When Wine Legends Gather: An Extraordinary Evening at il Giallo

Sometimes the most extraordinary wine experiences begin with a simple connection. For me, it started with spotting a mention of the "Sommelier Guild of Atlanta" while reading tasting notes on CellarTracker in late 2022. One message to the Guild's president later, and I discovered I was about to join something special - a membership-by-invitation organization with roots dating back to 1975, dedicated to bringing together people who share a passion for fine wine.

HOW IT ALL BEGAN

My journey with the Guild officially began at il Giallo in January 2023. It was an evening dedicated to Italian wines, featuring everything from crisp Soave Classicos to bold Barolos, paired with Chef Jamie Adams' extraordinary cuisine. What struck me most that night wasn't just the quality of the wines - though the lineup was impressive - but the warmth and knowledge of the Guild members. They welcomed me into their circle with open arms, sharing not just their wines but their experiences and insights.

That first dinner also introduced me to the Guild's unique culture. The attention to detail in wine service, the thoughtful food pairings, and most importantly, the spirit of generosity among members made a lasting impression. While I didn't take formal tasting notes that evening (sometimes it's better to simply absorb the experience), I knew I had found my tribe of fellow wine enthusiasts.

Little did I know that just two months later, that same warmth and generosity would draw some of the wine world's most notable figures to gather around our table. When Guild members learned that some notable figures from the wine world would be in town for various wine-related events (including the High Museum Wine Auction) and suggested a special BYOB dinner at il Giallo, the email chain that followed was nothing short of extraordinary.

The guest list read like a who's who of the wine world: Eric Levine (founder of CellarTracker), Todd French (founder of WineBerserkers), Charles Curtis MW (Master of Wine and Burgundy correspondent for Decanter), and Bob Cunningham (wine educator for Acker). What began as a simple dinner announcement quickly evolved into a spirited exchange about the bottles each attendee planned to bring, with the ante being continuously upped as magnums were promised left and right.

THE STAGE IS SET

Chef Jamie crafted a menu worthy of the wines to come: starting with hot smoked salmon crostini and culminating in his famous suckling pig. I made sure to bring my prized Zalto Bordeaux glasses - delicate vessels that would prove perfect for the evening's treasures. Finding myself seated between Todd French and Bob Cunningham, I knew we were in for an evening of fascinating wine conversation.

THE WHITES AND BUBBLES

The evening's journey through white wines and bubbles set a high bar for what was to come. I brought along the 2012 Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame, which we tasted alongside its 2008 sibling. It was fascinating to compare the two vintages side by side - while both showcased the house's signature style beautifully, the additional bottle age had blessed the '08 with an extra layer of complexity and refinement. When a magnum of 2019 Domaine de Montille Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Le Cailleret appeared, it demonstrated why larger formats can be so magical, delivering the kind of depth and precision that had us all reaching for another taste.

Though my camera didn't capture these early pours (blame my excitement for the evening ahead), it did manage to document some of the other extraordinary whites that graced our glasses. The quality level of everything shared that night was simply remarkable - a preview of the vinous treasures still to come.

THE BORDEAUX BRIGADE

The Bordeaux selections proved to be some of the evening's most memorable pours. Eric Levine's 2000 Château Pavie emerged as a true standout, showing perfect balance and complexity from the first pour in my Zalto Bordeaux glass.

From magnum, the 2000 Château d'Issan nearly matched the Pavie's brilliance, with both wines finding perfect harmony alongside Chef Jamie's suckling pig.

My own contribution of 2009 Vieux Château Certan (visible in the center of the lineup photo at the end of this post) showed well but, even with three hours of decanting, demonstrated that it still needs more time to reach its full potential - something to keep in mind for the bottles resting in my cellar.

ITALIAN REVELATIONS

The Italian wines provided some of the evening's highest highlights. From magnum, the 2004 Vietti Barolo Brunate showed the majesty of aged Nebbiolo, while Charles Curtis's 1990 Tenuta Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino Vigna La Casa proved to be one of the most memorable wines of the night. Earning a high score from me, it showed perfect maturity and seamless integration - so impressive that I immediately secured some bottles for my own cellar.

A UNIQUE DISCOVERY

The evening's other most remarkable wine came courtesy of Todd French. His 2019 Charles Heidsieck Coteaux Champenois Ambonnay Rouge - a still red wine from Champagne - completely blew my mind (earning 97 points from me). Until that night, I had no idea that red wine was even made in Champagne. Todd had originally planned to bring a different magnum but, concerned about travel shock and sediment, opted for this unique bottle instead. It proved to be an inspired choice, tying for wine of the night.

EXPLORING MY OWN CELLAR

The third bottle I contributed was a shiner of 2019 Impensata Merlot (you can spot it on the far left of our end-of-evening lineup photo below), brought back from my recent Napa trip. Despite three hours of air, it showed its youth, suggesting these bottles will need significant cellar time to reach their potential. While it couldn't match the elegance of the mature wines being served, it provided an interesting counterpoint and learning experience.

CONNECTIONS THAT MATTER

As the evening progressed, my conversation with Bob Cunningham took an unexpected but fortuitous turn. Upon learning about our upcoming trip to Piedmont, he revealed his membership in the "Order of Knights of the Truffle and Wines of Alba" and suggested we change our lodging plans to stay at Castello di Sinio, where he and his fellow knights often gather. This recommendation would lead to some quick travel adjustments that would prove well worth the effort.

THE FINAL VERDICT

As a self-taught wine enthusiast, I spent much of the evening listening and learning from these seasoned wine professionals and collectors. Their willingness to share not just extraordinary bottles but also their vast knowledge and experiences demonstrated the true spirit of wine appreciation - one where generosity and learning go hand in hand.

As the evening drew to a close, I had the chance to introduce myself to Eric Levine and share a quick conversation with the founder of CellarTracker himself. The irony wasn't lost on me - here I was, talking with the creator of the very platform where I'd first discovered the Sommelier Guild just a few months earlier. It felt like a perfect full-circle moment.

The evening served as a powerful reminder that in the wine world, the most valuable connections often start with a simple message or conversation. What began as spotting a mention on CellarTracker led to joining a community that has opened doors to extraordinary wine experiences and friendships both in Atlanta and beyond.

For my detailed tasting notes from this evening, you can find them in my CellarTracker tasting notes below: