1977 Boeger Hangtown Red

2/9/11-The Wednesday knitters met at the home of Keith and Helen Faust and enjoyed a delicious meal of Coq au Vin, herbed mashed potatoes and green beans, with a pear cake served for dessert. The brown bag wine for the night was an amazing 1977 Boeger Hangtown Red. I believe the 77 was the first Hangtown Red produced and was an enormous hit when released. Many of the employees at General Electric’s ultrasound division in Rancho Cordova purchased it by the cases. The wine was still healthy, fruity and very enjoyable.

Wine Group Dinner

2/4/11-After a fun time sipping wine at Raj’s the group (Carl & Kathy Hennige, Steve & Teri Price & Lolli, Keith & Helen Faust, and Gidget) met at the Tim and Jane Curtis home for a delicious dinner of pasta fagioli, salad, French bread and Tim’s “made from scratch” cookies. Numerous wines were enjoyed with the dinner, including a 2005 Dom. de la Vieille Julienne, Chateauneuf du Pape (Robert Parker, 95+ points) and a 2007 Revana Cabernet (WS 97 Points, #4 top 100 in 2010-Winemaker Heidi Peterson Barrett).

3rd Annual Champagne Tasting

1/29/11-The 3rd Annual Champagne tasting was again hosted by Laura Laskowski and Gary Rose.  Finger food was provided by the participants who swirled and sipped 8 French Champagne's.  The results of the blind tasting were as follows:                                                 1st     2nd     3rd
1  Paul Goerg Brut                   3       3         3
2  Montaudon Brut                   3       3         1
3  Mumm Cordon Rouge Brut  2       2         2
4  Deutz Brut Classic               2       0         2
5  Pierre Morlet Grand Res.    1       2         1
6  Brice Brut Tradition            0       1         0
7  Veuve Cliquot Brut              0       0         1
8  Louis Bouillot Brut              0       0         1

The winning Champagne has tiny bubbles, a frothy mouth feel, was very fruity and had a long finish.

Stanford 42-Virginia Tech 12

1/10/11-To celebrate the Stanford Orange Bowl victory, the following wines were consumed. A 1986 Mouton Rolthschild (Robt. Parker 100 points), a 2006 Mouton Rothschild (RP98+), a 2007 Dominus Cabernet (RP98), and a 1995 Piper-Heidsieck (RP95, WS96). The wines were paired with a delicious dinner of a dijon beef and veggie stew, severed over noodles, a fresh broccoli and corn salad and a chocolate torte with vanilla ice cream, compliments of Helen Faust.

1980 David Bruce Pinot Noir

12/29/10-The Wednesday Knitters were hosted by Ross and Donna McGuire and presented the group with an outstanding assortment of champagne, some good wine, chicken gumbo and a lot of toasting and singing. The brown bag wine of the night was a superb example of a well made California wine, a 1980 pinot noir by David Bruce. The 30 year old wine held its own against a 2008 Caplaux pinot noir.

Christmas Dinner

12/25/10-Members of the Folsom Wine Group enjoyed an outstanding Christmas dinner at the home of Keith and Helen Faust. The delicious main dishes of roast beef and ham were complimented with the following wines, with Wine Spectator (WS) or Robert Parker (RP) ratings noted: 04 Chatoupier Ermitage (Rhone white wine) RP94, 03 Schramsberg Sparkling Wine WS92, 00 Lynch Bages RP95+, 07 Kobalt Cabernet WS95, 08 Lewis Caberrnet WS93, 06 Hall Cabernet WS94, 02 Hartwell Cabernet WS92, 06 Altus Cabernet WS02(05), 06 Chimney Rock Magnum, and a delicious 08 Thomas Pinot Noir provided by Lionel Wade.

1987 Cilurzo Petite Sirah & 1972 Caymus Pinot Noir

12/8/10-The Knitters annual Christmas gathering and exchange of gifts was hosted by Laura Laskowski and Gary Rose. The participants enjoyed two brown bag older wines, a 1987 Petite Sirah from Cilurzo Vineyards in Temecula provided by Gary Rose, and a 1972 Caymus Pinot Noir provided by Carl Hennige. The Petite Sirah was unusually light, smooth and fruity, with flavors of spice and hints of cedar and dried currant, and was guessed by most to be a cabernet. The Pinot Noir was somewhat past its prime with flavors of walnuts and red currant. The knitters sang Christmas Carols with a Karaoke.