Magazine raves about Vogt wine
Kevin Vogt, one of about 20 master sommeliers in Las Vegas, is the toast of the local wine industry.
Wine Spectator magazine announced last week that Vogt's winemaking debut, a sauvignon blanc named Mastery, ranks third among the prominent publication's best new California wines.
Vogt, 46, has worked for Emeril Lagasse for 13 years, almost 10 at Delmonico steakhouse at The Venetian, the rest at Emeril's New Orleans Fish House at the MGM Grand.
About three years ago, Vogt went to a friend, Paul Frank, who recently sold Gemstone Vineyards in Napa Valley, where aspiring winemakers are paying $1 million an acre.
Vogt had an interest in producing a top wine, but he had a shoestring budget. He went to Frank looking for advice, not necessarily as a partner. Frank, then 65, got back to him a couple of weeks later and suggested they collaborate.
"It was strictly a benevolent act on his part," said Vogt. "He was almost protecting me from what he thought might be a risky proposition."
To the creative mix they added Philippe Melka, "one of the rock stars of winemaking," said Vogt, one of just 165 master sommeliers in the world and 97 in the U.S.
"Paul brought unbelievable fruit and the ability for me to do it," he said. Melka chipped in with building the parts of wine and "helping my wife, Lynda, and I put together the blend."
They bottled 356 cases of the 2005 vintage of Mastery a year ago and dropped off a bottle with Wine Spectator for review a month ago.
When the news came last week that Mastery had received a 92 score from Wine Spectator, "I was in tears," said Vogt. "I'm walking on clouds at this point."
He added, "It's nice to play in the big leagues."
He thanked Lagasse for being "such a huge supporter. He was the driving force behind it."
Once Vogt gets licensed to sell his wine, he plans to sell it this fall for about $95 a bottle, he said. He bottled another 134 cases of the 2006 vintage.
For more information: http://www.masterywines.com
THE SCENE AND HEARD
Howard Hughes' No. 1 man Bob Maheu could keep a secret. During a telephone conversation with him about four years ago, he mentioned that during John F. Kennedy's inaugural gala in 1961, "the mother of a top-secret man sat in my box." Last week, after he died at age 90, I asked his son Peter Maheu if he had heard that story. He said he hadn't. If any Maheu pals know the mystery woman's identity, please contact me. ...
The slumping economy has apparently claimed a one-time off-Strip dining treasure. Owner-chef Marco Porceddu's truffle-coated papparadelle was magnificent. When I called to check on reports of closure, the telephone service was disconnected. Porceddu was a Sicilian wonderboy. He was barely in his mid-20s when Steve Wynn hired him to run the kitchen at Francesco's when Treasure Island opened. By the way, I had a call the other day from George LaForge, longtime owner-chef of Pamplemousse on East Sahara. He's still very much involved, he said, contrary to one of those hard-to-kill rumors. ... Celine Dion opened the 62-date North American leg of her "Taking Chances" world tour Tuesday at Boston's TD Banknorth Garden. Former Las Vegas headliner Gordie Brown opened for her.
SIGHTINGS
Singer Pink, in attendance at Cher's show on Sunday at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace. ... Local female impersonators Larry Edwards as Tina Turner and Chad Michaels, the No. 1 Cher impersonator, walking through the casino at Caesars Palace on Tuesday, on their way to the Cher convention, keeping their fingers crossed that Cher would make an appearance. ... Alfonso Ribeiro, Orlando Jones and Tyler Beckford, among the attendees at Wasted Space lounge Sunday at the Hard Rock Hotel for the 10th anniversary of Gumball Rally 3000. The 3,000-mile route incorporates overnight stops in locations such as Los Angeles, San Diego and Las Vegas. Upon leaving Vegas, all participants were to be flown directly to Pyongyang, North Korea, as part of a global "friendship" initiative. From there they will be flown on to Hangzhou, China, to be reunited with their vehicles and head north to Shanghai and Xuzhou, before crossing the finish line in Beijing's Tiananmen Square on Saturday, in time for the Gumballers to watch a week of Olympic finals. ... Method Man, performing a 12-minute set at Prive's "Money For Nothing" Mondays. Also there: Dominic Purcell of "Prison Break."
THE PUNCH LINE
"According to rumors, John McCain and Barack Obama are both trying to get Angelina Jolie's endorsement. John Edwards is just trying to get her number." - Craig Ferguson
Norm Clarke can be reached at (702) 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.
