Comments on: Baffled by a wine list? BYO Chateauneuf

By: anonsomm

anonsomm — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 05:48:13 +0000

i’m so tired of fuddy duddy wine critics being so ready for retirement that they can’t explore and learn new things. they can’t handle the fact that the wine world is so vast now and requires a lot more knowledge than in their day when the major regions and classic grapes were all one needed to know. it makes me glad that generation is nearing retirement. all hail a-16! they have a rad wine list, as does reynard and many other vinofreakish restaurants.

By: Wino

Wino — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 17:22:59 +0000

Is there ANYTHING that the guy won’t eat alongside a 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape? He made the same move at Le Bernardin, for God’s sake. Mmmmmm, sea bass crudo with lime zest and fresh horseradish with a 16% alcohol Grenache. Mmmmmmmm!!! Poached lobster with ginger accompanied by a Syrah and Mourvedre blend that was made in 100% new high toast small oak casks! Oh, baby! Pain grille all around!

By: Daniel

Daniel — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 00:33:10 +0000

CdP, really? did he also ask them to cook him some 7 hour lamb so it would match his wine?
I’ve eaten at A-16, and it was a fantastic way to experience the flavors of the south of Italy. The wine list is fantastic and appropriate, (not just because I currently work for an Italian importer (Winebow) and have sold other Italian wines (Vias, etc.). The list if full of great wines that really go with the authentic food they make.

and I’m guessing that he picked the Montevetrano because it’s a Cab/Merlot/Aglinico blend. he was scared of the other grapes! oh, and his publication gave the 2006 94 points…

Parker has become the David Letterman of wine. Increasingly irrelevant and past his prime, relying on what he used to be.

By: Dr. Vino

Dr. Vino — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 20:24:23 +0000

@Aaron – Yeah, it does show a certain lack of curiosity about what’s in the broader world of wine.

@Weston – Yes, and why he may dislike sommeliers (perhaps the feeling is mutual?).

@Aaron and Kristy – Yes, BYOB can be great for wine enthusiasts. But if you’re the self-proclaimed most powerful critic in the world hitting a place for the first time that has a distinctive wine list –and planning on writing up the experience for your web site–you might want to order off the list and comment on how the pairings worked, rather than beating the #CDP07 drum yet again.

By: Kristy Kelley

Kristy Kelley — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 19:33:45 +0000

All good points, Aaron!

– Kristy @ Wine Logic

By: Aaron Meeker

Aaron Meeker — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 18:58:43 +0000

Kristy,

I agree completely. That said especially in a city like Philadelphia (and Chicago), the cost of a liquor license is absurd and the most profitable way for a restaurant to make it initially is BYO.

Also as a wine lover and collector, too many wine lists have prices that are incredibly high and the selection (for what Parker in this case wanted to drink) does not exist at most restaurants.

I eat out frequently and buy wine out frequently…that said popping for a bottle of 90 Gentaz Cote-Rotie or 82 Leoville Las Cases may be impossible and make little if any sense if I had three bottles of each and wanted to bring two to a BYO.

I believe it is about balance and having great relationships with restaurants one frequents. Unless it is completely illegal (as it is in a handful of states), if you are a bit of a regular who will order a bottle of wine when you’re in the Sommelier/Wine Director will rarely have an issue with bringing a special bottle of wine in.

By: Kristy Kelley

Kristy Kelley — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 18:39:15 +0000

I see the benefits to BYOB in many respects but there is just something about taking someone’s tried and true suggestion that shouldn’t be ignored.

– Kristy @ Wine Logic

By: Weston

Weston — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 17:14:03 +0000

This is why Parker fits in the life style of the people who buy Bordeaux and auction house total disconnect with the world

I mean yeah drink what you like but I mean as a wine writer he is he should show some respect to a thought out wine list by a sommelier even if they are a dirty hipster or a tree hugging cow dung burying hippy

By: Aaron Meeker

Aaron Meeker — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 13:25:21 +0000

WOW…just wow. And the continual disconnect between ‘major publication reviewer’ and progressive wine society continues.

French Toast? None of other than Rayas!
Pad Thai? Hmmm, how about Clos St Jean!
Sole Meuniere? Beaucastel of course!
Gnocchi with Ricotta? Let’s deviate…Pavie!

By: Dr. Vino

Dr. Vino — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 00:51:58 +0000

Jon – You will surely appreciate this cartoon:

https://twitter.com/RockandRhone/status/253289941231095809/photo/1

By: Jon Troutman

Jon Troutman — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 20:28:10 +0000

Everyone knows the proper pairing for pizza is #CDP07 in large format. Who knows how to properly pronounce “Nerello Cappuccio”, anyways?