By Lou Phillips ·
Wine with a view ·
The Eastern Slope of Incline Village is renowned for getaway homes of famous of rock stars and great panoramic lake views. It is also home to The Big Water Grille featuring one of those great views and has been known to be the neighborhood hangout for more than one of those rock stars.
Dapper general manager Chris Leblanc came up through the ranks here and he guides the team to make sure your desires are taken care of from bubbles to dessert.
Gotta love it when you can start with a top-quality glass of bubbles for a song. Big Water Grille makes that happen with the $9 glass of NV Roederer Brut that is perfect to quaff while perusing the menu.
Aged Chardonnay? You bet. Originating from the right terroir and crafted by the right hands, Chardonnay can last for decades and get more faceted and complex while keeping the rich fruit and oak flavors we love. The 2007 Jadot Meursault, $100, and the 2009 Miner Wild Yeast, $80, are two such bottles. Order up the Seared Sea Scallops with couscous, wild mushrooms and coconut-lemongrass sauce and be prepared to be amazed.
Enjoying a night out are Perri Finch, Patti Hardy, Lynn Whitehead and Coco Mac ·
The 2011 Navarro Pinot Noir from Anderson Valley, $59 a bottle, is a cool-climate Pinot from a cool vintage. This adds up to a Burgundy-like experience with high-wire freshness, spicy cherry-berry fruit and an attractive earthy complexity. This wine has the structure to set off the Roasted Rack of Lamb with lentils, baby carrots and mint demi glace.
It such a treat when a restaurant has high-end wines by the glass. The 2009 Schweiger Cabernet Sauvignon from Spring Mountain, $18 by the glass or $70 for the bottle, has a little age on it, which brings out greater complexity in the intense black currant, blackberry and hints of mint in this beauty. Don’t feel bad if you are compelled to savor this solo, but it also powerfully complements the Smoked Rib Eye or one of the amazing steak burgers.
There is no better way to end your meal and watch the setting sun at Big Water than with a glass of unctuous, sweet and spicy Graham’s Port, $8, paired with Big Water Grille’s famous Chocolate Peanut Butter Tort.
With a million-dollar view, well thought out wine program and creative American cuisine, Big Water Grille lives up to its tag line of “Stunning Views to Match Our Food.” Big Water is at 341 Ski Way in Incline Village. For more information or to make a reservation, call (775) 833-0606 or visit bigwatergrille.com.
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 columns.
