Monday, March 09, 2015

2015 Taste of Hope

Here's the final list for "Taste of Hope" to benefit City of Hope in Manhattan on Thursday, March 9, 2015.
Here's some tips if its your 1st year:
  1. Remember don't waste your alcohol intake at the cocktail party - save room for these amazing wines
  2. Eat something before you start drinking.
  3. Hydrate people - really want to enjoy these wines with you!
  4. Take selfies early - no one wants to see your purple teeth...LOL
I hosted the SONY table with Keith Gale, Lesly Simon and new country acts Cam and Josh Dorr.
Chardonnays: Napa vs. Sonoma - 2012 Cakebread Reserve Carneros Napa & 2010 Chasseur Russian River Valley Interesting in what a name does...a lot of people liked the Cakebread better, but a few educated palates that tried both really went crazy over the Chasseur.

Pinots: New vs. Old - 2011 Chasseur Russian River Valley vs. 2007 Chasseur Sonoma Coast people liked the newer vintage if they preferred more fruit, while the '07 was amazing. That bottle was almost gone before the dinner even started.

Cabernets: (Faves in BOLD)
  • 2000 Viader Napa Valley (Cab Sauvignon &; Cab Franc) WS 89 pts. one of the better 2000's I've ever had!
  • 2001 Freemark Abbey Cabernet Sauvignon WS 90 pts.
  • 2002 Araujo "Altagracia" Napa Valley Bordeaux Blend WS 95 pts.
  • 2003 Dalla Valle Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon WS 91 pts.
  • 2004 Hewitt Vineyards Rutherford Estate Cabernet Sauvignon WS 92 pts. Loved it!
  • 2005 Darioush "Signature" Napa Valley Cabernet WS 91 pts. Huge!
  • 2007 Eagles Trace Latitude 38 Blend (Cab, Merlot & Cab Franc) 
  • 2008 Provenance Beckstoffer To Kalon. Blend TK2 WS 90 pts.
  • 2009 Robert Mondavi Reserve Cabernet WS 90 pts.
  • 2010 Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. WS 89 pts.
And here's the wine provided for 4 guest tables.

Table 1: suggested tasting order
  • 2012 Far Niente Napa Valley Chardonnay
  • 2009 Senoria de Caleruega Ribera Del Duero (100% Tempranillo)
  • 2004 Sangenis I Vaque "Val Por" Priorat Red Wine (Granacha, Carinena, Merlot & Cab)
  • 2001 Cune "Imperial" Gran Reserva Rioja (Wine Spectator #1 wine in the world)
  • 2011 Pine Ridge Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon
  • 2007 Selene "Chelsler" Historic Vintage Napa Valley Red (Cab Franc/Merlot) Parker 92 pts.
Table 2: 
  • 2012 Chalkhill Russian River Chardonnay
  • 2011 Jarvis Chardonnay 
  • 2006 Giribaldi Barbaresco
  • 2009 Don Miguel "Comenge" Ribera Del Duero (Tempranillo & Cabernet)
  • 2004 La Rioja Alta "Vina Ardanza" Reserva Rioja (Wine Spectator Top 100)
  • 2010 Villa Donoratico - Bolghieri Rossa (Cab, Cab Franc, Merlot & Petite Verdot)
  • 2011 Ladera Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
Table 3:
  • 2012 Chalk Hill Sonoma Coast Chardonnay
  • 2005 Villalta - Ripasso Valpolicella
  • 2001 Valsardo Ribera Del Duero (Tempranillo, Cab & Merlot)
  • 2004 La Rioja Alta "Vina Ardanza" Reserva Rioja (Wine Spectator Top 100)
  • 2011 Ladera Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
  • 2011 Pine Ridge Stag's Leap Cabernet
  • 2010 Chateau de Breze "Saumur" Cabernet Franc
Table 4:
  • 2012 Chalk Hill Sonoma Coast Chardonnay
  • 2009 Fuedo - Nero D'Avola
  • 2010 Black Ridge Pinot Noir
  • 2004 La Rioja Alta "Vina Ardanza" Reserva Rioja (Wine Spectator Top 100)
  • 2011 Pine Ridge Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon
  • 2008 Sentinental Oaks - Zephyr Block Syrah


-Brian