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Featured User: Evan Bienstock

Evan is a start-up and venture capital lawyer in New York City. With roots in New England, he likes to spend time in Connecticut and Vermont when he is not in Brooklyn. Evan has a passion for sustainability and has focused part of his legal career on that as well. He loves to cook with his daughter, play basketball with his son, and explore the city’s restaurants and local bars with his wife Julie (although admittedly, they usually end up at their same spots). He’s happiest when cooking for and with family and friends and choosing what wines to serve. Delectable: What sparked your passion for wine? Evan Bienstock: I was traveling through Europe in college and spent a week with a family friend in Amsterdam. The father pulled wines from his basement every night at dinner and told a story with each one about where he found it and what he was doing at the time. Most were from the 70s and 80s. I was blown away. It began. Wine, for me, became nostalgia and sharing with people you love. D: What wine region are you wild about right now? EB: Champagne . I am just starting to dip my toe in, but I foresee a love affair ahead. D: What is the most unusual wine you’ve ever tried? EB: At a recent dinner in Burgundy, I had a 1917 Suduiraut Sauternes . It was amazing. D: What is your golden rule for wine? EB: Share. Share wine with people that are more experienced enthusiasts than you and with people that have less wine knowledge. You’ll learn in both situations. D: Say you’re not allowed to have wine, what is your second option? EB: Beer . Nothing can beat it after a long ski day or a late afternoon summer run. D: Choose a movie, book, quote, or song and pair it with a wine EB: Steely Dan's Aja and a 2008 Barolo . Both timeless. D: If you were a wine, what wine would you be? EB: I think a premier cru Burgundy , like a Volnay or a Pommard . Reliable, not flashy, consistent and sometimes underestimated.

Domaine Louis Boillot et Fils

Les Pruliers Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru Pinot Noir 2014

Evan Bienstock
9.2

Love this vineyard. This wine feels a little shut down right now, but still very pretty. — 7 years ago

Sharon, Tom and 17 others liked this

Francois Gaunoux

Le Clos des Chênes Volnay 1er Cru Pinot Noir 2012

Evan Bienstock
9.3

This was just signing. With no oak in her vinification the fruit is the star of the show. Thank you again Claudine. — 7 years ago

Matt, Ron and 19 others liked this

Paolo Scavino

Bric dël Fiasc Barolo Nebbiolo 2004

Evan Bienstock
9.3

2004 Bric. Terrific. Opened tight but so much better with food and a little air. The fruit is dissipating but the secondary notes are very strong now — leather, anise, pine needles, olive. I like where this is headed. — 8 years ago

Mark, Severn and 20 others liked this
Severn G

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Great bottle, drank all of ours already 😕

Domaine Faiveley (Joseph Faiveley)

La Combe Aux Moines Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Pinot Noir 1978

Evan Bienstock
8.9

1978 Gevrey. Showing significant signs of deconstruction, but an interesting data point nonetheless. Just too many years under this ones belt. — 8 years ago

Ron, Rob and 16 others liked this

Domaine Marquis d'Angerville

Fremiet Volnay 1er Cru Pinot Noir 1985

Evan Bienstock
9.5

Brought this 85 Fremiet to share with the Marquis (which, unbeknownst to us , is the birth year of his son), and we tasted the 17s in barrel. Pretty nice moment. — 8 years ago

Mark, Sylvain and 16 others liked this
P A

P A

@Evan Bienstock Sounds like a great wine and time Cheers 🍷

Azienda Agricola Brovia

Villero Barolo Nebbiolo 2008

Evan Bienstock
9.2

This 2008 is great but doesn’t have the complexity I was hoping for. The florals are not as evident here. Lots of earth and rustic tones. I do love this producer and this 2008 is a terrific wine. — 8 years ago

Severn, Ira and 25 others liked this
Severn G

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No Pack, no! I was actually in Green Bay 4 years ago to see the Pats v Pack at Lambeau. I'm hopeful this game won't end the same way. Although it was an epic experience in box seating.
Sharon B

Sharon B Influencer Badge

Box seating in green bay? You have to experience the frozen tundra, it’s like no other! This will be a good game but the Patriots are a superior team! Cheers!
Severn G

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Yes ma'am, box seats at Lambeau are the way to go when you have good connections, plus I don't have enough meat on my butt to last on those aluminum bleachers for a whole game. And yes, it snowed while we where there.

Failla

Haynes Vineyard Chardonnay 2016

Evan Bienstock
9.3

Delish and crisp after a long and epic ski day in VT. — 7 years ago

P, Severn and 22 others liked this
Ron R

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Wow, conditions look great up there... enjoy!
Sean Herriott

Sean Herriott

@Evan Bienstock Looks like the horse barn in The Hateful Eight😂

Louis-Benjamin Dagueneau

Silex Pouilly-Fumé Sauvignon Blanc 2011

Evan Bienstock
9.3

Had this in VT with colossal crab legs on the grill (which were amazing!). The Silex was perfect. Decanted for an hour and it really showed up. — 7 years ago

Shay, Matt and 24 others liked this
Evan Bienstock

Evan Bienstock Influencer Badge

@Severn Goodwin thanks!!! It’s fun.
Sharon B

Sharon B Influencer Badge

Congratulations on your feature! Lived in Connecticut for two and a half years thanks to the military! Beautiful up there
P A

P A

@Evan Bienstock Evan Great feature on you. Congratulations and Cheers from Canada 🥂🇺🇸🇨🇦

Château Léoville-Las Cases

Grand Vin de Leoville du Marquis de las Cases Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 1964

Evan Bienstock
9.5

1964 and it was magnificent. Clear. Clean. Very present. A stunner. — 8 years ago

Paul, John and 23 others liked this
Severn G

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@Evan Bienstock Very nice, I have tasted some early 70's bottles, and own some late 70's bottles, but have not dipped my toes into this territory yet. One of my favorites BDX producers, I think they are first place on the second growths.
P A

P A

@Evan Bienstock Evan what a tasting you attended Envious Good for you Cheers 🍷
Evan Bienstock

Evan Bienstock Influencer Badge

@Severn Goodwin the old Bordeaux are very good. I shy away from the newer ones...

Domaine Leflaive

Les Combettes Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Chardonnay 2015

Evan Bienstock
9.3

It’s good to be in Burgundy... — 8 years ago

Eric, Anthony and 15 others liked this
Severn G

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@Evan Bienstock I guess it is that time of year, you are a lucky man, that tasting is on my wine bucket list.
Evan Bienstock

Evan Bienstock Influencer Badge

@Severn Goodwin i lucked into the tasting with the owner of Tan Dihn in Paris....!
Severn G

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@Evan Bienstock He's a wonderful gentleman, with more wine experiences than I'll ever have! You are lucky to spend time with him.

Giacomo Conterno

Cascina Francia Barolo Nebbiolo 2008

Evan Bienstock
9.7

This wine is stunning. Magic in glass. 1 hr decant but just gorgeous. — 8 years ago

P, Shawn and 16 others liked this
Eric Weiner

Eric Weiner

We were thrilled to drink this with you

La Pousse d'Or

Clos des 60 Ouvrées Volnay 1er Cru Pinot Noir 2012

Evan Bienstock
9.3

2012. The nose is all oak. But the palate is very pretty and supple quiet red fruit with a hint of tannin for structure. I like this wine. — 7 years ago

Severn, Iwan and 19 others liked this
Sharon B

Sharon B Influencer Badge

Nice cozy setting!
Evan Bienstock

Evan Bienstock Influencer Badge

@Severn Goodwin 5 degrees in VT...
Severn G

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@Evan Bienstock 11° in Great Barrington, and windy. This is a good wine, had a few vintages, none this young yet, glad seeing it getting posted.

Marqués de Murrieta

Castillo Ygay Reserva Especial Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2009

Evan Bienstock
9.1

Excellent in 2009. And in Madrid it’s even better. — 7 years ago

Daniel P., Shay and 22 others liked this
Joe Lucca

Joe Lucca Influencer Badge

Enjoy Madrid!

Château Suduiraut

Sauternes Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend 1917

Evan Bienstock
9.4

1917 Sauternes. Yes, WWI. Nuff said. — 8 years ago

Paul, Daniel and 23 others liked this
Sharon B

Sharon B Influencer Badge

Wow! 1917 how cool. Was it still good?
Evan Bienstock

Evan Bienstock Influencer Badge

It was pretty amazing, yes.
Peggy Hadley

Peggy Hadley

Wow.

Lucien Le Moine

Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru Pinot Noir 2008

Evan Bienstock
9.4

This was a wow moment for me. Although it was 40 degrees and windy, we were standing in the vineyard with the winemaker of this 08 Charm, and I loved it. — 8 years ago

Bill, Daniel and 18 others liked this
Severn G

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Fantastic! What an experience your having!

Pascal Marchand

Chambertin-Clos de Bèze Grand Cru Pinot Noir 2007

Evan Bienstock
9.3

Sitting next the winemaker makes it so much better... Bezzzze!!! — 8 years ago

Severn, Kimberly and 8 others liked this

Château Clinet

Pomerol Merlot Cabernet Franc 1998

Evan Bienstock
9.4

Enjoyed this 98 alongside the 2008 Conterno. This was inky and dark with primary fruit and oak abundant. Very ripe indeed and not showing it’s age very much. Very pretty. @Eric Weiner — 8 years ago

Paul, Shawn and 21 others liked this

Brittan Vineyards

Gestalt Block Pinot Noir 2015

Evan Bienstock
9.2

Enjoying this young 2015 OR Pinot after ripping open the six pack I just received, and it didn’t disappoint. Very approachable, but with the tannin and structure to go a number of years. — 8 years ago

Joe, Paul and 10 others liked this