Category Archives: Travel

2011-2 It’s Vegas, Baby!

It’s Vegas, Baby!March 5-13 (or some portion thereof), 2011

Events and locations

March 6 at 7pm – Love at the Mirage followed by dinner at Robouchon (party of 8 – their limo will pick us up at Love)

March 7 at 7:30 pm – Tasting and dinner at the Chef’s Table at Pinot Brasserie

March 8 at 7:30 pm – Tasting and dinner at AquaKnox

March 9 at 7:30pm – Tasting and dinner at Delmonico’s

March 12 at 7pm – Ka at MGM Grand

The Wines

			Burgundy: Real and Fake – Pinot Brasserie – March 7

			This was more challenging than it might look, although the first flights were easy, and almost everyone had 100% until the last flight. The 73 Special Label Burgundy turned out to be the wine of the night. Who knows what’s in that!
				pts	$
5	24	1949	Charmes-Chambertin, Liger-Belair Citrus, bug spray, flawed bottle	75	317
2	26	1959	BV Beaumont Pinot Noir Leather	82	130

6	28	1958	Echezeaux Domaine de la Romanee Conti Earth, leather, mint, dried cherries, coffee	92	675
2	25	1958	BV Beaumont Pinot Noir Like thin BVGDLTPR	85	130

7	12	1961	Bonnes Mares – Drouhin-Laroze Light color but intense nose and flavors, cherries	93	550
2	27	1960	BV Burgundy Earth, chocolate	90	50

7	14	1967	Chambertin Clos de Beze P. Gelin Cherries, wood smoke	94	75
2	28	1967	BV Burgundy Classic BVGDLTPR character, lucious fruit	94	50

7	9	1971	Beaune Greves Vigne de l’Enfant Jesus Bouchard Coffee	95	75
2	30	1970	BV Beaumont Pinot Noir Coffee – these wines were actually surprisingly similar	95	75

5	17	1976	Clos de la Roche – Pierre Bouree Fils Vanilla, not very Burgundian	93	90
2	22	1973	BV Special Label Burgundy Wood, was, york peppermint patties with dark chocolate	96	50
					2267

			A Serious Case of BVGDLTPR – Aquaknox – March 8

1	8	1963	BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Very light color with a classic old BV nose, sweet cedar on the palate, cream sherry finish, past its prime by a decade or two	80	90
4	16	1964	BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Redwood nose, restrained; still some fruit on the palate	80	130
1	11	1966	BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Sawdust nose, good fruit, a bit of tannin	90	90
1	27	1968	BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Sawdust and cherry nose, big and chewy, long; this has always been my favorite	97	125
1	12	1969	BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Very similar to the 68; menthol, youthful coffee, wood smoke, sweet balanced vanilla	96	90
4	8	1970	BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Iron, minerals, wood, mint, sweet fruity tannins, medium finish	94	150
2	9	1971	BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve alcohol nose, decent fruit, acidic, hot short finish	89	70
h6	25	1974	BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve I got the dreggs of this tenth, so I can’t really rate it; caramel oxidized	tenth	20
2	18	1975	BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve plummy, mint, alcohol,red fruits, acidic finish	86	110
1	15	1977	BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Elegant fruit, vanilla, cherries, creamy finish	92	90
1	17	1978	BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Young, coffee, red fruits, sweet	92	90
1	21	1979	BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Wood, mint, very young drinking, vanilla	94	90
					1145

			Blind Pairs – Delmonico’s – March 9

		1988	Alain Thienot Grand Cuvee Brut	95
		1997	Delamotte Blanc de Blanc	90

8	15	2000	Montrachet, G. Amiot vanilla ice cream, nuts, melted butter, lemon, ash, chalk	90	260
9	10	2000	Ch ‘Y’ figs, spices, anise, honey dipped pecans, creme brulee, pears, long buttery finish, one of the most amazing white wines I’ve ever tasted	100	145

2	20	1968	BV Special Label Burgundy classic BVGDLTPR oxidized character plus a touch of Pinot Noir, sawdust, mint, smoke, candy, dried cherries, powder	96	50
5	18	1976	Clos de la Roche – Pierre Bouree Fils Drinking much younger than the bottle from two days ago. bacon, asian spice, cherry	93	90

4	17	1964	BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Drinking much younger than the bottle from yesterday, no oxidation, fruit, curry	92	130
9	16	1955	Ch Cheval Blanc smoke, cherry candy, leather, balanced tannins, jerky, black pepper, roast pork belly	tenth 98	320

		2007	Mystery Wine #1 (Steve) Domaine Jean Poyer Chateauneuf du Pape meat, mint, chocolate, kirsh, bacon, cherries, jerky	93
		2007	Mystery Wine #2 (Steve) Ramey Rodney Vineyard Syrah vanilla, spice box, wood, meat	95

3	15	2002	Dominus huge alcohol, long fruit, wood, vanilla, wax	97	99
3	13	1986	Ch Mouton Rothschild sawdust, mint, meat, chocolate, tobacco, menthol, smoke, tannic, young	99	700

9	25	1999	Ch d’Yquem superb nose, but slightly astringent finish	tenth 95	85
9	29	2000	Ch d’Yquem restrained nose, but balanced, golden raisins	tenth 96	213
					2092

Acquisitions

Upcoming Events

Treasurer’s Report

Previous Balance	3335
Dues Payable	0
Purchases (shipping)	363
Dinner	Pay for your own
Balance	2972

No dues for these events.

2005-3 West Palm Beach

Reformed, with a focus on higher end wines and a more intimate group.

Palm BeachThe Restaurant at The Four Seasons

Saturday, May 28, 2005

Notable food:
Spicy Asian sauce on the amuse bouche scallop
Fois Gras
Short ribs

1959	Hospice de Beaune, Nicolas Rolin Classic smoke and bacon fat, with a leather and mineral finish. Still excellent fruit. 97 points.	Red	Burgundy	115
1961	Hospice de Beaune, Nicolas Rolin A distant relative of the ’59, with the same nuances, but lacking depth. 91 points.	Red	Burgundy	135
1968	BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Lovely, floral, somewhat light in color. Drink up. 94 points.	Cabernet Sauvignon	Napa	Henline
1968	BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Consistently the finest modern vintage of GDLT, but this was the finest example I’ve ever seen. Incredibly youthful, I would have guessed a late 80s vintage. Rutherford dust, mint, vanilla, spices. 98 points.	Cabernet Sauvignon	Napa	110
1968	BV Special Label Burgundy Exotic blend of Charbono, Cab Franc and Petite Sirah, still fairly youthful. 92 points.	Red	Napa	Alcorn
1966	Penfold’s Grange Spectacular, dark, inky, chocolate, coffee, shiraz fruit. First Grange I’ve had that was ready to drink. Worth every penny. 99 points.	Shiraz	Australia	500
1962	Ch. Cheval Blanc A bit disappointing. The nose never developed that Cab Franc complexity I associate with Cheval Blanc. Balanced, but time to drink up. 90 points.	Red	Bordeaux	120
1962	Ch. Lafite Classic Lafite, still balanced, lead pencil, coffee. mineral finish. 92 points.	Red	Pauillac	100

	Dinner

1996	Echezeaux, Bocquenet Disappointing, uni-dimensional pinot that could just as easily have been from California. 88 points.	Red	Burgundy	90
1993	Ch. Margaux Quite disappointing, off balance, youthful but nothing going for it. 87 points.	Red	Bordeaux	100
1994	Dominus Not as good as the ’91, but still a damned nice wine. More merlot-like than meritage. Still chewy. 93 points.	Cabernet Sauvignon	Napa	120
1999	Turley Zin, Duarte A wine with no redeeming values. Off balance, unpleasant fruit flavors, uni-dimensional. 82 points.	Zinfandel	Contra Costa	120
1963	Dow Beautiful floral delicate port at its peak. Chocolate to spare in the nose. 94 points.	Port	Portugal	150

Cafe Boulud Palm Beach

Sunday, May 29, 2005

Notable food:
the corn under the wild ivory king salmon,
the short ribs.

1970	Corton Good color. Chocolate, coffee, smoke. Tight. 88 points.			Alcorn
1961	Richebourg, Liger-Belair Smoke, bacon fat, wax, BBQ sauce. Slightly sour in the mouth, but some fruit remaining. 95 points.	Red	Burgundy	140
1962	Pommard, Cruse & Fils Quite dark for its age. Fruit, raisins, charred wood. Balanced in the mouth, dried flowers and Asian spices, chocolate. 92 points.	Red	Burgundy	120
1937	Ch. Cheval Blanc Dark color, slight browning. Flowers, caramel, cedar, smoke. Round mouth feel, fruity, coffee, hazelnut. youthful, seems like a 1975. 94 points.	Red	Bordeaux	100
1937	Ch. Haut Brion Very dark, good color. Cement dust, chocolate, coffee, grass, wax, black pepper. Tight, classic Haut Brion. Also seems like a 1975. 93 points.	Red	Bordeaux	240
1940	Louis Martini Light in color. Cotton candy, cinnamon, asparagus, cedar. Sweet mouth. Much disagreement over the nose, some despised it. 93 points.	Cabernet Sauvignon	Napa	350
1942	Louis Martini Very dark color. Vanilla to the max. Mint, butterscotch, candy. Merlot character, tight, tannic. 98 points.	Cabernet Sauvignon	Napa	350

	Dinner

1996	Chambertin Thomas-Moillard Tight, closed, no fruit. 83 points.	Red	Burgundy	90
1993	Ch. Mouton Rothschild Coffee, tannic, short. Great nose, light finish. 89 points.	Red	Bordeaux	100
1994	BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve Rutherford dust, vanilla, mint, big, tannic. 90 points.	Cabernet Sauvignon	Napa	70
1997	Clarendon Hills Australis Black color, green unpleasant nose, smooth in the mouth. 88 points.	Shiraz	Australia	Siegel
2001	Marquis Phillips Integrity Black color, blueberry, chocolate syrup. 96 points.	Shiraz	Australia	Siegel
1998	Chassagne Montrachet Opened the night before! Fruity, vanilla, anise, pina colada. 95 points.	Montrachet	Burgundy	Henline
1987	Silverado Good fruit, very soft. 84 points.	Cabernet Sauvignon	Napa	Crocket
1987	Heits Martha’s Vineyard Classic Martha’s Eucalyptus nose, light finish. 90 points.	Cabernet Sauvignon	Napa	Robinson
1963	Fonseca Slightly cloudy, probably due to a very deteriorated and leaky cork. Chocolate and mint, more complex than yesterday’s ’63 Dow. 90 points.	Port	Portugal	170

	Palm Beach Tastings Total			3,510

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.

2000-4 Las Vegas

Number 36 — September, 2000

Friday afternoon Tasting in our suite at the Venetian.

Thursday, October 12th. Dinner in Red Square at Mandalay Bay.

We capped off our Vegas trip with a grand tasting (and 4-1/2 hour dinner!) Saturday night at Delmonico Steakhouse, which graciously provided the appropriate glassware, plus and superb food and service

Our Last Event

Hats off to Shula’s Steak House. It was great fun to visit a new venue, and they did a great job. It may have been he most consistently excellent group of wines we’ve had. Favorite that were mentioned by various people around the table were: ’79 Chambertin, ’75 Haut Brion, ’73 Stag’s Leap Petite Sirah, ’83 Ch. D’Yquem, and the surprising refrigerator white, ’83 Kendall Jackson Chardonnay.

Our Next Event

Get ready for Las Vegas! The trip is scheduled for October 12-14, with some folks saying longer. Participants:

Alcorns
Crockets
Henlines (3)
Robinsons
Siegles

Thanks to the organizational efforts of Debbie Henline, who has provided us with the following information:

Thursday, Oct 12

Day – On own at this point. John and Jonathan are planning a hike into one of the mountains about an hours and a half outside of Vegas on Thursday morning (this will take most of the day). If anyone is interested in going please let us know.

Dinner – Red Square at Mandalay Bay – Party of 11, at 8:00 pm. Welcome to the warmer half of Moscow. By that we mean Red Square, an original restaurant where you’ll discover vodka and caviar fit for a Czar. So forget everything you thought you knew about the frigid Siberian tundra, and enjoy the particular comforts that only the Motherland provides.

Friday, Oct 13

Day – 3pm? Afternoon Wine Get Together in the Alcorn’s Room at The Venetian

Show “O” – 7:30 show at the Bellagio – We are all confirmed Friday night, 10/13 at 7:30 for “O”. The guest will need to show picture ID as well as the credit card that was given when the reservation was made. These have been confirmed by Birgitt Ancke. They did not say this, but I believe the tickets must be picked up at least an hour before show time. Inspired by the concept of infinity, the circle of life and the elegance of its pure form, “O” phonetically speaking, is the French word for water (spelled “eau”). Written and directed by Franco Dragone, who has directed six of Cirque du Soleil’s previous productions, “O” uses water — 1.5 million gallons of it — as its stage. Featuring 74 performers from around the world, “O” will be performed in a revolutionary new theatre designed specifically for the production.

Dinner – Picasso’s at the Bellagio – Two tables, for 5 and 6, at 9:30 pm. Adding to the beauty of this Mediterranean style restaurant is the Bellagio collection of original Picasso artwork. Pablo Picasso spent much of his life in the South of France and Spain, and the cuisine created by Chef Julian Serrano takes its inspirations from these regions. The wine cellar features a dazzling collection from Europe’s finest vineyards.

Saturday, Oct 14

Day – On own at this point. Libby has expressed interest in doing Lord of the Dance on Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. If anyone else is interested, please call Libby.

Dinner – 8 or 8:30 pm? Delmonico Steakhouse at the Venetian. We can bring our own fine wines. – Combine one of America’s favorite chefs, Emeril Lagasse, with one of America’s favorite cuisine and you have Delmonico Steakhouse. Featuring a classic steakhouse menu with Creole influences, Delmonico’s house specialties include bone-in rib eye steak, Delmonico chicken carved tableside for two, Emeril’s double-cut pork chops, and baked jumbo Gulf shrimp, to name a few.

Other items we are interested in…

Andy’s Recommendation: Blue Man Group: Live at Luxor – 7 & 10 pm $55 and $65

Weird, but also wildly inventive and universally funny is this New York-based troupe that picked Las Vegas for its fourth and biggest production. When they’re not pounding on PVC pipe, three silent pranksters in skullcaps and blue greasepaint combine high-brow humor and schoolyard play-with-your-food tricks, old-fashioned sleight-of-hand and genuine efforts to explain science and nature. The minimalist, industrial look and an aggressive, percussive score may scare away some, but a new generation of showgoer is more likely to appreciate its unique point of view.

Linda’s Recommendation: EFX – MGM Grand at 7:30 & 10:30 pm $51.50 and $72

(Dancer and choreographer Tommy Tune stars in “EFX,” an abbreviation for “special effects.” The revue casts its star as a death-defying Houdini, a futuristic P.T. Barnum, the wizard Merlin battling fire-breathing dragons and author H.G. Wells visiting the subterranean future of “The Time Machine.”

Priscilla’s Recommendation: Art Show Convention

In town the same time we are: Art21 Las Vegas 2000, October 12 to 15 at the Venetian-Sands Expo Center. A Total Marketplace a complete presentation of fine art and art supplies, all in one venue. You’ll find everything from paintings, sculpture and glass to mono-painting, serigraphy, lithography and giclee juxtaposed with framing, framing supplies, posters and equipment. We’re talking some 700 booths.

Steve’s List of Cool Stuff To Do In Vegas

Star Trek at the Hilton

Terrific themed show with an amazing transporter effect. at the Hilton, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. daily, $15.95. Features a complete re-creation of the promenade from “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine;” Quark’s Bar & Restaurant; Zek’s Grand Emporium and Moogie’s Trading Post; The History of the Future, a self-guided museum tour; and The Voyage Through Space, an interactive ride where visitors are “beamed” through time and space to the Transporter Room and bridge aboard the USS Enterprise. Combo tickets that include the Stratosphere Tower (recommended) and the IMAX Simulator at Caesar’s Palace (not recommended) are also available at the Star Trek box office, and are a GREAT deal.

Hoover Dam

Beautiful visitor center about 40 minutes from Las Vegas, with a hard hat tour of the bowels of the dam.

Rio Wine Bar

Huge cellar with by the glass tastings of several flights. The Cellar is open daily, offering something extraordinarily memorable for every nose, palate and spirit to enjoy. Valued at more than $6 million, the collection includes renown centerpieces such as the $1 million Chateau d’Yquem collection, with a bottle from every vintage produced between 1855 and 1990, and a bottle of 1800 Madeira once owned by President Thomas Jefferson. Centuries of love and passion are represented in every one of some 45,000 bottles of wine in Rio’s Wine Cellar Tasting Room. Bringing together the finest and rarest wines from all over the world, the Cellar stands as not only a testament of love but as a living record of civilization. The Rio’s expertly trained wine staff, has a mission to provide everyone from the novice to the connoisseur the opportunity to truly experience and understand the beauty of fine wines.

Fremont Street

Four blocks of overhead light show on the hour nightly, with incredible sound.

Pinot Brasserie at the Venetian – lunch

The menu offers steak, poultry, pastas, seafood and wild game, complete with a large rotisserie and oyster bar. The wine is as extensive as the menu and features the best European and American wineries.

Caesar’s Magical Empire

Three theaters of magic, fabulous special effects, and a good dinner, all for about $65. Did I mention it’s served in the catacombs? An amazing themed experience.

Taqueria Canonita at the Venetian – lunch

Really interesting Mexican food, Tapas style. By the Canal.

Stratosphere Tower – good food with a view

And the cheapest wine list in town.

Coming Events

Halloween at the Chaneys’	Cancelled due to “hip” limitations on grave digging
OZ at the Ganes’	Cancelled due to Al’s hospitalization
Wine Syndicate	November 11, 2000
Champagne at the Clausens’	November 19, 2000
Pig Roast at the Henlines’	January 13, 2001
Wine Syndicate	January 20, 2001

Treasurer’s Report

Balance

-986.82

2000-2 Burgundy Blowout

Number 34 — April, 2000

The Middleton Inn outside of Charleston, SC. Danielle, John Henline, Priscilla Robinson, Dick Robinson, Jonathan Henline, Andy Crocket, Libby Crocket, Debbie Henline, and Linda.

Favorites at our first tasting of the Millennium were the ’76 Volnay. ’75 Haut Brion, ’80 Opus One, and, of course, the ’77 BVGDLTPR. A HUGE “Thank You” to Ron and Bev for the scrumptious cheese. It was the highlight of the day.

Our Next Event

Our next event will be in the WINE room at the California Grill, Saturday, April 15, 2000 at 2PM-6:30PM. The theme of this event is “Burgundy Blowout”. The following wines will be poured blind in the flights shown:

Year	Winery	Type	Appellation	Cost
1976	Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru Clos Des Varoilles	Red	Burgundy	25
1980	Gevrey Chambertin Champeaux	Red	Burgundy	50
1982	Gevrey Chambertin	Red	Burgundy	18
1983	Gevrey Chambertin	Red	Burgundy	50
1988	Gevrey Chambertin Clos St. Jacques Louis Jadot	Red	Burgundy	35
1988	Gevrey Chambertin Clos St. Jacques Michel Esmonin	Red	Burgundy	35
1990	Gevrey Chambertin Clos St. Jacques Louis Jadot	Red	Burgundy	35
1990	Gevrey Chambertin Vielles Vignes Les Creots	Red	Burgundy	35
1993	Gevrey Chambertin Combe aux Moins	Red	Burgundy	35
1993	Gevrey Chambertin	Red	Burgundy	25
1996	Gevrey Chambertin Au Velle	Red	Burgundy	35

1964	Richeborg	Red	Burgundy	50
1972	Beaune 1er Cru La Montee Rouge	Red	Burgundy	25
1975	Ch. Mouton Rothschild	Red	Bordeaux	100
1985	Cornas	Red	Other	90
1987	Clos de Vougeot Domaine Ceci	Red	Burgundy	90
1988	Corton Bressandes Tollot Beaut	Red	Burgundy	90
1990	Crozes Hermitage Domaine de Thalabert Jaboulet	Red	Other	90
UV	Corton Maison Naudin	Red	Burgundy	25

1990	Corton Charlemagne	White	Burgundy	90
				$ 1028

Coming Events

Wine Syndicate August 12, 2000

The Menu

Appetizer:

Soup:

Entree:

Another Entree:

Dessert:

Auction Action

None.

Treasurer’s Report

Previous Balance	-2212.53
Dues Payable	1540.00
Dinner Overage (at last meeting)	-99.29
Dinner	-795.00
Auction Purchases	0
Balance	-1566.82

Please bring your dues of $125 per person to the event.

1998-4 Bordeaux vs. Napa

Number 28 — October, 1998

November 1998, Jekyll Island, Georgia. The Alcorns, Crockets, Henlines and Hoffmans (guests).

Our Next Event

Our next event will be at the California Grill, Saturday, October 17th, 1998 at 2 PM. We will be in the Napa Room, this time, which is to the left of the elevators. We will have the room until 6 PM. Please welcome Jim and Patti Clausen as our new members. The theme of this event is Bordeaux vs. Napa. The following wines will be poured blind:

1957	Ch. Bellgrave	Red	Bordeaux
1962	Inglenook	Cabernet Sauvignon	Napa
1963	Inglenook	Cabernet Sauvignon	Napa
1963	BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve	Cabernet Sauvignon	Napa

1965	BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve	Cabernet Sauvignon	Napa
1970	Ch. Cheval Blanc	Red	Bordeaux
1973	Ch. Gloria	Red	Bordeaux
1973	Stag’s Leap Vineyard	Petite Sirah	Napa

1980	Pat Paulsen	Cabernet Sauvignon	Napa
1982	Ch. Lynch Bages	Red	Bordeaux
1983	Ch. Mouton Rotshchild	Red	Bordeaux
1986	Ch. Beychevelle	Red	Bordeaux

1983	Ch. Haut Brion Blanc	White	Bordeaux

Auction Action

We had a very successful auction at Butterfield and Butterfield on September 12, purchasing some excellent older Bordeaux and Cabernets. Probably the faltering stock market scared away some competition, so our bottom-fishing went better than expected. As you can see, I’ll be fronting us a loan for a bit!

1961	BV	Cabernet Sauvignon	$35
1961	BV	Cabernet Sauvignon	35
1961	BV	Cabernet Sauvignon	35
1961	BV	Cabernet Sauvignon	35
1963	BV	Cabernet Sauvignon	35
1965	BV	Cabernet Sauvignon	35
1965	BV	Cabernet Sauvignon	35
1965	BV	Cabernet Sauvignon	35
1965	BV	Cabernet Sauvignon	35
1977	BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve	Cabernet Sauvignon	45
1977	BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve	Cabernet Sauvignon	45
1977	BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve	Cabernet Sauvignon	45
1977	BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve	Cabernet Sauvignon	45
1978	BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve	Cabernet Sauvignon	45
1978	BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve	Cabernet Sauvignon	45
1979	BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve	Cabernet Sauvignon	45
1979	BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve	Cabernet Sauvignon	45
1979	BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve	Cabernet Sauvignon	45
1979	BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve	Cabernet Sauvignon	45
1979	BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve	Cabernet Sauvignon	90
1981	BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve	Cabernet Sauvignon	45
1981	BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve	Cabernet Sauvignon	45
1946	Inglenook	Cabernet Sauvignon	50
1958	Inglenook	Cabernet Sauvignon	50
1962	Inglenook	Cabernet Sauvignon	50
1962	Inglenook	Cabernet Sauvignon	50
1964	Inglenook	Cabernet Sauvignon	50
1964	Inglenook	Cabernet Sauvignon	50
1966	Inglenook	Cabernet Sauvignon	50
1966	Inglenook	Cabernet Sauvignon	50
1966	Inglenook	Cabernet Sauvignon	50
1966	Inglenook	Cabernet Sauvignon	50
1966	Inglenook	Cabernet Sauvignon	50
1966	Inglenook	Cabernet Sauvignon	50
1966	Inglenook	Cabernet Sauvignon	50
1961	Ch. Beausejour	Red Bordeaux	40
1961	Ch. Brane Cantenac	Red Bordeaux	40
1961	Ch. Cadet Piola	Red Bordeaux	40
1961	Ch. Cadet Piola	Red Bordeaux	40
1961	Ch. Calon Segur	Red Bordeaux	40
1961	Ch. Calon Segur	Red Bordeaux	40
1961	Ch. Duhart-Milon-Rothschild	Red Bordeaux	40
1962	Ch. Grand Puy-Lacoste	Red Bordeaux	150
1967	Ch. Haut-Brion	Red Bordeaux	60
1967	Ch. Haut-Brion	Red Bordeaux	60
1967	Ch. Haut-Brion	Red Bordeaux	60
1975	Ch. Haut-Brion	Red Bordeaux	60
1975	Ch. Haut-Brion	Red Bordeaux	60
1952	Ch. Lafite	Red Bordeaux	60
1961	Ch. Lafite	Red Bordeaux	150
1962	Ch. Lafite	Red Bordeaux	100
1962	Ch. Lafite	Red Bordeaux	100
1962	Ch. Lafite	Red Bordeaux	100
1962	Ch. Lafite	Red Bordeaux	100
1961	Ch. L’Angelus	Red Bordeaux	40
1961	Ch. L’Angelus	Red Bordeaux	40
1962	Ch. Latour	Red Bordeaux	150
1979	Ch. Laville Haut-Brion	Red Bordeaux	60
1970	Ch. Leoville-Las Cases	Red Bordeaux	150
1961	Ch. Lynch-Bages	Red Bordeaux	150
1959	Ch. Margaux	Red Bordeaux	100
1959	Ch. Margaux	Red Bordeaux	100
1966	Ch. Margaux	Red Bordeaux	60
1970	Ch. Margaux	Red Bordeaux	150
1970	Ch. Mouton-Rotshchild	Red Bordeaux	150
1971	Ch. Mouton-Rotshchild	Red Bordeaux	60
1961	Ch. Pavie	Red Bordeaux	40
1961	Ch. Trottevieille	Red Bordeaux	40
1961	Ch. Trottevieille	Red Bordeaux	40
		TOTAL	$ 4265

Linda and I reorganized the cellar and tagged all the bottles for easy retrieval. It looks really nice: the Syndicate section is stuffed to the gills at the moment! Drop by if you’d like to see it.

I’ll bring new master lists to the next event for everyone.

Treasurer’s Report

Previous Balance (corrected for actual dinner $)	-358.03
Dues Payable	1540.00
Membership Buy-in (Clausens)	981.50
Auction Purchases	-4265.00
Dinner	-500.00
Balance	-2601.53

Please bring your dues of $110 per person to the event.

1994-4 Haut Brion Vertical

Number 12 — September, 1994

Upcoming Events

The time has arrived! Our massive Haut Brion blowout is scheduled for September 16th and 17th, 1994 at Dixie Landings. You may check in Friday afternoon, September 16th. Most of you are booked for two nights at $69 per night plus 10% tax, a Florida resident’s special. If you are a cast member, bring your Disney ID for a possible additional discount. If you are a Disney Food and Wine Society member, bring your card also. Andy has made the arrangements, so call him if you have questions.

Our first tasting will convene Friday evening at Bonfamille’s, at Port Orleans at 7 p.m., sharp. This tasting will feature the lesser years of Ch. Haut Brion from our cellar, to calibrate our palates and familiarize ourselves with the Chateau’s Graves style. Dinner will follow.

We reconvene at the Portobello Yacht Club at 11:30 a.m. Saturday for a tasting of wines related to Haut Brion: La Mission Haut Brion is across the road, and Bahans Haut Brion is the second wine of Haut Brion.

Following an afternoon spent sobering up in the pool or cruising the Saskagoula River, the Grand Tasting will be held at Artist’s Point at the Wilderness Lodge at 5 p.m. Ten of the greatest vintages of Haut Brion will be poured, followed by dinner.

Treasurer’s Report

Our current balance:

Previous Balance	279.00
Dues Paid	0
Dues Due	0
Balance	279.00

I’ll be spending some of this money to acquire the ‘89 Haut Brion, which we don’t have yet. Dues will be due at the Haut Brion tasting.

The Wines:

	Friday Dinner
1967	Ch. Haut-Brion	38
1968	Ch. Haut-Brion	38
1969	Ch. Haut-Brion	38
1972	Ch. Haut-Brion	38
1973	Ch. Haut-Brion	38
1976	Ch. Haut-Brion	35
1978	Ch. Haut-Brion	75
1979	Ch. Haut-Brion	75
1980	Ch. Haut-Brion	38
1981	Ch. Haut-Brion	54

	Saturday Lunch
1973	Ch. La Mission Haut Brion	35
1976	Ch. La Mission Haut Brion	20
1977	Ch. La Mission Haut Brion	35
1982	Ch. Bahans Haut-Brion	30
1986	Ch. Bahans Haut-Brion	25
1989	Ch. Bahans Haut-Brion	12
1989	Ch. Bahans Haut-Brion	12
1982	Simi Chardonnay	10
1970	BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve	55

	Saturday Dinner
1945	Ch. Haut-Brion	780
1953	Ch. Haut-Brion	60
1957	Ch. Haut-Brion	72
1958	Ch. Haut-Brion	36
1961	Ch. Haut-Brion	230
1964	Ch. Haut-Brion	125
1970	Ch. Haut-Brion	35
1975	Ch. Haut-Brion	65
1982	Ch. Haut-Brion	100
1989	Ch. Haut-Brion	100
1971	Ch. Haut-Brion Blanc	38
1966	Ch. Suduiraut Sauternes	90

	Total Tasting Cost	$2,432

We’ll see you there!