Top 10 First Date BYOB Wines if You’re Out with a Wine Geek According To Me

OK, you’re going out on a first date

with a wine geek and you want to

impress.  Sure, if youhave serious

scratch, you can bring a bottle of

high end Burgundy, but if you really

want to impress a wine geek, you

need to bring something delicious,

interesting, somewhat esoteric

and much better than its price. I also

went these wines to be accessible

and not need 1-2

hour decants.

Here’s my Top 10 list of interesting,

affordable wines that I have in my

cellar that I would BYOB on a first date.

1. Herve Murat Hautes Cotes de Blanc - I only have one bottle left in my cellar and since the winery has been sold out, this wine won't exist anymore. It was a beauty. I only worked with one vintage, the 2012, so that is what I'd choose. It is 100% Pinot Blanc (obviously this grape is a rarity in Burgundy) and is the perfect convergence between Ortswein level Pinot Blanc and Burgundian Pinot Blanc. Racy, rich, long and so pretty. Any and every wine geek will and would fawn over this wine. It's impressed everyone I know.
2. Herri Mina Irouleguy Rouge - Right now I have a bottle of the '13 in the cellar so obviously I'd go with that, but think I'd prefer the '14 when it is released. This is not your normal Irouleguy. It is 100% Cabernet Franc and a stunning bottle of wine. I think the best Cabernet Franc going that nobody pays attention to. Guiberteau quality. And what else gets a wine geeks juices going rather than Cabernet Franc. Also made by Jean-Claude Berrouet who made 40+ vintages of Petrus and decided after that to go to the place of his birth, Irouleguy, and make wine to honor his father. That's about 5 talking points and a delicious wine for a first date. Just call me wine geek Cupid.
3. Francois Cotat Sancerre Rose - Truly any vintage will do, but an older one will really impress your date. I've got some 2012 I'm working through. It's my island rose. Pink 1er Cru Burgundy but so Sancerre/Chavignol in style. Amazing depth, precision and finesse. A very pretty wine. It is the type of wine you'll be geeking out on for the whole date because it's so great.
4. Caillez-Lemaire Cuvee Jadis - On the higher end of the price list here. But this wine is just tremendous. Rich, pure and explosive Champagne of top notch finesse. These are oak aged, which gives these a richness you will not believe, which is similar to Laval in Cumieres, which is next door. These are another overwhelming favorite of Fass Selections customers and me. Currently the 2006 is what I have and will be opening a bottle soon, date or no date. Champagne is always great choice on a first date with a wine geek.
5. Jean Foillard Morgon Cote de Py - This is somewhat ubiquitous in wine geek circles but there is a reason. It, of all the Foillard wines, shows the best young. And show it does. The nose is a panoply of spice and fruit. Plus a tiny bit of that natural funk and if on a date with a wine geek, bringing a good natural wine is always a win. But this is benchmark Gamay and truly is so good you'll be onto another bottle as this will be drained so quickly.  You can wax about Jules Chauvet to dawn with this bottle.
6. Chavy-Chouet St.Aubin 1er Cru Dents du Murgers de Chien - This has such huge geek factor all over it. It abuts the great Montrachet vineyard and has so much character it is not even funny. I think it is the best vineyard in St. Aubin (white burgundy geek value haven) and it is impossible to get, at least from Chavy-Chouet. It is so intense and literally takes over your mouth with super acids and dense minerality and just leaves your mouth salivating. It's plain outrageous. Wine geeks love the unobtainable
7. Martin Muellen Trarbacher Huhnerberg Spatlese Trocken - From one of the geekiest, steepest and best Riesling vineyards in the world comes one of the most slept on great wines in all of the Mosel. There are also starred versions that are outstanding that need a bit more of age to show best. The regular one is just a cornucopia of Riesling fruit, spice, honey and herbs which is classic Huhnerberg. It has uncommon depth and richness along with bracing acidity that frames it all perfectly. He is as old school as they come on his production methods so lots to talk about on your date but you'll be oohing and aahing about the depth and precision while also repeating over and over again what a value it is. Also Mosel can make dry wine (very geek). I've got some 12 in my cellar and that is a great vintage for this wine.
8. Andre Perret Condrieu Coteaux du Chery - This is one of the two wines on the Mt. Rushmore of Condrieu.  Along with Vernay Coteaux du Vernon, these are grown on steep sites and can age for 15-20 years. Most Condrieu does not last 5 years so these are different, geeky and exceptional wines. Your wine geek might not know that and it could lead to a fun debate and revelation. This wine is filled with classic Condrieu fruit and floral notes but also has exceptional minerality and acidity. A remarkable wine. I've got the 12 in the cellar. Ideally you want an older one but 12 will do.
9. Battenfeld Spanier Riesling Hohen-Sulzen - Yup, another Riesling. I know, but this is my list. You know why it's on the list? Because this wine is for everyone. Normals and geeks galore. It is light, accessible and dynamically pure. Has richness, delicacy and minerality. Always is open or needs 15-30 minutes. Just an amazing wine. Stunning purity and has a nice and very appealing bath soap aromas that are the signature to this wine. I've got 13 and 14 in the cellar. Either will do. 13 is more acidic and rich and 14 is more elegant.
10. Paul Weltner Schuerebe feinherb - Another German wine! One of the best expressions, if not the best, for under $20 a bottle! Some years it is from Rodelsee and some it is from Iphofen, but every year it is a delight. It is classic Schue with a kick of sugar that is perfect. Grapefruit, sage, blackberries and loads of minerals and an oh so juicy and elegant palate. Stunningly complex wine. This will make any date swoon. If not, dump them. I've got the '14 in the cellar, which is exceptional. Schue is the ultimate geek German grape.