Labor Day!

Join me for a Labor Day dinner at Nice Matin. This is their final dinner for NYC's Restaurant Week, which seemed to last for more than a month!!!

There will be 1 white and 3 reds. All the wines will come from WA state and the reds will be from the "GSM" family of wines.

They are located on the corner of W. 79th and Amsterdam Ave.

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

** The cost of this event is $32 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):

2023 Stanley Groovy Lip Stinger ($36) - JD 91 points, "The 2023 Stanley Groovy Lip Stinger is a fruit-forward, honeyed white that blends Viognier and Grenache Blanc, benefiting from the floral richness of both. Moderate acidity keeps it fruity and juicy while balanced, making for an approachable, crowd-pleasing wine full of sophisticated elegance. Drink now. (Drink between 2025-2026)"

2017 B. Leighton Gratitude Olsen Brothers Vineyard ($39) - CT 91.4, JD 96 points, ") A cuvée made for winemaker Brennen Leighton's wife and a field blend of 70% Mourvèdre, 25% Grenache, and 5% Syrah, the 2017 Gratitude ranks with the finest Mourvèdres to come from the state. Awesome notes of black raspberry liqueur, incense, ground pepper, and forest floor give way to a medium to full-bodied, ripe, powerful yet weightless 2017 that does everything right. It’s already just about impossible to resist, yet my money is on it evolving for a solid decade. Brennon Leighton is one of the pillars behind the incredible quality coming from the K Vintners lineup, yet he also makes a tiny amount of wine under his own B. Leighton label. These are singular, incredibly impressive wine which are unfortunately made in just tiny quantities. Trust me, they’re well worth the effort to track down! (Drink between 2020-2030)"

2023 Full Pull & Friends CVSIP ($24) - A private label wine from the retailer Full Pull. Here is what they said, I had a bottle in January and gave it 88 points, and I felt if was on the lighter side for Grenache based wine. "A full 80% of the blend is a combination of Grenache and Syrah. The remaining 20% will need to be an enduring mystery.
The Grenache comes from the Yakima Valley; the Syrah from the Walla Walla Valley.
Portions of this were raised in barrique, puncheon, and concrete. All of the oak (barrel and puncheon) was French; all of it was used at least once."

2019 Gramercy Cellars Syrah Walla Walla Valley ($33) - WA 90+ points, "Firm with a mineral core, the 2019 Walla Walla Syrah offers black fruit tones with dark red and purple flowers on the nose. Medium to full-bodied, the wine is balanced on the palate with succulent tannins and a fine mineral tension, ending with a tight, food-friendly finish that will need another year in the bottle to come around. Give it time; your patience will be rewarded. Just under 13,000 bottles were produced. (drink 2024-2032)"

2022 Two Vintners Syrah The Waiting List Boushey Vineyard ($70) - JD 94 points, "The 2022 Syrah The Waiting List Boushey Vineyard is tight, savory, earthy, and herbal, with substantial tannin weight. Bacon fat complements the more herbaceous overtones of this full-bodied wine, which shows a hearty concentration of black fruit that adds to the intensity. Age 10-12 years. (Drink between 2025-2037)"