Hey guys,
Going to a restaurant later this week and I want to try an older volcanic hill. They have a 2005, 2006 and 2008 with very insignificant price differences.
Which would you choose?
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Of the 3, I think 05’ was the best vintage in Napa. See if you can find any reviews and also check CellarTracker for recent tasting notes.
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2005 without question. It will likely have substantial sediment.
Contact the restaurant ahead of time and ask for the sommelier. Have them stand up the bottle well in advance (ideally would be to in a decant basket or on a tilted stand). Have the somm (and only the somm) decant it off sediment 1-2h before you arrive. Make sure they have an Ah-So or a Durand. Make sure they understand to decant off sediment and not dump the whole bottle into the decanter.
If this not possible, have them stand up the bottle well ahead of time and let you and only you retrieve the bottle upon arrival. Open and decant carefully yourself.
If they are unprepared or uncomfortable in any capacity, take your money elsewhere. You should not pay a restaurant premium for improper handling of an expensive bottle.
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