Details
It is time for a Napa (California) wine night at Bobby Van's. For this dinner we will have one white wine from California's Russian River Valley, followed by 4 red wines, all from Napa!
We will return to perennial favorite, Bobby Van's on Park for a 7pm reservation.
Here is a link to their menu...
Bobby Van's on Park Menu
Just a reminder of our usual rules:
** The cost of this event is $45 and is for the cost of the wines only.
NOTE: Meetup has started charging a "Partner Fee" that is above and in addition to the listed price of the event. It comes to approximately $4 more for each RSVP. You will see this charge when you complete your rsvp and pay for the event. Sorry! Meetup+ members are exempt from this charge.
You will also have to pay the cost of your food (plus 33% for tax and tip). Please order at least two courses (i.e. a main dish and either appetizer or dessert) for your dinner. There are very few restaurants that allow us to bring our own wine for a Zero corkage fee. We must be good guests to encourage the restaurant to continue to be generous to us.
Please read and understand the group's cancellation policy. If you take spot, then cancel, and no one else takes the spot, you will not receive a refund or credit. No refunds or credits will be given for no-shows or late cancellations (unless someone else takes your spot). All cancellations are subject to a $6 service fee.
Please use public transportation - NO DRINKING AND DRIVING!
The Wines :
2023 Tongue Dancer Chardonnay Magnolia Montrachet ($60) - The Drunken Cyclist has reviewed this twice, 97 points both times. While I think that is high (I gave it 95 points), it is a great Napa Chard. ". The nose out of the bottle is more expressive with green apple, lime, and maybe a touch of pineapple. The palate is simply magical with plenty of the aforementioned fruit, a tantalizing minerality, and oodles of acidity. But. There is also a deeper richness here, a creaminess that verges on intense. Younger siblings often try their hardest to show up their older brethren, but often fail. This does not. At. All. It soars. Outstanding Plus."
2016 Larkmead Vineyards Firebelle ($85) - CT 91.6, the only Merlot dominant blend of the night. WA 94 points, "Composed of 67% Merlot, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Petit Verdot, the deep garnet-purple colored 2016 Firebelle (White Label) has a seductive nose of spiced black berries, black forest cake, preserved plums and kirsch with touches of eucalyptus, espresso, licorice and dried herbs. Medium to full-bodied, the spiced black fruit flavors completely coat the palate with loads of mint and herbal sparks, framed by plush tannins and just enough freshness, finishing on a lingering aniseed note. (drink 2020-2038)"
2013 12c Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard ($75) - Sort of a lost in the cellar wine. I bought this years ago and didn't like it, so I put it away and forgot about it. Last week I opened up a bottle and was amazed at how good it tasted. So we get to try one of my remaining bottles! CT 92.7, WS 91, WA 95 points, "This brilliant project boasts the increasingly respected Mike Smith as the winemaker. The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon has a beautiful dense, ruby/purple color that’s opaque to the rim, a big, spicy, rich nose of black fruits, forest floor and licorice. It’s full-bodied and opulent with low acidity, stunning concentration and length. This is a beauty; it’s round voluptuous and best drunk now and over the next 15 or more years. (drink 2016-2031)"
2014 Lindstrom Wines Cabernet Sauvignon ($70) - From the Stags Leap District. CT 92.7, Galloni from Vinous scored this 93 points multiple times. But here is WS's more reasonable 90 point review, "Robust and full-bodied, this is a touch rustic and chewy, as the core of dark berry and licorice flavors, mocha-scented oak and loamy earth notes form a complex package. The finish is long and engaging. Drink now through 2030"
2016 Lewelling Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon St. Helena ($45) - CT 92.6, JD 94 points, "the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon comes all from the estate and is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon that spent 20 months in 70% new French oak and was bottled unfined and unfiltered. This sensational effort's purity and balance is something to behold, offering a smorgasbord of creme de cassis, blueberries, tobacco leaf, lavender, damp forest floor, and spring flower-like nuances that develop beautifully with time in the glass. Full-bodied, multi-dimensional, concentrated yet weightless, it's a stunning Napa Cabernet Sauvignon that does everything right. Drink it any time over the coming 15+ years. (Drink between 2019-2034)"