The dust has settled on last nights event and looking back it was pretty freaking good, we kept it manageable at 26 bottles between 12 people. Due to the time of year it got dark early so I didn’t get as many photos as normal because things moved so quickly. I don’t think anyone else had their phone out other than my neighbors who were taking bottle shots to send to their friend @ClydeUnderwood telling him to eat his heart out. 
We popped 2 UTW sparklers a Bucklin Mixed Whites and Compagni Portis from Bedrock and Carlisle. Then 20 reds that were all showing well except for a Mondavi Petite Sirah that was, considering the condition of the cork, mysteriously DOA.
I had a few bottles that I had procured through auction that I had my fingers crossed on that over-delivered.
Pre-gaming, popping corks.
The Swan was suspect as there were only two notes in Cellartracker with an average score of 86 with the most recent one being 16 years old. When I cut the capsule it was stuck to the cork and the cork was completely saturated. I poured a taste and took a whiff. It was a mix of Madeira and Cough Syrup with a splash of alcohol for good measure. Within a few minutes of swirling and air it began to transform and ended up being WOTN for some.
The whites were all well received. The ‘21 UTW Pinot Meunier edged out the ‘19 Bedrock and is showing that it is going to develop into a great domestic sparkler. Wonderful aromatics with hints of peach. If you haven’t purchased any of these I urge you to seek some out.
Of the Compagni Portis the Bedrock was more developed than the Carlisle seeing it had 3 extra years under cork.
Jidhin brought a trio of his ‘24 Turnstile Chards. A Scopus, a Purrington Rued and a neutral oak blend of both vineyards. At this stage of development the blend stood out and Dava told me this morning that it was her favorite white of the evening.
Pagani Ranch had a powerful showing with 6 different bottles. Of which ‘04 Ridge narrowly beat out the ‘96 Ridge. The ‘08 saw some less than stellar storage for a time in its life and it had a hint of burnt prune on the nose that detracted from the wine.
Scherrer was a strong contender as well. I popped the ‘95 OMV, Roger brought a Mag of ‘04 and Fred threw in a Mag of ‘06. All really good wines with the ‘04 being the winner for overall balance between power and elegance.
The ‘05 Turley Hayne Petite Sirah was still in its adolescent stage and could probably use another 10 years for the tannins to resolve a bit more but it was showing why Hayne is such a great site. The Mondavi unfortunately was DOA and I had high expectations when I pulled the cork.
The Bedrock wines were all on the young side the ‘12 Old Vines is still showing oak tannins, the ‘17 Pagani was powerful and still pretty big while the ‘16 Oakville Farmhouse probably should have been opened first rather than last as a 10:00pm Pop n Pour. I’ll be able to revisit all these later today and throw together some notes.
The ‘12 Sky was my Son-in-laws WOTN and there are a few more that I haven’t touched on yet. More to come.
Food, few pics, Flannery Dry Aged Hangers on sliced Nightingale Bakery Blue Cheese and Caramelized Onion Baguette. Venison? sausage with some unicorn Joe Matos St George Cheese. Assorted take and bake from Sonoma Pizza Co., Uli’s Stone Crab Salad 
, my Soba Noodle Salad with DragonFruit Vinaigrette, Gizdich Apple Pie, NY Cheesecakes and Chocolate Thimbles from Nightingale capped it all off. I slacked on photos. Anyone else think of taking any?
Thanks to Roger for being the impetus of the event and to everyone who participated bringing food and wines including a cameo appearance from @Sonoe_Hirabayashi. What a wonderful evening.
Always nice to catch up with fellow Berserkers and recharge before diving back into the cellar 