San Francisco Bay Area Wine- The Judgment of San Francisco with Chuck Wagner, Proprietor of Caymus Vineyards

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VINTNERS CLUB
a California non-profit, public-benefit corporation
(founded in 1971)

36 Southridge West
Tiburon, California 94920
Telephone: (415) 381-4467             Facsimile: (415) 381-4460
Web site: www.vintnersclub.org
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"THE JUDGMENT OF SAN FRANCISCO"
WITH OUR MEMBER CHUCK WAGNER, PROPRIETOR OF CAYMUS VINEYARDS
(Is there, indeed, a difference between the American palate and the European palate?)

6:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 6, 2008
  at
The Carnelian Room, located on the 52nd floor of the Bank of America Building
555 California Street, San Francisco

Last October, the Vintners Club held a tasting of 12 of the topmost California wines at a highly-respected chateau located in the Margaux appellation of Bordeaux, France.  Such a tasting had never been conducted in the past.  This historic event entitled "The Judgment of Bordeaux" featured a library vintage of Cabernets that have consistently earned the highest ranks and scores from our panels of tasters at the Vintners Club.  The wines were tasted and ranked by the top brass of  Bordeaux château owners, European wine aficionados, negociants, wine-makers, and members of the British and French wine press.  25 people from the Vintners Club participated in the blind tasting alongside approximately 100 Europeans. 

Much was written about this world-class tasting by the influential international wine critics who attended.  For example, Decanter magazine of London trumpeted:

"California has triumphed again at an extraordinary... blind tasting of 12 iconic California wines...attended by dozens of Bordeaux top brass, among them May-Eliane de Lencquesaing (Comtesse de Lalande) of Chateau Pichon-Lalande, Christian Seely of AXA Millesimes, Hubert de Bouard of Chateau Angelus, Kees Van Leeuwen of Chateau Cheval-Blanc, Eric d'Aramon of Chateau Figeac and Liliane Barton of Chateau Leoville Barton...
The tasting was characterized by vigorous and good-humoured debate.  As Brane-Cantenac owner Henri Lurton said in his introductory speech, 'We don't often do this sort of thing  (examine California wines in depth) in Bordeaux.'
The Bordelais were fascinated.  'I very much enjoyed it.  It was very interesting to be able to "lose" Bordeaux and think of California for a while,' de Lencquesaing said...
Van Leeuwen was impressed by the elegance of the wines.  'I had expected more blockbusters, but there was much less extraction than I thought there would be.'     

Many of the personal notes received from the chateau owners echoed the sentiments of Philippe Blanc, Director of the Classified Growth Chateau Beychevelle:

"I deeeply enjoyed the event...I thank you...for the great professionalism and search for perfection that you are aiming at."

Pictures taken at the event can be seen at http://www.vintnersclub.com/tasting_1468_photos.html. 

Now, in San Francisco, we are delighted to be able to bring you a tasting of these same "library" vintage wines that were tasted in Margaux, many of which are no longer obtainable.  The ranks and scores that you give these wines will shed some light on the oft-asked questions:  "Is there, indeed, a difference between the American palate and the European palate?  Or, do we all equally appreciate outstanding wines?"

• Caymus Vineyards, Special Selection, Napa Valley

• Flora Springs, Rutherford Hillside Reserve, Napa Valley

• Justin Vineyards & Winery, Isosceles Reserve, Paso Robles

• L'Aventure, Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles

• The Nth Degree Cabernet, Karl Wente, Livermore Valley

• O'Shaughnessy Estate Winery, Howell Mountain Cabernet, Napa Valley

• Palmaz Vineyards, "Gaston" Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

• Ramey Wine Cellars, Jericho Canyon Blend, Napa Valley

• Ridge Vineyards, Monte Bello, Santa Cruz Mountains

• Robert Craig Wine Cellars, Howell Mountain Cabernet, Napa Valley

• Rocca Family Vineyards, Oakville, Napa Valley

• ZD Wines, Reserve, Napa Valley

While it may be difficult not to get distracted by the spectacular views high atop San Francisco, you will relish this priceless opportunity to taste these superb wines whilst seated with prominent winery owners, wine-makers and wine aficionados, and to meet, mingle, and learn!
 
Our long-standing member Chuck Wagner, who joined us in Bordeaux for the event last October, will describe the reaction of the Europeans to these world-class wines.  Member Norris Boothe, who also attended, will share the perspective of a young consumer.  Insights into the allure of the Napa Valley will be offered by our member Lynn Craig of Robert Craig Wine Cellars.  Before we adjourn, the results of "The Judgment of San Francisco" will be compared with the results of "The Judgment of Bordeaux".
 
The Vintners Club provides a separate Riedel cristal glass for each wine (TWELVE glasses for TWELVE wines) allowing you to observe the wines side-by-side and to experience their evolution in the glass as the evening progresses.  Bremner wafers are provided to refresh the palate.  Comfortable seating allows us to enjoy the wines in a relaxed and elegant atmosphere.  White tablecloths are used to highlight visual nuances of the wines.  You only need to bring an open mind, an inquisitive palate and a pencil.     

PRICE FOR THE TASTING (discounted for Vintners Club members):             
$175/Vintners Club member/first-time guest of member; $225/non-member for checks postmarked (or credit card payment submitted) by April 17.  $185/member; $230/non-member thereafter.

Due to our sit-down format and the hundreds of wine glasses needed, we are able to accommodate a limited number of people.  Many seats are already spoken for.  The overwhelming demand for this event suggests prompt action as seats are assigned on a first-come basis.

Please provide us with the names of those in your party at the time you make a reservation.  Should a substitution become necessary, early notification is appreciated.  Those persons placed on the wait-list will be notified via e-mail/telephone.    

Advance payment is required.
 
TO PAY BY CREDIT CARD:  Please fax your Visa or Mastercard information to the Vintners Club at (415) 381-4460.  Feel free to let us know if we already have your information on file.       

TO PAY BY CHECK:              
1)  Make your check payable to the Vintners Club;         
2)  Mail to: Lalita Waterman, Treasurer, Vintners Club, 36 Southridge West, Tiburon, CA 94920;              3)  E-mail info@vintnersclub.org to confirm seat-availability and that your check is on its way.  

Deadline to cancel a reservation and be entitled to receive a refund is 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 29. 

PARKING:  Underground in the Bank of America building.  $12 for the evening. 

NO-HOST DINNER AVAILABLE AT THE CARNELIAN ROOM FOLLOWING THE TASTING:
Many of you know our member George Rosenthal, Chairman of Raleigh Enterprises--­ motion picture and television studios located in Hollywood and Manhattan Beach.  George is also known for producing fine wines.  At the elegant and convivial luncheon following last October's tasting in Margaux, we poured the lovely Rosenthal - The Malibu Estate, Founders Reserve Cabernet from the AVA “Malibu-Newton Canyon".  Those who choose to dine at The Carnelian Room following our tasting in San Francisco will be poured a complimentary glass of the same Rosenthal "library" Cabernet, handcrafted by the highly-regarded French wine-maker Christian Roguenant.   The camaraderie of high-profile winery-owners, wine-makers and Cabernet/Bordeaux enthusiasts will be an added bonus. 

The tasting will conclude around 8:15 p.m.  Reservations for dinner can be made by calling the restaurant at (415) 433-7500 and requesting a table.  Reservations for the tasting, however, need to be made directly with the Vintners Club as described above.

ATTIRE:  Business Casual, per the dress code of the Carnelian Room.  No colognes/perfumed products, please!