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It seems like the crux of it is whether you want a hard wine suitcase or a collapsible soft suitcase into which you can put shipper boxes. The former looks nicer and is probably easier to maneuver in the way of rolling luggage when full, the latter gives you more flexibility about collapsing it on ...

Wine Check user. Will be taking it to Oregon again in a few weeks. I’m a cheap flyer and Southwest has never had an issue with it. If you have an option to fly Alaska Airlines, they do not charge for a case of wine check in. Alaska Air doesn’t fly far enough East to be a choice for us that I’ve fou...

JDavisRoby wrote: ↑
August 18th, 2019, 6:28 am
Wine Check user. Will be taking it to Oregon again in a few weeks. I’m a cheap flyer and Southwest has never had an issue with it.

If you have an option to fly Alaska Airlines, they do not charge for a case of wine check in.

We've used this CasePro 12-bottle for a couple of years now. I've flown cross country with it and it's been solid. It is a beast though... looks more like an ammo case or stage equipment coming off the belt. CasePro 12 Bottle It looked good until I got to the last spec that says it weights 25 lbs w...

You all are making it tough to pick a winner here. I think I have the answer and then a new idea comes in and then another. I'm going to do a spread sheet and list the pros and cons of each and see what the consensus is; well, maybe not. I'm leaning toward the VGV; no I'm leaning toward the Wine Che...

Seems like i better investigate the Wine Check more seriously. A friend has one and has offered to let me use it for an upcoming trip to the hot Midwest. Thinking that may help in making a final decision.

Just received an offer with this hype re the 08` SWC: "This is the next Legendary Vintage that you will want for your cellar! Each vintage that is lucky enough to be made is always one of the most captivating vintage Champagnes out there. Amazing complexity in its youth and vivacity that captures th...

Hank Victor wrote: ↑
August 15th, 2019, 8:38 am

Mich@el Ch@ng wrote: ↑
August 14th, 2019, 6:00 pm
I like my vinguard valise.
Same. A full case of 750ml non-champagne bottles comes to about 47-48 lbs with the VGV.

Are we talking the Grande model or the Petit? $300 vs. $350

Mich@el Ch@ng wrote: ↑
August 14th, 2019, 6:00 pm
I like my vinguard valise.

I just looked it up and am liking what I'm seeing. Seems to do most of what the Vino-Voyage claims, but the price seems to vary and I'm not sure where it finally lands in comparison to the $300 for the V-V.

Anyone have this and if so, any feedback? I`m looking for something to use for air travel beyond the Wine Check bag option to fit various sized bottles and ease of transport.

https://www.wineenthusiast.com/vino-voy ... e-suitcase

Take a carrier with you for sure. Or a few. And stop in a few stores. You never know what you'll find. older vintages too? I originally wrote this as part of the earlier post but deleted it in the interest of brevity. But yes. I was leaving town heading back to Madrid and passed a wine store. I had...

GregT wrote: ↑
August 14th, 2019, 10:17 am
Take a carrier with you for sure. Or a few.

And stop in a few stores. You never know what you'll find.

older vintages too?

Excellent info gents. Greg T, you continually add depth to any discussion on this board for all things Spain. Thank you all for providing some detail that I find very useful for an upcoming trip next Spring. We're going with another couple and spending 10 days in Portugal before moving on to San Se...

Excellent info gents. Greg T, you continually add depth to any discussion on this board for all things Spain. Thank you all for providing some detail that I find very useful for an upcoming trip next Spring. We're going with another couple and spending 10 days in Portugal before moving on to San Se...

Blake, Your comments indicate that the 2004 Bosconia is a Gran Reserva. Are you sure about that? As far as I know, the current release of GR Bosconia is the 95. The bottle you show in pic looks like the Reserva. Where were you able to find a 2004 GR? Michael Michael, you are absolutely correct. Thi...

2002 Louis Roederer Champagne Cristal Brut - France, Champagne (8/12/2019) 30th anniversary celebration weekend, so go big! I don't drink much Cristal, but this was not at all what I expected. It was a firm, steely, imposing wine for several hours. Eventually it opened up, and filled out, with tree...

Excellent info gents. Greg T, you continually add depth to any discussion on this board for all things Spain. Thank you all for providing some detail that I find very useful for an upcoming trip next Spring. We're going with another couple and spending 10 days in Portugal before moving on to San Seb...

Our lunch group enjoyed another excellent luncheon at our esteemed venue, The Santa Barbara Club, in our dedicated Library Room. In keeping with the local festivities of just having celebrated Old Spanish Days Fiesta, our wine theme was wines from Span {and Portugal}. Chef Humberto tailored another ...

The 1999 Churchill is one of the better wines of the vintage and I prefer it over its 1996 and 1998 vintages which in theory should have been better wines than the 1999. I wouldn't hold the 1999 long term, but any time over the next decade should see it drink really nice. The 2006 Chruchill is the ...

Thanks for posting this crickey - Similiar questions/dilemma... Not trying to hijack the thread... for the well versed Champy drinkers/collectors, where would you place Bollinger in regards to the 3 above? At ~125/b, and “great scores”, seems like an ok idea for me to throw some in the back of cell...

Thank you to everyone who weighed in. This was a most helpful discussion. I, uh, ended up buying one of each. I will find out in 10-15 years how I did. That would have been my rec although if you were to go for just 1, then the DP would be it. Some really good information in this thread and I share...

A small note: not everything Bollinger is 100% barrel fermented. Special Cuvee has some portion fermented in stainless. All other bottlings are 100% oak, so maybe that's what you're talking about. http://www.wineanorak.com/champagne/bollinger_part1.htm Lovely wines, anyway. It's too bad about this ...

Warren Taranow wrote: ↑
August 9th, 2019, 2:08 pm
The 2009 Philipponnat Clos des Goisses is a tremendous wine at a very attractive price.

Totally agree. On the heels of another 06` Comtes offering for which I opted for a 6 pack, I'm like "what do I do here?" and the little voice is saying "go for it".

AndrewH wrote: ↑
August 8th, 2019, 8:05 am

AndrewH wrote: ↑
July 3rd, 2019, 9:26 am

AndrewH wrote: ↑
March 21st, 2019, 11:29 am

I have been reassured several times that we have received the last offers of 06 Comtes.
And again!
We really mean it!!!

Only 120 bottles left!

and I just opted for another 6 pack- never ever bought so much of any one champagne. Enjoyed every bottle of the 21 I've had.

Yikes! After posting replies to a couple of posts here, I checked email and found another offering of the 06` Comtes from Envoyer and opted for another 6 pack. I've never bought this amount of any one champagne ever and its still counting.

How's the oak showing on La Landonne after all these years? That was always the criticism of the La-Las from the AFWE crowd - the overpowering oak profile. I thought it was very nicely integrated, certainly not dominating as in some other younger vintages I've had and true for most older ones. This...

I was about to type "Finally, someone who has opened more '06 Taittinger Comte than me!" Then, I opened Cellartracker. Dammit. Well, at least you picked a good one. I mean, wouldn't it be worse to be the person who opened the most bottles of something that was not that good? True that. I aspire to ...

As alluded to, but not named in the 05`-06` Taittinger Comtes de Champagne...... thread: 2016 DOMAINE COMTE ABBATUCCI MINISTRE IMPERIAL CUVEE COLLECTION RED WINE- a blend of Sciaccarellu, Niellucciu, Carcajolu-Neru, Montanaccia, Morescono, Morescola, and Aleaticothis which come from a single, five a...

Correction: the Bonville was 2012. I just pulled the bottle out of recycle along with my reading glasses.

2006 TAITTINGER COMTES de CHAMPAGNE BLANC de BLANC BRUT- this may be bottle #21 if my count is accurate and maybe the best one yet as more evolved Chardonnay is now bringing even more life into this already stellar bubbly; it had the requisite toasty brioche with generous and balanced amount of spi...

Nice notes, Blake, as always. Appreciate the note on the '13 Bonville. I have seen a lot of the '12 vintage but not any '13's yet. I will be on the lookout fo them. The NV Bonville Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs is always a favorite in our house. Ed Ed, I just got an email from the one who brought the B...

Santa Barbara celebrates a huge Mexican holiday for 5 days in early August called Old Spanish Days Fiesta sometimes referred to by the locals as Fiasco. Its a big deal with numerous celebrations, 2 parades, temporary el Mercados, a rodeo and mucho cervezas and margaritas. Many locals take advantage ...

The PYCM rose is one of my favorites, and I've gotten it since PY started producing it. And I love the Ruinart NV bottling so the 2006 must be a step or two up. Interested in getting some 2008 when it's available. Jerry, the 06` Dom Ruinart is quite a few steps up from the NV and I like the NV. Its...

Peter Valiquette wrote: ↑
August 3rd, 2019, 4:24 pm
I've always enjoyed his writing, but his avatar was a bit creepy.

I assume you are referring to the self portrait of him nosing a glass of Pinot. I kind of like it especially seeing him do that a few times with some of Burt William`s best when I was there to share.

Chris D wrote: ↑
August 3rd, 2019, 4:18 am
Congrats Rusty! Enjoyed PinotFile for many years.

Also would nominate the board’s sole Jayhawk fan to run PinotFile 2.0!

Good one Chris although you misspelled soul.

Our dinner group enjoyed another fabulous evening, this time at the ocean front Convivo Restaurant located in the Santa Barbara Inn. Eight of us dined on the outside patio and shared in the wine theme of champagne, white Burgundy and Super Tuscans. As usual, we ordered a gazillion appetizers, passed...

Richard, Jeff, Mike et al, Rusty is putting it out there that he will help anyone who is interested in perpetuating the PinotFile. Its such a good resource for Oregon and California Pinots and Chards as well as producer profiles and tasting notes. I hope someone steps up and takes over.

Mike Grammer wrote: ↑
August 1st, 2019, 11:04 am
Missed this when originally posted---you continue to reign as the Baron of Bubbles, Blake. Way to celebrate with your friends!

Mahalo,

Mike

Nice handle Mike. I`ll try to live up to it but always defer to the experts like Brad Baker, Peter Liem, Terry Thiese, Gary Westby and the like.

Sounds great. I'm curious if you have any comments on 06 Comtes from magnum as opposed to 750? I've only had it from the latter. Jay, I've had close to 20 bottles of the 06` Comtes in 750 formats and all have been stellar plus. I think the mag was a notch better and have to admit, I was surprised t...

Good friend and passionate Pinot Noir mate, Rusty Gaffney, is retiring. Here's a really good and long history of this man's love affair with Pinot Noir:

http://www.princeofpinot.com/article/2208/

Just had to add this to this thread/ my notes:

"A magnum is the perfect size for two gentlemen to share over lunch...especially if one of them isn't drinking" - Sir Winston Churchill

Nice to hear about the Gaunoux. I bought a number a while ago (other vintages--99 and 2005) and so far have found them to be in that perpetually restrained, "never quite ready" style of the old deMontille regime. I did the same thing John and had similar findings, at least with the 99` so this was ...

Blake, Great notes as usual. The 2009 Champagne vintage is under-rated and under-appreciated IMHO. I wish I had bought more, but I was awaiting the later release of the '08s. The '08s are phenomenal, but the 2009's are no slackers and are more giving at the moment. Cheers, Warren Thanks Warren. Whe...

Great notes. I had my one and only bottle of 09 Cristal, also with a great view from atop Palos Verdes, just a few weeks ago. 7DBF474C-6B69-45AE-AA2B-E8588F62E0B3.jpeg Gorgeous wine. It’s the most I’ve ever spent for a Champagne, but really kinda worth it. Chris, I'm happy you went for it. I've kin...

We enjoyed a fabulous dinner with friends at the special venue of the El Encanto, a high end resort located up in the Santa Barbara Riviera with magical vistas of the city, ocean and channel islands during spectacular sunsets. Featuring a new and vastly improved menu, we were seated at one of our pr...

BB, which of those bubbles would you say was your hands down fav? CJ, I had the answer immediately and when I went to look at the notes, I realized I had the vintage incorrect, but the answer is still the same, the 2012 Roederer Brut, hands down. and BTW, the 12` Rose is absolutely fabulous too as ...

I have not been so overwhelmed by PYCM rose. Nice wine for a summer drink like many other wines costing 5 to 15 euros a bottle. On the other hand, I love his whites which I buy year in year out.. Antoine, when I first tasted it, it was on the heels of 2017 Joel Gott Central Coast Rose my wife purch...

Some recent summer quaffers: NV JOSE MICHEL & FILS CUVEE du PERE HOUDART- 40% Pinot Noir, 40% Pinot Meunier; 20% Chardonnay and dosed at 4 gpl although it definitely had a sweet character to it; this is made from an unusual blend of the best vintages such as 1971, 1975, 1976, 1982, 1984 and 2011; it...

Another fine post, no surprise Blake. Thanks to you, in part, I am well acquainted with Lanson ;) Haven't had a white from Louis Nie but was super-impressed with a 2009 Pommard that I started my California trip with last year at Steve Anderson's house in San Diego. Did you decant or aerate any of t...

Interesting and more than a little disappointing. Both Gillman and Brad Baker loved it. Oh well, I have one queued up for tonight; we shall see! Hopefully, the bottle we had was a variation from the norm. I`ll be interested in knowing how yours turns out Neal. About like yours. Felt hollowed out. S...

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