The Omaha
JAN 2026
What’s New
Winery Profile from the Lost Rail Stag Event Report: Noon Stag at The Lost Rail A toast to great wine!
Best of the Cockle Bur compiled & edited by Harry B. Otis, 3rd President 1973-1974 “Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead.” - Benjamin Franklin
Guigal Château d’Ampuis In addition to our tasting wines 2014 Château Mouton Rothschild and 2010 Turnbull Cabernet Sauvignon Fortuna Vineyard, with our new initiative of having higher quality wines but less events, we had a third tasting wine, the 2014 Guigal Château d’Ampuis, [pronounced dam pooie]. Guigal is renown in both the northern and southern Rhȏne regions, but their fame rests on their outstanding La La wines coming from three small vineyards of Cȏte Rȏtie (CR), or Roasted Slope in French. Along with Hermitage, the CR appellation is the crown in Guigal’s offerings. The La La’s were promoted by Robert Parker Jr, whose high scores and tiny production made them the most sought-after wines in the Northern Rhȏne. These are the lieu-dits (named vineyards): La Mouline, La Landonne and La Turque. Their regular CRs is named after two slopes of the steep Roasted Slope called Brune et Blonde. In between these two quality levels is Château d’Ampuis, whose quality is high above the Brune et Blonde, but not as elevated as the La La’s. In 1995, Marcel Guigal decided to make a single CR made from six vineyards: La Pommière, Pavillon, La Garde, Le Clos, La Grande, and Le Moulin. The Château was originally a 12th century fortress, later converted into a Renaissance palace by Pierre d’Ampuy in the 14th century. It was given aristocratic credentials by the Maugrion family. In 1995 the Guigal family purchased the property and use it as their headquarters.
Event Report: Noon Stag at The Lost Rail
Written by Tom Murnan. Photos by Tom Murnan & Ron Policky Our 11/15/2025 stag was at the Lost Rail Golf Club. We first went to the venue a year ago, so I already knew Executive Chef Joe Anderson was going to do an excellent job with the food. The main draw was a stellar line up of tasting wines, with the Turnbull Cabernet Sauvignon Fortuna Vineyard 2010 being anointed with a perfect 100- point score from Robert Parker Jr. himself. But there was stiff competition. The Château Mouton Rothschild 2014 first growth was not far behind with a 99-point rating from James Suckling. The third wine was the wine we have been discussing on page 1: Guigal Château d’Ampuis 2014, a Cȏte Rȏtie wine. Where the first two have Cabernet Sauvignon as the main component, Syrah is the main grape for the Guigal. All the tasting wines were double decanted (poured out then right back in the bottle) at 6:00 pm the evening before, and poured into the glasses at 10:00 am before the stag began. Which was the best? I guess that depended on your perspective. The Mouton was elegant and structured, with impeccable balance. But the Turnbull kept developing in the glass, showing outstanding fruitiness and complexity. It was wonderfully balanced as well. Although quite good, the Rhȏne wine couldn’t keep up with its competitors. I am a Bordeaux aficionado, but in this case, to me the Turnbull was the best wine of the trio. All the wines performed superbly that afternoon. The Butternut Squash with Brown Butter, and Maple Crème Fraîsch was rich with a soupçon of spice. The Flowers Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2023 was a good match. The Cassoulet was outstanding, with its confit duck, and white beans, but also sporting pancetta, an unusual but inspired addition. The Drouhin Roserock Pinot Noir 2015 was round and fruity, an ideal match. Grilled Venison with roasted Chestnut, Lion Mane and Oyster Mushrooms (you don’t see these every day!) with Root Vegie Pave and Fig & Rosemary Demi Sauce had a pair of wines to explore. Both from 2015, but a half world apart, we enjoyed the Raymond Vineyard District Collection Cabernet Sauvignon and the Château Monbousquet, a St Emilion wine from the Right Bank. It is planted to 90% Merlot but only 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc. A Cheese course was next, with a 10-year-old Tawny Port from Taylor Fladgate, followed by Dessert. Bourbon Pecan Tart with Brown Butter Ice Cream was a good finish. Many thanks to event producer Dave Thrasher, to Executive Chef Joe Anderson and his team of servers who gave us attentive service. The weather was delightful, so after lunch many people moved outside for cigars and one complementary drink from the bar.
2026 UPCOMING OMAHA BRANCH EVENTS
JAN
03 FEB
17 MAR
14
FLEMING’S STAG
Madeira vs. 60-Year-Old Tawny Port Tasting Event hosts: Mike Wilke & Tom Murnan.
MARDI GRAS THEME ON MARDI GRAS ITSELF
Joint Couples Event with the Omaha Metro Branch Timber Wood Fire Bistro Event Producers: Mike & Rhonda Wilke
SEVENTH ANNUAL MARCH MADNESS NOON STAG Happy Hollow Club Event Producer: Joe Goldstein