***BWE ZOOM LINK FOR TASTING ON NOV. 8TH, 6pm Eastern Time

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sun Nov 01, 2020 10:43 pm

Here is the link to the BWE Zoom wine tasting scheduled for Sunday, November 8th, at 6:00 p.m., U.S. eastern time.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84696277093

See you then! I'll bump up this message from time to time in the coming week.

Let us know if you'd like to see a theme for the tasting, although in my experience anything too specific becomes difficult.

BD

Comte Flaneur · Post by **Comte Flaneur** » Thu Nov 05, 2020 9:54 pm

Any more ideas on themes?

Comte Flaneur · Post by **Comte Flaneur** » Thu Nov 05, 2020 9:55 pm

I prefer a more structured moderated conversation to a random free for all.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Thu Nov 05, 2020 9:59 pm

Yes I agree, Comte.

We will do a more structured format, like we did that one time.
It doesn't mean that others can't talk briefly while someone else "has the floor," but I do think it's important that one person/couple participates at a time.

Also:

No discussion of Covid or politics.

As for theme, I'm happy to defer to the will of the populace, with the only requirement that it be Bordeaux!

Gerry M. · Post by **Gerry M.** » Thu Nov 05, 2020 11:48 pm

Not sure how deep peoples cellars are but I think picking a specific wine may be a challenge but would be happy to try. Short of that we could opt for a specific vintage and maybe appellation.

Racer Chris · Post by **Racer Chris** » Fri Nov 06, 2020 12:23 am

How about 1989? I have nothing from then until 2008. How about 2008?

Gerry M. · Post by **Gerry M.** » Fri Nov 06, 2020 12:42 am

I'd be fine with 1989. 2008 I draw a blank. I remember passing on it after attending a UGC tasting in Boston and wasn't impressed enough to pull the trigger. I do see Cellaraiders has a 2008 Montrose I could probably get in time if that's the way we go.

Winona Chief · Post by **Winona Chief** » Fri Nov 06, 2020 12:52 am

I like the idea of a particular vintage - could do most good years between 1970 and 2001 a lot less stuff after that. I think 1989, 1990, 1995, 1996, 1998 or 2000 would all be good choices. Another idea could be a particular appellation, like Pauillac, St. Estephe or Pomerol.

Chris Bublitz

marcs · Post by **marcs** » Fri Nov 06, 2020 4:08 pm

How about everyone just drinks what they want so long as it's Bordeaux and talks about why they picked what they did.

Themes make sense at in-person events where everyone can taste all the wines brought, much less so at a Zoom tasting.

If we could really organize it so everyone drank the same wine that would be one thing, but that's not happening over the next two days.

And people talking one at a time (everyone staying in the main conversation) is good, but no need to go overboard with moderation -- on the previous zoom I did with you guys it seemed like people did a fine job on spontaneously taking turns. I have enough moderated work meetings on Zoom

marcs · Post by **marcs** » Fri Nov 06, 2020 4:10 pm

Like, I don't care about the theme, I am opening a 2004 Vieux Chateau Certan. It's my first VCC ever after investing a bunch of $ on Robert and Mark's recommendations. The suspense is killing me!

You guys will be there and witness live the dramatic reveal of whether I actually like VCC after buying like two cases of it from classic vintages

Comte Flaneur · Post by **Comte Flaneur** » Fri Nov 06, 2020 8:45 pm

Marc

If you open the 2004 I can offer moral support and open a 1998.

Any other VCC takers? Mark?

Claret · Post by **Claret** » Fri Nov 06, 2020 10:58 pm

I have a 2004 St. Emilion in the queue.

Winona Chief · Post by **Winona Chief** » Sat Nov 07, 2020 12:19 am

I can see bottles of 2000 and 2001 VCC readily available. Happy to open one of those for this Zoom.

Chris Bublitz

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sat Nov 07, 2020 12:31 am

I don't have any VCC but would love to see you guys do a little mini-vertical.

Winona Chief · Post by **Winona Chief** » Sat Nov 07, 2020 1:19 am

Why no VCC, Jim? Great Pomerol - especially 1989, 1990, 1998, 2000, 2001 and (of course) 2014.

Chris Bublitz

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sat Nov 07, 2020 1:39 am

I'm just a humble country lawyer from Maine, Winona, I haven't had a VCC in my cellar since an '86 that I had probably 20 years ago that I probably paid $35 for.

Nicklasss · Post by **Nicklasss** » Sat Nov 07, 2020 2:28 am

I'm less than a humble country lawyer from Maine, so VCC is even rarer here... but I have one bottle! I'll keep it for the future.

I might make it with a dry white Bordeaux instead.

Nic

marcs · Post by **marcs** » Sat Nov 07, 2020 4:04 am

On my end it's going to be a very dramatic reveal, reality-TV level stuff. The internet has bamboozled into spending my retirement money on this one particular brand of fermented grape juice. It has three names, so classy! It's known by an acronym like a boss! The internet people made it sound so good with their words! Now it will be passing my lips for the first time and YOU ARE THERE! What will happen? Will my face relaxed into relieved pleasure and visible satisfaction with my outlay of cash? Or will you see a tormented visage as I struggle to square what I am tasting with what it has done to my bank account? How will I react if I don't like it? Will I retreat to standard rationalizations like "it's only 16 years old, let's see in 2025", "maybe it's corked", "maybe it's a bad bottle", "well this bottle just went on two long car rides" [true]? Or will I burst into tears of frustration and start cursing Robert and Mark? Perhaps rage quit BWE on the spot? TUNE IN THIS SUNDAY!

marcs · Post by **marcs** » Sat Nov 07, 2020 4:13 am

Winona Chief wrote:I can see bottles of 2000 and 2001 VCC readily available. Happy to open one of those for this Zoom.

Chris Bublitz

I have half a case of the 2001 (not accessible for this tasting, in my storage and not sure I can get out by Sunday), so curious to hear how that is.

Musigny 151 · Post by **Musigny 151** » Sat Nov 07, 2020 11:03 am

Sorry been focused on the bloody elections.

It means rearranging a small zoom, but I should be able to make it, and if so, it will of course be the VCC 2014.

I think it should be particularly fun to see some taste VCC for the first time.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sat Nov 07, 2020 12:12 pm

Excellent! We'll have to do a little focus on the VCC tasting.
Perhaps we should try to focus the tasting to the right bank (or, of course, whatever anyone wants to drink)?

DavidG · Post by **DavidG** » Sun Nov 08, 2020 4:25 am

marcs wrote:On my end it's going to be a very dramatic reveal, reality-TV level stuff. The internet has bamboozled into spending my retirement money on this one particular brand of fermented grape juice. It has three names, so classy! It's known by an acronym like a boss! The internet people made it sound so good with their words! Now it will be passing my lips for the first time and YOU ARE THERE! What will happen? Will my face relaxed into relieved pleasure and visible satisfaction with my outlay of cash? Or will you see a tormented visage as I struggle to square what I am tasting with what it has done to my bank account? How will I react if I don't like it? Will I retreat to standard rationalizations like "it's only 16 years old, let's see in 2025", "maybe it's corked", "maybe it's a bad bottle", "well this bottle just went on two long car rides" [true]? Or will I burst into tears of frustration and start cursing Robert and Mark? Perhaps rage quit BWE on the spot? TUNE IN THIS SUNDAY!

I dunno Marcus, love it or hate it, if the bottle doesn’t say it had your love child or you had sex with its sister were all gonna be let down.

tim · Post by **tim** » Sun Nov 08, 2020 4:43 am

Ugh, I wish I had some VCC, or even some Pomerol. I'll be stuck on the left bank, and committing infanticide to boot.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sun Nov 08, 2020 11:43 am

6pm today, US eastern time.

Comte Flaneur · Post by **Comte Flaneur** » Sun Nov 08, 2020 12:51 pm

Marcus

To get the most of of your 04 VCC I would advise decanting it a few hours before you drink it, because it will still be a young wine. If you just pop and pour it may not open up much. I am going to double decant my bottle of 1998 at around 6pm for dinner at 9pm and the zoom at 11pm.

stefan · Post by **stefan** » Sun Nov 08, 2020 3:37 pm

I'll tune in at 5 CST but have to leave for Zoom wine dinner that starts at 7. Fortunately, I was able to change a Zoom wine lunch from Sunday to Saturday. Three wine events in one afternoon and evening would have been a bit much.

Michael-P · Post by **Michael-P** » Sun Nov 08, 2020 3:47 pm

Nalan and I will join today, hopefully with a VCC.
Michael-P

marcs · Post by **marcs** » Sun Nov 08, 2020 4:26 pm

Comte Flaneur wrote:Marcus

To get the most of of your 04 VCC I would advise decanting it a few hours before you drink it, because it will still be a young wine. If you just pop and pour it may not open up much. I am going to double decant my bottle of 1998 at around 6pm for dinner at 9pm and the zoom at 11pm.

on the one hand, this is probably good advice. On the other, it means that the BWE masses will not witness the exact moment at which I first experience VCC

Nicklasss · Post by **Nicklasss** » Sun Nov 08, 2020 5:58 pm

I'll be there with a Right Bank wine. A special one. Like Marcs, a wine I never had before.

Nic

Racer Chris · Post by **Racer Chris** » Sun Nov 08, 2020 6:57 pm

I just opened my Zoom wine, and poured a glass to give the bottle a little air and to drink with last night's dinner leftovers.

stefan · Post by **stefan** » Sun Nov 08, 2020 8:58 pm

Against my better judgment I opened a 2008 VCC to go along with the theme.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sun Nov 08, 2020 9:16 pm

You guys are studs.

We'll see you soon!

Michael-P · Post by **Michael-P** » Sun Nov 08, 2020 10:10 pm

Opened a 1990 VCC at 445p est. Will decant around 530p.
Michael-P

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sun Nov 08, 2020 10:18 pm

Excellent! We will spend some time analyzing the VCCs.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sun Nov 08, 2020 10:54 pm

I'll be opening the waiting room just before 6pm.
If anybody has trouble getting in let me know here, I'll check in here at about 6:05.

Gerry M. · Post by **Gerry M.** » Sun Nov 08, 2020 10:57 pm

I've opened a 1990 Ch L'Evangile, So far so good. Wasn't able to open until about 45 min ago. lost track of time cleaning out the garage.

tim · Post by **tim** » Sun Nov 08, 2020 11:26 pm

let me in

Comte Flaneur · Post by **Comte Flaneur** » Mon Nov 09, 2020 12:48 am

Sorry I had to leave it is 1245 am here and I have to work tomorrow from 745am.

Great to see you all - fun meeting - VCC is a class act!

dstgolf · Post by **dstgolf** » Mon Nov 09, 2020 1:13 am

Disappointed we missed this one. Nephew called at 5:55pm and just hung up at 8:05pm but I guess everyones gone not being able to login. Hopefully all went well with the VCCs and whatever else. Our 05 Giscours was good but still in its infancy but still a very good wine. Til next time and keep well everyone.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Mon Nov 09, 2020 1:19 am

Sorry we missed you guys, Danny, we had a fun two hour BWE Zoom meeting!