French Syrah vs. WA State Cabs

As summer has ended and we start to move into Fall, I thought I would host a French Syrah vs. WA State Bordeaux style wines. We will have 1 white from Corsica, followed by two Crozes-Hermitage Syrahs, followed by 2 WA State wines, one mostly Cabernet and the other an almost 50/50 blend of Cabernet and Merlot.

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 $39 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 :

2023 Domaine de Vaccelli Ajaccio Blanc ($44) - I don't have any reviews on this Corsican Vermintino, but I have it on good authority from a few group members that is an excellent Oyster wine!

2021 Dard et Ribo Crozes-Hermitage Les Pins ($55) - I got nothing on this wine! No reviews, even the importer said very little about it. Yet I bought it anyway. Let's try a bottle together, and I'll take a small haircut on this.

2022 Marc Sorrel Crozes-Hermitage ($60) - WA 92 points, "Picked on August 27th, the 2022 Crozes-Hermitage, fermented with 100% whole clusters, unfurls from the glass with a lively, perfumed bouquet of rose, dark berries, dark cherries, spices and violets. Medium to full-bodied, round and juicy, it's elegantly enveloping with discreetly stingy tannins and a long, mouthwatering and ethereal finish. This is a beautifully crafted wine with lot of finesse and freshness."

2015 Avennia Gravura ($35) - WA 93 points, "A blend of 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Franc, the 2015 Gravura exhibits a classic bouquet of cassis, pencil shavings and rich soil, followed by a medium-bodied, velvety and layered palate, with a rich core of fruit that's attractively vibrant and already incipiently complex. This is a sophisticated, well-balanced and keenly priced Bordeaux blend that definitely impressed me. (drink 2018-2028)"

2020 Quilceda Creek CVR Columbia Valley ($80) - We had a bottle of this last year (at Bobby V's) and loved it. JD and WA 94 points, "Mainly Cabernet Sauvignon with 7% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc, the 2020 CVR Columbia Valley Red Wine is big, juicy and precise with a bold nose of dark red and black fruit. It is full-bodied, succulent and richly layered on the palate, with seductive flavors of berry compote, a delicate mineral tension, fantastic focus and a long, lingering finish. The wine rested for 22 months in all French oak. Only 3,850 cases were made."