I’ve had to tell myself to just write “no comment” on this site a few times recently.
I’m either getting wiser and more tempered (not likely) or I’m not drinking enough when I read these posts.
3 Likes
I find it quite interesting that this thread has gotten so much attention, while we’ve posted about several much more garish events - even just recently - that didn’t seem to register a blip on the ostentation radar.
What’s ironic about that is how this particular event really came together. Sometimes we have a tight theme like Tâche or DRC Monty or Roumier BM and you kind of have to decide who can come based on whether they have/can source the wine. It can create a bit of the haves and the have nots, which is less than ideal, but somewhat unavoidable to curate a specific event.
In this case there were loose themes bandied about - Rousseau and CC - but the main direction was just to bring what you have. Because it was my birthday and that’s really my favorite kind of event.
We had a very eclectic group of wine connoisseurs - some of whom drink these types of wines on what seems like a near-daily basis and others where this might have been one of the more special tastings they’ve ever been to.
If you have a really deep cellar, the expectation is to show up and bring something truly special - there’s no seat for people who cheap out and pull shallow if you have the goods. However, if you only have what you have, share what you can and enjoy the bounty.
And out of the spirit of pure generosity in sharing what you have with fellow wine lovers with no pretention or quid pro quo, this is what we happened to end up with.
For me, this is the true essence of our wine culture and an example of the best of humanity.
11 Likes
Nice note
1 Like
Happy birthday Andrew and what a way to celebrate 
!
3 Likes
“For me, this is the true essence of our wine culture and an example of the best of humanity.” You said it, brother! 
I plan to do everything I can do to “manifest” more extravagant dinners, more bottles opened of more and more notoriety, and invite as many friends and family to it all as I possibly can until the end of my time here.
Cheers to you guys for doing it. Thanks for the aspirational posts - what a superb dinner. Love your notes and I’m inspired to host a dinner party at the earliest possible convenience, even if we just open whatever plonk we’ve scored at auction that nobody else cared to bid on. For my friends and I, for now, those are our jewels and we cherish every sip! (Though the odd bottle does get tossed into the vinegar pot 
)
4 Likes
Yowsers! Great notes on some great wines. Happy Birthday!
1 Like
I enjoy the big wine dinners a lot too, and it’s the setting where I’m drinking most of the wine I drink. A lot of people don’t think it’s the best setting for enjoying the wine but I disagree; I think it’s a lot of fun to drink great wines with people who will appreciate them and there’s fun discussion of the wines.
4 Likes
Happy Birthday, Andrew!
Being able to share great bottles of wine with friends or family is what wine is all about.
3 Likes
Happy Birthday. Sounds like a great night.
1 Like
This is the crux of it, innit.
There’s a certain strand of wine enthusiasts who really enjoy what I’d call the ontological pursuit. Hashtag study if you will. More power to em.
Can it be conspicuous consumption? Of course. Anything above drinking plonk is exactly that, and everyone on here sometimes needs to step back and realize it. If you told an average American (the richest country in the world) that you were opening a $50 bottle of wine, they’d spit out their sutter home mid sip.
Anywho sounds epic, hope y’all enjoyed it.
3 Likes
Great notes and dinner. Happy birthday @Andrew_K
When you coming back to NYC? Would be great to enjoy a dinner with you and the NYC gang again.
2 Likes
Birthday dinner of the year. Thanks for the great notes. What a treat!
1 Like
Nearly Fu level!
1 Like