Sometimes it is a loose cork, sometimes it's a heat spike, and sometimes it's nothing. I've had several wines with wine on the top of the cork, and they were fine. Only way to know is to try it.

MooreTrucker said:

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austinag1997 said:

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We would have a small group of friends get together once a month. I would pick a region; everyone would bring a bottle from that region. I prepped ahead of time, making it educational and enjoyable. Worked for a while. Had winemakers, vineyard owners eventually show up.

Problem was it grew too large and then devolved into people bringing beer et al. I shut it down at that point. Keep it moderately small with those specifically interested in wine.

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So you invited the winemakers, etc. or word got out and they found you? How did you spread the word?

And who brings beer to a wine club?

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Yes and no. One of the winemakers is a friend. He was a regular. From there , it was others that wanted to come. I never invited the others. Word of mouth.

And yes, word gets out that you are having a "party". Can I come? Its a wine club. Well I dont drink wine, I will bring beer. Wine club dies.

HTownAg98 said:

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Sometimes it is a loose cork, sometimes it's a heat spike, and sometimes it's nothing. I've had several wines with wine on the top of the cork, and they were fine. Only way to know is to try it.

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AGree on wine at the top.

One explanation: The ballooned cork reflects expansion in the bottle, and when the bottle cooled the cork contracted at the top allowing wine to seep and air to filter into the bottle

Didn't necessarily happen in this case, but it happens

This is a fun event. I did this back in 2012 the night we beat Bama. I could drink freely back then...and I did. I had a couple of scotches at the bar before the tasting began so I could calm my nerves. I was amped up!

Germans.....

I haven't signed up yet, trying to gather a couple friends to do it with. But we did it last year, will probably partake again this year.

BSD said:

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This is a fun event. I did this back in 2012 the night we beat Bama. I could drink freely back then...and I did. I had a couple of scotches at the bar before the tasting began so I could calm my nerves. I was amped up!

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LOL! The first wine dinner we ever went to, we got there a bit early so we went into the bar to have a cocktail until everyone else got there.

Then a 5-course meal with 5 glasses of wine...drank all of each of them because we didn't know any better.

I'm still not sure how we got home that night.

Going to the Austin event and staying overnight at the hotel.

Anyone else?

Oh, and if you book the hotel, their reservation site uses those stupid Euro calendars that start on Monday and end on Saturday. I almost booked the wrong night... Also show the date as 08/02/2019. This is 'merica dammit!

Be sure to talk to the Lamborns. They are good people. And they used to have a big ole Rottweiler, a breed for which I have a soft spot.

Why do winemakers tour Texas in the height of Gala season? They would reach a broader audience if they would stop coming before Valentines Day.

I've never seen it posted here, granted I started this thread late so may have missed it, but we had a blaufrankisch with dinner last night at Bloom and Bee in Houston. I got a veal dish and the wife a tomato based seafood cioppino, so wanted something a little lighter than a cab or Bordeaux. Just read a little on blaufrankisch and we love Gruner so decided to give it a try. It was really enjoyable, not overly complex, but still good. A little higher in tannins than I expected, but that worked well with the food. And the price wasn't bad, actually one of their cheaper wines they had (and they have a very extensive wine list). Does anyone have any recommendations for others to look for when at the store? I have a Hopler on my list, but that's as far as I've gotten....

My friends at English Newsome Cellars (formerly Caprock) just brought home some awards from the San Francisco Chronicle competition:

2017 Rousanne - Double Gold, Best in Class
2017 Flirt (Dry Rose) - Double Gold, Best in Class
2017 Cab Sauv - Silver
2017 Chateau Terre Rouge (Red blend) - Silver

Very exciting for a relatively new winery, and all High Plains wines.

Had this last night. A little unusual on the blend, but it all works together seamlessly.

Price point?

And 16.2% abv!!

Very unusual since that is officially "dessert wine" (as opposed to "table wine") for tax purposes. Double the tax, I think.

Also, Dan and I shared a 1983 Chateau Las Combes that I ordered through AggieJumper.

There's no assurances on old wine like that, but wow, this was good - especially if you like aged Bordeaux. Very seamless, some remaining tannins. Fruit was probably a little low, but that earthy, aged funk was there in just the right amount.

cecil77 said:

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Price point?

And 16.2% abv!!

Very unusual since that is officially "dessert wine" (as opposed to "table wine") for tax purposes. Double the tax, I think.

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It was $79 on release.

Just put in my Rivers-Marie order, anyone else get their allocation reduced (compared to last year)?

Re: RM, mine looked similar to last year though the Anderson Valley mysteriously disappeared between viewings of my allocation.

I'm wondering what happened to Ancillary. Been a buyer for 3-4 years but have never seen the offering for 2018 which used to come in November/December.

I didn't buy Ancillary the past two years, but don't remember the last time I saw an offer. Quite frankly, the first vintages were marginal for me, and the last I bought just not worth it.

Maybach release is today. I maxed out on Materium and left the rest. Granted that's only 3 x 750's and 3 x 375's but I'll take all that I can get!

I'm probably going to pass. Want me to order any additional Materium for you? Can also get 3 of each.

Side note, anyone try the Pinot noir before?

Appreciate it but I have already wishlisted 3 more of each size. I don't drink enough to justify any more, but I would if I could.

I thought the pinot was pricey. I feel I get similar TRB quality at a lesser price with RM

I've been away from this thread for a bit, trying to preserve some capital for other priorities lately. Sacreligious, right?

Looking for a few wineries to hit in the Russian River Valley area. My wife is interested in exploring some good RRV Pinot Noir.

Thanks!

Benovia
Martinelli
Artista
Gary Farrell
Papietro Perry
Moshin
Siduri
J (their parlor tasting is worth the price).
If you go to Papaietro Perry, go to Ridge since it is in the neighborhood. It's not Pinot Noir, but they are awesome.

Found these two at Costco the other night. The Cote du Rhone is decent at $8, and the Gerard Bertrand is a steal at $12.

I'll second Arista. Visited it recently and enjoyed the tasting flight very much. Four pinots and a zinfandel. Neat property too.

Haven't got around to posting a recap of my trip on this thread, yet!

I was planning to go to the Houston Howell Mountain tasting event but it sold out. Anyone here have tickets and not able to go?

Goose06 said:

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I was planning to go to the Houston Howell Mountain tasting event but it sold out. Anyone here have tickets and not able to go?

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Spring for a hotel and come to the Austin one if there's room! Be fun to have someone from this thread there with us!

cecil77 said:

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Goose06 said:

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I was planning to go to the Houston Howell Mountain tasting event but it sold out. Anyone here have tickets and not able to go?

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Spring for a hotel and come to the Austin one if there's room! Be fun to have someone from this thread there with us!

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Thanks for the invite...I actually have friends on this thread who are going to the houston one. Having kids it's hard enough to find a babysitter for the night, heading out of town for the night complicates that a good bit...

cecil77 said:

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Goose06 said:

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I was planning to go to the Houston Howell Mountain tasting event but it sold out. Anyone here have tickets and not able to go?

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Spring for a hotel and come to the Austin one if there's room! Be fun to have someone from this thread there with us!

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We are trying to decide if we're going. We already bought Food & Wine tickets.

Bringing this back to the second post on this whole thread:

I may have two, unfortunately.

Thanks for sharing!

Ironically we opened up an Arista bottle too this weekend. Great pinot.

htxag09 - I will buy them from you if you end up needing to sell and Goose doesn't need them. Thanks! bls1209@gmail.com