Countdown to the Verlin Auction
The Chicago wine calendar is loaded with prime-time events this time of year. Wholesalers are showcasing their star clients. Pure Wine Co. hosted its major portfoilio tasting last week in the Pritzker Pavilion, followed by Maverick’s this week at the University Club of Chicago. Heritage Wine Cellars holds its gala tasting next Monday. The nation’s premier winemakers and winery proprietors have been passing through O’Hare International Airport in large numbers.
I passed through the casually chic Naha restaurant Wednesday night to meet an old colleague for dinner. Not surprisingly, we encountered winemakers in the lounge. They were taking a break before going back to work. Naha hosted Pinot After Hours, an “exceptional lineup of Oregon’s leading Pinot producers.” A tasting scheduled from 10:30 p.m. to 2 a.m.? Why not? The Oregonians, at least, had the edge of being biologically on Pacific time.
The crown jewel on the calendar is Friday and Saturday when Chicago’s Tru restaurant is the venue for a Hart Davis Hart auction for the ages, the epic Steven Verlin Collection. It will attract the nation’s top collectors. Sales are expected to exceed $6 million, a record. This is to be the largest “named” private collection auction in U.S. history. A total of 1,876 lots will go on the block, including the most coveted vintages of Bordeaux and Burgundy on the planet. The kickoff was actually Thursday night when Tru hosted a $2,000-per-seat Chateau LaFleur vertical tasting.
At Naha, my friend and I debated about opening a bottle of 2004 Bonaccorsi Melville Pinot I brought along at his request. But we found an enticing alternative on Naha’s constantly updated list, a 2004 Paul Hobbs El Felino Malbec, one of the releases from Hobbs’ Mendoza consultation endeavor in Argentina. It opened up after 20 minutes. It was spicey and balanced enough to pair up nicely with two diverse entrees, a flavorful squab breast and beef short ribs.
Look for Vintelligence reports from the Verlin auction this weekend.
Palate Paradise
On any given day Chicago welcomes titans of industry, Hollywood screen stars and global political figures. The star power this week was courtesy of the premium wine business. Pure Wine Co., a major midwest distributor, assembled an all-star roster of winery owners, vintners and importers to present their current releases to Chicago-area sommeliers and retailers.
The setting was dramatic: Inside Jay Pritzker Pavilion, with the city’s Millennium Park and a gorgeous April day as the backdrop through a towering glass partition. In all, 13 importers and 50 U.S. wineries were represented (43 from California).
Much of what was poured Monday is destined for critical acclaim, collectors’ wine cellars and epic wine lists, if they are not there already. Among those with whom we conversed and sipped:
Dierberg’s director of sales David Blantly (2004 Dierberg Pinot Noir; 2005 Star Lane Sauvignon Blanc; and a 2005 barrel sample of Cabernet Sauvignon).
Celia Deneen Brown (right) of Brown Estate Vineyards (2005 Napa Zinfandel; 2003 Napa Cabernet Sauvignon).
The charming Greg (below) and Petra Martin of Martin Estate, with a few pieces from Greg’s armor and antique weaponry collection on display (as well as their unparalleled 2003 Estate and Reserve Estate Cabernets, the latter born of a single clone). When you admire the distinct Martin Estate label, comprised of antique firearms, armor and other militaristic implements, every piece depicts an actual collectible item. 
Sea Smoke general manager Victor Gallegos, pouring the ‘05 Botella, ‘05 Ten, ‘04 Southing, and the latest release from his Priorat project, the 2004 Melis.
Robert Craig, founder of the premium Napa Cabernet winery that bears his name.
Jeff Fink, the Tantara Winery winemaker, standing before a vast array of lush 2005 Pinot Noirs. 
Among importers were Ben Hammerschlag of Epicurean (2005 Amon-Ra and Godolphin), and Alberto Lataliste of Gaucho Imports with a selection of Malbecs from Argentina’s Mendoza region (Vistalba releases designated A, B and C). Lataliste (right) also is a partner in a hit Argentine steakhouse, El Raigon, in San Francisco’s North Beach.
– Steve Woodward
Inside Premiere Napa Valley 2007
St. Helena, Calif.
Hinsdale Cellars’ insiders were on site for last Saturday’s 11th Annual Premiere Napa Valley barrel auction, which set another record by surpassing $2.6 million in bids in a single — albeit showery — afternoon.
Our delegation was comprised of: head trip organizer Troy Clements, president of Chicago-area Pure Wine Co., one of the midwest’s most important distributors; HinsdaleCellars.com co-founder Sean Chaudhry, proprietor of two highly regarded wine retail locations in the western suburbs of Chicago; and HinsdaleCellars.com Advisory Board member Bryan Freel, a collector and connoisseur. In addition to the auction, they attended a number of private events surrounding the 2007 Premiere Napa Valley gathering.
Troy bid successfully and acquired one lot of 2005 Seavey Cabernet Sauvignon, which is due for release this September. This exclusive blend is 1o% Petite Verdot. Sean and Bryan scored with two winning bids, claiming one lot of the Astrale e Terra 2004 Castle Peak Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon and a lot of Larkmead’s ‘Harvest 111′ 2005 Bordeaux Blend.
(Those who periodically travel to the legendary Graycliff resort in the Bahamas will be pleased to learn that Graycliff’s Alan Arora secured four exquisite lots, including a special blend of Robert Foley and Switchback Ridge).
The average case price for the 2007 auction was $1,781. The Petroleum Club of Oklahoma City, Okla., placed the day’s top bid — $50,000 for five cases of a proprietary Rombauer Cabernet Sauvignon.
While Hollywood’s elite assembled to the south in L.A. for the Academy Awards, the cream of the crop of the wine world gathered up north. Sean and Troy were Betty O’Shaughnessy’s guests in Oakville for her Premiere party, where the O’Shaughnessy Estate Cabs and other revered Napa Valley reds were poured in O’Shaughnessy’s gorgeous home for hundreds of grateful (we hope) guests. There was fierce socialzing as well, later, at chef Thomas Keller’s Bouchon, the French bistro in Yountville. Our sociable duo visited the home of the Martin Estate owner Greg Martin after Saturday’s auction, joining Greg and his spouse for dinner later at a popular Italian eatery. Then it was off to an invitation-only oyster party hosted by a local winemaker.
