Dear members,

The society’s first October event is an exploration of eight difficult to obtain Californian wines from the 2000s, 1990s and 1980s .

California is 3/4 the size of France and if it was a separate country, it would be the world's fourth largest wine producer. While California may be short in winemaking history , its passion and dedication to producing quality wines is highly respected. Since the infamous 1976 Judgment of Paris tasting, the success of Californian wines in blind tastings has never fail to astonish wine drinkers, particularly during the society's own Judgement of Paris dinner last year. At this event, three decades of Californian wine will be paired with the cuisine of Keystone Restaurant, a sophisticated and progressive restaurant serving high quality modern European Cuisine.

The 2000s - The event will start with a 2007 sparkler from Schramsberg ,a producer that has been regarded as the Dom Perignon of Napa Valley. This will be followed by the 2005 Chateau Montelena chardonnay . This vineyard received world- wide fame during the 1976 Judgement of Paris tasting for being preferred to the French burgundies.

The 1990’s-The first 2 reds of the evening will be a pair of 1997s, one of the two best vintages during the 1990s. The Sanford Pinot Noir is from the Central Coast while the St Francis old vine Zinfandel hails from Napa Valley. Zinfandel is quintessentially Californian and to be labelled as old vine, the vine has to be at least 50 years old. The next course will be paired with a Bordeaux blend ( St Supery Meritage) and a cabernet sauvignon from Spring Mountain, both from the 1996 vintage.

The 1980’s – The final iconic red wine is a gorgeous Cabernet blend offering from the 1980s, the Heitz Martha’s Vineyard 1985. Robert Parker reviewed this wine as "explosive richness and ripeness, as well as gobs of sweet fruit presented in a full-bodied, powerful style." This bottle is a poster bottle for the excellent ageability of well-made California wines.


Wines to be served:

Aperitif:
Schramsberg 2007 Blanc de Noir, Calistoga

White:
Chateau Montelena 2005 Chardonnay, Napa Valley

Reds:
Sanford 1997 Pinot Noir, Central Coast
St Francis 1997 Old Vine Zinfandel, Napa Valley
St Supery 1996 Meritage, Napa Valley
Spring Mountain 1996 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
Heitz Martha's Vineyards 1985, Napa Valley

Dessert:
John Anthony 2006 Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley

Bookings and reservations: Please email: C T Chen at ctchen@acieslaw.com for reservations.
PLEASE NOTE: Reservations WILL NOT be considered confirmed unless the Booking Form together with Payment
is received by 27 september 2011.


Best regards

Joyce Chang
President
Iwfs of Singapore