CA Cabernets!

Join me for this CA Cabernet night, where all the reds will be high-ish end California Cabernets. The white wine starter will be French wine from Corsica, that I have had before and really enjoyed. We will be dining at Il Monello Italian Restaurant for this 6 person dinner. They are located on E. 49th Street, between 1st and 2nd Aves.

Here is a link to their menu...

Il Monello lunch & Dinner Menu

** The cost of this event is $87 and is for the cost of the wines and corkage only. Please understand, that Il Monello charges us corkage, which is included in the price of the event. PLEASE ONLY SIGN UP FOR THIS DINNER IF YOU ARE SURE YOU CAN MAKE IT.

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 $6 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.

Just 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.

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 $7 service fee.

Please use public transportation - NO DRINKING AND DRIVING!

The Wines (notes will be distributed at the dinner):
2022 Domaine de Vaccelli Quartz ($70) - From Corsica, No reviews, but here is what the importer said, **"**This is just the fifth vintage of Gérard's new baby from the young vine Carcaghjolu blanc, Ghjenuvese, Cudiverta, and Riminese that he planted from Abbatucci's heirloom holdings, co-fermented and aged in a single demi-muid barrel. He tells me that it is a bit rounder and fruitier than the old vine Vermentino that informs his Granit blanc, but that it is already exhibiting a precision and sense of mineral underpinnings that prove quite exciting. I am very glad to have so much to spread around, as the demand here always waaay outpaces supply" FWIW, I had a bottle of the 2021 and was blown away

2018 Lail Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Blueprint ($80) - CT 92.3, the younger sibling of Lail's J. Danilel Cuvee, and about a third of the price. CT posters seem to like this more than the professional reviewers, WA 91 points, "Composed of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Blueprint was aged 18 months in French oak (50% new). Deep garnet-purple in color, it delivers intense, wonderfully pure notes of crushed black currants, blackberries and black raspberries with suggestions of candied violets, charcoal and tobacco leaf with a waft of bay leaves. The medium to full-bodied palate is packed with crunchy black berry flavors, supported by approachable, grainy tannins and lovely freshness, finishing long and fruity. 3,215 cases were made. (drink 2020-2034)"

2015 Larkmead Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon ($100) - CT 92.4, WA 93, WS 87!, JD 95 points, "Moving to the 2015s, the largest production cuvee from younger vines is the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon and it includes 3% Cabernet Franc and spent 18 months in 65% new French oak. Possessing terrific richness in its dark fruit, tobacco and Graves-like minerality, this beauty is full-bodied, concentrated and layered on the palate. It’s a beautiful base cuvee that does everything right. Located north of Saint Helena and pulling all from their estate vineyard located around the winery, owner Cam Baker and winemaker Dan Petroski have produced some true superstars in 2015. These are ripe, full-bodied, majestic, yet structured wines that are going to age beautifully."

2013 O'Shaughnessy Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder ($130) - CT 94.3, WA96 points, "The blockbuster 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and 100% from Mt. Veeder. This is magnificent, with blue and black fruits galore, a dense, opaque purple color, and notes of creamy oak interwoven with enormous quantities of highly extracted fruit and velvety tannins in a voluptuously textured, multi-layered stunner. This wine still shows plenty of grip and tannin, so give it 2-3 years of cellaring and drink it over the following 30 years. This is a big-time winner. (drink 2019-2045)"