Wine Berserkers - international wine social media, online community, and discussion

Dave McCloskey

I’ve been on the ‘white’s wine only’ club for several years. Six bottles two times a year. The Picardan is wonderful. There are so many white varietals they produce. And, the different white blends are fascinating after trying the main component grape wines. I have gone through a few cases of their...

Dave McCloskey

PeterH wrote: ↑
April 19th, 2020, 1:41 pm
New world Syrah is not my thing, but I'm surprised not to see Alban, Booker, or Saxum on anyone's list. For that matter Christophe Baron is missing too.

Nicora is another one you can add to the list above.

Dave McCloskey

Well for all the Cali-fans, I'll counter with WA and add K Vintners, WT Vintners, Gramercy, and Betz. Honestly, I don't think anyone on West Coast truly produces Syrah like Northern Rhone and they shouldn't , they should produce true to place and philosophy wines, just like the great diversity in N...

Dave McCloskey

I recently had two different Biryani's at Chutney Mary's in London. Both were delicious.

Dave McCloskey

'15 Shafer Hillside Select

Dave McCloskey

Wow, what an amazing opportunity. Thank you for sharing this experience.

Dave McCloskey

La Gavroche is our favorite London restaurant. The cheese soufflé is an extraordinary dish. We have two good friends who are chefs and we have made the cheese soufflé several times. Not quite as good as La Gavrochre but close enough. What wine did the Somm recommend? We had it with a Sherry- perfec...

Dave McCloskey

Well it appears my recent trip to London came just under the wire as most sporting events have subsequently been canceled and travel is more difficult. Besides the Rugby match at Twickenham we managed to slip in some good culinary adventures. Here's a list of the places we dined. Wed. Lunch - La Gav...

Dave McCloskey

True words! Couple of bolded comments.... The Tokyo natural wine scene is spectacular, if you want to try that: Ahiru Store Bricca Auxs Ami Tokyo Sansa Beer La Pioche Margo (prices are high but cool little space near my station :) ) Le Cabaret Le Verre Vole à Tokyo (name changed to Un Jour last yea...

Dave McCloskey

Great recommendations. I'm one of two "wine guys" in the group, but I always order for the table, so in general this is more of a food oriented crowd.

Dave McCloskey

For fine dining it won’t be easy to get a large table on a friday night but I’d try la trompette, elystan street and chez bruce. Are you going to twickenham by train from central london? If so, a good place to grab some beers on the way is the Alma pub in wandsworth. Right next to the train station...

Dave McCloskey

Hi Dave, Do you want 'fine' dining and wine or just something good? What's the average age of the group? Should be a fun match! Cheers, Martin We'll need two recommendations. One can be fine dining and the other can be good food. The group is upper 50's in age. Fine dining for Friday night and good...

Dave McCloskey

Next month I'm traveling to London with 9 other guys to attend an England vs Wales rugby match at Twickenham. My buddy has been trying to secure a table for 9 and few take parties that large, hence we need some help. We could break the group into two separate parties, but that's not ideal. Additiona...

Dave McCloskey

I recently picked up a bottle of Wellers 12 year old Bourbon. For Bourbon connoisseurs, you know how hard it is to land Wellers 12 year old. Maybe harder than finding Pappy Van Winkle. Where? Maybe we should start a thread to help fellow bourbon brothers find bourbon? My wife got it from a co-worke...

Dave McCloskey

I recently picked up a bottle of Wellers 12 year old Bourbon. For Bourbon connoisseurs, you know how hard it is to land Wellers 12 year old. Maybe harder than finding Pappy Van Winkle.

Dave McCloskey

Last year when I was in the UK, Gin was all the rage. I was at Cardiff stadium in Wales and they had Gin bars setup throughout the stadium. Really? Everywhere I went the Gin cocktails were incredible and inventive. I recently got turned on to Monkey 47 Gin. I believe Wine Spectator rated it the best...

Dave McCloskey

I’ve done fine dining BYO in Japan (Tokyo and elsewhere); but always with locals who know the restaurant’s proprietors. The same with me. I had nothing but fantastic food wherever I was at in Japan. I remember going to an American owned restaurant along the Champs Elyse of Tokyo and having a Japane...

Dave McCloskey

Dukes in St James. Perfect location and lovely hotel. Restaurants: La Trompette - out in chiswick but definitely worth it. Chez Bruce - out in wandsworth but definitely worth it. Both do corkage. We have stayed at Dukes and The Stafford, both in St. James's Place and IMHO The Stafford is better is ...

Dave McCloskey

I’ve trusted the wine pairings at Piazza Duomo in Alba (3star) and at Taniere3 in Quebec City. I think if you’re “geeky” trusting the pairings can be fun & rewarding. If you’re particular maybe go for something else. That's my take as well, be adventurous! I was at Grace in Chicago a few years ago ...

Dave McCloskey

Shifted back to the New World and picked up 2 2017 Bevan Cellars Ontogeny.

Dave McCloskey

The only 3 Star I've been to in Paris is Guy Savoy, but we had a lovely lunch there several years ago. Very old school compared to other 3 Stars I've been to (all in the US). I particularly remember the guinea hen for 2 and a bottle of Rayas. And we got to meet Guy himself. As Jack Aubrey said: "I'...

Dave McCloskey

Robert Sand wrote: ↑
October 9th, 2019, 3:14 am
Oh Lord, is this permanent 93 rating annoying.
I will refuse to even open a thread like this in the future ---

I think it's pretty funny. The most important part of his post are the notes and impressions - valuable to those who like N. Rhone Syrah.

Try to relax a little.

Dave McCloskey

I'm passing on my allocation this year.

Dave McCloskey

Last year I was not offered an allocation of the Absurd, but this year they offered me 1, so I took it. Very expensive indeed at $475. I've never paid that for a California Cab. I know Cabs can go much higher (ex. Screaming Eagle, Colgin etc.), so I hope this is worth it. Sounds like the 2016 needs ...

Dave McCloskey

Thanks, I missed it.

Dave McCloskey

Realm Cellars:
4x of The Bard
1 of The Absurd

Dave McCloskey

Today I purchased my 2016 allocation of Realm Cellars "The Bard" and was offered and purchased one bottle of "The Absurd". Has anyone here sampled "The Absurd"? 2015 reviews on CT are quite good. I realized this is a different vintage, but from what I understand 2016 was a good year in Napa.

Dave McCloskey

I'm a fan of their Chenin Blanc. Looking forward trying other offerings from D&R.

Dave McCloskey

2004 Dom Riunart Blanc de Blanc 2012 Tor Beckstoffer To Kalon 2016 J.L. Chave Hermitage 4x 2016 Chateau de Beaucastel CdP Blanc 4x 2016 Domaine de la Janasse CdP Blanc 4x 2016 Domain de la Janasse Veilles Vignes CdP 2x Magnum 2015 Ferraton Père et Fils Cornas Les Eygats 4x 2016 Thibault Liger-Belair...

Dave McCloskey

Nobody mentioned L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon and I can understand why. I was very disappointed in my experience, because I had an epic experience at their London establishment. As someone who grew up in Europe and spent a lot of time in Paris I don't like to be pegged as a dumb tourist and certainly ...

Dave McCloskey

Dan I understand your frustration and agree with your overall philosophy that less is more, especially when it come to Foie Gras. I recently went to a "Brasserie" and they poured Maple syrup over their seared Foie Gras. Ugh!

Dave McCloskey

It's my understanding 2015 was a warm weather vintage with near ideal conditions and nicely ripened fruit. Some of the 2015 N. Rhone's I've sampled are showing well, particularly with plenty of air time. That said, I'm going to sit on the rest of mine.

Dave McCloskey

Wow, what a dinner and wine experience. Thanks for sharing!

Dave McCloskey

Sorry to hear about the 2015 Levet Cote Rotie Chavaroche, as I have some of that in my cellar. Perhaps it will improve with age, as I'm not big on Au de Rat!

Dave McCloskey

Doug. The cannabis growers who spoke at the Board of Supervisors said yes to your question. As a farmer I was troubled by the BOS ban on cannabis, as a crop, with no exceptions. We have broccoli and Brussels Sprouts growing across the road from our vineyard. When it is harvested three-four times pe...

Dave McCloskey

I prefer to travel to Europe in the winter. Yes, it's colder, a bit bleaker and precipitation is higher, but there's far fewer tourists and you don't have as many problems getting dinner reservations or being accommodated as a walk-in.

Dave McCloskey

I've been a member and receiving TC's wines for about 8 years and I'm starting to wonder if it's worth it. They are priced very well, but the reds are thin, lack character and complexity in comparison to some of the other top Paso producers. I'm on the fence.

Dave McCloskey

Zachary - great post, thank you!

Dave McCloskey

Thomas Rivers Brown was 0-2 this weekend for me. 2016 Rivers Marie Thieriot Vineyard Sonoma Coast Chardonnay: This Chard was like drinking a Granny Smith apple bomb... green, tart, sour and not what I'd expect from Rivers Marie. Structurally, I've probably jumped the gun by 8-10 years, because I thi...

Dave McCloskey

Do you think the 2006 DOMAINE du VIEUX TELEGRAPHE “LA CRAU” CHATEAUNEUF du PAPE is past it's peak? Cellartracker TN seem to indicate this, but they're also all over the map in the last 10 months. FWI Avg. score is a 91. I just bought a Magnum of this wine and hoping I didn't make a mistake. Dave, t...

Dave McCloskey

Do you think the 2006 DOMAINE du VIEUX TELEGRAPHE “LA CRAU” CHATEAUNEUF du PAPE is past it's peak? Cellartracker TN seem to indicate this, but they're also all over the map in the last 10 months. FWI Avg. score is a 91. I just bought a Magnum of this wine and hoping I didn't make a mistake.

Dave McCloskey

2015 Guido Marsella Fiano di Avellino - Nice review. I've got two bottles of this wine, so I'm now excited to try it.

Dave McCloskey

Aside from the excellent suggestions above you might try Liger Belair. My experience is limited to their VR Reignots. edited to add: I see Eric ninja'ed me on the LB suggestion. The 2015 vintage are going anywhere from $4K - $8K according to Wine Searcher. Wow, last time I looked it sold for $500-6...

Dave McCloskey

Jay Miller wrote: ↑
June 6th, 2019, 11:40 am
Aside from the excellent suggestions above you might try Liger Belair. My experience is limited to their VR Reignots.

edited to add: I see Eric ninja'ed me on the LB suggestion.

The 2015 vintage are going anywhere from $4K - $8K according to Wine Searcher.

Dave McCloskey

This wine is part of a trilogy in Latour Minor.

Dave McCloskey

when do diminishing returns set in?!!!! I can drink a wine for $50, I enjoy it, I'm not likely to love a wine for $75 that much more to justify the added cost. [winner.gif] I think there's a variety of factors that should come into play when purchasing wine; such as wine maker, vintage and site loc...

Dave McCloskey

Most influential wine critic, possibly in history. A truly remarkable career- wish him nothing but 100+ pointers in retirement. +1 Whether you agree or disagree with a lot of his stuff, he had an utterly remarkable career that I dare say probably anyone here would kill for . So true. Think about th...

Dave McCloskey

Sounds like a fantastic evening, well done. I recently had a 2009 Chave Hermitage Blanc served with Alaskan King Crab. Knockout!

Dave McCloskey

.... I'm not sure how much improvement I'll see with additional age. ... A huge improvement imho, but only with enough patience (9-12+ years). I have a couple more bottles, so I'll let them rest and relax. I just resampled after 48 hr. air time and the rough edges have been smoothed out and the win...

Dave McCloskey

2006 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne! Très bon.

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