CorkRules - Episodes | Fellow Fellow

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About this Episode

Grace Hood, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas explore the wine list at Fellow, now known as Wolfsglen, a modern American restaurant with an innovative, thoughtfully-sourced fine dining menu and wine list.

Wines reviewed include:

2017 Arterberry Maresh
2015 Chartogne-taillet Champagne
2017 Hitching Post, Santa Rita Hills

Transcript: Fellow

Fellow

RT: Hello and welcome to CorkRules!

A podcast where, in each episode, 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: Greetings Robert!

RT: Before we jump in, let’s talk about CorkRules.

We created CorkRules to 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: So, sit back and listen as we review your favorite wine list. All right Grace – today we’re reviewing the hot new spot, Fellow.

GH: I’m very excited to review this wine list b/c it was created by a fellow sommelier friend of mine, Scott Lester! Hey, Scotty proud of you, my dude!

RT: Incredible! Is this the first time we’re reviewing a list made by a colleague of yours

GH: Indeed, it is! Scotty has since moved back to his one true love, the Rocky Mountains. And the wine director for the Aspen Snowmass resort. But he definitely left a mark on Fellow.

RT: I’m excited to get into it!

GH: Oh, you have no idea, Robert. I dined here twice during the pandemic when Scott was running the wine program. And both experiences were absolutely divine. The service, the presentation, the cuisine. Seriously amazing.

RT: I love it. We will have to go next time I’m in LA Where do you want to start us on this wine list made by your friend?

GH: Where do we always start Robert? At sparkling of course! I’m thinking this 2015 Chartogne-taillet Champagne would be a great way to kick of your experience at Fellow.

RT: Vintage champagne – I don’t hate it! Now Scott must have curated an amazing selection of white wine for sure.

GH: Oh did he ever! Looking first at some light cali whites, I’m really interested in this Pinot gris pinot blanc blend from one of my personal favorites, Au Bom Climate, out of Santa Barabara. I love their pinots and chardonnays so would be really curious to try this white pinot blend.

RT: Oh, wow that is a really interesting combo. I wouldn’t expect that from the central coast.

GH: I know right? That’s why I want to give it a whirl!

RT: Now we can’t talk California without talking chardonnays.

GH: Oh well of course not. Scott hit the nail on the head with having some classic producers as well as some smaller boutique vineyards represented on the list. One Cali chard that has a cult following in Mayacamas, and you get your pick of a newer vintage bottle with 2019, or an aged mayacamas, throwing it back to 2002! Ooh wee!

RT: They do love their American oak out in Cali.

GH: Oh don’t they ever! It’s embedded into our economy!

RT: Makes sense! Now I believe Scott killed it in the red section Grace

GH: Oh he absolutely did! He and I both love pinot so I was blown away by the selection. Right out the gate if you’re thinking Oregon – gotta go with the 2017 Arterberry Maresh. If we’re thinking Sonoma – 2017 Arista from Russian river. And to round it out with central coast – the 2017 Hitching Post from Santa Rita Hills.

RT: Greatest hits of the west coast. I love it! Now we can’t talk California without talking cabernet. What did Scott curate for the cab drinkers?

GH: Well, if you wanted to have a whole mayacamas experience, there's a 2005 from Mt. Veeder which would be drinking amazingly right now.

RT: Oh, that would be such a fun experience. Two older Mayacamas together. Super unique! Now, I know you’ve talked that sommeliers want to have something for everyone on their lists. What did Scott pick for some value wines?

GH: For whites, he has a Verdicchio on the menu for $30 which is a crazy price for LA! And then your value red – he’s got a 2019 Bourgogne from Domaine de Vieux College

RT: Fantastic. Now, how are you going to pick the special occasion bottles on a list curated by a friend?

GH: For real there are so many special bottles on the list. But at the end of the day, Scott and I are both Francophiles. This 2018 Meursault from Chavvy Chouet would be white Burgundy white gold, and then for red, this 2005 St Estepe from Château Lafon Rochet would be just the ticket

RT: Fantastic! Grace, thank you so much for helping us navigate the list at Fellow. 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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