Or did it already happen and somehow I missed it?

Just the thought of some of the '02's that might be in the line up makes me drool. I wouldnt miss it if it does come about.

It would be good to see you again. I finally opened that Hartford Court that we traded last weekend. It went beautifully with Alison's monkfish and my squab at Manresa.

Dave, It looks like you will be the planner of the next cali smackdown. So where are you thinking of having it?

Yeah Dave.

This of course is a great idea but will there be another general event in the Bay Area sometime soon? It would be great to meet some of the folks. I thought that I read about a get together at Bizou somewhere along the line, and now it is Coco500 with small plates and still great food. Maybe we should start with something smaller and get Davidn in the mood.

By the way, great cellar spot, Davidn. Hope we get to meet someday. Over a bottle of d'Yquem maybe?

Saut

Parcel 104 does not have a private room. If we had 60 people or so they would put us up on the upper level (one step up from the main dining room off to the right) but it isn't at all private.

How about that steak place; the one that the owner (my buddy that I can't remember his name) was murdered about a year ago?

Dave,

Before I weigh in with too many comments, have you thought of a date yet ? I've been able to attend the first 2 Smackdowns due to fortuitous scheduling of the events and business trips to the bay area. Looking at my calendar, the weekends of Oct 28-29 or Nov 4-5 would be a good choice

I would prefer to hold it at a restaurant. I like tasting the wines with food, and find it helpful to be eating something substantial while trying a vast number of bottles. These tend to be too good to spit !

I've been to Parcel 104 once, and really enjoyed it. It sounds like they have some areas that could accomodate the Smackdown, so I think it's worth pursuing.

Scott

Although I realize that there are a lot of South Bay folks on the board, how about somewhere on the mid Peninsula, say, around Palo Alto? It will shave some time off the drive for the SF, East Bay and North Bay contingent...

Dave, I commend you for taking on this task. If it helps, almost any date and any restaurant will work for me. The only thing I need to work around it our baby due 12/8/06. The sooner the easier it will be on the wife to go. I will make the trip solo though if needed. Put me down for 1 drinker and 1 non-drinker. I will bring 2 bottles though. (or more if needed)


Ok, so here is what I would like to suggest for wines that should be included:

Neal SVD's
Pride & Reserves*
Hundred Acre *
Match*
Insignia
Foley*
Quilceda* (I know, I know but still would like to add it for comparison)
Ramey* (Diamond or Jericho)
Bressler
Screaming Eagle
Caymus SS
Shafer HSS (if after 9/1)
(*) = I can provide at least 1.

Thats just off of the top of my head.





P.S. Over estimate the corkage fee by at least 20%. Many VC'ers have trouble bringing just the 2 bottles required.

Last year there were 28 (if I remember correctly).

231 Ellsworth in San Mateo has a private room for 28 (hint...hint)

http://www.231ellsworth.com/

231 ellsworth has some awesome food!! It is among the best restaurants I've been to in the Bay Area! But how much is the corkage? It was a pretty expensive meal and my credit card was hit hard but I tried blocking that out and I forgot exactly how much the meal was.

If I am able to make it this year I can supply ALL the stems in Riedel or Spiegelau crystal.

Dave, If you're starting the reservations- Gail and I are in. Randy did a great job last year. Pride Reserves or ? We haven't been to Parcel 104 but corkage was not low when I looked at their menu after a conference there... Perhaps we should also look into getting a conference room there and having it catered?
Joe

Please put me down as well and let me know if 231 Ellsworth makes the finals - I might be able to get us a deal on corkage.

Richard

Two here also.

I have arranged a meeting with a rep from Parcel 104 tomorrow.
I will look into alternatives, but that remains my personal preference.
I'm fine with the weekends ScottJ suggested.

Proposed Dates:
Oct 28
Nov 4

Suggested restaurant list:
Parcel 104
Birks
Lion And Compass
231 Ellsworth

Here's the list of people who have expressed an interest so far:
DaveTong x2
LC17SMP 1 + 1ND
DavidN x2
Saut
ScottJ
Tanglenet x2
Hudamang
Winebrat
JBWines x2
WineGeek
S2KRacer x2
Babnik x2

Here's what I think last years final wine list was: (all 2001s)
Jones Family
Neal Second Chance
Bressler
Anomaly
Marinus Tricia's Cuvee

Insigna
Pride Mountain Reserve
Chateau Montelena
Harlan The Maiden
Peter Michael Les Pavots

Robert Foley Claret
Switchback Ridge
Hourglass
Rudd Estate

Other suggested wines:
Other Neal vineyard designates
Match
Quilceda Creek
Ramey
Caymus SS
Karl Lawrence Reserves
Lewelling Wight
Ridge Monte Bello

I don't think HSS and Screagle are eligible; I understood that there was a seperate tasting for the true cult wines. By the same token I believe that Hundred Acre is priced out of range; we want to keep this to wines that are available for under $125 on release.

NOTE: If anyone has moderator status, can they change the original message title?

Put the Wife and I down for 2 please.

It will be great to finally meet some of the people on the boards.

Wines for us... how about an 02 Neal Wykoff and an 02 Lewelling Wight?