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

First Friday Gets Top Votes, Shiraz Night Date Setting, Get Members

1. WE ARE STAYING WITH FIRST FRIDAY OF MONTH FOR MEETINGS.

12 of you responded out of 20. 8 did not care either way, 3 wanted first Friday, only 1 wanted second Friday.

We stay with what is working.


2. SHIRAZ NIGHT IS IN SEPTEMBER. NEED ANOTHER VOTE BASED ON FEEDBACK DUE TO LABOR DAY.

WHO CAN ATTEND ON EITHER 9/4 or 9/11? Please let me know ASAP.


3. WE NEED MORE REGULARS.

No one is expected to make every monthly session, but at least 7 or you are very regular attendees. There are 6 who rarely attend anymore. Let me know if we should remove you from the list. Hate to clog up your emails and we should make room for those who would like to attend.

Let's get some feelers out. Our target is 12 per session and that is getting to be a challenge. I suggest we get 4 to 6 new dudes for WineauxU. Please let me know who you have in mind.

Chardonnay Night Cancelled

Once Alan told us there was a naked hot tub thing planned, those few that were interested quickly dropped out.

No Chardonnay night. I wonder again why we even think of doing whites. Such a narrow group we have. :-)

Who can blame us. No HDLs in whites anyway...right docs?

Enjoy August. Keep cool.

September is Shiraz. Date may be second Friday in September. Email to come soon to check everyone's status.

The Wine Pope

CHARD NIIGHT 8/7 - WHO IS IN????? BLIND TASTING GREAT FUN

Blind Tasting Recap:

I was very impressed with the correct and very close answers in the blind tasting. We are learning after all!

Well done lads on WineauxU!

The winner wine was a Bordeaux blend from Cali that Paul Dunne brought. Yummy. All the wines were great and all about $20-$30 range, except Paul. Thanks Dude!

Chardonnay - August 7 at Alan "I Love To Host" Hoyt

WE NEED A HEADCOUNT. PLEASE SEND YOUR NOTICE TO THE VATICAN FOR YOUR AUDIENCE.

DON'T MAKE ME BEG. I HATE TO BEG.

AS PROMISED, ALL WINES ARE SPECTATOR TOP 100 SELECTIONS. Pricing per bottle is all reasonable. Most are available today or certainly some newer vintages. Some of which have received continuously strong reviews.

California is the feature, but Burgundy will be on display as well as some other fun selections. Aussie sticky for dessert.

The Wine Pope

Blind Tasting Friday July 10 at The Pope's

See a recent post for the details on who is attending and add Ed "Limoncello" Grady then subtract Hank "Can You" Fila. Location is the Pope Deck. The planter boxes will be removed so Alan has some stretching out room.

6:45 Blind Tasting. Bring your shades. :-) We have a seeing eye dog.

Dinner will be from Fellini's Cafe in Paoli.

The Wine Pope.

CHARDONNAY - AUGUST 7 AT ALAN'S

WineauxU...You Know Who You Are!

I'm trying to stay ahead of your calendars. Mark the calendar and let me know your status for Friday, August 7 at Alan Hoyt's for Chardonnay tasting and skinny dipping (well at least Alan says he is skinny dipping).

SPECIAL TREAT....EVERY WINE IS A WINE SPECTATOR TOP 100 SELECTION! ACTUALLY, ALL ARE IN THE TOP 50 FROM 2005 TO 2008.

We have room for more than 12 since we will be outside at Alan's.

This is our only white wine tasting of the year. I have 10 wines pulled, 1-95, 1-94, 5-93 and 3-92 ratings.

MAKE YOUR RESERVATION TODAY!

THE WINE POPE

JULY 10 - BLIND TASTING - REDS

WineauxU Grads:

We are a go for Friday July 10. A few of you still not replying as yet, but we have at least 9- 10 as follows:

1 R. Healy
2 C. Odgers
3 J Ardito
4 R. Rigg
5 P. Dunne
6 M. Healy
7 J. Sinclair
8 H. Fila - Maybe
9 A. Hoyt


We do not have a location as yet. Anyone care to host? I could do it if needed. I will probably do the takeout route so there is more time to socialize this time.

IF YOU HAVE WINES TO SHARE FOR THE BLIND TASTING, PLEASE LET ME KNOW ASAP. DR. JOE? THIS IS NOT MANDATORY. THE LESS YOU KNOW ABOUT WHAT IS IN THE LIST, THE MORE THE SURPRISE FACTOR.

The Wine Pope

Sangiovese Night Stars

Best wines of the night:

1. LA PODERINA Brunello di Montalcino 1999

2. ALTESINO Toscana Alte d'Altesi 2000

3. 2001 Ruffino Chianti Classico Riserva Ducale Oro

Dessert:
1. GRADY LIMONCELLO 2009

If you want to buy wines like these- check WineSearcher.com

1. LA PODERINA Brunello di Montalcino 2004- Spectator 93 - $52-55 at Zachy's, Canal's Marlton

2. ALTESINO Toscana Alte d'Altesi 2000 - Nothing available with a good rating and 2000 is not available anymore.

3. 2001 Ruffino Chianti Classico Riserva Ducale Oro 2004 - Parker 91 - Wine Legend $30

Love and blessings to all my peeps,

The Wine Pope