Pre-New Year's Dinner

As we get to that time of the year that is after Christmas, but before New Years Eve, one of two things happens with my dinning thoughts...Either I need a quick rest, OR, I need someplace to eat! I'm going with the former and setting up this 8 person dinner at Akdeniz, a favorite Turkish restaurant in Midtown West.

Here is a link to Akdeniz' menu

Just a reminder of our usual rules:

The cost of this event is $37 and is for the wines and corkage. 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 appetizer ). There are very few restaurants that allow us to bring our own wine for a low corkage.

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.

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.

Lastly: NO DRINKING AND DRIVING

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

2021 Guillaume Clusel Côteaux du Lyonnais L'Hecto ($26) - CT 92.5, A Chardonnay from the Rhone. My notes from 12/2023, "a full bodied Chard that felt like very little if any new oak was used. Stone fruit notes on the palate and a great nose. Really one of the better QPR Chardonnays that I have ever had."

2017 Becklyn Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon ($65) - CT 93. JD 91 points, "The base 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley is outstanding, offering a more medium-bodied, rounded, nicely textured style as well as classy notes of black raspberries, dried tobacco, spice, and a touch of cassis. It’s a good value and has plenty to love. I suspect it will drink nicely for 10-15 years. (Drink between 2020-2035)"

2018 Stags' Leap Winery Petite Sirah ($32) - CT 90.1, WA 91+ points, "Sourced from Calistoga all the way down to Coombsville, the 2018 Petite Sirah is inky purple-black in color. Vanilla notes—it spends 14 months in 25% new American oak—accent blackberries and blueberries on the nose, while it's full-bodied on the palate, where it's a bit chunky but not unfriendly, with a long, dusty finish."

2019 Herman Story Mourvèdre One Hit Wonder ($55) - CT 91.3. No information available, even on the Herman Story website, which lists almost every wine they have made over the past decade, EXCEPT this Cuvee! I bought 2 bottles, and have really enjoyed all wines I have tasted from this winery. So let's take a chance and try it out. From Paso Robles, CA.

2019 Force Majeure Mourvèdre Les Volés ($85) - CT 94, JD 96, Owen Bargreen 96 points, "The 2019 is the second vintage of the Mourvèdre Les Volés, sourced from a specific single block at the Force Majeure vineyard on Red Mountain. Menthol and dried sage hit you immediately on the nose, and smoked brisket and violets carry the beautiful aromatics. The palate is drop-dead gorgeous, with incredible tension and viscosity and firm tannins holding everything in place. Astounding in its youth, this will cellar well for another decade or more. (Drink between 2021-2035)"