It seems that the time limit for editing has been revoked, so now I can keep this first message up to date with the latest info.

November 17th, 6PM. Lion & Compass, Sunnyvale, CA

Reception
Chef's Hors d'oevres

Soup and Salad
HOUSE GREENS SALAD Organic Lettuces, Orange Lavender Vinaigrette, Toasted Almonds, Blue Cheese
COMPASS CAESAR SALAD Romaine Hearts, Egg-less Dressing, Parmesan, Garlic Croutons
CREAM OF MUSHROOM SOUP

Entrees
PAN ROASTED FILET MIGNON, "au Poive Verte" Scallion Mashed Potatoes, Green Peppercorn Brandy Sauce, Asparagus Vegetables
HERB ROASTED RACK of LAMB Tomato Fennel Confit, Tuscan White Beans, Sauteed Kale, Rosemary Jus
VENISON STIR FRY in Japanese Plum Wine shiitake mushrooms, pearl onions, garlic sauteed chard, crispy risotto
GRILLED EGGPLANT & POLENTA ROULADES goat cheese, fresh basil, golden peppers, zucchini ratatoulle

Desserts
LAVIN'S CHOCOLATE TORTE
FRUIT SORBET & BERRIES
CHEESECAKE
COMPASS TIRAMISU
CREME BRULEE

Attendees    Confirmed: 22. Unconfirmed: 4, possibly 5

Dave Tong (2) Ridge Monte Bello, Ridge Monte Bello
Hudamang (2) Crocker Starr,  Ladera Lone Canyon
Saut (2) Bressler, Bressler, Sauternes
tgenn (2) Bressler, Insignia
Joe Barksy (2) Pride Reserve Claret, Pride Reserve Claret
Paul Soals (2) Crocker Starr, Crocker Starr
RandyW (2) Foley Claret, Foley Claret
Rob Conrad (2) Ladera Lone Canyon, Ladera Lone Canyon
SCMguy (2) Pride Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Pride Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
GATC (2) Pride Reserve Claret, Pride Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
ScottJ (1) Ridge Monte Bello
Drew(1) Foley Claret
LC17SMP (1 possibly 2) TBD (TBD)
Winebrat (1) TBD
Mark Neal (2) TBD, TBD

The Wines - need 3 bottles of each

Bressler Saut, Saut, tgenn
Match Randy Sloan X3 (kindly donated in absence)
Ridge Monte Bello Dave Tong, Dave Tong, ScottJ
Crocker Starr Stone Place hudamang, Paul Soals, Paul Soals
Pride Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon SCMguy, SCMguy , GATC
Pride Reserve Claret Joe Barksy, Joe Barksy, GATC
Foley Claret RandyW, RandyW, Drew
Ladera Lone Canyon Rob Conrad, Rob Conrad, hudamang
Phelps Insignia tgenn, NEED 2
Quilceda Creek NEED 3

Other suggestions:

Neal (Second Chance)
Jones Family
Hourglass
Switchback Ridge
Peter Michael Les Pavots
Lewelling Wight
Pahlmeyer
Karl Lawrence (Dr Crane or To-Kalon)

Champagne
?

Stickies
Saut

Dave, you did an amazing job last yr and I think it's great you are starting it again this year!

Is this 03 Vintage? I would like to see Crocker and Starr and Lewelling Wight added this yr as I have enjoyed both of their 03 wines and others have commented that they are better than 03 Insignia. Should be a fun time! Put me down for 2!

This was a blast, and I can't wait!  If we are alive, put us in for 2

Can someone remind me of the theme?  Are we looking for non-cult wines to show up the big bucks?

Hudamang is right, Dave did an exceptional job and it is great to have him starting this thread.  Three cheers!

As to the vintage, there has been a lot of talk, and I'm seeing wines that normally would be gone still hanging around, like Dalle Valle, and Bryant Family.  Oh, and Grace Family too....crazy.  Was the vintage really that tough?

Cheers for the props, guys. Yes, it's the 2003 Vintage this time round. Not the vintage of the century; let's see what the best producers came up with in a tricky year.

We'll probably follow the format of last year - friends and family followed by the big guns.
Last year I tried to structure it as a regional match-off; we had Napa, Sonoma, SCM, Central Coast, Washington and Bordeaux. Did that work?

All wines must have been available at release, one way or another, for under $125.
I'm all in favour of including Lewelling Wight - let's see what other nominations we get. How about Karl Lawrence?

Previous Friends and Family
Neal SVDs
Match
Bressler
Ladera
Jones

The Big Guys
Insignia
Pride
Foley
Hourglass
Switchback
Ridge Monte Bello
Quilceda Creek
Justin Isosceles Reserve
Peter Michael

I would be all for adding Karl Lawrence Reserve and Lewelling Wight. If I had to bounce one from last year's list, it would be Justin Isosceles..

IIRC, I thought the Justin Isosceles Reserve performed pretty well last year. To me, the Ridge Monte Bello was way too young, similar to the Leoville Barton we had. Are we having another ringer thrown in?

If there's sufficient interest we can always revisit the 2002 vintage. Or make that a separate event.
(Uh-oh. What did I just volunteer for?)

David, You great last year and please count us in depending on the date. Thank you. Joe and Gail

Dave,

Thanks for stepping up and organizing this event again ! My preferences for dates are:

October 27
November 3
November 17

I may be able to make it on another date, but these are clearly open for me now. Also, I assume the latter dates are better for the vintners among us - weather and harvest permitting, of course ?

I have no problem with revisiting the '02s, as I find they're still doing very well. On the other hand, while I've had some mediocre '03s, I've had some stunners, too, like the '03 Araujo Altagracia. I'm sure we can adjust the lineup and put together an outstanding tasting of the '03s

Scott

We're in for 2. As far as I know, our calendar is free for any of the dates.

I would like to second Bob's suggestion of giving more time to the wines. And I realize this makes things a whole lot more complex for you!

Count the wife and I in for two again, we had a blast last time... (formerly S2K_Racer)

And let me 2nd (or 3rd) votes to include Lewelling and Crocker & Starr wines.

The early October dates don't work are as well for us.

Things here are more stable now, so its likely I'll be attending this on most any of those dates.

Wouldn't miss this years' event. Count me in for two as in years past. The only dates that do not work (at this point) are Oct 20 and Nov 10.

I am in for 2

Would love to be on the wait list... I'm back on the west coast and have a paycheck once again :-D