AFF Wine Lovers Meet Up - 13th May 2016 in Sydney

[penegal]

Preparing to take my wine all around the country...

 

[Steady]

I use this neoprene sparkling carry bag either in my checked luggage or in my carry on - it has my 2 Cab Sauv's for this event in it now

And this trip I also packed some wine in pre-loved wine skins

 

[Wozza]

I use this neoprene sparkling carry bag either in my checked luggage or in my carry on - it has my 2 Cab Sauv's for this event in it now
View attachment 69871
And this trip I also packed some wine in pre-loved wine skins
View attachment 69872

Penegal - you have just been out-wine-luggaged by Steady!!

But who's bringing the better wine...?! I can't wait to find out ...

 

[UpInTheAir:)]

Preparing to take my wine all around the country...

View attachment 69870

I think that is my bag???

 

[Wozza]

I think that is my bag???

I'm worried. As I only see one wine. I think Penegal may have stolen your bag. AND, also drank the second prize wine!!

 

[UpInTheAir:)]

I'm worried. As I only see one wine. I think Penegal may have stolen your bag. AND, also drank the second prize wine!!

Haha... I think you are pretty safe

Did I mention how jealous I am that I am not attending this event... Not that I particularly like Cab Savs (do like the Katnook Odyssey though.. so maybe it's a lack of exposure to good Cab Savs.. Champagne is always my favourite) but the company looks sensational!!

Can't wait to watch this post

 

[penegal]

I'm worried. As I only see one wine. I think Penegal may have stolen your bag. AND, also drank the second prize wine!!

No, I haven't concealed the prize one, so didn't want to publish a photo

 

[Jef6050]

No pics of fancy wine holders here. Just the Langtons shipping tracking website and lots of crossed fingers!!

Very much looking forward to Friday.

 

[RooFlyer]

Well, I'm getting more and more worried. When I decided to go I had no idea there was some sort of competition on ... I just thought it was a nice dinner with great company and some good wines. :shock:

Then I got this instruction to conceal one of the bottles, and that there would be prizes (which implies some sort of ability test).

Wondering if I should stop by a pub or similar for a few steadiers beforehand. What's a good place to go not too far away from the dinner?

 

[UpInTheAir:)]

Well, I'm getting more and more worried. When I decided to go I had no idea there was some sort of competition on ... I just thought it was a nice dinner with great company and some good wines. :shock:

Then I got this instruction to conceal one of the bottles, and that there would be prizes (which implies some sort of ability test).

Wondering if I should stop by a pub or similar for a few steadiers beforehand. What's a good place to go not too far away from the dinner?

RF you are all class... I know that you'll fit in wherever you go

 

[Steady]

Well, I'm getting more and more worried. When I decided to go I had no idea there was some sort of competition on ... I just thought it was a nice dinner with great company and some good wines. :shock:

Then I got this instruction to conceal one of the bottles, and that there would be prizes (which implies some sort of ability test).

Wondering if I should stop by a pub or similar for a few steadiers beforehand. What's a good place to go not too far away from the dinner?

What time are you arriving into SYD?

 

[Wozza]

Well, I'm getting more and more worried. When I decided to go I had no idea there was some sort of competition on ... I just thought it was a nice dinner with great company and some good wines. :shock:

Then I got this instruction to conceal one of the bottles, and that there would be prizes (which implies some sort of ability test).

Wondering if I should stop by a pub or similar for a few steadiers beforehand. What's a good place to go not too far away from the dinner?

I'd drop by my office. Others will attest that it's full of goodies!! Last time we got through a Diana Madeline and a Hardy's Thomas Hardy (plus something else)! This time it's even more stocked up with some Basket Press, Black Shiraz, aged Rieslings, RunRig and many more delights! The competition is just secondary to the night of great company, banter and nice food. So don't worry about the blind tasting bit. None of us have a clue (apart from a few, not including me!).

 

[AnonymousCoward]

I'm kinda thinking we should just can the evening at Bar Reggio and order in pizza at Wozza's office...

 

[penegal]

I'll probably finish work mid arvo if you would like a "steadier" RF.

 

[Wozza]

Let the picture build up continue!

This has just arrived at my office this morning:


It's the prize top up box, so that every attendee has the chance to take away a wine from the night! And its the nicely developing 96/95/95/95 pointer - the Wynns Coonawarra Estate Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2012. Thank you to Langtons for delivering this within 2 business days. Greatly appreciated.

We now have a final list of wines for the night. It's looking really exciting. There's now two of the same wine, but 4 vintages apart. That should be a real treat, as it's an absolute Aussie Icon Cab Sauv. There's no real concentration of wines by region, apart from the fact everybody has opted for an Aussie wine. Most of the big wine regions of Australia are represented, and some of you have opted for some really intriguing wines. There may even be a Sparkling Cab. We'll see.

The best part is, the effort people are making to travel from near and far. There's going to be some serious air miles put in by some to make the night. Which is amazing.

Looking forward to meeting you all. [And let the picture build up continue ... ]

 

[RooFlyer]

What time are you arriving into SYD?

I'll probably finish work mid arvo if you would like a "steadier" RF.

I get in on VA around noon, but have a meeting and then am hitting the Mitchell Library maybe until they close at 5pm. After I dump my gear at the Wentworth, I'm up for palate tuning.

 

[Steady]

We now have a final list of wines for the night. It's looking really exciting. There's now two of the same wine, but 4 vintages apart. That should be a real treat, as it's an absolute Aussie Icon Cab Sauv.

Excellent, I'm sure I will love the 707

I get in on VA around noon, but have a meeting and then am hitting the Mitchell Library maybe until they close at 5pm. After I dump my gear at the Wentworth, I'm up for palate tuning.

i get in at 6.30am on the red eye from DRW so I'm hoping to have a nana nap before the evening begins

 

[Jef6050]

Never fear - the wine is here! And no one stole it from my (public) foyer. Winner!

Edited to add - thanks to Wozza for the tip on ringing Langton's and getting them to prioritise the delivery.

 

[Wozza]

I am so excited! Look what's just turned up, thanks to JMPhoto's kind efforts:



I LOVE the personal note from Nicole Reschke of Koonara:



A picture cannot describe how heavy the Koonara is! It's an absolute monster, and super premium $100 wine! It's called the Koonara The Head Honcho 2012:

http://www.koonara.com/Tasting/2012_headhoncho_cab.pdf

I can't wait to try it, especially with the Halliday 95 point score, and after reading it comes from one of their single vineyards, where it's aged in French Grand Reserve Hogshead barrels for 24 months before they select the top 3 barrels from which they release 888 bottles. We get to try one of them! Halliday said: "Even more concentrated and focused than the Family Reserve Ambriel’s Gift, with more blackcurrant fruit and more tannins."

We also have a Raidis Estate The Trip 2008. Here's the blurb on the 2012 version of this $80 premium Cabernet Shiraz Merlot blend:

Raidis Estate - Products - 2012 The Trip

Both of these wines will be in their decanter on arrival. I will be personally writing back to both wineries, with some pictures and thoughts on the night and the wines. And thanking them for their huge generosity.

JMPhoto, thank you kind sir for organising these amazing wines. I think they are both going to knock our socks off. And are going to set the bar very high indeed for the other 14 (yes 14!) Cabernets we will be trying over the course of the night. It's set to be a great night.

See you on Friday ...

 

[UpInTheAir:)]

Wonderful generosity from the Coonawarra folk and you Wozza for sharing