Thanks for MoCOOL

A great big thank you to the MoCOOL organizers for an incredible event. Chef Alan's food was unbelievable. It always is, but this year, the very tops. The grounds were just gorgeous, as usual, but with the addition of the new cabins, even better. Next year, I am sure, there will be a rush to reserve spots right on the property. Fantastic.
The wines. As usual I took no notes, and probably sampled less than half, but wow. Special memories of Howie opening the 75 Lafite - particularly for the touching story of how he acquired it. Thanks Howie, and thanks also to Bob H, who brought about a dozen (or more?) bottles with him - again. And to Rich Brown, who had a hell of a horozontal of outstanding 1985 bordeaux. And to Linda L who brought with her a vertical of her wonderful Lindsey Pinot from the Willamette valley - yum. And to John Tromley who, as usual, brought some of his riesling treasures, including maybe the finest young german riesling I have ever tasted. The problem with this is that I could keep going along the same lines and would still miss somebody, so thanks to everybody who reached deeply into their cellar for such outstanding wine.
It was great to see old friends, and meet new ones. I wish I had taken pictures. Or notes. Next year......

[James Roscoe]

Let me add my thanks. What an amazing weekend of wine, food and especially friends. As a first-timer I was truly overwhelmed. It was a very special weekend. I will carry the memories with me always. Of course I look forward to new memories next year! May the MoCool flag never falter.

BRAVO!! It was a great time. I started to take notes, but after the first 4 wines I realized I would be spending more time writing than drinking. Mike Conner had a great idea by using a voice recorder while tasting. By around 6PM I had tasted so many Bordeaux wines that I had pallate fatigue, especially from the young '05s and '00s, that I switched over to whites (except for dinner, which was superb). It was a pleasure to share the '75 Lafite with my Wine Lovers friends. My favorite off-theme wines were the '06 Lindsay PN and the '06 Spatlese brought by John Trombley. Then, there was the intrigueing Friday afternoon Riesling tasting with the Noland Brothers. Thanks to all who worked so hard to put this together. When I get my head screwed on again I'll post a few photos and share some more impressions.

I was going to initiate a thank you thread to the organizers and chef but O.W. beat me to it. I have attended three Mo'Cool's (not consecutively) and thought the food this year was the best ever. It was a thrill to taste Howie's '75 Lafite and also the 1990. Thank you! I didn't take notes but just wrote down some of my favorites so that I can look for them in the marketplace or on restaurant lists. The La Dame de Montrose (2000) was one of my favorites as was the 1990 Chateau Pichon Longueville. Outside the Bordeaux category I loved the Van Volxem wines , the Beerenauslese provided by John Trombley, and the 1999 Joh. Jos. Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Spatlese (also from John.) On Friday night I especially enjoyed a couple Gevrey Chambertin wines (I believe these were provided by David Guimond--Guido.) I also thought my 2002 Arlaud Morey-St.-Denis Les Ruchots was drinking quite well and giving off a lovely nose. I was taking a chance that it might be closed down but it seemed to be open without decanting. I have one more bottle which I may hold back until 2010 or 2012.

As the "Tweener" Noland brother I would like to chime in also. A great event made awesome by the people who organize and attend who truly understand the real meaning of the event. The true sharing with friends is what makes this such a don't miss event. However, the Noland brothers family seems to grow a little each year, sure hope Mom does not find out she has a bunch more kids...

A special thank you to the organizers, after semi-cool, we have a better understanding of what is required!

[James Roscoe]

However, the Noland brothers family seems to grow a little each year, sure hope Mom does not find out she has a bunch more kids...

I was thinking if Julia B. would change her name to Tom, then Bob H, JB and myself could be the Bizarro World Noland Bros. What a great group of guys!

Thanks again to Joel and Sally for everything they did during the entire weekend. I could go on and on.... I am still coming down.

I must chime in also. This was just my 3rd. MoCool and my sister-in-law's (Luci) first and we both had a wonderful time and couldn't stop talking about the fabulous food both Fri. and Sat. and all the fantastic wines I wish I could have noted in depth. Thanks all for making Luci feel so welcome and she will probably join me again. My only regret was leaving a 1/2 bottle (750 ml.) of a 1983 Eiswein the the frig. at the Best Western. I guess our driver out to the lodge on Sat. nite isn't the only one to get a pleasant surprise. Oh well!! Jim Grow

Jim, that's what happens when you drink and drink and drink. You forget hats, cell phones, wine bottles in the refrigerator, and leave the headlights on (which I apparently did on Friday.) I enjoyed getting to know you and Luci and I hope I will see everyone again next year.

[Robin Garr]

I'm really disappointed I wasn't able to join you this year, breaking a long string of MoCools.

Howsomever, I will be greatly indebted to anyone who posts TNs and pictures and grants me permission to republish them on the MoCool Home Page so the archive will be intact.

On Friday night I especially enjoyed a couple Gevrey Chambertin wines (I believe these were provided by David Guimond--Guido.)

JC - The wines I opened, in order, were:
97 Geantet-Ponsiot Gevrey-Chambertin "les Juene Rois", 97 Armand Rousseau Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru "Les Cazetiers", and 97 Domaine Dujac Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru "Les Combottes". I thought all three were very good, with each successive bottle being slightly better than the previous.

On behalf of the Organizers, I'd like to thank you all for participating, and please come on back next year!

Dave Guimond

We missed you acutely, Robin. There was some note-taking, but nothing at your level, I fear. I saw Mr. Trombley taking some notes; Mike Connor was taking audio notes; John Fiola also had a notebook going.

I counted 175-190 bottles presented for tasting. I would say 85-90% were Bordeaux, and of that more than half were technically on-theme from 1985, 1990, 1995, 2000, and 2005. There was a 1975 Lafite-Rotchschild which on behalf of the organizers I grant honorary "on-theme" status. Also a 1980 (or was it 1975) Cos d'Estournel to go along with a 1985 Cos, both provided by Ted Richards.

So considering the narrow theme, MoCoolers rose to the occasion.

Yours truly dug deep into his humble cellar and found a 1990 Pichon Lalande, and a 1990 Raymond-Lafon Sauternes (375ml). Both were in fine fine shape. Friday night at the out-of-towner's invitation-only event, I opened a 1991 Jos. Phelps Eisele Cab from magnum, which went over extremely well. A splendid wine with at least 5 yrs and maybe 10 left for peak drinking. (I have one more, both from the Ann Arbor Art Assn charity auction years ago... when should I open #2?)

Do what you must to attend next year, Robin. Something essential is truly missing when you are not with us at MoCool.

Oh, and THANK YOU, THANK YOU, and THANK YOU again to the cadre of volunteers, who are more responsible than they know for the continuation of MoCool.

The organizers cannot do it alone -- we individually burn out at the worst possible times! -- but your selfless support has saved us from ruin more than once!

So all credit due to the "hotel gang" for helping out with the heavy lifting of putting this thing on year after year. The muscle needed to set up tables and chairs and take them down, kitchen volunteers, the contributions of water and ice, the hotel shuttle arrangements, and the substantial cleanup effort to make sure that, inside and out, the property looks as good or better than when we arrived.

Those things are all done by a 1-2 dozen volunteers, many of whom traveled long distances at significant expense to attend, and it humbles us. You are the best, and you are MoCool.

My, my. Re-reading that, it sounds like the next great MoCool T-shirt:

"I am MoCool"

Whattagreatweekend! This being my 12th consecutive Mo'Cool it is very hard to say which was the best, that would to me be a little like picking a favorite child. I do believe that this is the first time that I have NOT forgotten something at the hotel (ok I went back for my pillows) so do not fret a half bottle Jim. As good as the Sat picnic was, the bash at Joel and Sally's was just as AWESOME. The newcomers like James R and Linda L got a glimpse of just how gracious our Mo'Cool hosts are. They also got a glimpse of the thought that the food is worth coming for, even if you don't drink wine. I would love to post a note saying the name of every person that I was so happy to meet and to re-meet again this year, but I would leave someone out, so all 100 or so of you know who you are. (Wolfe, those are still TOSU colors ). Alan Kerr, if you look in here, you should have a clue, albeit small, of the esteem with which you are held by MoCoolians. If you don't by now, then you "ain't" been paying attention. OW, how can I thank you enough for your fine and appreciated gift (Beth, thanks for giving up your golf). Speaking of gifts. I had a little to do with Linda Lindsay coming to her first Mo'Cool this year and she also brought me a gift. She hand bottled one bottle of her 2007 pinot gris and hand carried it to me. Folks, if you even think you like PG especially Alsatian style, then you owe it to yourself to look for this wine once released. (Linda, come back next year!) Mike Conner, As always I was proud to welcome my Tennessee buddy, and your wines didn't suck either, but that orange shirt did a little. I met and shared a motel room with James Roscoe this year, and he met all my expectations....what a genuinely nice person...and he doesn't snore. Katherine Shensky, I am still smitten! Gene, I know you don't read here, but maybe someone will email you to look in. Cindy Baldwin, I never got that 2nd kiss, guess I need to make up a new joke for next year. Jay, if you didn't look like a big woolly bear, I might have hugged you too! Pat Wolfe, someone, or 100 someones, owe you a debt that they are not even aware of, so even though it is such a small word.....THANKS for all you did on our behalf. Robin, you were greatly missed, no one has a faster pen. Does anyone know how much Joel's pigtail brought on auction? Ok, I have avoided having to single out one wine over them all, and I think I will leave it that way. JB, Mike, and Cindy, we need to arrange a Cincy offline before winter sets down.

My, my. Re-reading that, it sounds like the next great MoCool T-shirt: "I am MoCool"

Jay, put me down for one, or two, or maybe three! That could be the stroking my ego needs!

However, the Noland brothers family seems to grow a little each year, sure hope Mom does not find out she has a bunch more kids...

I was thinking if Julia B. would change her name to Tom, then Bob H, JB and myself could be the Bizarro World Noland Bros. What a great group of guys!

Thanks again to Joel and Sally for everything they did during the entire weekend. I could go on and on.... I am still coming down.

James,
Bizzaro World Noland Brothers... Hmmm, has a nice ring to it! Of course we are pretty bizzare on our own sometimes or at least after a cellar stuffing. By the way, I also want to thank Joel and Sally for inviting the Noland brothers to their home. We normally never get invited back a second time

Group hug! Ditto what everyone has said! I can't thank Joel, Sally, Jay, , John, Pat, Clay and Guido enough, for providing the most memorable weekend of the year for us. I'm sure those who have never attended must think we get a little heavy handed with the accolades, but one simply needs to attend, to appreciate MoCool.

What a thrill to see so many wonderful friends, but also to meet new ones; particularly Linda Lindsey and my alter ego, James Roscoe.

The wines were amazing and the food phenomenal. Alan Kerr is chef/artist/magician extraordinaire who dazzles us with the most spectacular dishes imaginable.

Once again, kudos to the MoCool gang.
THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

JuliaB

I had a little to do with Linda Lindsay coming to her first Mo'Cool this year and she also brought me a gift. She hand bottled one bottle of her 2007 pinot gris and hand carried it to me. Folks, if you even think you like PG especially Alsatian style, then you owe it to yourself to look for this wine once released. (Linda, come back next year!)

What is the name of the winery?

Sorry to have missed such a good time. Actually, we will be coming to Michigan next week (or thereabouts) when our daughter's baby is due. I'll ask her to coordinate better with MoCool next time.

What is the name of the winery?
Sorry to have missed such a good time. Actually, we will be coming to Michigan next week (or thereabouts) when our daughter's baby is due. I'll ask her to coordinate better with MoCool next time.

Dan, Linda's winery is Stone Wolf, and recently (past few years) she has extended to where she is now bottling under the Lindsay name. She poured three of her single vineyard pinot noir (all under her name) of which I need to get the vineyard designation, I have never had more Burgundian wine from the left coast.

Bob-
Watch out for the 2007sfrom Stone Wolf??
NJ and I spent a couple of hours with Linda last month during our Oregon trip. We sipped through a number of the 2007 PN Barrels and they all were very good ====> outstanding. The Farmer Road (?) and Arthur Vineyards fell into the latter category.
Wm

Fantastic event as always! Here's a photo of our favorite Bob in the whole wide world!!!
I think Bob's T shirt says it all.

Great pic of a wonderful curmudgeon!

Fantastic event as always! Here's a photo of our favorite Bob in the whole wide world!!! I think Bob's T shirt says it all.

Thanks Kim for being the wonderful person you are, and for taking the picture. But if you think the front said it all, you should have read the back. I am, as proclaimed there, an honorary Noland Brother.

What an event ! Being a "first timer" I had no idea what to expect, and now having been there, can only think "WOW". I have watched over the years the comments of people that have attended prior and am delighted to have finally made it back there (Thanks Bob H for your encouragement).
Thanks to all that work so hard to pull this off, and of course to Joel & Sally for opening thier home and cellar.
Before I left someone asked me how I could fly across the country to an event where I didn''t know anyone. Even though we had never met before, I certainly felt very comfortable, amongst new friends. Again, Thank you all for making this trip a wonderful time !
Being in the business requires me to spend time at "wine events" where my main focus is promoting our wines. This was totally different, as I was simply there to enjoy the company, and of course wines I have never had in my life and probably never will again. I came home with a renewed passion for the fruit of the vine, and am now on a mission to expand my own cellar, step out of my comfort zone, and reach for new experiences.
Thanks again to all !
Linda Lindsay
PS, I will always remember where I was when Michael Phelps won his 8th Gold medal... In Jim Grows hotel room, sharing a lovely bottle of champagne with Jim, Luci and Jane... Great timing !