Manhattan Fine Wine and Dine Group

Wed, Oct 8 · 7:00 PM EDT

Mostly Soos Creek at ABA

ABA Istanbul Café, 325 West 57th Street, New York, NY, US

How long has it been since I hosted a dinner where all the reds are from my favorite value winery, Soos Creek? I can't actually remember, so here we go! An 8 person dinner with one white wine and four red Soos Creek wines. We will be dining at group favorite, ABA Turkish.

The cost for this event is $27, and is for the wine only.

PLUS a reminder of our usual rules:

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 low 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 $5 service fee.

Here is a link to the menu....
ABA TURKISH RESTAURANT MENU

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 $3 more for each RSVP. You will see this charge when you complete your rsvp and pay for the event. MEETUP+ members are exempt from this charge.

Please use public transportation - NO DRINKING AND DRIVING!

The Wines (notes will be distributed at the dinner)
2022 La Vizcaína Bierzo Lomas de Valtuille La del Vivo ($40) - To start us off, a Spanish Godello from Raul Perez. WA 95 points, "The white 2022 La Vizcaína La del Vivo comes from vines they own, all fermented without temperature control and never racked. It has a serious and austere nose that makes me think of a cooler year. There is good ripeness, and the wine achieved 13.5% alcohol but has very good freshness and acidity. It has notes of white flowers, fruit, spices and herbs and is complex, nuanced and elegant. It has a chalky palate with very fresh and clean flavors. It matured in 1,000-, 1,500- and 4,000-liter oak vats. Some 10,000 bottles produced. (drink 2024-2032)"

2019 Soos Creek Artist Series ($30) - Supposedly the Last Vintage of this wine. But you never know....anyway a blend of 40% Cabernet Franc, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot.

2021 Soos Creek Syrah Commander Comet ($30) - The only Syrah in Soos Creek's lineup, the 2021 was its inaugural vintage and then they actually skipped the 2022 vintage. All the CT ratings are mine, and I've scored it an average of 91 points. Here is Owen Bargreen's 93 point review, "A new bottling from the Soos Creek collection, the 2021 Commander Comet comes from the Discovery Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA. Inky in the glass, this delivers tar, sagebrush and allspice dusted blackberry on the nose. The palate is soft and refined with a silky texture and great sense of flavor density with its black fruit and chocolate core. Delicious now, watch this develop over the next decade. Drink 2024-2034"

2021 Soos Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Heart of the Hill ($26) - A new Cuvee for SC, 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, aged in 50% new oak, all Red Mountain fruit.

2021 Soos Creek Champoux Vineyard ($40) - Owen Bargreen 94 points, "A beautiful and also very delicious blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon with the remainder Merlot, this saw 50% new French oak before bottling. This is lush, pillowy and soft on the mouth. Loganberry cordial, anise and creme de cassis flavors all mingle well with refined tannins and brilliant structure. Enjoy this fabulous wine now and over the next fifteen years to come"

Mon, Oct 13 · 6:30 PM EDT

Fall Wines at Hawksmoor

Hawksmoor NYC, 109 East 22nd St, New York, NY, US

Alex has a stash of aged wines he wants to share, thus this is a great excuse to return to the Hawksmoor, a steakhouse in the Flatiron/Gramercy. We held an Umbrian wines event there in the spring, and I still remember the delicious steak Diane. The wine service is outstanding, and on Monday nights, the corkage is greatly reduced to $10 (from $50)!!!

Here is a link to the menu

Just a reminder of our usual rules:

** The cost of this event is $40 and is for the wines and corkage. You will also have to pay the cost of your food (plus 30% for tax and tip). Please order at least two courses (i.e. a main dish and appetizer ). There are very few restaurants that allow us to bring our own wine for a low corkage.

Hawksmoor does limit the number of credit cards per table, so it's best that you settle your portion of the bill by either cash, Zelle, Venmo, or Paypal.

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 $10 service fee.

Please use public transportation - NO DRINKING AND DRIVING!

WINES

# Sparkling - 2018 Sugrue The Trouble With Dreams Brut (South Downs, West Sussex, England)

Fizz from southern England has quickly developed a stellar reputation, and go toe-to-toe with champagne. Will you like this as much as French bubbly?

A truly remarkable English sparkling wine from a stellar vintage in the UK. A mouthwatering blend of 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir, this has distinct minerality, exceptional fruit ripeness, floral lift, and a compelling textural complexity that comes from fermentation in large old 500l Burgundian barrels.

"Strongly yeasty nose: much closer to champagne in style than their Cuvée Boz, but no less delicious for that. Long, powerful palate that keeps changing on the aftertaste – kaleidoscopic. Typically brilliant." - Jancis Robinson 17.5/20

# White - 2014 Domaine Huet Le Mont Sec (Vouvray, Loire Valley, France)

Since its founding in 1928, Vouvray’s Domaine Huet has been the standard-bearer for great, age-worthy Chenin Blanc. And to this day, year after year, the estate produces some of the world’s most compelling white wines—and in a remarkable range that spans sparkling, dry, semi-dry, and breathtaking dessert styles.

"Its aroma on the nose intertwines white and green fruits like apples and lemons with coolish flint stone, spicy and floral aromas in a subtly intense, very intriguing and complex way. This is a powerful and intense but much more finesse-full, purely mineral and highly elegant wine with a beautiful touch of sweetness (say roundness) and lovely citrus flavors. This is the most elegant and delicate Chenin of Huet's dry trio and its aromatic length, energy, salinity and spell-binding finesse is truly unrivaled." 96 points, Wine Advocate

# Red - 2020 Raul Perez Las Gundinas Lomas de Valtuille (Bierzo, Castilla y Leon, Spain)

Raúl Pérez is surely one of the most significant figures in modern Spanish wine. he has risen to star status in Spain and abroad for his inimitably soulful wines, genially collaborative spirit, and insatiable curiosity. The roll call of estates where he was the original enologist is formidable (Guímaro, Algueira, Bernabeleva, and Forjas del Salnés, to name just a few), and an amazing slate of rising young stars have passed through his bodega’s doors.

“The 2020 La Vizcaína Las Gundiñas has a new plot, a west-facing vineyard that is steeper and cooler. Pérez likes Gundiñas and Rapolao in warmer years like this. In 2020, 50% of the wine matured in 2,000-liter oak foudre and the other half in used 500-liter barrels. It was harvested much earlier, and the wine shows more freshness even if it shows more tannin today. He likes long macerations (40 to 45 days) and works toward having tannins and weight in his wines. Some 6,000 bottles were filled in August 2021. 2023 – 2029.” – 95+ points, Wine Advocate

# Red - 1996 Antoniolo Gattinara (Alto Piemonte, Piedmont, Italy)

Gattinara, north of the Langhe beside Lago Maggiore, is the DOCG for you if you prefer a light and elegant style of Nebbiolo (called Spanna here). The Antoniolo family is considered by many to be the most important reference-point estate in Gattinara,

Fermentations are done slowly in concrete vats with indigenous yeasts, and all of the Gattinaras are aged as long as Riservas, even if they only started carrying the designation in the 2015 vintage. 4600 cases are produced annually on average.

Mon, Oct 13 · 7:00 PM EDT

Pinot Noir from around the world!

Nice Matin, 201 West 79th St., at Amsterdam Ave., New York, NY, US

Did you miss out on Eric's October 13th event? Fear not, as I am going to host an event the same night at group favorite, Nice Matin! This will be an 8-person dinner featuring 4 different Pinot Noirs, plus the obligatory white wine starter.

Historical Oddity......October 13th is the birthday of 2 of the "8 Men out" of the 1919 Black Sox World Series conspiracy. Charles August "Swede" Risberg and Fred Drury McMullin. Both players were banned for life from Major League Baseball.

Here is a link to their menu:
Nice Matin Dinner Menu

Nice Matin is located at 201 W. 79th Street, the corner of Amsterdam Ave.

** The cost of this event is $51 and is for the cost of the wines.

NOTE: Meetup has started charging a "Partner Fee" that is above and in addition to the listed price of the event. It is annoying and confusing, but there is nothing I can do about it. It comes to approximately $4 more for each RSVP. You will see this charge when you complete your rsvp and pay for the event. MEETUP+ members are exempt from this charge.

Just a reminder of our usual rules:

You will also have to pay the cost of your food (plus 33% for tax and tip). You will be expected to order at least 2 dishes (an appetizer and a main, or main and dessert) to help support the restaurant.

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.

The Wines (notes will be distributed at the dinner):

2022 Jean-Pierre Guyon Nuits St. Georges Les Argillats Blanc ($85) - A Pinot Noir BLANC, a rare mutation. "Pinot blanc, filtered but not fined, and ready to bottle. 30% new wood and 13.46% alcohol. The palate fills out gorgeously, while there is a fine chiselled fresh finish. Both halves of the equation work. Drink from 2026-2030. Tasted: November 2023." 89-91 Jasper Morris "Four Star" wine

2022 Jean-Pierre Guyon Chorey les Beaune villages Les Bons Ores $69 - From the same producer at the white wine. "10% new wood, about to be bottled. A similar rich crimson purple colour. A savoury and stylish deep red fruit on the nose, with spice behind. A pretty fantastic example of Chorey with life and depth, dark cherry fruit. Excellent tension, I think this will be gorgeous. Long, fine and sensual. Drink from 2026-2030. Tasted: November 2023." 91-92 Jasper Morris "Five! Star Wine""

2022 Sven Enderle Pinot Noir vom Keuper ($53) - From Germany! We had a bottle of this a few months ago and loved it. I really don't know how to describe it, and I can't access the review. You will just have to trust me!

2023 Evening Land Vineyards Pinot Noir La Source Seven Springs Vineyard ($72) - From Oregon.

2019 Martinelli Pinot Noir Fort Ross - Seaview ($75) - CT 92. From CA's Sonoma Coast region.

Wed, Oct 15 · 6:30 PM EDT

Not Quite Mardi Gras Cajun Food & Wine Night

Filè Gumbo Bar, 275 Church Street,, New York, NY, US

Join us for a fun night of Cajun food in Tribeca at Filé Gumbo Bar. They are located at 275 Church Street, across from the Roxy Hotel.

Now before you start worrying about how that type of food will be in NYC, hear this: I’m one of those regional food people who try to only eat tacos in SoCal or Mexico and used to only eat Cajun food in New Orleans. But, anyone who’s experienced Cajun food at Filé Gumbo Bar has been surprised & delighted at how authentic and delicious their food is. Menu items cover many NOLA favorites like crawfish bread, pimento cheese, fried seafood, bbq shrimp, gumbo and the best étouffée I’ve had outside of my own (from Paul Prudhomme’s recipe). They even have beignets for dessert! See the full menu here.

We will enjoy 5 bottles of wine—1 Champagne, 1 white, 1 rosé and 2 reds—for 8 people at a cost of $40 per person including corkage. Note: The Champagne starter is an homage to New Orleans’ French roots.

Just a reminder of our usual rules:

** The cost of this event is $40 and is for the cost of the wines and corkage 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:

1. Pierre Gimonnet & Fils Cuis 1er Cru Brut Blanc de Blanc, Champagne, NV $75 – WS 91, RP 90
   What better starter for a Cajun dinner than French Champagne! Per Flatiron: “This grower Champagne is a pristine and vibrant expression of Chardonnay from the premier cru vineyards of Cuis in the Côte des Blancs. This non-vintage cuvée delivers a delicate and nuanced profile, beginning with aromas of lemon zest, green apple, and white peach, accented by floral hints of acacia and subtle notes of toasted almond and chalky minerality. On the palate, it is precise and energetic, offering flavors of citrus, crisp pear, and a touch of brioche, supported by a fine mousse and lively acidity. The finish is long, refreshing, and mineral-driven, showcasing the elegance of its terroir. Cuis 1er Cru Blanc de Blancs pairs beautifully with seafood dishes such as oysters or seared scallops, as well as light poultry or creamy cheeses.” For Cajun food, this will pair well with fried catfish or fried chicken, jambalaya and crawfish étouffée.
2. 2023 Elena Walch Gewürztraminer, Alto Adige, 14% ABV $32
   I’ve been a fan of Elena Walch ever since trying their Schiava years ago on the UWS. On a recent trip to Northern Italy it was a pleasure to see the full spectrum of offerings from Elena Walch on shelves, and in Bologna I tried (and loved) her Gewurtraminer 2022. In NYC now they’re selling the 2023 and that’s the one I got for this dinner: “The 2022 vintage was marked by high temperatures, producing a rich and powerful wine, while the cooler 2023 vintage resulted in a fresher, more elegant, and complex style.” The vineyard says: “We are delighted with an interesting 2023 vintage! Even though we’ve experienced a challenging growing season…we’ve had a fantastic harvest season. Our Gewürztraminer, with its typical dry Alto Adige charm and personality, gleams in intense straw yellow with hints of gold reflections. Classic Gewürztraminer notes are mirrored in the bouquet – intensively aromatic notes of rose petals, flowers and spices. The wine presents itself rich in finesse on the palate, with fresh fullness, harmonic elegance and a long finish.” WS 89 Points, "Lychee, apricot, ground cardamom, tea rose and broom notes are enlivened by baked grapefruit peel acidity in this dry and zesty white, with a lingering finish of spice and mineral details."
3. 2024 Borell-Diehl Saint Laurent Rosé Trocken, Pfalz 1L 12.5%ABV $16
   This refreshing German dry rosé surprises people for many reasons: it’s drinkability, dryness, and price for what you get: $16 for a liter!. It’s a light, fresh, medium-pale rosé from the dark-skinned, dark-juiced Saint Laurent grape, sustainably dry-farmed with no herbicides or pesticides. Cool Vines said about the 2022: We get strawberries, cherries, and minerals on this staff & customer favorite. There is a vibrant acidity and freshness that makes it taste "just bottled."
4. 2021 Comando G La Bruja, 100% Grenache, Vinos de Madrid 14.5% ABV $25 – CT 89.7
   Brought by Stephen who says while he doesn’t agree with WA's 95 point review, here it is: "The 2021 La Bruja de Rozas is their edgiest and most austere mineral and soil-driven version of their entry-level red. It's herbal, with no concession for fruit, and it has electricity and grip. It's a good preview of what's to come from 2021. It has a lot of 2018 and 2016 characteristics, a cool summer, a year with rain and even some during harvest that complicated matters and made them lose some grapes, but there's more grip, more minerality, more depth, layers and subtleness. It needs time in the glass, and my guess is that at age eight it's going to reach an outstanding level. A grown-up Bruja, it’s more for soil fanatics than the general public, and it’s one to lay down in your cellar (by the case) while you drink your 2020s. There were 55,184 bottles produced. It was bottled in August 2022. (drink 2024-2030).”
5. 2022 SAS Jean-Claude Lapalu Brouilly $35