Check, Please! Bay Area reviews: Martins West Pub, Red Tavern, August (1) Five

Check, Please! Bay Area Season 12 episode 15 airs Thursday, September 14 at 7:30pm on KQED 9. See other television airtimes. And never miss an episode by subscribing to the video podcast.

First we visit a Scottish-themed farm-to-table eatery at Martins West Pub in Redwood City. Then a family-gathering place with hearty portions of Russian cuisine at Red Tavern in the Richmond District, SF. And lastly, a contemporary twist on Indian fare with inventive California cocktails at August (1) Five Five in San Francisco.

Get Restaurant Information:

• Martins West Pub (Redwood City) [CLOSED]
• Red Tavern (San Francisco)
• August (1) Five (San Francisco) [CLOSED]

My name is Leslie Sbrocco and I'm the host of Check, Please! Bay Area. Each week, I will be sharing my tasting notes about the wine, beer, and spirits the guests and I drank on set during the taping of the show. I will also share some wine, beer and spirits tips with each episode. This week I discuss: Pimm's.

Loimer Brut Rosé, Niederosterriech, Austria $30
If you’re an adventurous fizz fanatic like I am, you are always seeking out new sparklers to enjoy. This unique bubbly crafted by iconic winemaker, Fred Loimer, is made in the traditional method of ageing in bottle. A blend of grapes including Zweigelt, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, the organically-grown wine is taut and tantalizing. Floral aromas and red berry freshness make this stylishly dry rosé one to sip as an aperitif or with lighter fish dishes. It’s an Austrian treasure.

2016 Emiliana “Natura” Un-Oaked Chardonnay, Valle del Bio-Bio, Chile $11
On several of my trips to Chile’s wine country, I’ve had the pleasure of visiting Emiliana. It’s a stunning, but low-key property devoted to creating wines focused on the principles of organics and biodynamics. Their label “Natura” is one I recommend frequently for its affordability and drinkability. Sure, it’s made with organically grown grapes, but the wines are just plain delicious. This oak-free style of Chardonnay is crisp with bright citrus and green apple notes and a smack of mouthwatering acidity.

2014 Buty “Conner Lee Vineyard” Merlot/Cabernet Franc, Columbia Valley, Washington $45
When I first tasted the wines from Buty (pronounced beauty) I called them one of Washington state’s best producers. Being lucky enough to sample their wines year after year, that declaration still holds true. The wines from Buty are beautiful. This supple, elegant red is two-thirds Merlot and one third Cabernet Franc grown in the famed Conner Lee Vineyard. It’s a wine to age for up to a decade or drink alongside rosemary-infused roast chicken and potato gratin. Now I’m hungry…and thirsty.

2013 Chimney Rock Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap District, Napa Valley, California $85
Winemakers Elizabeth Viana and Doug Fletcher have helped build Chimney Rock into a quiet giant of quality. The eye-catching Napa Valley winery dates to 1980 and for the past 37 years has created world-class wines focused on Cabernet Sauvignon. This powerhouse red showcases intensity of fruit from the Stags Leap District, while displaying impeccable balance worthy of the cellar or tonight’s dinner table. The 2013 vintage is a lauded one so if you can still get your hands on it, do.