- A White Burgundy followed by Napa Reds!Bobby Van's 230Park, New York, NY$56.00
Time for some big boy Napa wines. Join me for this 8-person dinner where we share 1 white Burgundy and 4 reds from Napa Valley, California.
We will be dining at Bobby Van's on Park. Located on the corner of Park Avenue and 46th Street.
Here is a link to their menu...
Bobby Van's on Park MenuJust a reminder of our usual rules:
** The cost of this event is $56 and is for the cost of the wines only.
NOTE: Meetup has started charging a "Partner Fee" that is above and in addition to the listed price of the event. It comes to approximately $4 more for each RSVP. You will see this charge when you complete your rsvp and pay for the event. Sorry!
You will also have to pay the cost of your food (plus 33% for tax and tip). Please order at least two courses (i.e. a main dish and either appetizer or dessert) for your dinner. There are very few restaurants that allow us to bring our own wine for a Zero corkage fee. We must be good guests to encourage the restaurant to continue to be generous to us.
Please read and understand the group's cancellation policy. If you take spot, then cancel, and no one else takes the spot, you will not receive a refund or credit. No refunds or credits will be given for no-shows or late cancellations (unless someone else takes your spot). All cancellations are subject to a $4 service fee.
Please use public transportation - NO DRINKING AND DRIVING!
The Wines (notes will be distributed at the dinner):
2017 Domaine Bzikot Pére et Fils Puligny-Montrachet La Rousselle ($70), I couldn't find any reviews for the 2017, but this is a reliable producer and here is what I found for the 2021 vintage, "Now the great 2021 arrives and it is a wine that has it all: 1er cru weight and texture, loads of citrus, nectarine and sea salt, minerals with great tension and supernatural length for village-level wine. You really won't find a better value from Puligny, in my opinion...a show-stopping white with all the bells and whistles, at a price that belies the quality in the bottle."2009 Plumpjack Cabernet Sauvignon McWilliams Oakville Vineyard ($80) - CT 95. Purchased at auction, this appears to be a "one of" by Plumpjack. We have had it before and always loved it (I keep giving it 96 points on CT). It is probably similar to Plumpjack's 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, which scored 97 points from Robert Parker and the WA.
2013 O'Shaughnessy Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain ($105) - CT 93.2, O'Shaughnessy's middle Cuvee, and up until 10 years from the vintage, I generally prefer this to the flagship. WA 95 points, "The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain is O’Shaughnessy’s largest cuvée of wine, nearly 3,300 cases from her vineyard, with a final blend that is somewhat unusual - 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Malbec, 5% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 3% Carménère, and a rather obscure one, 3% St. Macaire. Dense purple in color, with notes of mulberry, blackberry, graphite and spring flowers, the wine has great fruit, a dense, full-bodied mouthfeel, and wonderfully sweet, well-integrated tannin. The acidity is sound, the purity impressive, and the wine long and reassuring. Drink it over the next 20+ years. (drink 2013-2035)"
2012 Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards Éloge ($90) - CT 92.3, A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and the rest Merlot and Petit Verdot.
2015 Larkmead Vineyards Firebelle ($90) - CT 92.4, JD 93 points, "The Merlot-dominated cuvee of the estate is the 2015 Firebelle and it checks in as 71% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Petit Verdot that spent 18 months in 65% new French oak. It offers a terrific bouquet of black cherries, leafy herbs, lavender, and dried violets, medium to full body, loads of minerality, and a fresh, focused, beautifully balanced style. It’s ideal for drinking over the coming 15 years. Located north of Saint Helena and pulling all from their estate vineyard located around the winery, owner Cam Baker and winemaker Dan Petroski have produced some true superstars in 2015."
- Sunday Night at OM!OM, New York, NY$34.00
OM is located at 1531 York Ave, Corner of 81st Street. They do charge a small corkage fee, which is included in the price of the event. Please note the 6pm start time. Do not sign up unless you can get to the restaurant by 6pm.
This will be a 8-person event and include 1 white wine, and 4 red wines,
NOTE: Meetup charges a "Partner Fee" that is above and in addition to the listed price of the event. It comes to approximately $3 more for each RSVP. You will see this charge when you complete your rsvp and pay for the event. Sorry! NOTE: Meetup+ members are exempt.
Here is a link to their menu:
OM Menu - Om Indian Restaurant (omindianfood.com)Just a reminder of our usual rules:
* The cost of this event is $34 and is for the cost of the wines and corkage only. You will also have to pay the cost of your food (plus 33% for tax and tip). Please order at least two courses (i.e. a main dish and either appetizer or dessert) for your dinner.Please use public transportation - NO DRINKING AND DRIVING!
Please read and understand the group's cancellation policy. If you take spot, then cancel, and no one else takes the spot, you will not receive a refund. No refunds or credits will be given for no-shows or late cancellations (unless someone else takes your spot). There is also a $3 service charge for cancellations.
The Wines (notes will be distributed at the dinner):
2020 Weingut Gunther Steinmetz Braunberger Juffer Riesling "GB" ($33) - I purchased a mixed case of this winemakers Rieslings and truthfully the labels don't match the importers descriptions, so I'm not sure which wines I got from the offering. BUT, I've enjoyed them all, and I think a dry Riesling is a great way to start a dinner off at OM. The following, MIGHT be a critic review, "A deep and dark dry Riesling with massive wet-earth minerality. Concentrated mirabelle fruit behind it and almost subliminal acidity that keeps it very fresh and clean. Excellent aging potential. Drink or hold. (9/23/21) " 96 Stuart Piggott"2020 Soos Creek Cabernet Franc ($32) - From the Champoux vineyard in Horse Heaven Hills. From the winemaker, "The grapes were inadvertently picked at a lower brix (less sugar) because a change in viticultural practices slowed down their ripening. The difference in the character of the wine is a nice change of pace with flavors that are more red than black fruits, lower alcohol (13%), and higher acid. The character of the wine reminds me of a good Pinot Noir." We had a Soos Creek Cab Franc at our last OM dinner and it was a HIT. This one is a little younger and lower in alcohol. Let's see how we like it!
2018 Crous St. Martin Chateauneuf-du-Pape Hommage a L'an 1879 ($22) - ANOTHER mystery wine from Garagiste. CT 89.8, trying to find information on this one is difficult as there are 2 CdPs with similar names. Best I can tell this one is 80% Grenache and 10% each Mourvèdre and Syrah.
2018 Auclair Left Blend Red Mountain ($35) - CT 91.7, another mystery wine from Garagiste! A blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Petit Verdot, 8% Merlot, and 8% Cabernet Franc. 94 points from the Wine Enthusiast. My last of 4 bottles, and I've brought them all to OM! It seems to go great with their food!
2012 Robert Young Estate Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Scion ($40) - CT 91.7. A Sonoma County Cab Sauvignon! I don't buy many of those! I've been holding this for almost a decade, and I'd like to try one out! WA 89+ points, "The 2012 Scion pays respect to Robert Young, who was the first to plant Cabernet Sauvignon in the Alexander Valley in 1963. Toasted oak, a notion of new saddle leather, black currants and plums are present in this deep ruby/purple-colored wine. Still structured, tannic and youthful, this is a Cabernet Sauvignon clearly built to age. It has that distinct earthiness that is often part of an Alexander Valley personality. This medium to full-bodied, moderately tannic wine needs another 3-4 years of cellaring and should keep for at least two decades. (drink 2020-2040)"
- Single Producer Spotlight: Yves CuilleronFan Szechuan, New York, NY$35.00
Join me for this 8-person dinner where we share 2 whitea, 3 reds from Domaine Yves Cuilleron.
We will be dining at Fan Szechuan -a newest addition to Manhattans Chinese Restaurant Scene. Located on 103 Essex St between ivington St & Delancey St in LES
Here is a link to their menu...
Fan Szechuan MenuJust a reminder of our usual rules:
** The cost of this event is $35 and is for the cost of the wines only.
NOTE: Meetup has started charging a "Partner Fee" that is above and in addition to the listed price of the event. It comes to approximately $4 more for each RSVP. You will see this charge when you complete your rsvp and pay for the event. Sorry!
You will also have to pay the cost of your food (plus 33% for tax and tip). Please order at least two courses (i.e. a main dish and either appetizer or dessert) for your dinner. There are very few restaurants that allow us to bring our own wine for a Zero corkage fee. We must be good guests to encourage the restaurant to continue to be generous to us.
Please read and understand the group's cancellation policy. If you take spot, then cancel, and no one else takes the spot, you will not receive a refund or credit. No refunds or credits will be given for no-shows or late cancellations (unless someone else takes your spot). All cancellations are subject to a $4 service fee.
Please use public transportation - NO DRINKING AND DRIVING!
Domaine Yves Cuilleron:
The Cuillerons have been at it in the northern Rhône since 1920 and Yves represents the 3rd generation. For more than a century, the family focus has been resurrecting and preserving the heritage vineyards and clones of a region that’s considered a continuation of Burgundy by many rather than a part of what defines the southern parts of the vast expanse that is the greater Rhône Valley.
Yves’ benchmark style, be it with Viognier, or Syrah, is decidedly low interventionist, allowing the unique terroirs of each appellation to speak right through his wines, loud and clear. His barrels, for example, are never new, ranging from 1-4 years of age. Farming is organic or biodynamic. Fining and filtration are light as can be, if any. Plowings are by horse, pickings are by hand, and fermentations are by indigenous yeasts. The resulting wines offer unmatched purity and transparency.
The Wines:
Yves Cuilleron 2021 'La Petite Côte' Condrieu - Jeb Dunnuck (on the 2018), Suave, mineral-accented citrus and pit fruit aromas are complemented by suggestions of violet and ginger. Silky and focused on the palate, offering energetic Meyer lemon and Anjou pear flavors that deepen steadily on the back half. Finishes impressively long, smooth and precise, showing a building mineral quality and a touch of spiciness.
Yves Cuilleron 2021 'Les Chaillets' Condrieu - Jeb Dunnuck(91), Bright citrus, honeyed lychee, and tangerine notes emerge from Yves’ 2021 Condrieu Les Chaillets, a medium-bodied, beautifully textured, balanced Condrieu. It’s tight and slightly closed aromatically, yet it really shines on the palate with its purity, balance, and length.
Yves Cuilleron 2019 'Cavanos' Saint-Joseph Rouge - Vinous(95), Dark violet color. Mineral- and spice-accented dark berries, cracked pepper and licorice on the nose, along with hints of olive and smoked meat. Juicy and broad on the palate, showing very good depth as well as energy to its bitter cherry, blueberry and floral pastille flavors. Even tannins add subtle grip to the finish, which shows bright mineral cut and strong, spicy persistence. Drink 2024-2033.
Yves Cuilleron 2020 Bassenon Côte-Rôtie - Vinous(95), Vivid purple. Intense, sharply focused aromas of ripe red and blue fruits, licorice, exotic spices, apricot and olive. Stains the palate with sappy cherry, boysenberry and candied violet flavors. It steadily picks up spice and mineral flourishes with aeration. Well concentrated and lively as well, finishing with excellent clarity, sneaky tannins and strong, floral-driven tenacity. Drink 2027-2037.
2020 Lieu-dit Bonnivières Côte-Rôtie - Vinous(96), Dark, shimmering magenta. Displays highly perfumed black and blue fruit aromas, along with hints of vanilla, potpourri, olive and smoky minerals. Densely packed cherry, blueberry and fruitcake flavors stretch out steadily with air while taking on a suggestion of exotic spices. The mineral note repeats firmly on the vibrant and impressively long finish, which is shaped by youthfully gripping tannins. Drink 2027-2037.
- Blind Battle of the "Creeks" of Washington!Bobby Van's 230Park, New York, NY$47.00
This should be fun AND interesting. A blind tasting of 2 Washington State wineries. Quilceda Creek, one of the finest WA state wineries, and owner of the best vineyard in the state, the Champoux vineyard, and Soos Creek, perhaps the state's finest VALUE winery. Soos Creek actually purchases grapes from the Champoux vineyard and sells its version for less than 25% of the price of Quilceda Creek's flagship.
Join me for this 8-person dinner where we share 1 white wine starter, two Quilceda Creek reds, and two Soos Creek reds. All the reds will be tasted BLIND!
We will be dining at Bobby Van's on Park. Located on the corner of Park Avenue and 46th Street.
Here is a link to their menu...
Bobby Van's on Park MenuJust a reminder of our usual rules:
** The cost of this event is $47 and is for the cost of the wines only.
NOTE: Meetup has started charging a "Partner Fee" that is above and in addition to the listed price of the event. It comes to approximately $4 more for each RSVP. You will see this charge when you complete your rsvp and pay for the event. Sorry!
You will also have to pay the cost of your food (plus 33% for tax and tip). Please order at least two courses (i.e. a main dish and either appetizer or dessert) for your dinner. There are very few restaurants that allow us to bring our own wine for a Zero corkage fee. We must be good guests to encourage the restaurant to continue to be generous to us.
Please read and understand the group's cancellation policy. If you take spot, then cancel, and no one else takes the spot, you will not receive a refund or credit. No refunds or credits will be given for no-shows or late cancellations (unless someone else takes your spot). All cancellations are subject to a $4 service fee.
Please use public transportation - NO DRINKING AND DRIVING!
The Wines (notes will be distributed at the dinner):
2020 Guillaume Clusel Coteaux du Lyonnais L'Hecto ($24) - This Chardonay from the just outside the Rhone has no reviews, but I had the 2021 vintage and loved it.2013 Quilceda Creek Palengat ($75) - CT 93.1, the blend is 58% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Cabernet Franc. Reviewed twice by the WA, here is the most recent review, 6/2016, 94 points, "More Merlot dominated in 2013 (they plan to move this back to a more Cabernet Sauvignon dominated blend in the future), the 2013 Palengat Vineyard is another terrific 2013 that makes the most of vintage. Sexy, voluptuous and rounded, with no hard edges, it gives up classic notes of plums, graphite and licorice in its full-bodied, mouth-filling and impossible to resist style. It will drink well for another 10-15 years."
2012 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon ($160) -CT 94.8 - The Flagship of QC. Reviewed 4 times by the WA, here is the most recent from 4/8/2021, 98 points. "Dark, robust and juicy in the glass, the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon is still firm with generous oak essence on the nose with elements of Chambord, plum reduction and blackberry jus. Full-bodied, the palate offers a juicy, fruit-forward expression with an intense weight and volume for Cabernet, which evolves to show elevated alcohol across the mid-palate. The wine continues to offer a hedonistic and pleasurable expression and shows the first signs of the wine going from young, vibrant and juicy to matured, tertiary and elegant."
2014 Soos Creek Champoux Vineyard ($45) - CT 92.2, JD 90 points, "The 2014 Champoux Vineyard is rock-solid. Made from 83% Cabernet Sauvignon and 17% Cabernet Franc, it has lots of incense, dried violets and black and blue fruits, medium to full-bodied richness, and a layered, nicely textured style." NOTE: There is a much longer review from Paul Zitarelli, from "Full Pull" reviews. I'll print it and bring it to the tasting.
2015 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Vielles Vignes ($45) - CT 92.9 - An oddity from Soos Creek, they made 2 different cuvees from this vineyard in 2015. WA gave it 91 points, "The 2015 CdC Vineyard V V comes from old vines and is composed of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, with 5% Merlot. It sashays out of the glass with a concentrated fruit tone, showing an elegant lift from the oak spices and a delicate floral bouquet with integrated, seductive oak tones. Medium to full-bodied, the wine has a remarkable focus across the palate with a ripe and lush core of blackberry, cassis and dusty black cherry skin. It concludes with a clean and expressive finish of sweet oak and gripping tannins. This is a marked success. It’s delicious and comes recommended. 50 cases produced. (drink 2020-2028)" From Soos Creek "This is our first reserve-styled wine that we have produced since 1999. It is a blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Merlot. It has abundant but unobtrusive tannins, excellent concentration and the supply is very limited."
- BIG Wines & Mutton!Keens Steakhouse, New York, NY$110.00
It's time to back to Keens Steakhouse! Or Chophouse as one of the awnings still says....So it's time for some BIG Reds and Mutton!!!!!
We will have 1 Napa White and 3 bottles of big red wines for this 6 person event. Please note, that Keens is generally packed. This dinner is called for 6:30pm on a Saturday. If you can not be there by 6:25, DO NOT SIGN UP! Also, we will probably be upstairs, so if steps are a problem, you should skip this one.
We will be dining at Keens Steakhouse. Located on W. 36th Street, between 6th and 7th Aves.
Here is a link to their menu...
KEENS DINNER MENU** The cost of this event is $110 and is for the cost of the wines and corkage only. Please understand, that Keens Steakhouse charges us corkage, which is included in the price of the event.
NOTE: Meetup has started charging a "Partner Fee" that is above and in addition to the listed price of the event. It is annoying and confusing, but there is nothing I can do about it. It comes to approximately $7 more for each RSVP. You will see this charge when you complete your rsvp and pay for the event. Sorry!
Just a reminder of our usual rules:
You will also have to pay the cost of your food (plus 33% for tax and tip). Please order at least two courses (i.e. a main dish and either appetizer or dessert) for your dinner.
Please read and understand the group's cancellation policy. If you take spot, then cancel, and no one else takes the spot, you will not receive a refund or credit. No refunds or credits will be given for no-shows or late cancellations (unless someone else takes your spot). All cancellations are subject to a $5 service fee.
Please use public transportation - NO DRINKING AND DRIVING!
The Wines (notes will be distributed at the dinner):
2018 Realm Cellars Sauvignon Blanc Fidelio - CT 92. No reviews that I could find, but I think it is 100% Sauvignon Blanc. Here are my notes from October 2023, "The opening wine at a Super Premium night for my wine group. This preceded a 2012 Shafer Hillside Select and a 2013 Hundred Acre Few and Far Between. My group was blown away by this wine! I was so happy to find that it WASN'T a Sauvignon Blanc masquerading as a Chardonnay! It was luscious and it was a long way from the NZ and Bordeaux Sauvignon Blancs. But it wasn't over-oaked! A long finish and a big mouthfeel."
2012 Ridge Monte Bello - CT 94.4, WA (5/31/2018) 96 points, "The 2012 Monte Bello is a beauty, wafting from the glass with complex aromas of plums, blackberries, bitter chocolate, black truffles, cigar tobacco and hints of crème de cassis. Its new oak is already well integrated. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, richly tannic and very deep, with a layered, concentrated core of fruit framed by chalky, fine-grained tannins. The 2012 is still quite youthfully chewy at this early stage, but there's a certain lavishness to its ripe blackberry fruit that suggests this will be a dramatic, even decadent Monte Bello in the style of the 2002 when it reaches maturity. Late September heat made for a record-setting harvest in only 16 days. The 2012 is a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot, and it saw a small water addition to finish at 13.8% alcohol. (drink 2022-2060)"
2014 Realm the Bard - CT 94.6, JD 97, WA (Parker himself 12/30/2016) 95 points, "The 2014 The Bard is a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Petit Verdot and Merlot. This is their largest cuvée of 2,000 cases. The wine shows exciting elegance, purity, a dense purple color, sweet black currant and blackberry fruit intermixed with licorice and charcoal. It is full-bodied, showing nice loamy forest floor notes. It also possesses a layered mouthfeel and terrific purity, texture and length. Drink it over the next 20+ years.
2013 Soos Creek Champoux Vineyard - CT 92.3. 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Cabernet Franc. WS gave them 86 points, but the LOWEST CT review I could find was 89 points.
- And Just Like That...Some Star-Studded SipsABA Restaurant, New York, NY$31.00
Love them or hate them, celebrity wines are here to stay. Don't know where to start? Fortunately sommelier Andre Hueston Mack (himself a celebrity) has done the hard work of vetting celebrity wines in these Youtube videos (celebrity wines and more celebrity wines) for Bon Appetit.
Based on those results, we chose 5 bottles to swirl and taste. Which ones are deserving of your hard earned money? Which ones should be poured straight into the sink? Hopefully these will be the former; if not, we will try Snoop Dogg's lineup the next time.
We are back at one of the group's regular hangouts, ABA Turkish near Columbus Circle.
ABA Turkish menuJust a reminder of our usual rules:
** The cost of this event is $31 and is for the cost of the wines.You will also have to pay the cost of your food (plus 33% for tax and tip). Please order at least two courses (i.e. a main dish and either appetizer or dessert). There are very few restaurants that allow us to bring our own wine for no corkage fee.
Please read and understand the event's cancellation policy. If you take spot, then cancel, and no one else takes the spot, you will NOT receive a refund or credit. No refunds or credits will be given for no-shows.
For cancellations > 24hours before the event date, refunds are subject to a $5 service fee. Otherwise (i.e. cancellations within 24hours of event date), the service fee is 50% of the event fee.
Please use public transportation - NO DRINKING AND DRIVING!
THE WINES
2023 Invivo X SJP Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand)
Celebrity - Sarah Jessica ParkerOur titular protagonist needs no introduction! You've seen her award winning turn in...(drawing a blank) Weeds? Anyway, her namesake SB is on it's 5th vintage, and SJP is actively involved with the Invivo X winery in choosing the blends and marketing the stuff.
Watch a Youtube clip of her expressing her surprise at how delicious the wines are, "It's really not bad".
This wine pairs perfectly with fresh seafood, grilled vegetables, and light salads. 93 points WS
2022 Chateau Miraval Provence Rose (France)
Celebrity - Brad PittThis totally obscure actor has had to venture into wine making to stay afloat, since things haven't panned out for him. Luckily his partners, the Perrin family, seem to know what they're doing having had some practice at their estate Chateau de Beaucastel in the southern Rhone.
Pretty pale color, petal pink, elegant with shiny reflections. This wine presents a very beautiful and intense aromatic expression of fresh fruit and spring flowers. In the mouth, the acidity is refreshing; a great elegance and a nice balance dominate, with a saline finish.
2022 Las Jaras Glou Glou Red (California)
Celebrity - comedian Eric Wareheim56% Zinfandel | 33% Carignan | 6% Sangiovese | 5% Valdiguié from organic vineyards in Mendocino County
This Glou Glou is certainly a food wine, in fact, it begs for food. It has enough acid to stand up to your favorite tomato sauce, as well as intense berry notes that perfectly complement the char of a burger or perfectly cooked pizza crust. Serve this slightly chilled, and you will be the hero of your next backyard barbecue.
2019 Caduceus Cellars Nagual de la Naga (Arizona)
Celebrity - singer Maynard James KeenanThe former Tool front man is now one of Arizona's leading winemakers, and this one is mostly sangiovese from high elevation vineyards (3,400 ft.), with small portions of negroamaro and souzao.
Nagual de la Naga or "The Spiritual Essence of the Mountain Goddess, the Kundalini Serpent, the dynamic spiral of the life force". This wine is complex without being intimidating. Big yet subtle and well balanced. It's an old-world Italian meets new world Italian-American.
2020 Kyle Mclachlan Pursued by Bear Cabernet Sauvignon (Washington)
Celebrity - actor Kyle Mclachlan"Yes, the guy from Twin Peaks", inevitably was the reply to my inquiry. Obviously I hadn't heard of him. He's been making wine in his home state since 2005.
This is a deep, darkly colored wine offering generous notes of wild blackberry, cocoa powder, and warm vanilla spice. Undertones of black plums and ripe, dark cherries build layered complexity on the palate with the wine’s fine-grained tannins and balanced acidity creating a generous and richly textured mouthfeel that gives way to a long, expressive finish.