The Official Wine Thread

[kwilkinson]

Originally Posted by Manton

I don't go to Sonoma as much but every place in Napa charges for tastings and has for at least ten years. Wiemer is a great wine.
Yeah, everywhere in Napa charges. No doubt about that. Very few in Sonoma do, although in the last couple of years more have started to.

 

[Huntsman]

Originally Posted by gomestar

me too. I have to return to Philly next Saturday so I'm going to try to pick some more up.
It came from Philly? Ok, I get there sometimes -- will have to look up that place.

Originally Posted by Manton

Dude, you spent how long on the North Coast? How many places left are there that don't charge for tastings?
My one RRV tasting didn't charge, nor would they even for the extended tasting/tour, if arranged in advance.

Originally Posted by Manton

I don't go to Sonoma as much but every place in Napa charges for tastings and has for at least ten years. Wiemer is a great wine.
Cabernet sellout.

Originally Posted by kwilkinson

Most places in Sonoma offer free tastings. I remember paying for tastings very rarely. And despite California, the NY wine industry is in a very strange place. They make good wines, they think that they make great wines, and they feel they don't get as much press or exposure as they deserve. To me, it would make sense to give people some incentive to make the trip by offering tastings free of charge.
I admit, it never really occurred to me to go up there for a weekend -- it's rather closer than SF; could even be done, perhaps, by car for me.

Originally Posted by audiophilia

Thx. It certainly was. Have four more bottles of Ravine's to get through. The wine was so inexpensive. Nothing over $28. Tastings were $3
Thanks for the pics, looked like an awesome trip. The Plaza sells Insignia by the glass? That's intense -- I'd love to go there to try it. ~ H

 

[edmorel]

Gomestar, where can I find Dr. Frank in NYC, had their Rieslings sow time ago and loved them.

Some inexpensive selections, my wine guy knows my tastes and I usually just buy whatever he recommends to me and for daily drinks I try to stay under $25.

 

[Huntsman]

^ The Fruhmesse is really impressive for its minimal cost.

 

[Manton]

Originally Posted by Huntsman

Cabernet sellout.

I can't be a sellout, cabernet was in my baby bottle.

 

[gomestar]

Originally Posted by edmorel

Gomestar, where can I find Dr. Frank in NYC, had their Rieslings sow time ago and loved them.

I actually don't know from the top of my head. Whenever I see it, it's always in one of the non-prestige (Crush, Sherry Lehmann, Chambers Street) neighborhood-y places. I'll keep an eye out and let you know if I see any. At worst, I'll be up in the Finger Lakes sometime in early September and can scoop up whatever in exchange for a Panta tie

 

[Huntsman]

There is a photo of me in a high chair, having just grabbed a glass of red wine that I am lifting to my lips. Love that shot. So I get you.

Best $50 Cabernet? You pick the style?

~ H

 

[gomestar]

had this last weekend. It was fine, not great:

and then this, which for $15 was excellent:

and then tonight we had an early dinner at The Dutch. Great food, great time. My starter (Blue Points and Kumamoto):

Rabbit pot pie:

This is the wine we had, delicious and at $70 an awesome value (though I like my Burgs a tad more delicate):

We ended with some superb cheese and an equally awesome Hermann J. Wiemer late harvest riesling 2009.

 

[Mark from Plano]

Grilled burgers tonight. Popped this one (sorry for the crappy cell pic):

Bought half a dozen of these 18 months ago on WTSO for $14 each (free shipping). Fruit all comes from two vineyards in Carneros. Popped one right after they showed up and wasn't that impressed. Tannins were formidable and overwhelmed everything. Decided it was time for #2. Getting much better. Tannins are starting to soften a bit (though still present) and the bright fruit is starting to come out. Definitely has an 'old world' character to it. It reminded me a bit of a Pomerol/Fronsac type Merlot. Am feeling much better about the purchase now. Have 4 more to go, but will probably let them keep sleeping for another several months.

 

[Manton]

Originally Posted by Huntsman

Best $50 Cabernet? You pick the style?

~ H

I like Mt. Eden a lot, and also Cask from Coppola's place. Those should be under $50.

RM Oakville if you like "big" cabs and BV Tapestry for a more refined style.

The "junior" cabs from Phelps, Heitz and Montelena I would also try.

 

[erictheobscure]

Originally Posted by Huntsman

It came from Philly? Ok, I get there sometimes -- will have to look up that place. ~ H
Di Bruno Brothers is great. The big store on Chestnut is nice, but I prefer the older store in the Italian Market (on 9th). Haven't tried the truffled brie. The mole salami is addictive.

 

[Mark from Plano]

Originally Posted by Manton

RM Oakville

 

[audiophilia]

Our last two bottles from our trip. Two guys from Frank started the winery 6 years ago. And from what we tasted, streets ahead of Wiemar (need lots of sleepy time) and Frank in the reds department. Even whites (of which I know ****) tasted lovely. And I finally get Rose. It was explained clearly to me at the superb Ravines tasting. The Ravines Pinot Rose was exquisite.

 

[Huntsman]

Originally Posted by Manton

I like Mt. Eden a lot, and also Cask from Coppola's place. Those should be under $50. RM Oakville if you like "big" cabs and BV Tapestry for a more refined style. The "junior" cabs from Phelps, Heitz and Montelena I would also try.
Thanks, Manton. I will put these down on the list!

Originally Posted by erictheobscure

Di Bruno Brothers is great. The big store on Chestnut is nice, but I prefer the older store in the Italian Market (on 9th). Haven't tried the truffled brie. The mole salami is addictive.
Hmmm, sounds good. Makes me want to get back ASAP.

 

[itsstillmatt]

Had a '10 Tempier Rose. Was a little annoyed that my wife opened it, since I wasn't planning on having any wine tonight, but the stuff is just so damn happy making that I couldn't resist.