October 3, 2011
Last night I was fortunate enough to be a part of the first wine and food pairing collaboration between La Tour Wine Merchants and Spare Parts Bistro. The coming together of two extremely detail oriented and talented people made for a very special evening of food and wine. In short, I have to say that it is a rare occasion for harmony to be found so completely and with such apparent ease as the pairings that were presented to each lucky guest. What struck me the most with each progressing course was the balance of each and every piece working together to achieve a complex and coherent whole.
Amuse Bouche - Pork Fat Carmel Corn
N.V. Domaine Allimant-Laugner Crémant d'Alsace Rosé**+
A light and sweet opening course that displayed a touch of savory notes that was a great counterpart to the bright acidity and fruitiness of the Pinot Noir based bubbles.
Salt-roasted Fingerling potato, Smoked Salmon, Creme Fraiche, Shallot, Tobiko
2010 Le Galatin, Bandol Rose**+
This pairing was all about balance and letting every note have its moment to shine. Even the smoked salmon was a team player and didn’t over power.
Heirloom Tomato Soup, Bacon, Taleggio, Sourdough Bread
2010 Erste & Neue St. Magdalener "Grobnerhof," Schiava/Lagrein**+
Wonderfully comforting soup and grilled cheese course that was paired with a light and fruity red from Northern Italy that also had enough acid to not get lost while standing up to the tomatoes.
Local Rock Crab, Lane Farms Corn, Jalapeno, Cilantro
2006 Erben Von Beulwitz Kaseler Niles'chen, Riesling Kabinett en Magnum***
Maybe my favorite course. Fantastic sweetness that never got cloying. The sweet and brine of the crab, was hightened with the sweet corn while pairing wonderfully with a delicious Riesling that stood toe to toe with the food and even added to the dish with wonderful acidity.
2009 Domaine Montpertuis, Chateauneuf du Pape**
A nice interlude to keep our palates sharp and not give us one moment to rest.
Garlic Fennel Sausage, Polenta, Wild Mushrooms, Madeira
2008 Confuron-Cotetidot, Bourgogne Rouge**+
A fantastic savory combination on both fronts. The creamy polenta was embellished with home-made sausage and local wild mushrooms. While the wine added a touch of red fruit and continued the earthiness of the mushrooms.
House-made Ricotta, Honey, Berries, Mint
1989 Domaine Brunet, Demi-Sec Vouvray****
A subtle yet elegant finish to the meal. The ricotta was rustic and delicious with the locally grown berries. At the same time, the Vouvray was absolutely tantalizing on the nose offering layers of candied fruits, minerality, and honeysuckle.
A huge thank you goes out to Graham for putting all of this together and making sure that I could be apart of it. The food, wine, and conversation all played a huge part in another wonderful experience living La Dolce Vita.
Cheers!
0 Stars - No rating
1 Star (*) - Not of significant quality or interest
2 Stars (**) - A notable wine of legitimate interest
3 Stars (***) - Great wine that should be searched out
4 Stars (****) - Fantastic wine that should not be missed
5 Stars (*****) - An absolutely mind-bending wine - beg, borrow, or steal to get your hands on some of this amazing juice!
Disclaimer: This rating is based on my palate and at the given time when tasted and may differ from yours. Also, I may catch a bottle in a dumb phase or it just may not speak to me at that particular time.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Monday, August 15, 2011
In a Fowl Mood
August 13, 2011
Sometimes we get an idea in our heads and it won’t go away until it is executed, only then will that specific and persistent desire be satisfied. In this case, it was a night of duck and Pinot Noir with a good friend. My close friend and fellow hedonist, Brian and I were inspired to create a menu around the acquisition of local duck while digging into the cellar to enjoy some great Pinot. The idea came nearly two years ago and on this day it was finally realized. Better late than never!
Brian both conceived and expertly executed the menu which was leisurely enjoyed over a four hour period. We began with grilled Squid & Shallot on a small bed of sautéed Chard. This was served warm and was drizzled with lemon and olive oil. Next came a Leek, Pecorino and Lamb Pizza. Adorned with local ripe cherry tomotoes. An utterly tantalizing concoction of flavor and texture. The coup de grace and main course was a Fennel-Scented Duck Breast w/ Pinot Noir sauce on a Potato Leek Puree. An absolutely delicious dish that certainly lived up to our two years of anticipation. A little touch of sweetness to finish and this was an overall amazing afternoon and evening.
The Lineup:
TerraDora Greco di Tufo 2009**+
Expertly paired with a grilled squid and shallot antipasto. Showed wonderfully bright acidity while giving just enough fruit to make this wine both wonderfully fresh but also quite interesting.
Lange Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2008**
Nice wine, especially for the price point. Simple fruit and quite tasty. This was a nice interlude and warm-up for the big boys.
Talley Vineyards Pinot Noir Rincon Vineyard 2004***
A big and rich wine showing a reflection of both the vintage and producer. Deep dark notes of black plums, dark cherries, and damp earth. This was quite nice and a great pairing to the lamb pizza.
Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Amber Ridge Vineyard 2006***
Bright red perfumed fruit on the nose leading to a mouth-filling palate of black rasperries. This kept with the lighter stylistic notes of the 2006 vintage, but was solidly rooted in classic KB complexity. Fantastic pairing with the duck.
Brachetto d’Acqui**
Fruity and light, a wonderful way to finish. These wines are so easy to drink, it’s a good thing they are only 6% alcohol!
I am again reminded that I am truly blessed with the continued company of good friends and the enjoyment and abundance of delectable food and drink. A special thanks to Brian for a truly memorable evening.
Cheers!
0 Stars - No rating
1 Star (*) - Not of significant quality or interest
2 Stars (**) - A notable wine of legitimate interest
3 Stars (***) - Great wine that should be searched out
4 Stars (****) - Fantastic wine that should not be missed
5 Stars (*****) - An absolutely mind-bending wine - beg, borrow, or steal to get your hands on some of this amazing juice!
Disclaimer: This rating is based on my palate and at the given time when tasted and may differ from yours. Also, I may catch a bottle in a dumb phase or it just may not speak to me at that particular time.
Sometimes we get an idea in our heads and it won’t go away until it is executed, only then will that specific and persistent desire be satisfied. In this case, it was a night of duck and Pinot Noir with a good friend. My close friend and fellow hedonist, Brian and I were inspired to create a menu around the acquisition of local duck while digging into the cellar to enjoy some great Pinot. The idea came nearly two years ago and on this day it was finally realized. Better late than never!
Brian both conceived and expertly executed the menu which was leisurely enjoyed over a four hour period. We began with grilled Squid & Shallot on a small bed of sautéed Chard. This was served warm and was drizzled with lemon and olive oil. Next came a Leek, Pecorino and Lamb Pizza. Adorned with local ripe cherry tomotoes. An utterly tantalizing concoction of flavor and texture. The coup de grace and main course was a Fennel-Scented Duck Breast w/ Pinot Noir sauce on a Potato Leek Puree. An absolutely delicious dish that certainly lived up to our two years of anticipation. A little touch of sweetness to finish and this was an overall amazing afternoon and evening.
The Lineup:
TerraDora Greco di Tufo 2009**+
Expertly paired with a grilled squid and shallot antipasto. Showed wonderfully bright acidity while giving just enough fruit to make this wine both wonderfully fresh but also quite interesting.
Lange Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2008**
Nice wine, especially for the price point. Simple fruit and quite tasty. This was a nice interlude and warm-up for the big boys.
Talley Vineyards Pinot Noir Rincon Vineyard 2004***
A big and rich wine showing a reflection of both the vintage and producer. Deep dark notes of black plums, dark cherries, and damp earth. This was quite nice and a great pairing to the lamb pizza.
Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Amber Ridge Vineyard 2006***
Bright red perfumed fruit on the nose leading to a mouth-filling palate of black rasperries. This kept with the lighter stylistic notes of the 2006 vintage, but was solidly rooted in classic KB complexity. Fantastic pairing with the duck.
Brachetto d’Acqui**
Fruity and light, a wonderful way to finish. These wines are so easy to drink, it’s a good thing they are only 6% alcohol!
I am again reminded that I am truly blessed with the continued company of good friends and the enjoyment and abundance of delectable food and drink. A special thanks to Brian for a truly memorable evening.
Cheers!
0 Stars - No rating
1 Star (*) - Not of significant quality or interest
2 Stars (**) - A notable wine of legitimate interest
3 Stars (***) - Great wine that should be searched out
4 Stars (****) - Fantastic wine that should not be missed
5 Stars (*****) - An absolutely mind-bending wine - beg, borrow, or steal to get your hands on some of this amazing juice!
Disclaimer: This rating is based on my palate and at the given time when tasted and may differ from yours. Also, I may catch a bottle in a dumb phase or it just may not speak to me at that particular time.
Friday, July 22, 2011
A night in Loire
July 21, 2011
It had been too long since getting together for a tasting with friends. So, ten of us gathered on a beautiful night in Santa Barbara for a tasting of some wines of the Loire. You can't ask for much more than to sit out and enjoy a great night with friends, a bunch of wine, and some wonderful home cooked food.
On the menu was: truffled cheese and crackers, bruschetta, panzanella salad with amazing heirloom tomatoes and burrata cheese, a fantastic bouillabaisse/zuppa di pesce with a New Orleans flair, and some delicious peaches and nectarines with whipped cream and pistachios served in a mason jar. It was an all around amazing meal, if you couldn't already tell.
The wines:
2009 La Fentre Chardonnay Bien Nacido Vineyard *+ – Not especially ripe in style, but prominent oak showed a toasty character.
2009 Chateau D'Epire, Savennieres ** – Bright, crisp, and quite nice.
2004 Chateau D'Epire, Savennieres * – Slightly oxidized.
2003 Domaine des Baumard, Savennieres, Trie Speciale *** – Star of the flight. Very nice with notes of pear and something reminiscent of waxy cheese.
2005 Domaine des Baumard, Savennieres, Clos du Papillon **+ – My favorite of the flight. Had some good fruit while staying lazer sharp.
2004 Domaine des Baumard, Savennieres, Clos du Papillon ** - Slight funk on the nose, but a nice wine.
2010 Foxen, Chenin Blanc, Ernesto Wickenden Vineyard ** – Much more fruit than its French counterparts, but enjoyable all the same. Notes of banana cream.
2009 Domaine de la Quilla Muscadet - Sevre de Maine *** – Amazing brightness and acidity that begged for shellfish. Best Muscadet I’ve had, great wine.
2008 Domaine du Bel Air, Bourgueil, "les Vingt lieux dits" *+ – The start of the reds, nothing too exciting here, but not bad.
2009 Domaine Sauvete Touraine, Les Gravouilles, Gamay ** – Enjoyed the juicy fruit on this one.
2009 Domaine de Beausejour, Chinon *+ – classic Cab Franc profile
2008 Domaine de Pallus, Chinon, Les Pensees de Pallus *+ – classic Cab Franc profile
2006 Charles Joguet, Chinon, Dioterie *+ – classic Cab Franc profile
2002 Saumur Champigny, Clos Mongeard ** – more rich and full that previous flight, nice wine.
2006 Domaine Nerleux Saumur-Champigny, "Clos Chatains" Monopole ** – nice way to finish the night, showed more fruit.
This was a great tasting through a bunch of cool wines. What continues to be the case for me is that I am drawn much more to the white wines of this region that it's reds. All are of good quality and an attractive price-point, but the whites repeatedly stand out for me. Lovely refreshing wines of great acidity and balance. Now I just need to go out there and get some for my cellar!
Cheers!
0 Stars - No rating
1 Star (*) - Not of significant quality or interest
2 Stars (**) - A notable wine of legitimate interest
3 Stars (***) - Great wine that should be searched out
4 Stars (****) - Fantastic wine that should not be missed
5 Stars (*****) - An absolutely mind-bending wine - beg, borrow, or steal to get your hands on some of this amazing juice!
Disclaimer: This rating is based on my palate and at the given time when tasted and may differ from yours. Also, I may catch a bottle in a dumb phase or it just may not speak to me at that particular time.
It had been too long since getting together for a tasting with friends. So, ten of us gathered on a beautiful night in Santa Barbara for a tasting of some wines of the Loire. You can't ask for much more than to sit out and enjoy a great night with friends, a bunch of wine, and some wonderful home cooked food.
On the menu was: truffled cheese and crackers, bruschetta, panzanella salad with amazing heirloom tomatoes and burrata cheese, a fantastic bouillabaisse/zuppa di pesce with a New Orleans flair, and some delicious peaches and nectarines with whipped cream and pistachios served in a mason jar. It was an all around amazing meal, if you couldn't already tell.
The wines:
2009 La Fentre Chardonnay Bien Nacido Vineyard *+ – Not especially ripe in style, but prominent oak showed a toasty character.
2009 Chateau D'Epire, Savennieres ** – Bright, crisp, and quite nice.
2004 Chateau D'Epire, Savennieres * – Slightly oxidized.
2003 Domaine des Baumard, Savennieres, Trie Speciale *** – Star of the flight. Very nice with notes of pear and something reminiscent of waxy cheese.
2005 Domaine des Baumard, Savennieres, Clos du Papillon **+ – My favorite of the flight. Had some good fruit while staying lazer sharp.
2004 Domaine des Baumard, Savennieres, Clos du Papillon ** - Slight funk on the nose, but a nice wine.
2010 Foxen, Chenin Blanc, Ernesto Wickenden Vineyard ** – Much more fruit than its French counterparts, but enjoyable all the same. Notes of banana cream.
2009 Domaine de la Quilla Muscadet - Sevre de Maine *** – Amazing brightness and acidity that begged for shellfish. Best Muscadet I’ve had, great wine.
2008 Domaine du Bel Air, Bourgueil, "les Vingt lieux dits" *+ – The start of the reds, nothing too exciting here, but not bad.
2009 Domaine Sauvete Touraine, Les Gravouilles, Gamay ** – Enjoyed the juicy fruit on this one.
2009 Domaine de Beausejour, Chinon *+ – classic Cab Franc profile
2008 Domaine de Pallus, Chinon, Les Pensees de Pallus *+ – classic Cab Franc profile
2006 Charles Joguet, Chinon, Dioterie *+ – classic Cab Franc profile
2002 Saumur Champigny, Clos Mongeard ** – more rich and full that previous flight, nice wine.
2006 Domaine Nerleux Saumur-Champigny, "Clos Chatains" Monopole ** – nice way to finish the night, showed more fruit.
This was a great tasting through a bunch of cool wines. What continues to be the case for me is that I am drawn much more to the white wines of this region that it's reds. All are of good quality and an attractive price-point, but the whites repeatedly stand out for me. Lovely refreshing wines of great acidity and balance. Now I just need to go out there and get some for my cellar!
Cheers!
0 Stars - No rating
1 Star (*) - Not of significant quality or interest
2 Stars (**) - A notable wine of legitimate interest
3 Stars (***) - Great wine that should be searched out
4 Stars (****) - Fantastic wine that should not be missed
5 Stars (*****) - An absolutely mind-bending wine - beg, borrow, or steal to get your hands on some of this amazing juice!
Disclaimer: This rating is based on my palate and at the given time when tasted and may differ from yours. Also, I may catch a bottle in a dumb phase or it just may not speak to me at that particular time.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Coming Together
April 9, 2011
To begin, I am compelled to offer my apologies for my VERY long hiatus from writing. Sometimes life just gets in the way, you know? Over the past few months there have certainly been some memorable experiences, delicious food, and fantastic wines. But, I would be totally remiss to not begin my reengagement into the blog-o-sphere with the biggest and most important event of my time away (and of my entire life, for that matter,) my engagement to my beautiful and amazing fiancé, Kendra. You have heard some of our story through past installments of LDV, but this is the most momentous of all of our moments to date.
Love, like wine, can require great patience. In this particular instance, the meaning in which I am referring is directed towards a feeling that we all know so well, waiting for true love to come along and for it to materialize so that you can live it and experience it in all of it’s splendor. The counterpart insofar as the world of wine is considered is finding that bottle of wine that ignites a spark within you without your knowing why or how. After the magical moment comes torturous excitement of waiting to see how things develop and living with the uncertainty of not knowing. While eventually giving way to faith that in the end, it will all come together to be something greater than you ever imagined. Yes, you could say that I am a fool in love and my writing has become cloyingly sweet, but hey you signed up for this. Anyway, I feel that my current condition has brought me back to why I fell in love with food and wine to begin with; embracing and sharing the things that you love with those who you love.
Coming back to our story of celebration, I simply would like to begin by saying that I was able to ask without fumbling too much and most importantly, she said “YES!” As a way to cap off an already perfect day, we went to The Wine Cask for dinner. Arriving a little early for our reservation, we settled in at the bar of Intermezzo for a glass of much needed and deserved bubbles. After a great start, we were seated at a cozy table next to the fireplace.
As we settled into our table and began our meal we enjoyed a second glass of Champagne before diving into the already decanting bottle of Barolo waiting for us. Along with the food and wine, our serves was wonderful. I began the meal with a special appetizer of seared foie gras, served with a pear tart and bay leaf ice cream that was both sweet and savory. Kendra started things off with a luxurious saffron and marcona almond soup. Both were a wonderful match of the crisp acidity of the Champagne. Next for me came quite a large serving of perfectly cooked Wagyu steak along with homemade bacon and earthy mushrooms. My lovely companion got the delicious pan-roasted chicken over mascarpone mashed potatoes. A wonderful meal with warm and attentive service.
Wines:
NV Jean Louis Vergnon Blanc de Blanc Brut **
Bright and Fresh with notes of pear, nice minerality, and good acidity.
NV Louis Roederer Brut **-
A little more simple than the Vergnon, but showed nice fruit and class.
Aldo Conterno Barolo Colonnello 2001 ***Just a baby, but I am very glad to have checked in on this wine because I don’t think that I would touch it again for 4-5 years. It did show notes of crushed red fruit and notable minerality. The tannins were fine, but still quite astringent. This is going to be something special, just not quite yet.
All in all, this was a day that I will never forget. A day highlighted by beautiful weather, great food and wine, so much happiness, and more than anything else, love.
Talk to you all, soon.
Cheers!
0 Stars - No rating
1 Star (*) - Not of significant quality or interest
2 Stars (**) - A notable wine of legitimate interest
3 Stars (***) - Great wine that should be searched out
4 Stars (****) - Fantastic wine that should not be missed
5 Stars (*****) - An absolutely mind-bending wine - beg, borrow, or steal to get your hands on some of this amazing juice!
Disclaimer: This rating is based on my palate and at the given time when tasted and may differ from yours. Also, I may catch a bottle in a dumb phase or it just may not speak to me at that particular time.
To begin, I am compelled to offer my apologies for my VERY long hiatus from writing. Sometimes life just gets in the way, you know? Over the past few months there have certainly been some memorable experiences, delicious food, and fantastic wines. But, I would be totally remiss to not begin my reengagement into the blog-o-sphere with the biggest and most important event of my time away (and of my entire life, for that matter,) my engagement to my beautiful and amazing fiancé, Kendra. You have heard some of our story through past installments of LDV, but this is the most momentous of all of our moments to date.
Love, like wine, can require great patience. In this particular instance, the meaning in which I am referring is directed towards a feeling that we all know so well, waiting for true love to come along and for it to materialize so that you can live it and experience it in all of it’s splendor. The counterpart insofar as the world of wine is considered is finding that bottle of wine that ignites a spark within you without your knowing why or how. After the magical moment comes torturous excitement of waiting to see how things develop and living with the uncertainty of not knowing. While eventually giving way to faith that in the end, it will all come together to be something greater than you ever imagined. Yes, you could say that I am a fool in love and my writing has become cloyingly sweet, but hey you signed up for this. Anyway, I feel that my current condition has brought me back to why I fell in love with food and wine to begin with; embracing and sharing the things that you love with those who you love.
Coming back to our story of celebration, I simply would like to begin by saying that I was able to ask without fumbling too much and most importantly, she said “YES!” As a way to cap off an already perfect day, we went to The Wine Cask for dinner. Arriving a little early for our reservation, we settled in at the bar of Intermezzo for a glass of much needed and deserved bubbles. After a great start, we were seated at a cozy table next to the fireplace.
As we settled into our table and began our meal we enjoyed a second glass of Champagne before diving into the already decanting bottle of Barolo waiting for us. Along with the food and wine, our serves was wonderful. I began the meal with a special appetizer of seared foie gras, served with a pear tart and bay leaf ice cream that was both sweet and savory. Kendra started things off with a luxurious saffron and marcona almond soup. Both were a wonderful match of the crisp acidity of the Champagne. Next for me came quite a large serving of perfectly cooked Wagyu steak along with homemade bacon and earthy mushrooms. My lovely companion got the delicious pan-roasted chicken over mascarpone mashed potatoes. A wonderful meal with warm and attentive service.
Wines:
NV Jean Louis Vergnon Blanc de Blanc Brut **
Bright and Fresh with notes of pear, nice minerality, and good acidity.
NV Louis Roederer Brut **-
A little more simple than the Vergnon, but showed nice fruit and class.
Aldo Conterno Barolo Colonnello 2001 ***Just a baby, but I am very glad to have checked in on this wine because I don’t think that I would touch it again for 4-5 years. It did show notes of crushed red fruit and notable minerality. The tannins were fine, but still quite astringent. This is going to be something special, just not quite yet.
All in all, this was a day that I will never forget. A day highlighted by beautiful weather, great food and wine, so much happiness, and more than anything else, love.
Talk to you all, soon.
Cheers!
0 Stars - No rating
1 Star (*) - Not of significant quality or interest
2 Stars (**) - A notable wine of legitimate interest
3 Stars (***) - Great wine that should be searched out
4 Stars (****) - Fantastic wine that should not be missed
5 Stars (*****) - An absolutely mind-bending wine - beg, borrow, or steal to get your hands on some of this amazing juice!
Disclaimer: This rating is based on my palate and at the given time when tasted and may differ from yours. Also, I may catch a bottle in a dumb phase or it just may not speak to me at that particular time.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Happy New Years!
January 18, 2011
First of all, I would like to apologize for the long absense of blog posts and would ask that all of my loyal readers to please forgive the lack of entries. My excuse is that unfortunately, as what so often happens, life gets in the way. Now that we are beyond that, let’s get to the reason that we are here, La Dolce Vita. I hope that I am not too rusty…
After missing so many great occassions, I would very much like to share a recent evening at my house of good wine, good friends, and delicious food. This gathering took place for the simple motivation of getting together with friends and opening up a bottle of wine that each of us were excited to share. In an unusual twist, the event was at my house, but I was quite late. Oops! So, it felt almost as though I was attending a dinner at my own house, rather than hosting it. Special thanks to my good friend Brian for stepping in and making it happen.
A well received and slightly different twist to this night was the fact that we each made a contribution to the meal with a creation of our own. There was a homemade shrimp cocktail dressed with fresh herbs, spicy sausage stuffed mushrooms, Fettucine alla Bolognese with a sause of lamb, beef, and bison, and finishing along side the port with a cheese course of Blue, aged white Cheddar, and Yamonamo. Everything was delicious and I am very thankful for everyone’s efforts and culinary contibutions.
In our celebration, we gave each other the opportunity to open one of those bottles that sit in your cellar waiting to the “right occasion”. Well, THIS was that occasion!
The Wines:
Qupe Roussanne Alban Vineyard 2000**
Showing well at 11 years of age. Golden in color, with ripe apricots and a waxy feeling on the palate.
Stolpman L’Avion 2006** (90% Roussanne and 10% Viognier)
Nice wine offering stone fruits and a sweet florality.
Booker White 2008** (60% Roussanne and 40% Viognier)
A little ripe for my tastes, but an enjoyable wine all the same.
Foxen Julia’s Vineyard Pinot Noir 2005***
Elegant and light in comparison to the Kosta Browne. I have a feeling that this wine would have shown much better without the KB sitting the glass next to it. Bright red fruit, dusty tannins, and a sweet core of candied cherries.
Kosta Browne 4-Barrel Pinot Noir 2004****
The nose had deep and dark notes of black and blue fruit with savory tones of soy to add to the complexity and nuance of the wine. The palate was rich and layered. After being open for 2 hours it went from being tightly wound to luscious and expansive in the mouth with notes of kirsch and subtleties of minerality. What a wine!
Saxum Broken Stones 2007**** (Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah)
Very nice bottle of wine. I was struck almost immediately by it’s purity of fruit and balance. Dark berries dominated with a level of minerality looming beneath. I would love to see where this wine is in a couple years.
Linne Calado Slacker 2007** (Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah)
In a similar position of disadvantage to that of the Julia’s Pinot, this wine would probably have shown better if it weren’t next to the Saxum. It seemed much more simple and straight forward provided ripe fruit and was pleasant.
Palmina Savoia 2004*** (Nebbiolo, Syrah, Barbera)
With wonderful acidity this wine was able to not only stand up to the multitude of wines that came first, but was also a great pairing with the pasta that was being served. Bright and rich all at the same time.
Grahams 20 Year Tawny Port**
A nice conclusion to the night with the various cheeses being served. Classic port profiles.
A very fun night with good friends, lively conversation, boisterious laughter, and oh yeah, great wines.
I hope that you all enjoyed and I promise to write.
Cheers!
0 Stars - No rating
1 Star (*) - Not of significant quality or interest
2 Stars (**) - A notable wine of legitimate interest
3 Stars (***) - Great wine that should be searched out
4 Stars (****) - Fantastic wine that should not be missed
5 Stars (*****) - An absolutely mind-bending wine - beg, borrow, or steal to get your hands on some of this amazing juice!
Disclaimer: This rating is based on my palate and at the given time when tasted and may differ from yours. Also, I may catch a bottle in a dumb phase or it just may not speak to me at that particular time.
First of all, I would like to apologize for the long absense of blog posts and would ask that all of my loyal readers to please forgive the lack of entries. My excuse is that unfortunately, as what so often happens, life gets in the way. Now that we are beyond that, let’s get to the reason that we are here, La Dolce Vita. I hope that I am not too rusty…
After missing so many great occassions, I would very much like to share a recent evening at my house of good wine, good friends, and delicious food. This gathering took place for the simple motivation of getting together with friends and opening up a bottle of wine that each of us were excited to share. In an unusual twist, the event was at my house, but I was quite late. Oops! So, it felt almost as though I was attending a dinner at my own house, rather than hosting it. Special thanks to my good friend Brian for stepping in and making it happen.
A well received and slightly different twist to this night was the fact that we each made a contribution to the meal with a creation of our own. There was a homemade shrimp cocktail dressed with fresh herbs, spicy sausage stuffed mushrooms, Fettucine alla Bolognese with a sause of lamb, beef, and bison, and finishing along side the port with a cheese course of Blue, aged white Cheddar, and Yamonamo. Everything was delicious and I am very thankful for everyone’s efforts and culinary contibutions.
In our celebration, we gave each other the opportunity to open one of those bottles that sit in your cellar waiting to the “right occasion”. Well, THIS was that occasion!
The Wines:
Qupe Roussanne Alban Vineyard 2000**
Showing well at 11 years of age. Golden in color, with ripe apricots and a waxy feeling on the palate.
Stolpman L’Avion 2006** (90% Roussanne and 10% Viognier)
Nice wine offering stone fruits and a sweet florality.
Booker White 2008** (60% Roussanne and 40% Viognier)
A little ripe for my tastes, but an enjoyable wine all the same.
Foxen Julia’s Vineyard Pinot Noir 2005***
Elegant and light in comparison to the Kosta Browne. I have a feeling that this wine would have shown much better without the KB sitting the glass next to it. Bright red fruit, dusty tannins, and a sweet core of candied cherries.
Kosta Browne 4-Barrel Pinot Noir 2004****
The nose had deep and dark notes of black and blue fruit with savory tones of soy to add to the complexity and nuance of the wine. The palate was rich and layered. After being open for 2 hours it went from being tightly wound to luscious and expansive in the mouth with notes of kirsch and subtleties of minerality. What a wine!
Saxum Broken Stones 2007**** (Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah)
Very nice bottle of wine. I was struck almost immediately by it’s purity of fruit and balance. Dark berries dominated with a level of minerality looming beneath. I would love to see where this wine is in a couple years.
Linne Calado Slacker 2007** (Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah)
In a similar position of disadvantage to that of the Julia’s Pinot, this wine would probably have shown better if it weren’t next to the Saxum. It seemed much more simple and straight forward provided ripe fruit and was pleasant.
Palmina Savoia 2004*** (Nebbiolo, Syrah, Barbera)
With wonderful acidity this wine was able to not only stand up to the multitude of wines that came first, but was also a great pairing with the pasta that was being served. Bright and rich all at the same time.
Grahams 20 Year Tawny Port**
A nice conclusion to the night with the various cheeses being served. Classic port profiles.
A very fun night with good friends, lively conversation, boisterious laughter, and oh yeah, great wines.
I hope that you all enjoyed and I promise to write.
Cheers!
0 Stars - No rating
1 Star (*) - Not of significant quality or interest
2 Stars (**) - A notable wine of legitimate interest
3 Stars (***) - Great wine that should be searched out
4 Stars (****) - Fantastic wine that should not be missed
5 Stars (*****) - An absolutely mind-bending wine - beg, borrow, or steal to get your hands on some of this amazing juice!
Disclaimer: This rating is based on my palate and at the given time when tasted and may differ from yours. Also, I may catch a bottle in a dumb phase or it just may not speak to me at that particular time.
Friday, November 12, 2010
A Big Day During Harvest
October 25, 2010
Taking a much needed break during a crazy harvest I was able to join the usual band of borrachos for one of our favorite pilgrimages, to the winery facilities of Au Bon Climat and Qupe. Jim Clendenen, Bob Lindquist, and Jim Adelman were all there to host us with their spectacular generosity and graciously boisterous way of making us feel welcome. Upon our arrival we were greeted by our hosts and a feeling that they were as excited for us to be there as we were, if that is possible. After our initial conversations as friends excited to be back in one another’s company, we were off to begin our big day with a journey through the extensive barrel rooms.
From the barrel:
Au Bon Climat Bien Nacido Vineyard Chardonnay 2009 (first pick) - huge acidity but will clearly be a nice component to the future final blend.
Au Bon Climat Sanford and Benedict Vineyard Chardonnay 2009 - bright acidity but much more in balance.
Clendenen Family Vineyards Le Bon Climat Vineyard Chardonnay 2009 - showing much more flesh and softness.
Au Bon Climat Anderson Valley, Elke Vineyard Chardonnay 2009 - wonderfully tropical and already very enjoyable. +
Qupe Bien Nacido Reserve Chardonnay 2009 - much more rich than the others.
Qupe Roussanne 2009 - bright notes of candied citrus.
Au Bon Climat Bien Nacido Vineyard Pinot Noir 2009 (Pommard 103) - dark notes of black spicy fruit.
Au Bon Climat Los Alamos Pinot Noir 2009 - brighter red fruit profile.
Au Bon Climat Talley-Rosemary Vineyard Pinot Noir 2009 - brambly and well balanced.
Au Bon Climat Sanford and Benedict Vineyard Pinot Noir 2009 - very very nice wine that showed class and complexity. +
Vita Nova Sangiovese 2001 - a change of pace to have this from bottle, showed leather and classic Sangio profile.
Vita Nova Acronitis 2002 - a Bordeaux blend that didn’t blow me away.
Qupe La Purisima Vineyard Grenache 2009 - nice wine that will be blended into the Los Olivos Cuvee.
Qupe Sawyer-Lindquist Vineyard Grenache 2009 - quite nice, showing elegant fruit.
Qupe Sawyer-Lindquist Vineyard Syrah 2009 - dark and tightly wound.
As the lunch bell rang we made our hurried move to the kitchen to see what feast had been prepared at the hands of our intrepid host, Jim Clendenen. As usual, we were not disappointed. The Grub: Basil Butter Noodles, Beef Bourgogne with a homemade horseradish and green onion sauce, Roasted Eggplant with goat cheese, Lima beans with pesto and sesame, Frittata of Zucchini and choate chili’s, and fresh tomatoes. With so much being grown by Jim himself, these meals are as good as anything you’ll ever eat at a restaurant or kitchen table anywhere in the world. As the food and wine flowed our conversations grew and evolved from our usual talk of food, wine, and sports into discussions of politics, travel, and of course, food, wine, and sports.
The lineup of Lunch Wines:
Qupe Bien Nacido Cuvee 2009 (50% Chardonnay/50% Viognier) - nice way to start, fresh but rich.
Qupe Marsanne 1993 - I’ve never had a Marsanne even close to this old and I thought it was remarkable. Wonderful balance still with a rich nuttiness. +
Au Bon Climat Hildegard 2006 (55% Pinot Gris/40% Pinot Blanc/5% Aligote) - nice
Au Bon Climat Hildegard 2004 - nicer
Au Bon Climat Hildegard 2001 - nicer still
Au Bon Climat Hildegard 1999 - fantastic wine of wonderful complexity. +
Au Bon Climat Knox Alexander Pinot Noir 2007 - bright and fresh fruit
Au Bon Climat Knox Alexander Pinot Noir 2004 - lighter body than I expected with the heat of this particular vintage. Very nice. +
Au Bon Climat Knox Alexander Pinot Noir 2003 - Not as interesting as the previous two.
Au Bon Climat Knox Alexander Pinot Noir 2001 - Showed very well, still showing some youthful exuberance.
Qupe Bien Nacido Vineyard Hillside Select Syrah 2006 - deep, dark, and dense.
Qupe Bien Nacido Vineyard Hillside Select Syrah 2005 - relaxing a little bit and showing more.
Qupe Bien Nacido Vineyard Hillside Select Syrah 2002 - great evolution to this point, really nice wine. +
Qupe Bien Nacido Vineyard Hillside Select Syrah 2001 - wow, what a wine! This is what local Syrah is capable of being. Exciting! +
Clendenen Family Vineyards Nebbiolo 2002 - after some discussion of Barolo, this little vertical arrived at the table. More forward than the others showing more fruit up front.
Clendenen Family Vineyards Nebbiolo 2001 - tightly wound and needs to either be opened the day before drinking or wait another 5 years on this wine.
Clendenen Family Vineyards Nebbiolo 2003 - very nice varietal character and showing well now with the clear potential to get better with age. +
Clendenen Family Vineyards La Cuna 2005 (90% Syrah/10% Viognier) - great old world elegance while still clearly being from a local producer and made of local fruit. Very enjoyable. +
Another epic journey to one of my very favorite wine destinations. These visits are what most any wine lover in the world dreams about and I am so very thankful to be fortunate enough to be a part of these trips. Special thanks goes out to our hosts and our organizer.
Cheers!
+ = Wine of particular note
0 Stars - No rating
1 Star (*) - Not of significant quality or interest
2 Stars (**) - A notable wine of legitimate interest
3 Stars (***) - Great wine that should be searched out
4 Stars (****) - Fantastic wine that should not be missed
5 Stars (*****) - An absolutely mind-bending wine - beg, borrow, or steal to get your hands on some of this amazing juice!
Disclaimer: This rating is based on my palate and at the given time when tasted and may differ from yours. Also, I may catch a bottle in a dumb phase or it just may not speak to me at that particular time.
Taking a much needed break during a crazy harvest I was able to join the usual band of borrachos for one of our favorite pilgrimages, to the winery facilities of Au Bon Climat and Qupe. Jim Clendenen, Bob Lindquist, and Jim Adelman were all there to host us with their spectacular generosity and graciously boisterous way of making us feel welcome. Upon our arrival we were greeted by our hosts and a feeling that they were as excited for us to be there as we were, if that is possible. After our initial conversations as friends excited to be back in one another’s company, we were off to begin our big day with a journey through the extensive barrel rooms.
From the barrel:
Au Bon Climat Bien Nacido Vineyard Chardonnay 2009 (first pick) - huge acidity but will clearly be a nice component to the future final blend.
Au Bon Climat Sanford and Benedict Vineyard Chardonnay 2009 - bright acidity but much more in balance.
Clendenen Family Vineyards Le Bon Climat Vineyard Chardonnay 2009 - showing much more flesh and softness.
Au Bon Climat Anderson Valley, Elke Vineyard Chardonnay 2009 - wonderfully tropical and already very enjoyable. +
Qupe Bien Nacido Reserve Chardonnay 2009 - much more rich than the others.
Qupe Roussanne 2009 - bright notes of candied citrus.
Au Bon Climat Bien Nacido Vineyard Pinot Noir 2009 (Pommard 103) - dark notes of black spicy fruit.
Au Bon Climat Los Alamos Pinot Noir 2009 - brighter red fruit profile.
Au Bon Climat Talley-Rosemary Vineyard Pinot Noir 2009 - brambly and well balanced.
Au Bon Climat Sanford and Benedict Vineyard Pinot Noir 2009 - very very nice wine that showed class and complexity. +
Vita Nova Sangiovese 2001 - a change of pace to have this from bottle, showed leather and classic Sangio profile.
Vita Nova Acronitis 2002 - a Bordeaux blend that didn’t blow me away.
Qupe La Purisima Vineyard Grenache 2009 - nice wine that will be blended into the Los Olivos Cuvee.
Qupe Sawyer-Lindquist Vineyard Grenache 2009 - quite nice, showing elegant fruit.
Qupe Sawyer-Lindquist Vineyard Syrah 2009 - dark and tightly wound.
As the lunch bell rang we made our hurried move to the kitchen to see what feast had been prepared at the hands of our intrepid host, Jim Clendenen. As usual, we were not disappointed. The Grub: Basil Butter Noodles, Beef Bourgogne with a homemade horseradish and green onion sauce, Roasted Eggplant with goat cheese, Lima beans with pesto and sesame, Frittata of Zucchini and choate chili’s, and fresh tomatoes. With so much being grown by Jim himself, these meals are as good as anything you’ll ever eat at a restaurant or kitchen table anywhere in the world. As the food and wine flowed our conversations grew and evolved from our usual talk of food, wine, and sports into discussions of politics, travel, and of course, food, wine, and sports.
The lineup of Lunch Wines:
Qupe Bien Nacido Cuvee 2009 (50% Chardonnay/50% Viognier) - nice way to start, fresh but rich.
Au Bon Climat Hildegard 2006 (55% Pinot Gris/40% Pinot Blanc/5% Aligote) - nice
Au Bon Climat Hildegard 2004 - nicer
Au Bon Climat Hildegard 2001 - nicer still
Au Bon Climat Hildegard 1999 - fantastic wine of wonderful complexity. +
Au Bon Climat Knox Alexander Pinot Noir 2007 - bright and fresh fruit
Au Bon Climat Knox Alexander Pinot Noir 2004 - lighter body than I expected with the heat of this particular vintage. Very nice. +
Au Bon Climat Knox Alexander Pinot Noir 2003 - Not as interesting as the previous two.
Au Bon Climat Knox Alexander Pinot Noir 2001 - Showed very well, still showing some youthful exuberance.
Qupe Bien Nacido Vineyard Hillside Select Syrah 2006 - deep, dark, and dense.
Qupe Bien Nacido Vineyard Hillside Select Syrah 2005 - relaxing a little bit and showing more.
Qupe Bien Nacido Vineyard Hillside Select Syrah 2002 - great evolution to this point, really nice wine. +
Qupe Bien Nacido Vineyard Hillside Select Syrah 2001 - wow, what a wine! This is what local Syrah is capable of being. Exciting! +
Clendenen Family Vineyards Nebbiolo 2002 - after some discussion of Barolo, this little vertical arrived at the table. More forward than the others showing more fruit up front.
Clendenen Family Vineyards Nebbiolo 2001 - tightly wound and needs to either be opened the day before drinking or wait another 5 years on this wine.
Clendenen Family Vineyards Nebbiolo 2003 - very nice varietal character and showing well now with the clear potential to get better with age. +
Clendenen Family Vineyards La Cuna 2005 (90% Syrah/10% Viognier) - great old world elegance while still clearly being from a local producer and made of local fruit. Very enjoyable. +
Another epic journey to one of my very favorite wine destinations. These visits are what most any wine lover in the world dreams about and I am so very thankful to be fortunate enough to be a part of these trips. Special thanks goes out to our hosts and our organizer.
Cheers!
+ = Wine of particular note
0 Stars - No rating
1 Star (*) - Not of significant quality or interest
2 Stars (**) - A notable wine of legitimate interest
3 Stars (***) - Great wine that should be searched out
4 Stars (****) - Fantastic wine that should not be missed
5 Stars (*****) - An absolutely mind-bending wine - beg, borrow, or steal to get your hands on some of this amazing juice!
Disclaimer: This rating is based on my palate and at the given time when tasted and may differ from yours. Also, I may catch a bottle in a dumb phase or it just may not speak to me at that particular time.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Big (Early) Birthday Weekend
September 10-12, 2010
As a milestone birthday began to approach, I decided that I wanted to fully embrace and celebrate it’s arrival. This celebration was a month prior to the actual date of my birth, but only because of scheduling with some of my very favorite people, my family. Along with my parents, brother and his wife the festivities took place in one of the greatest cities that I know, San Francisco. In my opinion, San Francisco is rivaled by only the very best cities in the world for architecture, culture, character, and of course food and wine.
To be honest, I spent months planning the weekend and countless hours just thinking about the possibilities. Those that know me well, probably aren’t too surprised by that admission. But hey, this is a big birthday, what can I say?
After landing at SFO at noon on Friday, I was promptly picked up by my parents to head into the city and it was time to let the revelry begin. In my research for this weekend’s culinary explorations, I found a great little sushi restaurant in the New Fillmore neighborhood called, Maruya. After traversing through the busy city streets and extensive road construction, we arrived. We were randomly greeted to San Francisco by a friendly mustache clad police officer who teased and jokingly asked for a bribe of a free lunch for help in parking our car. After a few laughs we walked up the street to our lunch destination and came upon a much smaller than expected take out sushi spot. Luckily we were welcomed by the very friendly and hospitable owners of this tiny family owned restaurant of 45 years. They allowed us to eat in their phone-booth sized establishment and there we enjoyed unbelievably fresh fish of clean and precise flavors.
With delicious and healthy food in our bellies we were off to the Marin Headlands for some hiking and absolutely phenomenal views back at the city and Golden Gate Bridge. The weather was perfect with the sun prevailing in a battle over the typical summer fog. After a great time and plenty of fresh air, we went back to the hotel to check into our room at the Hilton Union Square and meet up with my brother who was just arriving.
After settling into our rooms and relaxing for a brief period, it was time to get ready for a night out. The evening began with a visit to the Mark Hopkins Hotel on Nob Hill and their famous restaurant, ‘Top of the Mark’, for a pre-dinner drink and a chance to soak up the fantastic views of San Francisco. In some ways this felt like the official ’kick-off’ for my birthday celebration, with my family doing what we love to do, spending time together in beautiful places while enjoying great food and wine.
Dinner was at the Michelin starred restaurant of Piedmontese inspiration, Acquerello. Elegant and intimate this was a place of great class and the menu was a gourmet expression of classic Piedmontese cuisine. Though I did have a problem with one of the two bottles that I brought to be enjoyed, we did have a pretty amazing experience here. We began with a Grower Champagne from Egly-Ouriet that was fruit driven and quite nice. This was enjoyed with a couple amuse bouche that consisted of arancini with truffle oil and a bruschetta of mushrooms. For my first course I decided on the Chopped beef tartare with Parmesan cream, quail egg and truffle drizzle. This was a wonderful way to begin and something that I enjoyed multiple times on my last trip to Piedmont. The next wine opened was something that I was most looking forward to, a bottle of Giuseppe Mascarello Barolo Monprivato. This wine is one of great interest to me and has a growing presence in my cellar due to it’s quality, rarity, and explosive aromatics. Onto my second course, Saffron malloreddus tossed in a rich Abruzzese ragu' of lamb and beef. This was an absolutely delicious pasta dish that had a new pasta shape for me that was similar to gnocchi with ridges. For my third course I went with the Stuffed, grilled pork chop over polenta of toasted farro, roasted plums and pancetta wrapped radicchio Trevisano. Our last wine of the night was a bottle of Brunello di Montalcino from Poggio Antico that I picked up while living in Rome and have been anxiously waiting it’s opening in the 8 years since. For dessert I chose the Valrhona dark chocolate ganache with hucklerries and mascarpone. Overall this was a fantastic night of exquisite Italian food and exceptional wines.
I Vini:
Egly-Ouriet Vignes de Vrigny Blanc de Noir N.V. ***
Very enjoyable and fruity without losing the class that I’ve come to expect with good grower Champagne. Toasty fruit all over this one with nice acidity to cleanse and prime the palate.
Giuseppe Mascarello Barolo Monprivato 1999 ****
This wine evolved from the moment the cork was pulled until the last drop was consumed, 3 hours later. Beyond it’s beautiful red raspberry color, the nose was richly aromatic and perfumed. Along with the palate the wine gained weight with air, starting with crushed rose pedals and sweet wild fennel, to a slightly darker anise seed, and finishing with licorice root, truffle, and tar. The palate was elegant and tannins persistent but not overpowering and showed juicy red plums. This wine was amazing but will reward those that have the fortitude to hold onto a couple bottles for at least the next 10 years. Wow!
Poggio Antico Brunello di Montalcino 1997 ***
Wonderfully dark in color with classic leather and tar on the nose. Plum skin and licorice on the palate of this more elegant than expected Brunello.
Onto day two of this birthday extravaganza. We start off the day with a classic hole-in-the-wall greasy spoon diner called Dottie’s True Blue Café. With a 45 minute wait outside we are greeted by some local flavor and finally make it inside. This was a great start to the day and after a hearty breakfast from this tiny but lively spot, we were ready to go. We then visited Golden Gate park for some much needed exercise for a stroll around the beautiful park. After an attempt to have lunch at the exceedingly crowded Ferry Building we settled in the 80 year old Irish Pub, Harrington's for some lunch and to watch the Notre Dame game. Harrington's was a great spot to grab a couple pints and have some lunch, despite the outcome of the game, we forged on. Next we hopped onto a historic street car and headed down the Embarcadero to do a little more exploring before heading back to the hotel.
Saturday’s dinner was at a restaurant that I’ve been wanting to visit for a long time, Chez Panisse. Before heading across the Bay Bridge, we shared a fantastic bottle of bubbles, my first ever bottle of Krug. After a great start to the evening we drove over to Berkeley for dinner.
We arrived a little early to our reservation and after waiting upstairs in the boisterous café we were seated in the comfortable and elegant dining room downstairs. Our experienced waiter started us off with an amouse bouche of olives and fresh bread with a small glass of Spanish Cava as an aperitif before moving into our spectacular meal and wines. The first course was the delicate and wonderful Cucumber carpaccio with cured salmon and herb salad that had a refreshing quality that went surprisingly well with the J.J. Prum Riesling. Next came the Chanterelle mushroom lasagne, which was rustic yet very refined and a great match to the Rioja. I could have eaten a couple more portions of this dish. Third was the Grilled Paine Farm squab with rosemary, pancetta, shell beans, romano beans, and sweet corn fritters. It was savory tender goodness that is rarely matched and I can honestly say is probably the best fowl that I’ve ever had. It’s rusticity played quite well with the Chateauneuf du Pape. Lastly came something sweet, Frog Hollow Farm plum crostata with wild fennel ice cream. We took our time and savored every delicious morsel of food and drop of wine, while sharing each other’s company and rich conversation. This was honestly one of my favorite meals I’ve ever been lucky enough to enjoy in one of the best restaurants in the world. Simple, fresh, and elegant food prepared and served without compromise. Everything here was executed to the finest of detail without ever being pretentious or making you feel like you were anything but welcome and comfortable.
The Wines:
Krug Champagne Grand Cuvee Brut NV ***+
An elegant and classy bottle of wine. Drank as an aperitif but could have been even better with a little food to help cut the huge acidity. Bright nose with buttery brioche tones to round it out.
Joh. Jos. Prum Wehlener Sonnehur Auslese 2002 ****
Fantastic wine with wonderful richness of spiced apples, candied lime, and plenty of that sweet petrol nose that I look for so much in a wine like this. The palate was surprisingly light on it's feet while still giving mouth coating pleasure. This wine is only going to get better and better with age.
R. Lopez de Heredia Rioja Gran Reserva Vina Bosconia 1981 ****
Light ruby color with a Tawny Port like appearance. This was shockingly “youthful” in that there was still so much there and it’s evolution in the glass was remarkable. Bright red berries on top of savory teriyaki beef jerky and new leather that eventually showed fresh wild dill on the nose. The palate showed a chutney of tart cherries and cranberries, wonderfully bright acidity, while all being wrapped up in an elegantly silky mouthfeel. I want more!
Henri Bonneau Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Marie Beurrier 2000 ***+
Inky dark and enjoyably elegant in style. This was a big wine, don't get me wrong, but never heavy handed. The nose was rich with leather and spice while the palate showed dark berries and forest floor. The acidity was brighter than expected and gave the wine a slightly ethereal feel to it. Quite nice.
Sunday morning was spent walking around the sleepy neighborhood of Cow Hollow, eating a pastry on Marina Green, and then enjoying a hearty Italian lunch at a family favorite, Scoma's. The time had come to head back to SFO because the festivities had reached their end.
Everything went to plan as well as could be expected while keeping to a feeling of something organic despite being organized. The one major missing piece was the absence of a special someone, my special someone. But, that couldn’t be helped and I know that there will be countless future milestones spent together. This was truly a special weekend that I will never forget. As always, endless thanks go to my loving family for all their love and generosity.
Cheers!
0 Stars - No rating
1 Star (*) - Not of significant quality or interest
2 Stars (**) - A notable wine of legitimate interest
3 Stars (***) - Great wine that should be searched out
4 Stars (****) - Fantastic wine that should not be missed
5 Stars (*****) - An absolutely mind-bending wine - beg, borrow, or steal to get your hands on some of this amazing juice!
Disclaimer: This rating is based on my palate and at the given time when tasted and may differ from yours. Also, I may catch a bottle in a dumb phase or it just may not speak to me at that particular time.
As a milestone birthday began to approach, I decided that I wanted to fully embrace and celebrate it’s arrival. This celebration was a month prior to the actual date of my birth, but only because of scheduling with some of my very favorite people, my family. Along with my parents, brother and his wife the festivities took place in one of the greatest cities that I know, San Francisco. In my opinion, San Francisco is rivaled by only the very best cities in the world for architecture, culture, character, and of course food and wine.
To be honest, I spent months planning the weekend and countless hours just thinking about the possibilities. Those that know me well, probably aren’t too surprised by that admission. But hey, this is a big birthday, what can I say?
After landing at SFO at noon on Friday, I was promptly picked up by my parents to head into the city and it was time to let the revelry begin. In my research for this weekend’s culinary explorations, I found a great little sushi restaurant in the New Fillmore neighborhood called, Maruya. After traversing through the busy city streets and extensive road construction, we arrived. We were randomly greeted to San Francisco by a friendly mustache clad police officer who teased and jokingly asked for a bribe of a free lunch for help in parking our car. After a few laughs we walked up the street to our lunch destination and came upon a much smaller than expected take out sushi spot. Luckily we were welcomed by the very friendly and hospitable owners of this tiny family owned restaurant of 45 years. They allowed us to eat in their phone-booth sized establishment and there we enjoyed unbelievably fresh fish of clean and precise flavors.
Dinner was at the Michelin starred restaurant of Piedmontese inspiration, Acquerello. Elegant and intimate this was a place of great class and the menu was a gourmet expression of classic Piedmontese cuisine. Though I did have a problem with one of the two bottles that I brought to be enjoyed, we did have a pretty amazing experience here. We began with a Grower Champagne from Egly-Ouriet that was fruit driven and quite nice. This was enjoyed with a couple amuse bouche that consisted of arancini with truffle oil and a bruschetta of mushrooms. For my first course I decided on the Chopped beef tartare with Parmesan cream, quail egg and truffle drizzle. This was a wonderful way to begin and something that I enjoyed multiple times on my last trip to Piedmont. The next wine opened was something that I was most looking forward to, a bottle of Giuseppe Mascarello Barolo Monprivato. This wine is one of great interest to me and has a growing presence in my cellar due to it’s quality, rarity, and explosive aromatics. Onto my second course, Saffron malloreddus tossed in a rich Abruzzese ragu' of lamb and beef. This was an absolutely delicious pasta dish that had a new pasta shape for me that was similar to gnocchi with ridges. For my third course I went with the Stuffed, grilled pork chop over polenta of toasted farro, roasted plums and pancetta wrapped radicchio Trevisano. Our last wine of the night was a bottle of Brunello di Montalcino from Poggio Antico that I picked up while living in Rome and have been anxiously waiting it’s opening in the 8 years since. For dessert I chose the Valrhona dark chocolate ganache with hucklerries and mascarpone. Overall this was a fantastic night of exquisite Italian food and exceptional wines.
Egly-Ouriet Vignes de Vrigny Blanc de Noir N.V. ***
Very enjoyable and fruity without losing the class that I’ve come to expect with good grower Champagne. Toasty fruit all over this one with nice acidity to cleanse and prime the palate.
Giuseppe Mascarello Barolo Monprivato 1999 ****
This wine evolved from the moment the cork was pulled until the last drop was consumed, 3 hours later. Beyond it’s beautiful red raspberry color, the nose was richly aromatic and perfumed. Along with the palate the wine gained weight with air, starting with crushed rose pedals and sweet wild fennel, to a slightly darker anise seed, and finishing with licorice root, truffle, and tar. The palate was elegant and tannins persistent but not overpowering and showed juicy red plums. This wine was amazing but will reward those that have the fortitude to hold onto a couple bottles for at least the next 10 years. Wow!
Poggio Antico Brunello di Montalcino 1997 ***
Wonderfully dark in color with classic leather and tar on the nose. Plum skin and licorice on the palate of this more elegant than expected Brunello.
Onto day two of this birthday extravaganza. We start off the day with a classic hole-in-the-wall greasy spoon diner called Dottie’s True Blue Café. With a 45 minute wait outside we are greeted by some local flavor and finally make it inside. This was a great start to the day and after a hearty breakfast from this tiny but lively spot, we were ready to go. We then visited Golden Gate park for some much needed exercise for a stroll around the beautiful park. After an attempt to have lunch at the exceedingly crowded Ferry Building we settled in the 80 year old Irish Pub, Harrington's for some lunch and to watch the Notre Dame game. Harrington's was a great spot to grab a couple pints and have some lunch, despite the outcome of the game, we forged on. Next we hopped onto a historic street car and headed down the Embarcadero to do a little more exploring before heading back to the hotel.
Saturday’s dinner was at a restaurant that I’ve been wanting to visit for a long time, Chez Panisse. Before heading across the Bay Bridge, we shared a fantastic bottle of bubbles, my first ever bottle of Krug. After a great start to the evening we drove over to Berkeley for dinner.
The Wines:
Krug Champagne Grand Cuvee Brut NV ***+
An elegant and classy bottle of wine. Drank as an aperitif but could have been even better with a little food to help cut the huge acidity. Bright nose with buttery brioche tones to round it out.
Joh. Jos. Prum Wehlener Sonnehur Auslese 2002 ****
Fantastic wine with wonderful richness of spiced apples, candied lime, and plenty of that sweet petrol nose that I look for so much in a wine like this. The palate was surprisingly light on it's feet while still giving mouth coating pleasure. This wine is only going to get better and better with age.
R. Lopez de Heredia Rioja Gran Reserva Vina Bosconia 1981 ****
Light ruby color with a Tawny Port like appearance. This was shockingly “youthful” in that there was still so much there and it’s evolution in the glass was remarkable. Bright red berries on top of savory teriyaki beef jerky and new leather that eventually showed fresh wild dill on the nose. The palate showed a chutney of tart cherries and cranberries, wonderfully bright acidity, while all being wrapped up in an elegantly silky mouthfeel. I want more!
Henri Bonneau Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Marie Beurrier 2000 ***+
Inky dark and enjoyably elegant in style. This was a big wine, don't get me wrong, but never heavy handed. The nose was rich with leather and spice while the palate showed dark berries and forest floor. The acidity was brighter than expected and gave the wine a slightly ethereal feel to it. Quite nice.
Sunday morning was spent walking around the sleepy neighborhood of Cow Hollow, eating a pastry on Marina Green, and then enjoying a hearty Italian lunch at a family favorite, Scoma's. The time had come to head back to SFO because the festivities had reached their end.
Everything went to plan as well as could be expected while keeping to a feeling of something organic despite being organized. The one major missing piece was the absence of a special someone, my special someone. But, that couldn’t be helped and I know that there will be countless future milestones spent together. This was truly a special weekend that I will never forget. As always, endless thanks go to my loving family for all their love and generosity.
Cheers!
0 Stars - No rating
1 Star (*) - Not of significant quality or interest
2 Stars (**) - A notable wine of legitimate interest
3 Stars (***) - Great wine that should be searched out
4 Stars (****) - Fantastic wine that should not be missed
5 Stars (*****) - An absolutely mind-bending wine - beg, borrow, or steal to get your hands on some of this amazing juice!
Disclaimer: This rating is based on my palate and at the given time when tasted and may differ from yours. Also, I may catch a bottle in a dumb phase or it just may not speak to me at that particular time.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Wedding Bells
August 20th & 21st, 2010
The festivities began (unofficially) with casual gatherings as early as Monday, but the focus of what I’d like to talk about is the “official” events of the weekend. Starting with Friday afternoon’s rehearsal at the enchanting courtyards of the Santa Barbara Historical Museum (site of the upcoming nuptials) we were greeted with smiling faces and bubbling beverages to kick off a weekend of shared celebration. After a walk through of our responsibilities and itinerary we were off to The Wine Cask for the rehearsal dinner.
Upon our arrival the food began to circulate and the wine began to flow. And, oh did it flow. Servers boasting a bevy of tasty flat breads were upon us while bottles of wine greeted us heartily. One could easily feel the fervent and positive energy of this group and get lost in the overwhelming spirit of adoration for the wonderful couple for which we were all gathered. When it was time sit down for our meals there was a selection of equally enticing gems from the menu, but I happen to be prepared for these moments of tough choices in life. I began with the Braised Kurobuto Pork Belly, followed by a hearty portion of short ribs, and finished with the Farmer’s Market fresh Cherry Cobbler.
Wines:
Jean-Marc Brocard Chablis 1er Cru Quintessence de la Rive Droit du Serein 2007 ***
Domaine de Font-Sane Gigondas 2007 **+
Palmina Arneis 2009 ***
Palmina Malvasia Bianca 2009 ***
Brewer-Clifton Chardonnay Santa Rita Hills 2008 **+
Brewer-Clifton Chardonnay Mt. Carmel 2008 ***
After dinner, a small group of us convened at the best man’s suite for a night cap. Granted, this night cap included over 6 bottles of wine…But alas, it was a well selected and developed list of wines to properly commemorate the occasion. Despite a warning, one member of the group almost lost an eye in a slight mishap due to an extremely high level of atmospheric pressure, but luckily we all escaped without injury.
Wines:
Sorelle Bronca Prosecco (1.5L) N.V. ***
Vosne Romanee, Jean Grivot, 'Les Beux Monts' 1er 2006 ***
Chambolle-Musigny, Perrot-Minot, "Les Charmes" 2000 **
Vougeot, Fourrier, "Les Petits Vougeot" 2006 ***
Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Saturday = The Big Day
After some quite time in the morning that consisted of a massive breakfast burrito, a trip to the pool, and finally some quality time on the balcony to enjoy the view and feel the warmth of the sun, it was time to get ready for the events of the day. Keeping our relaxed pace, we all got ready and after a quick glass of Champagne were off to start taking pictures.
The photo process was extremely low key and fitting of the groom’s laid back attitude. A lovely Grower Champagne from Diebolt-Vallois was with us every step of the way and certainly gave our band of misfit’s the fortitude necessary to complete our afternoon responsibilities.
Wines:
Disclaimer: This rating is based on my palate and at the given time when tasted and may differ from yours. Also, I may catch a bottle in a dumb phase or it just may not speak to me at that particular time.
Having the opportunity to celebrate and be a part of the nuptials of two close friends is something that doesn’t come around all that often in life. In this particular case, the celebration took place here in this spectacular place that we call home, Santa Barbara. The entire weekend was planned to the finest of detail by my good friends, Mike and Jen.
The festivities began (unofficially) with casual gatherings as early as Monday, but the focus of what I’d like to talk about is the “official” events of the weekend. Starting with Friday afternoon’s rehearsal at the enchanting courtyards of the Santa Barbara Historical Museum (site of the upcoming nuptials) we were greeted with smiling faces and bubbling beverages to kick off a weekend of shared celebration. After a walk through of our responsibilities and itinerary we were off to The Wine Cask for the rehearsal dinner. Upon our arrival the food began to circulate and the wine began to flow. And, oh did it flow. Servers boasting a bevy of tasty flat breads were upon us while bottles of wine greeted us heartily. One could easily feel the fervent and positive energy of this group and get lost in the overwhelming spirit of adoration for the wonderful couple for which we were all gathered. When it was time sit down for our meals there was a selection of equally enticing gems from the menu, but I happen to be prepared for these moments of tough choices in life. I began with the Braised Kurobuto Pork Belly, followed by a hearty portion of short ribs, and finished with the Farmer’s Market fresh Cherry Cobbler.
Wines:
Jean-Marc Brocard Chablis 1er Cru Quintessence de la Rive Droit du Serein 2007 ***
Domaine de Font-Sane Gigondas 2007 **+
Palmina Arneis 2009 ***
Palmina Malvasia Bianca 2009 ***
Brewer-Clifton Chardonnay Santa Rita Hills 2008 **+
Brewer-Clifton Chardonnay Mt. Carmel 2008 ***
After dinner, a small group of us convened at the best man’s suite for a night cap. Granted, this night cap included over 6 bottles of wine…But alas, it was a well selected and developed list of wines to properly commemorate the occasion. Despite a warning, one member of the group almost lost an eye in a slight mishap due to an extremely high level of atmospheric pressure, but luckily we all escaped without injury.
Wines:
Sorelle Bronca Prosecco (1.5L) N.V. ***
Vosne Romanee, Jean Grivot, 'Les Beux Monts' 1er 2006 ***
Chambolle-Musigny, Perrot-Minot, "Les Charmes" 2000 **
Vougeot, Fourrier, "Les Petits Vougeot" 2006 ***
Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Saturday = The Big Day
After some quite time in the morning that consisted of a massive breakfast burrito, a trip to the pool, and finally some quality time on the balcony to enjoy the view and feel the warmth of the sun, it was time to get ready for the events of the day. Keeping our relaxed pace, we all got ready and after a quick glass of Champagne were off to start taking pictures.
The photo process was extremely low key and fitting of the groom’s laid back attitude. A lovely Grower Champagne from Diebolt-Vallois was with us every step of the way and certainly gave our band of misfit’s the fortitude necessary to complete our afternoon responsibilities.
The beautiful ceremony was situated in an intimate courtyard and directed towards a lilac draped trellis. Personal and to the point, the ceremony was fantastic, with Mike and Jen both doing their part to commence their lives together as husband and wife. Followed by a photo session for the family and entire wedding party, it was time to head to the adjacent courtyard and reception.
Wonderfully arranged, this space quickly has become one of my favorite spots in Santa Barbara and is certainly atop the list of best places to have a wedding reception in town. Rustic and elegant at the same time, how much more Santa Barbara can you get? Upon our lively introduction to the group came the big moment of the newly wed couple’s first dance.
Dinner began with a great family style dish of fresh Heirloom Tomatoes with Baby Arugula, Sweet Corn, and Shaved Parmigiano Reggiano. Next came a Grilled Tenderloin of Beef with pan Roasted Mushrooms and Fresh Thyme. As Contorni there were Green Beans and Red Onion Slivers with Marcona Almonds along with Crispy Parmesan Polenta with Kale Chips (delicious!).
Diebolt-Vallois, Champagne, Blanc de Blanc NV ***+
Luxe, Domaine Ste Michelle, Washington 2004 **
Palmina Arneis 2009 ***
Palmina Pinot Grigio 2009 **+
Jaffurs Grenache 2007 **+
Antica, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2005
Though it was difficult to pull myself away and after an absolutely wonderful time-eating, drinking, dancing, and celebrating-it was time to head to the after party where a large group of us kept the party going until all hours of the night.
I could go into greater detail about the days leading up to the wedding and those that immediately followed, but I hope that this little peak into a very special weekend for two very important people in my life was both fun to read and warmed your heart… I know that it sure makes me appreciate life and the gifts that surrounds me, everyday.
Cheers!
0 Stars - No rating
1 Star (*) - Not of significant quality or interest
2 Stars (**) - A notable wine of legitimate interest
3 Stars (***) - Great wine that should be searched out
4 Stars (****) - Fantastic wine that should not be missed
5 Stars (*****) - An absolutely mind-bending wine - beg, borrow, or steal to get your hands on some of this amazing juice!Disclaimer: This rating is based on my palate and at the given time when tasted and may differ from yours. Also, I may catch a bottle in a dumb phase or it just may not speak to me at that particular time.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Looking at Summer through Rose Colored Glasses
August 3, 2010
Being that it is summer time, it was only fitting to get together with a good size group of friends for a night out on a beautiful patio for some great food and as much Rose wine as possible. At my good friend Dave's house, we sat out under the pergola for a fantastic dinner that took each of us to a place where one could simply sit back, relax, and enjoy the world around us. The four hour meal began with a caprese salad of heirloom tomatoes and creamy bufala mozzarella, triple cream brie and fresh French bread, summer salad of mixed greens and yellow beets, succulent barbequed chicken, roasted fingerling potatoes, fresh green and yellow string beans, and finished off with a delicious berry tart a la mode.
Having a tasting of Roses is something of an anomaly. Rarely is a group gathered together to celebrate the simplicity and deliciousness that is great Rose wine. Being a wine of uncomplicated charm, the vinous discussions tend to be brief and in the direction of a simple affirmation of the pleasurability of the contents of your glass. The variations may seem slight, but there is whole wide world of pink wines out there. Though, there were a couple Americans that kicked things off and finished the flood of pink, our focus was on those hailing from France, Italy, and Spain.
(Just a few)
That's a lot of pink:
Eola-Amity, Oregon 2009**-
Beckman Grenache 2005**-
Les Domaniers, Provence 2008**-
Les Domaniers, Provence 2009**-
Saint Andre de Figuiere, Provence 2009**
Chateau du Rouet, Burgundy 2009**
Chateau de Pampelonne, Provence 2009**
Villa des Anges, Languedoc 2009**
Domaine Tempier, Bandol 2008**+
La Manarine, Cotes du Rhone 2009**
Domaine de Pontasainte, Rhone 2006**-
R. Lopez de Heredia Rioja Gran Reserva Vina Tondonia, Rioja 1998***
Domaine de Fontasante Gris de Gris 2006**-
Rioja Rosado 2009**-
Terlano, Lagrein, Alto Adige 2009**
Jaffurs Rose of Syrah, 2008**+
Vino Sapien Rose of Pinot, 2009**-
Alvear Montilla-Moriles Pedro Ximénez de Añada N.V.*** (A beautify sherry enjoyed with dessert)
Dominique Lafon, Chardonnay 2007**+
Dominique Lafon, Chardonnay 2008**+
Thierry Allemand Cornas Reynard 2006***+
E. Guigal Hermitage 2003***+
With the recycling bins full and after reaching a fully satiated state, the night came to a close. The final bottles of rouge were plucked from a temptingly accessible and prodigious cellar and were a superb exclamation point to a great night.
Cheers!
0 Stars - No rating
1 Star (*) - Not of significant quality or interest
2 Stars (**) - A notable wine of legitimate interest
3 Stars (***) - Great wine that should be searched out
4 Stars (****) - Fantastic wine that should not be missed
5 Stars (*****) - An absolutely mind-bending wine - beg, borrow, or steal to get your hands on some of this amazing juice!
Disclaimer: This rating is based on my palate and at the given time when tasted and may differ from yours. Also, I may catch a bottle in a dumb phase or it just may not speak to me at that particular time.
Being that it is summer time, it was only fitting to get together with a good size group of friends for a night out on a beautiful patio for some great food and as much Rose wine as possible. At my good friend Dave's house, we sat out under the pergola for a fantastic dinner that took each of us to a place where one could simply sit back, relax, and enjoy the world around us. The four hour meal began with a caprese salad of heirloom tomatoes and creamy bufala mozzarella, triple cream brie and fresh French bread, summer salad of mixed greens and yellow beets, succulent barbequed chicken, roasted fingerling potatoes, fresh green and yellow string beans, and finished off with a delicious berry tart a la mode.
Having a tasting of Roses is something of an anomaly. Rarely is a group gathered together to celebrate the simplicity and deliciousness that is great Rose wine. Being a wine of uncomplicated charm, the vinous discussions tend to be brief and in the direction of a simple affirmation of the pleasurability of the contents of your glass. The variations may seem slight, but there is whole wide world of pink wines out there. Though, there were a couple Americans that kicked things off and finished the flood of pink, our focus was on those hailing from France, Italy, and Spain.
(Just a few)That's a lot of pink:
Eola-Amity, Oregon 2009**-
Beckman Grenache 2005**-
Les Domaniers, Provence 2008**-
Les Domaniers, Provence 2009**-
Saint Andre de Figuiere, Provence 2009**
Chateau du Rouet, Burgundy 2009**
Chateau de Pampelonne, Provence 2009**
Villa des Anges, Languedoc 2009**
Domaine Tempier, Bandol 2008**+
La Manarine, Cotes du Rhone 2009**
Domaine de Pontasainte, Rhone 2006**-
R. Lopez de Heredia Rioja Gran Reserva Vina Tondonia, Rioja 1998***
Domaine de Fontasante Gris de Gris 2006**-
Rioja Rosado 2009**-
Terlano, Lagrein, Alto Adige 2009**
Jaffurs Rose of Syrah, 2008**+
Vino Sapien Rose of Pinot, 2009**-
Alvear Montilla-Moriles Pedro Ximénez de Añada N.V.*** (A beautify sherry enjoyed with dessert)
Dominique Lafon, Chardonnay 2007**+
Dominique Lafon, Chardonnay 2008**+
Thierry Allemand Cornas Reynard 2006***+
E. Guigal Hermitage 2003***+
With the recycling bins full and after reaching a fully satiated state, the night came to a close. The final bottles of rouge were plucked from a temptingly accessible and prodigious cellar and were a superb exclamation point to a great night.
Cheers!
0 Stars - No rating
1 Star (*) - Not of significant quality or interest
2 Stars (**) - A notable wine of legitimate interest
3 Stars (***) - Great wine that should be searched out
4 Stars (****) - Fantastic wine that should not be missed
5 Stars (*****) - An absolutely mind-bending wine - beg, borrow, or steal to get your hands on some of this amazing juice!
Disclaimer: This rating is based on my palate and at the given time when tasted and may differ from yours. Also, I may catch a bottle in a dumb phase or it just may not speak to me at that particular time.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Cellar Celebration Evokes Thoughts of Vivaldi
July 26, 2010
Monday night brought the celebration of my good friend Mike's new cellar and the appropriate consumption of more than one bottle from his newly christened cellar. That is what friends are for, right?
Wines:
Epicuro Vermentino Lazio IGT 2007**
Simple, refreshing, and nice. Was bright but showed a little bit of smoky and toasty character as it warmed in the glass. Nice way to start.
Fontanafredda Piemonte Barbera Briccotondo 2008**-
Nice acidity, as expected. But the aromas and flavor were a little muted. Off bottle? I have another bottle, so we'll see. From other notes on this wine, I am expecting a better showing, next time.
Chateau Rayas Cotes du Rhone Chateau Fonsalette Reserve 2000****
This wine developed and changed almost every time I brought it to my eager nose and mouth, conjuring the feeling that drinking this wine was like experiencing the four seasons. Spring: Upon opening, it was fresh and bursting with energy. Full of life, the wine literally jumped out of the glass with fragrances of new saddle leather, bright red cherries, sweet violets, and wild fennel. Summer: The wine began to transition and unwind, growing in intensity and showing macerated ripe cherries, star anise, milk chocolate, and something reminiscent to aroma of hosing off pavement on a hot summer afternoon. Fall: Deeper and darker this wine continued to develop into black cherries, hints of licorice, roasted herbs, and smoked meat. Winter: Luckily for us, the winter for this wine was not something bleak or dismal, rather it brought black tones of tar, black currants, melted licorice, dark chocolate, and mint. The evolution of this wine was a truly special experience and an unbelievably enjoyable ride.
Cheers!
0 Stars - No rating
1 Star (*) - Not of significant quality or interest
2 Stars (**) - A notable wine of legitimate interest
3 Stars (***) - Great wine that should be searched out
4 Stars (****) - Fantastic wine that should not be missed
5 Stars (*****) - An absolutely mind-bending wine - beg, borrow, or steal to get your hands on some of this amazing juice!
Disclaimer: This rating is based on my palate and at the given time when tasted and may differ from yours. Also, I may catch a bottle in a dumb phase or it just may not speak to me at that particular time.
Monday night brought the celebration of my good friend Mike's new cellar and the appropriate consumption of more than one bottle from his newly christened cellar. That is what friends are for, right?
Wines:
Epicuro Vermentino Lazio IGT 2007**
Simple, refreshing, and nice. Was bright but showed a little bit of smoky and toasty character as it warmed in the glass. Nice way to start.
Fontanafredda Piemonte Barbera Briccotondo 2008**-
Nice acidity, as expected. But the aromas and flavor were a little muted. Off bottle? I have another bottle, so we'll see. From other notes on this wine, I am expecting a better showing, next time.
This wine developed and changed almost every time I brought it to my eager nose and mouth, conjuring the feeling that drinking this wine was like experiencing the four seasons. Spring: Upon opening, it was fresh and bursting with energy. Full of life, the wine literally jumped out of the glass with fragrances of new saddle leather, bright red cherries, sweet violets, and wild fennel. Summer: The wine began to transition and unwind, growing in intensity and showing macerated ripe cherries, star anise, milk chocolate, and something reminiscent to aroma of hosing off pavement on a hot summer afternoon. Fall: Deeper and darker this wine continued to develop into black cherries, hints of licorice, roasted herbs, and smoked meat. Winter: Luckily for us, the winter for this wine was not something bleak or dismal, rather it brought black tones of tar, black currants, melted licorice, dark chocolate, and mint. The evolution of this wine was a truly special experience and an unbelievably enjoyable ride.
Cheers!
0 Stars - No rating
1 Star (*) - Not of significant quality or interest
2 Stars (**) - A notable wine of legitimate interest
3 Stars (***) - Great wine that should be searched out
4 Stars (****) - Fantastic wine that should not be missed
5 Stars (*****) - An absolutely mind-bending wine - beg, borrow, or steal to get your hands on some of this amazing juice!
Disclaimer: This rating is based on my palate and at the given time when tasted and may differ from yours. Also, I may catch a bottle in a dumb phase or it just may not speak to me at that particular time.
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