BWE has landed....

[JimHow]

Agent How reporting from Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill.
Blue Demon has arrived safely. Over.

[Winona Chief]

Great, glad you made it safely.

Chris Bublitz

[Racer Chris]

Well done Jim!

[stefan]

Glad the blizzard did not hold you up. Don't drink all the wine you brought tonight.

[JimHow]

Thanks men, it was an uneventful trip.
I've never had an easier time driving into DC, and during "rush hour" no less.
I'll see you soon.
If anyone needs to contact me my cell number is 207-754-3900.

[Comte Flaneur]

Well done Team Captain, here’s to a great convention.

[JimHow]

We will toast you and all BWEers around the globe, Ian, without whom BWE would not ascend to the heights of the greatest wine web site in the world. I am always conscious to recognize those BWEers who may not be able to attend these in-person events for one reason or another. Your contributions are equally important.

And with that said...
Welcome Bordeaux Wine Enthusiasts to Washington, D.C.!
Let the 18th annual convention begin!
Viva BWE!

[JCNorthway]

Here's to a fabulous BWE 18th Annual Convention. Sorry to not be there; it's looking like a really exciting wine line-up for Saturday - and that's not even thinking about Friday! But the best part is the camaraderie of geographically distant individuals brought together by their shared love of wine (Bordeaux in particular). Enjoy!

[William P]

Enjoy the Convention. Sorry I won't be there to going in the festivities.

Bill

[Blanquito]

Here’s to another great Convention!

[JimHow]

We'll miss all you guys, but will toast you.
It's a beautiful day here in DC, hope everybody gets in safely and without problems.

[dstgolf]

Congrats Jim on arriving safe and sound. Looks like common sense trumped male hormones by heading straight to DC bypassing NYC unless something was ommitted from the uneventful trip discussion!! Have a great convention and sad to say a little envious of the attendees and myself being stuck back at home to work.

[DavidG]

Glad you had an uneventful trip Jim. The storm had a lot of offices closed and traffic was at a minimum. We got 5-6 inches but not bad.

DC weather this weekend will be unseasonably cold, with highs in the mid 40s and lows in the high 20s but no precipitation. In other words, "beautiful" to a Mainer. It is a crystal clear day. Pack accordingly.

[Sdayton]

We are on our way. Roads ok Jim?

[JimHow]

Yes, roads are in great shape Susan.

[stefan]

We are in the United Club in Houston sipping on Piper-Heidsieck Rose Sauvage and waiting for our on time flight. The Piper is not as bad as I expected it to be and goes pretty well with UA chicken tortilla soup.

[Nicklasss]

We're on our way too. Montreal at the moment.

Nic

[JimHow]

Just went out for my daily constitutional, it's chilly out there. But a clear blue sunny sky. The streets are clear from snow.
Jean-Nicolas/Frederic, your hotel is directly across the street from mine, I can see the entrance from my window.
You guys should stop by later this afternoon, we'll have some champagne and catch a cab to dinner. I'd like to leave a little earlier, I have a couple wines at MacArthur's I'd like to pick up before dinner.
Safe travels!

[Tom In DC]

Glad to see you arrived safely, agent BD. Safe travels to everyone.

Have a great convention, folks! Gail and I wish we could be there.

Tom

[JimHow]

We do too!
We'll see you in October.
And maybe a BWE convention in the Rocky Mountain state?

[JimHow]

Quebecois contingent has arrived.

[Comte Flaneur]

Where is the dinner tonight and what is the theme? I don’t see a separate threat. If not there in the flesh all absent BWErs are with you in spirit.

[JimHow]

The early arrivals are getting together Ian, we will report back.
I'll try to create some videos during this convention.

[stefan]

Agents Lucie & stefan checked in at Marriott. Will proceed to MacArthur's shortly.

[JimHow]

Roger.

[Blanquito]

You have a large, Bordeaux-loving audience watching from home. Video would be grand.

[Cabfan]

The Eagle (Cabfan) has landed. This is one small step for a man,
one giant leap for mankind.

[dstgolf]

Jim

Danielle says there is one thing missing from that picture......HER!! She's missing you guys terribly and wishes we were there to fill out the Canadian Connection. Enjoy with envy.

[DavidG]

Cant wait to see you all tomorrow evening!

We switched our hotel to the Liaison where Nick is because of proximity to the restaurants, the march, and all the wine I have to schlep (Nic said he'd help).

[DavidG]

Jim, you sure this isn't the Cali Pinot Noir Lovers Convention? Cuz on my phone that picture is SIDEWAYS.

[JimHow]

Yes I snapped it from my cell phone, I’ll fix it tomorrow.
Dinner is underway!

[Winona Chief]

Great evening. Good time had by all. Bunch of very fine wines. Fabulous dinner at Black Salt.

Chris Bublitz

[JimHow]

Great time tonight at Black Salt, we had some great wines, including a bunch of Palmers and Ridge Monte Bellos and d'Yquem.
The '99 Margaux vs. '99 Palmer flight was compelling.
Great to see everyone!
Will report back in the morning.

[stefan]

Wonderful friends, food, and wine at Black Salt. The Palmers were 2001, 1999, 1995, and 1989. The other reds were 1999 Margaux, 1989 Canon, and three Ridge Montebellos--2001, 1997, and 1993. No corked bottles. The 1999 Margaux shined. I thought it was much better than the 1999 Palmer. 1989 was my favorite Palmer and I also loved the 1989 Canon. We also had four white wines, three bottles of Champagne, and a couple of stickies from that "Y" estate *1995 & 1996). No bad bottles, although the 2002 Laville Haut Brion was slightly oxidized and the 2014 Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc was too young for my taste with aggressive Sauvignon Blanc. The first bottle of Chartogne-Taillet Les Couarres went quickly, so it was good that there was a second one. This Champagne actually matched the fish carpaccio with sauce dish better than the Krug 164, which paired better with the fish without sauce.
It was, of course, a treat to finish with two Yquems that are only a year apart.

[robert goulet]

Njoy BWE team.. looking forward to the notes