The Auswine Forum

Hey folks, I am heading back to Australia at Chinese New Year in the first week of February.

I have quite a lot of wine in my cellar which has been untouched for 6-months and it is a good excuse to crack some nice bottles. I will be in both Sydney and Adelaide and wanted to see if there was any interest in getting together a couple of offlines to help me with the chore of drinking?

I haven't met the Adelaide crew before but if anyone is keen it would be great to meet some of you.
I think the dates in Adelaide which could work are Monday or Tuesday 3rd or 4th Feb or Saturday the 8th... hmm on looking at that, those arent the best options but I will see if anyone is interested!

I have a magnum of Wolf Blass Black Label 1985 to crack. Chinese New Year is a traditional time of reunion: so the I suggest the wine theme should be "old favourites".

I'm available Tuesday. I can match your 1985 Magnum with a 1985 Penfolds St. Henri (Magnum)
BTW. Had the 1985 WB Black en Magnum for drinks Christmas 2012. Decanted for 3 hours and drank well for the next 2 hours. Very moorish and enjoyed by all.

cheers
Phill

All 3 of those dates suit me, with a preference for the 8th.
If people are bringing magnums, it might be best to avoid a week night for those of us who have to front up for work the next day.
I have a magnum of 96 Pyrus which should be good to go.

Cheers
Mark

Fair point Mark, I think there is no need for every bottle to be a magnum! It just happens I have an aged magnum that need to be drunk and I dont know when I will next get the chance... (my cellar being 3,400 miles from my apartment!)

In fact, unless there is a special rationale (e.g. Phill matching an '85 with an '85) I would err on people bringing normal bottles which would allow space for a few ring ins and odd-balls and hence increase the variety... just my thoughts.

Count me in. I like the idea of a magnum theme, I have plenty to get through (that's my rationale).

The old favourite I have in mind is a 1990 Yalumba Signature magnum - that should cross another one off Mark's Langtons Classification V list.

Cheers,
Ian

Hey guys,

I'd love to come however I'm not available on the 3rd or 4th but could do the 8th (the Saturday).

I don't have many magnums but i'll see what i can muster up.

Tony

I'm in for the 8th (subject to a follow-up with "She Who Must be Obeyed"). The 3rd is Superbowl Monday and I won't be in any condition to do an offline!

Lots of options as to what to bring. I've got more than a few 1996 Rockford SVS gear and could bring one or two along. The Moorooroo needs drinking. Otherwise, some oldish Nine Popes (magnum anyone?) might be in order. Preferences?

-- George Krashos

Sam, would be great to catch up, but unfortunately the 8th is out, someone turns another year older that day and SWMBO wouldn't let me go to an off line that night.

Have some Wynns, Tim Adams Aberfeldy, Yarra Yerrings and a few assorted others to choose from.
will give it some thought.

Craig

I should add that Monday February the 3rd is definitely out for me due to another engagement.

Either Tuesday the 4th or Saturday the 8th looks okay at this stage.

Cheers,
Ian

George Krashos wrote:I'm in for the 8th (subject to a follow-up with "She Who Must be Obeyed"). The 3rd is Superbowl Monday and I won't be in any condition to do an offline!

Lots of options as to what to bring. I've got more than a few 1996 Rockford SVS gear and could bring one or two along. The Moorooroo needs drinking. Otherwise, some oldish Nine Popes (magnum anyone?) might be in order. Preferences?

-- George Krashos

I would kill for the svs.
Mark

Mark Jappe wrote:

George Krashos wrote:I'm in for the 8th (subject to a follow-up with "She Who Must be Obeyed"). The 3rd is Superbowl Monday and I won't be in any condition to do an offline!

Lots of options as to what to bring. I've got more than a few 1996 Rockford SVS gear and could bring one or two along. The Moorooroo needs drinking. Otherwise, some oldish Nine Popes (magnum anyone?) might be in order. Preferences?

-- George Krashos

I would kill for the svs.
Mark

why don't you organise a tasting of the SVS's with one of the wine clubs you are in?
I can help with most of them

Hello All

I'd be interested to come along too, and the Saturday the 8th would work best for me?

Haven't been to an auswine offline for quite a while, should be fun?

.

Any suggestions/requests for a venue?

If we go with Saturday the 8th, somewhere around Chinatown may be the go - it looks like the major Chinese New Year celebrations here should be over with a week earlier, so I think somewhere like Park Lok or one of the Chows shouldn't be too hard to get into if we head in that direction.

Cheers,
Ian

Great stuff guys, it looks like this thing has legs... I feel like I am hearing a consensus for Saturday 8th? Though that seems to rule out Crusty and Craig?

Venue wise, I am amenable to adopting whatever is the wisdom of Ian? e.g. Chinatown? Any objections or brilliant ideas people have?

Initial attendee list:
Sam - Black Label 1985
Jim (my dad)
Mark Jappe - 96 Pyrus
George Krashos - 1996 Rockford?
n4sir - 1990 Yalumba Signature
Gavin
Tonsta
Gail

I am happy with Chinatown as long as it is not t-chow.

You can add Gail as an attendee if it is on the 8th.

Cheers

sjw_11 wrote:Great stuff guys, it looks like this thing has legs... I feel like I am hearing a consensus for Saturday 8th? Though that seems to rule out Crusty and Craig?

Venue wise, I am amenable to adopting whatever is the wisdom of Ian? e.g. Chinatown? Any objections or brilliant ideas people have?

Depending on which night we do it, I think we're looking at basically two options.

If it's Tuesday the 4th we might be able to negotiate a deal with a set menu & corkage at a place like Bartons.

If it's Saturday the 8th, this will be very difficult to impossible (as most places now flat out refuse to do anything like this on weekends) which leaves us the Chinatown option.

Cheers,
Ian

I may have another 4 or more people on board for Saturday the 8th, so I've taken the liberty of booking for 12 people at Park Lok, 6.30pm arrival. I can revise the number of people up or down with them closer to the day.

With what's looking like a potentially large turnout, I suggest we stick with the magnum theme. Big bottles preferred, Hawaiian shirts & moustaches optional.



Cheers,
Ian

n4sir wrote:I may have another 4 or more people on board for Saturday the 8th, so I've taken the liberty of booking for 12 people at Park Lok, 6.30pm arrival. I can revise the number of people up or down with them closer to the day.

With what's looking like a potentially large turnout, I suggest we stick with the magnum theme. Big bottles preferred, Hawaiian shirts & moustaches optional.


Cheers,
Ian

Sounds good Ian

nikit wrote:Count me in, need to think about what to bring. Any suggestions? Riesling, chardonnay, some old school shiraz or cabernet? I can bring a 1944 or 1947 Seppelt Para port to end the night with?

A chardonnay or one of the ports both sound good.

I might have 2 more guests. Will clarify soon.

Cheers

Mark

OK guys, just thought I would update the current list for this and make sure everyone is still able to attend as we are getting a bit closer:

I believe Ian has confirmed the venue as Park Lok, 6.30pm arrival on Saturday 8th February

Current list of attendees looks a bit like this... its a fairly full list but I guess thats OK and doubtless someone will have to drop out anyway with the vagaries of life...

Sam - Black Label 1985
Jim (my dad)
Sam's ring-in #1 (TBC)
Mark Jappe - 96 Pyrus
Gail
George Krashos - 1996 Rockford?
n4sir - 1990 Yalumba Signature
Gavin - ?
Tonsta - ?
Nikit - Port + Chardonnay
Ian's ring-in #1
Ian's ring-in #2
Ian's ring-in #3
Ian's ring-in #4
Mark ring-in #1?
Mark ring-in #2?

sjw_11 wrote:OK guys, just thought I would update the current list for this and make sure everyone is still able to attend as we are getting a bit closer:

I believe Ian has confirmed the venue as Park Lok, 6.30pm arrival on Saturday 8th April

Current list of attendees looks a bit like this... its a fairly full list but I guess thats OK and doubtless someone will have to drop out anyway with the vagaries of life...

Sam - Black Label 1985
Jim (my dad)
Sam's ring-in #1 (TBC)
Mark Jappe - 96 Pyrus
Gail
George Krashos - 1996 Rockford?
n4sir - 1990 Yalumba Signature
Gavin - ?
Tonsta - ?
Nikit - Port + Chardonnay
Ian's ring-in #1
Ian's ring-in #2
Ian's ring-in #3
Ian's ring-in #4
Mark ring-in #1?
Mark ring-in #2?

8th April

or

8th February?

Just askin'.

.

Gavin Trott wrote:

sjw_11 wrote:OK guys, just thought I would update the current list for this and make sure everyone is still able to attend as we are getting a bit closer:

I believe Ian has confirmed the venue as Park Lok, 6.30pm arrival on Saturday 8th April

Current list of attendees looks a bit like this... its a fairly full list but I guess thats OK and doubtless someone will have to drop out anyway with the vagaries of life...

8th April

or

8th February?

Just askin'.

.

February!! I edited the post.... no idea how I drifted several months into the future then

sjw_11 wrote:

Gavin Trott wrote:

sjw_11 wrote:OK guys, just thought I would update the current list for this and make sure everyone is still able to attend as we are getting a bit closer:

I believe Ian has confirmed the venue as Park Lok, 6.30pm arrival on Saturday 8th April

Current list of attendees looks a bit like this... its a fairly full list but I guess thats OK and doubtless someone will have to drop out anyway with the vagaries of life...

8th April

or

8th February?

Just askin'.

.

February!! I edited the post.... no idea how I drifted several months into the future then

Thinking about a Magnum of Kalleske Greenock Shiraz 2004

My second favourite vintage ever (after the 2002)

Worth a look I reckon!

.

sjw_11 wrote:I believe Ian has confirmed the venue as Park Lok, 6.30pm arrival on Saturday 8th February

Current list of attendees looks a bit like this... its a fairly full list but I guess thats OK and doubtless someone will have to drop out anyway with the vagaries of life...

The booking has already been made, although with enough notice (say 24 hours) I can let them know of a change to the number of people attending. With these things we tend to have more people dropping out at the last second than showing up, so I'm betting it's pretty unlikely we will be short of seats.

tonsta wrote:I don't have many magnums but i'll see what i can muster up.

Tony

If people have difficulty sourcing a magnum, they could possibly arrange to bring two bottles of the same wine per couple - it's not quite the same, but it can shortcut that problem while ensuring there's enough of a wine to go around.

Cheers,
Ian

Ps. It may be worth changing the thread title Sam to include the date (and possibly venue) now those have been fixed.

Given the magnum theme is confirmed, I'll likely bring a Rockford Home Block or something Charlie Melton. Preferences?

-- George Krashos

George Krashos wrote:Given the magnum theme is confirmed, I'll likely bring a Rockford Home Block or something Charlie Melton. Preferences?

-- George Krashos

No need to go Magnum given you will be on your own.
If you are keen on a magnum, then I would much prefer a Melton to a home block.

Cheers

Mark

Hi all,

Was is the Clare Valley visiting a mate on the weekend (who is in the trade) and we went to Reilly's. I was extremely impressed with their line up and mentioned to the winemaker (Justin?) that I was attending a magnum dinner and there was some pretty smart wines being taken and whether he had anything 'out the back' I could bring along. He found a 2002 Dry Land Cabernet which he said would more than hold its own against the wines I mentioned (he actually used the term 'blow their minds').....so that's what I'm bringing...Hope he wasn't lying!

Cheers,
Tony

George Krashos wrote:Given the magnum theme is confirmed, I'll likely bring a Rockford Home Block or something Charlie Melton. Preferences?

-- George Krashos

Nine Popes could be a nice contrast to what others have indicated they're taking - I think it will do a pretty good job matching the style of food there too.

matt and I are in - i think ian might have had us down as a mystery 2?
i have asked a friend - finalising his (and his wife's) interest.

everything looks red so far, so i might bring white. probably won't be a magnum, but there will be a twin pair so plenty for all. Matt of course will be on the beer.

it has been ages so looking forward to seeing everyone and meeting a few new people

Put me down for a 1999 magnum of Nine Popes.

-- George Krashos