloud w/Raspberry Sauce Robinson
1981 Ch. d’Yquem Sauternes (1/10) Bordeaux 95
Chocolate Truffles Gane
Port & Cigars
644

 

Auction Action

It’s certainly a buyer’s market for wine. Of the twelve lots purchased at the November 17 Butterfield’s auction, nearly all went well below the bottom estimate:

1975 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 55
1976 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 55
1978 Ch. Montelena Centennial Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 55
1979 Ch. Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 55
1980 Ch. Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 55
1981 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 55
1981 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 55
1984 Dunn Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 55
1984 Dunn Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 110
1984 Dunn Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 110
1970 Ch. Lafite Red Bordeaux 85
1970 Ch. Lafite Red Bordeaux 85
1970 Ch. Lafite Red Bordeaux 85
1971 Ch. Margaux Red Bordeaux 30
1971 Ch. Margaux Red Bordeaux 30
1971 Ch. Margaux Red Bordeaux 30
1971 Ch. Margaux Red Bordeaux 30
1976 Ch. Cheval Blanc Red Bordeaux 30
1978 Ch. Montrose Red Bordeaux 30
1978 Ch. Montrose Red Bordeaux 30
1978 Ch. Lafite Red Bordeaux 55
1994 Ch. Angelus Red Bordeaux 55
1994 Ch. Angelus Red Bordeaux 55
1994 Ch. Angelus Red Bordeaux 55
1994 Ch. Angelus Red Bordeaux 55
1994 Ch. Angelus Red Bordeaux 55
1994 Ch. Angelus Red Bordeaux 55
1994 Ch.  La Fleur de Gay Red Bordeaux 55
1994 Ch.  La Fleur de Gay Red Bordeaux 55
1994 Ch.  La Fleur de Gay Red Bordeaux 55
1994 Ch.  La Fleur de Gay Red Bordeaux 55
1994 Ch.  La Fleur de Gay Red Bordeaux 55
1994 Ch. Trotanoy Red Bordeaux 55
1978 Hop Kiln Petite Sirah Sweet Late Harvest Napa tenth 20
1979 Hop Kiln Petite Sirah Napa 20
1979 Hop Kiln Zinfandel Napa 20
1980 Hop Kiln Petite Sirah Napa 20
1980 Hop Kiln Petite Sirah Napa 20
1981 Hop Kiln Primitivo Zinfandel Napa 20
1983 Hop Kiln Petite Sirah Napa 20
1985 Hop Kiln M. Griffin Petite Sirah Napa 20
1985 Hop Kiln Primitivo Reserve Zinfandel Napa 20
1986 Hop Kiln M. Griffin Petite Sirah Napa 20
1987 Hop Kiln M. Griffin Petite Sirah Napa 20
1988 Hop Kiln Zinfandel Napa 20
1989 Hop Kiln M. Griffin Petite Sirah Napa 20
1989 Hop Kiln M. Griffin Petite Sirah Napa 20
1989 Hop Kiln M. Griffin Petite Sirah Napa 20
1989 Hop Kiln M. Griffin Petite Sirah Napa 20
1979 Dry Creek Petite Sirah Napa 20
1979 Dry Creek Petite Sirah Napa 20
1983 Dry Creek Petite Sirah Napa 20
1983 Dry Creek Petite Sirah Napa 20
1985 Dry Creek Petite Sirah Napa 20
1986 Dry Creek Petite Sirah Napa 20
1986 Dry Creek Petite Sirah Napa 20
1987 Dry Creek Petite Sirah Napa 20
1998 Dry Creek Syrah Napa 20
NV Inglenook Bellos & Co. Distributors Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 20
1959 Inglenook Cabernet Sauvignon Napa tenth 20
1963 Inglenook Pinot Noir Napa 20
1973 Inglenook Cask D-9 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 20
1991 Penfold’s Rosemount Estate Show Reserve Syrah Australia 40
1991 Penfold’s Rosemount Estate Show Reserve Syrah Australia 40
1991 Penfold’s Rosemount Estate Show Reserve Syrah Australia 40
1991 Penfold’s Rosemount Estate Show Reserve Syrah Australia 40
1937 Ch. Haut Brion Red Bordeaux 240
1937 Ch. Latour Red Bordeaux 240
1937 Ch. Margaux Red Bordeaux 240
1990 Penfold’s Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon Australia 65
1991 Penfold’s Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon Australia 65
1992 Penfold’s Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon Australia 65
1993 Penfold’s Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon Australia 65
1994 Penfold’s Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon Australia 65
1993 Ch. Haut Brion Red Bordeaux 100
1993 Ch. Lafite Red Bordeaux 100
1993 Ch. Latour Red Bordeaux 100
1993 Ch. Latour Red Bordeaux 100
1993 Ch. Margaux Red Bordeaux 100
1993 Ch. Mouton Rothschild Red Bordeaux 100
1890 Ch. Mouton Rothschild Red Bordeaux 460
1971 Ch. D’Yquem Sauternes Sauternes 190
1979 Ch. D’Yquem Sauternes Sauternes 190
1981 Ch. D’Yquem Sauternes Sauternes tenth 95
TOTAL 5,160

 

Coming Events

 

Treasurer’s Report

Previous Balance

134
Dues Payable

2100
Dinner (linens & tables) -183
Auction Purchases -5160
Balance -3109

Please bring your dues of $150 per person to the event.

 

 

2001-4 Three Regions

Number 41 —  November, 2001

 

Non-Syndicate Event (Dinner of the Century) at Victoria and Albert’s Chef’s Table. Ten wines, ten decades. Steve, Linda, Ron, Bev, Chef de Cuisine Scott Hunnel, Patty, Jim.
The Reds:
Louis Latour, Château Corton Grancey 1929
Château Talbot 1934
Clos de Tart 1947
Château Haut-Brion 1953
Château Lafite-Rothschild 1961
Domaine Romanée-Conti, La Tâche 1986
The Whites:
Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Premier Cru, Epernay (not shown)
Laurent Perrier, Rose MV
Taittinger, Comtes de Champagne 1986
Cakebread Sauvignon Blanc (not used)
Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, Chardonnay 2000
Guenoc Genevieve Magoon Reserve Chardonnay 1990 (not used)
Château d’Yquem 1977 (used twice)
Château d’Yquem 1990 (used twice)
Jiménez Gonzalez, Cream Sherry 1918

Our Last Event

Tremendous thanks to Ron for organizing the fabulous dinner at Emeril’s. They did a wonderful job in every respect, and we’re so glad our flights from Australia allowed us to get there and enjoy it! Let’s hear it for Burgundy! The favorite wines were ’62 Puligny Montrachet, ’64 Chevalier Montrachet, ’66 Chambertin, and ’53 Nuits St. Georges.

Our Next Event

Our next event is Friday, November 9th, at 6pm at our house. The Friday evening time is unusual, but there were Saturday and Sunday conflicts throughout October and November. Hopefully it will be cool enough for a bonfire.

We will have a new caterer for this event, due to the fact that the Hyatt Regency noticed that they were losing their shirts on us.

The theme of this event is “Three Regions”. The following wines will be poured blind in the flights shown:

 

Year Producer Type Appellation Cost Bin
White Napa, Bordeaux and Burgundy
1986 Stony Hill Chardonnay Napa 20 bin1-26
1988 Stony Hill Chardonnay Napa 20 bin2-26
1989 Stony Hill Chardonnay Napa 20 bin2-31
1990 Stony Hill Chardonnay Napa Ron
1991 Stony Hill Chardonnay Napa Ron
1992 Stony Hill Chardonnay Napa Ron
1978 Ch. Haut Brion Blanc White Bordeaux 110 1
1970 Bourgogne La Grande Chatelaine Louis Max White Burgundy 40 5
1983 Chassagne Montrachet Morgeot Bachelet White Burgundy 40 5
Red Napa, Bordeaux and Burgundy
1966 Louis Martini Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 26 4
1969 Louis Martini Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 35 3
1957 Ch. Meyney Red Bordeaux 36 6
1957 Ch. Pape-Clement Red Bordeaux 36 6
1967 Chambertin Cuvee Heritiers Red Burgundy 25 8
1967 Grands-Echezeaux Red Burgundy 25 8
Sauternes
1929 Haut Sauternes, Louis Eschenauer Sauternes Sauternes 75 10
Total Tasting Cost 508

 

 

 

The Menu

Appetizer Scottish Salmon with Capers
Soup Cream of Asparagus
Salad Belgian Endive with Montrachet Cheese
Entree Chateaubriand
Dessert Chocolate Velvet
After-dinner drinks and cigars by the fire

Auction Action

At the Sep 15 Butterfield auction we purchased:

1980 Grgich Hills Chardonnay $32
1981 Grgich Hills Chardonnay $32
1984 Grgich Hills Chardonnay $32
1986 Grgich Hills Chardonnay $32
1987 Grgich Hills Chardonnay $32
1988 Grgich Hills Chardonnay $32
1992 Grgich Hills Chardonnay $32
1986 Grgich Hills Cabernet Sauvignon $32
1987 Grgich Hills Cabernet Sauvignon $32
1987 Grgich Hills Cabernet Sauvignon $32

 

Coming Events

Clausen’s Champagne Party November 25

 

Treasurer’s Report

Previous Balance -48.47
Dues Payable

2100.00
Dinner -1597.52
Auction Purchases -320.00
Balance 134.01

Please bring your dues of $150 per person to the event.

 

 

2001-3 What were they doing in France when you were a kid?

Number 40 —  July, 2001

 

Our Last Event

 

Once again the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Catering staff did a fantastic job.

Our two-decade tasting of BV Georges de la Tour Private Reserve revealed that the vintages from 1968 through the 1970s remain stellar. Favorites were the ’60, ’68, ’69, ’74, ’75 and ’76. Congratulations to Al, who got all eight wines in the second flight!

Our Next Event

Our next event will be at Sunday, July 22nd. Since Linda and I will be arriving from L.A. after two weeks in Australia, the next event will be organized by Ron. He’s planning on a dinner upstairs at Emeril’s.

The theme of this event is “What were they doing in France when you were a kid?”. The following wines will be poured blind in the flights shown:

Year Winery Price Bin
White Burgundy
1961 Chablis Valmur Moreau 40 5
1961 Corton Charlemagne Grancey 40 5
1962 Puligny Montrachet Roux 40 5
1964 Chevalier Montrachet Domaine Clerc Henri 40 5
1964 Corton Charlemagne Jadot 40 5
Red Burgundy
1929 Pommard 100 9
1953 Nuits Clos des Argillieres 50 9
1964 Richeborg 50 9
1966 Chambertin 50 10
1966 Grands-Echezeaux 50 9
Red Bordeaux
1959 Ch. Margaux 100 7
Sauternes
1976 Ch. D’Yquem 250 10

 

 

The Menu

Auction Action

The California economy is definitely helping out our auction activities. Wasn’t it just a year or two ago that Stony Hill was going for $100 a bottle?

From Butterfield’s May Auction:

1960 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 70
1964 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa tenth 35
1964 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa tenth 35
1968 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa tenth 35
1968 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa tenth 35
1968 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 70
1971 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 70
1986 Stony Hill Chardonnay Napa 20
1986 Stony Hill Chardonnay Napa 20
1986 Stony Hill Chardonnay Napa 20
1986 Stony Hill Chardonnay Napa 20
1986 Stony Hill Chardonnay Napa 20
1986 Stony Hill Chardonnay Napa 20
1986 Stony Hill Chardonnay Napa 20
1986 Stony Hill Chardonnay Napa 20
1986 Stony Hill Chardonnay Napa 20
1986 Stony Hill Chardonnay Napa 20
1986 Stony Hill Chardonnay Napa 20
1986 Stony Hill Chardonnay Napa 20

 

Coming Events

Quebec City Andy & Libby will be at The Chateau Frontenac October 18-22
Martin’s Halloween Party October 27

 

Treasurer’s Report

Previous Balance -117.47
Dues Payable

2100.00
Dinner -1441.00
Auction Purchases 590.00
Balance -48.47

Please bring your dues of $150 per person to the event.

 

 

2001-2 Two Decades of BV

Number 39  —  April, 2001

 

Two Decades of BV

Our Last Event

What a fantastic job Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Catering did!

Favorite wines were 1962 Charles Krug Cabernet Sauvignon (the most impressive wine I’ve had in nearly a decade, since that 1937 Chateau Cheval Blanc) and 1969 Charles Krug Cabernet Sauvignon. All of the wines showed extremely well.

The Syndicate was in its finest hour when nearly everyone correctly identified all five wines of the first flight — in many cases before we even knew which of the ten were in the flight. I think the majority got seven out of ten, which is pretty amazing.

It was a pleasure having Gary and Trish as guests, and they may join us again so that Gary can reclaim his 1977 Chateau d’Yquem!

 

Our Next Event

Our next event will be at 4PM Saturday, April 21st, at our house. We have again arranged for the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress to provide the catering.

 

The theme of this event is “Two Decades of BV”. The following wines will be poured blind in the flights shown:

Year Winery Type Price Bin
1960 BV Cabernet Sauvignon 35 3
1961 BV Cabernet Sauvignon 35 3
1962 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 55 2
1963 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 55 2
1963 BV Cabernet Sauvignon 35 3
1964 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 25 3
1965 BV Cabernet Sauvignon 35 3
1965 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 28 3
1967 BV Cabernet Sauvignon 55 2
1968 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 55 3
1969 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 55 2
1970 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 55 2
1971 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 55 2
1973 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 55 2
1974 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 60
1975 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 40
1976 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 60
1977 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 45 2
1978 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 45 2
1979 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 45 2
1981 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 45 2
1986 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Steve

 

The Menu

Cheese Petit Pont L’eveque – France
St. Andre Triple Creme – France
Cabrales Blue – Spain
Chimay Lait Cru  – France
Coach Farm Aged Goat’s Milk – New York
White Stilton with Lemon Peel – England
Tomme de Savoie Goat’s Milk  – France
Appetizer Smoked Salmon
Salad Key Wester (Romaine Capicola, Tomato, Bacon, Parmesan Bleu Cheese Dressing)
Soup Red Pepper and Tomato Bisque
Entree Paella Madrid (Mussels, Clams, Scallops, Lobster, Chicken, Sausage, Spices and Rice)
Dessert Crème Brulé
Cigars Outside by the fire, with port, Gran Marnier and coffee

Auction Action

1974 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 60
1974 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve 1/10 Cabernet Sauvignon 20
1974 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve 1/10 Cabernet Sauvignon 20
1974 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve 1/10 Cabernet Sauvignon 20
1974 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve 1/10 Cabernet Sauvignon 20
1974 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve 1/10 Cabernet Sauvignon 20
1974 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve 1/10 Cabernet Sauvignon 20
1974 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve 1/10 Cabernet Sauvignon 20
1975 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 40
1975 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 40
1975 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 40
1975 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 40
1975 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 40
1976 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 60
1976 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 60
1977 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve 1/10 Cabernet Sauvignon 20
1978 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 60
1978 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 60
1978 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 60
1978 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 40
1978 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 40
1979 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 60
1979 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 60
1979 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 60

 

Coming Events

Syndicate Tasting July 22nd (at Shula’s?)
Quebec City October (?)

 

Treasurer’s Report

Previous Balance

240.66
Dues Payable

2100.00
Dinner -1200.00
Auction Catalog -130.00
Auction Purchases 1128.13
Balance -117.47

Please bring your dues of $150 per person to the event.