8th Annual West Institute Wine Reception and Dinner

On Thursday, July 17, 2014 Mike and Mav hosted the Institute team at The Hilltop Winery for another great evening of fun and fellowship after a great week at Loyola Marymount University.

We mixed it up a bit this year and decided to stay on The Hilltop for a special pizza party using the relatively new wood fired oven in the backyard.  Our friend Edgardo, a specialist when it comes to making pizzas, was making everyone smile with his creations.

And of course, since we didn't make our annual trip to Sam's by the Beach to see our friend Sam and his wonderful staff for dinner, we brought Sam to The Hilltop Winery.  He provided us with a Caesar Salad, passed appetizers and a wonderful assortment of dessert items.

Now let's get to the good stuff!

Our very own faculty member and industry wine expert Brian Baker from Chateau Montelena Winery brought three Estate Bottled Cabs from the winery that The Hilltop Winery Sommelier, Mike Wojo, matched with three bottles of Bordeaux from his cellar.  Let the comparisons begin.

But before we get to that we obviously had to start with a few white's.  So sit back, don't get jealous and enjoy the ride we took on this beautiful Thursday evening with friends and family.

White

• 2005 Puligny-Montrachet, Domaine Henri Boillot
• 2010 Julien ColloVray, Saint-Veran
• 2011 Aubert Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast
• 2011 Staglin Chardonnay, Rutherford Estate

Red

• 1986 Chateau Olivier, Pessac-Leognan
• 1989 Caymus Special Select Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
• 1989 Dunn Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
• 2004 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley (Magnum)
• 2006 Chase Zinfandel, Napa Valley
• 2009 Staglin Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford, Napa Valley
• 2010 Pedestal Merlot, Columbia Valley

Special Cabernet Sauvignon vs Bordeaux Tasting

• 1989 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate Bottled
• 1995 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate Bottled
• 2002 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate Bottled

• 1989 Chateau Montrose, Saint-Estephe Bordeaux
• 1995 Chateau Cantenac Brown, Margaux Bordeaux
• 2002 Chateau Leoville Barton, Saint-Julien Bordeaux

As we all know, all good things must come to an end.  So as we packed up, said our goodbyes and took a couple of last minute photos, we got on the bus and returned to the hotel for our trip home in the morning.

Mike and Mav hopes that Brian, the Institute staff and volunteers had a great time at The Hilltop Winery.

A great evening wouldn't be complete unless we captured the memories to hold us over until next year.

Feel free to download any pictures from the entire evening HERE.

7th Annual West Institute Wine Reception and Dinner

On Thursday, July 18, 2013 The Hilltop Winery hosted 26 Institute staff, faculty and volunteer wine enthusiasts to a great wine tasting event.

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

And once again, our special guest and faculty member Brian Baker from Chateau Montelena Winery brought three special bottles to taste.

• 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:

• 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.

For a complete slideshow of the event click HERE.

6th Annual West Institute Wine Reception and Dinner

On July 12, 2012, we held our 6th Annual West Wine Reception at The Hilltop Winery. And of course, we finished with our annual dinner at Sam’s by the Beach with our good friend Sam.

What a special evening. Upon arrival on a hot and humid day in Los Angeles, we started off with a quick cup of Sangria. Attendee choice:

• Traditional Red Sangria
• Strawberry Mojito Sangria

After a quick taste, we moved on to our official wine tasting. The following three conducted tastings were incredible.

First Conducted Tasting:

10 Year Old California Cabernet Sauvignon

• 2002 Araujo, Eisle Vineyard
• 2002 Dunn, Howell Mountain
• 2002 Dunn, Napa Valley
• 2002 Staglin, 20th Anniversary
• 2002 Dalla Valle
• 2002 Chateau Montelena
• 2002 Silver Oak, Alexander Valley
• 2002 Brander

Second Conducted Tasting:

A comparison between 2000/2001 Barolo and 2006/2009 Barolo

• 2000 Marchesi di Barolo
• 2001 Stefano Farina
• 2001 Fratello Revello
• 2001 Paolo Scavino
• 2006 Argiano
• 2006 Camigliano
• 2009 Lughere di Frassinello

Third Conducted Tasting:

Chardonnay

• 1996 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay
• 2001 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay
• 2006 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay
• 2009 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay

Cabernet Sauvignon

• 1999 Chateau Montelena, Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate Bottled
• 2002 Chateau Montelena, Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate Bottled
• 2009 Chateau Montelena, Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate Bottled

For a slideshow of the evenings event go HERE.

4th Annual West Institute Wine Reception and Dinner

On July 15, 2010, we held our 4th annual West Institute Appreciation Dinner at The Hilltop Winery.

We were treated to a vertical tasting of Chateau Montelena and a horizontal of 2000 wines from around the world.

In addition to that tasting, you’ll see by the pictures we also revisited the Dunn collection and tasted a Staglin for the first time.

The main attraction was the Chateau Montelena wines:

• 1988 Chateau Montelena, Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon
• 1997 Chateau Montelena, Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon
• 2000 Chateau Montelena, Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon
• 2002 Chateau Montelena, Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon

At the dinner with Sam (Sam’s on the Beach) we had a Titus, Livingston and Staglin. Sam prepared us an incredible four course meal with exceptional customer service.

What a great evening!

For a slideshow of the entire evening with friends click HERE.