Phil Ward

True, Northstar does have a wine bar and I forgot about it as I have been disappointed in their wine selections in the past.

In my case, a business dinner is about wine so it would be no problem. If I was not in the business, I would mention it to the hostess/host of the dinner as I would hope they would not want to serve their colleagues a corked bottle of wine. To me it becomes an educational tool for all in attendance. Phil

As I have said, I am amazed at their success and I was just trying to get a feel as to how some wine lovers commenced their consuming of this winery's wines. I hope I did not offend? Just trying to be a diligent student of the wine market. Phil

Dear Jaymes, I hope I was not insulting about the subject. I was just trying to learn more about the phenomena of this wine in the USA. As far as I am concerned, I am happy that people drink wine of any type or quality. I feel this beverage, which I love and sell, needs to be supported at all levels of quality and price. To me there is really no bad wine produced anywhere (except wines infected by TCA) and that whatever you choose and like is up to you. Wine is a subjective beverage and many times we forget that. Thanks and again, I apologize if I have insulted anyone. Phil

Have you tasted it? It's very good for a $5.00 wine -- as good as many of the $11.00. Obviously, it's probably not something that most wine people here would go for but for us lowly sorts, it's a good value for the money. I think it's rocketed past the others due to its extremely low price. People are generally happy when they find a $5.00 wine that is as good or better than the others, and Yellowtail, IMHO, definitely trumps Sutter Home. Claire797, Thanks for your reply and I have tried the wines and find them underwhelming. I think if you asked a manager at your favorite wine store for an alternative at the same price point and better quality, she/he would do their best to find you something a bit more appealing. This of course, imho. May I ask why you first picked up the wine(s) to try? Was it a recommendation from someone who had the wine? The stores recommendation? Its position in the store? Stacked near the cash registers? The label? The price? Or? Thanks, Phil

This is an amazing success story. I can not understand why this brand, with a not great package, has caught hold? I am sure they have become the new comfort factor wines like KJ, Beringer White Zin, Sutter Home, etc.

Personally, I don't think there is a "wine bar" in the state of NJ. With the increased knowledge of wine, most of the restaurants I sell to/interact with have at least 8-20 wines by the glass. Whereas, going back to the 80s, the wine bars in NYC, SF, LA, Chicago, etc. would have 30-100 wines by the glass, with multiple tastings and pairings(Chard of the world, fragrant reds, etc) for the consumer to taste. If there is a wine bar of this size/scope in the NJ, I am not aware of it. Phil

Randi, So glad you had a good experience at Lana's Yes to the best of my knowledge Humberto did work at La Griglia as well as other fine dining establishments. A very nice young man and very earnest in his work. Lana and her business partner, Peter, are very nice folks as well and I wish them success. Phil

Thanks for the reviews. Anybody ever look at the wine list or order a bottle or glass? Phil

Was it because the wine itself wasn't that good or did the package make the wine worse? Okay, disclaimer up front: I sell these wines in NJ as a distributor. I was sceptical as were some co-workers but we have been reasonably successful with the recent kickoff. I have used them at a few parties and novice and experienced wine lovers have found them quite palatable for these gatherings. Are they world class, No; are they a good value for Napa Chard and Sonoma Merlot, Yes at the equivalent of $6.25 per 750ml bottle (3 litre.) I have had a box of each on the counter and in the fridge and for over two months and I taste them every couple of weeks. Still very little change as far as oxidation to the wine. To me it solves the problem for the novice wine lover of NO CORKED Wines plus offers a good value. All of this IMHO, of course. Thanks for reading. Phil

<<And what about Lana's? That is on Raritan also, just north of Central Ave. It is a new restaurant in the Hyatt Hills Golf Complex. The sign says "Lana's Fine Dining". Anyone know just HOW fine?? >> Have not been but I did work on the wine program with the owner and chef. Chef worked at La Griglia and supposedly has good credentials. Let us know, please. Phil

Andre, Nice notes and some nice wines there, too. Thanks, Phil

<<In any event, the $55, delivered, price tag is evidence of my poor judgment in buying a wine on emotion and not on track record. When I think of what $55, would have bought ten years ago . . . Best, Jim >> Jim, I sympathize with the above statement. 8-10 years ago they were the new up and coming PN and Chard superstar due to their relationship with Kistler and their vineyard location. They produce very nice wines but there are always better values around the corner. Oh well, lessons learned..... Phil

As I write this I have a note to call them today to meet with the owner Karen, re her wine list and my wines. I have had a number of good to very good lunches there in the past few years. Plus wine list and BTG selections are quite good. IMHO, of course. Phil

I'm in New Jersey. I'd prefer to buy the wine than the toys. It appears that someone over 21 has to sign for the delivery whether I purchase wine or non-alcoholic items. I'd rather get wine for my trouble! But I guess I should see if they have that wine clip first.... As you are in NJ, they made not be able to ship wine to you. Make sure you check on the legailities. I am sure they have some nice paraphenalia for a wine lover to play with.

Horton is great, if you can find more current vintages. The bottles I've seen on the shelves recently are still the 1999 vintage, a bottle last week tasted of white wine and not much else. My fave VA viognier is Chrysalis, a bit expensive for a Virginia wine (I think about $24 wholesale) but worth it in my opinion. Having spent two days in Nov touring VA wineries, I suggest you not look for Horton as I was totally disappointed with their wines overall. The 1999 is the current release of Viognier. The wine was nice but not as fresh as it could have been. It appears that they have too many wines in the line up and have lost focus, IMHO. I found Whitehall's version (2002) to be fresher and livelier and a good value. King Family/Michael Shaps makes two versions, a Chard Viognier blend that was quite good and a Viognier with about 1.1% RS that was very expressive and the RS did show through a bit too much for me. I had a Chrysalis Petit Manseng that blew me away!!

And I'll add a moderately priced one: Cesari "Mara" Valpolicella Classico Ripasso 2000 about $14 per bottle Imported by Opici Imports It may not be robust but for an everyday quaff it gives some nice pleasure. Phil

The private label wine industry has begun to boom because large retailers want a way to counteract the Fetzers, Mondavis, Glen Ellens, etc of the business. They knew if they could control the price and quality, they could then put their own label next to the above labels and have their employees flog their label, hence making more money for the company. To me this has never been about offering better quality to their customers, its all about leading the customer to a wine they make more money on. Now, being a capitalist at heart, I have no problem with this as long as the wine they are selling does offer better bang for the buck. Many of the large chains, especially in my state, NJ, adopted this practice. My employer (a distributor) currently does very little of this with our customers although we do offer them occasional exclusives on 2nd labels, brands we need to develop, etc. All of the above, imho, of course. Phil

I was lucky enough to have three different bubbles yesterday: Krug Garnde Cuvee (still one of my favorites and a stunning wine for its richness); Veuve Reserve 1996 (very nice but not as rich as the Krug); Veuve Yellow (definetly lighter than years past and still better than most of the "name" brands out there.) Phil

And, my question is: How's the wine program at SamVera? Phil

More Lambertville: Antons at The Swan Hotel(wine and spirits sold, fine food, good wine list, and a great bar with more casual food); Manon (BYOB and country French); Siam Thai (BYOB, good food, slow service); DeAnna's (BYOB, good pasta, small space); Ota Ya (BYOB, quite good sushi, etc); in Stockton: Atrio (BYOB and very good food); Stockton Inn (wines and spirits sold, New owners, New Chefs, wait 'til after the new year as I think they are just trying to get thru the season before planning new menu and wine program.) in Sergeantsville: Sergeantsville Inn(wine and spirits sold, quite good food, well constructed list too.) Also, if you get in the village before 6:00 (Wed-Sat) you can go to one of the last remaining great country butcher shops, Maresca and Sons. All in my humble opinion, of course. Phil

wineserver, I have recently been offered the '99 and told by the importer that it was great. I have heard other people say that the wine is too fat. I love this wine and have been using it on and off for 20 years here. M. Joly has had many different importers over the years. Currently, Paterno handles the wine. Personally, I love to see the look on people's faces when I decant a white wine. I decant all of the white Grand Cru Burgundies that I serve, too. Should I buy '99 or 2000 for the restaurant? Mark, My customers have bought both the 99 and 00 and I have had positive reports on both. Some writers have given the nod to the 00 but..... My only caveat is: do not buy the 97, as I have written in a prior post. As they say: "pick 'em" Happy Holidays Phil

In AC, why not try Dock's Oyster House. Owned by the Dougherty family for 4 generations, great wine list and BTG selections, classic shore dishes, plus innovative new creations, super selection of oysters on the half shell and right around the corner from Trump Plaza; Also new is Babalu Cafe. Coming soon according to rumors are Smith and Wollensky and a Ruth Chris'. Phil

Phil, I don't follow your point then. 1. it happens, why hold the front page 2. you should know it's not very good wine. I am lost by your response as I don't understand: "hold the front page" and " you should know its not very good wine" Maybe I'm missing something? Phil

To all who have posted thanks for your comments. 1) It was corked as I have been tasting wines for over 30 years and selling them professionally for close to 20 years. Corked is corked not over the hill. 2) As I had three bottles, I thought I would pull one to try with friends plus many tasting notes I have read say that the vintage would never be "ready" but I'm a gamer and love to try wines with good freinds. 3) Storage has been almost perfect since purchased 4) Life goes on when it comes to corked wines but it still p.... me off when it comes to wines I have held for 3 plus years. If I get them as samples or recent purchases, I don't much care. I just express dismay and concern and then pour it down the sink. 5) Still no word from the Chateau since my e-mail to them of Monday. Like I expected a response Phil