I meant to post this yesterday, but my ‘pooter crashed and I lost the document . Here’s another shot at it…

What a night! Sunday we got together with an awesome cast of local characters for another offline, with special guests Andy and Jill from West Palm Beach Florida. These events (along with dinner the previous Friday at Stomp in Calistoga) were born from the recent tsunami disaster relief auctions on Wine Commune. Andy was the first seller other than myself to run with this idea, and wound up raising over $6000 from his own cellar in addition to bidding on, and winning, several of my lots! Andy and I got to talking, and figured we should get together to share a bottle of wine one day, and next thing I knew it they’re on the way out here! Of course, I had to put together a couple offlines, featuring mostly local folks who contributed either by donating wine or by bidding on lots.

This evening’s festivities were conducted atJack Falstaff in San Francisco. After some initial planning difficulties, I must admit that Jack Falstaff executed absolutely perfectly, from the awesome food (menu listed below the wines for those interested) to the excellent service and beautiful surroundings. Thanks to all who attended for the amazing show of generosity with the wines. Notes are from memory, so aren’t very detailed.

1979 Alain Robert Fleur de Mesnil Rare Champagne
This was the same wine we opened Friday night, and while I still loved this wine I think the previous bottle performed somewhat better.

1988 Salon Les Mesnil Champagne
Yum – lively and vibrant, with excellent texture, seemingly quite young, but with that complexity only aged Champagne can deliver.

1996 Comte Lafon Clos de ls Barre Meursault
Whoa, this is one terrific white Burg! Amazingly complex deep nose, rich with minerals, fig, and citrus, wonderfully rich and focused, with a lasting finish – just outstanding.

2001 Darting Rieslaner Durkheimer Nonnengarten auslese
Ah yes, the Darting – wonder who brought this . Stunning as always, exotic and intoxicating, tropical fruits, stones, you name it, just an amazing wine.

2001 Pride Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
One of the top wines of the night for me, the ’01 Pride is nothing short of outstanding. Velvety in texture even at this young age, with dense pure black fruit, creamy vanilla notes, excellent balance and a stunning long finish.

2002 Match Vineyards Butterdragon Vineyard Cabernet
Yep, Babnik was here . Rich and flamboyant, this is a wine I look forward to purchasing when it’s released. Dense fruit, good structure, balanced and just delicious!

1993 Bryant Family Cabernet Sauvignon
WOW. Just a notch below the ’97, this still goes down as one of the top wines I have ever had the pleasure of tasting. Masculine and bold, the wine is pure velvet on the palate, with tremendous concentration backed by massive structure. I kept a little of this in my glass for hours, and it never slowed down, this is an amazing wine.

1991 Solia – unfortunately I never got to this wine.

1975 Sterling Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (magnum)
I had tasted this wine back in 2003 at a Bonhams & Butterfields pre-auction tasting where it blew me away. While this magnum was good, I can’t say the effect was the same. A perfectly mature Cabernet, the wine shows surprisingly little bricking, with wonderful secondary aromas of cedar, leather, and spice. A very enjoyable 90 point-ish wine, but not the WOW I was looking for.

1996 Marcassin Estate Pinot Noir
Yet another amazing treat, this pinot is stunning, with complex layers of fruit, tart cherries, earth, terrific stuff.

1992 Beringer Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Specifics aren’t coming to mind on this wine now, other than to say I found it very tasting an “ready”.

1997 Lewis Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
YUM!!! (yes, that’s all I have to say, I wasn’t taking notes, I don’t HAVE to be thorough! ).

1997 Chateau Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
This bottle performed significantly better than the last time I tasted this wine, though I still wouldn’t touch it for several more years. Very good, but in an awkward stage where it’s no longer young, but not yet ready.

2001 Behrens & Hitchcock Petite Sirah
This was a taster opened the previous night, and this stuff rocked! Fruit forward, surprisingly approachable for such a young petite! Delish!

1967 Chateau d'Yquem Sauternes
Whoa, how generous IS davidn?!? My first opportunity to taste this legendary wine and it didn’t disappoint. Dark in color, the wine is magnificent, with vibrant acidity balancing the classic botrytis sweetness and finishing very long.


The FOOD:
- Dinner Intros -

Trio of Fish "Crudo"
Hawaiian Ahi
Chili, Almond & Rosemary, Olive Oil
Scottish "Lock Duart" Salmon
Fennel, Tangerine, Wild Fennel Pollen, Tangerine Oil,
Hawaiian Nairagi
Meyer Lemon, Picholine Olives, Meyer Lemon Oil

Twice Cooked Niman Ranch Pork Belly
Organic Persimmon "Caviar" Caramelized Belgian Endive Natural Jus

Cherrywood Smoked Tolenas Quail
Yellow Curry Spices Green Papaya Salad & Toasted Cashews


- Soup/Salad -

Organic Winter Lettuces
Point Reyes Blue Cheese Crostini Sliced Heirloom Apples Toasted Pecans Organic Apple Cider Vinaigrette

Local Dungeness Crab Salad
Pomelo, Avocado, Hijiki Seaweed and Soy Bean Sprout Salad Spicy Soy Dressing

Wild Porcini Mushroom and Chestnut soup
Rainwater Madeira Duck Gesiers Confit Hobb's Guanciale


- Entrees -

Roasted Natural San Joaquin Valley Chicken
Herb Fleur De Sel, Meyer Lemon Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Wilted Winter Greens

Organic Dakota Farms Beef Rib-Eye Steak
Farmer Andy's DeCiccio Broccoli, Garlic Confit Montpellier Butter

Cedar Sake Glazed Scottish Salmon
Warm Tatsoi and King Oyster Mushroom Salad White Soy Dashi

Spaghetti Di Farro
Wild Mushroom & Baby Artichoke Ragu Parmegiano Reggiano, Pine Nuts


- Desserts -

Dagoba Organic Chocolate Flourless Cake
Tangerine Confit Vanilla Ice Cream
Farmer Andy's Indian Red Carrot Cake
Cream Cheese Ice Cream Pink Pepper -Pineapple Caramel Sauce
Seasonal Ice Creams and Sorbets
With cookies
Artisan Cheese Plate

Indeed a great time was had by all. And I am really impressed with the service we had at Jack Falstaff. Other than a little longer wait for the first course to come that I would normally like (but with the wines no one was counting the seconds) I can easily say I don't remember any restaurant ever giving this kind of service for a (albiet only 13) group.

I didn't have it but I think the dish of the night was the mushroom soup.

Andy and Jill from FLA are a couple of great kids. He manufacturers cigar humadors and she is a real doll. It might even be worth going forth in to that awful land known as Florida to go visit them some day. I hope they sign up here and play along with us.

My wotn was the Match. I said in a previous post how lucky I think we all are to have such a stunning group of winemakers here on this board. I really believe that.

I will say the Bryant wasn't too bad either. I did however think that the Yquem was not showing as well as it should have. It was indeed delicious but my expectation was somewhat higher. Oh well, the quest continues.

Let me know if you head down to Florida. I might decide to meet you down there. Andy and Jill are GREAT GREAT people. Meeting them was the highlight of the dinner Friday night!

What a great evening! It was the perfect way to prepare myself for our move from our house to a temporary domicile while we remodel. Well, I guess the only thing that would have been more perfect was actually packing and getting ready, but oh well, we had fun.

Glad you enjoyed our wine. We're stoked!

...Are now posted on Yahoo!

Pics here!

LOL