Randy floated the idea of forming a South Bay tasting group, with the aim of meeting up regularly every couple of months with each of us taking it in turns to organise, set a theme, etc. We'd be aiming for a fairly small group, say 10-12.

Obviously the first thing we need is a cool name. I've been racking my brain but so far can't do better than the Santa Cru.

We also need a volunteer to arrange and host the first one. I can if nobody else will.

How about Bay Area Sophisticates Tasting And Rating Drinking Substances?

ROTFLMAO.

Good 1 Board-O.

It doesn't spell anything but I've been calling the South Bay guys:

GTNWADOPN for a while

Group That Never Writes Anything Down Or Posts Notes.

The SB tasting group is a great idea, and if there is room, I'd like to participate. We're moving back to the area (Fremont) in Sept.

Mike, welcome back! I look forward to actually meeting you!

I don't really care about a name. Silicon Valley Winos is fine with me. TLily's suggested name is too long, and inaccurate as well.

How about a suggested first meeting date of July 16? We could meet in the Cupertino/Mountain View area for the first time. I'd like to get folks from all over the south bay.

Here's what I've got:

table that sits 10.
60+ glasses
New oven and dishwasher (Thanks davidn!)

I could host and organize the first event if that sounds ok with everyone. I'd suggest that it be sooner than July, else momentum is likely to be lost.

I'd propose tasting in 2 flights of 10 wines blind with one non blind to calibrate everyones palate and one cheap ringer thrown in to keep everyone honest. (keeps you from declaring every wine great). Each person brings one bagged wine. We could double blind by having a volunteer switch and number bags.

Welcome Champage. Non blind scored calibrator. Flight one , then a palate clearing snack (is fois gras palate cleaering???), flight two, then dinner. I'll cook, I think I'd probably grill rib eye's. I could do rack of lamb or prime rib but the cooking smell would likely effect the tasting.

A little later than 3PM is better for me, like 5PM start time, that still gives me time to work in the vineyards that day, but if 3 is better for everyone I can do that.

Start with the under $50 cabs from 2002? or maybe a judgement at San Jose? 5 2000 Bordeauxs vs 5 2002 Cali Cabs?

What does everyone think?

Sounds good to me. Anyone else?

Paul's home is a wonderful venue for tasting wine. I'm in. We need a date.

His home is easy to get to also. It's just off 85 near the Blossom Hill exit and easy to find. Absolutely no problem parking too.

I'm interested.

With the '02/'00 theme, we could call it the Craddle Robbing Association of Wine Lovers.

What I'd really like is an older SCM themed tasting. Need a good excuse to open a '70 Gemello and Paul is definitely one of the people I'd like to share one with.

i would like to be included if the date works.

ok cool.

I'm pretty caught up on vineyard work so anytime should work.

Saturyday June 10th or Sunday June 11th, and Saturday June 17th (18th is Father's day) are all good.

Dave you want to settle the theme since your elected leader by default?

There are a couple of things out there. This past weekend I opened a 99 Cinq Cepages and I was thinking a 1999 review would be a good one. Maybe instead of the 00/02 we could do 99 California vs 96 Bordeaux?

My vote would be for June 10th, as I cannot make any of the other dates (leaving sunday am to JFK, following week going to hawaii).

June 10th is the Sta. Rita Hills Bash.

I'm ok on 6/17.

Only other chance for me in June is Sunday 6/25. Are you still out then Randy?

Yes I am, but if we do it on the 17th in the afternoon I'm still here. Flight is (very) early on the 18th. Can we shoot for the afternoon of the 17th?

Last time I checked my calendar the 17th was wide open. Alison's signed up for a tennis tournament on the weekend of the 10th so depending on how well she does she could be playing any time between 8AM and 10PM.

I like Wes's suggestion the best but K&L are all out of Gemello right now, so let's shoot for something more practical. Young Bordeaux is wasted on me, but I like the taste-off idea so let's go for the 96 Bordeaux vs 99 Cabs.

How "blind" do we want to do this - should we announce in advance what we are bringing?
I'm thinking of a well known Napa cab that would be perfect for this.