Scenes from BWE Maine '09

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 1:41 am

Talked to Mike McNamara this evening, Jay earlier this morning.

The weather has been breathtaking. Here's the view from my law office window late this afternoon on a beautiful September day in Maine....

Comte Flaneur · Post by **Comte Flaneur** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 1:52 am

New England in the early autumn/fall is a great place to be - hope you have a great BWE event up there

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 1:56 am

Thanks Comte, we'll see you next month!

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 2:06 am

Jay's cheese cake delivered today from Junior's in Brooklyn....

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 2:11 am

Jay's cheese cake joined by Rob's 1989 La Mission Haut Brion and 1990 Vieux Chateau Certan....

Comte Flaneur · Post by **Comte Flaneur** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 2:13 am

Crikey...you will get a sneak preview of what your Lynch is up against in October!

(Btw how do you post photos like that?)

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 2:17 am

I hit "Post Reply" (as opposed to "Quick Reply"), then "Upload attachment" at the bottom, then I select the picture from my saved file in my computer, then ""Add the file" then "Submit."

RDD · Post by **RDD** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 2:21 am

There's some 1990 Pape Clement and 1989 Montrose for reinforcement. Also if that fails we'll bring in some American help with Dominus and Togni.

If you can upload a camera card we have a nice picture of a fox that came by the inn where we are staying.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 2:24 am

Funny you should mention that Rob, i took a iphone film of a fox in my back yard this afternoon, it didnt come out that well though.

RDD · Post by **RDD** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 2:30 am

Well turning in and heading your way in early afternoon. I think we'll take 17 as I've seen enough of 1 for a while.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 3:56 am

See you tomorrow Rob!

Harry's book on the coffee table....

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 1:11 pm

The whoopie pies are in the building....

RDD · Post by **RDD** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 1:20 pm

Port and whoopie pies!

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 1:27 pm

There's a rumor that we are going to do an experiment-- in the name of science of course-- oh the personal sacrifice-- whereby we will test whether a 1994 Taylor Fladgate or a 1994 Graham's port will match best with the coveted Maine whoopie pie...

Jay Winton · Post by **Jay Winton** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 1:55 pm

leaving Beantown no later than 3 barring any unforeseen delays. Will have my navigator call HQ from the road with updates.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 2:34 pm

Roger Agent Vino, will have the cellphone at the ready for navigation assistance, especially from Berkley Street/Storrow Drive to Tobin Bridge....

Nicklasss · Post by **Nicklasss** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 4:13 pm

This event is shaping up nicely. Again, I'm proud to be a BWEer. But, as you probably know, I'm not able to be there. I'm sad about that and 2009 has been a frustrating year for me, concerning BWE offlines...

Have a great weekend and hope we can catch each other anytime soon.

Nic

Blanquito · Post by **Blanquito** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 4:28 pm

I'm jealous! Maine in September!

Have a great time, BWE.

Patrick

aimeedogdogdog · Post by **aimeedogdogdog** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 4:40 pm

Can't wait to read the event details! Some pictures would be appreciated greatly.

We are at Newport Beach now for a family reunion and the weather here is hot and humid. I wish we would be in Maine, just for the weather.

Werner

Rick · Post by **Rick** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 8:36 pm

....as I read these notes above and see the pictures....we were one year too early - but we doid have a great time in Maine

rick

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 12:22 pm

Epic historic dinner last night in Lewiston, Maine. I'd post more but we're off to Boothbay Harbor this morning!

SF Ed · Post by **SF Ed** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 1:48 pm

Looks like fun!

Michael Malinoski · Post by **Michael Malinoski** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 3:58 pm

Hey! Save some Yquem for Saturday night (please)!

Looks like a great time, folks. T minus 2 hours to departure for us...

-Michael

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sun Sep 13, 2009 4:54 pm

An epic weekend ndeed.
Wow, what a great time!
I'm too tired to post notes, I'll just post pictures for now.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sun Sep 13, 2009 5:01 pm

More secenes from BWE Maine

Jay Winton · Post by **Jay Winton** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 2:05 pm

What a time. Thanks to new and old BWEs buds for making this a wonderful weekend. I have a few thoughts to post. Give me 8 minutes.

JEP_62 · Post by **JEP_62** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 4:02 pm

Jay Winton wrote: Give me 8 minutes.

Nice one.

Lisa and I both had a great time in BoothBay. Our thanks to everyone, especially Jim for organizing and letting us use his room as party central. Popham beach was absolutely gorgeous.

It was great to meet everyone. Looking forward to the next one, especially one in Maine since it's only about 8 minutes from our house.

Andy

Michael Malinoski · Post by **Michael Malinoski** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 6:10 pm

Andy and Jay,

I will pile on and say a big thank you to Jim for hosting us all and setting such a great tone for a relaxing and fun weekend up in Maine. It was great to meet everyone and enjoy the company and traditions of BWE.

Susan and I enjoyed two really great hikes. The one on Sunday to the Oven's Mouth was truly beautiful and the weather was stunning for it. We were sorry we didn't make it to Popham, but we couldn't resist the 8 minute wait to eat at Red's in Wiscasset on Saturday.

The wines were great, and same with the cheeses, cakes, whoopie pies, calzones, lobster rolls, etc.! Now it is back to sad reality...

Hope to see you all soon and expand our network of BWE friends.

-Michael

Michael Malinoski · Post by **Michael Malinoski** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 6:27 pm

By the way, here is a mostly complete list of the wines drunk Friday and Saturday. I know I am missing a few, so others can fill in the details if they remember something I am overlooking.

Friday Night:

2002 Agrapart & Fils Champagne Blanc de Blancs Extra-Brut "Mineral".
2001 Château Carbonnieux Blanc Pessac-Leognan.
1998 Château Mouton-Rothschild Pauillac. Served from 375 ml bottle.
1988 Château La Lagune Haut-Medoc.
1990 Château Lagrange St. Julien.
1994 Château Tertre Rôteboeuf St. Emilion.
1998 Château Beau-Sejour Becot St. Emilion. Served from 375 ml bottle.
2001 Château Leoville Las Cases St. Julien. Served from 375 ml bottle.
2000 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron Pauillac. Served from 375 ml bottle.
2000 Château Smith Haut Lafitte Pessac-Leognan. Served from 375 ml bottle.
2000 Château Pape Clement Pessac-Leognan. Served from 375 ml bottle.
2000 Château Branaire Ducru St. Julien. Served from 375 ml bottle.

Saturday night:

1996 Lanson Champagne Gold Label Brut.
1998 Pol Roger Champagne Brut.
1990 Pol Roger Champagne Brut Rose.
2003 Château Prieurie-Lichine Le Blanc de Prieure-Lichine Bordeaux.
1994 Philip Togni Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley.
2001 Philip Togni Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley.
1990 Vieux Château Certan Pomerol.
1989 Château Montrose St. Estephe.
1995 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron Pauillac.
1996 Château Branaire Ducru St. Julien.
1973 Château Pape Clement Pessac-Leognan.
1999 Luciano Sandrone Barolo Le Vigne.
2003 Château Lafaurie Peyraguey Sauternes. Served from 375 ml bottle.
1999 Château Rieussec Sauternes. Served from 375 ml bottle.
2003 Château d’Arche Sauternes. Served from 375 ml bottle.

-Michael

aimeedogdogdog · Post by **aimeedogdogdog** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 6:31 pm

Two lobsters for each? I am drooling big time...
The pictures are great. More please! And details on event and wines notes too. I feel hungry already...

Werner

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 6:49 pm

Two lobsters each, Werner, and many, many lobster rolls.

My thanks to everyone for coming up to the Great State of Maine, it truly was a special weekend, notwithstanding the "eight minute" excursion to the Five Island Lobster Pound.

The weather and scenery were spectacular, culminating in an after-midnight hazing ritual of the new BWE inductees in the darkness that, well, it's secret of course, but let's just say it involved a hooded ceremony and whoopie pies....

More to come....

jal · Post by **jal** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 7:42 pm

JimHow wrote:an after-midnight hazing ritual of the new BWE inductees in the darkness that, well, it's secret of course, but let's just say it involved a hooded ceremony and whoopie pies....

Oh dear... Who took their pants off this time?

Jill and I will join one of these years. Just need the kids to leave home for college first (3 more years!!)

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 9:23 pm

Occasionally I get fed up with the grief I get on- and off-line from some of the hypersensitive, self-important, easily-offended whiners here on BWE (do I really need this?), and am tempted to just turn things over to DavidG and let him run things. And I'm still not sure I want to participate in Chicago '10 after some of the BS I've had to put up with in recent months. Nonetheless, my faith gets restored on occasion when I get to hang out with the likes of the BWEers who came to Maine this weekend for some days of wine, friendship, and communing with some of the most beautiful nature you're going to find anywhere.

We had a fun dinner at my house on Thursday night, my brother Dan was kind enough to grill up some steaks, there were eight of us in all, six of us drinking some pretty heavy duty wines (Steve and Dan didn't drink), including some real beauties from Rob's cellar. Rob, Sue, and Mike McNamara all came into the BWE mecca known as Lewiston, Maine, by mid-afternoon, checked into the Motel 6, and we were sipping on some 1996 Lafite Rothschild by 4pm. It was just really great to see these guys, we've been talking about doing a Maine event for a long time and it was so much fun to see it come to reality. I think the Lafite really benefitted from about six hours of decanting, it was really in high form, thanks Mike for reminding me to decant. It was showing a lot more than I expected, I was really expecting it to be still very young but it was a very profound Lafite of deep rich fruit and cedar.

We decided to "test" Rob's 1989 La Mission Haut Brion early on but of course wanted to save the rest for dinner and the arrival of Jay and Peggy. It was the class of the night, something you could tell even from the first pours, with layers and layers of complexity. The 1991 Dominus was everything you'd expect, very complex and Bordeaux-like. I loved Mike's 2002 Lynch Bages, which offered the combination of a vintage and an estate that are exactly what I look for in fine Bordeaux. Likewise, the 1995 Grand Puy Lacoste was one of my top wines of the night, that wine is so much better than the '96 GPL, from what I can tell. 1998 l'Evangile was big, ripe and fruity, 1999 Palmer typically elegant with a nose to die for.

The 1995 d'Yquem was immense, just mind-blowing complexity on the palate and nose. But then again, when is it not? My palate was fatigued by the time I got to the 1994 Taylor Fladgate and 1994 Graham's ports, so I'll reserve comment.

Steve performed a goofy chocolate cake blind tasting, providing bites of a SuzieQ, Hostess Cupcake, Devil Dog, Maine Whoopie Pie, which, duh, I was of course easily able to identify.

Steve and Rob did some jamming on the Martin D16, a couple of good ole' boy musicians.

I'm rushing out the door here at work, I'm sure 'm forgetting much more about the wines and the rest of the activities of Thursday evening, I'll recount more later....

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 12:48 am

I'm going to need some help recalling what we drank Thursday night. We decided early we weren't going to take notes. I recall we also uncorked a 1996 Ducru and a 1990 Pape Clement, I don't recall the champagne though. We also had a 2003 Leoville Barton that I found quite interesting. Certainly distinctive, a great nose, quite enjoyable... not disjointed or unbalanced at all.

DavidG · Post by **DavidG** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 2:44 pm

Sounds like you guys had way too much fun. Sorry we missed it. We're now at the beach in Delaware unwinding and vicariously enjoying your reports.

Rick · Post by **Rick** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 9:48 pm

Jim
Do you think the 03s are drinking ok now.....I have quiet a few and have been wondering if they should get moved to the drinking pile

rick

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 10:16 pm

Rick, I haven't had many 2003s but I was pleasantly surprised by that Barton. It was quite distinctive but very enjoyable, and very Bordeaux.

We had an awesome time the rest of the weekend, it was really great to finally meet the Massachusetts BWEers Mike and Andy and their lovely spouses, Susan and Lisa. As mentioned above, we had to subject them to a secret whoopie pie initiation that will from this point forward become a mandatory hazing ritual for all new BWEers.

As is almost always the case, we immediately hit it off. I got to touch Mike's legendary pocket wine note notebook. The trip to Cabbage Island was great, and the lobster rolls we ate at Five Islands Lobster pound melted in the mouth. I think Jay was in nirvana.

Rob brought some pretty spectacular wines. The '89 Montrose ended up being the most interesting. When I first uncorked it on Saturday evening there was absolutely nothing on the nose, but it just kept unfolding and unfolding with air. I absolutely loved the two Tognis, the 1994 and 2001-- the 2001 was a chocolate beast that was my personal nirvana with la pie de la whoopie.

I also enjoyed the three Sauternes-- 2003 Lafaurie Peyraguay, 1999 Rieussec, and 2003 d'Arche-- which we finished up late into the night on Saturday.

I took the crew to some of my favorite spots, including the rocks at Popham Beach, the lobster pound at Five Islands, and a little stone chapel on the water at Ocean Point. The ocean just heals and soothes and calms, doesn't it? The tide was out when we got to Popham on Saturday morning and the beach was largely empty. The Maine coast is breathtaking, I never cease to be amazed by it. Popham in particular was Shakespearian in its grandness and surf.

In the end, as we say every time, it was just really fun to hang out with the people of BWE. Thanks to Rob and Sue, Peggy and Jay, Mike McNamara, Mike Malinoski, Andy, Lisa and Susan, for a great time. We'll need to get together again real soon!

JEP_62 · Post by **JEP_62** » Wed Sep 16, 2009 1:44 pm

jal wrote:
JimHow wrote:an after-midnight hazing ritual of the new BWE inductees in the darkness that, well, it's secret of course, but let's just say it involved a hooded ceremony and whoopie pies....
Oh dear... Who took their pants off this time?

I'm not saying, but at least they were wise enough not to be caught on camera

Andy

JEP_62 · Post by **JEP_62** » Wed Sep 16, 2009 1:58 pm

JimHow wrote: We had an awesome time the rest of the weekend, it was really great to finally meet the Massachusetts BWEers Mike and Andy and their lovely spouses, Susan and Lisa. As mentioned above, we had to subject them to a secret whoopie pie initiation that will from this point forward become a mandatory hazing ritual for all new BWEers.

Right back at ya. It was great to put faces to names. We had a great time, despite the hazing incident.

JimHow wrote: As is almost always the case, we immediately hit it off. I got to touch Mike's legendary pocket wine note notebook.

WOW, I've known him for years and I still haven't been allowed to actually touch it, although he did hold it up and let me read a page one time.

JimHow wrote: and the lobster rolls we ate at Five Islands Lobster pound melted in the mouth. I think Jay was in nirvana.

And to think that was only 8 minutes from the hotel.

JimHow wrote: I took the crew to some of my favorite spots, including the rocks at Popham Beach, the lobster pound at Five Islands, and a little stone chapel on the water at Ocean Point. The ocean just heals and soothes and calms, doesn't it? The tide was out when we got to Popham on Saturday morning and the beach was largely empty. The Maine coast is breathtaking, I never cease to be amazed by it. Popham in particular was Shakespearian in its grandness and surf.

Popham beach was pretty amazing, as well as the rest of the scenery. You're right, looking out over the water and coast line just has this calming effect.

We had a great time and are looking forward to the next one.

Andy

RDD · Post by **RDD** » Wed Sep 16, 2009 5:14 pm

Been swamped at work so haven't posted to say "THANKS!"

Weekend was 100+ points.

I'll post more but need "ten minutes" to compose my thoughts.