Auswine 2nd March Offline - Chardonnay & Pinot Noir Theme

[TiggerK]

OK, I'm pleased I was inclusive and offered a spot to the reserves, but since most of them can't make it, looks like we've all kicked a goal.

So winetastic and tamara are welcome! I'll let the restaurant know once I hear from winetastic.

See you all there at 6.30 with your wine, ideally $85 cash and 3 glasses. If someone can manage a decanter, would be good.

[camw]

Is the glassware okay at the restaurant? Was running late this morning so had to take off without them. The pictures look decent on the website so hopefully I'm okay!

[Hacker]

This both frustrating and embarrassing for me, but I have developed the classic aura precursor to a migraine AGAIN this morning. This is the first one since last month, can't believe I get so many on offline days. So sorry guys but I would just be a grumpy and non communicative bloke at the end of the table.
Yeah, I know, that is how I normally am!

[winetastic]

Sorry Tamara and I cant make this one on the short notice

A real shame because it would be cool to meet Cam in particular after all of these years!

Next time gadget.

[dave vino]

Is the glassware okay at the restaurant? Was running late this morning so had to take off without them. The pictures look decent on the website so hopefully I'm okay!

I have 6 Universals so you can borrow 3.

[dave vino]

This both frustrating and embarrassing for me, but I have developed the classic aura precursor to a migraine AGAIN this morning. This is the first one since last month, can't believe I get so many on offline days. So sorry guys but I would just be a grumpy and non communicative bloke at the end of the table.
Yeah, I know, that is how I normally am!

I dub thee Hacker with this new moniker - Rhythm Method, cos he is always pulling out.

[dave vino]

Oh and I have (don't have to drink all of them obviously)

2008 Toolangi Reserve Chardy
2012 Frédéric Lambert Côtes du Jura Les Gryphees
2013 Ashton Hills Reserve Pinot Noir

[TiggerK]

Oh no, sorry David, terrible luck mate. Hopefully next time is the charm!

So we're at 10 now, Mark is loving it. I've invited a couple more people, but short notice and I've not heard back yet. It's good either way, lets leave it at that.

See you all tonight!!

P.S Dave, yes, yes we do. Cam will be there, open it.

P.P.S What Zalto to bring! Arrgghh. Only got 2 Bordeauxs, so it's spaceships or universals..... Hmmm hard to resist the spaceships for this theme.

[camw]

Thanks Dave, appreciate it.

[andrewpc]

Dave,

Along with my chard I've got a 2010 Ashton Hills reserve pinot. Vertical with the duck perhaps!

Andrew

[rooman]

So we're at 10 now, Mark is loving it. I've invited a couple more people, but short notice and I've not heard back yet. It's good either way, lets leave it at that.

e.

Relax, I also invited my social rugby team, so with a little luck we should crack 30 for the evening. Ok their idea of a big night out is an assortment of hidden labels and clean skins but I told them at 25ml pours no one would notice the difference.

Cheers mark

[Bobthebuilder]

decision made
2007 By Farr Chardonnay
2010 Hoddles 1er Pinot

[TiggerK]

Relax, I also invited my social rugby team, so with a little luck we should crack 30 for the evening. Ok their idea of a big night out is an assortment of hidden labels and clean skins but I told them at 25ml pours no one would notice the difference.

Cheers mark

As long as they're not 2007 hidden labels or cleanskins.

[Hunter]

Sounds like a great night you all have lined up.. Ashton hills vertical with DUCK!! Yes please..
Enjoy guys, and awaiting the write up..

[rooman]

Relax, I also invited my social rugby team, so with a little luck we should crack 30 for the evening. Ok their idea of a big night out is an assortment of hidden labels and clean skins but I told them at 25ml pours no one would notice the difference.

Cheers mark

As long as they're not 2007 hidden labels or cleanskins.

Thanks, I am just a little sensitive about the 2007s in the cellar. I had a 2007 Benoit Ente Puligny-Montrachet after the last tasting and it was completely poked.

Mark

[dave vino]

Good night!! Some cracking wines and some really interesting ones.

I had to lean towards the 05 LEAS as my favourite, followed by the 08 Toolangi.

Of the reds I'd love the textural feel of the 2010 Ashton Hills with the palate of the 2013.

And that 05 Rieussec was amazing.

Was a pretty baller event, we hired a guy to stand in the corner to cut down the glare of the lights.



Food was good and they really looked after us. Thanks Timbo for organising!! Had a nightmare getting home in the rain with all the roadworks, badly signed roads, no road markings.

[Hunter]

Looks like some fun wines there. I didnt see the guy standing in the corner, only after going back to it after your comment. Very professional .. How was the yattarna, Still holding up ?

[TiggerK]

Cheers for the pics Dave (even the dodgy one where I've got a mouth full of food!). Great night indeed, really good vibe to it all I thought, everyone was in fine form, as was the restaurant.

Mostly all great and/or fun wines, but highlights for me were the Cullen Kevin John 14, Villa Maria Ihumatao 13, LEAS 05, Vat 47 2002 and special shoutouts to Cam for the awesome evil options on two Chardonnay Musqué wines (Chardonnay clone) and Mark for that delicious Sauternes.

Oh, and Dans light blocking ability is second to none, superb work.

Cheers!
Tim

P.S Yattarna 98 was a little tired, but still fine to drink.

[camw]

Thanks all, was a fun night. Good to meet some new people and catch up with everyone.

[rooman]

Thanks for a great evening all. The interesting new wines for me were probably the Ashton Hills which I really enjoyed and the 2002 Vat 47 neither of which I'd really tried in the past

I also thought last night proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that 10 is the perfect number for a dinner. It allowed everyone to talk together.

[Croquet King]

Another great offline. Thanks to everyone for all the wine.

WOTN for me was the Cullen - rich, classy and just a cut above the rest. =2nd was the Toolangi and Villa Maria
Lots of good wines really.

Most interesting wine was the Canadian Chardonnay - I had no idea about your relationship with Canada Cam, it was just a lucky guess or excellent palate.

The entire pinot flight went so well with the duck.

[TiggerK]

I also thought last night proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that 10 is the perfect number for a dinner. It allowed everyone to talk together.

Had to get that in eh Mark? OK I'll bite

No doubt you would have had a terrible night if we'd ended up with 12 or 13. Oh, and FWIW those on the ends still couldn't 'talk together' at a table of 10. No such thing as the perfect number, just your perfect number.

I like what btb said on the other thread about offline numbers, and this sums up my final position on the matter. Like you, I do prefer 8-10 but for me, inclusion and fewer missing out is a more preferable tradeoff against a slightly bigger pour.

10 is ideal but I'd rather see some reserves make it in and it hits 12 than have 2 miss out, because reality is the reserves are most often keen as.

Cheers!!
Tim

P.S Looking at that duck is making me crave more duck and pinot!

[dave vino]

Another thing to be mindful of is the restaurant space, 10 was probably the maximum for the 'VIP' area there with a bit of privacy otherwise we'd be competing with the 16-seater group in the main restaurant.

Rocket is similar once you go over a certain number in the PDR you have to split it up.

[TiggerK]

Yeah, not saying it didn't work out well on the night, that space was great with 10, just that I prefer to be inclusive where possible. Rocket can do 12 from memory in that main private room area.

P.S Dog Point Chardonnay lined up for later this arvo with the cricket and dinner. Chardonnay rocks.

[Polymer]

inclusion and fewer missing out is a more preferable tradeoff against a slightly bigger pour.

Rarely does this even matter though..if you look at a majority of the wines they almost always have some leftover for those that want a 2nd pour...and most people, at that point, if they even want anything else, only take an additional 15-20mls...

I think if everyone just brought one wine there would be more of an appetite for more of a pour..but when we're topping 2+ bottles per person there is hardly anyone that says we don't have enough wine.

It would be good for people to express their opinions if they feel the pour sizes are getting too small though....but I don't know if I've heard that yet...and if that was the case I'd expect that every bottle would be empty at the end of the night...but that rarely ever happens. I think only at the more premium bottle ones does that happen and I think we've all said those generally should have fewer people.

Really it comes down to who is organizing it..they can make the call on what they think is the right number.