John Wabeck

It has to be better this time as it's not immediately (next day) after the Restaurant Awards. Hangovers abound as I recall.

Went to BdC last eve. Sat at the bar. Noticed some new markings on the mirror. Meursault, Genevrieres, 1er cru, 2001, $49. Producer unlisted, but for $49, why not take a chance? I like white Burgundy a little, so I had at one. Turned out to be a fine decision. Not going to put this up against say Lafon, but damned tasty nonetheless. The chassagne 1er cru being offered was a little underwhelming, but grew agreeable as it warmed up a touch (had to have the second bottle as it was for research - '99 vintage, can't recall the producer). The Mearsault (Latour-Giraud was the producer) was pretty much the best $49 I've spent in a restaurant on chardonnay, and I trust I'll continue to do so until it's out. In addition to the mirror, the butcher paper specials are worth looking at - '99 Puy Ducasse for $45, Chateau Clairfont (2nd label of Prieure Lichine, Margaux) '00 for $30. As of late '99 Ridge Montebello for $69? That's below wholesale prices. Makes drinking out of the small glasses a little more tolerable. Any other steals out there?

Ah homework. Firefly $15, two bottle max per party. Citronelle, not allowed CP, first 2 US wines free of charge, after that (or non-US wines) $25 per bottle, unsure what the limit is. I think Sette is $25, or $15, or no, depending on who's managing. All the links I can recall on-line are since dead, so it'll take some time. A few opinions I do have on the subject; Call ahead - Showing up unannounced with a sack of wine doesn't start things off right. Be respectful about the policy, it's not something (hopefully it isn't) something that has just been thrown together. Not much pisses me off more than "can I bring more than two bottles," which always turns into 10, each with it's own glass. I've been burned more times in the last few years by the wine thugs (thanks Mark, I love that one) than by fire in my kitchen. I can't/won't personally condone breaking of laws just to bring in a bottle, but that's up to the discretion of the owners. Offer a taste to the staff, especially the chef, who's probably thirsty at this point. Nothing gets you free stuff like offering the chef (or me) a taste of that Clos de Beze or '79 Coulee de Serrant. I know for a fact that Mark has a ton of stories, perhaps he'll share a few.

I tasted '03 Vieux Mas du Pape and '03 Vieux Telegraphe two weeks ago, both were surprisingly drinkable. Not as big or alcoholic as I expected, but still big and alcoholic. Curious to see how others show. What I've tasted from the north (mostly Crozes and St. Joseph) are obviously more fruit-forward than normal but still true to their roots. I hope that's the norm and not the exception. Don't think they'll be along for the long haul, but good drinking in the near future.

I've had no problem receiving more than one quart a month, even with the "adult signature required" orange sticker on the box. Maybe they think it's porn instead of fancy grape juice.

Chrysalis Viognier is outstanding, but if I'm going to spend that kind of scrilla, I'll just drink Condrieu. I like Barboursville Cab Franc and Octagon. Horton Norton is pretty fun drinking, their viognier is good if you can find a vintage younger than 1999 (which is seemingly impossible). Otherwise, you have VA wet dog. Past that, I got pretty much nothing, except for Valhalla from Roanoke, making some pretty good reds (and available at last check from Arrowwine). Avoid the whites unless you loathe and detest acidity. A lot of wines I'm shown are ridiculous, like Virginia tannat, nebbiolo and crazy Spanish blending varietals. Hopefully that's out of their system and they can concentrate on what works for the climate and soil that they have.

Sue me Rocks. I can't spell.

My quick points; I'll take this either way it goes. I don't smoke, think it's a pretty stupid habit, but that said, am concerned what this does to revenue of the restaurant industry and also the DC govt. Although somewhat heresay, tax revenue analysis of Montgomerey Co. and that of NYC has shown a dropping off of tax $$$ somewhat to somewhat drastically (depending on who you believe), showing that it could in fact affect businesses negatively. Could it be the border syndrome we speak of above, as people will just go to DC to smoke and booze? If smoking is banned everywhere, will these revenues be restored to their normal levels? The thing that pisses me off though, is some so-called PACs that are "bartenders against smoking (sic)," that are seemingly really pushing this. Working in restaurants my whole adult life and never seeing any evidence of these concerns me. In addition, Mayor Williams has said that the DC voters will not alter the tax landscape of Washington, DC. So I guess it goes through the city council (which will be amazing to watch that one). Again, I'll take this how it goes, but let's hope it's a representation of a lot of people instead of the tax revenue needs of the DC govt. vs. the views of few activists. I'm concerned because it could directly affect my livelyhood.

Living around the corner and walking by it almost daily it seems that the 15th might be accurate. How do I know this? I watched "The Restaurant."

Citronelle's example stands among the best for this eastern Shore boy.

Something being cheap Bourbon.