Worked on finalizing our custom build today and spent some time on the wet bar. Very concerned that a 48” under counter wine cooler and fridge isn’t going to be big enough. Pretty much the look we are going for but double the wine cooler size
I would probably have one like that for whites on top, other beverage below and then one on the far right that looks similar but just has wine racks for red wine. I would also reverse the door so both have the handle on the inside and open out.
And whatever these are, they are just your drinker storage. If you’re seriously into wine, 1. You’ll run out of space and 2. You’ll invest in more serious storage in your basement or off site
I gave it about a 2-3 hour decant. It was more feminine and subtle than I expected. It had early signs of bottle bouquet. This typically has a strong graphite note that I love but it was lighter and more in the background—not sure if it was the age or vintage.
I have a couple bottles of 2010 Paul Hobbs to kalon that I’m planning on serving at Christmas. Can’t wait
You are a nicer host than I or have guests with more knowledge. Too often I’ve opened nice bottles for family (novice drinkers) only to have them either be ambivalent or pour it to the brim and gulp it. I don’t have a hard price cap but I typically don’t go over $50 unless I know the crowd will appreciate it and usually aim more in the $25-35.
Grabbed 2 Jaboulet Cornas. At $39, they're crowd pleasers that will probably get marginally better in time. Don't love new oak on my Syrah, but still.
I got Jean Vesselle Brut Prestige Grand Cru Bouzy 2000 (1.5L Magnum) 2 The Debate Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard 2013 2 Justice Poetic Justice Proprietary Red Beckstoffer To Kalon 2016 (1.5L)
What is everybody doing for Christmas wines? We are eating ham and prime rib. I’m thinking of pulling a magnum of 2006 Peterson Winery Cab Sauv Bradford Mountain. It fits my criteria of serious wine that I’ll enjoy but not so expensive that I regret serving it to people that don’t care. That and it takes up so much space it will be nice to free up space.
Mostly going with champagne and BDX. Have a mag of 2012 base Charles Heidsieck among a couple others and a 1995 Chateau d'Armailhac ready to pour next to some prime rib.
This lineup was really solid - I don’t claim to be an overly educated wine drinker by any means but MLS is som level so I get to drink a lot of wines that I probably don’t appreciate enough.
Wife is making beef tenderloin for about ten of us 3L 2006 Cain Five 1.5L 2016 Paul Hobbs Beckstoffer To Kalon 2010 Paul Hobbs Beckstoffer To Kalon Cain Five is for the table. The Paul Hobbs will be mostly for my dad and I. Going to the Hogs v TCU game on NYE in Houston. Went on a golf trip with friends earlier this year and another guy and I bet a magnum of Opus One on the weekend. I lost, and he’s a Frog, so I’m hosting and we’re going to drink that pregame. Should be a fun couple of days! Merry Christmas everyone
Very disappointed when we opened this a couple of nights ago. I have never had a corked bottle but I am pretty sure this was my first. We substituted with a great priorat from En Numeros Vermelles that I would highly recommend. I have had a couple of different bottles and all have been fantastic. Didn’t snap a photo but here is an online image.
Priorat is such a good region. We did a tour there a few years back and had a blast. Incredibly beautiful place
Some of the wines some of you all drink make me feel like such a peasant. I have a couple thousand dollars worth of wine at any given time, but I don’t have thousand dollar bottle nights congrats on your lives
I shouldn't really count - I have clients that go pretty hard on a nightly basis. I'm definitely not the one footing the bill on all of this.
In anticipation of moving back to New York, I've been doing some triage in the cellar and trying to thin out wines I don't want to ship back there. A couple hits that we've had in recent days: Benito Ferrara Fiano di Avellino, 2016: A little leesy at first but really came all the way through with a super waxy texture and chenin-like oxidized fruit. Really awesome wine. Sandlands Grenache, 2018: First Sandlands wine I've had that wasn't excellent or at least super delicious. Definitely would have benefitted from a few years in bottle. Sandhi Sanford and Benedict Chardonnay, 2018: Like watching Star Wars for the first time. Absolutely fucking electric. Reeve Kiser Vineyard Blanc de Noir, 2017: You can always tell when winemakers consult with Michael Cruse for their bubbly. This ranks pretty distinctively behind the Sandhi Blanc de Blanc as far as funky Cali sparkling wine but it's still delicious. Ar.Pe.Pe Rosso di Valtellina, 2016: The Chambolle of Nebbiolo strikes again. While the price increases on this SKU have troubled me, it's still a really classy wine for $30-35.
Also found some bottles of Stewart To Kalon I forgot I had stashed away. They were gifts from the winery and since they're not really my style, I'll save them for when we have a TMB night of wine debauchery so Gallant Knight has something to drink.
My wife loves frank family (no idea where it stands in the winery hierarchy but her parents know their stuff and like it) so I bought her a membership for Christmas and our first case arrived last week. About to start with their 2018 chiles valley zin.
I opened it and immediately recorked it 48 hours in advance (intended to be 24 but things change) which I feel is like a multi-hour decant. It was drinking well but I don’t I love the flavor profile compared to Cayuse or No Girls. I wanted to retry before my allocation window opens. I was allocated Cayuse this year so I’m going to reduce if not cancel the HP order. I have been buying 9 but will most likely cut to 3-6.