presents...
Wine Spectator
Wine of the Year
A Retrospective Tasting
June 27th, 2003
Rancho Cellars Carmel, CA
Michael Berry, host and Jacque Melac, conducting the Wine of the Year blind tasting at Rancho Cellars!
The wines!
The wines!
Decanted before tasting!
The blind tasting begins!
Wine of the Year
A Retrospective Tasting
June 27th, 2003
Sunset at Peppoli, Inn at Spanish Bay Pebble Beach, CA
First, three white wines!
White wines paired with Soft Shell Crab!
Marty Cohen enjoying the Italian reds!
paired with Beef Carpaccio
then, Italian Sangiovese blends!
paired with Risotto!
next, the Syrahs!
paired with a Farro, Veal Cheek Tart!
Carla White, Stephen Blackwell, Chef, Peppoli Inn at Spanish Bay and Adam Oltof.
and finally, the dessert wines!
1999 Antinori Muffato della Salla
NV Yalumba Muscat Victoria Museum Release
Wine of the Year
A Retrospective Tasting
June 28th, 2003
Rancho Cellars Carmel, CA
The next day, back at Rancho Cellars for another round of blind tasting of California and French Cabernet Sauvignon blends!
more California and French Cabernet Sauvignon blends!
Decanted before tasting!
Here we go again, let the 2nd blind tasting begin!
Manuel and Willette Klausner enjoying the blind tasting at Rancho Cellars!
Beth Nowell and Ken Parker check for color, sediment, and flavors at the blind tasting!
Michael Simons and Chris Vogt blind tasting the Cabernet Sauvignon based wines!
Beth Nowell, in deep concentration on the aromas of Cabernet Sauvignon!
The unveiling! The 1997 Whitehall Lane Reserve was the crowd favorite!
later that evening...
Wine of the Year
A Retrospective Tasting
June 28th, 2003
Dinner at Pacific's Edge Highlands Inn Hyatt Hotels, Carmel Highlands, CA
Bernabe De Luna, sommelier
Krug anyone?
then, the Chardonnay!
Amusee Bouche paired perfectly with Chardonnay!
Chardonnay paired perfectly with Seared Day Boat Scallops!
next, Pinot Noir!
Pinot Noir paired perfectly with Grilled Breast of Quail!
then, Cabernet Sauvignon blends!
1985, 1988, 1989, 1995 Chateau Margaux vertical!
Chateaux Margaux paired perfectly with Boneless Rack of Lamb Chop!
Bernabe De Luna, sommelier pouring the next round of Cabernet Sauvignon blends!
The hits just keep coming! More Wine of the Year Cabernet Sauvignon blends!
Seared Beef Tenderloin paired perfectly with Cabernet Sauvignon!
and finally, the dessert wines!
Raspberry Gratin paired perfectly with both dessert wines!
Mark Ayers, Sous Chef Pacifics Edge, Highlands Inn
Wine of the Year
A Retrospective Tasting
June 29th, 2003
Lunch at Marinus, Bernardus Lodge Carmel Valley, CA
Champagne Reception
1994 Roederer Estate - L'Hermitage, Anderson Valley
First, Beringer Chardonnay, 1999 Sbragia -Limited Reserve and two 1994 & 1996 Private Reserve Chardonnay!
Chardonnay paired perfectly with Butter-Braised Maine Lobster!
next, a vertical of 1986, 1992, 1994 Beringer Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon!
Cabernet Sauvignon paired perfectly with Chicken "Farci" Surprise
then, more California Cabernet Sauvignon blends!
1994 Joseph Phelps Insignia, 1996 Opus One, 1996 Chateau St. Jean Cinq Cepages, 1997 Viader
Cabernet Sauvignon paired perfectly with Prime Beef "Three Ways"
followed by a vertical of 1984 1985, 1990, 1991 Caymus Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon!
Cabernet Sauvignon paired perfectly with Artisan Cheese
Manuel Klausner speaking about the Caymus vertical!
Ken Parker's smile says it all!
and finally the Ports...
1994 Fonseca, 1994 Taylor, 1977 Fonseca, 1977 Taylor
Oh, the Ports!
Port paired perfectly with a Chocolate Cashew Tart
Michael Berry, Host, Dennis O'Boyle, Cal Stamenov Chef, Marinus, Michael Simons!
A good time was had by all!
My deepest gratitude to Michael Berry, host of this monumental tasting and everyone involved!
Also, a special thank you to the Wine Spectator!
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