March Sydney Offline

[TiggerK]

Sounds good Alex, 6.30pm or so?

[mjs]

Yep, sounds good. Haven't been to The Devonshire yet, info on website looks promising.

Probably bring a 3-5yo Adelaide Hills pinot and a much older Coonawarra Shiraz Cabernet

Malcolm

[catchnrelease]

Ha! The Devonshire got back to me and unfortunately one of their staff double booked (or at least forgot to mention when I was talking to them) our table and a private function. The function has not confirmed, however, and has two days left to confirm. To their credit they were very apologetic. If the function does confirm the date then I'll book with Rocket.

[catchnrelease]

And yes regardless of location it will be at 6:30

[Polymer]

Alex,

Just checked Rocket's website.

85 dollars per person includes BYO. 3 Courses (includes other stuff as well). No minimum spend. Private dining room is an option (even if they don't have that available, they have large tables in the main room). That's for 10 people...you can probably do it if there were 8 or whatever as well...

[Hacker]

Don't dismiss Cafe Lyon. Opposite Lindfield Station and some of the best food I have had! We have had quite a few offlines there with no problems.

[catchnrelease]

The Devonshire has responded that the function has rebooked for a later date, so all good the for the 17th. All's well that ends well.

I'm sure Rocket and Cafe Lyon will be visited in the future.

[pc79]

In!
2010 Hoddles 1er Pinot
+something else

[9redpens]

First right of refusal if there happens to be another dude with pneumonia

[Krusty]

Looking forward to this gents.

As we appear to have a '13 and a '10 HC 1er, I will bring a '12 to make a mini vertical. Will also bring a Sauternes to finish.

[Bobthebuilder]

Hmmm
Just a short walk for me to the Devonshire
Any room for another?

[catchnrelease]

There may be late drop outs so if spots open up then you and 9redpens can definitely fill the gaps. But previous offline experiences have led to pretty much unanimous agreement that 10 is a good number to cap it at, I think there's a thread about it somewhere? Sorry that it has to be like that mate.

[Polymer]

Alex - The number to cap at is up to you as the organizer but there definitely isn't a consensus you need to cap at 10. I think the last one we were going to allow for more than 10 but it just so happened we lost people near the end and it ended up being less...

Basically, with 11 or 12 everyone needs to make sure their pours are under control...but we've done some with even 14 and there was wine left over...

My personal opinion is more is better unless we're dealing with some mega serious wines where everyone wants a bigger than normal pour...and plus it is good to meet new people...

Also...Is it a coincidence Krusty and his doppleganger pc79 are both bringing Hoddles 1er Pinots? I think not..

[dave vino]

Also bear in mind that the Devonshire isn't the biggest bit of space around. We've had dinners of 10 but am not sure if that was pretty close to the limit so check with them first otherwise they might split the table. (am happy with up to 12 fwiw) just means we have to get through the wines fairly sharpish otherwise it will be a late night.

[maybs]

Also...Is it a coincidence Krusty and his doppleganger pc79 are both bringing Hoddles 1er Pinots? I think not..

gold. Every online forum needs a few conspiracy theories right?

[Krusty]

I am looking forward to meeting PC79, he is obviously an extremely handsome and charming individual

[catchnrelease]

10 people allows ~60-70ml pours with a bit left at the end for people that want to come back to the wine for a re tasting, especially for wines that may be closed towards the beginning. Also important for older wines where the last 50ml or so may be filled with sediment, no one wants that.

At the risk of being unpopular, I think it's best to cap it at 10. It's not that I want to say no to people, but as organiser for this specific offline I do believe that's the optimal number to cap out tastings, especially where the majority (or entirety) of the wines are single 750ml bottles. Sorry!

[Polymer]

Alex - You're the organizer so you can decide whatever you want. The comments about being able to do more is just what I think some of us have experienced. But based on the thread we had about pour sizes, some people are used to or would like larger pours.....There isn't a right or wrong way...

[pc79]

Hey All, my brain has been somewhat turned to mush after watching the dribblings of Nicholas cage and meg Ryan in City of angels. I will however agree that a group larger than 10 makes it relatively difficult to keep things under control in relation to pour sizes, and general banter.
What I do know however is that there will be at least two incredibly handsome, funny and intelligent individuals at the next tasting, hey Krusty.

[Bobthebuilder]

10 people allows ~60-70ml pours with a bit left at the end for people that want to come back to the wine for a re tasting, especially for wines that may be closed towards the beginning. Also important for older wines where the last 50ml or so may be filled with sediment, no one wants that.

At the risk of being unpopular, I think it's best to cap it at 10. It's not that I want to say no to people, but as organiser for this specific offline I do believe that's the optimal number to cap out tastings, especially where the majority (or entirety) of the wines are single 750ml bottles. Sorry!

that's no problem at all, totally understand!

[Polymer]

Just a bump for people to confirm they're coming.

[mjs]

Yes, still on track. One of my bottles is here now, will bring the other from Melb next Mon

[Hacker]

Still in! How about a starter? I have a Bereche Champagne, one of their obscure single vineyard 'Instant Le Cran' if I can find it. Or a 'Reflet d' Antan'.

[pc79]

Still in - looking fwd to it.

[catchnrelease]

Good stuff guys. Some additional info: a la carte (3 courses) costs $78 and full degustation costs $90. Menus can be found on their website. There's will be a 10% service fee (a.k.a. mandatory tip lol) on the bill so maximum cost will be either $90 or $100 per person. I have also put a $100 deposit which will be deducted from our bill.

Given the modest price difference between the two menus and seeing how the dinner will be red focused I was thinking of trying to organise a red focused degustation menu for all of us, hopefully they will swap one of the fish dishes for something more red friendly at no extra cost.

[Polymer]

catchnrelease - confirmed
krusty - confirmed
9redpens
hacker - Confirmed
tiggerk -confirmed
pc79 - confirmed
polymer - Confirmed
ufo
mjs - confirmed
dave vino - confirmed

reserves:
bobthebuilder

[TiggerK]

Yep, I'm confirmed too...

[ufo]

Yes I am in, will bring 2003 Kalleske Shiraz and a mystery one.

[mjs]

My meeting schedule on Tuesday is getting a bit ugly, will probably struggle with the 6:30 start (might have to miss the fizz )

[mjs]

I am happy with the degustation option, even more so if it is slanted towards red. Worked well at Rubyos.