Larsen’s Steakhouse in Valencia, one of the few choices we have in town for a high end/fine dining experience, recently held one of its periodic “wine tasting and locker stocking” events for its VIP locker holders. My wife Karen and I had the pleasure to attend, taste some great wines, try some delicious apps and catch up with old friends.
If you’ve eaten at Larsen’s at all, you’ve probably noticed the wine lockers at the entrance to the dining room. Many of the names on them are some of SCV’s most well-known movers, shakers and wine lovers.
According to Richard Bokstrom, General Manager of Larsen’s Steakhouse in Valencia, locker members get the following benefits: 20% discount on wines purchased during the event, 10% off on wines purchased at the restaurant from the wine list and free after dinner drinks from the VIP cart, as well as free corkage on their wines at Larsen’s. In addition, only locker members can reserve those highly coveted tables in the bar area. Plus, VIP locker status extends to all Larsen’s restaurants.
The wine event had several of Larsen’s wine distributors pouring a plethora of wine samples for locker members’ enjoyment and purchase.
The distributors were:
American Wine and Spirits
Chambers & Chambers
Constellation Brands Inc.
Epic Wines
Henry Wine Group
Mosaic Wine Alliance
PWS
Quintessential Wines
R & R Wines
Regal
Vinthology
Wine Warehouse
Given that Larsen’s is a steakhouse, it’s not a surprise that there was a big focus on California Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley. But there were plenty of other options as well to pair with Larsen’s great steaks as well as with their other menu items.
Out of the dozens of wines available for tasting, some of our favorites were…
Belle Glos “Clark & Telephone”, SMV, 2014 – [Pinot Noir from Santa Barbara County]
Cenay, Bald Mountain Chardonnay, Santa Cruz, 2012
Cloudy Bay, “Te Koko”, New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, 2013
EnRoute, Chardonnay, 2013 [Russian River Valley]
Enzo, Red Blend, Mendoza, Argentina, 2012
Faustino, IIRiverone, Amarone 2010 [This was probably my favorite wine of the tasting. Loved it.]
Inglenook, Rubicon, Rutherford 2012 [Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Merlot]
Jose Pariente, Rueda, Verdejo, 2014
Kistler, “Les Noisetiers”, Sonoma Coast, 2013 [Chardonnay]
Meyers Family Cellars, Yorkville Highlands, Syrah, 2009
Mt. Brave, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa 2012
Mt. Brave, Malbec, Napa 2012
Mt. Veeder “Reserve”, Napa 2012 [Cabernet-based blend]
Pedestal, Merlot, Columbia Valley, 2008
Newton, “Unfiltered”, Chardonnay, 2010
Pine Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Robert Mondavi Oakville Cabernet
Sequel, Syrah, Columbia Valley, 2013
Talbott, Sleepy Hollow Vineyard, 2012 [Chardonnay]
Terrazas, Cheval Des Andes, 2011 [Malbec based blend from Argentina]
Trione, River Road Ranch, Russian River, Sauvignon Blanc, 2011
Vine Cliff, Chardonnay, 2013
Wind Racer, Anderson Valley, 2012 Chardonnay
Yao Ming, Cabernet, Napa 2012
Complimentary hors d’oeuvres [loved the Kobe sliders, among others] in a great setting and tasting these delicious wines with old friends made for a perfect afternoon. And, Mr. Bokstrom informed me there are a few lockers available, although they may be gone by the time this article hits.
Michael Perlis has been pursuing his passion for wine for more than 25 years. He has had the good fortune of having numerous mentors to show him the way, as well as a wonderful wife who encourages him and shares his interest. After a couple of decades of learning about wine, attending events, visiting wineries and vineyards, and tasting as much wine as he possibly could, he had the amazing luck to meet Eve Bushman. Now, as Contributing Editor for Eve’s Wine 101, he does his best to bring as much information as possible about wine to Eve’s Wine 101 faithful readers. Michael is also Vice President of Eve Bushman Consulting (fka Eve’s Wine 101 Consulting) http://evebushmanconsulting.com/ and President of MCP Financial. Michael can be contacted at michaelthezinfan@aol.com or michael@evebushmanconsulting.com.
