2011-2012

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September 10, 2011

Chocolate and Wine.
Venue: Kerstin's Chocolates

39) September 24, 2011

Bordeaux 1989/1990 Horizontal.
Venue: Private home

The wines:
1989 Chateau Pibran (Pauillac)
1990 Chateau Batailley (Paulliac)
1989 Chateau du Domaine l'Eglise (Pomerol)
1990 Chateau Clinet (Pomerol)
1989 Clos du Marquis (St. Julien)
1989 Chateau Haut Bailly (Pessac-Leognan)
1989 Chateau Cantemerle (Haut Medoc)
1989 Chateau Sociando Mallet (Haut Medoc)
1989 Chateau Cos d'Estournel (St. Estephe)
1990 Chateau Cos d'Estournel (St. Estephe)

40) October 12, 2011

Regional Tasting: Southern Italy
Venue: Vines Riverbend Wine Merchants

Wines:
Reception wine: 2009 Villa Matilda Falanghina (IGT, Campania)
2007 Flaio Primitivo (IGT, Salento - Puglia)
2005 Rivera Capellaccio Aglianico Riserva (DOC Castel del Monte - Puglia)
2007 Donnafugata Tancredi (IGT - Sicilia)
2005 Di Majo Norante Tintilia (DOC Molise)
2003 Calo Spano Negroamaro (IGT Salento - Puglia)
Donnafugata Ben Rye Passito di Pantelleria (DOC Sicilia

41) November 15, 2011

Top scoring Chilean Reds

Venue: Pampa Brazilian Steakhouse

2003 Clos Apalta (94 points, Wine Spectator)
2005 Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon (96 points, Wine Spectator)
2005 Montes Alpha M (95 points, Wine Spectator)
2006 Montes Folly Syrah (94 points, Wine Spectator)

42) December 2, 2011

Wines of Northeastern Italy

Venue: Private home

43) January 17, 2012

Chinese New Year dinner and wine pairings

Venue: Beijing Beijing

Here is the wine list for the evening:
-Nicolas Feuillatte Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Millesime 2000, (Champagne).
-Les Vins de Vienne Condrieu 2008 (Rhone Valley, France).
-J.J. Prum Graacher Himmelreich Kabinett Riesling 2008 (Mosel, Germany).
-Domaine Serene Yamhill Cuvee Pinot Noir 2008 (Oregon).
-Chateau Troplong Mondot 1998 (St. Emilion, Bordeaux).

44) February 11, 2012

Best Bang For the Buck!

Yellowhead Brewery/Devine Wines and Spirits

45) March 17, 2012

California vs France (Re-enactment of the 1976 Judgement of Paris tasting)

Venue: Private home

Synopsis:

In 1976, a British wine merchant staged a blind tasting in Paris, pitting the top names of Bordeaux and Burgundy against unknown challengers from California, then a newcomer to the fine wine world.  Invited were some of the most influential and famous wine writers and critics of the day. Much to their surprise, the top scoring wines of that tasting were from California, in both the red and white categories.  The event sent shockwaves around the world and gave instant credibility to California's wine industry.  The rest, as they say, is history.
 

Our event will be a re-enactment of the 1976 "Judgement of Paris" tasting, using modern vintages of the same wines from that historic tasting.  Throughout the evening we will also be screening the movie, "Bottle Shock" which is based on the 1976 tasting.
 

The Contenders from California:
Whites:
-Chateau Montelena Chardonnay 2008
-Chalone Estate Chardonnay 2008
Reds:
-Clos du Val Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
-Ridge Monte Bello 2004
-Stag's Leap Wine Cellars SLV 2007
 

The Contenders from France:
Whites:
-Remoissenet Puligny Montracet "Les Perrieres" 2007
-Boyer Martenot Mersault Charmes 2007
Reds:
-Chateau Leoville Las Cases 2004
-Chateau Montrose 2004
-Chateau Mouton Rothschild 2004

The results (maximum score 160)

Whites:
1. 2007 Boyer Martenot Mersault-Charmes premier cru with 121 points.
2. 2008 Chalone Estate Chardonnay with 115 points.
3. 2008 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay with 114 points.
4. 2007 Remoissenet Puligny-Montrachet premier cru "Les Perrieres" with 94.5 points.
 

Reds:
1. 2004 Ridge Monte Bello with 130 points.
2. 2004 Chateau Leoville Las Cases with 120.5 points.
3. 2007 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars SLV with 116 points.
4. 2006 Clos du Val Cabernet Sauvignon with 110 points.
5. 2004 Chateau Mouton Rothschild with 109.5 points.
6. 2004 Chateau Montrose with 106.5 points.

46) April 3, 2012

Portuguese Wines and Small Plates Pairings

Venue: Sabor Divino, hosted by Nick Tooke.

47) May 10, 2012

An Evening of Great Italian Merlot

Venue: Cibo Bistro

The Wines:
1998 Frescobaldi Lamaione (92 points, Wine Spectator).
2006 Frescobaldi Lamaione (95 points, Wine Spectator).
2003 Masseto (91 points, Wine Spectator).
2006 Petrolo Galatrona (96 points, Wine Spectator).
2003 Tua Rita Redigaffi (95 points Wine Spectator).
2006 Patrimo di Feudi di San Gregorio (94 points, Anthony Galloni, The Wine Advocate).
 

The Food:
1st course: Charcuterie, olive and cheese board.
2nd course: Veal and pork meat balls with arugula, pine nuts, and baguette.
3rd course: Beef cheek with risotto.