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An Awesome Celebration of 1985, Forty Years Later

In the wine world, it was almost unanimously declared an extraordinary vintage throughout Europe and California.

Ah 1985… Michael Jordan is named Rookie of the Year in the NBA, Queen stole the show at Live Aid, Coca Cola thought it would be a good idea to replace the classic formula with “New Coke,” and movie blockbusters Back to the Future and The Breakfast Club both made their debut.

 

In the wine world, it was almost unanimously declared an extraordinary vintage throughout Europe and California.  Decanter proclaimed the wines from Piedmont “a superb vintage with rich, perfumed wines destined for long aging.”  Bordeaux was “wonderfully consistent and seductive!” Champagne was “overall brilliant – one of the best of the decade!” Red Burgundies were “deeply colored, rich and fruity.”  California cabs were summarized as “an excellent year with many top-quality wines.”  The vintage port was declared “brilliant.”   Rhônes were “superb!”  Truly the accolades were off the chart across the globe for this very special year.

 

Deby and Keith Pitts – celebrating their own 40th anniversary – and a few friends have generously opened their cellars to create a line-up of treasures from this vintage for a 40th anniversary dinner.   The wines are a tour de force beginning with Krug and Dom Perignon, venturing to Chateau d’Yquem, Burgundy, then to Piedmont with Gaja and Bartolo Mascarello, on to Bordeaux with a celebration of 4 first growths and beloved Cheval Blanc, then Napa Royalty including Dominus, Heitz Martha’s Vineyard , and others, and finish with Taylor’s Fladgate Port.

 

The dinner will be prepared by Chef Ken Frank, Executive Chef and Owner of La Toque in Napa Valley.  La Toque is a longtime recipient of the Wine Spectator Grand Award, and Chef Frank specializes in creating food pairings that harmonize and elevate the wine experience.  An early pioneer of seasonally driven fine dining, Chef Frank has been in relentless pursuit of deliciousness since his teenage years living in France.   The likely seasonal availability of white truffles will make this dinner even ore special.

 

The setting will be the beautiful home of Noelle Daugherty and Jay Erter, Past Board Chair of Nashville Wine Auction.  The dinner will take place on Saturday, November 22, 2025.

 

Bid high to secure your spot for this exceptionally rare offering.  Now is the time for quick reflexes and confident paddle raising!

 

 

Wines include:

 

  • Krug Collection Brut 1985 (1.5L)
  • Dom Pérignon 1985
  • Château d’Yquem 1985
  • Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Grands Échézeaux Grand Cru 1985
  • Domaine Georges Lignier & Fils Clos de la Roche Grand Cru 1985
  • Joseph Drouhin Chambertin Grand Cru 1985
  • GAJA Barbaresco DOCG 1985 (1.5L)
  • GAJA Sorì San Lorenzo Langhe-Barbaresco 1985
  • GAJA Sorì Tìlden Langhe-Barbaresco 1985
  • Bartolo Mascarello Barolo DOCG 1985 (1.5L)
  • Château Haut-Brion 1985
  • Château Lafite Rothschild 1985 (1.5L)
  • Château Latour 1985
  • Château Margaux 1985 (1.5L)
  • Château Cheval Blanc 1985
  • Dominus Estate Christian Moueix 1985 (1.5L)
  • Heitz Cellar Martha’s Vineyard 1985 (1.5L)
  • Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon 1985 (1.5L)
  • Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon 1985
  • Taylor’s Fladgate Vintage Port 1985

 

One spot includes:

 

  • 1 spot at dinner
  • 1 pour of each of the wine

 

A total of 16 spots will be sold. No shared pours. If you are interested in purchasing multiple spots, please hold up the corresponding number of fingers when bidding.

 

 

Donated by Deby & Keith Pitts, Chef Ken Frank, Revi Ferrer & Tom Black, Pam & Keith Browning, Karen & Irv Lingo, Noelle Daughterty & Jay Erter