Sydney Offline - BYO Rockford's Dinner 20th Aug - ROCKET

[markg]

Date & Time: Saturday, August 20th - 7:30pm

Location: Rocket, Chatswood

Numbers: So far 20+ people have their name down..

A casual evening of wine and Sydney food.
Bring along your own bottle of Rockford's from the list below (any vintage still drinkable) for an evening of light banter, excellent food and wine networking.
We will split the cost of the meal between all attendees.

Acceptable bottles of Rockford;
Rockford Sparkling Black Shiraz
Rockford Basket Press Shiraz
Rockford SVS Shiraz
Rockford Rifle Range Cabernet
Rockford Vintage Port


There is a facebook event created if you have a Facebook account, simply invite yourself along Or post a note to this thread.

[bacchaebabe]

Mark, just a few comments on the location, even though I still can't come

I think you'll find Bennelong isn't BYO and is QUITE expensive.
If by Darley St Bistro, you mean the Botany View hotel, that's also not BYO. Great food though but it's in a pub.

From that list I'd be most inclined to go Fix St James or Balzac (but I'd book both soon). Maclay St Bistro used to be quite good but it's pretty small. Can't really comment on the rest.

[markg]

Hey Thanks Kris,

I am currently inclined towards booking Rocket at Chatswood.. heard good things about it. Have you been there yourself ?

-Mark

[TiggerK]

Hi Mark, I'm a big fan of Rocket, and go there regularly. Best BYO place near a train line north of the bridge IMHO (although Ad Lib mid week allows BYO). 1 min walk from train stn for those not driving and they also have free parking underneath (ring as you arrive and they'll open the doors). Lovely ambience and you'd likely get the walled off section at the end for a big group, so a nice private feel.

Food is good, small menu and moderate portions but consistently good quality and good service. Wine handling is OK, best to take the lead here though. Glassware is also good, not sure how much they have on hand for a big wine event, but you'll no doubt check that!

I'm quite keen to come Mark, but can't confirm until later this week.

[Hacker]

Although I can't make it, another big tick for Rocket. Great food, good location, and the room up the end would suit this type of crowd (pretentious, noisy )


I wish I could come *sigh*

[RedVelvet]

Unfortunately i have another tasting on this night

[orpheus]

I would love to come, but that would depend upon venue.

My vote would be for Fix St James. THey are reasonably priced, central, and have been the venue for a number of very successful tastings of this kind already.

[bacchaebabe]

Hi Mark,

I haven't been to Rocket but looks like you've got a couple of good recommendations.

[markg]

Rocket is looking good chaps. They can accomodate us and are being very helpful and accomodtiong.. Its all looking good for now.. just have to figure who to send my Rockfords to rather than bring it on the plane.. hmmm.. who should I trust...

[markg]

Rocket is looking good chaps. They can accomodate us and are being very helpful and accomodtiong.. Its all looking good for now.. just have to figure who to send my Rockfords to rather than bring it on the plane.. hmmm.. who should I trust...

Thanks to Andrew at Wine Ark for offering to help with the Logistics of this - much appreciated !!

[dlo]

Rocket is looking good chaps. They can accomodate us and are being very helpful and accomodtiong.. Its all looking good for now.. just have to figure who to send my Rockfords to rather than bring it on the plane.. hmmm.. who should I trust...

Not me.

[markg]

Rocket Resteraunt in Chatswood Booked.

Iam thinking I may bring a 1999 Basket Press.. one of my favourites lately (other than the 1996)..

[TiggerK]

Hi Mark,

so best way to confirm is via this thread, the other one or FBook?? 95% at this stage....

If the numbers are high as you previously mentioned, and Mrs TiggerK confirms, I'll have to go with 2 bottles of the same wine, so as to all get a taste. Mind you, someone else probably has the same bottle planned.... Basket Press 2004.

Cheers
Tim

[markg]

Hi Mark,

so best way to confirm is via this thread, the other one or FBook?? 95% at this stage....

If the numbers are high as you previously mentioned, and Mrs TiggerK confirms, I'll have to go with 2 bottles of the same wine, so as to all get a taste. Mind you, someone else probably has the same bottle planned.... Basket Press 2004.

Cheers
Tim

Hey Tigger,
Consider yourself confirmed (subject to the other 5% you indicated). Just let me know when you can if Mrs Tigger can come.

[markg]

Firming up the booking on Monday.

If you are coming, would you please email me at your earliest opportunity with the number of persons you are booking please so I can firm up numbers as we have a maximum of 30 diners we can accomodate on the 20th.. thanks chaps.

[rens]

Any reports/impressions of the night, or are we still a little under the weather?

[markg]

Any reports/impressions of the night, or are we still a little under the weather?

I had to pull the plug.

Initially 30+ people put their names down but in the week leading up to the dinner only a handful confirmed.

Lots of other (better I presume ) wine dinners and illnesses going around... or I should check my armpits more often.

[orpheus]

Very disappointing, Mark, sorry to hear that it didn't work out. I thought it was a great idea.

[rens]

That's no good. I was looking forward to hearing about it. Perhaps another time.

[markg]

Very disappointing, Mark, sorry to hear that it didn't work out. I thought it was a great idea.

Thanks.. Just bad timing on my part I would say.. another time definately.

[dave vino]

I'll be honest, I pulled out due to perceived numbers (and I know of one other who felt the same way) and I'm a rabid Rockford supporter. I figured if there were 30 people the pours would be fairly small unless there were double ups. Anything over 15 people starts getting hard to manage with people bringing single bottles (you end up with 3 x 2004, 1 x 1997, 5 x 2008). Maybe put a 12-15 cap upfront on it next time and get an idea of what is coming. Yes I'm soft and need to HTFU.

We could organise a Grapemate tasting around your visit (Iconic Aussie Reds - Rockford, Wendouree, Clonakilla, Henschke etc, etc)

[TiggerK]

Also sorry I couldn't make it Mark, great venue, but as legendary Dave so honestly said, the initial numbers were a bit offputting, also for me the only 3 Rockfords I had were still far too young, and wasn't feeling flushed enough with cash to have a nice meal and then replace the 2 x BP, so reluctantly chose to opt out.

We could organise a Grapemate tasting around your visit (Iconic Aussie Reds - Rockford, Wendouree, Clonakilla, Henschke etc, etc)

Mmmmm, iconic aussie reds Grape Mates event....

Cheers
Tim

[sjw_11]

Hi I wasn't around Sydney last weekend, but would be very keen to come along to any future Sydney based events... but having added myself to the potential numbers, I also agree there should probably be a cap on the number who can go!

[cuttlefish]

I'll be honest, I pulled out due to perceived numbers (and I know of one other who felt the same way) and I'm a rabid Rockford supporter. I figured if there were 30 people the pours would be fairly small unless there were double ups. Anything over 15 people starts getting hard to manage with people bringing single bottles (you end up with 3 x 2004, 1 x 1997, 5 x 2008). Maybe put a 12-15 cap upfront on it next time and get an idea of what is coming. Yes I'm soft and need to HTFU.

We could organise a Grapemate tasting around your visit (Iconic Aussie Reds - Rockford, Wendouree, Clonakilla, Henschke etc, etc)

Absolutely valid points, Dave. 30 people is too many. 20 is pushing it, in many peoples opinion, especially if anyone wants a decent sized serve to assess/enjoy. 20 people means approx. 30mL serve for each person from a 750mL bottle.

I sometimes long for a great old magnums tasting with 12 people or so. 6 or so magnums tops, and plenty of wine for everyone to sit and enjoy at their own pace.....hmmmmm.....only trouble is my oldest red magnums are mid-90's, so I probably need to wait a few more years to be drinking them at their (supposed) peak, or within their (supposed) drinking windows.

Organisers need to be "brutal". First in best dressed. Numbers capped at "x". That's a perfectly fair way to run one.

[thomashouseman]

Any chance of this actually happening any time soonish?

I'm only new to the forum and have only been collecting wines for the past several years as $$$ permits but I have been a huge fan of Rockford since I went to one of their "Lunches" that they hold. A truly great experience.

I'm sure I have a 199* bottle or two I could bring along.

I would like to meet other wine knowledgable people as most of my friends look to my wife and I and to be frank, I know what I like, but really it's each to their own preference and I have no idea of the right lingo etc...

Although we do manage to talk ourselves into tasting old vintages at cellar doors quite a bit and always learn lots there. It pays to turn up on a non-weekend when the owner/winemaker is around.

-Thomas.

[markg]

Duh.. I must have had my head stuck in a cupboard or something.. I missed Daves and subsequent comments, look what happens when you stick you head into your work for a week or so.

30 was an issue but I knew from experience that a good number usually pull out from other commitments etc.

However, you are correct and a limit should be imposed during the organisation phase.

I would love to try and organise another, but timing it between kids & work limits my available weekends

- Speak of the devil.. got to go and clean some ear wax out from number 2 son.