Nice work! Was the La Landonne noticeably different (or better) than the Ch D’Ampuis?
Kudos to Peter for organizing this one, as well as all of the other excellent dinners we’ve had at Corkbuzz in the past, AND for taking excellent notes. These things often go by in a blur.
Everyone brought truly excellent wines, though the Bionic Frog reminded me way too much of family barbecues growing up. Not for the burnt hamburgers, but the red Solo cup, quarter-filled with warm Bud Light and about 50 cigarette butts. To Jay’s credit, the “extra” wine that he brought was excellent. I really enjoyed the 2004 Royal City Syrah.
All of these flights/pairs deserved more attention than we had the capacity to provide. I was also a bit disappointed in the 2007 Scarecrow, and yet again felt that I had screwed up my preparation. By the end of the night, it had a huge, complex bouquet. If I had a vial of some sort to save it for today, it would have come in handy. I’ll have to add that to my cooler bag kit. I liked the '94 Dominus quite a bit better.
Anyway, I’m super happy I brought it, if for no other reason than to satisfy my own curiosity, but unfortunately I don’t think I’m going to open the last remaining bottle in my stash in a large group setting with so many other delicious wines. The 2013 Materium showed better with less air, but I think I’ve made my point on this comparison. I promise I won’t do it again!
With respect to John’s question, it could be a combination of both. I’ve always been a bit paranoid that they were stored a bit too warm when I first got them, but I doubt that was the big problem. More likely it’s reputation is near impossible for a Napa Cab to live up to.
I have to agree with Peter on my flight of the night (h/t @AaronR). The Hill of Grace was a revelation to me. Grange has the legendary status and reputation, but I enjoyed the HoG more than both the 93 and the 96 Grange. All were excellent wines, but the Hill of Grace hit me different with a really interesting menthol/mint/perfumey note that came and went in intensity and complimented the bright red fruit. As I said to Aaron, I always love old wine that tastes like bright, fresh young wine.
I could go on, but but suffice to say I really appreciate the opportunity to try a lot of firsts. The Grange, Vega Sicilia Unico, Chave Hermitage, Chateau Mouton Rothschild (X2!), the Lopez de Heredia Gran Reserva Blanco… trying any one individual of these for the first time would have been a treat, so I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have checked many boxes.
On to the next… This will be tough to beat, but I don’t know if beating this is necessarily what we should always be aiming to do!
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Think they were almost neck and neck, with a little more complexity on Landonne? Not that the Landonne showed poorly but surprised by d’Ampuis’ performance.
Looks like you had an amazing time with a great lineup of wines. Based on Peter’s comments glad I didn’t go since I had to be in at 6am and if I went I definitely would not be spitting. Hope to catch you at whatever the new venue is. Cockbuzz was a great place.
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Truly one for the ages! Thanks to Peter, the Corkbuzz team and everyone who brought all the amazing wines.
So many good wines to choose from that it seems unfair to pick one but my WOTN has to go to the 96 Henschke Hill of Grace. Such an elegant, distinctive wine that completely upended my notions about Aussie shiraz, and juxtaposed with the Granges and the Sami-Odi amounted to a dazzling showcase of all that the grape can achieve.
Other personal faves: the Chave-Jamet pair and the 2013 Baroli were lovely and right up my alley. I actually really enjoyed the Scarecrow, despite not being a Napa person - probably my favorite among the various Bordeaux blends that were brought to the show.
The Bionic Frog - oh boy, I don’t think I will ever forget smelling that wine!
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“Cockbuzz” 
Sam: smelling the Bionic Frog was memorable, but I’m curious if it was because you enjoyed it or it was memorable for the wrong reasons. They are certainly polarizing wines.
smelled like someone put out a cigarette in it, stirred it around and then served…
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Lol, guess I had something else on my mind.
I could also swear the said cigarette had been dipped in a sweaty armpit beforehand!
I did dig the Charles Smith Royal City which was Jay’s third wine. I may go and look for some on the secondary markets.
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That was just Gavin
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I thought the La Landonne had a lot more tertiary flavors - leather, earth, pencil, very Bordeaux like - while the d’Ampius was a much cleaner, fruit driven wine.
I agree that this Scarecrow was marginally OK. I think that we kill our palates at these events and the wines all lose their “Wow” factor. I had the 1995 Grange two weeks ago wirh about 10 other world class wines and it was exceptional. The Grange last night was very good, but nowhere near as notable. The same was true of the two Moutons. Ditto for the Hill of Grace. All wines I have had before, Although I decanted the Bionic Frog at 2:30 pm, and we drank it early in the night, it also did not show all that well in a flight of three Washington State Syrahs.
Hence my request that one of the events soon should be Red Burgs, or Wzhte Burgs, of Reislings from Europe, or Gruner Veltliner. Low alcohol wines to perhaps balance the volume of wine. I may have to give up my man card, but that’s OK.
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I agree, Jay. That is the same sentiment behind my comment that this one “will be tough to beat, but I’m not sure we should be aiming to beat it”. Toning things down would be good for a refresh.
Tom and I were discussing yesterday morning the same sentiments. Rest assured the next one will be very different, toned down, but still awesome and creative.
Are you sure that wasn’t you taking your sweater off?
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We could also assign out.
Red italy
white burg
red rhone
etc.
etc.
Pick x categories and each has two sign up slots.
I’m very happy to have discovered these dinners where I have met great people and have been introduced to a lot of amazing wine that’s been new to me. Huge thanks to Peter for putting them together!
Can’t wait for the next one, wherever it ultimately may be.
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