Wine & Spirits Bargains at the PLCB (Part 1)

[rlibkind]

I opened the Pine Andrus 2000 reserve last night at Marigold.  I had it with the braised pork belly and lentils.  Even at $50, a steep discount from the usual $100, the wine was not worth it IMHO.  Apparently it was a tough year for this wine and I can see why its on fire sale.  Any dissenters - pleas post.  I have another bottle sitting around for you.....

Evan

←

I haven't tasted this wine, so I can't comment on its relative merits. But to my humble taste, I think you have have made a mis-match by pairing this wine with the pork belly. I love pork belly and find that if you must have wine (I prefer a good hard apple cider. perhaps Pur Pom or Doc's), go with a Riesling, German preferred; people sometimes think these are delicate wines, but they go beautifully with a lot of pork and ham dishes. The Alsatian Rieslings and some Finger Lake products made in the German style work well, too. In fact, tonight's dinner is ham steak (no water added!) and one of the last bottles from my stash of Hermann Wiemer.

[mike volker]

I knew I should have bought more of the Kim Crawford when it was around. They got more Trilogy in Collegeville in case anyone missed it. I picked up the last five bottles of the '01 Ridge Home Ranch today. I'll post when we open one(can't hardly wait).

Best,

Mike

[Deidre Costello]

Diedre:

So when's the Trilogy 2001 and the next Burgess Library Selection (1993?) going to hit the stores?  And more importantly - when the official opening date for the South Philly Outlet store?  When I had dinner with the Chairman the other night he implied it was about two weeks out.  Is there a ribbon cutting or something sometime soon?  I can hardly wait since it's a mere 5 minutes out my front door. 

←

About 2 - 3 weeks out for the Burgess '93. About 4 weeks for the Flora Spring....

as for the opening of the Outlet store in South Philly...Is Monday soon enough? Actually the soft opening will be Monday the 28th. With a Grand Opening to follow at a later date.

[glepore]

Lansdale has had Trilogy for a while, and I scored some of the Home Ranch last week. Love to comment, but its going to go down in the cellar for a long while.

They had more of the Ravenswood as well.

[KatieLoeb]

Diedre:

So when's the Trilogy 2001 and the next Burgess Library Selection (1993?) going to hit the stores?  And more importantly - when the official opening date for the South Philly Outlet store?  When I had dinner with the Chairman the other night he implied it was about two weeks out.  Is there a ribbon cutting or something sometime soon?  I can hardly wait since it's a mere 5 minutes out my front door. 

←

About 2 - 3 weeks out for the Burgess '93. About 4 weeks for the Flora Spring....

as for the opening of the Outlet store in South Philly...Is Monday soon enough? Actually the soft opening will be Monday the 28th. With a Grand Opening to follow at a later date.

←

Yeah Baby!!!! Woo-hoo! No more driving all the way up to Franklin Mills for me! And lots of parking to boot! This is the best news I've heard all week.

I'll be the first one in the door on Monday AM. I hope they're open early because I have to be in the restaurant pretty early. If not, it'll have to be Tuesday AM.

[mrbigjas]

Could be in a dumb phase.

i have that problem a lot--it usually starts at about a glass into the second bottle, or just after my last glass of the first bottle if i've had an aperitif...

yours truly,

a wine conno... conna.... co... drunk

[yeldarb]

Anyone know when the new Quakertown superstore is supposed to open?

Will they have some kind of grand opening with special events?

B

[Deidre Costello]

Anyone know when the new Quakertown superstore is supposed to open?

Will they have some kind of grand opening with special events?

B

←

I have no definite date yet on when the Premium Collection store in Quakertown is set to open. My best guess is not until late summer. I will keep you posted when I hear a target date.

[Andrew Fenton]

Here's a question for Diedre or somebody else who knows about these things.

I stopped by the 12th and Chestnut store last night and noticed a big display of various Two Hands wines. It's not the first time, either; they seem to be promoted in this way pretty regularly (though never put on sale, alas...) This isn't a complaint-- the Two Hands folks do a great job, and I'm happy to see their products pushed-- but I'm curious about who makes the decision about what to promote. Is it a decision made by the manager, or a higher-up? I noticed that the Lucky Country is imported by a Philadelphia company: does that play a part in this case?

(I picked up a bottle of the Two Hands "The Wolf" Riesling, which was an amazing accompaniment to Chinese food last night. Think I'll go pick up another bottle or two to grow on...)

[shacke]

Here's a question for Diedre or somebody else who knows about these things.

I stopped by the 12th and Chestnut store last night and noticed a big display of various Two Hands wines.  It's not the first time, either; they seem to be promoted in this way pretty regularly (though never put on sale, alas...)  This isn't a complaint-- the Two Hands folks do a great job, and I'm happy to see their products pushed-- but I'm curious about who makes the decision about what to promote.  Is it a decision made by the manager, or a higher-up?  I noticed that the Lucky Country is imported by a Philadelphia company: does that play a part in this case?

(I picked up a bottle of the Two Hands "The Wolf" Riesling, which was an amazing accompaniment to Chinese food last night.  Think I'll go pick up another bottle or two to grow on...)

←

I too will not complain about the availabilty of terrific wines like Two Hands but I would like to hear the answer as well. To me, this highlights is one of the key issues with these thorny interstate commerce restrictions. PA residents are at the mercy of a "benevolent" monopoly and its distributors to decide for us what we can and cannot have access to. This is of no consequence to the vast majority of wine buyers in the state but for those who seek out certain hard to find or small label wines it can be a glorious pain in the butt. The prompt and speedy service I get from the PLCB is wonderful but I have no other choice which is problematic for my free-market oriented mind.

Evan

[shacke]

FYI - The 93 Burgess' have arrived. The website has 8 cases now at 12th and chestnut and 2 cases at Franklin mills. Nothing near me in the burbs as of yet.

Evan

[Andrew Fenton]

Drinking a glass of the Lucky Country right now. Not bad at all: a touch of fruit flavor balanced with tartness and tannins. On the downside, it seems like there's some residual bitterness that builds up when you drink it straight. I'll make sure to drink it with food: pot roast tomorrow night, yay!

[KatieLoeb]

A limited selection of Chairman's Selection wines have arrived at the new South Philly Snyder Ave. Outlet store. I'm sipping a lovely glass of Cambria Bench Break 2000 Pinot Noir right now ($17.99) that's definitely worth the cost of admission. Big fruit and a hint of earthiness that retains some elegance. Lots of jammy cherry and a hint of spice. Very velvety on the palate. Drinks like a bottle that's twice the price. I think it was quoted at $42.

Interestingly, this wine is produced by women. The proprietor of Cambria is a woman, Barbara Banke, and winemaker Denise Shurtleff is also a woman. They say women have far more sensitive noses and palates than men. I think this wine is a pretty good example of that. The subtlety definitely belies a woman's touch. And heck - I'm all about supporting my sisters in a male dominated industry.

For anyone else that feels supportive of the women that make wine, there's a Food & Wine magazine sponsored Women in Wine event at the Borgata Casino in Atlantic City next Saturday 4/9/05. The event features a dozen women winemakers as well as the Borgata's all-female team of wine directors and sommelieres. Celebrity chefs (Bobby Flay, Jean-Marie Lacroix, Susanna Foo, etc.) will be making dishes to compliment the wines. I'm attending so I'll report back afterward. But probably not that night.

I also purchased two bottles of the Flora Springs Soliloquy 2002 Sauvignon Blanc ($12.99!!!) and a bottle of the Atalon Estate Merlot 1999 ($19.99). There was also a decent supply of the St. Francis Behler Merlot and St. Francis Cabernet.

I'll post notes when the others get opened. Don't hold your breath - not sure when I'll have a night home to myself in the foreseeble future.

[Capaneus]

FYI -  The 93 Burgess' have arrived.  The website has 8 cases now at 12th and chestnut and 2 cases at Franklin mills.  Nothing near me in the burbs as of yet.

Evan

←

Thanks Evan. Got mine - or had it put aside, since their credit card machines weren't working. So eight cases minus one, minus two bottles that had been bought earlier. And counting.

[shacke]

FYI -   The 93 Burgess' have arrived.  The website has 8 cases now at 12th and chestnut and 2 cases at Franklin mills.  Nothing near me in the burbs as of yet.

Evan

←

Thanks Evan. Got mine - or had it put aside, since their credit card machines weren't working. So eight cases minus one, minus two bottles that had been bought earlier. And counting.

←

Please post your impressions. We are holding our breath!

Evan

[Capaneus]

FYI -   The 93 Burgess' have arrived.  The website has 8 cases now at 12th and chestnut and 2 cases at Franklin mills.  Nothing near me in the burbs as of yet.

Evan

←

Thanks Evan. Got mine - or had it put aside, since their credit card machines weren't working. So eight cases minus one, minus two bottles that had been bought earlier. And counting.

←

Please post your impressions. We are holding our breath!

Evan

←

Well, I just need the occasion, at this point. At least I'm fairly sure it's ready to drink. So in the meantime *please* breathe freely

[mike volker]

'01 St Supery CS: lots of dark berry, licorice, casiss, spice,and earth. Not nearly the oak I expected. This probably needs some cellar time yet, but actually drinks pretty well with a couple hours of decanting. Try it you'll like it.

Best,

Mike

[KatieLoeb]

FYI -  The 93 Burgess' have arrived.  The website has 8 cases now at 12th and chestnut and 2 cases at Franklin mills.  Nothing near me in the burbs as of yet.

Evan

←

There's one with my name on it. I'll be picking up soon - YAY!

Tried the Flora Springs Soliloquy last night. Very crisp and refreshing Sauv Blanc with a lot of fruit to back it up. Good wine for the price for sure.

[Capaneus]

FYI -   The 93 Burgess' have arrived.  The website has 8 cases now at 12th and chestnut and 2 cases at Franklin mills.  Nothing near me in the burbs as of yet.

Evan

←

There's one with my name on it. I'll be picking up soon - YAY!

←

I was there to pick up mine today (actually *dropped it*- no damage), and Corey mentioned you were trying to horn in on that sweet Burgess action!

Actually, it's moving slower than I thought it would. Still, I'm taking no chances: dinner tomorrow to determine if I buy another half-case, and test drive the Liparita to boot. TN to follow, if I recall anything afterwards.

[Deidre Costello]

Here's a question for Diedre or somebody else who knows about these things.

I stopped by the 12th and Chestnut store last night and noticed a big display of various Two Hands wines.  It's not the first time, either; they seem to be promoted in this way pretty regularly (though never put on sale, alas...)  This isn't a complaint-- the Two Hands folks do a great job, and I'm happy to see their products pushed-- but I'm curious about who makes the decision about what to promote.  Is it a decision made by the manager, or a higher-up?  I noticed that the Lucky Country is imported by a Philadelphia company: does that play a part in this case?

(I picked up a bottle of the Two Hands "The Wolf" Riesling, which was an amazing accompaniment to Chinese food last night.  Think I'll go pick up another bottle or two to grow on...)

←

To Andrew and Evan and anyone interested in the Two Hands relationship with the PLCB,

I was at the grand opening of our Flourtown location when Michael Twelftree and Richard Mintz presented wines for the tasting. Michael Twelftree talked about the relationship with the PLCB. When he was first starting in the wine making business he presented his then unheard of wines to the PLCB and other US markets. Two Hands wines met several criteria that we were looking for most importantly quality, we purchased everything we could get our hands on and still do. Now of course Two Hands wines are well known with everybody trying to get their hands on as much product as they can. They are one of the most sought after wines from Australia and we purchase as much as the allocation will allow, I will say that Two Hands gives us as fair an allocation that they can based on our buying their wines when they were first starting out. Now if only other wineries will follow, think of where we could go!

-Deidre

[shacke]

Twelftree is apparently a great guy. I am going to the Two Hands wine dinner at Jake's next month - should be super!

BTW, I had the 93 burgess tonight at 12th and Chestnut. I couldn't wait for it to diffuse into my neck of the woods. Stopped by Dinics at the Terminal whilst there - all the talk here sent me to it and it was terrific! Pork with provolone and spinach.

Anyway, the burgess is a veritable steal at 19.99 - smooth/silky light tannin and a terrific balanced wine. Nice finish and a wonderful brick/amber color. Did I detect a hint of smoke on my sophomoric palate? Nonetheless, I wish I had the 92 to compare to. I will run and not walk into a half case of this gem. For me, six bottles is a lot since I have a terrible buying habit and very little room. "My name's Evan and I buy way too much wine................... Hello Evan"

Hmmm..... I am checking out that Phelps selection too........

To Andrew and Evan and anyone interested in the Two Hands relationship with the PLCB,

I was at the grand opening of our Flourtown location when Michael Twelftree and Richard Mintz presented wines for the tasting. Michael Twelftree talked about the relationship with the PLCB. When he was first starting in the wine making business he presented his then unheard of wines to the PLCB and other US markets. Two Hands wines met several criteria that we were looking for most importantly quality, we purchased everything we could get our hands on and still do. Now of course Two Hands wines are well known with everybody trying to get their hands on as much product as they can. They are one of the most sought after wines from Australia and we purchase as much as the allocation will allow, I will say that Two Hands gives us as fair an allocation that they can based on our buying their wines when they were first starting out. Now if only other wineries will follow, think of where we could go!

-Deidre

←

[Andrew Fenton]

Diedre,

Thanks for the explanation about the PLCB's relationship with Two Hands. As I said before, I'm a fan of their wines, and it sounds like something that has worked out just as it should.

(Side note: I've also-- briefly-- met Michael Twelftree, and he is indeed a very nice guy.)

[Capaneus]

Twelftree is apparently a great guy.  I am going to the Two Hands wine dinner at Jake's next month - should be super!

BTW, I had the 93 burgess tonight at 12th and Chestnut.  I couldn't wait for it to diffuse into my neck of the woods.  Stopped by Dinics at the Terminal whilst there - all the talk here sent me to it and it was terrific!  Pork with provolone and spinach.

Anyway, the burgess is a veritable steal at 19.99 - smooth/silky light tannin and a terrific balanced wine.  Nice finish and a wonderful brick/amber color.  Did I detect a hint of smoke on my sophomoric palate?  Nonetheless, I wish I had the 92 to compare to.  I will run and not walk into a half case of this gem.  For me, six bottles is a lot since I have a terrible buying habit and very little room.  "My name's Evan and I buy way too much wine................... Hello Evan"

Hmmm..... I am checking out that Phelps selection too........ 

←

Walk... towards... the light...

The Burgess is *crazy* good. Dense, chewy mouthfeel, lots of fruit, enough tannin to give it structure, but mostly resolved and ready to drink... It honestly reminded me of what much Bordeaux lays claim to... at $75/btl and up. Buy it. *After* I get my second six-pack, that is.

"Vultures. Vultures everywhere..."

I also had the Liparita, with the same dinner at Marigold (about which more to follow). Which leaves me with the usual problem, because this is also a remarkably good Cab, though in an entirely different vein: where the Burgess was all elegance and silky subtlety, the Liparita was California exuberance at its best. Yes, I could taste the vanilla. Yes, it was a fruit bomb. So *what*? This wine was a blast, deep dark fruit all over the place, sour cherries and blackberries dominating, and enough structure to let it stand up to the food, and the Burgess. In fact, if I were doing a blind tasting, it would probably come out on top. Which, of course, is the problem with wine tastings.

Anyway, at the respective price points ($13 for the Liparita, $20 for the Burgess), you cannot go wrong. I *love* Jonathan Newman.

[KatieLoeb]

With an unusual dose of clairvoyance, I am sipping the last of my first bottle fom the six pack I picked up today of the Burgess 1993 Cab as I type this (poorly). I decanted the bottle at about 8:30 PM and had a wee taste right out of the bottle. A bit sharp at first, but with a great deal of potential. As the evening wore on and I served myself the steak I'd grilled up for dinner the wine truly blossomed. It seems this wine becomes darker and darker over time, in a totally good way. More dark fruits like plum and cassis and blackberry are revealed over time. The sharp edges give way to softer, rounder and smoother flavors. All of the earlier harsher flavors "blow off" and reveal a lovely and elegant wine at the core. I'm going to hoard this wine and the four bottles I have left of the 1992 vintage and look forward to some awesome vertical tastings after a few more vintages become available at the insane prices in PA at which this wine is available. If someone can tell me where I can find 12 year old Cabernet that's aged at the winery under controlled conditions and then released to the public at less than half the price that the winery itself is charging for their limited supply of the very same wine, you can bitch slap me and call me Sally. There ain't no way, no how, that wine of this providence and caliber ought to be selling at $19.99. No siree.

Run, don't walk. There's not a whole lot of this left.

On a separate note, there's a surprisingly good supply of everyone's favorite "cult wine", the Phelps Insignia 2000 at 12th & Chestnut. At $59.99 it's a bit rich for my blood and wallet, but hey. For those of you with cellars and disposable income, it's calling your name. And tell us how it was, wontcha? Most of us don't live as well as the rest of youse.

[Andrew Fenton]

Holy mackerel, Katie! Okay, I'll go buy some of the Burgess after work today. Hope there's some left...

Edited April 6, 2005 by Andrew Fenton (log)