14th Annual Taste of Hope

The "Taste of Hope" to benefit City of Hope Charity Wine Event is Back! This Thursday in TriBeCa industry leaders in radio and records get together to drink great wine, see old friends and raise money. And over 3.1 million dollars has been raised for City of Hope. This will be my 13th year providing wine for the tables. And for table #1 I'm teaming up with my former boss Mike McVay and we're doing a little of Old World vs. New Theme. WHITES: Duckhorn Sauvignon Blanc vs. Foucher Sancerre. And Domaine Billaud Simon Chablis vs.Chateau Montelena Chardonnay - 1st American Wine to wine tasting in Paris. REDS: PAITIN BARBARESCO vs. FLOWERS PINOT NOIR. MARQUES de RISCAL RIOJA RESERVA - ESPANA • FRESCO BALDI BRUNELLO de MONTACINO - ITALIA • CHATEAU PARADIS CASSEUIC - FRANCE • O'SHAUGNESSY HOWELL MT. CABERNET SAUVIGNON • CHATEAU CANTELAUUZE - FRANCE • DOMINUS NAPANOOK RED BLEND

And for the 2nd Table here's the offerings. WHITES • CAKEBREAD SAUVIGNON BLANC • CAKEBREAD CHARDONNAY REDS: • FLOWERS PINOT NOIR • DOMAINE de la CHARBONNIERE - CHATEAUNEUF du PAPE • HALL MERLOT • SHAFER VINEYARDS RED BORDEAUX BLEND And we'll have a few surprises for this table as well.

2019 CITY OF HOPE

Sadly I'm going to miss Taste of Hope this year for City of Hope. Tomorrow's date conflicts with the ACM Awards. But that doesn't mean I won't be there in the spirit of proving wine. Two tables tomorrow will get to enjoy this flight. Have Fun! - BT

Grgich Hills - Fumé Blanc Napa Valley 2014 Flowers - Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2016

Duckhorn - Merlot Napa Valley 2015

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Flowers - Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2016

Groth - Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville 2014

Turley - Old Vine Zinfandel California 2016

2018 CITY OF HOPE WINE TASTING

Attending the City of Hope Charity event in NYC again this year. Will be sitting with co-workers from Cumulus and other friends. Here's what I'm pouring this year, including a couple of favorites from last year's table. - BT

 

WHITES

1.      DUCKHORN – Sauvignon Blanc 2015

2.      CAKEBREAK – Chardonnay Napa 2015

90+ REDS

3.      PAUL HOBBS – Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2015 WA: 91 PTS

4.      ORIN SWIFT – Machete 2015 (blend of Petite Syrah, Syrah & Grenach) WS: 92 PTS

5.      ORIN SWIFT – Cuttings 2014 (Red Blend) RP: 91 PTS

6.      ARIETTA – Red Wine Quartet 2013 (Bordeaux Blend of Cab, Merlot, Cab Franc & Petit Verdot) WA: 93 PTS

7.      ORIN SWIFT – Papillon 2014 (Napa Valley Red Blend) WS: 90 PTS, RP: 94 PTS

8.      ORIN SWIFT – Palermo Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 WA: 91 PTS

9.      O’SHAUGHNESSY – Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mt. 2014 RP: 95 PTS

10.   JOSEPH PHELPS – Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley WA: 92 PTS

11.   LEWIS – Cabernet Napa Valley 2015 WS: 94 PTS

12.   TURLEY – Old Vine Zinfandel 2014 RP: 91 PTS

2017 Taste of Hope UPDATED!

I'm back and looking forward to attending again this year, was bummed to miss it for the 1st time last year.

Here's the tasting for my table this Thursday in Manhattan.

UPDATE: Sadly you can no longer ship wine to NY from FL, so had to go shopping for replacements...luckily I knew where to go and we'll still have a happy table!

THE REPLACEMENTS

1.     Stag's Leap Wine Cellars - Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley 2014

2.     Chateau Montelena - Chardonnay Napa Valley 2013

3.     Sea Smoke - Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills Southing 2014 4.     Belle Glos - Pinot Noir Santa Maria Valley Clark and Telephone 2015 5.     Cune - Rioja Viña Real Gran Reserva 2010 6.     Duckhorn - Merlot Napa Valley 2013 7.     Shafer - Merlot Napa Valley 2014 8.     Viader - Proprietary Blend Napa Valley 2009 9.     Joseph Phelps - Insignia Napa Valley 2011 10.  Joseph Phelps - Insignia Napa Valley 2012 11.  O'Shaughnessy - Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain 2013 12.  Lewis - Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2014

 

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

2014 TASTE OF HOPE

Taste of Hope is Thursday, March 20th in Manhattan. The top people in the record and radio industry get together to raise money for City of Hope.

As always I'm happy to put together a crazy tasting of almost 30 wines to share at our 3 tables this year...Just be on the look out for the purple teeth gang with happy faces!

 

BTable #1 Country Gang comes to Town!

WHITES: Napa vs. Sonoma

·        2009 Lewis Cellars Russian River Valley Chardonnay 91pts WS.

·        2009 Jarvis French Hollow Estate Chardonnay 92pts WS.

PINOT: 2 rare one's from the best years of 2007 & 2009

·        2009 MacPhail - Toulouse Vineyard only 12 barrels handcrafted.

·        2007 Chasseur - Sonoma Coast "Joyce" Pinot Noir 92pts WS. 11 cases.

CABS: The Decade of Decadence:

·        2010 Hewitt Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon 96pts WS #4 Top 100.

·        2007 Clos Pegase Hommage Artist Series Cabernet Sauv. 93pts WS.

·        2006 Robert Mondavi Reserve 96pts WS Best Score EVER!

·        2004 Paul Hobbs Beckstoffer Dr. Crane 95pts WS

·        2003 Robert Mondavi Reserve 94pts WS

·        2002 Diamond Creek Red Rock Terrace

·        2001 Lewis Cellars Napa Valley Reserve Cabernet 94pts WS.

·        1999 Dunn Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 93pts WS.

Table 2: Big Machine

Whites:

·        2012 Twomey Sauvignon Blanc (sister winery of Silver Oak)

·        2010 Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Chardonnay

Merlot: yes we're drinking some F...ing Merlot-get over it.

·        2007 Twomey Merlot (sister winery of Silver Oak)

bonus bottle: 2009 Provenance (Merlot + Cab Franc Blend)

Bordeaux & Blends:

·        2009 Flora Springs Trilogy Napa Valley Red Wine

·        2008 Ladera Howell Mountain - Napa Cabernet 89 pts WS.

·        2007 Ramey Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 91pts WS.

·        2006 Whitehall Lane Reserve Cabernet - Napa

·        2005 Silver Oak Napa Cabernet Sauvignon
 

·        2001 Jarvis Reserve Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

Old World Wines: Table 3 France & Spain

·        2009 Thierry et Pascale Matrot Meursault Les Chevalieres

·        2009 Vina Herminia Excelsus Rioja (50% Tempranillo, 50% Garnacha) 93pts WS #39 Top 100.

·        2004 LSangenis I Vaque Coranya Priorat (50% Garnacha-50% Carinena)

·        2010 Chateau LaTour De Bessan-Margaux

·        2009 Chateau des Moines Montagne Saint-Emilion

·        2008 Chateau Crusquet de Lagarcie (80% Merlot & 20% Cab)

·        2008 Chateua Rollan de By-Medoc (Merlot, Cab & Petit Verdot) WS Top 100 wine.

 

2014 Taste Of Hope

The 2014 Taste of Hope is coming up on March 20, 2014 at TriBeca Rooftop in lower Manhattan. And this year Country is coming to town...sharing my table this year with Skip Bishop. Everyone wonders what kind of wine we'll get to enjoy so I thought it would just be easier to show what I've poured before...don't think you'll find any bad wines...LOL!  And this year will be even better with some very special guests!  - BT

 

Chardonnay/Chablis/Montrachet:

·         2002 Raveneau Chablis Montee' de Tonnerre.

·        2004 Patz & Hall Chardonnay Hyde Vineyard

·         2005 Girardin Puligny Montrachet – Les Folatieres – 93pts WE

·         2005 Cakebread Cellars – Chardonnay Reserve  Carneros Napa

·         2006 Cakebread Cellars – Chardonnay Reserve Napa Valley

·         2006 DuMol Chardonnay Isobel 92 pts.

·         2007 Cakebread Cellars – Chardonnay Napa Valley

·        2007 Chalone Estate Chardonnay, Napa – 92pts WS Wow!

·         2007 Chasseur/Sonoma Valley "Durrell"

·         2007 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay, Napa – 90pts WS

·         2007 Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey Meursault Premier Cru – Les Charmes 92pts WS

·         2009 Bernard Moreau et Fils Chassagen-Montrachet 1st Cru. 90 pts

·         2009 Kistler Chardonnay Sonoma Mountain 94 pts

·         2009 Lewis Cellars Chardonnay Russian River 95 pts.WS #23/Top 100.

·         2009 Pahlmeyer 95 pts Robert Parker.

·         2009 Shafer Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch 93 pts.WS #65/Top 100.

·         2009 Lewis Cellars – Chardonnay  Sonoma Russian River

·         2010 Cakebread Cellars Chardonnay Napa Valley 90 pts

“Rhone Rangers"

·        1998 Leroy Vosne Romanee Beauxmonts

·        2003 Chateau Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape - 94pts WS

·        2004 E. Guigal CHATEAU-du-Pape. 92 pts.

·         2006 Joseph Phelps Le Mistral – 92pts WS Another Wow!

·        2009 Tablas Creek Vineyard "Cotes de Tablas" 93 pts WS #37/Top 100.

Pinot Noir:

·         1993 Laurent Nuits St. George – Les Vaucrains 96pts RP

·         2001Calera Mt Harlan Pinot Selleck Vineyard.

·         2002 Cakebread Pinot Noir – Carneros 89pts WS

·         2003 Macphail Pinot Noir - Sonoma Coast Sangiacomo Vineyard - 93 pts. James Macphail was the wine maker at Merry Edwards.

·         2004 Daphne Glorian - Priorat Clos Erasmus. WS 94 pts Spanish style Pinot Noir.

·         2007 Chasseur Sonoma Coast 96 pts Only 284 cases made.

·         2007 Chasseur/Sonoma "Joyce"

·         2007 MacPhail/Sonoma Coast "Pratt Vineyard"

·         2007 Seasmoke Foxen Sta Rita Hills. 92 pts Only 470 cases made.

·         2007 Chasseur – Pinot Noir  Sonoma Coast Joyce

·         2007 Mueller – Pinot Noir  Russian River Valley Emily's Cuvee

·         2009 Flowers Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir. 89 pts

·         2009 Patz & Hall Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir. 91 pts

Noble Bordeaux Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cab Franc, Merlot + Blends:

·         1988 Leoville Las Cases – 95pts WS

·         1995 Insignia 94pts WS - Excellent!

·         1996 Stag’s Leap Fay Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa – 92pts WS

·         1996 Robert Mondavi – Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon  Napa 95 pts WS.

·         1997 Ridge California Monte Bello – 91pts RP Very Nice

·         1997 Chateau Montelana Cabernet Sauvignon

·         1997 Diamond Creek Cab Sauv. Napa Red Rock. 800 cases. 92 pts WS.

·         1997 Spottswoode – Cabernet Sauv. Napa Valley 94 pts WS.

·         1998 Chateau Quinalt - L’Enclos – 94pts RP

·         1999 Insignia 91 pts WS

·         1999 Robert Mondavi – Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon  Napa 94 pts WS.

·         2000 Joseph Phelps Insignia

·         2000 Silver Oak Napa.

·        2000 Harlan - The Maiden 92 pts

·        2000 Robert Mondavi – Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon  Napa Valley. 90ptsWS.

·        2000 Chateau La Conseillante - Medoc

·         2001 Dalla Valle – Cabernet Sauvignon  Napa Valley. 91 pts WS.

·        2001 Flora Spring Hillside Reserve 92 pts

·         2001 Whitehall Lane– Reserve Cabernet Sauv. 93 pts WS.'99 was #5 WS Top 100

·         2001 Joseph Phelps – Insignia Napa Valley 94 pts WS.

·         2001 Whitehall Lane/Napa Valley

·         2001 Pahlmeyer - Jayson  Napa Valley 92 pts WS.

·         2001 Robert Mondavi – Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 94 pts WS.

·         2002 Rubicon Estate -  Rutherford, Napa Valley 91 pts WS.

·         2002 Flora Spings – Trilogy Napa Valley92 pts WS.

·         2002 Robert Mondavi Reserve/Napa

·         2002 Whitehall Lane Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 91 pts

·         2003 Flora Springs - Trilogy.

·         2003 Jarvis Estate Reserve/Napa really enjoyed this one - smooth.

·         2003 Joseph Phelps – Insignia  Napa 90 pts WS.

·         2003 Joseph Phelps Insignia 96 pts.

·        2003 Ramey Diamond Mountain District Cabernet Blend.

·         2004 Robert Mondavi – Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon  Napa 95 pts WS.

·         2004 Bennett Lane Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 91 pts

·         2004 Cakebread Cellars - Dancing Bear Ranch  Howell Mt. 92 pts WS.

·         2004 Diamond Creek Red Rock Terrace 92 pts. 2011 winner.

·         2004 Flora Springs Trilogy (Cab Sauv/Merlot/Cab Franc & Petit Verdot)

·         2004 Robert Mondavi/Stag's Leap District - 95pts

·         2005 Insignia 92pts WS Amazing!

·         2005 Robert Mondavi – Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 92 pts WS.

·         2005 Bennett Lane Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 91 pts

·         2005 Chateau Rollan de By-Medoc 90 pts. Wine Spectator #96.

·         2005 Flora Springs Trilogy (Cab Sauv/Merlot/Cab Franc & Malbec)

·         2005 Flora Springs/Napa "Holy Smoke" Vineyard

·         2005 Jarvis "Lake William" Napa Valley Meritage 95pts.

·         2005 Viansa - Ossidiana – Sonoma Red Wine Only 500 cases. 90 pts WE.

·         2006 Bennett Lane Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 92 pts

·         2006 Chappellet/Napa Pritchard Hill Estate Vineyard -

·         2006 Duckhorn – Merlot  Napa Valley

·         2006 Flora Springs Trilogy (Cab Sauv/Merlot/Cab Franc & Petit Verdot)

·         2006 Jarvis/Napa Estate Cab Franc.

·         2006 Mondavi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 96 pts biggest one of the 2000's

·         2007 Chateau Montelana 94 pts

·         2007 Flora Springs Trilogy 93 pts Robert Parker

·         2007 Ladera/Napa Lone Canyon Vineyard - very nice

·         2007 Opus One – Napa Valley Red Wine 94 pts in WS.

·         2007 Provenance/Napa Cab Franc.

·         2008 Groth Reserve Cabernet Sauvigon 96 pts

·         2008 Ramey/Oakville Pedregal Vineyard

·         2009 Caymus Special Select Cabernet Sauvignon 93 pts

·         2009 Melka/Napa "CJ" - fave

·         2010 Caymus Special Select

Others & Desert Wine:

• 2003 Turley Napa Valley - Petite Syrah Hayne Vineyard. 95 pts
• 2003 Turley Old Vines Zinfandel
• 2001 Vinos Sin-Ley G6 Garnacha
• 2002. Voss Vineyard Napa Valley Ocala Syrah
• 1983 Taylor Fladgate Vintage Port – Portugal – 94pts RP