4th Annual Taste of Hope

This will be my 3rd year sponsoring the wine for a table at the "Taste of Hope" benefiting City of Hope. I've enlisted some help from Joe to help with the French wines because this year's theme is based on the movie "Bottle Shock" which I'm calling:

Paris Wine Tasting– Pt. Deux in NYC

The movie “Bottle Shock” tells the tale of the “Paris Wine Tasting of 1976" with French judges and a blind tasting of Chardonnay & Cabernet Sauvignon from California and France. California wines won the competition! On Wednesday night 3/24 we offered some new battles! California won a lot again!

Opening Toast - Champagne vs. California Sparkling Wine:
NV - L. Aubry Fils Brut Champagne – 91pts WS
NV - Schramsberg Brut Rosé Mirabelle North Coast – 93pts WS

Chardonnay vs. Burgundy (White):
We have 3 of the top 4 from Paris Wine Tasting including the winner!
2007 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay, Napa – 90pts WS
2007 Chalone Estate Chardonnay, Napa – 92pts WS Wow!
2005 Girardin Puligny Montrachet – Les Folatieres – 93pts WE
2007 Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey Meursault Premier Cru – Les Charmes 92pts WS Nice!

Pinot Noir vs. Burgundy (Red): Not in PWT
2002 Cakebread Pinot Noir – Carneros 89pts WS Surprised everyone!
1993 Laurent Nuits St. George – Les Vaucrains 96pts RP

Rhone:
2006 Joseph Phelps Le Mistral – 92pts WS Another Wow!
2003 Chateau Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape - 94pts WS

Bordeaux: Cabernet Sauvignon:
We have 3 of the top 5 from PWT including the winner!
1996 Stag’s Leap Fay Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa – 92pts WS
1997 Ridge California Monte Bello – 91pts RP Very Nice
1988 Leoville Las Cases – 95pts WS My Fave
1998 Chateau Quinalt - L’Enclos – 94pts RP

Vertical Jump 10 years - Meritage: Joseph Phelps Insignia
2005 Insignia 92pts WS Amazing!
1999 Insignia 91 pts WS
1995 Insignia 94pts WS - Excellent!

Desert!
1983 Taylor Fladgate Vintage Port – Portugal – 94pts RP