Brisbane Offline - Dates and Themes

[Michael McNally]

Hi All

I have been hanging for an Offline.

First things first. When is the next time our "out of towners" (Gerry, Luke and Craig) are around? Luke are you down here soon? Does that coincide with home time for gpk?

Second is the theme. One still hanging around from previous offline discussions is "My Bargain" - wines under say $30 (or choose another price point) that overdeliver. I have been talking to Ian about a Grenache/Grenache dominant theme. Any other ideas?

Third, any suggestions for somewhere other than Brent's (even though it is exceptionally convenient for me)? Change is as good as a holiday and all that.

Cheers

Michael

[rens]

Always happy to have an off line.
I'm comfortable with both themes. I have a bit of Grenache, and a few bargains under $30 as well.
I guess the theme may dictate where we go/food styles we want to have.

[ticklenow1]

Michael,

Great suggestion.

I am looking forward to the next offline. I missed the last one due to work commitments. I am not really bothered by which theme we choose as majority rules. But a Grenache theme would be fantastic by me! Another idea that has been suggested in the past was a Penfolds Bin theme. As for the bargains under $30, everybody has them so it is an easy theme. I am not bothered by the venue as I am coming up from the coast anyway, so it doesn't matter where in Brisbane it is. As long as I am not working, I will be there.

Chers
Ian

[rens]

Hi Ian
A Penfolds Bin theme sounds interesting. Were you thinking of sticking to a single Bin (ie 389) and trying to get a verticle, or something a little more loose where you can bring any Penfolds wine as long as it has Bin on the label (ie Bin 128, Bin 95, 1962 Bin 60A , etc)?

[Luke W]

Hi guys

Am coming down on the 2nd September and could possibly make an offline that night (Friday) or the 4th (Sunday night). Like the thought of a Penfolds - possibly a premium night (an array of RWT's, St Henri's, Magills or 707's rather than grenache which I have very little of or cheaper Penfolds which I'm not sure that I'd drive a long way for). I have a couple of old 707's (I think 96/98 and 02) and RWT's (01's) - also have some 96 and 98 Bin 389's if you want to put them in that category. If you're feeling posh, maybe a grange night (I have a 95,96 and some 01's)........

If you want to try something a little less elaborate - what about a Wynn's night - I have an old 91 Black Label C/S that's dying to be drunk.

Or we could go for the Outstandings from Langtons as a follow up to our Exceptionals - got some old E&E's, Mt Edelstones, Bin 389's and Wendouree Cab Sav's.

In terms of restaurants, I'm happy to go with the flow - either the North Coast (on the way), Brissie or the Gold Coast (where we're headed).

If September is too far away for you, I'll try and link up at Xmas.

Cheers

Luke

[rens]

Hi again all
Any of Luke's suggestions I can do. I have an old (1986) Wynns that needs the cork pulled, as well as as some in the 1990's available.
Let me know your thoughts. September, or one now and one then works for me.

[Michael McNally]

Thanks for the input gents.

I still have a Wynns Centenary 1991 that needs to be drunk in good company so that might do for a September get together. I do like Rens' idea of one now and one then so how about a Grenache or under $30 theme for something in July and then a Wynns spectacular on 2 Sep?

Anyone else around/keen/with ideas? Feel free to jump in!

Cheers

Michael

[Waiters Friend]

G'day

It's possible I may have a reason to be in Brisbane later this year, so if September, I'd be delighted to join you (as would the delightful Sue), and I'd really like to revisit Brents. Themes are fine, and I'm happy to carry a six-pack on the plane that meets the theme.

Cheers

Allan

[ticklenow1]

Guys,

I would be OK for the second of September. I am neither here nor there for the theme. I do think that Luke's idea of the Outstanding's off the Langton's Classification is a sound idea. It would carry on from the December Exceptional's night. The Wynn's is also a great theme as well. The only Wynns I have are '02, 04, '06, '07, '08 Black Labels and a bottle of 2001 Harold Vineyard which is coming into it's drinking window.

I also agree with Rens and Michael that we should have another in July or maybe early August. Either theme is fine as I would probably bring along some Grenache's anyway. Due to work I would only be free on the 8/9th July. Not sure if that is enough time to get the ball rolling. Alternatively the 5/6th of August would be OK as well.

Cheers
Ian

[Rednick]

Thanks for posting this Michael, I've been thinking it's about time we had another one.

I'm good for the 2nd of September, I'll have just returned from 6 weeks holiday in the UK so perfect timing.

It's going to be tough getting somewhere other than Brent's or TSR to do BYO on a Friday, I'd be happy to go back to Brent's - they do have a new menu. One consideration may be to limit the group to 11 so that way we can go a la carte and get more of a choice (and also a better taste of each wine)

I'm easy on theme, I love Grenache and Grenache Blends - also happy with anything really (yes I'm a lush)

So at this stage I'm in +1

Cheers - Nick

[chillwrx]

Love to come - free at this stage but I am at the whim of others unfortunately. I will not committ until the last minute if there is still a spot avalable.

[redstuff]

Hi guys. I should be able to make it for the 2nd of Sept if that date gets locked in. I Havn't had dinner with the Brisbane Auswine mob for a few years.

Cheers

Brett

[rens]

Hi All
Happy to loosely lock in September 2nd for an offline.
Happy for Brents for July and September. As Nick suggests if we keep the numbers down we can get a larger selection of meals.
8 or 9 July is doable at this point. Happy to do Grenache as most of the people that would likely come to this one like their Grenache.
Thoughts?

[ticklenow1]

Rens,

I am up for a hastily organized night on Friday the 8th July if (Saturday night is actually out for me as I misread my roster ) we can get it done that quick. I'm not from Brisbane so I don't know any BYO restaurants, so I'll not be much help organizing. If we do Grenache I'll bring a 2004 Cirillo Old Vines.

Or if people are free on the 5th or 6th of August, that would give us more time to line things up.

Or we just wait till the 2nd of September.

Cheers
Ian

[redstuff]

Flights booked. So will definitely be up for a dinner on the 2nd of Sept.

Looking forward to it.

[gpk]

2nd Sep fits in perfectly for me. Cant make a july/aug event as I will be back at work. Outstanding theme sounds great also. For menu, how about we let Brents know the wine flight and let them matchthe food for us. Keeps it easy and simple

cheers Gerry

[Michael McNally]

Hi all

Looks like 2 September is a goer. Put it in your diaries now!

Theme seems to be either Wynnsfest or Langton's Outstanding Category. I am not sure if I have any in the latter that are ready for drinking, but I may just ask the permission of the attendees to bring the Wynns Centenary anyway; it's supposed to be "outstanding". Please indicate a preference for the theme if you have not already done so.

People seem to want to go to Brents again so I will book a table for 12 for 7.30 on 2 Sep. I think we need to cap numbers - is 12 good? I will book for 14 as there are already 10 without any +1s. If people pull out then we can try to bring the numbers down.

With respect to menus I will see what sort of notice is required and cost is involved in Brents matching food to our wine (cost is a factor for me anyway).

At the moment I think we have:
Me + 1
Rens + Kellee(?)
Ian
Luke
Allan + Sue
Nick + Michelle(?)
Craig + Nicole(?)
Brett
Gerry

Cheers

Michael

PS If someone wants to organise something low key (read low cost!) between now and Sep, then let me know! I didn't see many responses for tonight (and couldn't do that myself) so didn't pursue it.

[Michael McNally]

For reference here is the Outstanding Classification:

BALNAVES OF COONAWARRA The Tally Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
BAROSSA VALLEY ESTATE E & E Black Pepper Shiraz (promoted from Excellent)
BASS PHILLIP Premium Pinot Noir
BEST'S Thomson Family Great Western Shiraz (new)
BINDI Block 5 Pinot Noir
d'ARENBERG The Dead Arm Shiraz
DALWHINNIE The Eagle Shiraz
DE BORTOLI Noble One Botrytis Semillon
GRANT BURGE Meshach Shiraz (new)
GREENOCK CREEK Roennfeldt Road Cabernet Sauvignon
GREENOCK CREEK Roennfeldt Road Shiraz
GROSSET Springvale Riesling
HARDY'S Eileen Hardy Shiraz (promoted from Excellent)
HENSCHKE Mount Edelstone Shiraz
JASPER HILL Emily's Paddock Shiraz Cabernet Franc
JASPER HILL Georgia's Paddock Shiraz (promoted from Excellent)
JIM BARRY The Armagh Shiraz
KAESLER WINES Old Bastard Shiraz
KATNOOK ESTATE Odyssey Cabernet Sauvignon (new)
KAY BROTHERS AMERY VINEYARDS Block 6 Old Vine Shiraz (new)
MAJELLA The Malleea Cabernet Shiraz (new)
MCWILLIAM'S Mount Pleasant Lovedale Semillon
MOUNT MARY Pinot Noir
NOON Reserve Shiraz
PENFOLDS Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz
PENFOLDS St. Henri Shiraz
PIERRO Chardonnay
TAHBILK 1860 Vines Shiraz
TYRRELL'S Vat 1 Semillon
WENDOUREE Cabernet Sauvignon
WYNNS COONAWARRA ESTATE John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon
YALUMBA The Octavius Old Vine Shiraz (new)

[rens]

Kellee will be a definite for the 2nd September.
I'm now thinking the outstanding classification would be a good theme.
Put us down for a magnum of bin 389.

[gpk]

Will be myself + 1 with Nicole joining us. For wine I can bring along either a McWilliams Mount Pleasant Lovedale or Tyrrells Vat 1 to add a white and probably a Kaeseler Old Bastard for a red. cheers Gerry

[ticklenow1]

Guys,

I am a definite (at this stage but shouldn't change) and will have to see about my wife (Janine). We will have to try and organise a baby sitter.

I will bring a 2003 Pierro Chardonnay or a 2003 Dead Arm.

Cheers
Ian

[chillwrx]

Kays block 6 for me (supported by hillside and standard shiraz from same vintage for comparison)

[Luke W]

Put me for 2 - will see what I've got, maybe an E & E and a wendouree cab sav

[rens]

After some discussion with Luke overnight, I've changed my mind. I'm going to bring a 750ml Bin 389 and a bottle of the 2005 Grosset 'Springvale' Watervale Reisling (to add a bit more white).

[daz]

After some discussion with Luke overnight, I've changed my mind. I'm going to bring a 750ml Bin 389 and a bottle of the 2005 Grosset 'Springvale' Watervale Reisling (to add a bit more white).

I've not had a Watervale riesling for quite some years, other than Jim Barry and when I did have some early 2000s Grossets I preferred the Watervale, softer than the PHR of the same vintage. The first case of riesling I ever bought was a Yalumba, perhaps Orlando, from Watervale, gave me a soft spot for the variety from this region. I bought it about 1980/81 from a Brisbane mail order purveyor as a foil for a lady companion who was, probably still is, big on Wolf Blass wines. We also shared at least a couple of bottles of Blass riesling back then. Ah, memories.....

[tim1210]

hey all,
would love to attend if numbers permit?
could bring a 2001 jasper's georgia's paddock or 92/97 bin 389
let me know
tim

[Rednick]

Michelle is keen so I'm definitely +1, I've got a few on the list although most are still babes - probably go for an Odyssey and perhaps a St Henri or 389

[ozwine]

why don't i live in brisbane????????
i think i just drooled on my keyboard!!

[Luke W]

Mick/Rens/Nick

Anyone started to collect numbers and tentatively book Brents?

So far we seem to have:
Mick +1? Wynns Centenary 91 (I'm all for it and salivating)
Rens & Kellie 1986 389 and 2005 Springvale
Allan & Sue (really looking forward to meeting you guys)
Ian + Janine? Pierro Chardonnay and 2003 Dead Arm
Nick & Michelle Odyssey/St Henri or 389
Craig + 1 Kays Block 6 (and its mate)
Brett (redstuff)
Gerry & Nicole Lovedale and Old Bastard
Luke & Janine 1994 Wendouree Cab Sav and 1999 E&E
Tim + 1? 2001 jasper's georgia's paddock or 92/97 bin 389

So far at least 13 and possibly 19

Cheers

Luke

[rens]

I think Michael booked for 14 at half 7. We may need to close the numbers at the possible 19. That will give each of us 40ml of each wine. Any less and your tongue won't even get wet . Thoughts???