1976 Raymond Cabernet

3/10/10-The Knitters gathering was hosted by Gary Rose and Laura Laskowski and the group enjoyed an incredible example of an aged California cabernet. Most of the members guessed the brown bag wine to be very much younger and the wine had little browning and intense sweet plum fruit. One of the very best aged cabernets we have tasted.

1983 Knudsen Erath Pinot Noir

2/10/10-The Wednesday Knitters were hosted by Carl and Kathy Hennige. The brown bag wine for the night was another great example of an Oregon pinot noir. Knudsen Erath wines are an expression of the land that the winery has cultivated for more than 40 years, longer than any other winery in the Dundee Hills, Willamette appellation of Oregon. Dick Erath established the winery in 1968, and in 1975 he was joined by Calvert Knudsen. The 1983 pinot noir was incredibly fruity and youthful and still had a few more years of enjoyable life. Jane Curtis ignored the substitute wine bottle and came the closest to guessing the mystery wine.

2nd Annual Champers Champagne Tasting

2/6/10-The subject blind tasting was again hosted by Gary Rose and Laura Laskowski. The group sampled 8 champagne’s and sparkling wines with results as follows:

Producer 1st votes 2nd votes
Montaudon Brut 7 1
Piper Heidsieck Brut 3 5
Perrier-Jouet Grand Brut 0 1
Gosset Brut 0 1
De Margerie Brut 0 1
Pertois – Moriset Brut 0 1
Taittinger La Francaise Brut 0 0
Francois Montand Brut 0 0

1984 Caymus Cabernet

12/2/09-The Wednesday knitters were hosted by Gary Rose and Laura Laskowski and dinner consisted of Clam Dip and Chips, Roasted Beef Tenderloin, Macaroni and Cheese and Knitters Salad. The brown bag wine was the 1984 Caymus cabernet and was extremely fruity and youthful. Most did not guess it to be an older wine. The knitters exchanged Christmas gifts.

Thanksgiving Dinner

11/27/09-Thanksgiving dinner was hosted by Keith and Helen Faust, featuring a tasty turkey cooked in their smoker. Pinot Noir was abundant as well as a fruity 2004 Pahlmeyer Merlot. The attendees were Tim & Jane Curtis, Carl & Kathy Hennige, the Faust’s 3 boys John & Trina, Gary and Raymond, and were entertained by 2/3’s of the Wino Band.
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1980 Acacia Pinot Noir Lee Vineyard

11/23/09-The second boat owner’s dinner meeting was hosted by Carl and Kathy Hennige. The main entre was a delicious lamb Sheppard’s Pie and went well with several pinot noir wines, including the outstanding 1980 Acacia Lee Vineyard. The Acacia wine was still quite youthful with good cherry fruit and little browning.

1984 Ridge Lytton Springs Zinfandel

11/11/09-The knitters were hosted by Tim and Jane Curtis and enjoyed a magnificent example of a very well made 1984 zinfandel. Ridge winemaker Paul Draper really nailed this wine. The zinfandel showed only slight signs of browning and most participants agreed that except for the color, it was perceived as a fairly young wine. Most members had second helpings and some chose the wine over 6 younger wines for their dinner wine.