Well Mudpuppy, is this worth going to???

do tell!!

We wanted to pull off a tasting with 300+ wines and at the same time keep it affordable. Alot of times the tastings/dinners can get a bit pricey and we've had a huge demand from our customers who look for tastings to expand their wine horizons... and I think we've addressed it. I've gotten a glimpse at the set up so far and ya know what?.... I'm really liking what I'm seeing.

When and where is this?

Would have loved to go, but we'll be returning from CA that night w/ OJeffso. Too bad!

Board_O- Its Wednesday, June 4th at the Berkeley Plaza, Berkeley Heights, NJ, 7pm-10pm.

What is the line-up?

I grew up in Watchung, right nmext to the Berkeley Heights border, but it's a 55-60 mile drive and I have to work the next morning.

LCC- Off the top of my head: Gaja, Arrowood, Beringer, Fox Creek, Warres, Chateau St. Michelle Single Vineyard Series, Vincent Girardin, and a vertical of Mondavi Reserve Cabernet including the newly released 2000 (1998 through 2000), Chimney Rock Cabernet, Il Poggione Brunello 98, Roshambo, L'Ecole #41 Cabernet 2000, Brolio Chianti, Ricasoli, Domaine Alfred, Lengs & Cooter, Phelps Insignia 1999, Greg Norman, Stonegate.....lots more

Gratuitous Webpage link.....he he

Thanks MudPuppy. Will try to make it, but will be tough...

mudpuppy,

any wine not consumed i think should be opened for us when we come to visit on june. sort of a back room private VC tasting if you will

Newest additional "highlights": 98 Dominus, 99 Dominus, 99 Phelps Insignia, 2000 Phelps Insignia, Casa Lapostolle Clos Alpalta 99....

Here we go. These are my very general impressions of the wines I tried last night. I don't like to 'work' at these tastings and work up detailed notes. It's no fun. Therefore I simply remember if it's "Classic" (96-100), "Excellent" (90-95), "Very Good" (86-89), "Good" (80-85) and "Not Recommended."

Top Wines of the Night:

2000 Gaja Majari (Excellent)
1999 Chateau St. Michelle Cold Creek Merlot (Excellent)
1998 Casanova di Neri BdM (Excellent)


1999 J. Lohr Hilltop Cab (Very Good)
1999 Casa Lapostelle Clos Apalta (Very Good)
1999 Phelps Insignia (Excellent)
2000 Phelps Insignia (Very Good)
1998 Dominus (Good)
1999 Dominus (Very Good) - still overoaked!
2000 Fife L'Attitude (Good)
2000 Fife Scarlet Meritage (Very Good)
1999 Fife Max Cuvee (Very Good)
2000 Fife Mendocino Syrah (Very Good)
2002 Ch. St. Michelle Eroica (Very Good)
2000 Ch. St. Michelle Cold Creek Cab (Good)
1998 Mondavi Reserve Cab (Very Good)
1999 Mondavi Reserve Cab (Very Good)
2000 Mondavi Reserve Cab (Very Good)
1999 Mondavi Napa Cab (Very Good)
1999 Domini Veneit Amarone (Very Good)

I'd be happy to report back prices if anyone is interested. Frankly, I would only buy the Gaja, Chateau St. Michelle Cold Creek Merlot, the Amarone and the Casanova di Neri BdM. While most wines were "very good", they were toward the bottom of the scale (85-87 points). Mondavi reserves, Insignias, and Dominus included!

STW,

so in your opinion the 00 insignia is a pass?

I'm passing. Even if they dropped the price to $50, I'd pass on it. I think most people buying it will only be doing so to continue their verticals.

With soooooo many excellent 2001s approaching, why buy this?

good point short

Short, 2 questions for you:

1999 Mondavi Reserve Cab (Very Good): @ $59.99, a buy?
1999 Phelps Insignia (Excellent): Drink or Hold?

Think your right on short, seemed the concensus of the night. Just wish I could have tasted something with this head cold, lovely timing...

lcc -

I'm sure there are many that disagree with me, but even at $50 I'd pass on the Mondavi Resrve. It's good (and attractively priced compared to their recent prices) - but I'd honestly save your money for the 2001 CA cabs (or 2001 Southern Rhones, 2000 Bordeaux, 2001 Australians, etc.).

The '99 Insignia can go much longer no doubt. It wasn't closed, but it wasn't blossoming either. I'd wait on it personally (and I am - I have 4 in the cellar).

Thanks. Will take your advice on both.