Host: Marjie Shank
Location: Shank Residence, Mill Valley
At the Big Red competition last September the contestants were all men. This tasting was the ladies turn. Eight women competed to see who could bring the best California chardonnay or French white burgundy under $60.
The winner was Eileen Slora with her entry of a 2020 Patz & Hall “Dutton Ranch, Russian River Valley” with 55 points. There was a near 3-way tie for 2nd, 3rd and 4th place: Laura Wilson with 81 points (and 4 first place votes), Marie Coppola with 81 points (and 3 first place votes), and Marjie Shank with 82 points.
All but perhaps some newcomers know Eileen and Tito as former members. They came up for the tasting from Laguna Beach as Marjie’s guests and left with a bottle of champagne as the prize for winning the competition. We also had the pleasure of meeting Indra’s cousin Sanath, who was visiting from Sri Lanka.
A delicious salmon dinner followed, prepared by Chef Enrico Filippelli of CerriCatering.com.
Here are the results:
| Rank | Points | Contestant/Wine | Price | Btl |
| 1 | 55 | Eileen Slora – 2020 Patz & Hall “Dutton Ranch, Russian River Valley” | $46.99 Total Wine | 4 |
| 2 | 81 | Laura Wilson – 2022 Flowers Sonoma Coast Chardonnay (4 first place votes) | $44.95 K&L | 3 |
| 3 | 81 | Marie Coppola – 2022 Westwood Sangiacomo Chardonnay, Roberts Road Vineyard, Petaluma (3 first place votes) | $39.99 BevMo | 8 |
| 4 | 82 | Marjie Shank – 2021 Newton Unfiltered Chardonnay, Napa Valley | $48.95 Vivino | 7 |
| 5 | 91 | Diane Kawaguchi – 2021 Three Sticks “Gap’s Crown Vineyard” Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast | $49.95 K&L | 5 |
| 6 | 93 | Lisa Coyne – 2019 Bodegas Aleanna ‘El Enemigo’ Chardonnay, Mendoza, Argentina | $19.99 K&L | 6 |
| 7 | 130 | Sue Beyer – 2021 The Setting Chehalem Mountain Vineyard Chardonnay, Yamhill County, Oregon | $54.99 Vivino | 1 |
| 8 | 143 | Bette Felton – 2022 Sky Terrace Estate Chardonnay, Danville Estate grown and made | $Price- less | 2 |
Individual Votes:
| Rank | 7 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| Total Points | 130 | 143 | 81 | 55 | 91 | 93 | 82 | 81 |
| Your Name | Btl1 | Btl2 | Btl3 | Btl4 | Btl5 | Btl6 | Btl7 | Btl8 |
| Andre Solomon | 7 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 8 | 1 | 2 |
| Melinda Solomon | 8 | 7 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 3 | 2 |
| Jim F | 7 | 5 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Laura | 3 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 4 | 5 |
| Taylor Swift | 8 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 3 | 5 | 2 |
| Steve Shank | 4 | 7 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 6 |
| Diane K | 8 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 1 |
| I 10 | 8 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 1 |
| Marjie | 8 | 6 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 |
| Sue | 5 | 8 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 7 |
| John Henry | 3 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 2 | 7 |
| Susi S | 8 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 7 |
| Eileen slora | 8 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 2 |
| Diane | 8 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 1 |
| Bette | 2 | 8 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 1 | 6 | 3 |
| Sanath (guest) | 7 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 8 | 2 | 6 |
| Ed | 1 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 5 |
| Carol Sorgen | 6 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 5 | 2 |
| Lisa | 6 | 8 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 7 |
| Steve Smith | 7 | 8 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 2 |
| Marie Coppola | 8 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 4 |
Hi all,
The tasting will be in our home in Mill Valley and catered by Enrico of Cerri Catering. You may remember him from the recent tastings at the Coynes and the Feltons. If anyone has special diet needs please call to discuss.
ASAP: Would the women who would like to like to compete and show off your wine-choosing skills please contact Marjie right away. If you have already spoken to me, please reconfirm.
We will be able to accommodate 22 pours and maybe a few non-tasters. Please RSVP to marjieshank@gmail.com or 415-847-7710 and let me know (1) number of dinners, (2) number of “pours”, and (3) if you are interested in entering the competition.
This should be fun, and we hope you will join us!
Note: “Under $60” means before tax, and, if you paid over $60, but your wine is available elsewhere for less than $60, it still qualifies.
Cheers,
Marjie
Directions – click on one of these links for its Google map:
Front Route – 337 Lowell Ave, Mill Valley and walk down our driveway from the basketball hoop. Please don’t try to park in our cul-de-sac, as it is reserved for the caterer and someone with limited mobility.
Back Route – Walk up the short path opposite 379 Dolan Ave, Mill Valley
Compared to the front route, the back route is simpler, has more parking and the 30-foot path from Dolan Ave is well lit.
Cellar Society of San Francisco 