Wednesday, February 07, 2007

City of Hope - Wines From Around The World

Last night's TASTE OF HOPE "Wine Tasting Event" at TRIBECA ROOFTOP in NYC was a smashing success and benefeited the CITY OF HOPE.

CBS Radio/NY bought a table and better yet I was invited - didn't hurt that our station "JACK FM" was the #1 CBS product in the latest ratings.

And thanks to my due deligence of going up to Napa every month I've been assigned to sit next to Bruce Gearhart from Ole Imports & Domaine Select.

Walking in I already see a lot of friends from the record biz it's going to be a great night.
I'm immediately impressed with the quality of the reception wines:
  • Casteller Blanc de Blancs 2005 - (no pinot in this Spanish Champagne Style White)
  • Vinos Sin-Ley GR 2004 - (100% Granache)
  • Collalbrigo Prosecco Brut (Sparkling wine from Italy)

Plus there is an amazing assortment of Dim Sum, Sashimi and Sushi - you need to consume a lot for a base for this evening's wine tastings. Domo Arigato!

At our table Bruce has assembled an Old World vs. New World Wine tasting for the evening.

First on the list with the 1st course of Mesclun Greens, Cucumber, Apples, Mango with Feta Cheese and Balsamic Vinaigrette.

Raveneau Chablis Montee' de Tonnerre 2002 vs. Patz & Hall Chardonnay Hyde Vineyard - 2004. As you may expect the Chablis is very clear - starlight and the Chardonnay which has seen Oak is the color of daylight. No contest for me - my palate goes California all the way, though I think the Chablis would be great on a hot summer afternoon.

Second course of seared Tuna Medallions, with baby arrugula and orange vinaigrette.

Leroy Vosne Romanee Beauxmonts 1998 vs. Calera Mt Harlan Pinot Selleck Vineyard 2001. Ok this is no contest the other way...the Burgundian wine blows away the Calera, but in its defense its a newer vintage.

Main course of Filet Mignon with Shitake Mushrooms, garlic mashed potatoes, haricot verts and potato wafer garnish.

Chateau La Conseillante - Medoc 2000 vs. Ramey Diamond Mountain District Cabernet Blend 2003. A little faux paus on Bruce's part the amazing Bordeaux was not decanted, so everyone at 1st taste loves the Ramey...but with a little aeriation the barn yard smell disipates and it didn't hurt that we're all eating garlic mashed potatoes.

Desert - of chocoate dripped strawberries, praline and shortbread cookies and chocolate truffles - oui!

We had a couple more tastes:

Vinos Sin-Ley G6 Garnacha 2001 and Voss Vineyard Napa Valley Ocala Syrah 2002. Similar tastes between these wines - elegant, inky with hints of blueberry and white pepper. Bruce leaves with the decanter of the Voss, but then we make an amazing discovery at the wine table. There is a 1/2 magnum of Chateau Montelana Cabernet Sauvignon 1997 so we ditch the Syrah and enjoy the Big Cal Cab with some more chocolate truffles.

Since this was event was $500 a seat - wanted to do my part and bid on the silent auction items.

Two big scores - 1/2 case of Turley Old Vines Zinfandel 2003 and was really excited about this one - 2 Magnums of Bollinger Champagne Grand Annee 1996 - Wine Spectator 95 pts and this was a great year for Champagne. Save those bottles for a special occasion - and how funny did I look jumping into a cab with 1/2 case and 2 magnums - Party Anyone?

Wanted to congratulatemy friends from MEDIABASE Sr. VP/Music ALISSA POLLACK and ISLAND DEF JAM MUSIC Pres STEVE BARTELS - Buddy! PREMIERE RADIO NETWORKS Pres./COO KRAIG T. KITCHIN - as we say we worked together back in the day! .

The trade magazine ALL ACCESS reported "That the heaviest of the heavies gathered together to raise their glasses and lots of cash for the CITY OF HOPE. The CHARLES GOLDSTUCK CAMPAIGN has been the most successful to date, raising over $3.5 million for the CITY OF HOPE."

So surprisingly I'm not hung over, enjoyed some great wines, saw old friends and scored some amazing wine. As the T-Shirt says..."I Love NY"

-Brian

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