MOCOOL 2009 AUG 15th!

Howie:

I've helped host NiagaraCOOL for 5 years and can really appreciate what the organizers do to pull this off.

To set the record straight for those who don't know, NiagaraCool IS Howie Hart.

Now that there has been some positive movement on the Mo'Cool front, and we are certain that there WILL be a Mo'Cool 2009, I thought I would add my $0.02 worth of information. There is a sign-up page for Mo'Cool 2009 and I am posting a link to it below. I would advise that if you know that you will be coming, I would make a hotel reservation NOW! This weekend in Ann Arbor (AA) and environs coincides with the big Michigan NASCAR event and hotels will/are filling up rapidly. In fact many of the best AA hotels have been booked since last August. Last year many of us stayed at the Best Western located in Whitmore Lake, which is just a few miles north of AA and is an easy trip to the Saturday afternoon picnic site. There are a few cabins located at the picnic site, and I am not sure if they are all spoken for or not. If you have indicated that you want a cabin, you will hear from Clay Johnson on that in due time. I highly recommend that if you are coming, and you do not have a reservation, that you make it now. Even if you get a cabin, you can cancel the motel reservation with a 24 hour notice. I know that I have made this reservation several months ago and will cancel or keep as necessary. The prices AFAIK remain unchanged from last year and we have the additional honor and privilege of having Califusa assisting (so I am told) in the kitchen. Here is the address and phone number for the Best Western of Whitmore Lake
Address:
9897 Main Street, Whitmore Lake, Michigan, 48189-9438, US
Phone: 734/449-2058 Fax: 734/449-8635


And here is the link! for the sign-up page. http://www.signup4mocool.com/

FANTASTIC!! Thanks for posting this, Bob! I have paid my admission price, and only need now to hunt down the perfect wine to take.

The excitement builds..

JB

Thanks, Bob.

I'll be working in the kitchen with my other brother Alan again. Look forward to seeing you again.

[quote]> Insert Joel Goldberg awesome witticisms and regalia here. I can't
> write that well. [/quote]

Sorry, guys -- there's a witticism shortage in 15+% unemployment Michigan these days. Yet another of my favorite Ann Arbor restaurants just closed this weekend -- now where am I going to get my duck salad?

And I'm not sure exactly WHAT regalia is -- or why anyone would expect it from me.

But Syrah, or even Sheeeeeeraz -- now that's another matter. And you all better get up here for the 15th -- heck, if Califusa can make it, there's no excuse for anyone!

Joel

> Insert Joel Goldberg awesome witticisms and regalia here. I can't
> write that well.

Sorry, guys -- there's a witticism shortage in 15+% unemployment Michigan these days. Yet another of my favorite Ann Arbor restaurants just closed this weekend -- now where am I going to get my duck salad?

And I'm not sure exactly WHAT regalia is -- or why anyone would expect it from me.

But Syrah, or even Sheeeeeeraz -- now that's another matter. And you all better get up here for the 15th -- heck, if Califusa can make it, there's no excuse for anyone!
Joel

I agree Joel, now if I can only find that bottle of Gallo Hearty sheeeeeraz that I just know is in my cellar somewhere!

Added Note: IIRC the for now lost G H Sheeeeeeraz is a 1978 vintage.

Only TWO WEEKS away!!! Is anyone telling what they are bringing?


JB

I called for a reservation at the Best Western Lake Whitmore but it is sold out except for a more expensive jacuzzi room. I am on a waiting list if someone cancels (someone was reserving for Best Western but trying to get a cabin at the picnic site so let me know if you cancel the motel reservation.) As backup, I have a room at Homewood Suites in Brighton, MI (some of the Ann Arbor motels were also sold out.) I will have a rental car and haven't quite decided if I would drive myself around on Friday evening and to the picnic on Saturday or drive to Best Western Lake Whitmore and share a van ride from there if one is ordered. Has anyone arranged for van tranportation?

I am bringing two domestic Syrahs and possibly one French or Italian one. The domestics are a Babcock Nook and Cranny Syrah and a Beckman Purisima Syrah (both Santa Barbara County.) For Friday I will bring a mystery wine, and probably a red Burgundy. For either Friday or Saturday's picnic I will have a Williams Selyem Pinot Noir because Jim Grow was disappointed that I didn't open one last year and left it for the Goldbergs. There was so much other wine that I didn't think it would fit in with what was being consumed.

I will try to complete my Mo'Cool reservation today.

While my cellar is not rife with syrah, I do have a few selections available. I believe two different vintages of Chapoutier "La Sizeranne" are in there. Also, an 03 Lagier-Meredith Mt Veeder. There may be an ESJ Wylie-Fenaughty from around 2000 or 2001. And about 6 bottles of "The Shadow" which may still be too young to drink.

What are others looking to bring?

While my cellar is not rife with syrah, I do have a few selections available. I believe two different vintages of Chapoutier "La Sizeranne" are in there. Also, an 03 Lagier-Meredith Mt Veeder. There may be an ESJ Wylie-Fenaughty from around 2000 or 2001. And about 6 bottles of "The Shadow" which may still be too young to drink.

What are others looking to bring?

Hi Mike,

I haven't looked through my cellar yet, but IIRC then I will be brining a 2001, & 2002 Finca Sandoval syrahs made by Victor de la Serna. I also have an 01 E. Guigal Hermitage, and a 1994 Ch. Tahbilk 1860 vine shiraz. I will probably bring a few bottles of Tahbilk marsanne too, and heck who knows what else. BTW, I think JB is bringing that same Lagier-Meredith wine...might want to check with her. (of course an extra is never too many!)

While my cellar is not rife with syrah, I do have a few selections available. I believe two different vintages of Chapoutier "La Sizeranne" are in there. Also, an 03 Lagier-Meredith Mt Veeder. There may be an ESJ Wylie-Fenaughty from around 2000 or 2001. And about 6 bottles of "The Shadow" which may still be too young to drink.

What are others looking to bring?

Hi Mike,

I haven't looked through my cellar yet, but IIRC then I will be brining a 2001, & 2002 Finca Sandoval syrahs made by Victor de la Serna. I also have an 01 E.... Guigal Hermitage, and a 1994 Ch. Tahbilk 1860 vine shiraz. I will probably bring a few bottles of Tahbilk marsanne too, and heck who knows what else. BTW, I think JB is bringing that same Lagier-Meredith wine...might want to check with her. (of course an extra is never too many!)

I have the 05 Lagier-Meredith Mt. Veeder, Mike. We could do that! I also have several of ESJ"The Shadow". Bob, I will check tomorrow, I cannot remember if I have the 02 or 03 Finca Sandoval..I may just be able to tag team with you both!
One week 'til show time!

JB

While my cellar is not rife with syrah, I do have a few selections available. I believe two different vintages of Chapoutier "La Sizeranne" are in there. Also, an 03 Lagier-Meredith Mt Veeder. There may be an ESJ Wylie-Fenaughty from around 2000 or 2001. And about 6 bottles of "The Shadow" which may still be too young to drink.

What are others looking to bring?

I love the Sizeranne. Mine's all gone.

Bob, I have the Finca Sandoval 01, if you want me to bring that and you just bring the 02, that would work. Your call.

On my way to Maine last week I stopped at the NH liquor store and picked up a 2005 Perrin & Fils Gigondas "La Grille" for MOCOOL. I generally don't shop for Syrah. I searched the WTNs here and couldn't find a match, so I'm really clueless regarding this wine. Hmmm.. Just read their website and it's 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah - maybe it won't qualify as being "On Theme".

I'm bringing a 1998 Jamet and another as yet unknown Syrah for Sat. nite and a 1998 Janasse "Chaupins" and a 1999 Amizetta Cab. for Fri. nite. I have a van reserrved for both fri. nite and Sat. afternoon ( 6:00 PM and 1:00 PM respectively) so I hope we can fill them from the Best Western at Whitmore Lake!!! Those definitely staying there and needing transport could PM me. Jim

I'll be in the kitchen Saturday, Jim. Please come by and say hello - don't forget to bring the Jamet with you.

What are others looking to bring?

Hi Mike,

I am bringing a 2006 Crozes Hermitage Domaine Des Grands Chemins plus one other wine that I have not decided on yet. Perhaps a Oz Shiraz for a new world balance to the Rhone syrah.

What are others looking to bring?

I'm bringng a couple of 1985 Côte Rôties - Jamet and Pierre Barge.

For Friday I'm bringing a '64 Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especiale and a'78 Château Beau-Site.

I'm bringing a 1998 Jamet and another as yet unknown Syrah for Sat. nite and a 1998 Janasse "Chaupins" and a 1999 Amizetta Cab. for Fri. nite. I have a van reserrved for both fri. nite and Sat. afternoon ( 6:00 PM and 1:00 PM respectively) so I hope we can fill them from the Best Western at Whitmore Lake!!! Those definitely staying there and needing transport could PM me. Jim

Hmm Jim, I have a 92 Von Strasser Diamond Mtn Cab Sauv. I was considering for the off theme table at the picnic, in addition to the two syrahs I mentioned earlier.

The excitement builds!
JB

So err when are we going to see some photos. It has been very quiet since the event.

For some reason, the only pictures I took at MOCOOL were the day before, with no people in them. They are just photos of the lodge, cabins and Lake Norman, and one picture of the peppers I roasted on the grill for the Chefs Alan (Kerr & Brees). It was an honor to help them out in the kitchen - peeling carrots, onions, shallots, garlic, etc.

Peppers.jpg

What, no pictures of *my* lake?!

What, no pictures of *my* lake?!

OK Geo:

Lake1.jpg