Ok, since nobody else is breaking this out into it's own thread I guess I will.

The gauntlet has been thrown down, it's time for a showdown!

In one corner, Joneswineno1 claims Brewer Clifton's Clos Pepe easily walks away with honors. In the other corner, Adam Lee challanges that notion while a sub-$50 Burgundy hangs in the balance, who will win? Join in the fun and find out!

In addition, I think the plan is to taste across Cargasacchi Pinot's as well.

Date:
Saturday, Feb. 7th, 11:00am

Location:
Siduri Winery
980 Airway Ct., Suite C
Santa Rosa
(707) 578-3882
(directions)

Attendee list so far:
Joneswineno1
Adam Lee
Brian Loring
Davidn
SFwine
skwid
NorcalVinoLover
EricLundblad
Tbird
Eric & Teri White
gfleener (tentative)
Mountainman (hopeful)

Who else?

(edited to add Tbird)

(edited again to add ME!

T-Bird

Eric, great intro - sounds like you got it from the Iron Chef.

I'm in for 2.

Can't wait!! Do I get throw my Clos Pepe's into the mix? Any other Clos Pepe's or Cargasacchi's?

Yeah, Eric has to start the tasting by ripping into a pepper -- just like "The Chairman"!

It should be noted that Brewer Clifton only made 48 cases of the 2002 Clos Pepe. As such, there is not much to go around and I personally don't have any more 2002 BC Clos Pepe to donate to the tasting. I know Adam generously offerred to supply the BC Clos Pepe (and I am more the willing to pay in order to participate) but I suspect there is a significant physical limit to the amount of BC wine that is available for the event.

The original bet came about after Mountainman commented that he was collecting 2002 Clos Pepe Pinots from all wineries that produce a Clos Pepe vineyard designated Pinot Noir so he could compare and contrast the various examples. I bet that the 2002 Brewer Clifton would win. Adam challenged my assertion so the bet is the field of 2002 Clos Pepes against the 2002 Brewer Clifton Clos Pepe. If the BC is not judged the best then I lose.

Therefore, any producer's 2002 Clos Pepe can be put into the event. In a perfect world all producer's 2002 Clos Pepes would be tasted.

Cargassachis are immaterial to the bet but the more the merrier would be my comment with one caveat. Cargassachis should be segregated into their own flight(s) that is/are tasted after the Clos Pepes are judged and the score sheet(s) for the Clos Pepes are submitted.

Anyone who attends should be able to score the wines but for the purposes of the bet I would argue it should be solely Mountainman who determines who wins the bet.

What do others (especially Adam of course) think?

Hello,

As a frequent lurker, I usually end up reading about these kind of events. If there is space, I'd like to join you fellows. I don't have any Clos Pepe, but I've got some Rochioli's and Oregon pinots.

-Pete

As far as 2002 Clos Pepe's go.... I think that the list of producers that made a vineyard designated wine is as follows (alphabetical to avoid the appearance of favoritism):

Brewer-Clifton
Clos Pepe Estate
Loring
Ojai
Siduri
Testarossa


I'll bet the Ojai is still in barrel. I'm not sure about the Testarossa, so I just sent their winemaker, Bill Brosseau, an email. Hitching Post got fruit, but it went into their Santa Rita's Earth blend (a GREAT wine BTW).

How limited are we for "space". I'd like to bring my girlfriend, Laurie, along. And I'm sure my sisters Kimberly and Audrey would like to play.

I disagree with your proposed scoring system, JW1. Mountainman said he was anticipating a Clos Pepe "showdown." I think that implies multiple tasters, rather than just one. It wouldn't make any sense for Mountainman to hole up in his cabin, open every 2002 Clos Pepe pinot, and have a solitary taste-off. I know mountain men are by reputation loners, but that's a lot of pinot for one guy to drink!

I vote (inasmuch as I get a vote, since I'm not party to the wager) to follow Eric White's suggestion -- an open tasting panel.

I'll jump in here with a couple of notions.

First, I agree with myself and SFwine on an open tasting panel with all attendies voting. In fact, I'd go as far as to make that a requirement. However, in fairness I think that it should be left for the wagers to decide - so whatever Adam and Jones agree on should go.

I totally agree that the Cargassachi Pinot should be in a completely seperate flight, and should follow the Clos Pepe flight so palates are fresh.

Hopefully Adam will chime back in here soon and let us know about capacity.

Add TriciaN too please.

Please add MadameNorcalVinoLover as well.

add mrs t as well. thanks!

What the heck, I'll add Mrs. Pete too!

since i am tentative, i might as well add katy tentativly.

I'm in, but I'm NOT a pinot head!

I'm a devout pinot head and this is absolutely killing me that this tasting is taking place and I won't be there. There must be a way . . . .

Wow you blokes are gonna have some fun, eh? Might I suggest a title name change from 'Showdown' to 'Smackdown'? It sounds more, uh, destructive. heh heh heh

As long as I make it, I have a Brewer Clifton to through into the frey. I would rather have my Clos Pepe showdown amongst you guys then the rest of "the loners" in these parts.