Category Archives: Sauternes

2005-4 Tough Pairs

Tough Pairs 

July 2, 2005

At Anaelle & Hugo’s

The theme of this event was Tough Pairs, but it turned out to be fairly easy in most cases. The overall favorites were the ’68 BVGDLTPR and the ’61 Cheval Blanc (made famous by the movie Sideways, where it is consumed from a styrofoam cup).

1955 Pommard 1er Cru
dried cherries, waxy, balanced, 90 pts		 Red Burgundy 50
1966 Romanee St. Vivant T. Moillard
bacon, fruit, balanced, 92 pts		 Red Burgundy 185
1952 Ch. Lafite
peculiar nose when first poured but blew off, cedar, tight, lead pencil, 87 pts		 Red Pauillac 60
1961 Ch. L’Angelus
intense vanilla, jam, very balanced and youthful, 89 pts		 Red St Emilion 40
1961 Ch. Cheval Blanc
huge, fatty, balanced, chewy, berries, soft, 94 pts		 Red St Emilion 385
1975 Ch. Cheval Blanc
tannic but fruit beginning to show through, mint, tight, 90 pts		 Red St Emilion 100
1968 BV
sawdust, a bit off balance but still good, 92 pts		 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 100
1968 BV Georges de La Tour Private Reserve
eucalyptus, great structure, very balanced, 96 pts		 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 185
1998 Henry’s Drive Shiraz
a monster, vanilla, berries, smoke, wood, jam, 96 pts		 Shiraz Australia 45
2001 Marquis Philips Integrity
intense vanilla, raspberries, candy, very detectable r.s., 99 pts		 Shiraz Australia 260
1963 Warre’s
fairly light, excellent fruit, not very complex, elegant, 90 pts		 Port Portugal 150
1,560
Wines brought by members
Piper Champagne
A lovely, balanced Champagne, 92 pts		 Robinson
1996 Fess Parker Blanc de Blanc
Very toasty, complex, 92 pts		 Crocket
1966 Ch. Lafite
Characteristic Lafite, appealing but fading, 89 pts		 Alcorn
1994 Ch. HautBrion
Undeniably lafite, but tannic, 85 pts		 Siegel
1994 Ch. Latour
Quite tannic, gravelly, 85 pts		 Siegel
Sine Qua Non Chardonnay
A lovely, complex, buttery, toasty chardonnay, 99 pts		 Siegel
Banfi Pinot Grigio
Nice tropical fruit nose, 88 pts		 Restaurant
1997 Ch. d’Yquem
Superb, complex, syrupy match for the fois gras, 95 pts		 Henline
1997 Ch. Suiduraut
Unfortunately this wine was abandoned in the ice bucket, 0 pts		 Alcorn

Coming Events

November 12 – Bern’s

January 14

Auction Action

None.

Treasurer’s Report

Previous Balance

0
Dues Payable

5000
Auction Purchases

0
Dinner -2000
Balance 3000

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.