Last night with Latour67, Max, and Nick Shiraef (all from the WS forums) and a few other friends and guests:

1990 Pichot Vouvray Moelleux Domaine Le Peu de la Moriette. Cha CHING! I racked up another half-dozen converts to this wine last night. Still the best freakin' $20 bottle that I've had the pleasure to try, and still living up to the Wine Spectator score of 97. Read more about it in thistasting note.

2001 Domaine Serene Evenstead Reserve. VERY good, potential RWOTN for Pinotphiles.

2001 Williams Selyem Zin
1998 Renwood Grand Pere Zin. Delicious but starting to turn brown at the edges -- drink 'em if you've got 'em.
1996 Leasingham Shiraz Clare Valley Classic Clare. Tied for my RWOTN.

1998 Monbousquet. Decanted for about two hours
1998 Peby Faugeres (2 bottles in Magnum decanter). Decanted two days prior, given about 6 hours in a decanter, then back into the bottle it goes! Huge, dark, tasty, and smoothed out by the exstensive decanting. Otherwise probably would have ripped our tastebuds completely off.

1997 Banfi alle Mura. Nick Shiraef brought this straight from his wine locker at work. He arrived late and opened the bottle upon arrival, then into a decanter for about 45 minutes. Even with so little air, this wine was singing ... Anita said "hmmm, strawberry? Cherry? and what is that -- it almost tastes like those red licorice whips?" Yup, she just nailed the classic flavors of Brunello and exactly described the WS review of this wine. She also called it her RWOTN, giving it 95 points and hoping that I might have some of this in my cellar. Fortunately, I have some of this and others similar to it. Tied for my RWOTN.

2001 Pfeffingen Scheurebe Ungsteiner Herrenberg Auslese . Awesome, as always. Easily holds its own, if not slightly surpassing, the more expensive Phelps Icerebe. Of course, the Germans know how to make their native grape perform at its peak.

We were at our favorite local BYOB-friendly neighborhood restaurant. During dinner at least three other parties of wine friends came into the restaurant. Anyone that knows Latour67 can picture him grabbing the magnum decanter of his Peby Faugeres and leaving our private dining room, taking it for a walk around the restaurant and pouring samples at about half the occupied tables in the main dining room ... and telling stories to anyone that would listen. It was a nice evening and the largest gathering of Memphis forumites yet.

Stemor, I agree with your assessments completely. Glad you enjoyed the 1996 Leasingham Classic Claret Shiraz. I was worried early Friday morning when I opened it. The flavor profiles just weren't present so I left it opened all day to try to revive it. It wasn't the same shiraz it was two years ago when I had it. Anyway, I guess the air time did it justice cause it was singing to everyone at the dinner. Maybe it was my 7 AM taste buds playing tricks on me that morning. I also liked the 2001 Domaine Serene Evenstead Reserve Pinot; very Burgundy in style; quite delicious. I really like what Oregon is doing with the pinots if only the costs could be controled a little better. Hope we can make these gatherings happen on a regular basis.

Welcome to VC, maxy.

You may very well be our first poster from Arkansas!

Max! Glad you could make it ... and even though Latour had a head start in signing up, I see you beat him to the posting punch.

It was a lot of fun, and very helpful -- I've been given permission to build a cellar somewhat like the one at Chateau Latour67 .

welcome aboard maxy. enjoy you stay just watch out for mudpuupy and his evil deals

Thanks for the welcome. I recognize a lot of the users names from WS forums and a lot that I havn't saw on the WS forums for some time now. I'll try to visit frequently.

Stemor, I'm envious. That is the most impressive residential cellar that I've ever been in. By the way, I sent you an e-mail to your primary address.

Sounds like a great event, I have always wanted to try the Leasingham Classic Clare bottling. Glad to hear it's lived up to my imaginings of what it could be.

Oh, and wlcome maxy!

Nice to have you here, maxy.

This was my first dinner with these guys and it was a real treat to communicate with bodies instead of computer screens for a change. The cellar at latour's home is like a dream--pure heaven. My wines of the night were definitely the '98 St. Emilions, particularly the one latour brought that I had never heard of. I missed out on the Vouvray and the Riesling, as I showed up late, but the Seylem Zin was a treat. (I can't wait to try some of their Pinots). I hope to attend the next dinner in it's entirety, so I can have a full assesment of all the great wines. One would never guess it, but Memphis has some of the best people and certainly plenty of good wine. Thanks, stemor, for inviting me. It was good to see you and Anita again!

Welcome back to VinoCellar, Nick. We've gotta do this more often ... it was a blast, and Latour is ALWAYS a great host (with the full backing and support of Mrs Latour67, who is the absolute best!).

Man, there are pockets of us wine-os everywhere it seems! Woo-hoo!

Again, thanks for the welcome everyone. Nick it is a pleasure to have finally met you. We should schedule a night of college basketball and wine with the NCAA starting soon. Can't wait for the season to get started!