Pittsburgh BYOB gathering #10

Wow. I guess I better be in. Put me down for 2 (Rosalie will attend, as well). I guess I probably shouldn't bring my Enchanted Path... I'll check the cellar and speak with the boss before committing to a wine.

I've got Mollydooker Two Left Feet and The Boxer, both from '06, so they might have cooled enough to open, and I've got a nice '05 Novy Santa Lucia Highlands Syrah. If no one else is bringing these, I'll bring two of the three (one for me and one for Rosalie). If others have these, let me know, and I'll dig deeper.

I'm bringing a Glaetzer Amon Ra 2006. Did somebody say "terrific"? We'll let the group decide.

I'm in for one on the 23rd. Am excited to try all the Mollydooker having never had any. Considering bringing my one bottle of Kilikanoon Reserve M. Could instead do Parson's Flat '04 or Two Hands Bella's Garden if anyone feels strongly.


What's that? Sorry I don't speak Latin!

Robert Parker - The Wine Advocate (97-100)
Jay Miller - "Amon-Ra has become one of Australias icon wines. Made from 100% Shiraz sourced from vineyards ranging in age from 80-120 years and with microscopic yields of 0.5 tons per acre, the 2006 Amon-Ra was aged for 15 months in new French and American oak. The wine is a thick, glass-coating, purple/black in color. The aromas cover a wide range of scents including smoke, vanilla, pepper, Asian spices, coconut, espresso, blueberry, and chocolate. Thick, rich, layered, and complete, this monumental wine offers extraordinary intensity and length. It requires 10-15 years to fully evolve and should easily last through 2040. Hats off to Ben Glaetzer for producing an extraordinary portfolio!"

It's stacking up to be quite a tasting! Glad you can make it.

Amon-Ra was an Egyptian god so probably didn't speak Latin either! That's a helluva description Hawk. I assume you're bringing the 1995 vintage so it's fully evolved.

Put me in for 2

The name of Amon-Ra shiraz has a link to the origins of winemaking. The ancient Egyptian temple of Amon-Ra was believed to be the first temple to ever plant a monoculture vineyard to produce wine for the citizens of the temple. Amon-Ra was considered to be the king of all gods.The eye on the front label is the all-seeing eye of Horus. The ancient Egyptian eye of Horus or wedjat ("whole one") is a powerful symbol of protection. The eye of Horus has six parts, corresponding to the ancient Egyptian idea of six senses – touch, taste, hearing, thought, sight and smell. Ben Glaetzer created his Amon-Ra to appeal to all those six senses.

From glaetzer.com

I know it's infanticide drinking the 06, but it's still an amazing wine. I don't think my remaining bottles will be around in 10 years.

I've found that the recent Aussie shirazs' don't age like everyone expects because of their immense alcohol content. Or, maybe they go through a dumb phase in the middle of their lives. Either way, I'm not against drinking them young.

So have we officially changed the event to Friday, July 23rd?

I'm bringing a 1998 Rosemount Estate Balmoral Syrah.

Yes, Friday, July 23 at 7:00pm

Current list:

dontime (4)
Bigred (2)
jlburg (2)
tonypoli (2)
Mark (1)
jonradus (?)
J2K (?)
Hawk (?)

No word from ecola (aka "The Chairman").

I am putting together a list of juice and will post that as we get closer.

An early Gary Vaynerchuk Wine Library TV episode (No. 18, I think), is all about decanting. And he uses the Amon-Ra as the wine to be decanted. I would recommend doing so for the tasting.

Ran across a 2002 K Vintners "The Beautiful" in the cellar - I think I will bring that, as well as Mollydooker "The Boxer" (K Syrah - get it?). The K gets better and better reviews on CellarTracker, although Tanzer likes it less. I guess we will see.

That's funny because I was thinking about bringing an '02 K Vintners Morrison Lane alongside the '05 Mollydooker Enchanted Path. It could be very interesting to taste all of these up against each other.

Current status:

dontime (3)
Bigred (2)
jlburg (2)
tonypoli (2)
Mark (1)
jonradus (?)
J2K (?)
Hawk (?)

Still no word from "The Chairman".

I'll need to firm up the number by next Friday, so please let me know by then.

Anticipated wines:

2006 Two Hands Shiraz Ares
2006 Glaetzer Amon Ra
2006 Mollydooker "The Boxer"
2005 Mollydooker "Enchanted Path"
2004 Wolf Blass Platinum Label
2002 K Vintners "The Beautiful"
2002 K Vintners "Morrison Lane"
1998 Rosemount Estate Balmoral Syrah
???? Two Hands Bella's Garden

I'm in for 2.

In addition to the Ares '06, since I am in for 2, I plan to bring the 2007 Mollydooker "Blue Eyed Boy" Shiraz.

This is going to be an unbelievable tasting...

Dontime, they have salads on the menu right? Just want to make sure I can get something nice and light...

I'm in for one, maybe two. This is a white zin tasting, right?

I'm in for two, but there may be a third. My second wine will be a 2006 Glatzer "Wallace". The lineup looks amazing.

....and it may get even better! I invited someone from another wine site that lives in Meadville. He wants to join us and bring a Sine Qua Non-Raven. :-)

Definitely in for a Raven. Thanks for the invite J2K

Been in Houston for the last couple of days. Had an interesting Oregon Pinot last night - Ken Wright. Tonight we did a Joseph Phelps Cab. These don't compare to the line up we look to have in a couple of weeks.

Ecola - good to have you join us. Will you be bringing the Beringer White Zin or the Sutter Home? Vintage?

Tantore - welcome aboard! You in for one, two or more?

Mark - I've ordered up extra field greens for you.

Cucumber sandwiches are always a hit.

Welcome Tantore!

In for one, wife will stay at the hotel with my 4 year old. Were taking her to Tom petty for her first concert that Saturday :)

Yes, welcome Tantore - always nice to expand the group. Looking forward to sampling The Raven. This is shaping up to be a phenominal tasting.

Okay - showing 17-20 at this point:

Bigred 2
Jonradus 2
jlburg 2
J2K 1 (2)
tonypoli 2
Mark 1
Hawk 2 (3)
dontime 3
Tantore 1
ecola 1 (2)

I'll give Palazzo's a heads up today. If anything changes or if anyone can firm up their count, please let me know.

I'm (Han) solo.

Stopped by Palazzo's and gave them the update. They are looking forward to hosting us.

At 17 or so, they will try to do a single table in a "U" shape. If we get much larger we'll probably have to go to multiple tables. J2K gets to sit outside on the balcony by himself.

We'll have one room to mingle in before dinner with an appetizer plate. We'll then move to a second room for dinner. Two stems each at my request. Extra rib-eyes available. Field greens and cucumber sandwiches on hand if desired...

Mmmmm...cucumber sandwiches...