I’m good with Vinci or your rooftop. Any preference?
No preference. If we go rooftop route we could accommodate more people but would need to consider catering or private chef. Vinci is easier to setup (simple reservation) but max of 8 people.
If we do rooftop, I would need assistance with logistics (catering, etc.). I would provide 8-10 wine glasses for use as well as 3 decanters.
Hi Kevin,
Maybe we should start a list of whose in and see what the numbers look like, then. You can edit your first post, if you like it, and put the names there. Please count me in–and thanks for all your other help here!
Josh
Updated!
Thanks, Kevin!
Why don’t we give it until over the weekend and if we don’t crack 8 by them we can reserve at Vinci and start discussing what we would like to bring–assuming no one else has a better suggestion.
Looking forward,
Josh
Vinci only waives corkage for wines at least 10 years old.
I can handle that–older than10 years, but maybe no good for others? Other possible BYO places in Chicago seem to be SKY, the Coach House and MingHin. But if people prefer rooftop that’s also fine with me.
Hi Josh - are you referring to S.K.Y (on 18th street)? If so, I just called and they’re not BYOB - it’s $35/bottle corkage. When you refer to The Coach House - are you referring to the Indian restaurant (in Wicker Park)? If so, that’s a tasting menu - I would advise against that, due to dietary restrictions. MingHin is Dim Sum, no?
Yes on MingHin, but other stuff, too, I believe people on the board go to SKY regularly for these sorts of things–but maybe it helps to know someone? I did not realize Coach house was Indian.
If it helps at all - I called Vinci and they don’t have a limit on the number of bottles we could bring. You’d just pay corkage on anything less than 10 years old, as we’ve alluded to.
Hope everyone had a nice weekend. Opened some ‘14 big boy Cali cabs that were singing last night.
I have an additional guest, Peter, should there be room.
Re SKY, don’t worry about corkage if we end up there. Regular and know the wine staff - although service has gone a bit downhill in the last few months as they’ve been rebuilding their core team. Maybe hold off for now.
I can bring a '92 Dalle Valle Cabernet Sauvignon, though given Vinci’s food. I’m tempted to bring something in a more Italian space–perhaps one of the Produttori Riserva Barberesco’s from '08?
Also, unless we are going to have two separate tables, we should probably cap our numbers, as the pours are starting to get tiny, no? (More than ten probably ain’t great.)
Thanks again Kevin for all this–looking forward to meeting you and everyone!
Josh
Sounds good, I imagine at least one person will drop out by next Thursday.
I can bring a 95 calon segur or 03 leoville poyferre. If anyone really wants to try or thinks one will fit better with the other wines, let me know.
Thanks again for organizing!
Louie
I’ll bring either a ‘00 Branaire Ducru or a ‘95 Beringer Private Reserve depending on anyone’s pref or the need to round out regional representation. Also happy to do a ‘11 Produttori Riserva if Josh goes that direction and we want his to have a companion. Looking forward to it.
I’ll bring a Bdx/CAfrom the 60’s or 70’s.
The 1995 Calon is a beautiful wine!
I’m thinking a 1983 Gruaud Larose and something blind…
Josh, I think as folks are finalizing the wines they’re bringing, my vote would be the '92 Dalla Valle - just a personal POV as I love Napa cabs.
I was able to call the restaurant yesterday and got us a table for 10 people exactly - assuming everyone is able to still make it next Thursday (and does not bring any +1s).
Looking forward to meeting everyone and sharing some great wines together!
Sure, Kevin,
I’ll probably bring two bottles also–maybe the Produttori in addition as I don’t get Napa really Vinci’s food. I’m also a big fan of Calon, however, so I could bring my last '98, if folks want to go toward a mini-vertical.
Gentlemen, looking forward to meeting you all next week and dining together.
My current California Cab and BDX inventory is all under the 10-year mark, but keeping with the full-bodied theme, I have some fun Prioriat bottles with some age on them. Planning to bring:
2004 Cellar Vall Llach Priorat - Vall Llach
UPDATE: I realized I have a 1997 Keenan Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa in the cellar. I’m a little iffy if it’ll show well, so I’ll bring both wines and we’ll call this one a gamble that could totally pay off or bust.