Local Wine Events

Event ID #275592

Event Details

RSVP: (619) 295-3939

$75.00 + tax and gratuity

Pre-Dinner Wine Importer Reception with Dan Philips from 5:45 to 6:30

Dinner starts promptly at 6:30

 

Wine Vault & Bistro is pleased to announce that Dan Philips, founder of Grateful Palate Wine Importers and the "Philips" of "Marquis Philips" (one of the most popular Australian brands in recent history), will be here in person for the premier USA pre-release of the new "R Wines" line-up.  R Wines is a joint effort between Dan and winemaker Chris Ringland (the "R" in "R Wines").  Chris has the coveted distinction of having the most perfect 100-point scores from Robert Parker of any winemaker in the entire world.  While we won't be pouring any 100 pointers at this dinner, we will have quite a few mid to high nineties including one extremely rare 99 point wine.

 

We hope you'll be able to join us for what will certainly be a very memorable event.  Wine notes and bottle prices are at the end of this announcement if you're interested.  Here's the line-up:

 

NOTE: As always, as a courtesy to everyone attending this dinner, we'll make all of the limited production reserve wines available for purchase first to those in attendance before putting them on the shelves for the general public.  (We will also have miniscule amounts of Chris' infamous 2004 FU Shiraz - another 99 pointer - available on a first come, first served basis for $215.)

 

Roasted Baby Beets | Goat Cheese Panna Cotta | Blood Orange Reduction

NV R Wines "Bitch" Rosé Bubbly (5 oz. pour)

 

Lecano Kale + Shelling Bean Soup | Spanish Chorizo | Arbequina Olive Oil

2008 R Wines "Darby and Joan" Chardonnay (5 oz. pour)

 

Butternut Squash Tortelloni | Sage Brown Butter | Toasted Pepitas

2006 R Wines "Chateau Chateau Chateau" Grenache (2 oz. pour)

2007 R Wines "Chateau Chateau Island" Grenache (2 oz. pour)

 

Pan Roasted Chicken Breast | Buttermilk Biscuit | Braised Greens | Speck

2006 R Wines "Amazed" Mourvèdre (2 oz. pour)

 

Wagyu Beef Slider | Taleggio Cheese | Caramelized Onions | Harissa Mayo

2008 Marquis Philips Shiraz (2 oz. pour)

 

Braised Lamb Roulade | Fregola | Merguez Sausage

2004 R Wines "The Wine" Shiraz (2 oz. pour)

2004 R Wines "Evil Incarnate" Shiraz (2 oz. pour)

 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

RSVP ~ (619) 295-3939

Please make your reservations directly with Wine Vault & Bistro at 619-295-3939.  We're very good about returning calls promptly, so please leave a message with the best time to return your call if you get the dreaded voice mail.  Due to limited seating, CREDIT CARD RESERVATIONS ARE AN ABSOLUTE MUST.  Sales tax and an 18% gratuity will be added to the cost of all dinners.

 

SPECIAL DIETARY REQUESTS

If you have special dietary requests, please let us know when you RSVP, not when you arrive!  We're pretty flexible (within reason!) with substitutions and can usually accommodate most special dietary requests if given advance notice.

 

CANCELLATION POLICY

You may cancel your reservation up to 72 hours in advance without penalty.  NO REFUNDS WILL BE ISSUED WITH LESS THAN 72-HOUR NOTICE unless we are able to replace your cancellation at the last minute.  (See below for groups over 4 people.)

 

LARGE GROUPS (OVER 4)

If you want to come with a group of friends, please make one reservation for your entire party so we can reserve a block of seats for you ... however, in the interest of fairness to others, we reserve the right to limit the number of people on a single reservation at our discretion.  The cancellation period for canceling the ENTIRE reservation without penalty is doubled from the standard 72 hours (see above) to 144 hours (6 days).  If you need to cancel only 1 or 2 people, the standard 72-hour notice still applies.

 

WHEN

The dinner begins promptly at 6:30, but we HIGHLY, HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend that you arrive earlier to better your chances of getting a closer parking space.  Doors open at 5:45 for an informal winemaker reception if you'd like to come early and enjoy a glass of wine or a cocktail before dinner and chat with Dan.

 

WHERE

Wine Vault & Bistro is located in the heart of San Diego between Little Italy and Old Town at 3731-A India Street on the upper terrace.  Follow the black handrail from the sidewalk up the stairs to our front door.

 

PARKING

On-street parking is usually available within a 3-block radius.  Remember that it’s OK to park in yellow commercial zones after 6:00 and that meters are also free after 6:00.  You can also park in the lot behind Shakespeare Pub two doors down, but do not park in El Indio's lot unless you want your car towed!  If you can’t find parking next to the restaurant, there’s always LOTS OF PARKING on San Diego Avenue and the adjacent side streets just past the Chevron station across Washington Street.  There's also a huge pay parking lot ($1 per hour) at the Mission Brewery Building two blocks south at the corner of Washington & Hancock.  (You'll have to take San Diego Avenue to Noell to Hancock to get there due to the one-way streets.)  So please don't drive yourself crazy endlessly going around in circles waiting to pounce on that perfect spot when there's TONS OF PARKING less than three blocks away!

 

WINE QUANTITIES

We're pouring 2-5 ounce tasting portions of wine (see the line-up above) for a total of 22 ounces per person.  Alcohol-wise that's the equivalent of almost a full bottle of wine per person.  Pour buckets are provided for designated drivers.

 

BOTTLE SALES

Although some wines may be in limited quantities, all wines poured at this dinner will be available for purchase to take home until sold out.

 

THE FINE PRINT

Due to fluctuations of supply, we reserve the right to make substitutions of equal or greater value in case any of the wines or foods become unavailable.  Please, ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY NO ONE UNDER THE AGE OF 21 ... even if your babysitter flakes out on you at the last minute!

 

WINE NOTES & BOTTLE PRICES

NV R Wines "Bitch" Rosé Bubbly ~ $10

(Australia) Winemaker's Notes: This is a brand new sparkler that we are coming out with.  Predominantly Chardonnay with a bit of Shiraz and Grenache.  Enters dry and lovely.  Finishes like a strawberry lollypop.  Seriously delicious.

 

2008 R Wines "Darby and Joan" Chardonnay ~ $10

(Australia) Winemaker's Notes: The aroma displays lifted melon characters with subtle hints of passionfruit and oak complexity. A rich wine on the palate, it balances both textural mouthfeel with clean acid finish.

 

2006 R Wines "Chateau Chateau Chateau" Grenache ~ $43

(Australia) Review by Robert Parker ~ 93 points: The 2006 Chateau Grenache was blended from 6 vineyards, the only regional “terroir” wine in the series. It was sourced from 40- to 50-year-old vines and aged for 14 months in second-use French oak. Light crimson-colored, the nose of earthy, garrigue, sage, and kirsch aromas jumps from the glass. This leads to a velvety, rich, seamless Grenache with impeccable balance and a 45-second finish. It will evolve for 2-3 years and provide pleasure through 2020. The Chateau Chateau series was created to highlight distinct sub regions and vineyards of Barossa Valley Grenache. Each wine features a label inspired by the work of M.C. Escher. Perhaps the superb presentations and more than reasonable prices will move consumers to try Barossa Grenache, some of the best in the world.

 

2007 R Wines "Chateau Chateau Island" Grenache ~ $50

(Australia) The 2007 hasn't been reviewed yet but here's last year's review from Robert Parker (98 points): The massive 2006 Island Grenache comes from 50-year-old vines.  Earthy, smoky, fragrant and altogether alluring, this full-bodied, powerful Grenache has 8-10 years of aging potential.  Layered, long and with enormous potential, it is reminiscent of the 2003 Pegau Cuvee de Capo Chateauneuf du Pape but at a fraction of the price.  One caveat: the single district wines were made in quantities of 80 cases or less so act quickly.  The Chateau Chateau series was created to highlight distinct sub regions and vineyards of Barossa Valley Grenache.  Each wine features a label inspired by the work of M.C. Escher.  Perhaps the superb presentations and more than reasonable prices will move consumers to try Barossa Grenache, some of the best in the world.

 

2006 R Wines "Amazed" Mourvèdre ~ $48

(Contra Costa, CA) Winemaker's Notes: Opaque red/black with a scarlet rim.  A bouquet of rich, ripe raisins, lifted by exciting gingerbread spice notes.  The palate follows from the nose, giving mouth-coating layers of rich sweet fruit backed up by supple, lush tannins.  From 118+ year old vines.

 

2008 Marquis Philips Shiraz ~ $13

(Australia) Winemaker's Notes: Opaque red-black with a purple rim.  Aromas of rich brown sugar, prunes, black fruits, earth and mineral.  A dense, silky palate, rich and super-ripe with bitumen, molasses and vanilla.  Long soft, structured tannins.

 

2004 R Wines "The Wine" Shiraz ~ $125

>>>Pre-release offering.  First time shown in America.

(Australia) Review by Robert Parker ~ 99 points: "The Wine" is presumably the vinous equivalent of "The Band."  Qualitatively they have much in common, competing at the summit of their respective categories.  The Wine features a bar code for a label.  It is a barrel selection as well as a vineyard block selection from the renowned Hoffman Vineyard in the Ebenezer sub-region of the Barossa Valley.  There are 200 cases of the 2004 Shiraz which was sourced from 40- to 80-year-old vines and aged for 36 months in French barriques and hogsheads.  It offers up a super expressive nose of toasty oak, smoke, pencil lead, truffle, blueberry and blackberry liqueur with hints of licorice and chocolate in the background.  Full-bodied and voluptuous, this powerful wine has gobs of spicy black fruits, notes of dark chocolate, well-concealed tannins, and a very long, pure finish.  While it can be enjoyed now with a 40-day dry-aged prime rib-eye, it will easily keep for 25 years.

 

2004 R Wines "Evil Incarnate" Shiraz ~ $65

>>>Pre-release offering.  First time shown in America.

(Australia) Review by Robert Parker ~ 94 points: In another galaxy is the 2004 Evil Incarnate Shiraz, a wine sourced from 40-80-year-old vines from the Hoffman Vineyard in the Ebenezer sub-region of the Barossa.  It was aged for 36 months in French oak hogsheads.  It has a super-expressive nose of smoke, scorched earth, game, blueberry and blackberry.  Full-bodied and structured, it should be cellared for 4-6 years.  Despite its size, this wine remains surprisingly light on its feet.  This lengthy wine should drink well through 2025.