Major Props to MacArthur's Beverage in DC: Replaced an '82 BDX ASAP

My recent experience with an incredible '90 Ch. Figeac, and reading Kevin Shin’s shining report on the '82s, propelled me to do yet a bit more backfilling starting the year. I’ve purchased a mixed case from a couple of sources, including some very solid '82s and '86s. Seeing MacArthur’s ad on WB.com, coupled with Faryan’s recommendation, I ordered some '82s from MacArthurs, speaking with Phil Bernstein in the process. A very knowledgeable, helpful guy.

So today my first shipment comes in, and aghast, the wine I really wanted was seeping. On closer inspection, the cork was floating in the bottle. Somewhere in transit, the cork had dislodged. Who knows why, chalk it up to the risk of the hobby we all pursue. Took some pictures, sent them to Phil, and left the office early to at least see what I had on my hands. Oddly, my good friend and fellow board member, Marc Frontario, was very close to my house, probably stalking my wife again, so I invited him over for this little science experiment.

Label, perfect. Capsule, perfect. In fact, the tight capsule had kept the wine from gushing out. The other bottles I ordered, perfect on inspection. Does not appear to have suffered any shipping issue or weather issue. Perhaps just a simple case of a slightly older or flawed cork slipping loose. Has happened before, will happen again.

Poured the wine into a decanter. Coloration slight more brownish-red than other '82s I have recently had. Nose, a bit muted. So Marc and I head out to the deck to enjoy a perfectly crisp afternoon lakeside. In the meantime, I get an immediate email back from Phil offering, without question, to replace the bottle in kind, with something else even if a bit more costly, or refund me the money. Plus, shipping at his expense. WOW, amazing customer service.

Marc and I enjoyed some time on the deck trying to coax some love out of the bottle, but alas, it was not showing what a well-stored '82 from a top-tier Pauillac estate should. Fruits were dried out. Earth tones, though, were quite nice. Tannins resolved. Drying, clipped finish. It was just lacking that freshness one wants and expects from this ripe vintage. I’m assuming the cork had dislodged a day or so earlier or perhaps it had some flaw that allowed some air transmission before.

In any event, I trusted Phil to replace in kind and said I would cover fed ex overnight. We all need skin in the game. I feel badly for a retailer when a purchase goes wrong, but when you get service like this, it buys loyalty. The replacement arrives tomorrow!

A+++ to MacArthur’s. And thanks to WB and Faryan to turning me on to this retailer.

All ended well, except for my cancelled weight training session with my medieval trainer (on second thought, perhaps all ended better!).

Robert

Great store. Inventory control can sometimes get frustrating with in-store, on-line, and warehouse not always the same. I have never had an issue that they have not addressed and they have always had great service. I think that the props go to Phil Bernstein as who you probably talked to today.

Yes, Bernstein, not Bassin. I corrected the OP. Thanks for the catch!

Kudos to Phil, who is undoubtedly top notch. He has downsaled me when I’ve gone to him with questions about Rieslings, never trying to push expensive stuff and taking the time to understanding my pairing needs and price point. Can’t ask for better service than that.

Enjoy the vinos Robert. Phil and I are drinking some rougeards on Monday and we’ll raise a glass.

Cheers,
Faryan

OMG I’m so so freakin jealous! This is the one Chinon/Saumur of note that I have not ever tried!!! It’s like the Holy Grail of Loire.

Someone please tell me where I can buy some mature Rougeards!!!

Count me in as a long time fan of Macarthurs. Great store. Good service.

+1 on Phil being a great guy

I’ll join in the Phil love. Got to know him before I was ITB and he helped greatly expand my knowledge with some always great and always interesting selections. We don’t have any real mature Rougeards for the dinner but it’ll be fun to open a couple of horizontals. I’m sure Faryan will post notes…


Weygandt Wines - ITB

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Wtf r u talking about robert ‘stalking yur wife’?..i was with yur wife!!!u steal my avatar i steal yur mrs.!!!and i want some of that rougeard action!!!

One would think, Grasshopper, that all that wine I ply you with would satiate your appetite!!!

Dirty Dog . . . [wink.gif]

Ahhhhhhh, good lord if there ever was a face made for radio!!! I assume after yur pic this face shall forever be policed and banned from berserkers. Somebody needs to slap their momma, that schnozola alone would make a proboscus monkey proud.

Another +1 for Bassins. They have always told me that any wine can be returned if it is off. I’ve purchased plenty of old bottlings and, fortunately, have never had an issue.

Replacement bottle in hand:

Lovely! MacArthur’s rocks.

As an aside, fed ex overnight ain’t cheap! All of $42.75.

An outstanding store with a staff to match.

Phil is a great resource on all things wine related…especially German riesling. He was a great influence on me while I was in DC and I want to echo everyone’s comments about MacArthur’s being top notch too.

Another thumbs up for MacArthurs and for Phil, who is my go to guy for German wines.

Amazing turnaround, robert contacted MacArthurs at 515pm. yesterday. Major props here.

+1 on Phil
+1 on Bassins

Phil’s an old friend of mine from when he was here in Ann Arbor, buying wine for the now defunct Bello Vino Marketplace. It’s good to hear he’s doing right by people and is so well liked. I wish he were still here!

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