An unexpected danger

[Jeff Grossman]

There has been discussion here already about whether it is a good idea to be known at work as "the wine guy". On the one hand, pretty much everybody defers to you at business meals; on the other hand, sometimes the choice is Cantina Buon Mercato or Finca del Ratfink.

Today, I faced a new challenge. Our CEO is visiting the NYC office. He pulls me aside and asks if I know where he can lay his hands on a magnum of Shafer Hillside Select today. If not Shafer, then Caymus would do. Oh, and, he wants it at a good price.

I haven't a clue where to buy Cal cab, esp. with points and without prongs. I give him some curated results from Wine-Searcher, of course, and refer him to a few of the larger shops.

Bleh.

 

[Steve Edmunds]

yikes! Just what you need...

 

[Florida Jim]

Jeff,
If he thinks Caymus will substitute for Shafer Hillside, then his desire is not quality but making an impression.
That may be a weakness you can exploit - and in the process, open his horizons.
Or not.
Best, Jim

 

[Jeff Grossman]

At lunch he bought Chappellet, Heitz, and Frank Family. As he showed me his treasures, he made sure I knew what he paid.

 

[VLM]

Yikes! I definitely keep it mostly a secret. Only a few people at my place of employment even know that I am a partner in a restaurant. So not worth the hassle.

 

[MLipton]

I get this quite a bit when dining with lawyers. One, a youngish hotshot (who I quite like) fancies himself a wine guy and subscribes to the spec. He was quite excited to find out I liked wine and was gracious enough to allow me to choose the bottle at dinner at an upscale Italian place in utmost Jersey. The Brunello I chose hit has CalCab palate preference so we’ve been wine buddies ever since. He’s offered to take me out to Berns if we’re ever in Tampa at the same time. The Brunello wasn’t too spoofy but so goddamn young. The things we do for professional courtesy.

Mark Lipton

 

[Florida Jim]

originally posted by MLipton:
I get this quite a bit when dining with lawyers. One, a youngish hotshot (who I quite like) fancies himself a wine guy and subscribes to the spec. He was quite excited to find out I liked wine and was gracious enough to allow me to choose the bottle at dinner at an upscale Italian place in utmost Jersey. The Brunello I chose hit has CalCab palate preference so we’ve been wine buddies ever since. He’s offered to take me out to Berns if we’re ever in Tampa at the same time. The Brunello wasn’t too spoofy but so goddamn young. The things we do for professional courtesy.

Mark Lipton

Go to Bern’s.
Talk/listen to the somm.
They are good.

 

[Brad Kane]

originally posted by Florida Jim:

originally posted by MLipton:
I get this quite a bit when dining with lawyers. One, a youngish hotshot (who I quite like) fancies himself a wine guy and subscribes to the spec. He was quite excited to find out I liked wine and was gracious enough to allow me to choose the bottle at dinner at an upscale Italian place in utmost Jersey. The Brunello I chose hit has CalCab palate preference so we’ve been wine buddies ever since. He’s offered to take me out to Berns if we’re ever in Tampa at the same time. The Brunello wasn’t too spoofy but so goddamn young. The things we do for professional courtesy.

Mark Lipton

Go to Bern’s.
Talk/listen to the somm.
They are good.

Unfortunately, everyone that I know that used to voyage there for crazy dinners the past 15-20 years, now says the list has been picked over and prices dramatically raised. All things must pass.

 

[Florida Jim]

originally posted by Brad Kane:

originally posted by Florida Jim:

originally posted by MLipton:
I get this quite a bit when dining with lawyers. One, a youngish hotshot (who I quite like) fancies himself a wine guy and subscribes to the spec. He was quite excited to find out I liked wine and was gracious enough to allow me to choose the bottle at dinner at an upscale Italian place in utmost Jersey. The Brunello I chose hit has CalCab palate preference so we’ve been wine buddies ever since. He’s offered to take me out to Berns if we’re ever in Tampa at the same time. The Brunello wasn’t too spoofy but so goddamn young. The things we do for professional courtesy.

Mark Lipton

Go to Bern’s.
Talk/listen to the somm.
They are good.

Unfortunately, everyone that I know that used to voyage there for crazy dinners the past 15-20 years, now says the list has been picked over and prices dramatically raised. All things must pass.

Brad,
I disagree.
Yes, the old favorites are picked over but the Somms know that cellar well and if you give them leeway, there are treasures; even reasonably priced ones.
Best, Jim

 

[Robert Dentice]

Jim - I could not agree more. Berns still has over one million bottles of wine. I have gone 5x this year and drank incredibly well. Of course I am a regular with a 15+ year history and things not on the list have a habit of appearing.

The best way to do Berns is to set a budget and give the somm a little guidance a week or so in advance and you will be very happy.

Burgundy is the most picked over. Bordeaux is the strength.

If you are going to drink DRC at 1/5 market prices you will be disappointed. You will also be frustrated if you try to review the huge wine list at the table and then order a bunch of inexpensive random bottles on the list because it takes time to find them and some will be duds.

 

[Christian Miller (CMM)]

originally posted by Jeff Grossman:
At lunch he bought Chappellet, Heitz, and Frank Family. As he showed me his treasures, he made sure I knew what he paid.

Hmmm, Heitz and Caymus are quite far apart in taste for Napa Cab. Unless Heitz has dramatically shifted recently. It sounds like he's chasing names rather than style, but more in the "blue chip" category than cult.