Nice cellar Dan. I am not trying to come off as a wine snob. I like what I like, and would never presume to be more enlightened, regarding wine, than anybody else. And it's true Dan, if somebody like's Yellowtail wine, good for them. I've had a few bottles of Yellowtail myself, usually after my taste buds are satisfied by other "better" wines, and I am past the point of caring what it tastes like. No point in drinking great wine if you are past the point of caring. One of my favorite wines is Bogle's Old Vine Zinfandel. I think it's $12 a bottle here in Bozeman. I guess the point I never made very well is that good wine does not have to cost your first born to purchase. Having said that, I had the great fortune to attend a friends 50th birthday in Sacramento a few years ago. We opened a 88, 89 and 90 Caymus Special Select at dinner. 3 of us. On the open market, well over $3000 for the 3 bottles, but all purchased for under $50 a bottle. Until that point in time, I never had a clue what very good wine tasted like. I know most of the words, yet I will never know the words to describe that wine. Simply beyond my vocabulary to describe that spectacular experience. It was unreal, and I will be forever grateful to my friends that allowed me to participate in that tasting. I think that was 3 years ago, and I can still close my eyes and taste those wines.
I still cringe when my sister in law puts ice in her red wine, and shudder when my dad tells me how he loves white zin, but I am trying to be more understanding when it comes to others choices in wine. I know what I like, and will drink that with a smile. But I will still insist that the wine list at the 519 could be easily upgraded without crossing the line into unaffordable. Try any bottle that says Ridge, or Steele on the label. Both could sell for under $50, and allow patrons to drink quality wine with their meal, and still produce a profit for the 519.
There is a Kuleto Estate Red Zinfandel available here in Bozeman Dan, for around $33 a bottle. Might be the best Red Zin ever to pass my lips. I put 2 in my cellar, which is actually a closet, to open at some time in the future. Look for it, and tell me what you think.