2004 HOSPICE DU RHÔNE - PASO ROBLES, CA -

Some statistics on the Rhône wine auction lots held at the 11th annual Hospice du Rhône on Friday & Saturday, May 21 & 22, 2004, in Paso Robles, CA. The HdR is a two-day event featuring wine seminars, all-Rhône tastings, barrel auction, and perhaps the perfect opportunity to meet and talk with the people who are at the forefront of the increasingly visible Rhône movement. Presenters and attendees are from France, Australia, South Africa, and from all over the US. Many of the wineries donate 1/4 barrels, 1/2 barrels or full barrels of wines from their caves and cellars - all in the name of charity. This year did include a few surprises, with an exciting auction lot donated by Robert Parker, as well as an impromptu effort by the auctioneer to solicit 'cash donations' from attendees, in lieu of making an auction bid. This latter effort raised an additional $11,000 for charity - a commendable effort and result.

I've been to a few auctions and done a little on-line surfing, but these lots weren't something you'd see on e-bay or winecommune. Of course, neither were the final bids for that matter. But, considering the worthy cause, everybody was getting into the spirit. Auctioneer Dave Reynolds continued to amuse everyone with his banter about levying fines on those who tried to practice "spousal restraint," or somhow hold back their spouse from bidding. Then there was something that Dave discovered last year. It seems that every full barrel in the auction consisted of 20 cases - except for the one provided by Justin Winery, which was listed as 25 cases. So, Dave declared that Justin therefore must have... "bigger barrels."

Without a doubt, the auction lot that garnered the most buzz was the one donated by Robert Parker. The winning bidder of this lot, along with 9 of their friends would enjoy, in Parker's words, "...36 bottles of the greatest Rhones from the greatest vintages with the finest cuisine in Maryland," at a mutually agreed upon date sometime within 12 months of the auction. The ten guests would join Robert Parker for dinner at the Charleston Restaurant, where Bob and Chef Cindy Wolf would create a meal designed around the following wines (Wine Advocate scores in parenthesis):
MARSANNE: Chapoutier Hermitage L’Orée: 1991 (94), 1992 (96), 1994 (99), 1995 (97), 1996 (99), 1997 (98-100), 1998 (99) Chave Hermitage Blanc: 1990 (92), 1996 (94), 1997 (94), 1999 (94); SYRAH: Jaboulet Hermitage, “La Chapelle”: 1978 (100), 1979 (90), 1983, 1985 (91), 1989 (96), 1990 (100) Chapoutier Hermitage “La Pavillon”: 1989 (100), 1990 (100) Chave Hermitage Rouge: 1989 (95), 1990 (99), 1991 (89), 1995 (95), 1996 (91); GRENACHE: Châteauneuf-du-Papes of the 1998 Vintage: Janasse V.V. (96), Marcoux V.V. (100) , Pegau (94), Sabon Cuvée Prestige (94), Rayas (94), Vieux Donjon (95); MOURVÈDRE: Château de Beaucastel: 1989 (97), 1990 (96), Château de Beaucastel, “Hommage Jacques Perrin”: 1989 (100), 1990 (100), Château la Nerthe, “Cuvée des Cadettes”: 1998 (96), Clos du Caillou Reserve: 2000 (99).