We even worked with the local chamber of commerce to make sure the weather was as great as the wine. And it was a chamber of commerce kind of day!
This year we had a dozen newbies to the hilltop. The other 14 (and you know who you are) are seasoned veterans who made the annual pilgrimage, once again, to the hilltop. We enjoyed the following wines:
White
- 2009 Luis Felipe Edwards Chardonnay
- 2011 Muirwood Chardonnay
- 2011 Rombauer Chardonnay
- 2012 Natalie Brander Cuvee Chardonnay
Red
- 2003 Araujo Eisele Cabernet Sauvignon
- 2003 Dalla Valle Cabernet Sauvignon
- 2003 Dunn Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain
- 2003 Dunn Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
- 2003 Frasier Cabernet Sauvignon, Momento
- 2003 Hunnicut Cabernet Sauvignon
- 2003 Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon
- 2003 Kobalt Cabernet Sauvignon
- 2003 Staglin Cabernet Sauvignon
- 2003 Surh Luchtel Cabernet Sauvignon
- 1985 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate Bottled
- 1990 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate Bottled
- 1999 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate Bottled
We couldn't help ourselves and then we did a see something, pull something! These wines were added to the list of magnums we took to Sam's by the Beach.
- 1970 Barolo Marcheri de Barolo
- 1979 BV Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Bottled
- 1989 Chateau Lynch-Bages Bordeaux
- 1993 Dalla Valle Cabernet Sauvignon
Now it was finally time to pull the magnums and head off to our favorite restaurant, Sam's by The Beach in Santa Monica, CA with proprietor Sam Elias. He always takes great care of us each year.
The Magnums lifted from the cellar and taken for a ride to Sam's included:
The Magnums lifted from the cellar and taken for a ride to Sam's included:
- 1993 Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon Magnum
- 1996 Cakebread Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Magnum
- 2007 Domaine de Saint Siffrein Chateauneuf-Du-Pape (Magnum - two bottles)
- 2007 Sea Smoke Pinot Noir Magnum
Sam and his incredible staff served us a wonderful three course meal that complimented the wines.
As the evening came to a close we said our goodbyes, piled into our cabs, headed back to the hotel, and were off to LAX airport in the morning.
As the evening came to a close we said our goodbyes, piled into our cabs, headed back to the hotel, and were off to LAX airport in the morning.
For a complete slideshow of the event click HERE.
