Napa at 30: Conn Valley & Mayacamas

In the world of California wine, the thirty-year mark is the ultimate "moment of truth." For our upcoming dinner, we are gathering at Hawksmoor to witness that milestone firsthand. This lineup offers a rare look at the structural integrity of mountain fruit, where even the youngest red in the flight has finally reached its third decade of evolution.
We will be diving deep into the soul of 1990s Napa—focusing on the rugged, secluded terroir of Conn Valley and the historic, cloud-swept slopes of Mount Veeder.
The Producers
Our exploration begins in the high-altitude terrain of Mount Veeder with Mayacamas Vineyards. Sitting between 1,800 and 2,400 feet, these vines grow above the mist in thin, volcanic soils. Mayacamas is a bastion of tradition; they famously eschew malolactic fermentation and use neutral oak to preserve the site's natural tension and "stony" character.
The heart of the night is a vertical of Anderson’s Conn Valley Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Reserve from the 1990s. Tucked into a secluded canyon just east of St. Helena, this estate benefits from dramatic diurnal shifts and rocky, alluvial soils. The winemaking, led by Todd and Gus Anderson, focused on a "European" sensibility—lower alcohol and firm tannins designed for the long haul.
The Lineup

• 2014 Mayacamas Vineyards Chardonnay: A warm, concentrated vintage that remains electric and bracing. The perfect "anti-Napa" white to wake up the palate.
• 1993 Anderson's Conn Valley Estate Reserve (33 Years Old): The epitome of "old school" Napa, showing cedar, dried tobacco, and high-toned acidity.
• 1996 Anderson's Conn Valley Estate Reserve (30 Years Old): A year of low yields and high intensity; the "sleeper" of the flight with deep savory and forest-floor complexity.
• 1997 Anderson's Conn Valley Estate Reserve (29/30 Years Old): From the legendary "vintage of the century," this bottle hit its 30th year with plush, velvet-textured power.

The Venue: Hawksmoor
Located in the historic United Charities Building, Hawksmoor is the premier U.S. outpost of the legendary British steakhouse. Under the culinary leadership of Executive Chef Lauren Mazzella, the menu centers on all-natural, dry-aged steaks seared over live-fire charcoal. The grand dining room, with its 26-foot vaulted ceilings and Beaux-Arts details, provides a stately yet high-energy atmosphere, the ideal savory canvas for the tertiary complexity of our 30-year-old Cabernets.
I hope you can join us!

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Disclaimer: Please note that these wines are mature. Wine is a living organism and there is a higher risk of disappointment here. If your preference is for younger wines, please skip this one. But for those who appreciate the patience required to age these and the resulting development, you are in for a treat.

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Just a reminder of our usual rules:
** The cost of this event 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 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. 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 reasonable 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 an $8 service fee. Additionally, cancellations within 24 hours of the reservation will incur a $45 Restaurant Fee.
Please use public transportation - NO DRINKING AND DRIVING!