Mo'Cool 2008

It is now official that there will be a Mo'Cool 2008. The date is a little different than usual, but works better for the folks that owns the property out at the lake. Here is the lowdown as I know it.

1. Date: August 16, 2008. This is a change for Mo'Cool, which has been one week before Labor Day weekend for more than 10 years. This is a week earlier. The good news about this is that it works much better for the owners of the lodge, therefore we have the lodge confirmed as the venue! The bad news is that this is the same weekend as major NASCAR events at the nearby Michigan International Speedway, so hotel rooms in and around Ann Arbor may already be in short supply, and rates may be slightly higher. There are a few cottages located at the lodge and there is some talk that there might be room for a few people, perhaps as many as a dozen, to stay there. As of now, that is not certain, but if that does turn out, we will let you know as soon as it is clear to the locals in Ann Arbor.

2. Theme: The working theme is "Bordeaux by the Fives" or "Bordeaux 5x5". Meaning Bordeaux vintage years which are multiples of 5 which as we know include a lot of highly-ranked vintages, focusing most on the "5" most recent "5's" vintages 1985-2005. We're geeked about red Bordeaux of course, but since great white wines, both dry and sweet, come from Bordeaux also, we don't want to leave those out!


3. Food: Chef Alan is in conversations with the main planners. We were trying to figure out how to make duck work as a main dish, but it's just too labor-intensive (and/or expensive) for us. So it will probably be beef. But nothing is decided for sure yet.

Sound good?

Note: I am going to make reservations in some hotel in the area ASAP! We all know how those rowdy NASCAR fans are, they come by the thousands and party hearty. I fully recommend that if you even think you are coming that you do the reservation thing as well. One can always cancel a day or two in advance, but it may not be possible to find anything as the time draws closer. The above is all I know at this time, but I am keeping my ear to the ground.

Another note: I have posted this here in the wine forum because of the much higher foot traffic this forum gets. I also posted this over in the travel forum where it will stay closer to the "top" of the forum.

Aaaaaaaaaallllllllll riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigggght!

Now where's the sign up sheet? I want to be first!

Thanks for the info., Bob!

JuliaB

I will only attend if I can have a binding, contractual agreement with JB that states, in English, that she will do the Saturday Night Fever dance with me. She refused to do it with me at MoCool 10 Tour de France and I have felt like a groom abandoned at the altar ever since that dark day.

I will only attend if I can have a binding, contractual agreement with JB that states, in English, that she will do the Saturday Night Fever dance with me. She refused to do it with me at MoCool 10 Tour de France and I have felt like a groom abandoned at the altar ever since that dark day.

Can I go seconds? Would just love to do a tango with the girl from Ipanema ... err ... that would have to be ... Ohio, sorry, my bad.

I refuse to take thirds, though I am sure it would be great.
This is wonderful news.

And a wonderful theme. Narrow, but wonderful.
Time to check out the Hawthorne, I guess.
-w

How lovely! I have my dance card dangling from my wrist...let's see that's Dave R, then David L..and of course, Paulo gets all my table dances. I can't wait!!!

xo
JuliaB

OW, we'll probably need to move this discussion to the "offline" forum, but let's talk about where we all be shacking up. The Hawthorne is not the closest to the picnic location. BobH says he has looked around and hotels are booking up. (Dang Nascarfarians ! )

Suggestions anyone?

JuliaB

PS I'm hopeful that the earlier date will mean Beth will, once again ,be able to join us!

2. Theme: The working theme is "Bordeaux by the Fives" or "Bordeaux 5x5". Meaning Bordeaux vintage years which are multiples of 5 which as we know include a lot of highly-ranked vintages, focusing most on the "5" most recent "5's" vintages 1985-2005. We're geeked about red Bordeaux of course, but since great white wines, both dry and sweet, come from Bordeaux also, we don't want to leave those out!

Interesting theme. I have some '70s and '75s -- would they be considered thematic? I'll also have to see if that date works for me, but it sounds like fun.

Mark Lipton

2. Theme: The working theme is "Bordeaux by the Fives" or "Bordeaux 5x5". Meaning Bordeaux vintage years which are multiples of 5 which as we know include a lot of highly-ranked vintages, focusing most on the "5" most recent "5's" vintages 1985-2005. We're geeked about red Bordeaux of course, but since great white wines, both dry and sweet, come from Bordeaux also, we don't want to leave those out!

Interesting theme. I have some '70s and '75s -- would they be considered thematic? I'll also have to see if that date works for me, but it sounds like fun.

Mark Lipton

Mark, 75 divided by 5 is 15, so yes you would be right on theme. I am sure the off theme table will be bigger that the on theme table though, so bring the 75, and anything else you really want to share. I hope you can make it. It's always fun to meet and put a face to a friend.

2. Theme: The working theme is "Bordeaux by the Fives" or "Bordeaux 5x5". Meaning Bordeaux vintage years which are multiples of 5 which as we know include a lot of highly-ranked vintages, focusing most on the "5" most recent "5's" vintages 1985-2005. We're geeked about red Bordeaux of course, but since great white wines, both dry and sweet, come from Bordeaux also, we don't want to leave those out!

Interesting theme. I have some '70s and '75s -- would they be considered thematic? I'll also have to see if that date works for me, but it sounds like fun.

Mark Lipton

Just bring a '75 La Mission Haut Brion and a '70 Latour and I'm sure you'll gain an immediate exemption from the 5x5 rule!

OW, we'll probably need to move this discussion to the "offline" forum, but let's talk about where we all be shacking up.

Best offer of the year.

Great News Bob,

Looking forward to MoCool.

We may need to look at places to stay outside of Ann Arbor, however. My searches of places to stay have come up nearly completely empty. Maybe one or two places have a room or two, but not much available especially for Saturday night.

Attention Mo'Coolers, If you have been trying to find hotel/motel accommodation's in the Ann Arbor area for the Mo'Cool weekend, you are finding that there are not a lot available. I have made a reservation (just because I could) at the Best Western in Whitmore Lakes. I am not exactly sure when I will be going up, but I intend to offer to help in sitting up the tent etc, so I have reserved for the night of the 14th (Thu) thru the 16th (Sat) checking out on Sunday the 17th. If you are not familiar with the area, Whitmore Lakes is just a little north of AA on US23. It also gives direct access to Mi14 which will take you to I94 and then to the picnic. I just got off the phone and have found that there are 35 rooms available still at this Best Western Hotel. My thinking is that I booked a room, if I can't find anything I would like more, then I still have a room, and the expense is not too bad. I am just posting this to let you know.

The number there, for reservations, is 734-449-2058.

Hi Ol' Willy and the rest of the gang. I just got 2 rooms for 2 nites (15,16) at the Best Western Whitmore (thanks for the # OW) and am looking forward (with my sister-in-law) to a great time at the lake lodge. Are 2000 Bordeaux on the theme or do the vintages need to end with 5, in which case my wine will be on the off-theme table. I'm excited!!! What is happening on Fri. besides an impromptu (in-room tasting probably) with OW, Julia B. the Noland bros., Robin, Bob and I'm sure others too. Anything going on at Joel's place that nite? I've missed you guys and look forward to seeing you all after a 2 year absence. Jim Grow

I hope to attend although I will be getting back from Provence, France August 4 and will be requesting leave again after three days of work. I like to be near Ann Arbor to check out Village Corner and perhaps dine at Earle one night, but with a rental car I can perhaps still do that. So I will see about the Best Western at Whitmore Lakes later today. Thanks for the tip.

Are 2000 Bordeaux on the theme or do the vintages need to end with 5, in which case my wine will be on the off-theme table.

Let's do the math: they say that '85-'05 are the five latest vintages, and the only way we can get that number is to use the years ending with zero, too: '85 '90 '95 '00 '05. So, I'd say that 2000s are square in the wheelhouse for this event.

Mark Lipton

Hi Ol' Willy and the rest of the gang. I just got 2 rooms for 2 nites (15,16) at the Best Western Whitmore (thanks for the # OW) and am looking forward (with my sister-in-law) to a great time at the lake lodge. Are 2000 Bordeaux on the theme or do the vintages need to end with 5, in which case my wine will be on the off-theme table. I'm excited!!! What is happening on Fri. besides an impromptu (in-room tasting probably) with OW, Julia B. the Noland bros., Robin, Bob and I'm sure others too. Anything going on at Joel's place that nite? I've missed you guys and look forward to seeing you all after a 2 year absence. Jim Grow

Jim,

The theme is Bdx from vintages wholly divisible by 5, not just vintages ending in 5, so your 2000 is on theme. Unless I misunderstood Jay. As for anything going on for Friday Mo'Cool is scaling back these days and so the only sponsored event is the Saturday picnic. As you stated we are sure that individually will bring wine(s) to share in room, plus between now and August there is time for plans and changes in plans. The only guarantee is that a good time is to be had by all. I will take it upon myself to try to arrange for transportation from the hotel to the picnic and back on Saturday, and will make an announcement here. Knowing Michigan law as concerns DUI, they are not friendly in the least and AFAIK it is first offense and you are footback and walking, plus maybe a night in jail.

Thanks Bob for looking into transport on Sat. I'm sure we all want to stay off the DUI list. Looking forward to seeing you too. Jim G.

I'm excited!!! What is happening on Fri. besides an impromptu (in-room tasting probably) with OW, Julia B. the Noland bros., Robin, Bob and I'm sure others too. Anything going on at Joel's place that nite? I've missed you guys and look forward to seeing you all after a 2 year absence. Jim Grow

Hi Jim,

I'm excited too! I think we will have a pretty good party group to do some nice in-room tastings Friday night. The Noland Brothers room is open for business and we always have some good wines to share !

Just posted to the yahoogroups mocool-announce list (before I noticed this thread and the Whitmore Lake Best Western movement... I will give the organizers a heads-up about this development):

we're back! MOCOOL 2008 - August 16 - save the date!

Yes, we're back! No question about it. MoCool 2008 is ON!

Save the date: Saturday, August 16, 2008.

Please take careful note that this is not the usual weekend; this is
one week earlier than MoCool traditionally has been held. The date
was chosen in order to secure the very popular location of recent
MoCools, at the impressive lodge and grounds about 10 miles west of
Ann Arbor.

Important note to out-of-towners: this is the same weekend of a big
NASCAR event at the Michigan International Speedway located between
Ann Arbor and Jackson to the west. Hotel rooms are already in short
supply in the Ann Arbor area. Do not despair. While we have not
worked out the details and can promise nothing at the moment, the
MoCool organizers believe that we may be able to arrange private,
comfortable accommodations for a dozen or two attendees very close to
the site of MoCool. All we ask is that you stay tuned for details,
and keep your options open, with patience, even if you cannot secure
your preferred hotel accommodations on your first or second try.

And you'll want to be patient. The theme hatched by MoCool godfather
(so to speak) Joel, is a Bordeaux theme. I think you'll not want to
miss it. Luscious details to come.

Jay
for the usual suspects
(Joel, Sal, Clay, Dave, John) (in no particular order John and Dave!)
(and Alan, Canadian Chef extraordinaire)

Just bring a '75 La Mission Haut Brion and a '70 Latour and I'm sure you'll gain an immediate exemption from the 5x5 rule!

Close, David. I've got the '75 Latour (in magnum, no less) and I just ceded a bottle of the '70 La Mish to Dale Williams. Will they work, he coyly asks?

Mark Lipton

Not all Bordeaux is red!

Bring a '75 Yquem and [assuming I get a hit] I'll see that your registration fee is waived!

Mark, you bring those 70s and 75s and we'll provide a separate table for them. (Actually, we're more likely to have a single table for everything pre-'85...)

FYI, the Whitmore Lake Best Western is a perfectly reasonable alternative hotel -- just 10 minutes north of Ann Arbor and 5 minutes further from the Saturday picnic grounds than the Hawthorne.

Jim et al -- you may also be pleased to hear that the Best Western is only 5 minutes from Chateau Goldberg... where I've heard completely unsubstantiated rumors that there's likely to be a pre-party for out-of-towners on Friday night.

Y'all come now...