Wine Review: The Fish Market's Winekeeper

While "The Winekeeper" was making a name in the service industry, The Original Fish Market was one of the first and only restaurants in the area to have a Winekeeper System. The Winekeeper keeps wines fresh as the moment they are uncorked for up to six weeks. The system protects all wines from "turning" by instantly replacing the oxygen in a freshly opened bottle with pure, odorless, tasteless nitrogen gas, thereby eliminating the oxidation process which is damaging to opened wine. Thru this system we are able to offer thirty-six of our wines by the glass, soon to be fifty-two.

2002 Raymond Reserve, Chardonnay
The grapes come from the Raymond Napa Valley vineyards at Zinfandel Lane and Jameson Canyon. In addition, Raymond purchases prime Chardonnay fruit from several Napa Valley growers, focusing on the southern end on the Valley within cool microclimates. These hand picked estate and purchased grapes are blended for the Napa Valley Reserve. The Napa Valley Chardonnay undergoes a slow, cool fermentation at 52 degrees for 14-21 days to allow for maximum flavor development and is then moved into new 60 gallon French oak barrels for 6 months of wood aging.

Fresh, ripe fruit aromas dominate the aromatic nose of this delicious Chardonnay. Pear, apple and tropical flavors meld with toasted oak and vanilla in the soft, flavorful body of the wine. Well balanced and rich, it will perfectly compliment a variety of our entrees.

Offered at The Original Fish Market
$38 Bottle
$9.50 Glass

2003 Cakebread Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley
Winemaker Bruce Cakebread notes, "We are lucky that we can grow the highest concentration of our grapes right here at the winery."

The grapes are picked early in the morning before the sun has a chance to warm the crop. Keeping the grapes cool allows them to express their finest aromatic qualities. This classic Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc is full and rich, but refreshingly crisp with impressively citrus, melon and peach flavors that culminate in a mineral-y, lime-zest finish, with a hint of oak.

Offered at The Original Fish Market
$64 Bottle
$16 Glass

2002 Hess Collection, Mountain Cuvée
The 2002 Hess Collection Mountain Cuvée is the premiere release of their proprietary blend of estate grown Bordeaux and Rhone varieties. This wine reflects the many different terroirs that Hess' steep Mount Veeder slopes have to offer. A Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah blend, the wine is both powerful, yet elegant. The aroma of floral notes, red cherry, vanilla, spice and cedar is followed by black licorice, wild berry and pepper. The aromas follow through in the flavors of bright red fruit, spice and a fleshy round palate integrated with French oak and a satin finish.

Offered at The Original Fish Market $206 Bottle only

2003 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, Chardonnay
This intriguing wine may surprise you as it unfurls in the glass and in the mouth.

Aromas of apple, peach, pineapple and warm oatmeal cookie evoke a weighty style of Chardonnay. The rich entry, full of spiced apple, apricot and honey, quickly reveals a delightfully bright acidity with citrus overtones that carries through the long, vibrant finish. It's hard to imagine a dish this wine wouldn't complement.

Enjoy a bottle or glass of it with our rich Lobster Bisque.

Offered at The Original Fish Market
$74 Bottle
$18.50 Glass

Montes Alpha, Merlot
Wine Spectator selected Montes Alpha Merlot as both TOP-SCORING Merlots around the world and also one of the Best Values in Merlot, and remains #1 in the Chilean Premium niche.

Outstanding fruit, with a noseful of red berries, black cherry, black pepper and hints of tobacco come through on the palate, revealing a full-bodied wine. The mid palate is round and velvety with an added touch of vanilla and toast, followed by a long, smooth and elegant finish.

Offered at The Original Fish Market
$55 Bottle
$13.75 Glass

2001 Marimar, Pinot Noir
Marimar Torres began planting in 1986, converting it into the only Californian vineyard planted on a totally European style.

Their European agricultural techniques and perfect microclimate for growing Pinot Noir found in California's Russian River Valley have combined to produce this wine.

Aromas of wild berries, truffle and an array of spices. With firm tannins and a trace of vanilla and toast from the ageing in oak, the palate shows excellent structure and a well-developed body.

Offered at The Original Fish Market
$78 Bottle
$19.50 Glass

Charles Casto, General Manager, has worked in the food and beverage industry for twenty-seven years. Included is: Hotel Industries, Military Officers Club, Italian Restaurant, and The Original Fish Market Restaurant. In 1998, he opened The Pittsburgh Fish Market as the Assistant General Manager. In 2001 the restaurant became The Original Fish Market and Casto was promoted as the General Manager.

Rhiannon Naylor, Assistant General Manager, started in the food and beverage industry almost ten years ago. In 1996, she started as a server at this property, and was promoted in management through the years, working her way to her present position, Assistant General Manager, in 2001. Among the many responsibilities, Rhiannon orders and maintains the entire wine and beverage inventory.