I know, epic fail!
One gent did bring a 2021 Pegau but it didn’t make the cut!
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What a thrill to get the crew together to celebrate another important milestone, this time for the big guys 60th and nonetheless at one of our favorite restaurants… Kabooki!
As I was talking to Charlie earlier in the day, we were discussing attire for the evening and I reminded him to wear something tight, something that accentuate the glutes. As you know Alfert is an ass man and we don’t want to disappoint him🤪 I hope we succeeded!
As we all greeted, the air filled with warm spirits, laughs, lingerig scents of rich Bergamot-Cedar-Body wash and Acqua di Parma as the air screamed “I yacht in Sardinia and went to Yale”…everyone is pumped, feeling good as we were then handed some alcohol concoction called a ‘White Linen.’ This cocktail immediately dropped my testosterone down 150 ng/dl after a few sips, somebody save me! Abort Abort!!..Allllllfeeeeeert!!!
With an Estrogen infused cocktail in hand and greetings aside, my eyes start scanning the room and I immediately fixate on an interesting site…I’m completely locked on the target and I beeline over…Whoa, I’m now face to face with an pristine bottle of 1982 Chateau Mouton Rothshield resting comfortably in paper shavings and in an impeccable wood box…No way! Is this some kind of latest library release or is it, wait, are you friggin’ kidding me? Seriously, is this a fucking cake? No effing way, this can’t be real, immediately I start looking around waiting for Buddy Valastro from Cake Boss to pop out from the back kitchen with the cameras bcuz they need to pump up their ratings for Sweeps Week!
Ok, back to the crew, now this night is a little different. How?..usually it’s just a dudes, but tonight we were graced by all the beautiful wives. And I made sure to get sandwiched between two hotties!
Considering I’m single, along w/ the Plethora of Large Insurance Policies floating around in here, I might have to put in some work, gotta bring my ‘A’ game. You see these Boys aren’t getting any younger and I’m looking for a potential Sugar Mama in the future bcuz I want to retire early, I have Goals!..so I made sure to get more acquainted, I did my best version of Spousal Speed Dating 
and I can tell you this, a couple of these guys need to be on their best behavior 
.
Seriously though, because I’m single, I don’t get to go on the group date nights so I don’t know a few of the wives that well. Therefore, it was really nice to get the opportunity to chat with them and get to know them a little better, truly wonderful people.
Okay let’s talk some wine:
The Bubs
2008 Cristal Magnum…No clue how this drinks in a 750ml format, but if you own this one do not I repeat do not pop this, wait…how long? No clue, but this is one for the ages.No joke, we popped the cork and the bottle uttered "what are you doing?"
HELL…JEFFREY EPSTEIN WOULD HAVE SAID THIS WAS TOO YOUNG! Fuck sake, if Jean-Luc Brunel was still around he would have tried to Groom it!..Still too soon??? (Banned?)
…Anyway, this was not quite balanced, too crisp, tangy lemon, highly structured. At this point just wayyy too tight/too young (sorry) This information was useful for me because I own a Mag and I’m not touching mine for a long, long time.
Krug Grand Reserve…Ok, now this is more like it, just singing out of the Magnum, full, creaminess but with lift, this oozes masculinity, lovely Gari action, hints of lite Ox…a Joy to Consume
2015 Dom…I got a tiny pour, don’t remember much, but I remember liking it and looking for more.
These wines were paired around an assortment sushi goodies… yellowtail in ponzu, lobster nigiri, regular nigiri, creative rolls to die for…I was in absolute heaven, this is my Happy Place. At this point the mercury in my body had reached dangerous levels and I believe I was starting to grow gills. 
More Magnum Wine!!
‘Large and in Charge’ (ask Robert where I got that from 
)
1989 Magdelaine…I lovingly dubbed this the Magnumlaine. This was wonderful stuff.
This evoked old leather and faint must, but in time with some swirling action, sweet kirsch and black cherry, laced with ripe plum, cedar, subtle whispers of tobacco, spice, and a touch of earthy herbaceousness, lovely stuff.
2015 Allemand Reynard… Allemand is probably my favorite syrah producer, ok I’m not as big of a Rhone Ranger as Alfert, Carnes and some others, but I do love Northern syrah… This is another bottle that if you have a magnum, please do not open, yes you can drink it now, yes you will definitely enjoy it, but it’s nowhere near apogee. This is all aromatics at this point. The nose is intense and brooding: black raspberry, kirsch, smoked black pepper, raw beef, crushed granite, garrigue…all that classic Allemand signature is here.The iron/mineral/blackberry backbone is there and it doesn’t appear from a warm vintage, but it is still a bit coiled… regardless this was still tasty and it is always an honor to taste Allemand.
So what did we pair with these wines? How about the greatest steak in the city…yes I’m saying it now, it has been reconfirmed, the Kabooki Tomahawk is our best steak in the city and who would have guessed it would be in a Japanese restaurant?
Back to the Eighties:
I mentioned I was chatting with Charlie prior to the dinner, part of our discussion was what wines we were bringing and when he mentioned the 82 Canon I replied, “I’ve got a 83 Canon.” We agreed that be a fun pairing to put up against each other and I did not know that he too is a fan of '83’s.
1982 Canon… possibly the star of the evening
This was wild. The the aromatics in the wine transported me to Mohammad Ali Road, as I’m strolling hand in hand with a local Mumbai Mama as we search out the local back alley native dishes, because folks…Holy Arre Waah!!. I felt like I was the star in our version of Slum Dog Wine Millionaire…u literally could just pour this stuff over some basmati rice…this was all ‘Hurry with the Curry’ action, with chicken broth and celery accents. This little Hindu Hottie, New Delhi Delight, Punjab Princess, Calcutta Cutie was a force to be reckoned with! Earthy under brush, dry cherry, tobacco, leather, still plenty left in the tank…but that Curry Nose was Wild!
1983 Canon: still delicious, classic blackcurrant, fall rain and umami, supple, the fruit is gently fading and becoming faint. Not at the level of the '82, no surprise. Its still lovely, but this is starting its downslope. Drink soon and enjoy
1965 Charles Krug: The birth year wine…it’s always a exciting to taste of wine with such age. There’s something romantic, a special feeling that consumes you, knowing you’re drinking something of history…
Charles Krug, is officially recognized as Napa Valley’s first commercial winery. By the 1960s the estate was under the ownership of the legendary Cesare Mondavi and run by his sons Robert and Peter. The 1965 vintage came right in the middle of the “old-school” era at Krug – before the explosion of cult Cabernets, when Napa Cabernet was still made in a lighter, claret-inspired style with real restraint.
1965 Vintage was a cooler, long growing season in Napa. Mild/Moderate temperatures and no extreme heat spikes produced wines with bright acidity, low/ moderate alcohol levels.
60 years of silence about to be brought to life. This really is a wine that would be better off away from a group setting, a wine that needs to be contemplated and demands all your senses at full capacity.
I did my best to give this wine the attention it deserved and yes it’s very much ‘still alive’ (cue pearl Jam) and it’s very much a richly rewarding experience. The aromatics screamed dates, decaying damp leaves, menthol and iodine. I’m liking this.
On the Palate clearly fully mature, medium-bodied, silky but still with resolved tannins and vibrant acidity, red fruits, tobacco, and a touch of sweet Napa dust. Finishes elegant. An ethereal wine, but clearly beyond apogee. Still an amazing experience.
But wait… this was not the only birth you’re one of the night Robert also poured an amazing 1965 Port…this had me schnockered… I’m tapping out no mas no mas…I started pounding down the '82 Mouton cake, I made sure to hold my fork with my ‘pinky’ out for this experience, but no amount of class could save me from the state I was in🤦🏻♂️…I’m pretty sure chocolate cake was probably all over my face, in my hair and stuck in my teeth. I was a complete mess at this point.
Trying to wrap things up as they bring out the bill Robert is still floating as he signs off on the four figures without a blink. Dude was feeling it🤟🏼
What a great night, absolutely phenomenal… Uh oh, but wait, it appears Carne Asada was ready to keep rocking and head out for a Night Cap! As we wrap things up and head outside he tries to lure us into, I kid you not, it’s not a black car service, not some kind of executive concierge transport, not a fancy limo service, but rather something I’d expect to see in the latest National Lampoon Vacation movie. Some sort of Griswold Chauffeur-Driven Freaking Cross-Country All Wheel Airstream Action! Don’t let the Royal Paul Smith mens fall fashion fool ya. You can take the boy out of Winter Haven but you can’t take the Winter Haven out of the boy! Fucking Epic Ride, pretty sure this thing had like two bedrooms, kitchen and a full bath! …missing was the Crazy Uncle unloading the shitter 
We need the Carnes alot closer🙏🏼
This was quite the night, much appreciation to the Alfert’s for being such generous hosts as always 
Happy Birthday Alfert.
Great Fucking Friends
Great Fucking Food
Great Fucking Vino
Great Fucking Time
Until next wine… (and yes, I’ve used this tag line long before Fu)
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I have always said, you are the Patrick to my SpongeBob. I think your ex said the Gilligan to my Skipper. Not sure I liked that one, I’m more Thurston Howell III for sure.
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Seems like a grand time. Many happy returns, Robert.
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Bro, that’s so good! Perfect night.
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Happy Birthday @Robert.A.Jr ! Hate to remind you though that you’ve been officially old for 10 years!
And as a 1983 kid (you know, still young, HAH!), happy to hear Canon is still drinking well, I think I have one bottle stashed away. Got to find it soon.
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Hahah, no. I reigned supreme in my 50s! Now I am officially ancient! Me and my boys are cycling 50 tomorrow in honor of my decrepit body.
Throughly disappointed that this isn’t posted in the Alfert breakage thread
Sounds like an absolutely amazing birthday bash. Enjoy your dinner with your pops and son.
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Pic of Kurt toasting
@KSpengler
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Happy birthday @Robert.A.Jr !!
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Happy 60th young man! What a wonderful celebration!
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Thank you very much Julian, I knew you would have loved those Bordeaux!!! They were all three right smack in your wheelhouse. And I think you would’ve really loved the old classic Napa Cab!
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Happy birthday my friend. Sounds like the perfect way to celebrate.
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Happy Birthday Robert. No better way to celebrate than with close friends.
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They all sound absolutely brilliant - now I’m curious as to what you are going to serve for the encore on Wednesday!
I have plans, sir, definite plans! And will be repeated that 1965 Krug with more deference, and with my pops.
Happy Birthday, Robert.
Now you get to age gracefully, like some of the rest of us.
Enjoy it all, you earned it.
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I’d like to pile on - great thread and Happy Birthday Robert. The friendships you’ve built and the palpable joy they have for you is a testament to your success and good character. Keep it going in the next decade - I’m really excited to see the cake at your 70th as the bar has been set!!
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