Clear out the Cellar, California Style

This is somewhat shorter notice than I usually give everyone, but I'm going to host a dinner with California wines that I have forgotten about. They may be a little old and possible past their prime, but I'm going to discount them. So take a chance, if you dare. There might be some bargain gems in this event.

We will have 1 white wine, followed by 4 reds, all from California. Two of them are from the Beau Vigne winery. All the reds are from vintages ranging from 2005 to 2010.

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 $42 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 :
2017 TOR Chardonnay Durell Vineyard ($60) - Can CA Chardonnay age? Let's find out. WA gave it 95 points, along with a drinking window that extends to 2027. "Tor’s block of the Durell Vineyard is on the “Sand Hill” section of the vineyard, looking down on the Sonoma Valley. The soil is Goulding clay loam, mixed with diatomaceous earth, and millions of years ago, it formed a sand bar reaching into the prehistoric lake that covered the town of Sonoma. Tor favors the Wente clone in this vineyard, which is a selection of plant material that sets a small crop with small berries. The result is a high skin-to-flesh ratio and great concentration of varietal character. The single new barrel cooper used is Saury. The 2017 Tor Chardonnay Durell Vineyard is slightly closed on the nose, opening out to honeyed peaches, lemon tart, melons and savory/toasty notes with yeasty hints. The palate is full-bodied with great intensity of savory flavors, finishing long, satiny and very savory. 343 cases produced. (drink 2019-2027)"

2005 Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve ($90) - CT 92.5, reviewed 4 times by the WA, most recently in 2015 and they scored it at 95 points, "Beringer’s 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve comes from the top selection from all their different holdings, with each vineyard aged separately for close to two years, then blended for quality. This blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc is a gorgeous example of the Private Reserve. Of course, it probably suffers from the fact that Beringer is part of a gigantic international conglomerate, but this is just a stunning wine – inky purple, with plenty of cassis, a hint of espresso, subtle background oak and forest notes. The color is opaque and the wine full-bodied and opulent, with sweet tannin and a multilayered mouthfeel. It has silky tannins, good freshness and uplifting acid, which should ensure a considerable longevity of 15-20 additional years. This is a stunner." (2015-2035)

2007 Beau Vigne Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve ($70) - CT 92, WA 94+ points, "More backward and structured, the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve possesses copious black fruit, licorice, and forest floor notes as well as a boatload of tannin. While neither as charming nor accessible as the Juliet, it needs 3-4 years of cellaring, and should last for two decades thereafter. (drink 2012-2032)"

2010 Beau Vigne Cabernet Sauvignon Romeo ($35) - CT 90.8, but outside of my tasting notes, there have been no notes since 2017. WA gave it 92 points, but with a very short drinking window. "The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Romeo emerges from the glass with freshly cut flowers, sweet black cherries, French oak and licorice, all of which are woven together in an attractive, mid-weight fabric. Juicy and flavorful, the Romeo is an excellent choice for drinking over the next few years. The 2010 is 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2018. (drink 2014-2018)"

2010 Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards Éloge ($50) - CT 91.7, WA 88 points, "The Eloge program has always been Anderson’s Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon blend. From a late harvest (through the first week of November), the 2010 Eloge is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc and the rest Merlot and Petit Verdot aged 24 months in wood. Its dark plum/ruby color does not possess the saturation of the Cabernet Sauvignon Estate. Plenty of jammy blueberry, black cherry and wild mountain berry fruit set it apart from previous vintages of this cuvee. Medium-bodied and more Euro-centric in style, it is an attractive albeit lower-keyed, down-scaled version of Eloge. It should drink well for 10-12 years."