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.