By Lou Phillips ·
Server extraordinaire Giancarlo “GC” Pelligrino ·
Moody’s in Truckee has always lived up to its tagline of Bistro, Bar and Beats and all three are delivered with a side of panache. We will leave the Bar and Beats for another time, and focus on the much deserving Bistro and its wine program. Venture through the velvet curtains into the dining room and you will find a fashionably hip setting with banquets lining the walls, linen-draped tables and unique art.
The 2013 Grey Wacke Sauvignon Blanc for $39 by the bottle from New Zealand is the follow up project of Kevin Judd, the original winemaker at world-class SB-house Cloudy Bay. Zesty, citrus-driven and floral, this wine begs for any salad but Moody’s Autumn Salad with chevre will really make magic.
The Arroyo Grande Valley near Santa Barbara and Talley Vineyards were all the rage for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir a while back. Lucky for us, it has become less trendy, because it is still great juice but at a much friendlier price. The 2012 Talley Chardonnay brings melon, Meyer lemon and persimmon flavors that play well with the barrel-aging gifts of coconut and vanilla. Anything with shellfish or chicken will work with this elegant wine.
The dining room at Moody’s ·
Mayacamas Vineyards has always focused on wines from estate fruit high grown on Mount Veeder on the west side of Napa. The wines have structure and work well with food. The 2008 Zinafandel at $65 by the bottle is dry and earthy while bringing dark plum, cookie spices and just-now-resolving tannins that are the trademark of this appellation. Pork tenderloin is a no-brainer as a course mate.
Titus Vineyards always creates one of Napa’s best versions of Cabernet Franc. Grapes are sourced from premium Cab Franc vineyards in Napa, mostly from Pritchard Hill on the eastern slope. The 2011 Cabernet Franc at $68 by the bottle delights with violets, dark berries, eucalyptus and mocha that leaps from the glass. This beauty shows the backbone and ripeness you get from exceptional terroirs. Grab a steak.
The back page of the list, AKA Moody’s Cellar, is full of aged cabernet. Vintages range from 1993 to 2008 and names include Beringer, Mondavi, Heitz, Ridge, Bryant, Harlan, Screaming Eagle and more. These are also relative values, as almost all are not much more than current best online retail prices. For trophy hunters and bucket-listers, check out the 2008 Screaming Eagle. Low retail is $1,800 online, and it’s $2,130 at Moody’s.
Given the volume, breadth and depth, this is clearly one of the best wine programs in the region. For more information, visit moodysbistro.com. Cheers, and tell them Tahoe Weekly sent you.
Lou Phillips is a Level 3 (advanced) Sommelier and wine educator specializing in advising private collectors and businesses. He may be reached at (775) 544-3435 or wineguru123@gmail.com. Visit TheTahoeWeekly.com for more Wine Time columns.
