Great to see that list, mostly ones I haven't drunk (apart from the Basket Press and and Noble One), so sad that I couldn't attend.
How the bloody hell am I meant to top that late this year...
No chance
No need to - its not a competition....
You top it off by selecting the wines you enjoy the most and invite your nearest and dearest that you would like to share your birthday with. That would be my suggestion.
And if you are organising a large scale gathering with lots of people who aren't as crazy about wine as you are, then just get some good quaffers from the usual spots - you don't need to spend more than $10 ($15 max) a bottle for a large gathering. Save the good stuff for those that really appreciate it. Most people are happy to stick with a cold beer, a fresh, zesty white wine or a sweet, plummy SA red. This fine country (and NZ across the ditch) are brimming with so many affordable examples. Just bring a special bottle or two for you and those that do love their fine wine. Everybody will be happy.
As for a wine focussed intimate dinner if you are organising one: Good food. A good spot. And a variety of different wines works best. Limit the numbers. Limit the wines. Take your time, opening them slowly over the course of the evening. You want everybody to wake up the next day feeling like they've had a good night. Not a marathon for the liver. I'd go for BYO options where the venue is passionate about their wines. And avoid the massive mark-ups on pretty average wines at non-BYO places. Avoid hosting at your own place where you can. It's too much stress and work, both before and after and it always costs you way more than you thought (unless you happen to own a catering / event organiser business!).
In terms of selecting the wines to bring: Get a general idea of the palates of those who are coming. There's no point selecting lots of super aged wines if your group are more used to 2-4 year old wines. Avoid super young, expensive, big reds. We've had quite a few at the wine dinners (and it's mostly me bringing them!). No amount of airing will make them ready. Don't focus on one type of wine. You might alienate a person who hates a particular type of wine. Work your way up from bubbles, to one or two whites, to one light red, to one or two heavy reds, and finish off with a liqueur or a sweet wine for dessert. Especially avoid too many big reds. Your palate gets blasted after too many of them. That way, everybody will have at least one or two wines they really like. And each wine should stand up without being too lost by the others around it.
That's some of the collective wisdom I have gained from organising a few dinners now and, most importantly, from the advice of others with more experience than me.
Have fun planning it. And please do call out if you want any help on the wine front. Very happy to help.
Cheers, Wozza
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