Jeff L

Rosie, thanks. Can you tell me a little about the others, what type cuisine. Why Origin? Jeff

Even though I live very close to the Newtown store and not too far from the Franklin Mills store, both of which typically receive plenty of the Chairman's Selections, I've noticed the online inventory doesn't always reflect their stock. The Il Futuro was a case in point. A week ago Monday I called the Newtown store, was told it wasn't in yet, and probably wouldn't be until Thursday, but to check online. The online inventory never included Newtown and when I went there on Saturday, I was told it arrived Tuesday (two days prior to expected delivery). They received 35 cases and it was going fast. ←

We are meeting with friends this Saturday around where 202 and 287 converge. We've been meeting at the Ruby Tuesday around there for years and frankly it's getting kind of old. These folks prefer to bring their own wine as do we. Any suggestions for good quality byo's in this neck of the woods is appreciated.

Agree that this one drinks well all by itself. As a matter of fact, I drank about 3/4 of a bottle on its own last night. I love this wine, even more than the Domaine Michelot Meursault tasted here at the 2nd chairmans tasting event. Tough to top Latour in all varietals.

I too bought a test bottle yesteday and let it decant for about 1.5 hours. Super dark purple, agree with oak comment, fairly tannic but I like this 40/40 combo of cab and sangiovese 20 merlot too. $80? Never would I buy this. $18 - certainly worth a try. I will buy more but perhaps only a couple. Evan ← A follow up to include the inconsistent service in PLCB stores. Went to Narberth as they had 30 bottles of the Futuro. Looked around and when I couldnt find them, I asked where they were. "These are the Chairman's selections right here". It was not there - I already looked. I told them I was looking for the futuro. He tells me he will ask someone who knows. She says "It's right there - the Latour". I said, no that is not it - I am lookng for the Futuro. She walks ove and points to the Latour and says "This is it. Right here". I kindly say that she is not correct. I am looking for an italian wine, chairmans selection, Futuro, 18 down from 85. The guy chimes in, thats not a chairman selection. Don't have it. I say "I saw you have 30 somewhere in this store". He asked a third guy who has no clue. I assure him that it probably came in that day or Friday and there are 30 bottles under his nose in the back. After 2 trips, he emerges with them. I buy one. Part 2. Today, 1 day later, my wife goes in to get more. She asks for the Futuro. Guy shows her the chairman selections. She doesnt see it. He tells her they must be all sold out. She tells guy - "It is the Italian supertuscan, futuro, chairman selection and her husband was just here yesterday and there are definitely more here." Guy goes into the back and guess what..... out comes a box of em. OK - maybe its not a premium store but these guys knew nuttin' about nada here. Thank goodness for the website. I just feel bad for someone who really wants advice or counsel from these gomers. Or worse, coming in and asking for something they have and erroneously being told they don't have it. This is pretty standard stuff - the cluelessness. Can't find an internet order after they call me that its in to pick up? That was a fun one. Can't find stock that you know they have? This wasnt the first time although this was the most entertaining. Bryn mawr does not suffer from this illness and Robert at Ardmore is very helpful. Maybe if they would let me into the back room , I would only have to check out at the register. Speaking of which, my kingdom for online ordering from the local store - when is that coming? There (straightening out parted hair and wiping lapels), I feel much better now. Evan ← So after all that how did you like the Futuro?

I too bought a test bottle yesteday and let it decant for about 1.5 hours. Super dark purple, agree with oak comment, fairly tannic but I like this 40/40 combo of cab and sangiovese 20 merlot too. $80? Never would I buy this. $18 - certainly worth a try. I will buy more but perhaps only a couple. Evan ← I too couldn't wait to try the Il Futuro so we had some last night under less than optimum conditions: dinner out with 10 neighbors who all brought mediocre to bad wine and everyone wanted to try mine. I was unable to decant and don't really think this would have helped but the bottle at least had been open for a few hours. What I did get to taste (in subpar stemware) was just an OK wine that I really hope is just not ready yet. I agree with you Evan, $80 bucks for this wine would have really pissed me off. I guess because we were all waiting so long for it to get to the stores and all the hype and all-I just had higher expectations for the wine. It seemed to me to be less tannic than you guys expereinced but certainly lots of oak present. I am hoping as I know Mike is that the next 11 will cellar well and develop into what I hope is huge super tuscan. That said, toninght I will try another bottle with a bone in pork roast I am trying. I'll report back and see if under these much better conditions the wine notes change.

OK, we are set to meet at Delorenzo's on Hudson Street in Trenton at 3:30 on Saturday, 11/19. So far we have: Rich, Diann, Charlie, Chris, Katie?, Aaron? and myself. Will Katie and Aaron pm me if you are planning to go? Also if anyone needs directions please pm me for them. Anyone else interested should let me know Jeff ← I'm in? OK, I'm in. Are you setting things up with the other stops, Jeff? I did that the last time, so they knew we were arriving, and approximately when; I budgeted 90 min per stop. Last time we had 19 people. ← I hadn't thought about that, I guess I'll wait until we get nearer to the date for a final count. BTW, I thought you were in after your post stating it's about time Pizza Club was back.

I %&@# *hate* this: not a drop of the Latour Mersault or the Colombaio near me; the allocations for the two area stores that do have the Mersault are absolutely ridiculously low, compared to what other parts of the state are seeing. *Four* cases per store, in Philadelphia, versus what looks like ten to twelve elsewhere in the area. It's going to get bloody out there, mark my words. Gah! This peeves me greatly. Well Philadining, there is at least one interested person here in the downscale Newtown/Holland area..seriously though, I was having the same problem Pedro is having right now with respect to getting my hands on these particular wines. I was calling daily and finally, without notice rhyme or reason, they arrived. To add insult to injury Pedro, Newtown has 35 cases of the Il Futuro and at least 20 cases of the Latour Mersault -also an equal number of the Latour Montrachet. So Jeff, your point is taken about the high number of premium stores in Philly and it makes perfect sense. We have Newtown and 10 minutes away there are 2 smaller premium stores both in supermarkets. That it, next closest premium store is in Doylestown which is as bad to get to as the ones in Philly.

Done. Just like Greg told me to do it - perfect. I now officially like brussel sprouts. ← so what, we're supposed to guess how Greg told you to make them? Pony it up please Jeff

OK, we are set to meet at Delorenzo's on Hudson Street in Trenton at 3:30 on Saturday, 11/19. So far we have: Rich, Diann, Charlie, Chris, Katie?, Aaron? and myself. Will Katie and Aaron pm me if you are planning to go? Also if anyone needs directions please pm me for them. Anyone else interested should let me know Jeff

You must be reading my mind Mike. Newtown got 35 cases today, I got 12 also, bottles that is. Also picked up some of the lovely Latour Mersault along with that nice St. Frances chard we had the other night at RX. Next for me is a few bottles of the ridiculously priced Chassagne Montrachet. Jeff ← Pop 'em open gents. Let's hear it. Still waiting here..... At Rx, Deidre told me the Il Futuro benefited from 2 hours of decant time when she drank it. Evan ← Also either Parker or the Spectator says it has 10 years aging in it. I truly doubt I'll hold onto any of it for that long. If you're in the neighborhood, I'll pop one for you!

You must be reading my mind Mike. Newtown got 35 cases today, I got 12 also, bottles that is. Also picked up some of the lovely Latour Mersault along with that nice St. Frances chard we had the other night at RX. Next for me is a few bottles of the ridiculously priced Chassagne Montrachet. Jeff

We did the three Trenton places in an early Pizza Club outing. Now that we're a more sophisticated and experienced group, four stops should be a piece of pie. Several people ate Nathan's hot dogs (a fourth stop) the last time we ventured out-of-state. If we don't go Nov. 12 or 19, we probably should wait until January. ← Let's try for the 19th, meet at Delorenzo's on Hudson at 3:30. This will be the hardest place to try not gorging! ← I can give a ride to anyone coming from the western suburbs/Main Line/Center City (as long as "anyone" means a total of three or four of you). PM me. ← Does this means the 19th works for everyone?

We did the three Trenton places in an early Pizza Club outing. Now that we're a more sophisticated and experienced group, four stops should be a piece of pie. Several people ate Nathan's hot dogs (a fourth stop) the last time we ventured out-of-state. If we don't go Nov. 12 or 19, we probably should wait until January. ← Let's try for the 19th, meet at Delorenzo's on Hudson at 3:30. This will be the hardest place to try not gorging!

So which did you like most Bosche or Sycamore? Also, as I just learned what terroir meant several weeks ago after seeing it so often in France, I thought I'd post its meaning for others unfamiliar with this great word: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terroir

I forgot this. Actually Delorenzo's on Hudson is open Sunday. Any suggestions for mid week as weekends are brutal at all places Jeff

Open post for all to respond for pizza club to Trenton and Princeton. How is Sunday 11/13 or 11/20? Please email or pm me if interested. Probably early (say 5-5:30) works best for those traveling from Philly. Let me know.

It's about damn time we rev PIZZA CLUB back up! I would, however, like to add CONTE'S in Princeton to that grouping; recently both Delorenzo's of Hudson St and Conte's made the distinction of rated 2 of the best pizzerias in the country in a new book out of Chicago: Nation's Best Pizza ← Love Conte's and love the fact you can get draft beer to wash down the great bar pies. I'm game. Driving wise might be a hassle to get to Princeton from the burg but we'll figure it out. Jeff ← There is no draft beer at Conte's, only bottles. ← There's no beer at all at Delorenzo's. I usually bring a bottle of nice red wine with me. When are we thinking of an outing?

But not, of course, a Port. ← well of course you would be qualified to make that distinction sir. It was most enjoyable and I'll be picking up whatever you don't buy.

It's about damn time we rev PIZZA CLUB back up! I would, however, like to add CONTE'S in Princeton to that grouping; recently both Delorenzo's of Hudson St and Conte's made the distinction of rated 2 of the best pizzerias in the country in a new book out of Chicago: Nation's Best Pizza ← Love Conte's and love the fact you can get draft beer to wash down the great bar pies. I'm game. Driving wise might be a hassle to get to Princeton from the burg but we'll figure it out. Jeff

OK I can also swear that none of us went to Copogiro after the meal. Not Capaneus, Katie, Diann, Philadining or I went. I've said all along that I much prefer the Sycamore to the Bosce and it's nice to see some others agree. I too would love to know the dessert wine that I believe Greg provided. It tasted like a nice port to me. Can anyone find out

Hey is anyone interested in a pizza club run to Trenton? We could cover the holy trinity (Rich P's monicker and an apt one) Delorenzo's on Hudson and Hamilton and Top Road on Brunswick Avenue. No one is sure how long the Delorenzo's on Hudson will be there. As I mentioned in previous posts, the owners son Sam is opening a place in the Robbinsville NJ area and Gary may be looking to hang it up once he moves in there. Anyone interested can pm or email me. Jeff

I must second Mike's comments and add that I was fortunate enough to position myself next to Jonathan and found the evening most informative. I was particularly interested in how Jonathan negotiates the various Chairmans Selection wines. He explained that he goes to California 4 times a year to buy wine. I was most impressed with his cleverness in making one of those trips coincide with end of fiscal year time when everyone is looking to pump up their numbers. Kudos Jonathan, that is brilliant! Thanks for hosting such a great event and thanks to Greg and staff for the wonderful food and finally thanks to Katie and Deidre for their expert planning. I hope we will be able to do these more often.

Hello Deidre, I was thinking about you, wondering where you've been. So I've been waiting since I first saw the upcoming Chairmans selections for this Super Tuscan. What an unbeleivable price point for this wine. If you can believe, I was in France for almost 2 weeks drinking great Cote du Rhones amoung other wines and I was wondering when my Newtown store was getting this in. I was told just now they don't know but I'll be there tomorrow at 9:00 sharp and back on Thursday and if need be Friday to score some of this stuff. I look forward to seeing you at RX Tuesday night! Jeff

I kind of thought so, reading your posts and getting to speak with you at Evan's wine tasting. Good for you, it is time consuming but well worth it in the end. Do you roast the bones first?