The Auswine Forum

I'm good for the 11th

JamieBahrain wrote:I'd prefer the 11th for the event but I'm about all month so we could do a second offline if interest though I'd prefer during the week. Be nice to escape the in-laws on two nights. Perhaps the second a more traditional ADL offline?

Jamie, have been watching this thread with interest, but feel that I need both my kidneys...have a bit of high end stuff, but probably too early to drink, so the more casual offline might suit me better at this stage.
Will wait for the call to board

Cheers
Craig

11th of June suits Gail and I too for SAK.

Reasonably keen on a second mid-tier offline also. High end without requiring the sale of any body parts - i.e. John Riddoch, Centenary, Basket Press etc. I had a good experience at Citi Zen the other week. Quiet room, good stemware and very good service. A bit pricier than Gouger Street regulars, but nicer surrounds seemed to justify it.

phillisc wrote:

JamieBahrain wrote:I'd prefer the 11th for the event but I'm about all month so we could do a second offline if interest though I'd prefer during the week. Be nice to escape the in-laws on two nights. Perhaps the second a more traditional ADL offline?

Jamie, have been watching this thread with interest, but feel that I need both my kidneys...have a bit of high end stuff, but probably too early to drink, so the more casual offline might suit me better at this stage.
Will wait for the call to board

Cheers
Craig

A bit where I'm at too. Either side of the 'Heavyweight event' I'd be interested in a bantamweight event.
My offline score is still 0 so I'll be guided by the more experienced campaigners.

I've just had a chat to Peter, the owner of Publisher, regarding STOK. He will get back to me Tuesday with a firm menu and quote.
But, what we discussed was (1) canapés appropriate for aged Champagne. (2) entree of crustacean, chèvre or game. (3) mains broken into 3 parts, the parts being lamb, beef and venison hot smoked in their smoker. I had their beef fillet done this way on Tuesday-delicious! (4) 3 cheeses consisting of a blue, hard and washed rind, or creme brûlée. Half of the rear room set aside for us. Cost will be around $85, depending on chef's final offerings, but definitely under $100. This includes corkage.
How does this sound?
Cheers
Jeff

That sounds perfect Jeff imho. Great work .

jeff wrote:I've just had a chat to Peter, the owner of Publisher, regarding STOK. He will get back to me Tuesday with a firm menu and quote.
But, what we discussed was (1) canapés appropriate for aged Champagne. (2) entree of crustacean, chèvre or game. (3) mains broken into 3 parts, the parts being lamb, beef and venison hot smoked in their smoker. I had their beef fillet done this way on Tuesday-delicious! (4) 3 cheeses consisting of a blue, hard and washed rind, or creme brûlée. Half of the rear room set aside for us. Cost will be around $85, depending on chef's final offerings, but definitely under $100. This includes corkage.
How does this sound?
Cheers
Jeff

So we are settled for Saturday June 11th?

If we go with Publisher the creme brulee option maybe better than the cheese because I am taking the d'Yquem to finish?

It's an interesting choice to make now, both places offering $85 including corkage - I will go with what people want, I suggest we decide soon to lock it in.

The La Bonne Table menu I was negotiating with them would be something like:

First:
Cantaloupe gazpacho, air dried Jamon, melon conserve, potato ice cream

Second:
Double baked chevre soufflé, raw asparagus, almond, grape fondue, sesame dressing

Third:
Pork loin roulade with chicken mousseline, slow cooked belly, parsnip puree & chips, soy ginger dressing

Fourth:
Striploin, lemon confit chimichurri, baby cos, ssamjang, migas

Dessert:
Raspberry cheese cake, bitter cocoa labneh, yogurt sorbet

Cheers,
Ian

Hi Jamie,

Unfortunately most of my SAK stock is Grange and too young to drink.

Would you be able to source an appropriate Burgundy or Bordeaux in HK (or anywhere else you fly to!) for me and I can fix you up? Budget would be around $500-$600 AUD. Probably would be a good idea if I had a backup as well......

It would be good if the event was not simply a Champagne and Grange night

Cheers,
Tony

I've been having trouble getting a set menu from Publisher.
Peter now says that as the 11th is a long w/end, and that have a large group booking, they can't do a set menu for us, as I had been negotiating.
He is still happy to have us in the same section of the backroom (half, near the kitchen). But, we would have to order from the regular menu (available on web site).
Looking at it, we could do the meal for around $90 with my suggested menu below.
Oysters natural and smoked, 12 of each to share.
Entree of pan fried scallops wrapped in pancetta and/or entree of smoked beef tartare.
Main of garlic & rosemary infused lamb rump with baby carrots and zucchini puree.
Peach Melba cheesecake with raspberry coulis.
Those with specific dietary requirements, could make suitable substitutions.
I'm assuming that suitable glass-ware would be provided for each wine, which was part of the original offer.
I can follow this up tomorrow, and hopefully get a price, including corkage. Originally Peter said that he would not charge it. I'm sure that it would have been built into price.
Any feedback would be appreciated.
Cheers
Jeff

jeff wrote:I've been having trouble getting a set menu from Publisher.
Peter now says that as the 11th is a long w/end, and that have a large group booking, they can't do a set menu for us, as I had been negotiating.
He is still happy to have us in the same section of the backroom (half, near the kitchen). But, we would have to order from the regular menu (available on web site).
Looking at it, we could do the meal for around $90 with my suggested menu below.
Oysters natural and smoked, 12 of each to share.
Entree of pan fried scallops wrapped in pancetta and/or entree of smoked beef tartare.
Main of garlic & rosemary infused lamb rump with baby carrots and zucchini puree.
Peach Melba cheesecake with raspberry coulis.
Those with specific dietary requirements, could make suitable substitutions.
I'm assuming that suitable glass-ware would be provided for each wine, which was part of the original offer.
I can follow this up tomorrow, and hopefully get a price, including corkage. Originally Peter said that he would not charge it. I'm sure that it would have been built into price.
Any feedback would be appreciated.
Cheers
Jeff

Looks pretty good, although I know Mark Jappe will need alternatives for the oysters and scallops because he cannot eat shellfish.

If there are still problems with Publishers I will get back to La Bonne Table - I did not realise until now that June 11th falls on a long weekend, that could be a problem with additional staff penalty rates added to the prospect of a busy Saturday night crowd. I was trying to work a menu around the majority of wines being Grange/HOG, but if this changes I may need to have a rethink.

Cheers,
Ian

La Bonne Table gave me a call this morning to see what was happening, they seem keen.

June 11th is still doable, but we definitely won't get a private room because they have another function booked. They would set up an extra long table for 10 in the main restaurant, not exactly ideal if they are going to be as busy as they suggest.

Just had a thought: with that weekend having a public holiday on the Monday, would everyone who put their hands up for Saturday 11th be available for Sunday the 12th?

If that's the case would it give us a shot at a private room & set menu at Publisher? (unfortunately La Bonne tabel is closed Sundays).

I have just received an email from Peter Buik of Publisher.
On Sunday 12th, he has offered shared starter platter of smoked and natural oyster, plus cured and smoked meats. Scallop entree (quail alternative for non seafood eaters). Main of 3 different meats. Followed by vanilla bean creme brûlée. He would assist with wine preparation/pouring. Cost $100 per person, includes corkage and Sunday surcharge of 10%.
Saturday 11th, $91 per person. But, it it will be quite busy, and there may need to be some changes to the above food as it would all need to come from the standard menu. Wine service may (would) be more problematical.
So is it to be Sunday, which looks better to me? Or, Saturday at either of the two venues suggested.
Jamie, as this has been done around your attendance, what your preference?
We need to know everyone's availability.
Cheers
Jeff

Hi all

Sorry for my lack of participation I'm on holidays and a lot of it trekking beyond the Internet coverage.

I'm good with Sunday . I'm house hunting in Adelaide so a whole weekend in town helpful .

I may be down next week to bring a bottle or two for the event and will get back to you .

Sunday is fine with me.
As I need to sort out my champagne option, feedback would be appreciated on the following suggestions:
1999 Mumm Cuvee R Lalou (which I already have)
2000 Krug (can grab from an unnamed retailer)
2002 Bollinger RD (will need to grab from Langtons probably, so need notice)
Thoughts on how to arrange back up bottles would also be appreciated as obviously can't decant the champagnes prior to attending.

Cheers
Mark

Mark Jappe wrote:Sunday is fine with me.
As I need to sort out my champagne option, feedback would be appreciated on the following suggestions:
1999 Mumm Cuvee R Lalou (which I already have)
2000 Krug (can grab from an unnamed retailer)
2002 Bollinger RD (will need to grab from Langtons probably, so need notice)
Thoughts on how to arrange back up bottles would also be appreciated as obviously can't decant the champagnes prior to attending.

Cheers
Mark

My preference out of those would be the Krug.

I am fine for either night, as it turns out Sunday would probably work out better.

As per Ian's request, the Krug it is. I was in luck, unnamed retailer was out of the 2000, but just today received their 3 bottle allocation of the 2002 Krug, so that will be my second wine for the night.

Mark Jappe wrote:As per Ian's request, the Krug it is. I was in luck, unnamed retailer was out of the 2000, but just today received their 3 bottle allocation of the 2002 Krug, so that will be my second wine for the night.

Great pick up. Looking fwd to the write up....

Okay guys, time to give this a nudge and get people to declare their hand in regard to availability and preference of night and venue - it's in our interest to lock this in ASAP, either Saturday 11th at La Bonne Table or Publisher, or Sunday 12th at Publisher with a private room.

I think the talk was restricting this to 10-12 people, in order of confirmations/availability so far that would be:

1,2. Jamie +1: SKAK white + 2 x HofG 1990, 1992, or 1994
3. crusty: Penfolds Grange 1978 (clinic)
4. mjs: Penfolds Block 42 1996
5. Jeff: Penfolds Grange 1980 or 1981 or 1982 or 1983
6,7. Mark Jappe & Gail: Penfolds Grange 1973 & Krug 2002
8. Seven: ??? (not available Friday or Saturday - checking Sunday???)
9. markg: Salon 1996
10. n4sir: Chateau d'Yquem 1999
11. markg's son Kane: Penfolds Grange ???
12. tonsta: ???
--------
Standbys:
13. George Krashos: ???
14. VINH NGUYEN: Chateau Mouton Rothschild 1982
15. John Mack: (only available Sunday)
16. Crazy Dave

Cheers,
Ian

Hi Guys,

I am still in. As mentioned previously I'm struggling a bit with age on my SAK wines. the oldest I have are:
1996 Ducru-Beaucaillou
2001 Grange
2006 Clarendon Astralis (might be interesting?)

I also have a 1996 Salon if Mark G wants to find a replacement or alternatively I'm happy to compensate someone (Jamie) if they have/can procure a suitable wine for around $500-$600.

Cheers,
Tony

I was coming down to ADL this week but I'm over-travelled and will just rest in HKG. I'm not sure if I will be down before the offline, I just bought my little retirement house so I probably should. Not coming down prior to the offline may not augur well for buying ultra-premiums in HKG. Brining them in a day before the offline would be pretty extreme ? What do you guys think?

I will ask around and see who's traveling down well beforehand and that may be a better option. I'm airfreighting a case of wine from Falcons in the UK this week so Tonsta take a peek at their IB stock I could get you 2 places in that case.

tonsta wrote:Hi Guys,

I am still in. As mentioned previously I'm struggling a bit with age on my SAK wines. the oldest I have are:

or alternatively I'm happy to compensate someone (Jamie) if they have/can procure a suitable wine for around $500-$600.

Cheers,
Tony

To broaden the wines on show i can bring a 1996 Vega Sicilia Unico and tony can have my '78 grange.

any thoughts

cheers
Phill

crusty2 wrote:

tonsta wrote:Hi Guys,

I am still in. As mentioned previously I'm struggling a bit with age on my SAK wines. the oldest I have are:

or alternatively I'm happy to compensate someone (Jamie) if they have/can procure a suitable wine for around $500-$600.

Cheers,
Tony

To broaden the wines on show i can bring a 1996 Vega Sicilia Unico and tony can have my '78 grange.

any thoughts

cheers
Phill

The 1996 Unico sounds great Phill - would certainly provide a bit of (much needed) diversity!

As for the 1978 Grange, thanks for the offer and I'm happy with the the consensus of the group.

Cheers,
Tony

Hi guys

Sorry for the late response.

I can't confirm until closer to the date but I'm trying to be available on either day. I can move to stand by list if need be

I agree with tonsta and try to avoid another grange/penfolds night. I can bring a grand/top 1er cru burgundy (blanc or rouge) plus perhaps a 50s aszu essencia to compare with the dyqeum. (TBC. i know I have it somewhere but not sure where it is at the moment...)

Cheers
Seven

Sorry, lost track here. Can we confirm the date please or is it still undecided ?

I have a left field idea if people are interested. The boardroom at my office in town will fit 12 people in comfort and would be very quiet. We would need a caterer. Two Brothers look good, but happy to hear suggestions.

What do people think?

Cheers

Mark

Was the Sunday?

I spoke to Ian on the phone and he said it was the Sunday.. restaurant confirmed chaps ?

I saw Jeff last week, at the time it seemed like we were going to try and lock in Sunday at Publishers. I was waiting for him to confirm this.

Publisher on Sunday is booked.
I just need to clarify that it is not a private room, but a separate section of the restaurant area. About half, as I recall.
Is everyone happy with that? If so, I will reconfirm.
Cheers
Jeff