Sommelier’s pick
Who: Dale Ellington, wine buyer for Kata Robata
Background: A former “merch” (merchandise manager) for several heavy-metal bands, Ellington also served as a pedi-cabber and barbecue pitmaster, co-founding R&D Barbecue in Austin before moving to Houston in 2011. His plan was to become a novelist, but, with creativity and inspiration giving way to boredom and ennui, Ellington landed a bartending job at the then-new Uchi in Montrose, where he learned about wine at the knee of Camerata’s Master Sommelier David Keck, among others. What: 2012 Terlano Nova Domus Why: Ellington was introduced to this gorgeous wine about a year ago at a luncheon with a group of wine pros and was immediately enamored. He said it stayed in the back of his mind until he needed to decide on a single wine to pair with all the dishes at the Cochon 555 sommelier’s competition, which, lo and behold, he won. So, in a bout of hubris, he included it on the “Captain’s List” at Kata Robata. Ellington describes the Nova Domus as “slightly acidic with tropical fruits, clove and a “heavy metal” minerality — a voluptuous yet sophisticated cuvee of pinot bianco, chardonnay and sauvignon blanc that will elevate every course at Kata Robata from the beginning of your dining experience to the end.” But buyers beware. “Many a sleepless night,” Ellington warns, “has been spent reminiscing about the ‘Rubenesque’ mouthfeel of this beautiful wine.” Price: $75 for a bottle at Kata Robata, 3600 Kirby