CorkRules - Episodes | Baltaire Restaurant Baltaire

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About this Episode

Grace Hood, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas explore the wine list at Baltaire, an elegant steakhouse with a distinctive California vibe. The light and airy dining room, floor-to-ceiling glass doors, and outdoor terrace provides an excellent location for sun-soaked lunches and elegant wining and dining. This is definitely a special occasion location. The wine list is 32 pages with a large selection of exceptional wines from California and France. Grace recommends a selection of fine wines and kicks off the review with some bubbles.

Wines reviewed include:

● 2004 Gosset Celebris Extra Brut

● 2018 Domaine Didier Dagueneau, "Pur Sang" Pouilly-Fumé

● 2013 Mathilde et Yves Gangloff

Transcript: Baltaire

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/60140a90e0825421d0a44038/t/625a0729664e163b4635baa7/1650067242251/MASTER+WINE+LIST+FINAL+4.9.22.pdf

Baltaire

RT: Hello and welcome to CorkRules!

A podcast where we will review a wine list from your favorite restaurants. I’m your host Robert Tas along with Grace Hood, wine educator and certified sommelier. Hello Grace, it’s great to have you!

GH: Hey Robert! Excited to be back.

RT Before we jump in, let’s talk about those wine lists. We created CorkRules to help demystify wine lists because we know from experience, that sometimes when we get that list handed to us, well… it can be intimidating, and even a little daunting.

Our aim is to help prepare you to navigate that list, find those hidden gems, or value wines or that special bottle that will take your dining experience over the top.

RT: Today we’re reviewing the beautiful Brentwood Steakhouse, Baltaire. Grace what are your initial thoughts on this spot?

GH: Oh man, this place looks amazing! So luxurious. Very high touch. Their wine is medium sized – 32 pages, with an emphasis on California and France. The price points def tell me this is a special occasion spot! Great date night spot or birthday dinner etc.

RT: Love it. Shall we dive right in?

GH: If champagne was a pool I would cannonball in hahaha looking at bubbles, they have a beautiful selection of older vintages, which is going to give you a really special champagne experience with the smaller bubbles and richer palate. I’m thinking this 2004 Gosset Celebris Extra Brut would be a fabulous experience.

RT: Ohhhh yum. I love an older champagne. You don’t need to tell me twice. What caught your eye on the whites Grace?

GH: So for whites, they’re really highlighting sauvignon blanc and chardonnay here, separating them into French and California. If we’re thinking a French sauv blanc, I would do the 2018 Domaine Didier Dagueneau, "Pur Sang," Pouilly-Fumé which is a very well known white Bordeaux. If you wanted to go chardonnay, the 2019 Domaine Billaud-Simon, "Fourchaume", 1er Cru Chablis would be a fabulous choice. Or if you wanted to go with something in the middle, instead of sauv blanc or chardonnay, they have some condrieus on the menu, which is viognier from the Rhone valley of France, and it's like liquid gold. It's rich without being overpowering, it just like, shines in the glass. Go with the 2013 Mathilde et Yves Gangloff and thank me later

RT: Liquid gold? Sounds divine. Now since we’re at a steak house, there’s gotta be a killer section of reds.

MV: Oh is there ever! I’m gonna switch it up and start with some domestic reds. For my fellow pinot drinkers out there, it’s like the who’s who of American pinot noir. One that stood out to me is a small production favorite of mine out of Sonoma, Red Car. They make killer pinots as well as cool climate syrahs. On the Baltaire list they have their 2015 Heaven and Earth Pinot, and the title says it all!

RT: Now when you drink it, do you think it sends you to heaven or grounds you earth?

GH: I hope I suspend in space and time like Dr. Strange when I drink it hahaha

RT: Cause why not bring in the marvel universe when it comes to wine? Both of them are other worldly!

GH: Amen to that Robert! And speaking of super fans, the Baltaire wine list has a section of “cult” California cabernets. They definitely know who their audience is! My pick without a doubt would be this 1999 Harlan the Maiden. Harlan is one of the most highly sought after and allocated wines on the market, and a 22 year old Harlan would send you into the multiverse

RT: Wow I bet our listeners will be running to Baltaire to get their hands on that vintage.

GH: They better before I do!

RT: I love it. I’ll meet you there. Now what about some value bottles on the Baltiare list?

GH: For a delish white at an approachable price point, going to have to be this 2019 Sandhi Chardonnay from Santa Rita hills, made by the ever so popular and cool Rajat Parr.

RT: We need to get him on the podcast. I would love to pick his brain about the wine industry.

GH: All in due time Robert! I’ll make some calls haha

RT: Always looking out for us Grace. Now what about an approachable red for our listeners?

GH: Well you know I’m a big fan of Spanish reds b/c they are all about older vintages at affordable price points, and this is no exception. They have a 2008 Vina Tondonia from the famous Lopez de Heredia out of Rioja, and that would be mwah chefs kiss

RT: Si senorita. Older riojas always hit the spot. Now what about some special occasion bottles off the Baltaire list?

GH: Honestly, this entire list is a special occasion! My pick for a white would be the 2019 Domaine Dujac Puligny Montrachet. And then for red, wow this was hard to pick just one, but just because it’s there, gotta go with the 2005 Petrus from Bordeaux.

RT: Ohhh fantastic. Amazing wine to end on Grace thanks so much again for helping us navigate the wine list at Baltaires. To our audience, thank you all for joining us here on CorkRules. If you would like us to review one of your favorite restaurants, please send us email to: Info@CorkRules .Com or visit our web website where we have a request form available and we will do our best to get it in the queue as quickly as possible.

We are looking forward to being with you on another CorkRules episode soon. In the meantime, please check out our website for other episodes of your favorite restaurant wine lists. Follow us on social media @CorkRules and @wineswithgrace

And finally, drink what you love and please make sure you drink responsibly.

Thank you.

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