Lot #1
Trimbach, Riesling, Cuvee Frederic Emile, Alsace, 2003, 12 x 750ml

Sponsored by Jim and Lin Roscoe

The venerable house of Trimbach, established in 1626 is the most well-known Alsace producer in the United States. While Trimbach is nowhere near one of the largest domaines in Alsace (producing 80,000 cases per year), they are responsible for over one-third of all the Alsace wine sold in the United States. Built up over twelve generations, the house of Trimbach today may well be making the greatest wines in its history. While Trimbach produces a fine range of Alsace's top varietals, the heart and the soul of the firm is their flagship Grand Cru riesling: Cuvee Frederic Emile. The Cuvee Frederic Emile comes from two contiguous Grand Crus: the limestone rich Geisberg and the steep lower slopes of the Osterberg vineyard. It is a classically racy, snappy Riesling that starts off life very tight and austere, and takes years to unveil itself from behind its girdle of acidity. As the wine matures, the richness and power of this wine becomes readily apparent. This wine is rated a "92" by The Wine Advocate.

Lot #2
Mile High Salute
Accommodations, dinner and tickets for two. Transportation not included.

Donated by Wendy's of Montana, Rimrock Mall, Friends of MSU Billings Foundation

Take off for a Mile High weekend in Denver. You and a friend will see the Denver Broncos vs. the San Diego Chargers football game on October 7, 2007 at Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium. VIP parking and passes to the exclusive Stadium Club will also be provided. This package also includes two nights' accommodations for two at the Denver Courtyard Inn - Downtown, dinner for two at the ESPN Zone and $25 toward game tokens, plus $100 VISA gift card. While in Denver, the entertainment opportunities are endless - take in a game of one of the many other professional sports teams, or explore the shopping, dining or cultural offerings of the city. The possibilities are great!

Lot #3
Royal Tokaji Aszú Essencia, 1995, 6x 500ml

Sponsored by Rocky Mountain Bank

"Royal Tokaji's 1995 Aszú Essencia rendered our panel speechless with its seamlessly complex array of flavors. Our critic Tara Q. Thomas had no choice but to give it 100 points, the first such score in our magazine's history. How can a wine score 100 points? When it leaves an entire panel of tasters speechless, struggling to find words to describe a wine that seems to defy possibility. Is it enough to say that it smells like a bergamot orange grove in full bloom? That it really, truly feels like satin, so slippery smooth that professionals can't even keep it from going down their throats? The flavors recall spice, smoke, flowers and tropical fruit, but like satin, the weave of this wine is so tight it's impossible to make out exact threads. It's so sweet and acidic it almost hurts, in a good way. I can't think of anything it lacks, or anything that might make it better. That's pretty much the definition of perfect, and thus, the score. And at 2.9 percent alcohol, 600 grams per liter of sugar, and 18 grams per liter of tannic acid (it's solely free-run juice captured from the aszu grapes), it will outlive us all. Stupendous." This wine was rated 100 points by Wine and Spirits magazine.

Lot #4
The Delicious Art of Indian Cuisine
Dinner for 10 with service at the hosts' home. Wine not included.

Donated by Dr. Tasneem Khaleel and Dr. Shafiq Khaleel

Imagine... the sights, sounds and flavors of India. Now imagine yourself dining on authentic Indian cuisine that will tantalize your taste buds and send you on a flavor-filled trip. You and nine of your friends will take a culinary journey and enjoy authentic southern Indian, northern Indian and Moghul cuisines prepared and served by your hosts Dr. Tasneem Khaleel, Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, and her husband Dr. Shafiq Khaleel. A meal, and experience, like no other! No alcoholic beverages at this authentic Indian repast. Available August 2007 - May 2008.

Lot #5
Dom Perignon, Vintage Rosé, 1995, 6 x 750ml

Sponsored by MSU Billings Foundation Board of Trustees

The Vintage Rose' is the exception not the rule for Dom Perignon. It is made only when the Pinot Noir grapes that the wine is made from are of the finest vintage. Fortunately the 1995 vintage was one of those years. After aging 9 to 11 years, the wine is remarkable for the lightheartedness it conveys on the palate and for the rich deep flavors and complexities. "This is truly the finest wine made by Dom Perignon and in some opinions dwarfs the famous Brut Cuvee both in flavor and complexity." "95"......The Wine Spectator.

Lot #6
Bonnes Mares, 1999, 12 x 750ml

Sponsored by Larry Petersen and Chuck Hingle, Holland and Hart LLP; John Crist, Crist Law Firm, LLP

According to the legend, a plough one day unearthed an ancient sculpture representing the three goddesses of fecundity. Called the "Good Mothers" by the locals, it soon became "Bonnes-Mares" (from "Bonnes-Meres"). This Grand Cru vineyard is halfway between Le Chambertin and Le Musigny, and yet is not as well known. Its overall surface is 15 hectares (37.5 acres), straddling two communes: Morey (the smaller portion) and Chambolle. Maison Joseph Drouhin is the proud owner of a beautiful parcel on the Chambolle side, planted of course with Pinot Noir. Yet, it is a very low- yielding vineyard, made even more so because of the age of the vines and their severe "Guyot" pruning. No fertilizers or weed killers are used. The grapes are hand-picked and brought to the Drouhin cellars in small crates. Just like 1990 and 1961, the 1999 Bonnes Mares is a vintage to keep for yourself and your children. At this point, they are gently closing down, although they still display aromas of little red berries. Good balance, acidity and tannin will help them to evolve slowly. If you can't resist drinking them now, decant them before dinner. This wine was rated a 91 by The Wine Advocate.

Lot #7
Rombauer, Chardonnay, 2005, 3.0L

Sponsored by Shane Farnsworth, owner, State Liquor Store #3

The Rombauer family has over 30 years of winemaking experience in the Napa Valley and is dedicated to family, land, and community. Koerner Rombauer oversees the daily operations. Daughter, Sheana handles special events and promotional marketing while Koerner Rombauer III directs the national sales team. Rombauer Vineyards' 2005 Carneros Chardonnay is a rich wine with layers of tropical fruit, peaches and pears. The fruit opens up into creamy textures of apples and pears that glide across the palate. Hints of citrus and light oak tones highlight the wine's lingering finish This wine was rated a "90" in Wine and Spirits Magazine.

Lot #8
Standing Through Time by Mike Capser
Framed, limited edition print, number 803 from an edition of 999.

Donated by Mike Capser and Country Loft Gallery

In this limited edition print, Mike Capser captures the peaceful and quiet time of a countyside winter setting. Can't you imagine this on your wall at home? Beautiful.

Lot #9
Winemaster Lot
Dry Creek Meritage, 1999, Hand Painted, 6.0 Liter

The mix of the top two varietals (Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon) in the blend gives this wine both succulence and admirable depth. Notes of black cherries, currants, briar and oak join in the fairly rich mix, and that same ripe, layered personality shows up in the mouth as well. The wine enters with Merlot's supple texture but then takes on the hard, grippy astringency of Cabernet at the back. Approximately 70% Merlot, and the flavors follow suit: black cherries, plums and hints of dried herbs, picking up notes of coffee and chocolate. It's supple and easy to drink, finishing with some soft tannins. This wine was rated a 90 by The Wine Enthusiast magazine.

Lot #10
Premier Wine with a Gourmet Touch
An evening of extravagance. Tasting for eight with wine service at your home.

Donated by City Vineyard and Thomas Nelson Caterers

City Vineyard and Thomas Nelson Caterers will treat eight people to a wonderful evening of multiple-course small-plate delicacies, complemented by hand-selected premium wines. A perfect evening featuring one of Billings' premier caterers and wine from the City Vineyard's extensive collection.

Lot #11
Clos du Val, Ariadne, 2001, 6 x 750ml

Winemaker Bernard Portet got a sense of Napa Valley's microclimates by driving through the area with his arm out the car window. Struck by the cool evenings and idyllic terrain of the then-undiscovered Stags Leap District, he proposed the area to American businessman John Goelet. Convinced, Goelet purchased 150 acres of land and founded Clos Du Val, a "small estate of a small valley," in 1972. Soon thereafter Clos Du Val became one of the first wineries to stake a claim on some of the finest hillside land in the cool-climate region of Carneros, purchasing 180 acres in 1973. as it turned out the terroir was perfect to make world class Bordeaux-style white wines, such as Ariadne.

A crescendo of flavor, this blend of sauvignon and semillon builds along a fine line of gingery acidity; it grows intense with scents of fresh wildflower honey, lemon and beeswax. Then it opens to a brightness in the end, surprisingly accessible for all its potential energy and complexity, fresh as a sugar snap pea. Decant a bottle for roast chicken with ginger. This wine is rated a "92" by Wine and Spirits Magazine.

Lot #12
Amazing Arizona
Accommodations, one round of golf for two with cart, and a spa service for two. Transportation not included.

Donated by Friends of MSU Billings Foundation

Arizona... the playground for anyone who enjoys diverse cultural experiences, breathtaking natural beauty, art, entertainments and sports. Two lucky people will spend September 12-14, 2007, at the JW Marriott Camelback Arizona Spa and Golf Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona. This package includes two nights' accommodation in an oversized resort casita with private entrance, one round of golf for two with cart at the resort's championship golf course and a spa service for two at the signature Spa at Camelback. Enjoy a weekend where luxury comes naturally – Scottsdale.

Lot #13
Ponzi Vineyards, Arneis, 2006, 12 x 750ml

Sponsored by Marcasa Clothing & Meridian LTD

When Dick Ponzi visited the Vietti Winery in Piedmont, Italy, a number of years ago, he fell in love with Arneis, a native Piedmontese aromatic white variety. Today, Ponzi is one of the few wineries in the U.S. - and the only Oregon winery - producing an Arneis varietal wine. The 2006 Ponzi Arneis reflects the cool growing season in the Willamette Valley last year; it positively zings with acidity. Its aromas and flavors suggest melon, orange, and apricot. This is a great apéritif white wine as well as a perfect complement to seafood. This wine was rated a 90 by Wine Review Online.

Lot #14
Beringer, Cabernet Sauvignon, Private Reserve, 1995, 12 x 750ml

As the Reserve tier of Beringer, these wines are an expression of the winemaker's masterful winemaking skills. Winemaster Ed Sbragia notes, "The opulence, power and grace of Beringer's Private Reserve can only be achieved by blending. Each of our Napa Valley vineyards, with its own distinct soil, climate, and terrain, has specific character that is elevated in the Private Reserve. It's this mosaic of single vineyards that creates wines of uncommon richness, complexity and concentration." This is the true reflection of what Reserve wines offer. "A tightly wound wine from a classic vintage, with a firm band of cedar and spice wrapped around a core of ripe plum, blackberry and black cherry. It fans out to reveal hints of olive and smoke, firming on the finish." This wine is rated a 92 by Wine Spectator magazine.

Lot #15
Let Your Senses Lead the Way!
Two-day Sensory Analysis class at The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone and two nights' accommodations at Meadowood Napa Valley for two. Transportation not included.

Donated by The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone and Meadowood Napa Valley

Immerse yourself in the beautiful wine country of Napa Valley. You and a friend will have the opportunity to attend a two-day Sensory Analysis class at the California campus of The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone. By day, you will experience in-depth exploration of the visual, olfactory, and gustatory evaluation of wine - using a "sense-by-sense" approach to systematically assessing wine quality. By night, luxuriate in two nights' accommodations at the premier Meadowood Napa Valley. Settled in a private 250-acre estate, Meadowood is the preeminent wine country destinations for even the most discerning traveler. Classes and accommodations are subject to availability.

Lot #16
Exotic and Exquisite…A Dining Experience
Dinner for eight delivered to your home. Wine not included.

Donated by MSU Billings Associate Professor of Education Dr. Suneetha de Silva

Invite seven of your friends to dinner, sit back, relax and enjoy the evening…dinner is on the way! Without lifting a finger, you and your guests will enjoy an authentic Southeast Asian dinner prepared by Dr. de Silva, a native of Sri Lanka. Dr. de Silva will create this masterpiece dinner using homegrown herbs and homemade spices combined with the cooking tips and skills she developed growing up. This unique experience will tantalize your taste buds while creating an evening to remember.

Lot #17
Château Trotanoy, Pomerol, 2000, 12 x 750ml

Sponsored by Rick & Nicki Larson and EBMS

Château Trotanoy is a leading Pomerol estate that has been owned by Jean-Pierre Mouiex since 1953. Trotanoy's eight hectares of vineyards are located on a high plateau about one kilometer west of Chateau Petrus between the village church and the village of Catusseau. The vineyards are rich in clay and gravel and are planted with Merlot (90%) and Cabernet Franc (10%). "Dense plum/garnet-colored, it is closed aromatically, but aeration brings out hints of figs, black cherries, earth, and cedar. Sweet on the attack, dense, powerful, medium to full-bodied, and tannic, with a broodingly backward finish, patience will be required." This wine was rated 92 by Robert Parker of The Wine Advocate.

Lot #18
Blankiet Winery, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2003, Paradise Hills, 3 x 750ml; Blankiet Winery, Merlot, 2003, Paradise Hills, 3 x 750ml

Donated by Don & Ellen Alweis and Jasons

They're back. The husband-and-wife winemaking team of Helen Turley and John Wetlaufer has taken on a new client: Blankiet Estate in Napa Valley. After establishing their own Sonoma Coast-based Marcassin label among California's elite names in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Turley and Wetlaufer have worked wonders with Cabernet and Merlot for wineries such as Bryant Family, Colgin and Pahlmeyer. There are just over 100 cases of the Cabernet Sauvignon, which is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the hillside of the Blankiet estate. The 2003, showing an almost "liqueur of rocks" character, is a gigantic Cabernet Sauvignon that is intense purple in color, very full bodied, with notes of coffee, graphite, blackberry, blueberry and cassis. The striking minerality comes forth in the flavors, as well, and the wine reveals refined but high tannins, a massive texture and awesome concentration. This wine is rated 95 by Wine Spectator magazine. The 2003 Merlot is better out of bottle than it was from cask. This explosively rich wine ranked among the finest Merlots from California in the last decade and boasts an incredibly perfumed nose of espresso roast, mocha - infused chocolate, blackberry, cassis, cherry liqueur and smoke. With an enormous texture, fabulous concentration, a packed-and-stacked mid-palate, and an explosive, intense, ripe, long finish, this stunning wine is extraordinarily complex and savory. This wine is rated 96 by The Wine Advocate.

Lot #19
Timeless Elegance

Donated by Scott and Kelly Wickam, Goldsmith Gallery Jewelers

Grace your wrist with this beautiful lady's Swiss timepiece by Tag-Hauer from Goldsmith Gallery Jewelers. This quartz-movement watch has a mother-of-pearl dial and eleven pure top Wesselton diamond indexes. An elegant fusion of sport and glamour.

Lot #20
Island Dreaming
Seven-day condominium accommodations for up to four people. Transportation not included.

Donated by Sue and Eakle Barfield

Enjoy one week on Orcas Island, the largest of the San Juans, in a luxurious two-bedroom condominium. Orcas Island is a mix of lush forest, farm valleys, placid lakes and stunning mountains, all wrapped around a beautiful fjord. Spend your time whale watching, sea kayaking or golfing. Don't forget to save plenty of time to enjoy the beauty of the island. A spectacular opportunity! Available October 1, 2007 - June 15, 2008.

Lot #21
Marques de Caceres, Gaudium, 2000, 12 x 750ml

Sponsored by Thomas and Jeanne Vogel

Made from 95% Tempranillo and 5% Garnacha grapes this select wine is one of the premier wines from Spain. The grapes are handpicked , vineyard after vineyard, to select grapes at an optimum maturity. This is an attractive, garnet colored red wine with brilliant highlights. Powerful in the mouth, with good concentration and a nice structure, it has refined tannins which balance with fresh and unctuous fruit. This wine was rated a 92 by Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar.

Lot #22
Fall in the Bitterroot Valley by Russell Chatham
Artist's proof lithograph

Donated by The Frame Hut and Gallery

A spectacular piece from renowned artist Russell Chatham takes you on a visual journey into the Bitterroot Valley. This outstanding piece, beautifully framed by The Frame Hut and Gallery, will soon be the center of attention in any room.

Lot #23
Salon, Blanc de Blancs, 6x750ml, 1995

Sponsored by Joel and Andrea Long

Salon was the first Blanc de Blancs Champagne. Salon uses only the cuvee or first pressing from hand-selected grapes to assure the highest acidity, aroma, finesse, ripeness and quality. Salon never puts its wine through malolactic fermentation, thus retaining the crispness, acid backbone and profound depth of flavor that are the hallmarks of Salon. This means, however, that eight to ten years of cellaring are required to harmonize the fruit and acid. This Salon is from a particularly great vintage and is perhaps one of the best ever made by Salon. This wine was rated a "93" by The Wine Enthusiast.

Lot #24
Twisted Gourmet Group Dinner
Dinner and wines with service for ten at hosts' home.

Donated by Ben Ripley, Sharon Weatherwax-Ripley, Gene Burgad, Anne Clancy, Russ Noennig, Evelyn Noennig, Bruce Whittenberg and Gayle Whittenberg

Ten people will spend an evening at the Ripley home to enjoy a dinner prepared by the Twisted Gourmet Group. Savor dinner and wines with a special twist! Be prepared to experience some taste sensations that will spiral into a memorable evening.

Lot #25
Joseph Drouhin, Bâtard Montrachet, 2000, 12 x 750ml

Sponsored by Bill Royer and Tim Schruth - UBS Financial Services

This white Grand Cru of the Côte de Beaune is a wine of imposing power, venerated by wine lovers all over the world. Situated right below Le Montrachet, its soil has a slightly different component : a brownish limestone mixed with a lot of gravel. This exceptional terroir causes the Chardonnay grape to act merely as the "messenger" between this unique subsoil and the wine itself. The grapes are always picked by hand and brought immediately to the winery in Beaune. A delicate pneumatic press is used so as to retain as much as possible of the immense potential of this precious juice. It is then allowed to ferment in partially new oak barrels. Twelve or 13 months later, the wine is bottled. With a wine of this stature, a few years are definitely needed before a bottle should be opened. It is only then that all the aromas of toasted bread, almonds, honey, and exotic wood can really be appreciated. On the palate, Batard-Montrachet always strikes us with its monumental structure. Interestingly, there is even a touch of tannin that provides an added dimension. The aftertaste is simply glorious : powerful, voluptuous and seemingly unending. Only the most refined dishes can do justice to such a wine: foie gras is high on the list, followed by lobster bisque, crayfish, vol-au-vent, sweetbread, and white-meat chicken in cream sauce. But whatever you decide to serve, it is sure to be a memorable event ! This wine is rated a 93 by Steven Tanzer's International Wine Cellar.

Lot #26
Tudal Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, 1997, 12 x 750ml

Sponsored by the Past Wine & Food Festival Chairs Dona Hagen, Dottie Hollatz, Pat Petersen, Donna Sweeney, Susan Schwidde-Sidd, Billie Ruff, Ben Ripley, Sharon Weatherwax-Ripley, Evelyn Noennig, Cara Schaer

There is a section of Tudal Old Vine vineyard where the ancient remains of the original path of the Napa River once flowed. When it rains the river still tries to flow where it once did. The rocky, gravelly soil stresses this part of the vineyard. However, these vines produce some of most concentrated fruit that in turn yields a wine that is perfect to introduce the first vintage of Tudal Estate "Old Vine" Cabernet Sauvignon. In the glass, the Old Vine is moderately intense and has a medium dark ruby color. On the palate the wine expresses a forward Bing cherry flavor with blackberry undertones. The wine shows considerable richness and concentration. The pleasant tannins on the finish will insure this wine will cellar for at least ten to fifteen years. This limited production (75 cases!) of hand crafted Napa Valley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon will be an excellent and valued addition to your cellar. This wine was rated a "93" by The Wine Spectator.

Lot #27
Winemaster Lot
Dry Creek, Heritage Zinfandel, 2005, 3.0 Liter

Dark, dense and slow to unfold in the nose, this bottling leads with smells of chocolate and oak and only gradually reveals its fruitier side. It is quite full and fleshy on the palate yet makes no concessions to out-of-bounds ripeness, and its fraction of Petite Sirah brings a gruff note of astringency to the finish. Enjoy it now with savory hunks of pork or lamb or set it aside for a few years. The 2005 Heritage Zinfandel has a sense of elegance and grace not often found in Zinfandel. Initial aromas of boysenberry, blueberry, and cedar provide an exciting preview for the flavors that follow. Blackberry, currant, allspice, and bright cherry fruit combine with opulent ripe tannins that create a strong sense of depth and concentration. The finish is rich and satisfying, with lingering flavors along with excellent acidity and balance. This wine is rated a 90 by The Wine Enthusiast.

Lot #28
3-Case Lot of Strictly Allocated Chardonnay Gary Farrell, Chardonnay, Russian River, 2005; HdV, Chardonnay, 2004; Fess Parker, Chardonnay, Ashley Vineyard, 2005

Sponsored by Don & Marilyn Floberg and Prudential Floberg Realtors

Over the years, Gary Farrell has enjoyed remarkable success with Chardonnay and Zinfandel. The primary vineyard sources for their Chardonnay include Rochioli, Allen, Starr Ridge, Cresta Ridge and Westside Farms. This 2005 Russian River Chardonnay is bursting with aromas of golden delicious apple, honeysuckle and pineapple. The wine exhibits rich, creamy flavors of lemon custard, butterscotch and hints of nutmeg, followed by citrus zest and notes of hazelnut. This generous offering will pair nicely with rich, creamy cheeses, salads with citrus fruits and sumptuous shellfish dishes. This wine was rated a 91 by The Wine Enthusiast. HdV is a family venture between Hyde Vineyards of Napa Valley and Aubert & Pamela de Villaine of Burgundy, France. Joining the ventures in 2002, winemaker Stephane Vivier brings with him skills in vineyard management and winemaking from around the world. This Chardonnay shows layers of stone-fruit and mineral character with peach, citrus and honeysuckle notes. The wine knows how to retain flavors, with a structural acid backbone and a lingering, refined finish. The 2004 HdV Chardonnay will improve for another five to eight years and will be a great addition to a meal of monkfish, scallops, sea bass, lobster or chicken. This wine was rated a 91 byThe Wine Advocate magazine. The quest for perfection in Chardonnay led Fess Parker west to Santa Barbara County. This 620-acre ranch is only 10 miles from the Pacific Ocean, making it the westernmost vineyard in the Santa Ynez growing appellation. This site is very cold by grape- growing standards, but the gently sloping hillsides and the sandy-loam soils bode well for the producing of first class Burgundian-styled Chardonnay. The 2005 Ashley Vineyards Chardonnay received the trifecta: 91 points from The Wine Advocate magazine, The Wine Enthusiast and Wine Spectator magazine.

Lot #29
Beaulieu Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon, Georges de Latour, Vertical, 4 x 750ml each, 1998, 1999, 2000

Sponsored by by Dr. Ronald Sexton, Chancellor, Montana State University Billings

As the St. Helena Star wrote in May, 1911: "When it comes to quality, California is greatly indebted to Mr. G. de Latour, of Rutherford, who for some years has imported hundreds of thousands of the choicest French grafted vines, which have been planted in all the important vineyards of the State." This vertical is the recipient of the care exhibited by Latour and the ensuing winemakers at BV. The 1998, which comes from one of the most errantly maligned vintages ever, is a truly great wine to drink right now or will hold for years to come. 1998 has recently been determined to be a great vintage with wines which are really maturing into beautiful wines. The 1999 has a rich tremendous flavor and incredible staying power. The 2000 has a somewhat more delicate flavor and is more balanced than the 1998 and 1999. The 2000 is a huge rambunctious wine with a tremendous amount of fruit on the nose. The 1998 was rated a "91" recently, the 1999 was rated a "92" and the 2000 was rated a "90" by The Wine Spectator.

Lot #30
Rogue Chef's Dinner
Dinner for eight with wine pairings for each course; service at Juliano's Restaurant, Billings, Montana

Donated by Executive Chef/Owner Carl Kurokawa of Juliano's and Executive Chef David Maplethorpe of the Rex Restaurant

The perfect evening for a journey into the world of food and wine. The chefs will prepare a twelve-course dinner paired with twelve wines - that journey may take you anywhere. In their creative and always entertaining tradition, both chefs will delight all of your senses. Don't miss your opportunity to feast with two of Billings' finest chefs. This evening will be a treat from beginning to end. Try the journey.

Lot #31
Silver Oak Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 1999, 2000, 2001 4 x 750ml Each, Vertical

Sponsored by Bob and Joan Carr – PostNet at Grand Avenue and Rehberg Lane

At Silver Oak Cellars nothing is as important to their Cabernet Sauvignon as the vineyards. The winery was founded by grape growers with a keen sense for choosing the properties where Cabernet Sauvignon thrives. Today they farm about 100 acres in Napa Valley and spend a great deal of time and resources to ensure the success and sustainability of these vineyards. The 1999 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a garnet color. It possesses an expressive nose of cassis syrup, ginger, roasted coffee and black licorice. This wine has great balance, depth and length on the palate with beautiful integration of tannins. This Cabernet will continue to improve until 2025, with proper cellaring balance, depth and length on the palate with beautiful integration of tannins. This Cabernet will continue to improve until 2025, with proper cellaring. The 2000 Silver Oak Napa Valley is a classic Cabernet Sauvignon with a dark, ruby-red color and an exquisite nose of cassis, violets, roasting coffee, and a hint of rosemary. It has a rich, full palate and a long, fruit-laden finish. It will continue to improve to 2022, given proper cellaring. The 2001 Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a profound and powerful wine with great finesse. It has a deep garnet color and a concentrated nose of cassis, chocolate, cloves, nutmeg and vanilla. This wine illustrates great depth and balance on the palate, with a sweet core of cassis fruit and a long finish redolent of berries and dark chocolate. It will continue to improve until 2027 given proper cellaring. The 1999 was rated "90", the 2000 rated a "90" and the 2001 rated a "91" by The Wine Enthusiast.

15th Anniversary Travel Star of the Show
Lot #32
Viva Las Vegas!
Three days, two nights in exciting Las Vegas for two people. Package includes round-trip air fare from Billings, hotel accommodations for two nights, one dinner for two, show tickets for two, and a $300 VISA debit card to cover incidental expenses.

Donated by Travel Café, Allegiant Air, MGM/Mirage, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority and Avanta Federal Credit Union

Let the celebration begin! Two lucky people will travel from Billings courtesy of Allegiant Air for a three-day, two-night fun-filled stay in the ever-changing fantasyland of Las Vegas. Enjoy hotel accommodations at The Luxor Hotel - a welcome befitting a pharaoh - provided by MGM/Mirage, and one dinner for two and tickets for one show for two provided by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, all coordinated by Travel Cafe. Add in a $300 VISA debit card provided by Avanta Federal Credit Union for additional celebrating! Viva Las Vegas! Remember…what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas!

Domestic Wine Star of the Show
Lot #33
Merryvale, Profile, 2002, 6.0L

Sponsored by Doug Kirby, owner, State Liquor Store #196

The first winery built in the Napa Valley following the repeal of Prohibition, Merryvale is located in the heart of America's premier wine region. The Profile wine is a blend of many of the finest lots of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, chosen for their concentration, depth of flavor and fine tannin structure. This wine was aged in mostly new French oak chateau ferre barrels and bottled unfiltered. It is opulently structured and very dark. This wine was rated a "90" by The Wine Spectator and a "93" by The Wine Enthusiast.

Lot #34
Altaïr Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2003, 12 x 750ml

Sponsored by Holiday Station Stores

The Altair 2002, is made from a blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Carmenere, and 7% Merlot, from vines that are up to 15 years old and planted on gravelly soil, and has 14% alcohol. According to the vineyard notes, they take extra care in hand-harvesting their grapes in the early morning, and then carefully sort the grapes to remove any undersized grapes, stems and less than the best grapes. After being lightly crushed, they are treated with cold maturation for four to five days followed by fermentation in wooden tanks, with pipeage, followed by 100% maloactic fermentation in barrels, and then aged in 100% French oak barrels for 15 - 18 months. This is a wine that needs to be decanted and exhibits a very wet earthy nose, and is very dry with heavy tannins on the palate. Decant the wine to allow it to mellow out a little before serving, and the wine will open The nose will be aromatic and subtler with dry earthy notes, with black pepper, lush fruit with black cherry, black current and tobacco on the palate, with strong tannins and a wonderfully long-finish.

Lot #35
Dining "Rex Style"
Dinner and wines for six at The Rex with limo service

Donated by Gene Burgad and The Rex and Limo Scene & Carriage Co

Your extravagant evening begins when your limousine arrives to take you and your guests to The Rex to enjoy a specially prepared dinner for six. Executive Chef David Maplethorpe will personally oversee your dinner. Start with cocktails in the bar. Then move to the dining room, where your first course will be giant shrimp wrapped with smoked salmon and drizzled with white truffle oil. Nicholas Feuillatte Brut Rose Champagne will be served with the shrimp. The next course will be a Caesar Salad with a shelled Alaskan King Crab claw. Mer Soleil Chardonnay will be served with the salad. Your next course will be your choice off The Rex menu. We suggest beef as the wine will be Caymus Napa Cabernet. Dessert will be a New York Style cheesecake with a 20-year-old Tawny Port. After dinner, drinks follow. Your limousine awaits you to drive you home in style. What an experience!

Lot #36
Red Wines from Around the World, 48 x 750 ml

Sponsored by Morrison Maierle Inc.

This is one of the largest lots of wine ever in the live auction. Included are wines from around the world in several different varietals. There are four bottles of each of the following wines: Chocolate Block of South Africa; Kuleto Napa Cabernet Sauvignon of California; Kumeu River Pinot Noir of New Zealand; Coudoulet De Beaucastel Rouge of France (Rhone); Antinori Peppoli Chianti of Italy; Chat Preuilliac of France (Bordeaux); E & E Black Pepper Shiraz of Australia; Erath Prince Hill Pinot Noir of Oregon; Concha Y Toro Terrunyo Carmenere of Chili; Chakana Est Select of Argentina; Marques de Caceres Gaudium Rioja of Spain; and, Altano Reserva Red Blend of Portugal. Each of these wines is highly rated either in The Wine Advocate magazine, Wine Spectator magazine, or The Wine Enthusiast. Each is a true collectors' item and is worthy of a great bid.

International Star of the Show
Lot #37
Lafite Rothschild, Pauillac, 1999, 6.0 Liter

Sponsored by Lamplighter Square, LLC

The quality of Chateau Lafite Rothschild needs no introduction. As early as 1815, Abraham Lawton had already designated it as a leader: "I ranked it as being the most elegant and delicate, with the finest body of the three (leading wines)," he qualified in 1855. As to Chateau Lafite traits shared by all vintage years, it was an enlightened amateur that summed it up best by saying, " ...whatever the case, all the Chateau Lafite wines have an almond and violet aroma."

This vintage comprises four of the vineyard's grapes, which is rare, but 96% homogenous (Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot are rarely used jointly in the fine wine). This vintage has a woody and spicy bouquet, with a structured palate. It is balanced and elegant, with a long finish on echoes of berries and currants. Robert Parker of The Wine Advocate magazine rates this wine a 91.

Lot #38
Chateau Lascombes, Margaux, 2003, 12 x 750ml

Sponsored by Mike Ross and Lisa Larr

Ranked as a second growth according to the 1855 Bordeaux Classification, Lascombes has been producing world class wines since its inception. In the last 15 years, Lascombes has risen to the forefront of Bordeaux wines and is seriously being reconsidered worthy of reclassification as a First Growth. The 2003 is a typical example of the greatness of the vineyard.

In spite of an unparalleled heat wave affecting the vineyard during the summer, this 2003 vintage was the finest since 2000. Matured in 80% new oak barrels, the 2003 vintage has an intense purple color. A complex, open nose with hints of ripe black fruit, roasted coffee beans and chocolate. On the palate, the wine has good backbone, balance and power, with notes of black fruit coming through. The wine tannins are silky while the wood tannins are soft enough to enhance the overall elegance of the wine. The 2003 vintage has all the promise of a great wine - on the nose, palate and in its overall balance. This wine was rated a "91" by The Wine Spectator Magazine.

Lot #40
Scholarship Lot

Donated by YOU!

Each year, we ask our Saturday-evening guests to join in spirited, generous bidding to provide scholarships for MSU Billings students. The scholarships you fund allow us to assist deserving students and reward students who demonstrate outstanding leadership and academic excellence. Scholarships also allow the University to attract and retain talented students. Please raise your bid cards and help us set a new record in 2007!

Lot #41
Heads or Tails

Here is your opportunity to have fun and possibly win a gourmet dinner for ten in your home! Sodexho's Regional Executive Chef Barry Smith will once again provide our lucky Heads or Tails winner with an incredible evening of fun, food and wine. You and nine of your friends will feast on Barry's culinary masterpieces - with accompanying wine - in the comfort of your home. The perfect dinner party! Please join the fun and help to provide additional scholarship dollars to MSU Billings students! Good luck!

Lot #42
Joseph Drouhin, Griotte Chambertin, 2003, 12 x 750ml

Sponsored by Alpine Plumbing, Heating & Cooling

In Burgundy, the best wines are the direct reflection of their terroir. The better the wine, means the tinier the surface. Griotte-Chambertin is the perfect example: a minuscule square parcel, less than three hectares (7.5 acres), and the place where a remarkable wine is produced. Its intrinsic qualities are elusive and only viticulture can bring them out, thanks to the painstaking and difficult cultivation of the Pinot Noir grape. The rules are simple but exacting: close density, severe pruning, ploughing and practically no fertilizers. The grapes are still picked by hand and very gently pressed. The juice is then left to ferment in a large wooden vat. The skins and pips rise to the surface, creating a thick lid called chapeau (hat). Left to age for about 18 months, the wine is fined with egg whites prior to bottling, a technique left unchanged through the years and deemed best adapted to a Grand Cru like Griotte-Chambertin. Tasting Griotte-Chambertin always demands our full attention. The aromas are complex and subtle. There are some delicate flavours of cherry syrup and wild berries mingled with fine leather and delicate spices. With an older wine, truffle tones emerge. On the palate, the same reflection is required: the tannins, for instance, may be abundant, but they do not intrude or misbehave. A soft, velvety texture never betrays an excess of alcohol since a fair amount of acidity plays its contrapuntal role. The wine is very long lasting: some of the flavors experienced in the nose reappear at the end, harmonizing elegantly with a faint woody taste. This wine is rated a 91 by Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar.

Lot #43
A Little Sparkle for the Ears

Donated by Chris & Paige Montague and Jay & Lynne Montague

From Montague's Jewelers, quality and service since 1937, beautifully-crafted 18 karat white gold hoop earrings from Gem-Platinum Couture. Found exclusively at Montague's Jewelers, these earrings boast a complement of flash diamonds for a total carat weight of .21 carats. These beautiful earrings will complement any outfit anytime.

Lot #44
Henry Estate, Pinot Noir, Oregon, 1998, 3 x 1.5L

Henry Estate Winery releases its wines one to two years later than most wineries, since achieving proper balance and complexity is a high priority. It also tries to hold back enough wine from each vintage to give consumers the opportunity to compare vintage differentiation. With a 28-year history and five generations of Henry family members involved with establishing and operating the Henry Estate Winery, no one would question the family's commitment to producing fine, hand-crafted wines from the grapes of the Umpqua Valley appellation. The 1998 is a beautiful wine and has rich ripe flavors and great balance. The wine was rated a "90" by The Wine Enthusiast.

Lot #45
Cajun Celebration
Dinner for 10 at your home with wine and service.

Donated by Dr. George White and Cathey White

To eat Cajun is to discover the love and experience the joy of the most unique American cuisine ever developed. Ten lucky people will experience the love and joy of Cajun cuisine when Louisiana natives Dr. George White, Interim Academic Vice Chancellor and Provost at MSU Billings, and his wife Cathey White prepare some of their favorites just for you. The menu will include jambalaya, gumbo, fried catfish filets with hushpuppies and boiled crayfish, potatoes and corn (crayfish are only available in the spring). All the makings for a great evening!

Lot #46
Rosenblum, Holbrook Mitchell Trio, 2000, 2001, 2002, Vertical, 6 x 750ml

With the inclusion of new clones from France, the Holbrook Mitchell Trio offers more depth, more texture and more sense of the vineyard. This translates into a wine that is darn hard to resist. Elegant and velvety, with ripe black currants and subtle hints of blackberry jam, with a touch of black olives to round it out.

This wine will pair beautifully with sumptuous meats and rich enticing sauces. All three of the wines featured in this lot have great ratings, "90" for the 2000, "90" for the 2001 and "89" for the 2002 from The Wine Enthusiast Magazine. They are three tremendous wines and will make a great and long-lasting collector's item.

Lot #47
Lindeman's Vineyards, Pyrus, 1999, 12 x 750ml

Lindemans Pyrus is named after the original Pyrus Vineyard and Orchard at Coonawarra, established in the 1890s. Internationally recognized, Lindemans Coonawarra Pyrus has rapidly and deservedly gained a 'classic style' status since its introduction in 1987. Rich in fruit, well structured and perfectly balanced, it is eminently approachable in its youth but offers even greater complexity with further cellaring. Lindeman's Coonawarra Pyrus is a classic Bordeaux style blend sourced from the center of Coonawarra's Terra Rossa strip, including the century old nursery vineyard, the oldest planting in the Coonawarra. It utilizes a backbone of old vine Coonawarra Cabernet, fleshed out by Merlot and Cabernet Franc to create a particularly rich, and supple wine of great complexity. This elegant blend can be enjoyed young or left to improve in the bottle for many years to come. The 1999 has been rated a "91" by Steven Tanzer's International Wine Cellars Magazine.

Lot #48
Winemaster Lot
Beringer, Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon, St. Helena Home, 2003, 3.0 Liter

At an elevation of 1,800 feet on Howell Mountain, this vineyard of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc enjoys cool mountain temperatures but is above the fog line and so receives plenty of sun. That unique climate, together with the volcanic red soils, yields berries and wines with an intense flavor. "It is a fruit-forward, softer, more flamboyant, already seductive effort displaying gorgeous notes of chocolaty creme de cassis, some spicy, high-quality, toasty oak, a rich, plush, savory, expansive mid-palate, and a long heady finish...This wine is delicious yet promises to age gorgeously for 15-20 years... Drink 2005-2025." Rated a 92 by Robert M. Parker Jr. of The Wine Advocate magazine.

Lot #49
Castello Banfi, SummuS, 1997, 5.0L

A wine of towering elegance, SummuS is an extraordinary blend of Sangiovese (used regionally to make the famed Brunello di Montalcino) which contributes body; Cabernet Sauvignon, fruit and structure; and Syrah, elegance, character and a fruity bouquet. Each wine is individually vinified and aged one year in French oak barrique to develop its unique style, then masterfully interwoven with the others to achieve a rare dimension of taste. Additional 14 -16 months of bottle-aging brings forth a fragrant bouquet of fruit, oak and spice. SummuS is characterized by a rich color and lively dance of ripe soft-fruit flavors. "With its opaque blackish-ruby hue, the brooding lead pencil and black fruit aromas show a pure Cabernet influence. A firm entry leads to a ripe, moderately full-bodied palate with big, velvety tannins and integrated oak. A lovely, balanced wine with good cut and length." " 93".....The Wine Enthusiast.

Lot #50
Timber Elk by Neil Jussila

Donated by MSU Billings Professor of Art Neil Jussila

Cool, calm and serene. This beautiful original oil piece by Neil Jussila will bring beauty and a finishing detail to any room in the home.

Lot #51
Summer Fun in Red Lodge
Three days', two nights' stay at a luxury cabin outside of Red Lodge. This three-bedroom, three-bathroom cabin sleeps up to six people. Transportation not included.

Donated by Kenmark Construction

Pack your bags and take off for a long weekend in Red Lodge! All you bring is the food - the fun will be waiting for you! Take in the beauty of the Red Lodge area, as well as all of the fun activities that make this a weekend paradise. Summer fun in Red Lodge could include golfing, fishing, hiking...the sky is the limit! Included is a $200 VISA gift card to cover groceries or dinner out. What a great way to spend the weekend and enjoy the beauty of Montana! (no pets, no smoking) Available May 2007 through July 2007 (subject to availability).

Lot #52
Joseph Drouhin Chassagne- Montrachet, Marquis de LaGuiche, 2003, 12 x 750ml

Sponsored by Laughlin Construction and Yellowstone Woodshop

Situated in the South of the Côte de Beaune, Chassagne-Montrachet is one of the five villages making up the prestigious "Côte des Blancs" ("the slope of the whites"). It also produces a red wine. The white wines come mainly from brown clay and limestone soils. The slopes face east and south-east. The Chardonnay is the only grape variety used for the whites. Chardonnay was the favorite grape of Charlemagne. He granted land and Roman cellars in Burgundy to the monks with the stipulation that they expand plantings of this marvelous vine. During the Renaissance, the Dukes of Burgundy claimed these vineyards and cellars for themselves, the best of which are today part of the vast Drouhin family estate. This superb white wine comes from the estate of the Marquis de LaGuiche, the largest owner of Le Montrachet. Since 1947, Maison Joseph Drouhin has the entire charge of the estate, from the cultivation of the vineyards to the vinification of these two famous wines and their distribution around the world. Chassagne-Montrachet Marquis de LaGuiche has a lovely gold-green color. The nose is elegant, with pear, vanilla and apple as the dominant flavors. The wine is well balanced and round, with a nice fruity finish. Very long and complex, this is a superb example of a great Chardonnay from Burgundy. This wine was rated a 93 by The Wine Advocate magazine.

Lot #53
Tahoe Tasting Treat
For two people, two nights' accommodations, festival tickets, cruise. Transportation not included.

Donated by the Soroptimist International of South Lake Tahoe

Two lucky people will spend two nights in beautiful Lake Tahoe. Friday evening, you will attend the "Evening of Food and Wine Tasting" and one afternoon you will enjoy a daytime cruise on Lake Tahoe. Accommodations will be at the Embassy Suites of South Lake Tahoe. Tentative date is Friday, November 2, 2007, subject to change - to be verified on August 2, 2007.

Lot #54
Navarro, Chardonnay, Premier Reserve, 2001, 3 x 1.5 Liter

Navarro has a trick of growing wines in the Anderson Valley that mirror the whites of Alsace. It's a character most apparent in their pinot gris, but it turns up in their other whites as well, like this chardonnay, which has notes of Alsatian characteristics. Is it the autumnal feel of the wine, with scents of pale mushroom flesh and roasted apple? Is it the relatively lightweight (for California), yet fulsome flavor? The wine is sturdy, broad and rich, with oak playing a background role to structure it, letting the earth and lemon zest flavors take precedence in the finish.Good wine, at any price, should remind you of where and how the grapes were grown. Healthy vineyards are alive with beneficial critters and are best able to express a unique sense of place. This wine was rated a 93 by Wine and Spirits magazine.