Silent Auction Items
Fine Wine and Tastings
Baldacci Estate 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon – Magnum
Value: $150
A signed magnum from the Baldacci Estate in Stag’s Leap region of the Napa Valley. A wonderfully rich, huge Cabernet that will age beautifully. Juicy, good fruit, tannins.
Donor: Baldacci Family Vineyards
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Diamond Mountain Vineyard 2002 Claret
Value: $55
Wonderful fruit complexity, depth, and concentration, built on a solid frame that is sumptuous and ultra-smooth. Delicious layers of ripe currant, black cherry, plum, and cedar are tightly focused, with touches of anise and sage. Finishes with ripe yet firm and integrated tannins that glide delicately across the palate for a full 20 seconds. This stunning wine will age gracefully for the next 10 years!
Donor: Eileen & William Lee
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Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino “Tenuta Nuova” 2001
Value: $150
A Brunello di Montalcino produced with select Sangiovese grapes, awarded 97 points and named #1 wine of the year for 2006 in Wine Spectator Magazine. Superb, best to drink after 2010.
Donor: Francesco & Tasha Isolani
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Grgich Hills 2002 Zinfandel, Napa Valley
Value: $50
This Zin displays wonderful varietal aromas of jammy blackberry and raspberry, complemented by black pepper and cloves. These flavors carry through to the palate, joined by spice and a hint of leather. The full-bodied fruit is balanced by ripe tannins and brisk acidity—the key to a food-friendly wine. Spice and black pepper make this Zinfandel a wonderful complement to almost anything on the grill, along with roast pork tenderloin or pasta puttanesca.
Donor: Raymond K. Meister
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Château Duhart-Milon Pauillac 1978 Bordeaux
Value: $160
From the Pauillac region in Médoc. Château Duhart-Milon is a domain of the famed Rothschild family. Current auction price is 113 euros ($169).
Donor: Raymond K. Meister
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Joullian 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmel Valley
Value: $30
Small boutique winery; 12,000 cases total. The vintner, golfer Tom Watson's brother, has autographed this bottle.
Donor: Raymond K. Meister
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Rosenblum 2004 Syrah, Santa Barbara County – Magnum
Value: $80
Rosenblum is a superb winemaker located in Alameda, known for Syrahs and Zins. Previous Syrahs have very concentrated juice and fruit, will age. A keeper.
Donor: Noreen Axelson
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Roederer Estate Champagne - Magnum
Value: $52
Champagne from a wonderful vintner. Very consistent.
Donor: Noreen Axelson
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Justin Vineyard Isosceles 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmel Valley
Value: $60
Isoceles is Justin's “left bank” Bordeaux-style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. Wine Spectator observes: "High-toned black cherry and wild berry fruit is ripe, spicy and complex, if on a modest scale. Gains depth and richness on the finish, where this picks up a hint of prune and spice.” Gold Medal, San Francisco International Wine Competition, 2007.
Donor: Noreen Axelson
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Sterling Vineyard 1970 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley – Four bottles
Value: $320
A venerable Cabernet, recently tasted at the vineyard; features mushroom flavors and some fruit.
Donor: Patrick Golden
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Sterling Vineyard 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, Napa Valley –
Two bottles
Value: $200
This wine was excellent and may be great still!
Donor: Patrick Golden
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Sassicaia 1975 – Two Bottles
Value: $430
Sassicaia, an Italian giant of a wine, is one of the most sought-after wines in the world. A masterful cuvée of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, very long lived, and a good year.
Donor: Patrick Golden
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Macauley Vineyards 1990 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley –
Two bottles
Value: $200
A classic Cabernet Sauvignon, well cellared.
Donor: Patrick Golden
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Château Calon 1961 Bordeaux
Value: $100
One of the top three years of the century, this Bordeaux received 86 points from Wine Spectator. Decent fruit, big tannins. Drink soon.
Donor: Patrick Golden
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Plum Wine & Premium Sake Flight
Value: $74
Each of top three bidders takes home the following items:
Takara Premium Plum White Wine (750ML) – Four bottles
A rich, sweet, and aromatic plum wine suitable as an aperitif. This product uses a special plum called “ume,” cultivated in Japan, and is very tart in flavor.
Sho Chiku Bai Junmai-shu Naturally Brewed Sake (1.5L) – Two bottles
Smooth, well-balanced, and full-bodied; dry and sweet with a hard, crisp texture.
Sho Chiku Bai Premium Ginjo Sake (300ML) – Four bottles
Sho Chiku Bai means “Pine Bamboo Plum.” Ginjo is a special reserve, connoisseur class of sake. Most sakes are brewed with rice that has been milled 30%. For our Ginjo, the rice is polished over 50%. A special strain of yeast is also used to allow fermentation at a cooler temperature. The result of the slower, longer process is a silky-smooth, rich, and fruity flavor.
Donor: Takara Sake USA, Inc.
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"La Gloria Cubana" Cigars
Value: $200
Cuban seed cigars, rolled by Cubans in factories in Cuba, Miami, and the Dominican Republic. Consistently a top scorer in Cigar Aficionado Magazine, a box of these very rare cigars went for $400 at our last Gala. A mild-to-moderately flavored smoke.
Donor: John Lowitz
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1999 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Colchagua
Value: $160
A fine Chilean wine from the renowned Colchagua Valley.
Donor: George E. Miller, Jr.
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Wine Tasting for Ten and Michael Pozzan, Napa Valley Cab Double Magnum
Value: $300
A private wine-tasting party for ten at Wine Thieves in Lafayette. Includes an intimate cellar setting, stemware, education, and fine wine service. Guests are welcome to bring appetizers or create a potluck with friends. Also included is a Michael Pozzan, Napa Valley Cab Double Magnum, Napa Cuvée #10.
Donor: Wine Thieves
Restrictions: Food not included.
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Hagafen Cellars Wine Tasting for Six and One Case of Wine
Value: $400
A wine tasting for six at Hagafen’s Napa Winery on the Silverado Trail. The tasting will include current releases, reserve, and library wines. Your visit includes receipt of a case of Hagafen Cellars 2003 Estate Bottled Napa Valley Syrah.
Donor: Hagafen Cellars of Napa Valley
Restrictions: Must make reservation at least one week in advance of visit.
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A Day in Santa Rosa
Value: $364
Harvest Moon Estate & Winery Tour and Tasting
$64 Aqus Café Gift Certificate
A tour and tasting for up to eight people, including a vineyard walk and a barrel, bottle, and olive oil tasting with the winegrower. Then enjoy breakfast or afternoon coffee at Aqus Café in Petaluma.
Donor: Harvest Moon Estate & Winery, Jeanine & Neal Holmlund
Restrictions: Winery requires Aqus Café reservations.
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Ruggeri Corsini 2000 Barolo
Value: $100
Podere Ruggeri Corsini is a very small Barolo producer from the commune of Monforte d'Alba. Only 20 cases were made of this Nebbiolo—”The King of Wines, The Wine of Kings” (Wine Spectator). The year 2000 was the Piedmonte’s best of last century! Drinkable 2009-2018.
Donor: Vincent Fausone
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Noceto 2005 Sangiovese Magnum
Value: $150
A signed magnum from Vino Noceto Vineyard near Plymouth in Amador County. A beautifully made, Chianti-like wine from this boutique winery, rich in fruit, plummy, jammy, and very drinkable now until 2012.
Donor: John Lowitz
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Narsai David Cabernet Sauvignon – six bottles
Value: $360
Gold medal winner in Los Angeles, Howell Mountain area Stag's Leap Appellation. Beautifully made with rich, excellent fruit. Drink now until 2012. Private label not otherwise available.
Donor: John Lowitz
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Judd's Hill Cabernet Sauvignon
Value: $120
From the family tradition of Whitehall Lane. Small producer. Signed for the Gala by the vintners. Napa Valley fruit. Very drinkable now, but will age. Forward, up-front.
Donor: John Lowitz
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Château Lynch-Bages 1974 Bordeaux
Value: $100
A Cabernet-Merlot blend from a top vintner in Bordeaux, Grand Cru Classé.
Donor: John Lowitz
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Vincent Arroyo 2005 Petite Sirah Napa Valley Double Magnum
Value: $200
Signed for Gala by one of the premier vintners in California. A monster wine, huge fruit, big tannins, will age. Drink 2010-2020.
Donor: John Lowitz
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Dehlinger 1997 Bordeaux Blend
Value: $100
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Very rare. Superb Russian River Vineyards. As good as many premier grand cru French Bordeaux. Signed by the winemaker.
Donor: John Lowitz
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Happy Valley Cellars, Lafayette 2006 Zinfindel
Value: $80
This Zinfandel is signed and comes in a wooden box. Drinkable now until 2012. Good fruit, well made. Private label. First offering a smashing debut.
Donor: John Lowitz
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Marston Family Estate 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon
Value: $200
This Napa Valley Cab has all the ingredients of greatness. An amazing intensity of flavors: cassis, floral notes, licorice, anise, and minerals. Fat rich fruit, berries, and good tannins. Only 50 cases were made, and they were available only through mail order. Philippe Melka trained at Petrus in Bordeaux and at Dominus in the Napa Valley; he is one of the most exciting new winemakers in California. A top-five Cabernet, outstanding. Drinkable now, but will age beautifully.
Donor: John Lowitz
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Wine Gift Basket
Value: $100
1 – Cambridge Fine Stainless 4-piece Cheese Spreaders
2 – Bohemia Wine Glasses
1 – Cuisinart Wing Corkscrew Opener
4 – Burgundy Bon Appetit Cloth Napkins
2 – 6” Square Plates
1 – The World Encyclopedia of Wine by Stuart Walton
1 – The World Encyclopedia of Cheese by Juliet Harbutt
1 – bottle of 2004 Sangiovese from Rideau Vineyard in Santa Barbara County. The perfumed notes of roses, nutmeg, and cinnamon enliven this rich, bold red wine. The fusion of elegant tannins and brightly flavored fruit result in an immensely enjoyable wine.
1 – bottle of 2005 Chardonnay from Adler Fels Winery in Santa Rosa. Created and bottled expressly for the Inn At The Tides’ Bay View Restaurant in Bodega Bay.
Donor: Angela M. & Willie C. Archie
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1986 Whitehall Lane Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Double Magnum
Value: $250
Signed by the owner, this Cabernet Sauvignon is blended with Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Beautiful fruit, huge, berrylike, slight oak, long finish/mouth fill. Winner of many awards. Very well cellared. Open one hour before drinking.
Donor: John Lowitz
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Absinthe Verte
Value: $82
The Bay Area’s own St. George Spirits Distillary has brought the production of absinthe back to the US! This American-produced licorice-flavored spirit is 11 years in the making and is produced only in small quantities, so get it while it’s hot.
Donor: Barb & Mark Altenberg
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Absinthe Française
Value: $75
Real French absinthe. The genuine article. A real adventure!
Donor: Robert & Marcia Hubbell
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