Bordeaux Wine Enthusiasts

Is it time to start sending people money yet?

Looking forward to this!

I promise not to bring GPL this time Jim...

I’ve made a deposit but haven’t priced out all the details for the meal, corkage, glassware, tip etc. I’ll post a request for checks when I’ve figured that all out.

The plan is to begin at 6:00 PM with a welcome reception with butlered hors d'oeuvres and Champagne, then dinner at 7:00 PM.

The main course will be a choice of steak or one other option. For the other option, any preferences for salmon vs a mushroom pasta dish?

We’ve done a blind tasting in DC in past years. If there’s enthusiasm for that, as well as a theme and enough bottles of the blind wines that can be contributed or purchased, we can do that between the reception and the dinner. Usually 2 bottles of each wine will do for up to 30 people. It doesn’t have to be vintage A vs B or commune X vs Y. It could be anything. Or we could skip it entirely. Let me know what you all think.

I’ll also need to know if people want to bring Champagne for the welcome reception or if I should purchase it. Six or eight bottles should do. If you want me to supply it, give me a budget. I’ll go as low or as high as you want, but it will have to be something I can source locally.

Thanks for taking the lead David, I'll go with whatever the majority wants.
If we have enough bottles of GPL perhaps were could do a GPL versus Gruaud type tasting or some such thing to show how weak that estate truly is.

I currently have no GPL in the cellar. You should be proud, Jim, except that I have some 2016 on order.

I could bring 2 bottles of 2000 Gruaud.

I think it good if you source the Champagne, David. MacArthur's has a reasonable selection of decent Champagne for under $150.

I have a bottle of the 2005 GPL which I think is one of their best. It may not be ready yet given that it's 2005 though, I've been holding off.

The 2000 Gruaud is terrific.

stefan wrote:I think it good if you source the Champagne, David. MacArthur's has a reasonable selection of decent Champagne for under $150.

Happy to do so. Then everyone can concentrate on bringing Bordeaux.

In the past I’ve kept it to under $50/btl to keep costs down. The difference shows, which is important to you and me, but I don’t know how many others care enough to spend another $20-25 per person for better Champagne.

MacArthur does have a nice selection:
https://www.bassins.com/wine_list.php?region=Champagne

Interested in grower Champagne? Many at <$100. Cedric Bouchard bottlings from $90-140. MV Krug is $150. LP Grand Siecle is $119. Billecart-Salmon NV Rosé is $75.

Get 6 bottles of the same stuff, all different, or 2 or 3 bottles each of 2 or 3 different wines?

I’ll probably hear from Stefan and 1 or 2 others, then make an executive decision. Here’s your chance to weigh in.

Two different Champagnes are enough, IMO, not that I object to tasting more. My personal preference is better Champagne and have fewer bottles if people think that the cost should be kept down. I don't think that we are in danger of having to little to drink over 5 hours.

I buy a lot of Champagne, mostly at MacArthur. My thoughts:

I am a fan of the Cedric Bouchard Cote de Bechalin BdN - less than $100.
For NV Rose, Ruinart, Vilmart, Laurent-Perrier and Billecart-Salmon are all good choices around $70.
Pierre Peters BdB for $55 is good.
I would be happy with any of those.

For more money, my choices would be:

2006 Taittinger Comtes BdB at $129
NV Krug 164 at $149
2008 Pol Roger BdB at $109

Happy with whatever the group wants but I am willing to go up in $$ a bit for better Champagne. Maybe a couple Rose, a couple 2009 Cedric Bouchard Bechalin and a couple 2006 Taittinger Comtes.

Chris Bublitz

Whatever you guys decide is fine with me!

OK I just bought 3 each of the NV Krug 164 and the 2006 Taittinger Comtes from MacArthur for the reception.

oh yeah.

Great, the two best Champagnes at MacArthur. I am very happy.

Chris Bublitz

Happy is good.

Very good choice David. It has been sometimes since my last glass of Krug. Bought a 2006 Taittinger Comte for this year convention, no slouch either.

Nic

Excellent, David!

It looks like a great event, as usual, but we will not be able to attend this time.

Tom and Gail

Nalan and I can commit to come to DC 22-25 March.

I can't imagine we would cancel it as we always get about 30 attendees, no?

Or is the problem finding someone to organize it locally? If that's the case, we can do it in another city, no?

Michael-P

We are definitely on for that weekend Michael, David has taken the lead.

Sorry, I was replying to the last item on page 1 of this thread. Must be the Napa wine we are drinking....

We have a couple in NYC, Bill and Lynnette, that attended BWE NY, and are interested in coming to BWE 2018 in DC. So 2 more maybes.

Nalan and I are confirmed and will buy our flights soon.

Michael-P

The Charlie Palmer Alcove room is reserved for Saturday night, March 24. Festivities begin at 6 PM.
We'll start with passed hors d'oeuvres and Champagne.
The Champagne is resting in my cellar: MV Krug 164eme and 2006 Taittinger Comtes.
Dinner at 7 PM or 7:30 PM depending on whether we do a blind tasting.
Corkage will be $10/person.
I'll arrange for a bunch of decent wine glasses.
Will ask for people to send checks sometime in January or February when I have costs nailed down.

I think the blind tastings are fun and don't mind the extra work putting it together.
We'll need 2 bottles of each wine and prayers that none are corked/flawed.
A Gruaud vs GPL taste-off has been suggested.
I've offered to bring 2 bottles of 2000 Gruaud.
Does anyone have 2000 GPL?
Does anyone have 1996 GPL or Gruaud?
Maybe a blind of 4 or 6 different 2000s?

Still looking for someone to step up and make arrangements for Friday night.

Very nice. Looking forward to it.

Unfortunately, our wive shouldn't be considered in.

We need to boost a bit the event and finalize details. What would be a decent minimal number of attendees?

Mr Vino, HMS, the Florida Bobby's, Jal, the new guys like Danzur, johz, Ognik? Locals like Omar? International guys like Claudius, AlexR, Bacchus?

Nic

By my count that leaves 19.
I'd like to see at least 24 there, preferably more, as it affects the price of attendance.

JimHow + 1
Stefan + Lucie
Nicola + Frederic
MichaelP + Nalan
SF Ed
Chris + Marjorie
Stuart + Kathy
DavidG + 1
marcs
Carlos
Rob & Sue

Total = 19

I would love to attend. Lots of moving pieces-I'll see if I can work it out.

Should we theme "1998 Bordeaux, 20 years on"? It is a great right bank vintage and not shabby on the left bank. If we wait another year, the BD will say that the wines are too old.

Hmm good point Stefan.
The 98 levangile and VCC I drank with Winona Chief last summer were a point.

Great idea, Stefan. I think 1998 Bordeaux would be an excellent theme for BWE 1998. Great vintage for Pomerol, St Emilion and Pessac/Graves.

Chris Bublitz

1998 is a great theme.

SF Ed

Can we say it is a go? I know DavidG bought some Champagne and probably made some commitments for Saturday night. I'm ready to send the money for Saturday night dinner, buy airfares and book hotel.

The 1998 red Bordeaux theme is very interesting, even if i don't own any. But probably ok to source and buy.

Nic

Yes, we are a definite go, although we are really counting on the committed people to attend.

I can play 98.

Wow are you coming Carlos?

Is the vintage ‘98 theme definite?

I don’t have any, but can source a bottle or two. I assume this is for Saturday night.

Nothing definite yet for Friday night.

Stu

I believe so.

CD

JimHow wrote:Wow are you coming Carlos?

The Saturday dinner is a definite go, so go ahead and make travel and hotel arrangements.
Hampton Inn at 901 6th St NW is close to Charlie Palmer and reasonable.

I planned to ask for money in February once I have all the details ironed out but I’ll be away, so probably March 1.

Love the 1998 theme.

Still need someone to step up to make arrangements for Friday night dinner.

Sounds good! I'm looking forward to spring in DC, these BWE events in spring in DC are one of my favorite things.

Several of us are booked at the Washington Marriott Georgetown.

Bought our tickets to DC in March.
Most likely staying with friends in DC.
Checking to see if couple from NYC or friends in DC want to join us.
Haven't met a 98 that I liked much but willing to be convinced otherwise and happy to bring some that I haven't sold off yet (I think I have a few left?).

Michael-P

Jean-Fred and Nicklasss will be arriving on Thursday aroung 3:30 pm, and leaving on Sunday at 11:30 am.

We're ready for dinners on Thursday and Friday, as well as for the main event.

Nic