What a great night for wine, friendship, and a fun charity auction.

Mark Neal and Gove Celio from Neal Family wines poured some luscious wines. And Michael Browne showed the French Burgundies what exceptional wines are being produced in California.

The Neal and Kosta-Browne wines tables were crowded all night. Mark and Gove poured-
2004 Neal Zinfandel
2003 Napa Valley Cabernet
My friends were clamoring for more and wanted to know how to get these wines-not easy in DC. There were almost 300 in attendance and as event coordinator- I hear the good and the bad-- Nothing but good for Neal- The Zinfandel is a huge wine- purple, heady nose, structured and balanced and will be better with food as it fills the mouth, long and slightly sweet finish but not in any way cloying.
The 2003 Cabernet shared the wine of the night with the 2004 Kosta -Browne Russian River Pinot.
The Cabernet had one taster pleading with Mark to sell her some of the wine so she could have some soon. It was soooo smooth and had nose that showed blackberries, a touch of tobacco, some leather , and in the mouth had no pucker, only a feel of I want some more.

Michael Browne poured the Amber Ridge 2004 Pinot in addition to the Russian River- It is a fruiter, lighter wine than the RRV but in no way light weight. Both these wines left the French Burgundies gasping for some hope they would run out of both and return the tasters to the French tables. The Russian River 2004 shared the WOTH with the Neal CAb and the line was long to have a taste of the wine as word spread through the crowd that these were the two to taste.

To be Fair the French wines may need some more time, but they showed tight and not ready for prime time.

They were
2004 -Vincnet Girardin Rully Vieles Vignes
2004- Vincent Girardin Santenay Premier Cru
2003 - Joseph Drouhin Chorey-les- Beaune
2000- Chateau Potensac, Medoc
2000- Chateau Meyney, St. EStephe

And to the crowds delight they also tasted a combination of white and red- 2004 Goats do Roam from Fairview- Paarl S. Africa. The pourers were all members of the Brotherhood of the Knights of the Vine and all regularly participate in competition tastings as Judges. These foks were amazed that the crowd consistently preferred the S. African wines to the French offerings. Two of he judges reminded us we were in the French Embassy and it was 30 years ago the Americans went head to head with the French and came away with higher ratings than many of the prestigious wines from France--

Some of the other offerings allowed the attendees to sample an exceptional 2004 Vognier from Jefferson winery in Virginia. This grape continues to amaze as it has been adapted to the soils and climate of the Commonwealth and for those looking for a white wine with some character- no overt oakiness and a mellow refreshing contrast to the sumptuous reds offered by Neal and Kosta- Browne the crowd found his wine very attractive.

Barboursville Winery , also from Virginia had their assistant winemaker present their signature wine the 2003 Octagon. Again the reports were of surprise at the fruitness, balance, and drink ablilty of his wine from the Shennadoah foothills. This wine maybe could use some more cellar time as the tannins gave a greenness to the finish and overcame the nice dark cherry start and a slightly dusty nose.

Everyone seemed to find something to enjoy - most frequently in front of the Neal and Kosta- Browne tables.