BWE West Coast gathering - new date - Saturday, May 14th

[Cabfan]

We had to delay the last one due to Covid fears . . . and now we're back "on". All are welcome of course. We live in Woodside, about 25 minutes south of San Francisco. I'll serve a hearty dinner and we'll work out the details later, like a theme, arrival time, etc. Hope you can make it!

[William P]

Sadly I'll have to miss this one. We are schedule for Hawaii that week. Thanks Peter for the invite.

Bill

[SF Ed]

Lisa and I are in!

SF Ed

[Cabfan]

I'll be doing a lamb stew. My daughter Julia will be joining us. I believe Michael P and Nala and 3-4 others. Again, any and all are welcome. Some good bottles are sure to be opened.

[AKR]

Count me in. I will peruse the cookbook shelves for crazy dishes to contribute.

[JoelD]

I'd like to try to make this, but won't be able to confirm for a couple weeks.

[Michael-P]

CabFan: Wonderful and thanks for hosting. Nalan and I will join in the BWE West Coast festivities! Let’s discuss food and wine contributions. Would folks like older wines (which are always a roll of the dice but when they rock they are amazing) or something predictably good?
Michael-P

[tim]

I'm in!

I'll bring an older Bdx and a sticky. And maybe a ringer.

[Cabfan]

So far we're:

Cabfan & Victoria Evans
Julia Evans
Tim McCracken
Arv & mystery guest
Ed & Lisa
Michael & Nalan

Idea for theme would be '80's Bordeaux plus any ringers welcome. Ringers would include Michael's usual stash of barely drinkable wines with unreadable, moldy labels and questionable provenance. Any other ideas welcome.

[SF Ed]

Sounds good to me!

Let me know if we can bring anything (like cheese or dessert).

SF Ed

[Nicklasss]

I'll be on the West Coast that weekend... So near, but unfortunately, don't think i can make it.

[SF Ed]

As for wine, I'm thinking a 1983 Montrose and a 1986 Gruaud Larose.

SF Ed

[AKR]

I don't think my mystery guest will be there. Let me revert back on wine / food.

[AKR]

Put me down for a 2000 Canon. I'll be driving down that day, so I think its better I bring charcuterie/sausage/pate and bread, than try to cook something that can travel. Depending on our dessert situation I can bring an 1986 Henriques & Henriques Bual Madeira too or some vintage of Coutet.

[Cabfan]

Ed, some cheese would be great, as usual. We always rely on you for that! I can supply the bread, some nice Acme or something. I'm going to be making some lamb stew, so if there are any vegetarians coming, let me know and I'll make a vegetable stir-fry or something. Or, if you just don't like lamb stew! I'll figure out the wines I'll open soon.

[SF Ed]

Cheese it is!

[Michael-P]

Set aside my wines for the event. 2 x old and 1 x aged but young. Blind of course.

[tim]

I'll be bringing an older Bordeaux, a 750 Sauternes, and a mystery wine which may or may not be young or old or bordeaux or something else.

[Cabfan]

Let's say 6:00 pm or thereabouts. My address is 214 Raymundo Drive in Woodside and my cell number is 650.218.1717 for texting or calling. I'll have a homemade lamb stew - if there are any vegetarians (or if you don't like lamb) let me know and I'll have something else available. No need to bring anything really (other than wine!) unless you want to. Can't wait to see everyone again. I'd love to offer an extra bedroom for overnight guests but we're having some construction done and literally don't have an extra available bedroom, but we do have some comfortable couches!!!!

[AKR]

Can I book a slot on Sofa City?

[Michael-P]

Nalan suggested bringing some roasted/grilled bell peppers, zucchini, egg plant. Is that something folks would like?

We plan to Uber so no need for a sofa.

And my 3 bottles are all Bordeaux.

Michael-P

[Michael-P]

CabFan: I forgot to mention my 3 labels are all legible this time. Hopefully drinkable! Michael-P

[Cabfan]

Arv, you're more than welcome to crash here, guaranteed you'll have a comfy place to sleep. Wish I offer real bedrooms but just not available now. Next time for sure. Julia is arriving tonight and is really excited to see everyone again. Michael, an hors d'ouvres would be great. Ed, I'll buy some Acme bread tomorrow. See you all soon!!!!!

[Cabfan]

Also, I have a '66 L'Evangile I'm dying to open, really nice dark color and very good fill. Older right bank wines rock. I'll also pick some cabs for sure and likely a very old Barolo just to throw everybody off a bit.

[AKR]

Thank you CabFan. Bringing charcuterie, prosciutto, and duck pate for early nibbles.

I realized when looking at the fromage at the market, that it would be better to let SF Ed select those!

For better or worse, none of my (extended/potential) entourage have interest, even when I promised that I would not opine on oenophile related issues on the drive. So, I'll drive down solo, arguing with either AM talk radio, or a podcast.

Sometimes I feel like people here are the only ones one can talk with about wine, in depth/detail.

=====

I have placed some TN's and pix on this link

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=10112

[SF Ed]

Test taken with negative results and looking forward to seeing everyone this evening!

SF Ed

[tim]

Test taken negative here as well. If no one is opposed, I do have some Foie Gras Entier here that I can bring along. Is that overkill?

[Cabfan]

Foie Gras is never overkill!!!

[JimHow]

Have fun, send pics!

[Nicklasss]

Gave a quick call to the West Coast crew tonight, and seems like a genuine, authentic, unbelievable BWE night.

I was still considering attending as i am in BC right now, but i tested covid positive this week...

Was fun to talk with a few of them, and it was unanimous that we need a BWE something, before Bordeaux 2023.

Have.fun West Coast BWEers, and see you soon.

[Michael-P]

CabFan:

Thanks for hosting an amazing evening at Chateaux Evans. Yummy food and wines, wonderful people and a beautiful home. Of course I'm sure everyone's favorite room was the cellar.

All the wines, although I didn't try it and was told the 86 Gruaud Larose was seriously corked, were very drinkable. My WOTN was the 83 Yquem.

Michael-P

[tim]

What a great evening, thank you Peter for hosting! I thought that this was truly a BWE evening, lots of different Bordeaux, a variety of vintages, some older, some surprises, without focusing on first growths or even super seconds. My WOTN was likely the 1983 Yquem also, but close follow ups were the 1983 Montrose and the 1945 Pontet Clauzure. That Pontet Clauzure was truly surprising, tasted much younger than the vintage.

Great time, great fun, and thanks Nicolas for calling in during the evening!

[SF Ed]

What a great evening!

Here we are:



And here's what we drank:



All the wines (except for my heavily corked 1986 Gruaud Larose) showed extremely well. Hard to vote against the 1983 Yquem but I also loved the 1945 Troplong Mondot and the 1990 Trotanoy was no slouch either.

We need to do lots more of these in the future

SF Ed

[JimHow]

Indeed Eddie.
We miss you guys!

[tim]

A few more pics

[JoelD]

Looks like it was a lovely evening. So many great and fun old wines to try. Multiple 1945's!

Everyone looking great and lively. Hope I can make the next west coast one.