Sydney Offline 21st November at Rocket

[Hacker]

I was chatting with Paul (deadnick) last night and we thought we could sneak one more Sydney offline before Christmas overwhelms us all. So, what about late November sometime, and to keep with the 'brands' theme, how about 1990's Penfolds, or at least with 10+ years bottle age? Thoughts? Open to other themes...

[TiggerK]

Yep, sounds like fun. While a night of (mostly) 90's Penfolds could be a touch monolithic, there are treasures to be had, and if we can get some variety and different labels, it could be a really nice selection. Happy to go with the flow. Maybe a Cracking Champagne and/or Chardonnay bracket to start us off too.... .

Not got many, having sold off most of my Pennies, but put me down for a St Henri 1998 to start with.

Could I humbly suggest Thursday 28th or Friday 29th Nov?

[burges]

Pennies night on the 28th or 29th sounds great. I’ll get a 1998 Bin 389.

[Polymer]

I'm in...I just have to find something . Should be a St. Henri 93.

Can it be on Thursday the 28th?

[Polymer]

Just a friendly bump.

I won't be able to make it that week. If you guys want it the week before that'd be great . If not have fun all!

[AndrewCowley]

I haven't been to one of this before but am keen. Can you give an idea of cost?

[Polymer]

Depends on where they have it but the range has been anywhere from 80-150...I think it has been averaging 100-120....The more wine the more food although not always..

Basically, I've seen us do 1 entree, 1 main up to 2 entree 1 main, 1 dessert.

[Hacker]

I can do the 21st or 22nd if that suits everyone else?

We don't have a massive response as yet, anyone else like to join us, or is it just a busy time of the year?

The two Pennies from the 90's that I own have been claimed by others so I will bring some bubblies to kick off proceedings.

[TiggerK]

21st would be ideal for me. 22nd possible, but with a RareWineDinner on Saturday night, I'll appreciate the night off in between!

[dave vino]

Don't really have anything decent/old enough to contribute, so will sit this one out. Plus I might go to Shannon's dinner on the Saturday.

[Polymer]

I'm going to the thing on Saturday but 21st or 22nd works for me! .

Burges?
Andrew?

[burges]

I can do the 21st, but unfortunately cannot make it on the 22nd.

[Hacker]

Don't really have anything decent/old enough to contribute, so will sit this one out. Plus I might go to Shannon's dinner on the Saturday.

Dave, love to have you along, would it help if we just made it "bring anything you want to share"?

Would like to get a few others from the Sydney wine loving community along as well Come on guys, sign up!

BTW where are we going?

[VINH NGUYEN]

I can make it for the 21st! Be glad to open "anything you want to share" as i've been on a buying spree lately and would like the chance to try some bottles out

[Hacker]

OK, seems like Thursday 21st is a popular date. Do we want to go back to Rocket (tried and true) or somewhere else? Really don't mind. Thoughts...

Lets get this happening!

[Roscoe]

Put me down. Rocket would suit. Just thinking out loud, a 96 or 98 389. A 91 407 is there but I can hear some tut tutting. Will go for a dig.

[LawrenceM]

Keen. Will confirm availability tomorrow.

[Hacker]

Seems like we have so far:
Hacker Champers and Chardie to start
Polymer St Henri 1993
Tiggerk St Henri 1998
burges Bin 389 1998
Vinh 2011 Cherubino
Roscoe
Lawrence tbc

Theme is loosely 1990's Penfolds or 'anything you want to share' for those who may not have a Penfolds that old. I will book Rocket for Thursday 21st November from 6.30pm back room. Costing from previous offlines comes out to about $110 from memory.

Still some spots available guys!

[TiggerK]

Awesome sounds great, cheers David.

Happy to have a few people bringing non theme wines, variety is the spice of life....

[VINH NGUYEN]

Put me down for a 2011 Cherubino Margaret River Cabernet
Looking forward to dining with you guys again

[TiggerK]

Broke the news to Mrs TiggerK and was reminded of another event that night that wasn't added to my calendar..

Trying to change that date but I might be 50/50 at this stage. Will know by Monday....

[Hacker]

I will book Rocket for Thursday 21st November from 6.30pm back room.

Back room already taken, but no worry. Some other rowdy crew! They will still look after us in the main section.

[Michael R]

Have a great night David et al, I'll be overseas, but looking forward to some more great nights in 2014.

[Roscoe]

Many apologies, but I have to pull out because of a work meeting from which I can't absent myself. Bugger! Have a great night.

[TiggerK]

Oh no, not another withdrawal! Sorry I can;t make this one, big apologies and hoping you all have a great night, I'm sure you will!!

[Hacker]

Body count as it stands
Hacker Champers and Chardie to start
Polymer St Henri 1993
burges Bin 389 1998
Vinh 2011 Cherubino

Come on Sydney forumites, surely we can do better than this! Anyone elso want to join us at Rocket? 6.30pm this Thursday.

[VINH NGUYEN]

Body count as it stands
Hacker Champers and Chardie to start
Polymer St Henri 1993
burges Bin 389 1998
Vinh 2011 Cherubino

Come on Sydney forumites, surely we can do better than this! Anyone elso want to join us at Rocket? 6.30pm this Thursday.

Scrap the Cherubino my friend, i'm bringing a 2010 Hewitson Shiraz/Mourvèdre Magnum

[Polymer]

Haha..well if Vinh is bringing a Magnum we definitely need a few more people!

[Hacker]

Last night four of us, Polymer, Burges, Vinh and myself met at Rocket in Chatswood to enjoy some justifiably famous Penfolds wines, and they didn't disappoint! Firstly though, to focus our palates we started with a bottle of 1996 Clos Cazals Champagne from Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. Rich, yeasty, creamy textured with small bubbles, quite mature, my kind of bubbly. Vinh had some of the Hewitson Private Cellar Shiraz Mourvedre en magnum breathing in our glasses, and whilst a nice young wine, it was shown up by the Penfolds 1993 St Henri which was just a classic mature long and rich revelation; sweet dark fruits and a long generous finish. And all this from a so called off vintage! Next came the Penfolds 1998 Bin 389, which was absolutely delicious with softened velvety tannins, great balance, concentration and length. Perfect acidity - just a beautiful wine and close to the best wine I have has this year. Both these wines have restored my faith in the Penfolds brand which, frankly, was lagging.

I'm fairly certain all those at the table would share in my praise for Penfolds over the night - the two wines were everything we hoped for and more. Rocket was, as per usual, superb.

[AaronL]

Penfolds 1993 St Henri which was just a classic mature long and rich revelation;

There's not too many Australian wines from 1993 that are still kicking goals. Good to hear that there are still good bottles out there.