I'll be in San Francisco on Saturday for what's essentially a fundraiser
picnic at Golden Gate Park. I have an oenophile friend I'll be visiting
in October with a wine celler of more than a thousand bottles, maybe a
couple of thousand. Needless to say, my gifts of wine are generally
nothing special.
I bought "Oldman's Guide to Outsmarting Wine" (bfson's positive review
was right on the mark) and one wine he recommends for wine snobs, er,
oenphiles, is Gruner Veltliner. Any suggestions for a wine store open
late Saturday where I could get a bottle, either in San Francisco or
reasonably close to Interstate 80? Any recommendations for which ones to
get?
To get it locally, I'd have to special order it. I'd just as soon buy it
myself, especially if I get a better choice of wines.

You might try the Jug Shop. It is on the intersection of Polk and Pacific.
They have a good selection of wine and they are open a;; weekend.
"Steve Timko" wrote in message
. net...
I'll be in San Francisco on Saturday for what's essentially a fundraiser
picnic at Golden Gate Park. I have an oenophile friend I'll be visiting
in October with a wine celler of more than a thousand bottles, maybe a
couple of thousand. Needless to say, my gifts of wine are generally
nothing special.
I bought "Oldman's Guide to Outsmarting Wine" (bfson's positive review
was right on the mark) and one wine he recommends for wine snobs, er,
oenphiles, is Gruner Veltliner. Any suggestions for a wine store open
late Saturday where I could get a bottle, either in San Francisco or
reasonably close to Interstate 80? Any recommendations for which ones to
get?
To get it locally, I'd have to special order it. I'd just as soon buy it
myself, especially if I get a better choice of wines.

In article ,
says...

I'll be in San Francisco on Saturday for what's essentially a fundraiser
picnic at Golden Gate Park. I have an oenophile friend I'll be visiting
in October with a wine celler of more than a thousand bottles, maybe a
couple of thousand. Needless to say, my gifts of wine are generally
nothing special.
I bought "Oldman's Guide to Outsmarting Wine" (bfson's positive review
was right on the mark) and one wine he recommends for wine snobs, er,
oenphiles, is Gruner Veltliner. Any suggestions for a wine store open
late Saturday where I could get a bottle, either in San Francisco or
reasonably close to Interstate 80? Any recommendations for which ones to
get?
To get it locally, I'd have to special order it. I'd just as soon buy it
myself, especially if I get a better choice of wines.

Don't know their stocks, but K&L SF should have some. We had some very nice
ones from the list of a restaurant, just around the corner (name eludes me at
this instance), and the sommelier stated that he works closely with the folk
at K&L. If I can recall, or track down that restaurant, I'll do so, as it was
very, very good - just S of the freeway, near China Basin. Dang, I hate
getting old!!!!!! :-(


Hunt

In article , says...

Don't know their stocks, but K&L SF should have some. We had some very nice
ones from the list of a restaurant, just around the corner (name eludes me at
this instance), and the sommelier stated that he works closely with the folk
at K&L. If I can recall, or track down that restaurant, I'll do so, as it was
very, very good - just S of the freeway, near China Basin. Dang, I hate
getting old!!!!!! :-(


Thanks for both the recommendations for the Jug Shop and K&L. Both have
it, but the Jug Shop is open later at night. My picnic won't be over
before K&L closes. If it's through K&L, it will be mail order.
Any of these that are especially good or that should be avoided?


2003 Alzinger Grüner Veltliner Weingärten Smaragd

2003 Bründlmayer Grüner Veltliner Alte Reben

2003 Bründlmayer Grüner Veltliner "Kamptaler Terrassen"

2003 Buchegger Grüner Veltliner Pfarrweingarten

2003 Cantina Valle Isarco "Aristos" Veltliner

2004 Hiedler Grüner Veltliner Löss

2003 Hiedler Grüner Veltliner "Maximum"

2003 Hirsch Grüner Veltliner "Heiligenstein"

2002 Hirsch Grüner Veltliner Lamm "September"

2002 Leithner Grüner Veltliner "Privat"

2002 Malat Grüner Veltliner Dreigärten

2003 Mantlerhof Grüner Veltliner Spiegel

2003 Türk Grüner Veltliner "Vom Urgentein"

2002 Weingut Pfaffl Grüner Veltliner "Goldjoch"

2004 Weingut Pfaffl Gruner Veltliner Weinviertal DAC

2002 Weingut Schmelz Gruner Veltliner 'Steinwand' Federspiel

Steve Timko wrote:

Any of these that are especially good or that should be avoided?


2003 Alzinger Grüner Veltliner Weingärten Smaragd

2003 Bründlmayer Grüner Veltliner Alte Reben

2003 Bründlmayer Grüner Veltliner "Kamptaler Terrassen"

2003 Buchegger Grüner Veltliner Pfarrweingarten

2003 Cantina Valle Isarco "Aristos" Veltliner

2004 Hiedler Grüner Veltliner Löss

2003 Hiedler Grüner Veltliner "Maximum"

2003 Hirsch Grüner Veltliner "Heiligenstein"

2002 Hirsch Grüner Veltliner Lamm "September"

2002 Leithner Grüner Veltliner "Privat"

2002 Malat Grüner Veltliner Dreigärten

2003 Mantlerhof Grüner Veltliner Spiegel

2003 Türk Grüner Veltliner "Vom Urgentein"

2002 Weingut Pfaffl Grüner Veltliner "Goldjoch"

2004 Weingut Pfaffl Gruner Veltliner Weinviertal DAC

2002 Weingut Schmelz Gruner Veltliner 'Steinwand' Federspiel

If Michael Pronay or E. Winemonger should read this, they can give you
far better advice than I; however, the producers I can recommend are
Bründlmayer, Hirsch, Hiedler, Mantlerhof and Pfaffl. There are some
very good wines on your list, but there are also multiple vintages. '03
was a particularly hot year that produced bigger wines that are less
typical. I'd probably go for '02 Hirsch Lamm "September" and the '03
Bründlmayer Alte Reben, but more knowledgeable posters might be able to
give better advice.

Mark Lipton

Steve Timko wrote:

2003 Alzinger Grüner Veltliner Weingärten Smaragd

Alzinger's basic Smaragd, but also very good. Not tasted.

2003 Bründlmayer Grüner Veltliner Alte Reben

Not tasted. Should be good.

2003 Bründlmayer Grüner Veltliner "Kamptaler Terrassen"

Basic bottling.

2003 Buchegger Grüner Veltliner Pfarrweingarten

Fine. Rated 90 last year.

2003 Cantina Valle Isarco "Aristos" Veltliner

;-) This one's not Austrian, but Italian. Interesting,
if only for contrast. Nowhere near the top Austrians.

2004 Hiedler Grüner Veltliner Löss

Basic quaffing stuff from a cooler year. Crisp and spritzy.

2003 Hiedler Grüner Veltliner "Maximum"

Superb. Rated 91 last year.

2003 Hirsch Grüner Veltliner "Heiligenstein"

Long-lived. Rated 89 last year.

2002 Hirsch Grüner Veltliner Lamm "September"

Fine, rated 89.

2002 Leithner Grüner Veltliner "Privat"

Beautifully full and rounded, 91.

2002 Malat Grüner Veltliner Dreigärten

Basic bottling, not tasted.

2003 Mantlerhof Grüner Veltliner Spiegel

Very fine, 90.

2003 Türk Grüner Veltliner "Vom Urgentein"

Second rank producer, serious, 88.

2002 Weingut Pfaffl Grüner Veltliner "Goldjoch"

Super, 91.

2004 Weingut Pfaffl Gruner Veltliner Weinviertal DAC

Not tasted, but usually good.

2002 Weingut Schmelz Gruner Veltliner 'Steinwand' Federspiel

Probably with a plastic stopper and too old. Not tasted.

HTH a little,

M.

K & L is great. You should also check out Vino Venue. There you can
taste many many many wines by the glass (using a smart card! It's quite
an experience).
And as luck would have it, they are pouring some Winemonger imported
Austrian wines, including Gruner Veltliner. They're open until 10PM on
Saturdays, as they are also a wine bar as well as a shop. Here's their
info: www.vinovenue.net

Michael covered your list well, but I would give a second "shout out"
for the Alzinger, Heidler and Mantlerhof.

e.
www.winemonger.com (for more info on those wines, if you like)

In article , says...

In article ,
says...


[SNIP]

Don't know their stocks, but K&L SF should have some. We had some very nice
ones from the list of a restaurant, just around the corner (name eludes me at
this instance), and the sommelier stated that he works closely with the folk
at K&L. If I can recall, or track down that restaurant, I'll do so, as it was
very, very good - just S of the freeway, near China Basin. Dang, I hate
getting old!!!!!! :-(


Hunt

Sorry that it took so long, but I've been a bit busy with the business of New
Orleans & MS.

Here is the restaurant, near K&L SF. Bacar Restaurant & Wine Salon, 448
Brannan St (between 3rd & 4th), SF, CA, USA. The night that we were there,
they had about five - six GV's on their list. Seems that we did three, plus a
Gregory Graham Viognier. I recommend the food, and you might get to "taste
before you buy" some of the GV's on your list.

Regardless, it also sounds like you have gotten some good rec's on GV's with
comments by the experts, plus have found a retailer, who can meet your time
frame. I've Saved_As the comments, for my next GV shopping spree!

Don't forget to give the group TN's from all of your purposes - or better yet,
invite us ALL over to taste them with you. :-)

Good shopping,
Hunt

The Makebelieve Ballroom in the Castro district may have GruVee; look for
some next to the vibraters.
"e. winemonger" wrote in message
ups.com...
K & L is great. You should also check out Vino Venue. There you can
taste many many many wines by the glass (using a smart card! It's quite
an experience).
And as luck would have it, they are pouring some Winemonger imported
Austrian wines, including Gruner Veltliner. They're open until 10PM on
Saturdays, as they are also a wine bar as well as a shop. Here's their
info: www.vinovenue.net

Michael covered your list well, but I would give a second "shout out"
for the Alzinger, Heidler and Mantlerhof.

e.
www.winemonger.com (for more info on those wines, if you like)

Yes, I intend to check out Vino Venue next time I"m in San FRancisco for
any period. Sounds like a good idea. I hope it's doing well.

In article . com,
says...
K & L is great. You should also check out Vino Venue. There you can
taste many many many wines by the glass (using a smart card! It's quite
an experience).
And as luck would have it, they are pouring some Winemonger imported
Austrian wines, including Gruner Veltliner. They're open until 10PM on
Saturdays, as they are also a wine bar as well as a shop. Here's their
info: www.vinovenue.net

Michael covered your list well, but I would give a second "shout out"
for the Alzinger, Heidler and Mantlerhof.

e.
www.winemonger.com (for more info on those wines, if you like)

Well, thank you to Mr. Pronay and Mr. Lipton for their recommendations
as well as Mr. Hunt for his suggestion for a restaurant. I'll check that
out when I have more time.
The thing that was most interesting is that some of the more modestly
priced GruVe were the ones that Pronay rated 91.
I started out seeking a bottle of unusual wine for a gift and ended up
dropping a few bills on a whole case of wine I ordered from K&L in San
Francisco. I suppose that's a story that many in this newsgroup could
tell. Here's what I got:

1 2002 Benton Lane Oregon Pinot Noir (Was $16) @ 12.99
1 2003 Cantina Valle Isarco "Aristos" Veltliner @ 17.99
1 Contadi Castaldi Brut Zero (Was $25.99) @ 9.99
1 2000 Cuvaison Napa Valley Merlot (Originally $30) @ 10.99
3 2002 Leithner Grüner Veltliner "Privat" @ 14.99
1 2001 Olivet Lane Russian River Pinot Noir @ 19.99
3 2000 Sanford 'Sanford & Benedict' Santa Rita Pinot Noir (Was $35
Elsewhere) @ 24.99
1 1999 Vinattieri Ticinesi Merlot "Roncaia" SWISS TICINO (Was 27.99) @
7.99

I bought one Privat as a gift and two for me. I bought the Italian GruVe
as a gift.
Also, I'm going to a housewarming in a few weeks so I needed a sparkling
wine for that. We'll see how the Italians do it.
My question to the other group members would be about the Swiss Merlot.
Is it enough of a novelty that an oenophile might be interested in it
that I can give it to him as a gift? Or is just another ordinary bottle
of wine? Here's what K&L had on it's Web site:
88 points Wine Spectator: "Seductive. Ripe yet elegant, this
full-bodied wine offers red fruit flavors, some dried herbs and
smoke character, sweet tannins and a harmonious, smooth and
long finish. Drink now through 2010."
I'm not much of a merlot drinker, but the Cuvaison looks interesting to
try. K&L describes the Olivet Lane pinot as a staff favorite. I thought
I'd also try the Oregon pinot for $13.
The 2000 Sanford "Sanford & Benedict" is a little bit of a gamble. I
brought the 2002 Sanford Santa Rita Hills and sat down Sunday night to
have it with roast chicken. They talk about pinot noir being a fickle
grape and this vintage proved it. There were some berry flavors, but
nothing distinctive. The flavors teased me with a finish, but then it
disappears. I let it breathe for 90 minutes and all that did was make an
awkward oakiness more prominent. I don't know if it will improve with
age. I'm not buying another to try it. This vintage is clearly a notch
or two below Siduri and Sea Smoke. It wouldn't have been a bad $10
bottle of wine, but it's not worth $26. I would have much rather tried
another Siduri.
It's not clear to me if the three new bottles come from the same
vineyard as the 2002, but I"m guessing based on the price that it's
supposed to be a better quality of wine.

"e. winemonger" wrote:

Michael covered your list well, but I would give a second "shout
out" for the Alzinger, Heidler and Mantlerhof.
^^
Hiedler

100% ack.

M.

M-
I could swear you were a grammar teacher in a former life!
-e. "typo" winemonger

"e. winemonger" wrote:

M-
I could swear you were a grammar teacher in a former life!
-e. "typo" winemonger

Take a look:

http://fora.erobertparker.com/ubb/ul.../1/65441.html#
000004

or, shorter:

http://snipurl.com/hr21

SCNR ;-)

M.

"e. winemonger" wrote:

M-
I could swear you were a grammar teacher in a former life!
-e. "typo" winemonger

Not in my former life, but my 5-year job as an assistent professor
at Vienna University Law School included intense proof-reading.
And I still do it with one of the two magazines I write for.

M.