What bottles should I open to increase Berserkerfest Day II attendance?

WINE TALK
1

A few people have asked me - - - “Is anyone coming?” The answer is yes, but I’m just too busy running a BBQ for the family homeless shelter this weekend to put a list together for the opening post (Berserkerfest Day 2 - White Plains May 29 - Now with Menu! Please sign up so I know how much food. - Event Planner - Online or Offline - WineBerserkers). Just in case some of you are fence sitters, I thought I would give some consideration to what bottles I should open. Having people at my house is a plus because the bottles that don’t travel well due to age can be opened without shaking them up and if they are duds, there’s more where they came from. So if anyone wants to express an opinion, these bottles are up for consideration, in addition to the traditional Saxum and QC and Cayuse:

In the Birth Year Wine category, we have:

1951 Dom Prieuré du Monastir del Camp Rivesaltes (Acker? Auction)
1951 Offley Porto Colheita (Acker auction)

In the ancient Bordeaux bought 30+ years ago category, we have:

1966 Clos Fourtet (Suburban in Yorktown)
1966 Château Gruaud Larose (probably Zachy’s)
1967 Carruades de Lafite (probably Zachy’s)
1970 Château Gruaud Larose (Art of Wine in Pleasantville)
1973 Château Mouton Rothschild (Zachy’s on release)
1975 Château Gruaud Larose (bonus given to young lawyer for working New Year’s Eve)
1975 Château Brane-Cantenac (recent auction acquisition)

In the ancient Burgundy category bought long ago, we have:

1972 Joseph Drouhin Corton
1976 Château de la Maltroye Chassagne-Montrachet Rouge (Post W&L in Syosset in 1978)
1982 Hospices de Beaune Pommard Cuvée Billardet Jean Duport

In the “Oops I lost this 30 years ago and should have opened it then” category, we have:

1974 Fetzer Cabernet Sauvignon ($30 a case at Sokolin in 1977)
1978 Hacienda Winery Cabernet Sauvignon (probably <$3 at Zachys on release)

In the “Does Vintage Port from bad years eventually get worth drinking” category, we have:

1983 Taylor (Fladgate) Porto Vintage (Sotheby’s auction)
1985 Quinta do Noval Porto Vintage (Buy-rite in Port Chester on release)

Any opinions?

2

Jay - can’t you do a little better? That old shit is just tired at this point.

Go with something alive. I mean 1966 Gruaud Larose? A wine that’s on life support on release!

Maybe a nice young SQN and a generic 100 point CA Cab?

Anyhow, whatever it is amigo, do the turkey thing again and make sure people know that there’s a damned pool.

And I’m sending a PM.

3

The answer is yes, it does get better. Almost always. By the way, 1985 was a very good year in the Douro. 1983… not so much, but still better than no vintage Port at all. IMO both still need at least a decade to get close to their potential, but either would be decent now.

4

All of them? newhere

5

I wish I still lived on the east coast. Though then I might not have the Cayuse I do. But still, that looks like an amazing line up and event.

6

Not only did moving to the left coast cause you to lose your heart, but it also affected your reading comprehension. Note my reference to this being in addition to Saxum, QC and Cayuse.

Why not? Because people on the east coast actually drink their Cayuse? CT says I have 51 bottles. I need to get to work.

7

My reference to the 1985 Q do Noval being from a bad year being misleading. 1985 was not a bad year for Port. However, it was a bad year for Q. do Noval for reasons I have forgotten. I originally had 6 bottles with three left. It is very light and lacks the intensity you expect in a Vintage Port. The Taylor 1983 was likewise not a great year for Taylor. Not a horrible year, but very weak for the house.

8

Oh no, that is not what I meant. If I had not moved to Seattle, I probably would not have been out in Walla Walla in around 2000 when you could buy as much Cayuse as you wanted. As an early lister I still get a fair amount.

9

If you open either of the

1966 Château Gruaud Larose
1972 Joseph Drouhin Corton

then I will attend. Of course I’ll also attend if you don’t open them but that’s a minor detail. BTW, finally posted my wine contributions on your other thread.

10

+1 but my vote doesn’t count as I’m already coming

11

Terrible wine, don’t even think about opening it… 1973 Château Mouton Rothschild [wink.gif]

(Sadly, I will not be there, so if you do open it, tell me how was it)

12

If I recall correctly, the fill on the 1966 Gruaud is not even close to good, but now that I think of it, opening the 1966 Gruaud and Clos Fourtet on their 50th anniversaries seems like a good idea.

13

The ancient Bordeaux list looks interesting to me.
I haven’t had anything older than 1981 yet.

14

I figure if having you as a host is not reason enough to attend, you really won’t miss them if they don’t…

Just sayin’

15

But there are so many people who do not yet know the pleasure of spending time with me. newhere

16

Oh and do let me know if you ever get to Seattle. There is a lot of Cayuse here that would love to be drunk by those who might appreciate it!

17

Berserkerfestenvy!! Enjoy!!!

18

Is this happening in NY or Brooklyn?

19

FIFY.

20

White Plains. I opened the 1966 Gruaud Larose and the 1966 Clos Fourtet. Someone else brough a 1978 Palmer. I was going to open one of my old Burgs but I forgot in the insanity of serving 1 appetizer course (if you call home made gravlax, shitake and oyster mushroom risotto and fried chicken strips an appetizer) plus three main dish courses to all the people.

Rebecca has just agreed to allow me to take all the empty bottles out of the large garbage can which they fill, add them to the 20 or so bottles all over the back yard, and take a dead soldiers picture, so you will get a damage report later.