2010 Bodegas Borsao Garnacha Campo de Borja Tres Picos
Community Tasting Note
jwolniak Likes this wine:
88 Points
Friday, January 18, 2013 - Drank @ Cafe Babareeba - $44* menu price. We both loved it and were happy to see it sub-$15 online.
Grenache is a rare visit for me, but I enjoy it each time I do. This must be paired with food. Stands up to richness with a bit of spicy character. Very juicy; seemingly more French than Spanish.
I like it sub-$15 and is an approachable heavy food wine.
*Edited to correct price from $48 to $44.
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Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue (4,040 views)
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Comment posted by prism:
1/18/2013 10:50:00 AM - A 2.5 x markup on retail priced wine is bad enough, though standard, but as you can get this tasty wine everywhere for well under $12 (and you know the restaurant is not paying retail in the first place), a $48 price tag makes this a 4x markup. Based on that, I would not patronize Cafe Babareeba, or any of the restaurants of the Lettuce Entertain You group: that kind of markup is indefensible, and should stop anyone from ordering wine at "cafes" like these. (It certainly stops me!)
Comment posted by jwolniak:
1/18/2013 11:03:00 AM - **Correction - $44 menu price**
Agreed, Prism. The saving grace is that a gift card paid for it all. Not a big fan of LEYE to begin with, but the mark-up is distasteful.
Comment posted by millerarner:
2/2/2013 5:38:00 PM - Actually prism, in many states restaurants pay higher than retail due to taxes and regulations on alcohol, but I have a question for jwolniak . . . . I'm interested in your comment about the wine seeming more French than Spanish. I will admit that my experience with French wine is very limited, but so far it has led me to believe that most of their wines are far from fruit forward. They seem more heavy in earth, herb and mineral. Am I wrong in my assessment?
Comment posted by prism:
2/3/2013 9:18:00 AM - Millerarner, I thank you for setting me straight in this regard: I was unaware that restaurants in some states purchased at prices above retail. That said, if I saw the Tres Picos (which I do enjoy and recommend as a stellar value) on a restaurant list for above $40, I would still feel gouged, even if by only a few dollars (which of course translates to a higher base for tax and tip) . A pricing model I respect is that of Rosemary's in NYC: their 40 menu wines (they do have a reserve list as well) are all $40, and seem to retail for between, roughly, $12 and $18, depending.
Comment posted by millerarner:
2/3/2013 10:34:00 AM - Prism, do restaurants in NY allow you to bring your own wine? In FL most places let you bring your own, provided it hasn't been opened, and they charge around a $10-$20 "corkage" fee to open it for you. The nicer ones even provide a decanter.
Comment posted by prism:
2/3/2013 5:52:00 PM - Yes, millerarner, some do, though it's almost never advertised as a policy it is sometimes stated on the menu; I've noted $25. Which is just about right, considering you'd be paying the same tariff on a ±$15 retail selection of very good quality and consistency, chosen by the restaurant to pair with their food. And you wouldn't have to lug yours around in a paper sack. But on special occasions, a fine bottle to share could certainly be worth the bother; the restauranteur would probably feel honored (especially if offered a splash).