RE: FIRST ANNUAL: CellarTracker weekend, Seattle, WA 9/5-7/2008

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RE: FIRST ANNUAL: CellarTracker weekend, Seattle, WA 9/... - 9/1/2008 10:37:54 AM

mjobtx

Posts: 115
Joined: 11/20/2004
From: Plano, TX
Status: offline

Craig,

Will you do us all a favor and summarize the start times and addresses of Friday's and Saturday's events? I know the information is somewhere in these pages but since we are coming to the end, it would be great to have it on this last page.

Thanks

_____________________________

PlanoWino

(in reply to cgrimes)

Post #: 301

RE: FIRST ANNUAL: CellarTracker weekend, Seattle, WA 9/... - 9/1/2008 6:14:28 PM

cgrimes

Posts: 895
Joined: 10/8/2007
From: Massachusetts
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: mjobtx

Craig,

Will you do us all a favor and summarize the start times and addresses of Friday's and Saturday's events? I know the information is somewhere in these pages but since we are coming to the end, it would be great to have it on this last page.

Thanks

OK, to sum it up:

1) Friday: BBQ chez LeVine 7PM (Eric, please correct me on details if I am wrong): 1535 9th Avenue West, Seattle, WA. Bring a bottle of wine per person.

2) Saturday: The Uptown Hideaway: http://www.uptownhideaway.com/
6P-12A. Address is 817 5th Avenue North, Seattle. Bring a bottle of wine per person.

Here are some of the featured wines for the events:

Friday

Sparklers/ Whites
NV Andre Clouet Champagne, Brut Rose--yipen
2001 Louis Latour Corton Charlemagne--cgrimes
2005 Fisher Vineyards Chardonnay, Whitney's Vineyard

Reds
2005 Savannah Chanelle, Tia Marie, Pinot Noir--Blue Shorts
2005 Kosta Browne Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir--mjobtx
2005 Ovene Winery "The Puzzle" Pinot Noir--fingers
2005 Domaine Serene, Two Barns Pinot Noir--VinoAddict

Saturday

Sparklers
NV Rene Geoffrey Champagne Expression Brut—yipen

Whites/Roses
1989 Lopez de Heredia, Rioja Blanc Gran Reserva—stevetimko
2006 McPrice Myers, Viognier, Larner Vineyard--fingers
2007 Ameztoi Rubentis Rose—stevetimko

Pinot Noir
2006 Sea Smoke Southing--roundersrob

Cabernet Sauvignon/ Cab Blends
1994 Leoville Las Cases--cgrimes
1996 Chateau Cos D’Estournel—RoundersRob
2003 Bressler Cabernet Sauvignon--mjobtx
2003 Terra Valentine Cabernet Sauvignon K Block, Wurtele Vineyard--Blue Shorts
2003 Cadence Taptein/ 2005 Soos Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Champoux Vineyard—kain

Syrah/ Blends
1998 D'Arenberg Dead Arm Shiraz—mjobtx
2002 Ridge Syrah II, Lytton Estate--Blue Shorts
2005 Rockblock Syrah, Seven HillsVineyard--VinoAddict

Misc Reds
2006 Herman Story Grenache, Larner Vineyard--fingers
1977 Lytton Springs Winery, Zinfandel—stevetimko

Stickies
1986 Chateau D’Arche--stevetimko
2001 Domaine de Baumard, Clos Sainte Catherine--cgrimes
2002 Baumard Quarts de Chaume—mjobtx

This is not an exhaustive list, but reflects the wines volunteered on the recent thread (as well as updates as of 9/1/08)

See you all in a few days! I'll be coming in midday Friday.
Craig

(in reply to mjobtx)

Post #: 302

RE: FIRST ANNUAL: CellarTracker weekend, Seattle, WA 9/... - 9/1/2008 9:13:31 PM

stevetimko

Posts: 115
Joined: 2/20/2007
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Can anyone tell us about parking around the Uptown Hideaway?

(in reply to cgrimes)

Post #: 303

RE: FIRST ANNUAL: CellarTracker weekend, Seattle, WA 9/... - 9/2/2008 12:04:50 AM

Eric

Posts: 5590
Joined: 10/10/2003
From: Seattle, WA
Status: offline

You should be able to find surface street parking pretty easily within a few blocks.

_____________________________

Cheers!
-Eric LeVine

(in reply to stevetimko)

Post #: 304

RE: FIRST ANNUAL: CellarTracker weekend, Seattle, WA 9/... - 9/3/2008 12:39:58 PM

rstark

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Joined: 2/4/2006
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We're heading up to Seattle today with two bottles, and will buy two more while up there (hopefully Pikes still has that great wine store across the street). We'll be bringing a bottle of '02 Andrew Geoffrey, made by my friend Peter Thompson up at the tippy-top of Diamond Mountain. In honor of the fact that both Eric and I will be biking (and drinking!) through Sicily this October, I'll also bring a wonderful "natural" wine from Sicily, Biondi Outis (Nerello Mascalese grown on the side of Mt. Etna)

http://www.ciclismoclassico.com/trip/74/celebrity_series_sommelier_robin_stark_in_la_bella_sicilia_ovest/

(in reply to Eric)

Post #: 305

RE: FIRST ANNUAL: CellarTracker weekend, Seattle, WA 9/... - 9/3/2008 4:54:49 PM

Bill

Posts: 103
Joined: 10/8/2007
From: EU
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Hi lucky all of you participants!

2 (or 3) more nights and then the historical event starts!!
Bring a good mood and maybe a surprise bottle…….
Most of you don’t realize it yet…..
But within a few days you will meet people who share the same passion.
And you will discover they are all nice people with whom you share something special: The love of/for(?) good wine!
Some of the people you will meet will most likely be friends for the rest of your life.
Lucky you!!!
Believe me, I know what I am talking about!
I would have loved to be there.
Well, maybe next time….

To all of you:
Have a good time!
Enjoy the good wine! (There are many beautiful wines in the list!)

Cheers,
Bill.

(in reply to mjobtx)

Post #: 306

RE: FIRST ANNUAL: CellarTracker weekend, Seattle, WA 9/... - 9/3/2008 5:56:05 PM

cgrimes

Posts: 895
Joined: 10/8/2007
From: Massachusetts
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bill

Hi lucky all of you participants!

2 (or 3) more nights and then the historical event starts!!
Bring a good mood and maybe a surprise bottle…….
Most of you don’t realize it yet…..
But within a few days you will meet people who share the same passion.
And you will discover they are all nice people with whom you share something special: The love of/for(?) good wine!
Some of the people you will meet will most likely be friends for the rest of your life.
Lucky you!!!
Believe me, I know what I am talking about!
I would have loved to be there.
Well, maybe next time….

To all of you:
Have a good time!
Enjoy the good wine! (There are many beautiful wines in the list!)

Cheers,
Bill.

Thanks Bill! I'll raise my glass to you on Saturday!
Craig

(in reply to Bill)

Post #: 307

RE: FIRST ANNUAL: CellarTracker weekend, Seattle, WA 9/... - 9/4/2008 8:09:13 AM

FHR

Posts: 97
Joined: 9/29/2005
From: Austin, TX
Status: offline

I'd like to purchase 4 bottles of nice wine in Seattle for the two events rather than hauling them from Austin. Can I count on a good selection from a wine shop near (walking distance) from the Comfort Suites? A couple aged Quilceda Creek or Betz along with a chardonnay or two would be great.

Otherwise I was thinking of bringing the following:

2006 Hartford Court Chardonnay Stone Cote
2004 Ramey Chardannay Hudson Vineyard
2005 Kistler Pinot Noir Russian River Valley
2006 Brewer-Clifton Pinot Noir Mount Carmel

But do you think I can pickup some winners at a local wine shop.

_____________________________

Fred

(in reply to cgrimes)

Post #: 308

RE: FIRST ANNUAL: CellarTracker weekend, Seattle, WA 9/... - 9/4/2008 8:13:59 AM

cgrimes

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Joined: 10/8/2007
From: Massachusetts
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quote:

ORIGINAL: FHR

I'd like to purchase 4 bottles of nice wine in Seattle for the two events rather than hauling them from Austin. Can I count on a good selection from a wine shop near (walking distance) from the Comfort Suites? A couple aged Quilceda Creek or Betz along with a chardonnay or two would be great.

Otherwise I was thinking of bringing the following:

2006 Hartford Court Chardonnay Stone Cote
2004 Ramey Chardannay Hudson Vineyard
2005 Kistler Pinot Noir Russian River Valley
2006 Brewer-Clifton Pinot Noir Mount Carmel

But do you think I can pickup some winners at a local wine shop.

Fred, I think you picked some winners there, but, if you do not want to bring the wines, try McCarthy & Schiering: http://www.mccarthyandschiering.com/qa_location.php

I've never been there personally but Eric has repeatedly touted it as being a great shop--and it is in the neighborhood, I believe.

See you tomorrow!
craig

(in reply to FHR)

Post #: 309

RE: FIRST ANNUAL: CellarTracker weekend, Seattle, WA 9/... - 9/4/2008 9:45:32 AM

yipen

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Joined: 6/9/2008
From: Portland, Oregon
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Thanks, Bill
What a great note to express the feeling for all of us.
Cheers

(in reply to Bill)

Post #: 310

RE: FIRST ANNUAL: CellarTracker weekend, Seattle, WA 9/... - 9/4/2008 10:43:46 AM

Blue Shorts

Posts: 297
Joined: 2/5/2008
From: Santa Cruz, California
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Well said!!!

I'm sure that we're all looking forward to meeting each other and sharing wine and good times.

_____________________________

The best wine is the one that you haven't yet tried.

(in reply to Bill)

Post #: 311

RE: FIRST ANNUAL: CellarTracker weekend, Seattle, WA 9/... - 9/4/2008 3:16:53 PM

Bill

Posts: 103
Joined: 10/8/2007
From: EU
Status: offline

Real wine lovers are very special persons.
It is probably lovely to drink a Screaming Eagle, DRC or Petrus all by yourself.
But it is no fun at all when you’re all alone.

In fact I’ll make that my slogan.

Have a wonderful weekend!

< Message edited by Bill -- 9/4/2008 3:17:22 PM >

_____________________________

It is lovely to drink a very special bottle all by yourself, but it is no fun at all.

(in reply to Blue Shorts)

Post #: 312

RE: FIRST ANNUAL: CellarTracker weekend, Seattle, WA 9/... - 9/4/2008 6:42:49 PM

tarheel17

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Joined: 6/5/2008
Status: offline

For those of you looking to purchase wine in Seattle, M&C is a good starting place (it's also in Eric's neighborhood!). If you happen to be on the Eastside of Lake Washington, try Pete's in Bellevue for excellent prices and great selection. A smaller version with same great prices but 1/2 the selection (Pete's) can be found on Eastlake (that's a road) on the WEST side of the lake also, in Seattle proper, but disregard that if you will be confused geographically.
Champion Wines is the best bet for Burgundies and Bordeaux, in my experience.

If you find yourself in a large QFC or Wholefoods or PCC grocery store, check out the wine too - you can find hidden NW (and other) gems there.

On that note...our final selection of wine for friday (won't be able to make saturday, unfortunately) is:
2004 Clos de Betz
and
2005 Bergstrom Cumberland Reserve Pinot Noir

Looking forward to seeing everyone tomorrow!

Megan and Chris

(in reply to mjobtx)

Post #: 313

RE: FIRST ANNUAL: CellarTracker weekend, Seattle, WA 9/... - 9/5/2008 7:27:47 AM

Colonel Lawrence

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Joined: 4/24/2006
From: Arabia
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It's tomorrow, well it is here.
Have a great time all, maybe Bill and I will get to the next one!
Hint - East Coast is nearer us.
L.

(in reply to tarheel17)

Post #: 314

RE: FIRST ANNUAL: CellarTracker weekend, Seattle, WA 9/... - 9/6/2008 12:00:44 AM

Blue Shorts

Posts: 297
Joined: 2/5/2008
From: Santa Cruz, California
Status: offline

Kudos to Eric!!!!!!

The Friday soiree was superb. A great time was had by all.

Talk about fun.

Great wine, great food, great people. I can't wait until tomorrow. Oh wait, that's in seven minutes.

Beaucastle 99, Kosta Browne 2005, barolos, pinots, white burgandies, cabernets. Eric broke out some great cabernet that was so good that I can't remember the name.

Gourmet pizza, gourmet cheeses, cheesecake. Yummmmmmm!

_____________________________

The best wine is the one that you haven't yet tried.

(in reply to Colonel Lawrence)

Post #: 315

RE: FIRST ANNUAL: CellarTracker weekend, Seattle, WA 9/... - 9/6/2008 5:17:32 AM

J2K

Posts: 361
Joined: 5/5/2008
From: Pittsburgh, PA- U.S.A.
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Let's see some pictures.

(in reply to Blue Shorts)

Post #: 316

RE: FIRST ANNUAL: CellarTracker weekend, Seattle, WA 9/... - 9/6/2008 5:55:51 AM

Serge Birbrair

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From: Boca Raton, Florida
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Blue, you guys are rocking! Does anybody keep the formal TN's?

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(in reply to J2K)

Post #: 317

RE: FIRST ANNUAL: CellarTracker weekend, Seattle, WA 9/... - 9/6/2008 8:18:46 AM

rjonas

Posts: 147
Joined: 11/5/2006
From: Newcastle, WA
Status: offline

I actually don't think anyone took a single picture from the Friday night event!! Hopefully there will be pictures from Saturday.

There also were sheets around for tasting notes but everyone was having such a good time just getting to know each other, I'm not sure any formal notes were taken...

Eric did open up '93, '95 and '00 Quilceda Creek Cabs... All were great.. Someone said the '00 was corked but I didn't agree..

I'm hoping someone was cataloging what came in.. There were about 40 bottles of wine on the dining room table. A terrific mix of old/new world, pinots, cabs, bordeaux blends, barolos and barberas.. Awesome!

Great food, great host, great guests! Definitely an event to keep on the annual list!! Where's it going to be next year? Boston, anyone??

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I'm not as think as you drunk I am!

(in reply to Serge Birbrair)

Post #: 318

RE: FIRST ANNUAL: CellarTracker weekend, Seattle, WA 9/... - 9/6/2008 8:26:03 AM

rstark

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Joined: 2/4/2006
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Great Fun! It was wonderful meeting everyone, and hanging at Eric's killer place. Big kudos to Craig for spearheading this. Those Cabs were Quilceda Creeks ... Eric has that display of cascading magnums in his cellar. Thanks to whoever brought that '02 Clos de Bez. The '88 Domaine Drouhin still showed well, and it was interesting trying such an array of Pinots. Looking forward to "upping it a notch" with the wines tonite!

(in reply to Serge Birbrair)

Post #: 319

RE: FIRST ANNUAL: CellarTracker weekend, Seattle, WA 9/... - 9/6/2008 8:30:18 AM

Blue Shorts

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From: Santa Cruz, California
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quote:

ORIGINAL: J2K

Let's see some pictures.

I knew we forgot something.

I didn't see anyone with a camera. Descriptive verse will have to do.

I arrived with my nephew around 7:15pm and there were already a few people there. We were greeted by Eric and Craig. An open bottle of Beucastel, 1990 I believe, sat on the kitchen counter. Crackers, olives, cheeses, etc were displayed on the kitchen counter. About 20 boxes of gourmet pizza were stacked on top of the oven.

Most of us started with white burgundies and chardonnay. The party spread into the dining room.

There were about 30 (or more) bottles of wine on the dining room table, and the party started spreading into that room.

The view from from the balcony was absolutely stunning. It was a 180 degree view of Puget Sound and the hills surrounding it. Some sipped (some gulped

) wine while watching the sunset.

Talk about an eclectic group of people. There was never a lack of stimulating conversation.

I'd provide more detail, but I killed too many brain cells last night.

< Message edited by Blue Shorts -- 9/6/2008 9:30:04 AM >

_____________________________

The best wine is the one that you haven't yet tried.

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Post #: 320

RE: FIRST ANNUAL: CellarTracker weekend, Seattle, WA 9/... - 9/6/2008 9:16:09 AM

Serge Birbrair

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From: Boca Raton, Florida
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Blue, thank you for the descriptions, well done, I almost feel like I was there.

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RE: FIRST ANNUAL: CellarTracker weekend, Seattle, WA 9/... - 9/6/2008 9:18:05 AM

RoundersRob

Posts: 634
Joined: 7/1/2006
From: Santa Cruz, CA
Status: offline

I'll bring along the camera tonight and get some pictures.

Thanks Eric for opening up your house to all of us. I managed to get the last of the dirt out of the 90 Beaucastel and it was good dirt. :) Lots of very different wines were enjoyed and Eric's cellar with definitely give you some "cellar envy". It's really quite fantastic.

(in reply to Blue Shorts)

Post #: 322

RE: FIRST ANNUAL: CellarTracker weekend, Seattle, WA 9/... - 9/6/2008 9:20:37 AM

rdear

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Joined: 9/6/2008
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So, here I am with my Very First Post. Meeting you all last night was so much fun. And I learned a lot as well. I'm sorry I didn't stick around for the Quilceda Creeks; I need to work on my stamina. Tonight should be even more fun now that we know one another a little better. I appreciated the informality of the gathering and Eric's remarkable generosity.

_____________________________

Redbird

(in reply to Blue Shorts)

Post #: 323

RE: FIRST ANNUAL: CellarTracker weekend, Seattle, WA 9/... - 9/6/2008 9:28:51 AM

Blue Shorts

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From: Santa Cruz, California
Status: offline

Thanks. You should have been there. You would have had a great time.

_____________________________

The best wine is the one that you haven't yet tried.

(in reply to Serge Birbrair)

Post #: 324

RE: FIRST ANNUAL: CellarTracker weekend, Seattle, WA 9/... - 9/6/2008 9:44:32 AM

fingers

Posts: 682
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From: Santa Ana, CA
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Ditto to all the superlatives mentioned! The generosity and hospitality of Eric in opening up Chateau LeVine only reflected the good nature of the LeVine family and the group of CT'ers present. Craig, the Barbera was awesome! The QC fabulous! But the one I'm remembering the most is the '75 Sauternes with beautfully mature color and incredible complexity and nuance - Wow! Heavy on Pinot Noir last night, tonight should be a more eclectic and varied mix and I'm really looking forward to it.

I did have camera in tow, but to respect Eric's privacy I didn't take any pics last night. Tonight will be another story and we will be sure to document with lots of jpeg's. Maybe a big group pic, too.

Again, thanks to everyone for a great time and let's do it again soon..... like in 7 hours!

bob & bridget

(in reply to Blue Shorts)

Post #: 325

RE: FIRST ANNUAL: CellarTracker weekend, Seattle, WA 9/... - 9/6/2008 10:06:57 AM

Serge Birbrair

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From: Boca Raton, Florida
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yeah!!! Picture to put the faces with the board names will be greatly appreciated!

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Having a good day? I can spoil it! -

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Post #: 326

RE: FIRST ANNUAL: CellarTracker weekend, Seattle, WA 9/... - 9/6/2008 10:15:37 AM

tarheel17

Posts: 9
Joined: 6/5/2008
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It really was a great party - Thanks to Eric and everyone there!
I would love a list of the wines (sadly, I have no notes) and I really enjoyed some of the Cali pinots, though I can't for the life of me remember which ones I was drinking. Jeff Fisher brought the 1975 Ch. Rieussac sauterne - what a treat! And he never posts, so I'll relay the thank yous to him off line.

The Clos de Betz was an 04, and you're very welcome.

Have fun tonight, everyone! I'd love to see that list of wines as well, if only to drool with envy...

Megan (& Chris)

(in reply to Serge Birbrair)

Post #: 327

RE: FIRST ANNUAL: CellarTracker weekend, Seattle, WA 9/... - 9/6/2008 4:24:17 PM

rstark

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Actually I was talking about the '02 Vincent Girardin Clos de Bez that got opened later in the evening, but there was a Clos de Betz, too. To keep the theme going, maybe tonite we could pair a Screaming Eagle with a Whispering Dove? I was trying to come up with a pun about the "cascading" bottles of Quilceda Creek, considering where they are from, but screw it, I'm still recuperating, and getting ready for tonite. First piece of biz will be to have everyone write down what they brought last night so we can have a comprehensive list. If I remember right, we're supposed to bring notecards with details tonight, which will keep anyone from having to be responsible for that. See you in a couple of hours for round deux!

p.s. I agree that the '00 QC was corked ... if you check out the CT tasting notes, no statements about VA, big-time funkiness, or lack of fruit. And that wine had a lot of funk and very little fruit.

(in reply to tarheel17)

Post #: 328

RE: FIRST ANNUAL: CellarTracker weekend, Seattle, WA 9/... - 9/6/2008 4:52:31 PM

pbm

Posts: 267
Joined: 3/5/2008
From: New Hope, Pennsylvania
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If I could find a bottle called Raging Jealousy I'd be drinking it right now. Hope everyone enjoys themselves even more tonight. Cheers!

_____________________________

PBM
"Never Sell Principle Short"
Dave O'Neal

(in reply to rstark)

Post #: 329

RE: FIRST ANNUAL: CellarTracker weekend, Seattle, WA 9/... - 9/6/2008 11:43:56 PM

RoundersRob

Posts: 634
Joined: 7/1/2006
From: Santa Cruz, CA
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quote:

ORIGINAL: pbm

If I could find a bottle called Raging Jealousy I'd be drinking it right now. Hope everyone enjoys themselves even more tonight. Cheers!

We enjoyed ourselves immensely. A great gathering of CellarTracker geeks with great wine and great food and great conversation. Lots of pics were taken which should be posted soon. We are already looking forward to the second annual CT gathering.

(in reply to pbm)

Post #: 330