i have to admit, after reading Hunter's review i was expecting something a little more seedy than what the website & pirctures portray... though at the same time, i can't help but feel the main draw to this place are the pony's & wagering, and the restaurant is a service to this main business... and if the winelist that Hunter saw is the same as the website, though not a great list, i think "pretty awful" is a rather harsh assesment

The wine list was not the one I saw. They gave us one paper list on a clip board of only reds. No whites and the reds were weak. I didn't care, I brought.

hmmm... maybe all these inconsistencies are why they brought muzikman in!

Thanks for the kind words kumazam

Again, all I can say is wait a few months until I have a chance to revise things and then come back. Don't giv eme a heads-up, just come in and then post your comments as you just did.

My aim to make sure that the quality is up to par and better than many of the aforementioned establishments.

And Hunter, nothing said here is taken on a personal basis. We all want the same thing from our dining experience including me - great servie, great food and a great wine list. And I am trying very hard to ensure that this is exactly the type of experience that you and ALL guests get when they come here.

I cannot tell you how many wines I have tasted over the last several weeks. I read somewhere that on average you need to taste anywhere between 250-300 wines to put together a small (35-50 bottle) wine list. Our current list is approx. 85-95 bottles and I am looking to expand and improve on that.

quote:

I cannot tell you how many wines I have tasted over the last several weeks. I read somewhere that on average you need to taste anywhere between 250-300 wines to put together a small (35-50 bottle) wine list. Our current list is approx. 85-95 bottles and I am looking to expand and improve on that.

It's a tough job, but someone has to do it. Don't hesitate to send some of us air fare if you need some help.

LOL

One that does stand out is the 2003 Sette Ponti Oreno. Absolutely oustanding wine. Dense, layered with a finish that I think is still going...

It will pair perefectly with grilled meats, especially our rib eye and porterhouse steaks.

quote:

Originally posted by muzikman:
One that does stand out is the 2003 Sette Ponti Oreno. Absolutely oustanding wine. Dense, layered with a finish that I think is still going...

It will pair perefectly with grilled meats, especially our rib eye and porterhouse steaks.

Gee... ya' think? Anyone that knows a lick about wine would know the Oreno is a great wine... but with a price to boot. (What would you charge for this? $200+ I'd imagine.) Your task should be finding great wines that won't break the bank.

geeeeze mwags, something tells me you wont be going there anytime soon!

Well, I'll wait for a positive review from Hunter first.

I guess I was a little harsh on Ben... old habitis die hard. Sorry Ben, I didn't mean to be rude. Actually, I'm quite jealous if he's tasting several hundred wines each week.

Ben,
Please change the contents of the Apple crisp desert. It should contain mostly apples, not a bee hive of raisons. I crapped for two days straight.

LOL!

Well, I am back with an updated wine list as promise.

When you get the chance please go to our website, www.mdsteakhouse.com and let me know what you think of the list as it currently stands. I also listed the various ciagrs that we carry as well.

Thanks

I can’t really remember what your old list looked like. However, Rhone wines seem to missing to a large extent. I’d be a bit disappointed because my favorite wines are from the Rhone – north, south, CdP, Crozes Hermitage, Gigondas, etc, etc….. Additionally, I enjoy Rhone varietals wherever they happen to be from – Spain, Australia, and California. You seem to be a bit deficient in these wines as well. Overall, your Spanish selections are lacking tremendously. I realize that because you are a steakhouse that Cab is going to rule your list, but you may want to increase some of the offering in the other areas I mentioned. Good luck.

Perrier Joulet Grand Brut e Epernay NV

Any particular reason your list doesn't contain prices?

PH

Yes, I don't want my competition to so easily be able to get my pricing

You're kidding, right? If it were important to them, all it would require would be a quick visit to your restaurant to get it. I don't like online lists without pricing, personally. Leads me to believe you've got something to hide. Your prices may be good, but the implication of hiding them is quite the oppposite.

PH

No, not kidding at all. I understand your POV but trust me, we have nothing to hide. I rather have my competitors make the effort in getting our information then just giving it to them online

quote:

Originally posted by muzikman:
No, not kidding at all. I understand your POV but trust me, we have nothing to hide. I rather have my competitors make the effort in getting our information then just giving it to them online

The only thing worse than a winelist without vintage dates is one without prices.

Let me know when you add them, only then would I even bother to open the link.

quote:

The only thing worse than a winelist without vintage dates is one without prices.

I with GA on this totally. The negative effect this has on potential clientele is much more serious than your competetors getting your prices. AND, if you have great service and a great reputation, you don't have to have the lowest price on anything. You are sending the wrong signal by not pricing your wine. I mean, why not hide your food prices too?

PH

I'll try to be nice, since I think I'm going back. I'll probably have to wear a fake mustache after what I have written already and what is to come.

Hmmmm....where to start?

Without prices - it's pretty impossible to give complete feedback. Your food menu has prices - what's the difference? Most places mark up their wines the same on LI. Who cares? List the prices. It does matter to many people browsing. Although, I'm afraid to ask.

Regarding the list itself:

Only one bottle of red wine older than 2000 and it's a shiraz at that - not a cab or an italian.

Too much 2003 vintage in Cab. That vintage is sub par and what makes matters worse, I see the usual high priced/overrated suspects.

I'm afraid to ask what the charge is for a 2003 Stags Leap - I wouldn't pay $50 for that, but I'm assuming your about $125+ there. If I'm dining on "fine steak" at $40 a slab, I would appreciate being able to find one 1999 Cabernet, god forbid a 97 or 96. All the merlots are 2003/2004 too and no Bordeaux I think? - This is a steak place.

Your place is not the only one who does this. Having no mature wines and having the same over priced/overdone names in the weakest vintage possible. It is why I and many others on a board like this will try to bring their own whenever possible when they see a list like this.

In a strange way, I feel attracted to this place. My relentless criticism and connection to the place, makes me want to care for it - but give it a beating when it needs it. It needs it right now.

Agree with the others on the prices issue. Not putting your price on the web site puts your place in the minority. I often choose restaurants based on the wine list/prices. If I saw no prices, I would be unlikely to choose the restaurant.

Also agree that you should expand the list to include some more Spanish. I'd include some more Italians as well. Both countries offer reasonably priced older wines that pair wonderfully with steak.

You must have missed these Spanish and Italian wines that are now on our list:


Alto Moncayo Veraton Campo de Borja 2003
Saint Vicente Tempranillo
Cabernet Sauvignon Puento Alto Don Melchor (Concha y Toro) 2003
Torreforte Sicilia IGT Barone Nicolo La Lumia, Sicilia, 2000
Super Tuscan Summus Castello Banfi Tuscany 2001
Barbaresco Prunotto Piedmonte 2000
Barolo Prunotto Piedmonte 2001
Barolo Sorano (Giacomo Ascheri) 2001
Super Tuscan Corbaia Castello di Bossi Toscana 2001
Dolcetto d'Alba - Bruno Giacosa 2005
Setti Ponte Toscana Orena 2003
Palazzo Della Torre 2001 (Allegrini)
Chianti Classico Reserva Castello di Bossi Toscana 2001
Chianti Classico Reserva Castello di Querceto 2001
Nero d'Avola Sicilia Saia (Feudo Maccari) 2003
Chianti Tiziano Reserva Tuscany 2001
Illuminati Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Colline Teramane Zanna Riserva 2001
Nebbiolo d'Alba Valmaggiore - Bruno Giacosa 2004
Chianti Classico Reserva Ducale Gold Label 2001
Capitel de Roari Amarone 2002
Capitel de Roari Amarone 2001
Finca Sandoval 2003
Vitiano Falesco 2004

What are you asking for the 2003 Don Melchor, musikman? I promise not to tell your competition!!

PH