Honest, Abe?

originally posted by Thor:

I would be terrified of serving anyone who I didn't already know to be of bizarre tastes such a wine.
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You know, daring people works pretty well. I put a section in the list titled "Individual, Distinctive, and Different" and the sales of the wines in that section, which had always been on the list, doubled. I think if I made a heading called "Abandon All Hope, Ye' Who Enter Here" sales would probably quadruple.
 
originally posted by Levi Dalton:

You know, daring people works pretty well. I put a section in the list titled "Individual, Distinctive, and Different" and the sales of the wines in that section, which had always been on the list, doubled.
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Nice work....makes me very curious to know a sampling of what else you have in that section, Levi.
 
originally posted by Joel Stewart:
originally posted by Levi Dalton:

You know, daring people works pretty well. I put a section in the list titled "Individual, Distinctive, and Different" and the sales of the wines in that section, which had always been on the list, doubled.
Click to expand...

Nice work....makes me very curious to know a sampling of what else you have in that section, Levi.
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Ca' de Noci "Notte di Luna", La Stoppa "Ageno", Gravner "Breg" Amphora, Radikon "Jakot", Damijan "Kaplja", Gaia Retsina, others.
 
originally posted by Levi Dalton:
originally posted by Joel Stewart:
originally posted by Levi Dalton:

You know, daring people works pretty well. I put a section in the list titled "Individual, Distinctive, and Different" and the sales of the wines in that section, which had always been on the list, doubled.
Click to expand...

Nice work....makes me very curious to know a sampling of what else you have in that section, Levi.
Click to expand...

Ca' de Noci "Notte di Luna", La Stoppa "Ageno", Gravner "Breg" Amphora, Radikon "Jakot", Damijan "Kaplja", Gaia Retsina, others.
Click to expand...

thanks, Levi....some familiar names there on my list to try
 
originally posted by Levi Dalton:
Uh, I guess you mean me? I must come off in cyberspace a bit different than in person, because around here at restaurant people don't seem to be much affected by my guru status. If they remember my name correctly, that tends to be a good moment.

re: Pepe '01 Trebbiano, I kept listing as long as I could, until basically the pricing just went way too far north. I took it in at two price bumps, but then when the third came around, I passed. Anyway, I liked it a lot, and recommended it to those tables where I thought it would find a happy home. Sometimes it was met with hostility, basically because of the texture (more akin to a red wine in tannin structure than a white) and I just figured it out with the guest. I just try to chart a course between selling the wines I like and giving people a fair shake. At times it doesn't work out and you have to take the hit. That's when you hope somebody who knows what is going on happens along to the bar, so that they can have a gratis taste.

Mostly, I just like to see wines I admire appreciated by others. I try to suss out what people are going to be cool with and go from there.
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Ah, the star wine guru! I heard there's a new video game called something like 'Sommalierlista', with said guru rescuing glasses from the hands of bannan-republic dictators or Oil-fiefdoms from acts of wine impropriety.

Has anybody else seen different labels on the Pepe Trebbiano from 2001? One is teh slick, half glossy one that Polaner imports, the other, a flat rougher paper.
 
If possible, I would like to order a mixed case of wine from the "Abandon All Hope" selection.

Wow, it does work.
 
originally posted by Thor:
What are the conditions that cause you to be dismayed?
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Temperature, too many expensive bottles standing up.
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Thanks - I agree on the standing bottles, not so much on the temp. Though I admit, their West Concord store is cooler and you can check their thermostat below the register.
 
originally posted by mlawton:
originally posted by Thor:
What are the conditions that cause you to be dismayed?
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Temperature, too many expensive bottles standing up.
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They were all lying down when I went in. Maybe they were just showing you respect? Ten-HUT!
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LOL.

Sure that wasn't the West Concord store?

The way their shelving is set up in Belmont, I'm 99% certain just about everything is standing, except for a few floor displays by the door, etc...
 
originally posted by Peter Czyryca:
originally posted by mlawton:
originally posted by Thor:
What are the conditions that cause you to be dismayed?
Click to expand...

Temperature, too many expensive bottles standing up.
Click to expand...

They were all lying down when I went in. Maybe they were just showing you respect? Ten-HUT!
Click to expand...

LOL.

Sure that wasn't the West Concord store?

The way their shelving is set up in Belmont, I'm 99% certain just about everything is standing, except for a few floor displays by the door, etc...
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I've never let facts get in the way of a joke. I've never actually been to Belmont, only West Concord.
 
Interesting notes on old "Honest's" wines. They are out of the box in so many ways.
And while I agree that not all (or many) are to my liking, they are ways to stretch one's vinous view, whether from the consumer or maker perspective.
And the guy's a gas.
Best, Jim
 
originally posted by Michael Malinoski:
I'm bringing the 2000 Domaine de Montbourgeau ltoile Cuve Spciale to Joe's Vin Jaune shindig tonight. [...] Suggest I open this for a while before hitting the road?
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Yes. A bottle several months back was hostile and closed upon opening, and only a little more giving several hours later. But it was stunning after a week in my refrigerator, as good as any of the chard-savagnin wines I've drank.
 
they are ways to stretch one's vinous view, whether from the consumer or maker perspective
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Yes, but why do we have to pay $39 (or so) per to watch him stretch before he's read the manual?
 
originally posted by slaton:
originally posted by Michael Malinoski:
I'm bringing the 2000 Domaine de Montbourgeau ltoile Cuve Spciale to Joe's Vin Jaune shindig tonight. [...] Suggest I open this for a while before hitting the road?
Click to expand...
Yes. A bottle several months back was hostile and closed upon opening, and only a little more giving several hours later. But it was stunning after a week in my refrigerator, as good as any of the chard-savagnin wines I've drank.
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Opted for a pop and pour, and we were fortunate to find a giving and engaging wine from the get go. A good alternative perhaps for those who don't want to open those young Vin Jaunes. I would love to open another bottle and let is sit a week in the fridge just to see what happens. Ah, education never ends...
 
Had a red "Satrapies of the East" from the pretty unappealing and very expensive list at Aqua in SF recently. I wasn't buying, but the list fell to me and I tried to spare my host. Some interesting flavors, but as with the other wine or two I've had from him, it was all just too much. I doubt the flavor interest came from the late harvest merlot (shudder) in the blend, but I wouldn't be surprised if that's where he got some of the excess.

It was tiring after a few sips.
 
Zut alors! You are getting quick!

I agree with a lot of what you say, but would add:

The only good thing about Blanchard Vin de Table de France Lot 1 was its mystery.

The Scholium Project The Prince in His Caves was so terrible on the nose that it required much coaching to actually taste it (like jumping into a cold pool). Horrible. Bad. Wretched. I'm not sure if there is a word in the English language to describe it.

Considering the price, there is little that can compete with the Montbourgeau Cuve Spciale. It is the Yes We Can of wines.

The old white Bordeaux were good, but again I am reminded why I continually buy different bottles/vintages of white Bordeaux instead of the same. While the good are good, it would be easy to give up on them. Of course there will always be the Brits, but I feel like we North Americans need to at least purchase enough white Bordeaux to be respectable.

Thanks for being the scribe.

Best,
Joe
 
originally posted by slaton:
originally posted by Michael Malinoski:
I'm bringing the 2000 Domaine de Montbourgeau ltoile Cuve Spciale to Joe's Vin Jaune shindig tonight. [...] Suggest I open this for a while before hitting the road?
Click to expand...
Yes. A bottle several months back was hostile and closed upon opening, and only a little more giving several hours later. But it was stunning after a week in my refrigerator, as good as any of the chard-savagnin wines I've drank.
Click to expand...

As with the Vin Jaune we had last night, I can't imagine the Montbourgeau Cuve Spciale changing much with extended air. These wines are not aerobic virgins. After an initial period where the wine discovers its level, I think the difference between being open 12 hours or 1 week is likely the taster and not the wine.

Best,
Joe
 
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