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RE: I just ate.................. - 8/7/2008 10:15:51 PM   
Hollowine

 

Posts: 218
Joined: 7/25/2008
From: Hood River, OR
Status: offline 		BTW Craig, was curious so I looked on the Herb Farm wine list, the '03 and '04 Kistler Chards are only $150 there...

Corkage for something not on their 25,000 bottle list is only $20

I'll shut up now. Please remember in the Pacific Northwest it rains every day, you are required to wear flannel in public, and we only listen to Grunge Rock. If that isn't your liking, you may not want to move here...

< Message edited by Hollowine -- 8/7/2008 10:19:56 PM >

(in reply to Hollowine)
Post #: 31
RE: I just ate.................. - 8/7/2008 11:04:39 PM   
Serge Birbrair

 

Posts: 1495
Joined: 4/23/2006
From: Boca Raton, Florida
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: cgrimes

Just this week I wrote a check for Kistler chards McCrea/Dutton--$75/bottle.  $400+ for the 2005s!!!!!!  The scary thing is that people are buying it.


Dear God, thank you.
Thank you for giving me enough self esteem that I don't have to impress anybody by paying exuberent mark-ups,
thank you for giving me everything in the right sizes that I don't have to overcompensate with my wallet for my size deficiencies , and thank you Eric for letting us vent without censorship.

_____________________________

Having a good day? I can spoil it! -

(in reply to cgrimes)
Post #: 32
RE: I just ate.................. - 8/8/2008 5:06:13 AM   
cgrimes

 

Posts: 895
Joined: 10/8/2007
From: Massachusetts
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Serge Birbrair

quote:

ORIGINAL: cgrimes

Just this week I wrote a check for Kistler chards McCrea/Dutton--$75/bottle.  $400+ for the 2005s!!!!!!  The scary thing is that people are buying it.


Dear God, thank you.
Thank you for giving me enough self esteem that I don't have to impress anybody by paying exuberent mark-ups,
thank you for giving me everything in the right sizes that I don't have to overcompensate with my wallet for my size deficiencies , and thank you Eric for letting us vent without censorship.


Is that your daily pre-supper prayer? It has a nice ring to it.

(in reply to Serge Birbrair)
Post #: 33
RE: I just ate.................. - 8/8/2008 9:09:43 AM   
Wrighty

 

Posts: 643
Joined: 10/3/2005
From: Hong Kong
Status: online 		What do you think would happen if you turned up with something on the list and pleaded innocence - if challenged - do they expect you to search the entire list? Gaddi's in the Peninsula in HK has, form memory, a similar priced wine list and corkage. Have eaten at the Chef's table on a couple of occasions and both times turned up with a bottle of Champagne, Bordeaux, and Sauternes - probably some were on the list - and although I don't know if they have similar policies there was only compliments on 'sir's taste'!

I'd certainly take the chance and take what you want. Just think of it as an extra 10 bucks on each course!

Wrighty

(in reply to cgrimes)
Post #: 34
RE: I just ate.................. - 8/8/2008 9:09:43 AM   
Wrighty

 

Posts: 643
Joined: 10/3/2005
From: Hong Kong
Status: online 		What do you think would happen if you turned up with something on the list and pleaded innocence - if challenged - do they expect you to search the entire list? Gaddi's in the Peninsula in HK has, form memory, a similar priced wine list and corkage. Have eaten at the Chef's table on a couple of occasions and both times turned up with a bottle of Champagne, Bordeaux, and Sauternes - probably some were on the list - and although I don't know if they have similar policies there was only compliments on 'sir's taste'!

I'd certainly take the chance and take what you want. Just think of it as an extra 10 bucks on each course!

Wrighty

(in reply to cgrimes)
Post #: 35
RE: I just ate.................. - 8/8/2008 9:13:10 AM   
fingers

 

Posts: 682
Joined: 8/26/2006
From: Santa Ana, CA
Status: offline 		The way I've heard restaurant's word this policy is, "We ask that you do not bring any wine included on our list".  This is merely a strong suggestion and I'll bet that they will let everyone "get away with it" once or twice.

(in reply to Wrighty)
Post #: 36
RE: I just ate.................. - 8/8/2008 9:59:24 AM   
Hollowine

 

Posts: 218
Joined: 7/25/2008
From: Hood River, OR
Status: offline 		I usually just say "We are celebrating our anniversary and this was a bottle given to us on our wedding". Do they have any other Wedding Gift wines on their list...I think not! Most of the time it isn't on their list, but even if it is, most of the time we are bringing an older vintage they don't have or would be price prohibitive to purchase.


If you were rolling in the dough, wouldn't it be fun to show up with Beringer White Zin, Freixenet Cordon Negro, and maybe a Two-Buck Chuck and ask them to check the list to see if there are any conflicts? Even offer to give the Som a glass if he waves the corkage...

(in reply to fingers)
Post #: 37
RE: I just ate.................. - 8/8/2008 10:03:03 AM   
fingers

 

Posts: 682
Joined: 8/26/2006
From: Santa Ana, CA
Status: offline 		   

(in reply to Hollowine)
Post #: 38
RE: I just ate.................. - 8/8/2008 10:49:22 AM   
Serge Birbrair

 

Posts: 1495
Joined: 4/23/2006
From: Boca Raton, Florida
Status: offline 		Hollow,
what fingers said
:)

_____________________________

Having a good day? I can spoil it! -

(in reply to fingers)
Post #: 39
RE: I just ate.................. - 8/8/2008 11:15:18 AM   
cgrimes

 

Posts: 895
Joined: 10/8/2007
From: Massachusetts
Status: offline 		OK, even though none of you have ever met me, its time to do a little psychoanalysis...

Why am I so annoyed by that FL wine list?  I wish I didn't look at it.  It's like a personal affront...and I'm not even eating there.  I have no problem with the cost of the food...

(in reply to Serge Birbrair)
Post #: 40
RE: I just ate.................. - 8/8/2008 12:22:23 PM   
Hollowine

 

Posts: 218
Joined: 7/25/2008
From: Hood River, OR
Status: offline 		Craig - I left my Freud texts at my mom's house, so I'll have to wing this...

In my opinion, nearly all wine lists will annoy those of us who enjoy this passion, for example:

  • FL Wine List with outrageous markups (FL is just the current target of this hostility, pick most any high-end, buzz-driven restaurant), and excessive Corkage fees.
  • Wine lists with poor selections that have 2x-3x markups. I can't count the number of times I have been on the road in other states, sit down for a meal at "the best restaurant in town" and basically if I want wine I am stuck paying $70-90 for a bottle I wouldn't normally buy at $25 in the store.
  • Wine lists that are top and bottom heavy, but no nice middle ground. You get your choice, Rosemont Shiraz for $28/btl or Silver Oak Alexander for $140/btl. I'll take water with a slice of lemon, please.
  • Last, but certainly not least, goes to the separate thread about having the clueless who are treating you to dinner ordering based on price or funny name, incorrect stemware, yadda yadda yadda...

We probably all have our favorite restaurants that allow us to bring our stash and treat us nice, and to them I raise a glass in virtual salute! To those restaurants I stumble upon that have a decent selection with a fair markup, I gladly order and at the end of the meal I make a point of thanking the Manager on duty or Owner if possible for offering being wine friendly.

It would be really nice if someone ambitious would start a website similar to Angie's list (where you can find and rate contractors) but for Restaurants (Let's call it Eric's List... ) It would be great to have a "Shame on you" list where we could call out all the poor behavior and then maybe the conscientious restauranteur would check the list and try to do every thing they can to not have their name appear or to rectify the situations.

Just my two cents...

(in reply to cgrimes)
Post #: 41
RE: I just ate.................. - 8/8/2008 12:33:05 PM   
Blue Shorts

 

Posts: 297
Joined: 2/5/2008
From: Santa Cruz, California
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Serge Birbrair

$150 for a lousy bottle of 05-06 Oregon PN!?

cukf me running!!!  There are lots of things I blow $150 bucks for but the hell will freeze before I pay 3 times retail for $50 bottle of wine.
I paid 3 times mark up for $9 retail Riesling, but $150?????
I'd rather jog.


I'm with Serge on this one.

I'm willing to pay high prices for food.  You pay for skill, art (presentation) atmosphere, service, etc.... but to pay hundreds of dollars for someone to open something that anyone can buy is a virtual slap in  the face.  I consider it an insult.

There are many great restaurants out there and the French Laundry is just one of them.  They can keep their food and wine.

_____________________________

The best wine is the one that you haven't yet tried.

(in reply to Serge Birbrair)
Post #: 42
RE: I just ate.................. - 8/8/2008 1:26:24 PM   
cgrimes

 

Posts: 895
Joined: 10/8/2007
From: Massachusetts
Status: offline 		I agree with both of you.  Most of my frustration stems from living in a state where bringing wine from home is largely illegal.  So in the vast majority of instances, I have no choice but to select from the list (or a Martini, or water with lemon).

(in reply to Blue Shorts)
Post #: 43
RE: I just ate.................. - 8/8/2008 3:57:53 PM   
Serge Birbrair

 

Posts: 1495
Joined: 4/23/2006
From: Boca Raton, Florida
Status: offline 		Craig, you and the rest of us have the problem with their wine list because it insults our intelligence and we are not a stupid bunch here.

_____________________________

Having a good day? I can spoil it! -

(in reply to cgrimes)
Post #: 44
RE: I just ate.................. - 8/9/2008 8:37:10 PM   
rloomis

 

Posts: 93
Joined: 1/29/2007
From: San Diego, CA
Status: offline 		Luck would have it, one of our favorite local wine stores was having a sale and our friend there hooked us up with good prices on some ultra-premium wines. So, after a hefty shopping trip and looking over what's already in our cellar, we're getting a lineup together for the "dinner of all dinners". I know I said we'd stick to just a couple of bottles to get us through with minimal corkages, but it's hard to go cheap on a corkage considering everything else invested in this.
So here's what's for consideration in the roster:

1988 Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Champagne Brut Vintage Rare
This is a memorable year for me personally, so I hope it's good.
Happy times of youth; long before I met my wife. I don't have a
time machine, so I hope I can at least share this year with her in this small way.

2005 Vincent Girardin Bâtard-Montrachet
Ok, wine logic: we're saving so much bringing our own instead of ordering from the list,
so let's get a white burgundy grand cru! I'm re-thinking this a bit though now that I've
gotten the bottle home and stashed in the cellar. Hate to drink this 05 grand cru so young.
Wondering if maybe I should save this one and bring one of our Puligny-Montrachet 1er cru's
instead -- even though those bottles cost only a little more than the FL corkage fee.

1995 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande
Got a pretty good deal on this one at the sale and ready to drink, I'm excited about this one.

2005 Mongeard-Mugneret Clos Vougeot
Clos Vougeot grand cru -- feeling same about this one as the Bâtard-Montrachet.
Maybe this should just stay in the cellar?

2005 Henri Delagrange & Fils Pommard 1er Cru Les Bertins
Got this one last week and was planning to drink it to see what this wine was like (my first Pommard).
Maybe I should let the Clos Vougeot lay down a while and take this one instead?
(Bottle cost about $50, so corkage would double the cost for my first taste of this.)

1990 M. Chapoutier Hermitage La Sizeranne
Got this for about $90, thought it was a good deal and maybe worth considering as an alternate choice in the lineup.
On CT, Siggy gave it a 94, but professional TN by John Gilman listed it in "Road Kill: Highly Rated Wines of Very Questionable Merit" and gave it a 78.
Hmm -- maybe I should experiment with this one at home?

For a dessert wine, and something to try a sip of with the foie gras course, I'm very heavily
leaning towards leaving my sole bottle of 2001 Château d'Yquem at home (I'm not stocked up on the Yquem like pavie princess).
I want to drink it at a much older age, and I think at some point, having so much rich food and other wines would just make this a glutton-fest and not let a wine like this have the center of attention it deserves.

I could bring one of our 2003 Château Raymond-Lafon instead, a reasonable representative of a Sauternes, but again, the problem of a $50 corkage for a $50 wine.
A possible alternate and something pretty amazing is this one:
1994 Julius Wasem & Sohne Huxelrebe Trockenbeerenauslese
An incredible dessert wine, not sure if it would also work with foie gras like the Sauternes would though.
Could go new world and take this instead:
2000 Robert Mondavi Winery Sauvignon Blanc Botrytis




< Message edited by rloomis -- 8/9/2008 8:41:30 PM >

(in reply to Serge Birbrair)
Post #: 45
RE: I just ate.................. - 8/9/2008 8:43:38 PM   
rloomis

 

Posts: 93
Joined: 1/29/2007
From: San Diego, CA
Status: offline 		One more bit of news: a couple we were planning to go with can't make it so we've got reservations for 4 and there's just the two of us now. Anybody interested in 2 available spots?

(in reply to rloomis)
Post #: 46
RE: I just ate.................. - 8/10/2008 5:10:08 AM   
pbm

 

Posts: 267
Joined: 3/5/2008
From: New Hope, Pennsylvania
Status: online 		When are the reservations?

_____________________________

PBM
"Never Sell Principle Short"
Dave O'Neal

(in reply to rloomis)
Post #: 47
RE: I just ate.................. - 8/10/2008 9:22:19 AM   
rloomis

 

Posts: 93
Joined: 1/29/2007
From: San Diego, CA
Status: offline 		The reservations to French Laundry are for Saturday, September 27, at 5.30pm.

(This is Dana, Randall's wife.  My husband has gone fishing today).

(in reply to pbm)
Post #: 48
RE: I just ate.................. - 8/10/2008 4:38:15 PM   
bschwindtcoffee

 

Posts: 22
Joined: 10/16/2007
From: Portland, OR
Status: offline 		My wife and I have reserations at Mr Kellers other joint, Per Se, in September.  Since my wife is pregnant, I'll be drinking a few of the 'by the glass' menu.   If I stay away from the Krug, I hope not to get too hosed.

brandon

(in reply to rloomis)
Post #: 49
RE: I just ate.................. - 8/11/2008 9:29:09 PM   
cgrimes

 

Posts: 895
Joined: 10/8/2007
From: Massachusetts
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: rloomis

The reservations to French Laundry are for Saturday, September 27, at 5.30pm.

(This is Dana, Randall's wife.  My husband has gone fishing today).


(It's not that often we get the perspectives of the wives of wine geeks first hand here)
Dana, with such a spectacular line-up of food and wine, does Randall have something to tell you?  Could there be some hidden agenda here?
Craig

(in reply to rloomis)
Post #: 50
RE: I just ate.................. - 8/11/2008 10:46:12 PM   
Blue Shorts

 

Posts: 297
Joined: 2/5/2008
From: Santa Cruz, California
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: cgrimes

quote:

ORIGINAL: rloomis

The reservations to French Laundry are for Saturday, September 27, at 5.30pm.

(This is Dana, Randall's wife.  My husband has gone fishing today).


(It's not that often we get the perspectives of the wives of wine geeks first hand here)
Dana, with such a spectacular line-up of food and wine, does Randall have something to tell you?  Could there be some hidden agenda here?
Craig


OMG!!!! Randall's pregnant!!  I knew it

_____________________________

The best wine is the one that you haven't yet tried.

(in reply to cgrimes)
Post #: 51
RE: I just ate.................. - 8/12/2008 8:22:40 AM   
rloomis

 

Posts: 93
Joined: 1/29/2007
From: San Diego, CA
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Blue Shorts
quote:

ORIGINAL: cgrimes
(It's not that often we get the perspectives of the wives of wine geeks first hand here)
Dana, with such a spectacular line-up of food and wine, does Randall have something to tell you? Could there be some hidden agenda here?
Craig

OMG!!!! Randall's pregnant!! I knew it


No! No! It's just a little weight gain, I swear!
I wanted to take her someplace where I could break out a bottle of this and introduce her to my new, gay, Australian friend....
http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=531691

We need 2 more, who's coming with us?

(in reply to Blue Shorts)
Post #: 52
RE: I just ate.................. - 8/12/2008 8:24:25 AM   
pjaines

 

Posts: 701
Joined: 5/26/2008
From: London
Status: online 		I love that tasting note.  Probably as good as it gets in cellartracker.

Goodonya!!!

_____________________________

-- Paul

(in reply to rloomis)
Post #: 53
RE: I just ate.................. - 8/14/2008 7:12:06 AM   
esb

 

Posts: 118
Joined: 1/17/2008
From: Bend, Oregon
Status: offline 		Slightly different experience. I had a nice dinner last night at a fun, casual but quality, neighborhood restaurant. We enjoyed two wines, Vajra Barolo '02 (not a good vintage, but good wine), price: $26.00 and Raptor Ridge Pinot Gris '07, price $14.00. The price is for the entire bottle, not a glass.

(in reply to pjaines)
Post #: 54
RE: I just ate.................. - 8/15/2008 4:42:33 PM   
zitarell

 

Posts: 26
Joined: 7/1/2008
Status: offline 		Article in the WSJ on restaurant wine pricing that I found interesting, in light of this thread: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121875695594642607.html

(in reply to esb)
Post #: 55
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