bularry said:

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QBCade said:

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JCA1 said:

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QBCade said:

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Amazing tasting last night.

Harlan was the winner - just so balanced, layered, and ultimate expression of a Cali Cab. Tobacco, plum, blackberry, leather. Broad and long finish

Mouton was 2nd - very, very soft. Long finish, then gone. Good nose, took a long time to really open up, even tho it was decanted for 6hrs, then poured back into the bottle.

McD - awesome, big, bold, upfront with a kick. It was just too young. In another 5yrs, it would be amazing. Eucalyptus, leather, cocoa, black fruit.

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Awesome lineup.

Interesting that the McD came off as big and bold. That's never been my impression. Always come across as reserved to me. Maybe just relative to the lineup?

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I think that is probably true as the Mouton was very soft and the Harlan was older.

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very cool to taste that broad of a selection together. I don't think 92 was considered a very good year in Bordeaux, right? Not sure if that matters with Mouton, but I watched a show about the 90 vintage recently and I think they mentioned 92 as also being a tough year.

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Correct, 1992 wasn't a good year. But, wine was still excellent.

bularry said:

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Nice, I had a few of Gemstone offerings from 06 and maybe10 way back (I think those were vintages). Had to google it, forgot Melka was the winemaker back then.

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Phillipe Melka is in town today with his wife. Wine pairing dinner at Brandani's in Missouri City tonight.

Waited too late to RSVP and missed out.

You can always catch Mike Dunn tomorrow at Pappas.

I'm in for todays mystery bottle: https://www.lastbottlewines.com/

2014 Kapcsndy Family Winery Cabernet Sauvignon: https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=2365706

EclipseAg said:

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bularry said:

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Nice, I had a few of Gemstone offerings from 06 and maybe10 way back (I think those were vintages). Had to google it, forgot Melka was the winemaker back then.

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Phillipe Melka is in town today with his wife. Wine pairing dinner at Brandani's in Missouri City tonight.

Waited too late to RSVP and missed out.

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That's a pretty big get for Brandani's! Good for them.

That would be fun, but my wife definitely doesn't like cab enough to drop $700 per person.

bularry said:

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EclipseAg said:

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bularry said:

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Nice, I had a few of Gemstone offerings from 06 and maybe10 way back (I think those were vintages). Had to google it, forgot Melka was the winemaker back then.

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Phillipe Melka is in town today with his wife. Wine pairing dinner at Brandani's in Missouri City tonight.

Waited too late to RSVP and missed out.

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That's a pretty big get for Brandani's! Good for them.

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I believe his wife Cherie represented the winery at a dinner last year and had such a good time she convinced her husband to join her this year.

For a small suburban restaurant, Brandani's has a great wine list and very good food. One of my favorite places to eat.

Nice little Wednesday night wine. Resolved tannins. Just a hint of fruit. Appropriate BDX funk.

yeah, I ate there often before I moved to the city. one of the few suburban places I've been that had professional waiters. the service team they built was really good.

and that fried chicken.... loved it!

Tonight I'm drinking a nice Rioja ... a 2015 Vina Pomal Gran Reserva from Bodegas Bilbainas.

New one last night. Very, very good. Very smooth, not jammy, but good red berry. Some licorice, but not fennel.

OK, esteemed wine connesiseurs of Texags:
One year anniversary dinner next week at the celebrated Aubergine in Carmel
https://auberginecarmel.com/
It's a tasting menu. Past menus have included

Quote:

---

Sample Tasting Menu
oyster, yuzu emulsion, cucumber gelee
artichoke tart, white anchovy, honeycomb, mint
uni, sweet soy, potato
tomato, lemon thyme, caviar
ayu, potato squash, meyer lemon, trout roe
shiro dashi, fava beans and shoots, lobster
morels, chicken jus, ramps
ribeye, kohlrabi, sunflower miso
strawberry cremeaux, pistachios, olive oil cake
chocolate brownie, marshmallow fluff, cocoa nibs

---

Three wine options
(1) $250 for the Wine Pairing: This wine pairing is designed to allow us to showcase some of our favorite wines from around the world. These include up-and-coming producers as well as classic, established producers. This pairing will feature sake, champagne, white, red, and dessert wine.

(2) $495 for the Reserve Wine Pairing: This pairing allows us to dive deep into some of the most coveted wines in the world. Classic regions and famous producers, as well as wines with a significant amount of age from celebrated vintages are showcased in this pairing. This experience celebrates our love of the finer things in life.

(3) Corkage - $100 for two
For red I would bring either
2013 Scarecrow
2016 Macdonald
2019 Macdonald
+
and then what would you guys recommend for white?? I don't have anything suitable at the moment.


I literally could go any direction. I bought the Macdonlads/Scarecrow for special occasions. But I would have to fly with them and then poses some risk. And it still adds $100/
MOst MIchelin rated places have pretty interesting wine pairings and there is so much diversity. But then to elevate the pairing makes it even more enjoyable but $1000 enjoyable I don't know.

I'd probably opt for the reserve pairing for the chance to try something you otherwise wouldn't get to try by the glass. In addition to getting to try new wines they tend to get creative with the pairings as well. One of the more memorable for me was a lobster and truffle gnocchi at Le Bernadin that was paired with a Barolo, which is something I probably never would have done on my own.

I agree with JH. The provided tastings are more geared towards the menu and will better fit each dish. I've taken my own cabs to TFL and while it was fantastic wine, it didn't fit several consecutive courses.

And yes, Barolo is great with truffles!

Objective Aggie said:

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OK, esteemed wine connesiseurs of Texags:
One year anniversary dinner next week at the celebrated Aubergine in Carmel
https://auberginecarmel.com/
It's a tasting menu. Past menus have included

Quote:

---

Sample Tasting Menu
oyster, yuzu emulsion, cucumber gelee
artichoke tart, white anchovy, honeycomb, mint
uni, sweet soy, potato
tomato, lemon thyme, caviar
ayu, potato squash, meyer lemon, trout roe
shiro dashi, fava beans and shoots, lobster
morels, chicken jus, ramps
ribeye, kohlrabi, sunflower miso
strawberry cremeaux, pistachios, olive oil cake
chocolate brownie, marshmallow fluff, cocoa nibs

---

Three wine options
(1) $250 for the Wine Pairing: This wine pairing is designed to allow us to showcase some of our favorite wines from around the world. These include up-and-coming producers as well as classic, established producers. This pairing will feature sake, champagne, white, red, and dessert wine.

(2) $495 for the Reserve Wine Pairing: This pairing allows us to dive deep into some of the most coveted wines in the world. Classic regions and famous producers, as well as wines with a significant amount of age from celebrated vintages are showcased in this pairing. This experience celebrates our love of the finer things in life.

(3) Corkage - $100 for two
For red I would bring either
2013 Scarecrow
2016 Macdonald
2019 Macdonald
+
and then what would you guys recommend for white?? I don't have anything suitable at the moment.


I literally could go any direction. I bought the Macdonlads/Scarecrow for special occasions. But I would have to fly with them and then poses some risk. And it still adds $100/
MOst MIchelin rated places have pretty interesting wine pairings and there is so much diversity. But then to elevate the pairing makes it even more enjoyable but $1000 enjoyable I don't know.

---

Where are you flying into? If you're flying into LA or San Jose/SF, a third option would be to buy back vintage from K&L and take to restaurant. Their prices are competitive. You can even do a chat with their Som and get recommendations

Another edit - I wouldn't worry about flying with them. Just get one of the really padded wine sleeves and put in your luggage. If it's hot weather, just put an ice pack between the bottles.

I would definitely do one of the pairings. I love exploring wines I haven't had or could never get and the ability to pair with each individual course is a huge plus compared to having two wines with everything.

Carmel is awesome. Great choice for an anniversary trip. We did part of our 5 year anniversary there.

QBCade said:

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Objective Aggie said:

---

OK, esteemed wine connesiseurs of Texags:
One year anniversary dinner next week at the celebrated Aubergine in Carmel
https://auberginecarmel.com/
It's a tasting menu. Past menus have included

Quote:

---

Sample Tasting Menu
oyster, yuzu emulsion, cucumber gelee
artichoke tart, white anchovy, honeycomb, mint
uni, sweet soy, potato
tomato, lemon thyme, caviar
ayu, potato squash, meyer lemon, trout roe
shiro dashi, fava beans and shoots, lobster
morels, chicken jus, ramps
ribeye, kohlrabi, sunflower miso
strawberry cremeaux, pistachios, olive oil cake
chocolate brownie, marshmallow fluff, cocoa nibs

---

Three wine options
(1) $250 for the Wine Pairing: This wine pairing is designed to allow us to showcase some of our favorite wines from around the world. These include up-and-coming producers as well as classic, established producers. This pairing will feature sake, champagne, white, red, and dessert wine.

(2) $495 for the Reserve Wine Pairing: This pairing allows us to dive deep into some of the most coveted wines in the world. Classic regions and famous producers, as well as wines with a significant amount of age from celebrated vintages are showcased in this pairing. This experience celebrates our love of the finer things in life.

(3) Corkage - $100 for two
For red I would bring either
2013 Scarecrow
2016 Macdonald
2019 Macdonald
+
and then what would you guys recommend for white?? I don't have anything suitable at the moment.


I literally could go any direction. I bought the Macdonlads/Scarecrow for special occasions. But I would have to fly with them and then poses some risk. And it still adds $100/
MOst MIchelin rated places have pretty interesting wine pairings and there is so much diversity. But then to elevate the pairing makes it even more enjoyable but $1000 enjoyable I don't know.

---

Where are you flying into? If you're flying into LA or San Jose/SF, a third option would be to buy back vintage from K&L and take to restaurant. Their prices are competitive. You can even do a chat with their Som and get recommendations

Another edit - I wouldn't worry about flying with them. Just get one of the really padded wine sleeves and put in your luggage. If it's hot weather, just put an ice pack between the bottles.

---

I bought some bubble sleeves years ago and that was a great investment for wine finds or Pliny or whatever.

But it has still failed me. I had a whole bag smell like cachaca after an accident in Brazil so maybe I am scarred. .

Leaning on elevated pairing.

Ordered some of the Jet Bags for bringing wine back from overseas in luggage. Have worked great so far.

Objective Aggie said:

---

QBCade said:

---

Objective Aggie said:

---

OK, esteemed wine connesiseurs of Texags:
One year anniversary dinner next week at the celebrated Aubergine in Carmel
https://auberginecarmel.com/
It's a tasting menu. Past menus have included

Quote:

---

Sample Tasting Menu
oyster, yuzu emulsion, cucumber gelee
artichoke tart, white anchovy, honeycomb, mint
uni, sweet soy, potato
tomato, lemon thyme, caviar
ayu, potato squash, meyer lemon, trout roe
shiro dashi, fava beans and shoots, lobster
morels, chicken jus, ramps
ribeye, kohlrabi, sunflower miso
strawberry cremeaux, pistachios, olive oil cake
chocolate brownie, marshmallow fluff, cocoa nibs

---

Three wine options
(1) $250 for the Wine Pairing: This wine pairing is designed to allow us to showcase some of our favorite wines from around the world. These include up-and-coming producers as well as classic, established producers. This pairing will feature sake, champagne, white, red, and dessert wine.

(2) $495 for the Reserve Wine Pairing: This pairing allows us to dive deep into some of the most coveted wines in the world. Classic regions and famous producers, as well as wines with a significant amount of age from celebrated vintages are showcased in this pairing. This experience celebrates our love of the finer things in life.

(3) Corkage - $100 for two
For red I would bring either
2013 Scarecrow
2016 Macdonald
2019 Macdonald
+
and then what would you guys recommend for white?? I don't have anything suitable at the moment.


I literally could go any direction. I bought the Macdonlads/Scarecrow for special occasions. But I would have to fly with them and then poses some risk. And it still adds $100/
MOst MIchelin rated places have pretty interesting wine pairings and there is so much diversity. But then to elevate the pairing makes it even more enjoyable but $1000 enjoyable I don't know.

---

Where are you flying into? If you're flying into LA or San Jose/SF, a third option would be to buy back vintage from K&L and take to restaurant. Their prices are competitive. You can even do a chat with their Som and get recommendations

Another edit - I wouldn't worry about flying with them. Just get one of the really padded wine sleeves and put in your luggage. If it's hot weather, just put an ice pack between the bottles.

---

I bought some bubble sleeves years ago and that was a great investment for wine finds or Pliny or whatever.

But it has still failed me. I had a whole bag smell like cachaca after an accident in Brazil so maybe I am scarred. .

Leaning on elevated pairing.

---

If you have a hard side luggage, you'll be fine. Also, not all sleeves are as padded as others.

Yum, yum, yum.

Objective Aggie said:

---

OK, esteemed wine connesiseurs of Texags:
One year anniversary dinner next week at the celebrated Aubergine in Carmel
https://auberginecarmel.com/
It's a tasting menu. Past menus have included

Quote:

---

Sample Tasting Menu
oyster, yuzu emulsion, cucumber gelee
artichoke tart, white anchovy, honeycomb, mint
uni, sweet soy, potato
tomato, lemon thyme, caviar
ayu, potato squash, meyer lemon, trout roe
shiro dashi, fava beans and shoots, lobster
morels, chicken jus, ramps
ribeye, kohlrabi, sunflower miso
strawberry cremeaux, pistachios, olive oil cake
chocolate brownie, marshmallow fluff, cocoa nibs

---

Three wine options
(1) $250 for the Wine Pairing: This wine pairing is designed to allow us to showcase some of our favorite wines from around the world. These include up-and-coming producers as well as classic, established producers. This pairing will feature sake, champagne, white, red, and dessert wine.

(2) $495 for the Reserve Wine Pairing: This pairing allows us to dive deep into some of the most coveted wines in the world. Classic regions and famous producers, as well as wines with a significant amount of age from celebrated vintages are showcased in this pairing. This experience celebrates our love of the finer things in life.

(3) Corkage - $100 for two
For red I would bring either
2013 Scarecrow
2016 Macdonald
2019 Macdonald
+
and then what would you guys recommend for white?? I don't have anything suitable at the moment.


I literally could go any direction. I bought the Macdonlads/Scarecrow for special occasions. But I would have to fly with them and then poses some risk. And it still adds $100/
MOst MIchelin rated places have pretty interesting wine pairings and there is so much diversity. But then to elevate the pairing makes it even more enjoyable but $1000 enjoyable I don't know.

---

For an occasion like that, 1000% go for the reserve pairing. It is a big part of the experience at a place like that, and I always find at least 1 new wine I love every time I do it. Bringing your own might be better bang for the buck, but besting their pairings for each course is a long shot.

I'm agreeing with everyone else. Do a pairing and if you can spend it, do the reserve pairing.

Sneak peek of said wine pairing.

Welll, well, well…

Had the '82 a, couple of years ago. It was fantastic. Sitting on an 85. Report back for sure!

Definitely one of my favorites from over there!

Or this

Got my Last Bottle marathon shipment yesterday. Always a fun day!

I'm still relatively new to wine buying. Anyone else have trouble actually making a decision which fancy wine to open and drink, and when?

I've got some bottles that are entering into decent drinking age (and I'm not getting any younger) but it almost feels like a betrayal to "lose" a bottle I've been saving.

Advice?

New acquisition last night. Very light, little tart. Nose was excellent. Not the best year for this one, but still very enjoyable




Edit - was much better the next day. Tartness was gone. Little sweet, but very fruity. More red fruit, spice, plum.

Short answer: Life is short, open the bottle

Long answer: I personally have a gut feel for how many of the nicer bottles we have on hand. When space or stock dictates we will start in on nicer stuff. If it gets to the point where I'm having too hard of a time choosing what to open because I don't feel like opening something too nice on a random Thursday night and losing said inventory, that's just a signal that we should stock up on some of the more routine stuff.

Everyone's mileage will vary. The amount of nicer bottles I have on hand is small.

Second answer I just thought of: I have a dozen or so bottles that I won't open under the aforementioned circumstances until the next good time for it happens. Currently have a hectic house so we have had less inclination to open our $$$ bottles lately. Just not as enjoyable if you're already exhausted or it's a coin flip if you'll be up at night at not.

Chipotlemonger said:

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Short answer: Life is short, open the bottle

Long answer: I personally have a gut feel for how many of the nicer bottles we have on hand. When space or stock dictates we will start in on nicer stuff. If it gets to the point where I'm having too hard of a time choosing what to open because I don't feel like opening something too nice on a random Thursday night and losing said inventory, that's just a signal that we should stock up on some of the more routine stuff.

Everyone's mileage will vary. The amount of nicer bottles I have on hand is small.

Second answer I just thought of: I have a dozen or so bottles that I won't open under the aforementioned circumstances until the next good time for it happens. Currently have a hectic house so we have had less inclination to open our $$$ bottles lately. Just not as enjoyable if you're already exhausted or it's a coin flip if you'll be up at night at not.

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Excellent ... thanks for those thoughts.

I was leaning into the reserve pairing but somehow needed Texags influence to jump in.

Incredible decision (the 120 year old Madeira was extra and worth it).

Really nice diversity albeit I was expecting something South American or South African or Californian but this was all European.

Not sure I have had vintages like this. I totally get the fascination with aged wine. It's just a different flavor profile. The aromas were intense and again just different.

Very nice 19 year old Bordeaux. It cost me $66. If you look, there's a lot of good wine available.