Dr. Maxood’s Extraordinary Birthday
Sheri and I were honored to be invited to Steve Maxood’s Birthday celebration at Wild Ginger Restaurant last Friday night. Steve’s parties are somewhat legendary amongst my wine friends and he certainly did not disappoint. We prepared for an evening of heavy pouring by checking into the Sherton Hotel just a few blocks from the restaurant so we didn’t have to drive home that evening. What we weren’t prepared for were the heavy hitters that would be at the party, both wine and people.
Among the 26 guests were winemaker Virginie Bourgue from Cadaretta, winemaker Trey Busch from Sleight of Hand Cellars, David LeClaire, CMS from Wine Events and Promotions, and grower extraordinaire Dick Boushey of Boushey Vineyards. The incredible wines we had that evening were:
- 2003 Franz Hirtzberger Riesling Smaragd Singerriedel
- 2004 Saxum Bone Rock Syrah
- 2008 Peter Michael La Carrière Chardonnay
- 2006 Sine Qau Non The Hoodoo Man
- 2002 Didier Dagueneau Blanc Fumé de Pouilly
- 1995 M. Chapoutier Ermitage Le Pavillon
- 2007 Sleight of Hand Levitation Syrah
- 1999 Penfolds Grange Shiraz
- 2000 Domaine de la Mordorée Chateauneuf du Pape 1.5l
- 2005 Clos de la Roche Grand Cru
- 2000 Chateau Maucaillou Moulis
- 1994 Bodegas Vega-Sicilia Ribera del Duero Único
- 2006 Sine Qau Non Raven Syrah
- 1996 Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon
- 2004 El Nido Jumilla
- 1997 Harlan Estate 1.5l
- 2003 Marcassin Pinot Noir
- 2003 Alban/Gangloff Vionier Conversation
That’s the equivalent of 20 bottles divided among the 26 guests. Out of curiousity, I looked up average purchase price of each wine and the total was over $4,000. Note: I realize the release price of the ’96 Screaming Eagle was $125, but unless you happen to be on their allocated mailing list, you probably paid on average $1,041 and that’s the price I’m using for my totals. Many thanks to Dave James for sharing the Screaming Eagle. Quite an evening of fine wines that I would rarely be able to taste. At an average of nearly $200 per bottle, I’m almost ashamed to say that I brought a 2002 Silver Oak Napa that wasn’t even opened. I’ll know better the next time, if there’s a next time.
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