Next Club Dates - Reserve Ahead and Get On Calendars

Dear WineauxU:

Let me know if you are in or out on the following dates. We are working on 12 for each date. Winemaker's will be open to all who want to attend.

1. Friday February 5 - Merlot and Merlot Blends - Jonathan Ritz Host
2. Friday March 5 - Alan will pick it one of these days, but we are leaning toward Italian - Alan Hoyt Host
3. Friday April 2 - Winemaker's Dinner Event of the Year - Jonathan is working on this date so not confirming it just yet.
4. Friday May 7 - Best of Tastings - Number selections from prior club tastings - Rob Healy Host

The Wine Pope

CDP Night Friday January 8

WineauxU Men:

John Lieffrig will be our host for Chateauneuf du Pape night on Friday, January 8.

I know you all have been awaiting this night and John says he can handle 14 if we have the numbers. We had 12 last session. I love it!

This is one of my all time favorite regions. Even Paul Coady would love the French for one night.

The challenge we determined on this past Friday night is that many of us have some outstanding selections. We did decide to stay away from 2007 and 2005 for the moment since they are too new and deserving of a night unto itself. Parker gave 2007 a 98 and Spectator gave it 95. 2005 got Parker 95 and WS 97.

This leaves us some fantastic years to taste from the following years:
2000 RP 98, WS 94
2001 RP 96, WS 94
1998 RP 98, WS 97

There are many other fabulous years as well.

WHO IS IN?

WHAT CAN YOU BRING?

HERE IS WHAT I CAN OFFER:

1. Chateau La Nerthe 2000 WS 92 Top 100 2002 #9
2. Chateau La Nerthe 2001 WS 93 Top 100 2003 #43
3. Guigal 1999 WS 93 Top 100 2002 #1
4. Guigal 2000 WS 93

GET YOUR RESERVATION IN EARLY!

Bless you my sons,
The Wine Pope

Petite Sirah Wrap Up

MERRY CHRISTMAS WINEAUXU!

A big thanks to Hank Fila for hosting the Petite Sirah night on Friday. With all the holiday time activities, it is much to ask to bring a group like this together. Awesome time. Thanks Hank.

PETITE SIRAH FAVORITES OF THE NIGHT

1. Jaffurs Thompson Vineyard Santa Barbara Petite Sirah 2005 - WS 93. All 12 of us had it in our top 3 of the night and most had it first.
2. Outpost Howell Mountain Petite Sirah 2005
3. Trinitas Lodi Old Vine Petite Sirah 2005

WHERE CAN I BUY IT NOW?

If you are interesting in buying some Petite Sirah available on the market, I searched Wine Searcher and found the following of interest. California had a great year in 2007 so you can't go wrong there. They will not be drinking for another 2 years. We tried the Jaffurs Thompson 2007 Friday and it was good but not as outstanding as the 2005. Needed more time.

Enjoy!
The Wine Pope

Petite Sirah Tasting 12/4 at Fila's

WineauxU Dudes:

Our next adventure will be our first time in the land of Petite Sirah. Joe Ardito is drooling just reading this. OK, well he drools all the time since the operation. :-)

Friday, December 4 at Hank Fila's.

Let have some big numbers for this event.

PLEASE EMAIL ASAP ON YES OR NO FOR ATTENDANCE AND ANY PETITE SIRAH YOU WILL SHARE.

Here is the list I have in my cellar:

The Wine Pope

1. California/South Coast Jaffurs Petite Sirah Thompsons 2005 Rating 93
2. California/South Coast Jaffurs Petite Sirah Thompsons 2007 Rating 93
3. California/Central Coast


Four Vines Petite Sirah Heretic 2005 Rating 91

Spanish Night October 16 at Jeff Mack's

Dear Wineaux U Dudes:

Great Cali and Aussie Syrah/Shiraz night last night. AND, the chef was like a farmer...outstanding in his field. :-)

The wine winners (Alan take note please):
1. 2004 Two Hands Lily's Garden Shiraz - McLaren Vale, Australia
2. Stolpman Estate Syrah 2005 Santa Barbara California
3. Stolpman Estate Syrah 2004 Santa Barbara California
4. Tait Shiraz Basket Pressed 2000 Barossa Valley Australia

NEXT UP, SPANISH NIGHT. FRIDAY OCTOBER 16, 2009 AT JEFF MACK'S.

PLEASE ADVISE ASAP ON ATTENDEES.

Jeff will provide directions and solicit food contributors.

If you have wines to offer, let Jeff and I both know. I will do the notes, but Jeff will coordinate the wines.

Wine on gents. Blessings to all.

The Wine Pope

SHIRAZ 9/11 AT THE VATICAN

My baaaaaaad. Shiraz night is Friday 9/11 on the sheet I attached to last message (meeting schedule) but I incorrectly stated 9/4 in the email cover message.

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 11 AT 6:45 AT THE VATICAN.

Pope

Wineaux U Update PLEASE READ

Men of WineauxU:

It is time to sign of for dates in the rest of 2009 and 2010 to host and make your wine selection as host as to what you prefer to taste.

All dates on attached file are first Fridays (by popular demand) ans some second Fridays due to holidays. October may move if Jeff Mack let's me since I will be in Dallas for a meeting. 10/16 is the new date. I am still confirming with Jeff.

Let me know when you would like to host.

Some special nights to consider:
1. March we usually reserve for the Winemaker's Diner. Jonathan has been our arranger for this. Perhaps he will repeat here?
2. A new restaurant is coming to KoP - Seasons 52 run by Darden Restaurants in Orlando. My soon to be Daughter in Law (Brent's intended) is in HR at Darden. Brent is a wine guy now (how could he not be) and he has befriended Darden's Corporate sommellier. We have been promised an opening night (or there about) wine dinner with the sommellier as our wine educator. Seasons 52 is a 400 calorie or less per menu item restaurant. You will be surprised at how tasty 400 calories can be. Filling too. All the docs in the group will be happy as well. :-) I am not sure what date we will get so we will keep it in mind and rearrange when dates firm up.

I have revised the mailing list. We have some drop offs and one new add. John has been with us a few times and shockingly would like to join. JR brought him in the group. Thanks for the recruiting effort. Are there others to join the worthy clan at WineauxU?

Paul Hobbs Update - I am indeed going to harvest Cabernet Sauvignon this year at Paul Hobbs vineyards in Napa. Early October. Holly and I are going to visit with Paul and learn something about harvesting. I am sure Paul will never remember me, but he looks the same in his pictures. I will have a full report for our wine night in October.

Shiraz night is on for Friday 9/4 at my house 6:45 PM. We have 9 as reflected on the attached file.

Love and Kisses,

The Wine Pope