Magnum night in the CLE

Mark McCormack was the first sports agent and basically created the whole industry of being a sports agent. He was a college friend of Arnold Palmer. As an attorney, Arnold called him when a sporting goods company failed to live up to their promise of a free bag of gold clubs. McCormack got him out of the contract and made him hundreds of millions of endorsement dollars and an industry was born. His offices were in Cleveland Ohio. While now around the world and over 80 offices, they are still HQ's in Cleveland. He had the top floor of the IMG building downtown for his private offices and conference room. When he passed away in 2002, the offices and floor were left empty and there they sat. Enter Anna Harouvis. Anna was hired by Mark to run the cafe in the lobby of the building she built her reputation as a chef with Raw ingredients and has made another one on high end fresh pressed juices. Her clients include the Indians, Cavs, Rob Zombie and a host of famous and not famous followers. One day, while having a late lunch at her cafe, we spoke and she offered to show me the top floor. It was a bit of a mess, but I asked her if she would cater a wine tasting there. One thing led to another and boom, 22 of us gathered in McCormack's office and then the conference room overlooking Cleveland for a great meal and tasting. (If anyone wants to see pics, please look at my FB page).

I sent out invites, asked for wines, put them in flights and Anna put the menu together. Jay Hack and his wife Rebecca happened to be in town and they joined us for the festivities. We were sitting and eating and drinking at the same conference table where Tiger Woods signed his largest contract and where LeBron James signed his first. And, who knows how many millions or even billions of dollars passed thru that room. The historical aspect was so cool, from the leather chairs to the phone booths off the conference room (pre cell phones) to the views of the city. But, on to the wines:

We went into McCormack's private offices.
With: Truffle popcorn, Pea caviar on crostini, Mini vegan cheese and chives muffins
Ham roasted wrapped scallop skewers
Raw coconut egg rolls with "walnut meat" and raw vegan duck sauce
Mushrooms stuffed with Chorizo (to keep the meat lovers happy)

• 2010 Cristalino Cava Brut Nature 87 Points

  Spain, Cava

  This was nice. $20 for a Magnum. I tasted it on its own and it showed nice fizz. Some apples. Good acidity. very clean. We actually mixed it with fresh pressed apple cider to make a slightly sweet welcoming cocktail for the event. That was quite good, low in alcohol and made fro a fun start to the evening.

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Back in the Board Room.
With: Rocket arugula with cranberries, Fuji apples, salted cashews, red radish,
balsamic emulsion and a cold pressed basil vinaigrette
Raw vegan and gluten free oyster ‘crab cake’ with spicy aioli

• 2006 Taittinger Champagne Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut 98 Points

  France, Champagne

  Awesome showing from Magnum. Still on the youthful side. The nose is gorgeous with chalk and apples and bit of minerals. With air some hazelnuts come out. A nice head with lots of very tiny bubbles. On the palate, minerals with pears, slight grapefruit and that chalk note continues. Very crisp. An amazingly long finish. This wine has that quality of a perception of weight while it dances across the palate. I rarely find that in wines but I liken it to Muhammad Ali. Power as it dances. Great wine. I think people forgot about it in the WOTN voting.

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With: Pistachio crusted Vegan eggplant cutlets with penne pasta

• 2012 Rhys Chardonnay Horseshoe Vineyard 95 Points

  USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains

  From Magnum. Showed quite young in this format but opened brilliantly in the glass. Luckily the dinner was slowly/perfectly paced so there was time. Gorgeous nose of oranges, floral notes, peaches and vanilla. The texture is great. This wine is very focused with great acidity. Rebecca commented on the layers and while tight - absolutely. There is a great complexity and depth. On the palate there are crisp peaches with citrus and a nice mineral streak. Nice acidity. Long finish. Great with the food.

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• 2008 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage Blanc 93 Points

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage

  What a great contrast to the Rhys. Deeper gold in color. I was concerned serving a Mag of this at age 8 might be shut down , but this was in a great place. Its hard to ever judge the life cycles of these wines, but I am not sure it is ever better but maybe different. The nose has a bit of almonds which some took as oxidized. I think that is more the nature of this wine. Also plenty of fruit. Some citrus, bits of ginger and even a hint of bitters. On the palate, this has layers of complexity. Slightly nutty with canned peaches yet good acidity. Its a roller coaster of a wine although it may not get to the heights of some other vintages. A real treat and in a different way, worked quite well with some of the food.

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With: Creamy polenta with white hominy, roasted mushrooms and coriander jus

• 2005 Orin Swift The Prisoner 88 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  From Magnum. This was ok but seemed a bit past prime. Purple in color. The nose shows some black raspberries, a bit of black olives and some pepper. On the palate, its a bit flabby. I don't know how the acidity was on release, but generally, it does not fade. The fruit probably has. That said, it is a fine wine but in the flight it got out shown. If you have any, time to drink up.

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• 2012 Orin Swift Papillon 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Orin Swift wines can get dissed but this was very good. Sure, it is ripe but its California. If you don't like that, don't buy it. The nose has cassis, dark cherries, blueberries and sandalwood. Also a bit of vanilla. On the palate, great juicy full bodied texture. Lots of fruit. Cassis and blueberries but also some dark cherries. A bit of spice as well. Not jammy or hot, but certainly rich and lush. I wonder how well this ages but certainly this bottle is still young and has plenty of years left.

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• 2010 Saxum Paderewski Vineyard 95 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

  Very nice showing. IIRC, this is Zin, Tempranillo, Syrah and PS in some numbers. It is in a very nice place right now. The nose has black raspberries, chocolate, violets, cherries and spice. Great texture. Juicy yet lush. On the palate, this drinks easily. I am sure there is plenty of alcohol, but it doesn't show. Like many Saxum wines it has that seamless quality. Powerful yet deft. Long finish. Worked just fine with the food as well.

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• 2008 Staglin Family Cabernet Sauvignon Estate 96 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford

  Spectacular showing for this wine. Tied for the groups WOTN. From Magnum. This is showing young but just past the childhood stage, there are some tertiary notes. On the nose, cassis, slight leather, anise, and black cherries. Very deep. On the palate, there is a lot going on. First, lots of fruit hit you with cassis, black raspberries and a bit of black cherries. Then it takes you on a ride deep into the wine with some chocolate and leather and spice. Finally rising again into a layered balance of fruit, earth, leather and spice. Sounds a bit weird but every sip was the same. There are some tannins, more sinewy in nature, so further development is possible. Nice finish. Worked with food. Way above my expectations.

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• 2011 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon Special Selection 97 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  My second time trying this wine in this vintage. They nailed 2011. I hesitate to say powerful because this is not a typical Caymus in that regard. This is more refined than most vintages, but at the end of the day, this is a powerful, perfectly ripe Napa Cabernet. From magnum. The nose has cassis, graphite, blueberries and cedar. On the palate, this has a velvety texture. Juicy acidity. Lots of cassis and blueberry fruit. Some spice and toast. Layers of tightly packed complexity. no hint of alcohol. Very polished. Just a fantastic wine. I would hold these for 5 to 10 years though but it depends how you like them.

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With: Moroccan couscous and sample Greek appetizers including dolmades, hummus,
Greek salata, quinoa tabbouleh, Tzaki and pita bread

• 2008 Saxum Bone Rock James Berry Vineyard 97 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

  One of the co-WOTN's. From Magnum. The bottle was open and allowed to breathe for about 12 hours prior to serving. I think it helped. Gorgeous nose of black raspberries, black pepper, grilled meats, and violets. Also some chocolate. On the palate, exquisite texture. Silky yet velvety. Power yet balance. Deft on the palate. Lots of black raspberry fruit, depth and tight layers of pepper, minerals and fruit. Long finish. Wonderful wine. My red WOTN.

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• 2009 Saxum Bone Rock James Berry Vineyard 95 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

  Just a bit behind the 08 but that may have been the air. I am not sure if this got any prior to arrival. Black raspberries, dark cherries, spice and violets. Did not have that roasted meat note I was expecting. On the palate, this is juicy with power. No sign of alcohol. Tight layering as it unwinds in the glass. Long finish. This wine went well with the food but especially with the Siracha Tofu ka-bobs. Perhaps an unlikely pairing but one that worked well.

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• 2010 Saxum James Berry Vineyard 97 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

  I have had this wine a bunch and it has been anywhere from outstanding to perfect. Tonight was closer to the later. From Magnum, this is still showing a bit young. This has more Grenache than Syrah in it so maybe that is why it stood out in this flight. Just delicious. The nose has raspberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, baking spice, and slight pepper. Gorgeous. On the palate, a wonderful texture. Juicy, light on its feet yet powerful. Balanced. worked great with the food. Long finish. Got better all night long. No idea if this got opened ahead of time, but this needs more time to peak.

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• 2008 Jaffurs Syrah Larner Vineyard 94 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County

  This started tight but after about ten minutes it really opened up in the glass. The nose is very nice with black raspberries, black olives, grilled meats and black pepper. On the palate, this is ripe but so well balanced. Plenty of tannins still. Lots of black raspberry fruit. Once it opens, there is a tight layering that continues to open. Long finish. Not as obvious as the Saxums, but its flashy in its own way nevertheless. Worked well with food. Great now but will improve.

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With: Grilled Kebobs vegan and with beef and chicken

• 2011 True Believer Wines Red Wine 92 Points

  USA, California

  From Magnum. The nose has cherries, some black raspberries and a bit of spice. Medium bodied. On the palate, this is a bit thinner. Cherries and raspberries.Good acidity. Nice finish. This is a very nice wine, but iMO, the 2012 dwarfed it. I think this will have a shorter life and seemed to be about as good as it will get right now.

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• 2012 True Believer Wines Red Wine 95 Points

  USA, California

  This was outstanding. Black raspberries, dark cherries, slight grilled meat, and floral notes on the palate. great texture. Juicy, silky yet lush. Shows plenty of depth. Layers of black raspberries, cherries, with a nice mineral streak and char at the base. Long finish. Got better in the glass, this is still young and will improve for a while I suspect. Outstanding wine.

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Funny story. Berto offered to bring two 750's of Yquem. I said no. Magnums only. First (and probably the only time I will turn down Yquem). Actually, the Riesling probably worked better at this point anyway.
With: 2011 Joh. Jos. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese

• 2011 Joh. Jos. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese 94 Points

  Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer

  Best food pairing of the night with the peach tart. Golden in color. The nose has peaches, tropical fruit, some simple syrup and nice minerality. Very fresh, no petrol. On the palate, great texture. Sweet but great acidity gave it great balance. Peaches and honey. Long finish. Lovely wine. Light enough at this time of the night to wake up the palate, heavy enough to hold it own and dense enough to make one pay attention. Perfect for the moment.

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With: Chocolate sponge with berry glee, buttercream and caramel dust

• 1997 Gould Campbell Porto Vintage 91 Points

  Portugal, Douro, Porto

  This bottle was opened and allowed to breather for 12 hours. From Magnum. The crowd liked this more than I and it got a few votes for WOTN. I will say that again, this was a great wine for the spot it was in. A bit of sweetness with some chocolate cake to finish the evening. Just right. The nose has raspberries, white chocolate, milk chocolate and raisins. On the palate, this is medium bodied. Some depth and complexity. Slightly sweet. No real heat. Nice finish.

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Anna made us all Take away bags including : raw kale chips, vegan macaroons and hang over juice.

Thanks so much to all but especially Anna for the room (so cool) and the menu and food. Just an amazing night.