I don’t have time to get all my notes down this morning, and may not be able to get to it until tomorrow, so I thought I’d kick off the base thread with at least the list of wines and the votes to get things started. I’ll try to get my notes up ASAP, but if anyone else wants to kick theirs in please do so!

Despite the many last minute cancellations we had a terrific tasting yesterday, and the new facilities at WineCentives in Dublin were just outstanding imo. Thanks to all that contributed to make this a wonderful event.

Here are the wines, along with 1st and 2nd place votes (1st/2nd), with the top two wines noted in bold italics. Wines were tasted double blind unless noted otherwise.

Flight #1:
1999 Pride Merlot (1/5)
1996 Duckhorn Howell Mountain Merlot (4/2)
2001 Albini Russian River Merlot (0/1)
2000 Rafanelli Dry Creek Merlot (2/3)
2001 Corte Riva Merlot (0/0)
2000 Quilceda Creek Washington Merlot (3/0)

Flight #2:
2000 Switchback Ridge Merlot (2/8)
2001 Paloma Merlot (7/1)
1996 St. Francis Merlot (0/1)
1996 Clos de L’Oratoire St. Emilion (0/1)

Flight #3:
1998 Montes Alpha Chilean Merlot (1/5)
1999 Rafanelli Dry Creek Merlot (1/3)
1995 Monbousquet St. Emilion (4/1)
1997 Del Dotto Merlot (5/1)

Flight #4:
(flight #4 was sort of a bonus flight of wines that accidentally did not get put out earlier, so they were tastes single blind by many of us)
1995 Vine Cliff Merlot (3/3)
1995 Ridge Merlot (3/0)
1999 Ariettta Merlot (2/4)

A few thoughts. For me, the run away wine of the night was the 2001 Paloma, outstanding stuff that lives up to the hype. The other standouts of the tasting for me were the 2000 Switchback Ridge, 1995 Monbousquet, and 2000 Quilceda Creek, all of which showed beautifully. I was disappointed by the Corte Riva; having read so many good things about this wine I seriously wonder if we had an off bottle.

More notes soon, but please chime in with your thoughts!

Thanks Eric (and Teri) for organizing a great event.

The most interesting thing that I got out of the tasting was that my opinion of Merlot based wines has not changed. Yes there were a couple that I think are must-haves but on the whole nothing that would roll my socks even just down. I sat at a corner of the table with Eric on the end and had a full view of his toes. I think they curled a little on the Paloma but that was pretty much it (And for those of you who don't believe that Eric does his winetasting barefoot; believe it!).

And this never fails... GREAT PEOPLE! It is absolutely amazing how neat the people are that have this obsession. I met three new people in person that I know from here... what you find out is that they are even better in person.

It certainly was a fun night. Great to put faces to the names of t he people on this board. I hope that I'm able to attend future ones. (Just gotta get a gig where I can have Sundays off!).

I'd have to say that I was more impressed with the `00 Switchback Ridge over the `01 Paloma. They're both fantastic though, nonetheless.

Yes, thanks for organizing such a great event Eric! Terrific wines and people.

Hmmm, how are you selecting the "top two wines" in your list Eric? I'm used to doing somethink along the lines of 2 points for each first place vote and 1 point for each second place vote. I'm sure you're using a system that makes as much or more sense, but this is the one I'm familiar with. Anyway, that would result in the following (EricW's bold retained, my calculation is in {...}):

Flight #1:
1999 Pride Merlot (1/5) {7 pts tie for 2nd}
1996 Duckhorn Howell Mountain Merlot (4/2) {10 pts 1st place}
2001 Albini Russian River Merlot (0/1) {1 pt}
2000 Rafanelli Dry Creek Merlot (2/3) {7 pts tie for 2nd, tho probably broken in favor of QC}
2001 Corte Riva Merlot (0/0)
2000 Quilceda Creek Washington Merlot (3/0) {6pts}

Flight #2:
2000 Switchback Ridge Merlot (2/8) {12 pts 2nd place}
2001 Paloma Merlot (7/1) {15 pts 1st place}
1996 St. Francis Merlot (0/1)
1996 Clos de L’Oratoire St. Emilion (0/1)

Flight #3:
1998 Montes Alpha Chilean Merlot (1/5) {7 pts}
1999 Rafanelli Dry Creek Merlot (1/3) {5pts}
1995 Monbousquet St. Emilion (4/1) {9pts 2nd place}
1997 Del Dotto Merlot (5/1) {11pts 1st place}

Flight #4:
(flight #4 was sort of a bonus flight of wines that accidentally did not get put out earlier, so they were tastes single blind by many of us)
1995 Vine Cliff Merlot (3/3) {9pts 1st place}
1995 Ridge Merlot (3/0) {6pts}
1999 Ariettta Merlot (2/4) {8pts 2nd place}

Mostly it's a question if the Monbousquet or the Montes Alpha got second place in the third flight. Course, I voted for the Montes Alpha as second place over the Monbousquet, so I shouldn't argue this . Mostly just interested in the rating schemes.


Anyways, I thought the Paloma and the Quilceda Creek were the top wines. For the money, the Montes Alpha showed really well (for $16...not sure of the other prices tho, where there any other sub $20 wines that showed well?). I was amazed at how differently the 99 vs 2000 Rafanelli's showed (and I wasn't all that fond of the 99, which I brought and have one more of). They showed differently enough that I wonder if there's something wierd going on with my storage conditions (have been in my wine locker at Subterranium in oakland tho).

Definitely a fun event.

it seemed like the flu bug his pretty hard for a lot of people, not just my family. Sorry that I could not stay for the tasting (wife's orders after being sick for 8 days), but I did contribute the Del Dotto and the Pride.

WineIncentives is a nice set-up. I hope this guy can make it - it's a pretty out of the way location.

Actually Eric, I don't have much of a system for tallying votes, which is why I include all scoring info to allow interpretation any way you choose to do so

99 Pride Merlot: Drink or hold guys? Thanks.

You can drink it LCC but you could hold onto it for a couple of years too.

Maybe the wrong place to put this but it was one of the "snacks" we had at the tasting.
-----------------------
From the Junior League of San Francisco Cookbook "Encore"

Mango Chutney Mold
Serves 10-12

12 ounces cream cheese
3 T. mayonnaise
3 T. chopped peanuts
3 T. chopped raisins
3 slices fried bacon, chopped
2 tsp. chopped green onions
1 1/2 tsp. curry powder
1/2 C. shredded coconut (optional)
1 C. mango chutney, chopped

Combine the cream cheese with the mayo, peanuts, raisins, and bacon in a processor or blender. Mix in the green onions and curry powder. Pour into a lightly oiled 3 to 4 C. mold and chill overnight. Remove from the mold and cover with the coconut and chutney. Serve with crackers.(You can line the bowl with saran wrap for easier unmolding)

Notes finally posted! I know, you didn't think I'd get around to it, but I finally did

Eric,

Are you going to tell us about the trial?

As soon as it's over David, we go back on Tuesday for closing arguements, should be finished on Wed (I hope)