Latest news with #TheCellar
Otago Daily Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Time allows winemakers to further hone their craft
Rockburn winemaker Malcolm Rees-Francis. Photo: supplied In my view, one of the strengths of the Central Otago wine scene has been the longevity of involvement of so many of its winemakers. Time has allowed them to hone their craft as they seek incremental improvements through a deeper understanding of the fruit that Central Otago produces, while also nurturing the bounty of ever-increasing vine age. A quick head count of winemakers that have completed 20 vintages easily surpassed double figures and I'm certain there are others who are either on the cusp or have already surpassed that mark. A small handful have gone past 25 vintages, while the redoubtable Alan Brady's involvement just goes on and on. The arrival of a group of wines from Rockburn recently reminded me that the 2025 vintage saw their winemaker Malcolm Rees-Francis join that merry band in the 20+ club. Congratulations Malcolm on the achievement. New wine bars in Dunedin Having had Piccolo wine bar open in St Clair recently, a heads-up for wine enthusiasts that a new wine bar opened its doors over Matariki weekend. "The Cellar" is situated at 4 Hanover St and is opening Thursdays to Sundays from afternoon till late. Run by Colin and Jackie, this is a welcome addition to the Dunedin wine scene. Science festival wine events I spotted this late in the piece but the NZ International Science Festival (NZISF) has events for grown-ups too this week. Two that caught my eye are Sonic Sommellerie: A Multisensory Wine Odyssey — "a journey through the senses with Dr Jo Burzynska, discovering how different sounds and environments can change the taste of wine". Also: Getting the Measure of Alcohol — "what is alcohol and how and why do we measure it?" Held at Vault 21 and Dunedin Craft Distillers respectively, you'll find all the details on the NZISF website. Decanter World Wine Awards Results are just out and Central Otago secured gold medals for the 2024 McArthur Ridge Falls Dam Pinot Gris, the 2022 Te Kano Northburn Pinot Noir and the NV Mumm Blanc de Noirs. The 2023 McArthur Ridge Southern Tor Pinot Noir secured a Platinum award but is now sold out domestically. The NZ Best in Show Pinot Noir Award went to the 2024 Craggy Range Martinborough Pinot Noir. 2023 Rockburn Central Otago Pinot Noir RRP $49 Price Rating Excellent Sweetly perfumed, contrasted by a dusty/lead pencil quality, savoury notes join the mix, flecks of herb, a leafy/snow-pea-like aspect. Ripe, generous, fills the mouth, has central Otago classicism writ large on it. Bright acidity gives freshness, now dark cherry. There's crowd pleasing sheer drinkability yet complexity and depth for added interest. 2023 Rockburn Seven Barrels Dick Bunton Vineyard Gibbston Pinot Noir RRP $99 Price Rating Outstanding A sense of elegance and refinement, swelling in the glass. Cherry, cranberry, a gently savoury undercurrent backed by schist aspects. Lovely tension, not at all showy, but built on elegance and structure. A sense of ethereality, a lighter frame but far from underpowered, you have to come to this but it rewards you. The nose really grows with air, wonderful precision and linearity. 2023 Rockburn Eleven Barrels Parkburn Vineyard Gibbston Pinot Noir RRP $99 Price Rating Excellent to Outstanding Herbal influences, flashes of mint and eucalypt appear for a moment, subtlety, refinement, perfume grows, sweet fruit, toast/pencil shavings, biscuity aspects. Flavour depth clear to see, ripe yet dry, oak seasoning, it becomes clearer that this is a bigger boy than first thought, the tannins show their mettle, richly fruited, earthy humus, dusty characters, the power evident now.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ladies and Gentlemen is Pasadena's Sexiest Secret Bar
Who doesn't love the novelty of a speakeasy-style secret entrance? Discovering a decadent, hidden-away gem where you can let loose, partake in spirits and forget about the world outside will never lose its appeal, but it also means that the place itself has to live up to the mystery and and Gentlemen in Old Town Pasadena does just that and then some— from its titillating decor to its open-kitchen style bar, where master cocktail creators are on full display as they prepare whimsical concoctions both thematic and thirst-quenching. Owner Leo Temory's attention to detail and hospitality is unmatched. Not surprising, since the Torrance native and USC business grad grew up in the food and drink business. His family's beloved New York Deli (tagline: 'a slice of NY in LA') has been a staple in Torrance since 1985 and they added a second sandwich shop in Pasadena in 2010. Temory lived upstairs at the Pasadena location and around 2012, he decided to open the restaurant's bar for an after-dark concept called The Speakeasy. It was so popular it took over the entire space two years later. Then in 2017, he opened another speakeasy space with a wine-driven focus called The Cellar. Today, both bars are bona fide hot spots in Old Town. But Ladies and Gentlemen, tucked inside a basement under a popular pressed juice and craft ice cream food stall hall, is something even more special— a celebration of rare liquors and haute hooch, and the people who create it. 'I collected a lot of high end spirits, like expensive Japanese whiskey, and I said one day I'm gonna have the perfect atmosphere to sell it, with the right glassware, the right service, the right ice…' says Temory, who imports water from Japan for the latter. 'I came down here and it was kinda scary and dirty, but it reminded me of the catacombs in Paris. So I just made it sexier and brought my vision to life.'Erotic and BDSM art adorns the all black walls along with over 4000 golden skulls. It feels like a private club in a far away land thanks to Temory's exotic inspirations, which come via many travels around the world (he was on the reality competition The Amazing Race three times). The menu features a fun mix of elevated, ethnic bar food: from a heavenly Japanese milk bread served with sweet and savory butters to a salmon crispy rice appetizer, which provides a perfect pairing with L&G's refreshing libations. Temory doesn't like the term mixologist – he prefers to call his staff "drink designers" or 'chefs,' but whatever you call them they are good at what they do. Sippers like 'Mistress is Insane' (served with a mirror so you can watch yourself go crazy over the beverage) and 'The Burning Man,' (presented with a small wood art manikin set on fire at your table) are just a couple of the playful and potent menu items. 'We're taking cheffing to another level and offering worldly experiences, ' says the owner, who's often there to greet guests as they enter through a surprising portal we won't spoil here. 'Everything here has a story to tell.'59 East Colorado, Pasadena. Reservations recommended: 626-696-3612, A shorter version of this story appeared in Pasadena Magazine late last year.
