https://binwise.com/print/WineList_PDF.aspx?ListId=299&LocationId=148
Not a list I feel very comfortable with. Anything noteworthy under ~$100?
Thanks.
Tough and expensive list, Zach.
I just finished my last bottle of Cantine Barbera 2010 Nero d’Avola last week; beautiful, and unusually elegant, Nero d’Avola.
As for the rest of the list I can only make limited, educated guesses:
Whites
Colli di Lapio 2010 Fiano di Avellino is probably beautiful. Ordered a Terredora 2010 Fiano last week and it was a table pleaser. Colli di Lapio is a supposed to be a better Fiano producer.
Reds
Mastroberardino 2010 Lacryma Cristi del Vesuvio is probably a great and flexible red. Great producer and great vintage.
Paternoster 2008 Synthesi is probably solid. I’ve had previous vintages that were good.
Biondi Outis has a good reputation. No idea what the 2008 is like. May be a bit young.
I was at A16 a few months back - we BYO’d an older Vietti and purchased an inexpensive white from the list. Given that they waive corkage for every bottle you buy (1 for 1), the white was close to ‘free’…
I love this restaurant and generally BYO. And oftentimes buy a bottle as well. The 1 for 1 is a good deal.
For a white the Benanti, ‘Pietramarina,’ Etna Bianco Superiore, Viagrande, Catania (Carricante) 2007 $89 is drinking very fine right now. Harder to pick a red as I like my aglianico with more age and the Etna wines are either over your limit or names I don’t know. Not Italian but the Cowan Cellars, Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2010 is a nice wine at $52. Lastly is that the correct price on the Ferarri Brut Rose, $17?
I’d have a hard time passing on the ESJ Bone-Jolly, Cowan Pinot, Dashe Zinfandel, and Wind Gap Syrah for reds and the Ryme Vermentino and Ribolla Gialla for whites.
The somms at both of their places are very knowledgeable and the list IS unusual which makes it fun to explore. Decide on your food and ask for pairing recommendations.
Haven’t had it lately, but the Tami has been very good, and an outstanding value on the low end - especially the Nero d’avola.
Thanks everyone. I will definitely consult the somm but I like to have some ideas going in and with the exception of a few CA wines this list had me stumped.
Calling Tom Hill . . . .Calling Tom Hill!
Went there a few times with Tom prior to Rhone Rangers, and he seemed to know most of the obscure wines on the list.
Somm there (Shelly Lundgren) is great - talk to her and get recommendations. Yes, it may cost you a bit to do so and get a bottle or two, but the education in this case will be worth it!
Cheers!
I checked my notes on this one as I have had a number of different vintages. I wanted to check as some vintages of this wine seem to die an early death. I have only had this wine twice, once in May 2012 and then again in October 2013. Both times I called it good but not great but noted that it is extremely food friendly. My notes did not indicate that it tasted like it was starting to decline. Depending upon what you are eating this could be a solid choice but maybe not the noteworthy wine you were seeking.
+1. I have dined here 7-8 times and have never been disappointed in their recommendations.
Disappointing to hear, Brian. I like Lacryma Cristi del Vesuvio, like its food-friendliness, and hoped Mastroberardino would have been able to do better than solid with 2010. I guess LCdV is what it is and just being good is the main reason I don’t see many of them in my market.
Whites
Colli di Lapio Fiano d Avellino
Benito Ferrara Greco di Tufo
Michele Alois Caiati
Reds
Colli di Lapio Aglianica dell’Irpinia
Michele Alois Murella
Marisa Cuomo Furore Riserva
Either Tami
Another + 1 on this suggestion. My wife and I were there about 7 years ago and at the time I was more or less clueless as how to navigate their list. I spoke with one of their sommeliers and we had a very nice bottle of Elena Fucci Titolo Aglianico. Food was wonderful as was the wine. I subsequently bought their cookbook when I returned home to Boston and I find myself going back to it frequently to reread certain passages in the wine section.