Chris G.
Yelp
Be Wise, protect your palate, and Give It a Big Miss
For many years, my wife and I tasted wine and shopped at Castro Village Wine market, at Castro and 19th. They had a great stock of wines and spirits, and an amiable and helpful staff. lately and like so many others, the economy has dictated less visiting and shopping at such establishments.
About a month ago, we visited once again and met a new part owner, Keith. We had a good experience. In fact, we were so happy we not only paid for two tastings but also bought two bottles of wine: about $70 altogether.
Our most recent visit however was far different and we will not be returning there any time soon, if ever. When we walked in the door, the greeting was ok, but different and not really cordial. Our seating was brusk, and I almost felt like perhaps we were intruding on a private party. For our part, the only difference I could think of was that my wife was accompanied this time by her guide dog, a very docile standard poodle who laid down on the floor next to her chair.
I was excited to learn that the tasting flight for the weekend was Pinot Noir wines. However, I became a little less excited and skeptical upon learning they were all from California and from 2010. It's a sad commentary on the California wine business that reds are being served younger and younger, and with an increasing alcohol content to mask any real character. $15 per flight also seemed perhaps a bit out of line, but each pour is 2 ounces and allegedly a good variety. Never mind that at wineries, $10 flights of 5-7 wines are typical, and I've had no 2010 wines in Napa, Sonoma or the Alexander Valley to date. Still, we decided to go for the flight. There were some glasses we might have chosen, but they were rattled off by Keith with such hurry that it was hard to get a sense of the glasses v. the flight.
Unlike the previous visit, The flight began to be poured quickly, glass by glass at our table. Before, each glass was poured individually, and there was some discussion about each wine. When I remarked on some flintiness in the first Pinot, it was suggested that I shouldn't expect much from this wine but just drink the bottles for whatever they had to offer. Excuse me for wanting to think well of a wine in this flight!
My wife preferred to have the wine served individually, glass by glass. While obviously an unwelcomed suggestion, Keith acquiesced after serving three of the four glasses quite quickly and with no description in particular of the first three except the winery name, none familiar to us.
The real difficulty began when my wife needed to use a restroom. She was coolly informed that the store only had a bathroom for employees, not patrons. This certainly had not been the case on previous visits, so was a real surprise. I observed to Keith that this seemed very irregular and inappropriate where drink and snacks were served. He turned the matter over to another partner in the store who reiterated the policy that customers are not allowed to use the restroom in the shop.
I have to say that at this point, my patience with the evening had run out. As the fourth glass in the flight was served, this customer unfriendly policy clearly was not going to change. In total amazement, we simply left the establishment in disgust. I do not anticipate ever returning.
It is a real shame ever to receive peremptory service. But, we have no reason to expect anything better at this one-time pleasant and welcoming establishment. Taste there at your own risk. Don't expect much from the wine served though it can be good, and God forbid you need to use the facilities.
