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Jersey Baby!!! - 11/19/2008 2:41:21 PM   
pbm

 

Posts: 348
Joined: 3/5/2008
From: New Hope, Pennsylvania
Status: offline 		So, it might not be Vegas...or Paris...or London but Scott (Hollowine) and I have come up with a date and place to get together to share some wine, good food, and fun for those in the NJ, eastern PA, DE area.

We've got access to a small private room at a local restaurant: Anton's It's about an hour from Philly and a bit more than that from NYC (or about an hour from the Wine Library.) Depending on how many we get we can have the owner/chef pair some food with what we bring or just order off the menu. Nothing too fancy or complicated we'll just assemble who can make it and see what happens. No wine theme either. We're each just going to bring a couple of bottles and let the pouring begin. Obviously the more the merrier.

Date: Thursday, December 4

Time: Probably around 6:30 - 7

Place: Anton's at the Swan in Lambertville, NJ

Hopefully some of you can join us. Just let us know so we can plan appropriately. (Also, there's plenty of B&B's and small hotels around for those who'd want to spend the night. Lambertville is something of a get-away for the city-folk on weekends and has lots of art galleries, etc. Across the river, New Hope is much the same.)

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PBM
"Never Sell Principle Short"
Dave O'Neal
Post #: 1
RE: Jersey Baby!!! - 11/19/2008 3:40:12 PM   
annerk

 

Posts: 255
Joined: 10/16/2008
From: Central Florida
Status: online 		Oh no!  I opened this thread thinking it might be something that would work for me--I've been trying to come up with an excuse to come back home for a weekend before the holidays.  Of course it's happening one of the few nights in December that I had a long standing commitment on already.  Hopefully next time--enjoy yourselves.  I'm double jealous as the food there is insanely good!

(in reply to pbm)
Post #: 2
RE: Jersey Baby!!! - 11/19/2008 6:21:01 PM   
DoubleD1969

 

Posts: 18
Joined: 8/19/2008
From: New Jersey
Status: offline 		I'm new on these boards, and I'm always open to an offline and meet some members.  Unfortunately, the date doesn't work for me either.

(in reply to annerk)
Post #: 3
RE: Jersey Baby!!! - 11/19/2008 8:21:14 PM   
Hollowine

 

Posts: 330
Joined: 7/25/2008
From: Hood River, OR
Status: offline 		As the co-conspirator behind this gathering I'll extend a welcome and invitation to join us as well. As I am currently managing a project in PA, I thought it would be a fun idea to get together with Peter and anyone else that might be up for sharing some wines.

I feel bad that my travel schedule dictated this being on a Thursday night, knowing some of you may have other commitments, but hope a few might be able to join us for what appears to be a great night of food and wine. Post here if you are in the area and even if you can't make it, we might try for a second gathering in Feb-Mar '09 as well.

Cheers!
Scott




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Have Riedel, will travel...

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Post #: 4
RE: Jersey Baby!!! - 11/19/2008 10:38:41 PM   
Colonel Lawrence

 

Posts: 2093
Joined: 4/24/2006
From: Arabia
Status: offline 		Hope it goes well enough for you to have a repeat (late summer 2009) and I will do my best to hop across the pond.
L.

(in reply to pbm)
Post #: 5
RE: Jersey Baby!!! - 11/20/2008 4:33:32 AM   
Hollowine

 

Posts: 330
Joined: 7/25/2008
From: Hood River, OR
Status: offline 		That sounds like a great idea Colonel, and I understand 2000 Bordeaux in OWC are easily checked as baggage under the plane...Let Peter and I know if you need help picking out a case or two from your storage locker...


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Post #: 6
RE: Jersey Baby!!! - 11/21/2008 1:45:05 PM   
pbm

 

Posts: 348
Joined: 3/5/2008
From: New Hope, Pennsylvania
Status: offline 		Scott,

One more confirmed as of today. Still waiting on a few others.

Peter

_____________________________

PBM
"Never Sell Principle Short"
Dave O'Neal

(in reply to Hollowine)
Post #: 7
RE: Jersey Baby!!! - 11/21/2008 2:41:35 PM   
pbm

 

Posts: 348
Joined: 3/5/2008
From: New Hope, Pennsylvania
Status: offline 		Scott,

Another confirmation received.

Peter

_____________________________

PBM
"Never Sell Principle Short"
Dave O'Neal

(in reply to pbm)
Post #: 8
RE: Jersey Baby!!! - 11/23/2008 1:00:59 AM   
cajuncyclr01

 

Posts: 2
Joined: 11/23/2008
Status: offline 		Hi there,
I'm new to the forum, though I've been using CellarTracker for a while.
I want to say I'm open on the 4th but have to verify with the wife, and babysitter availability. Lambertville is only 30min from us, si it would be great. Count me in for now?

(in reply to pbm)
Post #: 9
RE: Jersey Baby!!! - 11/23/2008 3:27:24 AM   
pbm

 

Posts: 348
Joined: 3/5/2008
From: New Hope, Pennsylvania
Status: offline 		No problem. Just make sure you confirm a few days before. The more the merrier. (unoriginal but true)

_____________________________

PBM
"Never Sell Principle Short"
Dave O'Neal

(in reply to cajuncyclr01)
Post #: 10
RE: Jersey Baby!!! - 11/23/2008 6:20:29 AM   
Hollowine

 

Posts: 330
Joined: 7/25/2008
From: Hood River, OR
Status: offline 		Absolutely, glad you found the post. Hope you can arrange to join us.

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(in reply to pbm)
Post #: 11
RE: Jersey Baby!!! - 11/24/2008 11:51:00 AM   
Hollowine

 

Posts: 330
Joined: 7/25/2008
From: Hood River, OR
Status: offline 		Bouncing to the top in case someone else might see and be interested...

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(in reply to Hollowine)
Post #: 12
RE: Jersey Baby!!! - 12/4/2008 8:03:40 PM   
pbm

 

Posts: 348
Joined: 3/5/2008
From: New Hope, Pennsylvania
Status: offline 		It's late and I'm tired but just a quick note to say that the first of hopefully many CT east coast gatherings went well. Good food, good company, and some excellent wines made for a great evening. More tomorrow.

_____________________________

PBM
"Never Sell Principle Short"
Dave O'Neal

(in reply to Hollowine)
Post #: 13
RE: Jersey Baby!!! - 12/4/2008 9:15:04 PM   
Hollowine

 

Posts: 330
Joined: 7/25/2008
From: Hood River, OR
Status: offline 		Well, this West Coast Wino is firmly convinced every road between my hotel and where we had dinner is nothing more than a paved cow path, thank god for navigation systems.

But I will echo Pete and agree that this was a great time. Looking forward to another one in a few months, perhaps Anne, CL, others can join the next one.




_____________________________

Have Riedel, will travel...

(in reply to pbm)
Post #: 14
RE: Jersey Baby!!! - 12/4/2008 10:51:01 PM   
Colonel Lawrence

 

Posts: 2093
Joined: 4/24/2006
From: Arabia
Status: offline 		Let's hear more.
Hope I can make a Jersey trip in 2009. I actually miss the place.
Go Giants.
L.

(in reply to Hollowine)
Post #: 15
RE: Jersey Baby!!! - 12/6/2008 6:20:57 AM   
pbm

 

Posts: 348
Joined: 3/5/2008
From: New Hope, Pennsylvania
Status: offline 		Attendees

Scott (Hollowine), Peter (pbm) and the two Jims (“O” and “T”).

The Wines

2003 McKenzie Mueller Pinot Noir (Carneros, CA)
2006 Merry Edwards Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley, CA)
2005 Long Shadow Wineries Syrah Sequel (Columbia Valley, WA)
2005(?) Sleight of Hand Bordeaux Blend The Archimage (Columbia, WA)
2006 Bodega Norton, Malbec (Mendoza, Argentina)
2006 “Chez Ottinger” Zin-Cab Blend (Lodi, CA grapes; Cherry Hill, NJ production)
2000 Pulenta Cabernet Sauvignon (Menodoza, Argentina)
2006 Pulenta Malbec Estate(Mendoza, Argentina)

The Food

Starter: plate of blue cheese, pears, and toasted duck.
Three courses:
1. sliced sirloin and filet mignon with mixed vegetables
2. duck with polenta
3. lamb with something I can’t recall
We passed on the option of a fourth course of venison and went straight to the chocolate tart.

I know Scott had to become intimately familiar with the backroads of Pennsylvania. (Though the restaurant was in NJ, he’s working in Allentown, PA) so I do sympathize with his burden. The night also went about twice as long as we anticipated but I don’t view that as a bad thing.

From my perspective, the wines were great. The differences were interesting but each was really enjoyable. My two favorites were Sequel and the Pulenta Malbec. Scott “decanted” the Sequel for eight hours in the bottle before arriving. It was still drinking just fine the next night (one of the leftovers I got to bring home.) Great nose, modest tannins, teeth-staining, and just the right amount of fruit and finish for me. The Sleight of Hand was also very good – though we all agreed that somehow the label didn’t do it justice. As a "left bank" blend (thanks for the education Scott) it was heavier on the merlot and that really gives it that velvety feel and taste. Even the CA grown, NJ produced zin-cab combo came in for a lot of praise.

We all agreed that a repeat performance in January was called for.

Here's a pic of most of the bottles at the end of the night and Scott contemplating his ride home:








_____________________________

PBM
"Never Sell Principle Short"
Dave O'Neal

(in reply to Colonel Lawrence)
Post #: 16
RE: Jersey Baby!!! - 12/6/2008 7:26:18 AM   
Hollowine

 

Posts: 330
Joined: 7/25/2008
From: Hood River, OR
Status: offline 		Thanks for a summary on the evening Peter, I'll add a couple of thoughts...

I loved this get together and the wines presented because it allowed each of us to experience a region each of us isn't exactly familiar with and have someone that is guide along a bit.

For myself and Jim T, Pinot Noir isn't my first choice, nor likely in my first 5 choices. I just haven't had the experiences or guidance to develop my palate for it, so it was quite nice that Peter brought two great, and quite different, examples of Cali Pinot. The nose on the McKenzie was just plain crazy, I kept revisiting it all night, and in the end, it was the only bottle I asked to take the leftovers of, so that tells you I was both intrigued and still learning.

I honestly also hadn't been buying much of South American in the last few years, so the Malbec's in particular were quite a fun experience and were quite different; the Norton being quite smooth and balanced and the Pulenta being a "Bam" type wine, almost thought I was drinking an Aussie Grenache or similar.

I brought the two WA state wines, both of which I'm quite familiar, but neither of which the group knew of. Quite fun to note both the Sequel (which has a multi-million dollar winery and huge name making the wine) as well as the Sleight of Hand (which is the startup of a friend of mine and my annual working vacation during Crush) were both named on the Top 5 Washington Wineries to Watch list by Northwest Palate magazine. Everyone enjoyed both and a lot of discussion ensued.

Lastly, Jim O participates yearly in a venture in NJ where you can make your own 50 or so cases of wine, they do it as a neighborhood event. He shared his Cab-Zin blend that he made from Lodi fruit and it was quite enjoyable. Since my last experience with "home made" was in my own house as a teenager, and my parents were using Concord grapes, this was a nice memory eraser of what self made wine can be.

Thanks Peter for the great notes, anyone that travels to the NJ/PA area or lives nearby should reach out to Peter or I, we will be doing this again and the next one will hopefully include my buddy that is a Wine Importer for a number of great Aussie wines...I'm guessing I'll take Peter's advice and stay local when we bring that one together.

Cheers all!

Scott

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Have Riedel, will travel...

(in reply to pbm)
Post #: 17
RE: Jersey Baby!!! - 12/6/2008 9:51:09 AM   
pbm

 

Posts: 348
Joined: 3/5/2008
From: New Hope, Pennsylvania
Status: offline 		I should have added that Scott deserves extra kudos for putting up with three northeastern US guys. We tried to be on our best behavior but failed more than once.

_____________________________

PBM
"Never Sell Principle Short"
Dave O'Neal

(in reply to Hollowine)
Post #: 18
RE: Jersey Baby!!! - 12/6/2008 11:02:17 PM   
Hollowine

 

Posts: 330
Joined: 7/25/2008
From: Hood River, OR
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: pbm

I should have added that Scott deserves extra kudos for putting up with three northeastern US guys. We tried to be on our best behavior but failed more than once.


Well, having me address you as Don M. was a bit over the top...

I think any other details of conversations at the dinner would best be left to urban legend... I would just caution anyone who is contemplating eating the Barbeque among these gentlemen...

_____________________________

Have Riedel, will travel...

(in reply to pbm)
Post #: 19
RE: Jersey Baby!!! - 12/7/2008 2:12:15 AM   
Colonel Lawrence

 

Posts: 2093
Joined: 4/24/2006
From: Arabia
Status: offline 		 

(in reply to Hollowine)
Post #: 20
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