The Leflaive may also be good for a white which would likely be well received at the beginning of the evening but the downside is that you’ll be done early with your wine, adding the mag of champagne would be a good idea.
1 Like
Btw, it’s not that people are not going to want lesser wines because they’re being mean or looking down on people, but how the event tends to work logistically is that at the beginning of the evening most people are sitting at their table where they’ll have 4-5 glasses but by the middle/end of the night everyone is walking around carrying a bottle in one hand and a glass in the other so your ability to drink multiple wines is limited by glassware, your choices are to decline wines, pour out what’s in your glass, or chug what’s in your glass.
1 Like
That’s what I suspected. I’ve actually got one of these sitting around at the house.
1 Like
There are always a few considerations at play for Paulees. I would personally advise to bring quality over quantity for a number of reasons. It’s going to be easier (you can sit more) and you’re more likely to be thought of fondly for one great bottle than two good ones.
There’s also the question of what kind of Paulee event this is. Will the average quality of bottles be similar to what you’re considering above? Or will it be higher? For example, if this were the Paulee in New York, I would probably politely decline both of the Burgundies because it’s very unlikely they would be better than what I’d have in my four glasses at the time. Which isn’t because I don’t like the wines - I buy a case of the Lignier VV every year. For me, Paulees should be a celebration of great wine, not a trial by quantity. There’s no benefit to bringing two bottles people won’t get a chance to try.
Also, who is coming and who are you looking to share the bottles with? A bottle that has special meaning for people (especially producers, if any will be there) goes a lot further than a random young grand cru. Will the people going to this Paulee really appreciate these wines being poured at this dinner? If you don’t think so, that might be the answer.
The most important thing, of course - have a great time!
*I’d be quite happy to drink the Collin Maillons, brilliant wine. I think John Kapon still has photos me holding one of my bottles of Collin at a Paulee. You don’t need a magnum of champagne for the closer, the Collin works just fine. Much better than the Krug 169 too.
2 Likes
Hi Brooks, Steve McLaughlin here- I just messaged you. As @Andrew_K mentioned, if you are going to the Atlanta CFW Paulee event this afternoon, by all means look us up.
Wingwoman Michelle Chang and I are slumming with some 2nd rate juice-Dujac Clos St. Denis (mag) 14’ Bouchard Chevalier Cabottes (well aerated), maybe an 01 Lignier Clos de la Roche. It ain’t much, but its what we got…(I kid- these are worthy wines- be welcome)
A Paulee is for sharing, and everyone starts somewhere. Track us down and we’ll fill your glass. Bring what you love, pour generously and folks will do likewise. @GregK has taken me under his wing more than once and introduced me to many a good glass. Plenty of folks in ATL do likewise.
There will be a few oicks jealously hoarding rarities sure, but in general good Burgundy flows like water.
A Paulee starts out genteel and descends into a tipsy rugby scrum. It’s easy to overindulge. I’d encourage anyone to taste widely, but if a wine does not grab you, spit, spit, spit.
Finally, when in doubt, Champagne is never wrong.
8 Likes
At the end of the night people walk around with their bottle looking for a match to trade with? If one party doesn’t agree they just move along like speed dating?
Kind of, but in general most people are more than willing to share their wines. If you’re friendly you can likely get plenty of pours even if you don’t have any wine to pour.
Here’s a photo update of highlights from Atlanta’s recent Paulee, hosted by Collectible Fine Wine (CFW). Minimal tasting notes because it was a a bit of a rugby scrum of wine.
@BHaley acquitted himself in true Berserker fashion, sharing a magnum of Krug and talking honeymoon Burgundy tour options with all and sundry. (Calling @robertl )
Pregame lunch: Fried shrimp Po-Boy on gen-u-wine Leidenheimer bread.
Following the sage counsel of @Sarah_Kirschbaum and @Andrew_K I decant younger white Burgundy to give it air and time to breathe. This 14’ Bouchard Chevalier Cabotte sang by gametime 90 minutes later and IMO, held its’ own against a 17’ Leflaive Chevalier. Come at me! 
I tapped but did not decant the 09 Dujac CSD magnum for 3 reasons:
- In case it might be corked (it wasn’t)
- To see if it was open for business (it was)
- To save a glass for her (marital harmony for the win!)
Some ok bottles
Some big bottles. That’s CFW organizer Steve Friend with the ginormous Ramonet and Somm Joon Lim behind the Dujacs.
An interesting comparison. The wax capsule Dauvissat (R) was bottled months later for European distribution than the regular capsule version bottled for the the U.S. market (L, wrapped in cellophane, Vineyard Brands). Would there be a difference?
Reader, there was a difference; the yellow wax capsule version was markedly vivid and had more depth. There was more there there.
See more details on this phenomenon from @Wil_Raley
A few Paulee thoughts:
Whites were far outnumbered by reds, but it was the whites that stood out for quality and restraint : Ramonet, Leflaive, Bouchard and Dauvissat.
Three Dujacs held up with thematic house deliciousness in very different vintages: 2011 CSD, 2014 Charmes-Chambertin and the 2009 CSD. I liked them all.
It’s fun to share, celebrate and debate Burgundy with fellow travelers; reason enough says I.
But it’s not the best way to taste or to pay attention to deservedly good bottles.
I’ll be guided by Rumi,
Drink the wine that moves you
as a camel moves when it’s been untied,
and is just ambling about.
16 Likes
Amazing!! Gonna need those honeymoon recommendations hehe
1 Like
Very cool that you did a side by side! Thanks for documenting and sharing!
1 Like
Rumi-themed tasting in the future?
1 Like
When I lived in NW Maine I learned that I was able to get Leidenheimer bread through Sysco. My friend owned a restaurant and he got a bunch of loaves for me so I could make real-deal roast beef poboys. I sent an email to the office of the bakery and told them how lucky and grateful I was to get their bread in NW Maine. They sent me a box of hats and tshirts.
2 Likes
I found a source for 50 at a time, I’d need to buy a separate freezer but it’s tempting.
Looks like you guys had a wonderful time at the CFW Paulee. I hated to miss but I am still in Asia traveling. GREAT notes Steve. I appreciate the vicarious thrills.
Yes, I had to buy a bag of 50. My friend used a bunch of them to make sandwiches for the restaurant so I didn’t have to take them all.
The 09 Dujac was lovely, showed superbly, thanks so much for sharing it with all us attendees!
1 Like
Every object, every being,
is a jar full of delight.
Be a connoisseur,
and taste with caution.
Any wine will get you high.
Judge like a king, and choose the purest,
the ones unadulterated with fear,
or some urgency about “what’s needed.”
Jalal ad-Din Rumi, excerpt from The Many Wines, translation by Coleman Barks
Gratitude is the wine for the soul. Go on. Get drunk.
5 Likes
(Raises lip in Bemusement)
I know you’ve been well-educated, Lawrence. It says so on your dossier
Damn, Steve - I about left my keys on the table and started walking toward the west on a journey . . .
1 Like