May 25, 2010
A wonderful side effect to going out for a night of sushi is that it offers a great opportunity to open some great white wines and roses. Out with some good friends of mine, we did just that. On this night, we went to Ahi Sushi on Upper State Street and hunkered down for what turned out to be a heck of a night. There were several rolls ranging from yellowtail, scallop, soft shell crab, and of course some form of spicy tuna to match with a small group of tasty wines.
The night then took us to a exploratory visit to Paseo Nuevo to research suits and tuxedos for their upcoming wedding festivities. After a little back and forth, it was time to move on to the next stop, the Wine Cask bar. There we were greeted by friends, who just happen to work their, and a cornucopia of options relating to good food and wine. After deciding that we all needed a little more nourishment we began the second half of our evening. There we shared an order of local mussels in a cream sauce with a bevy of fries and were treated to a specially created flatbread, on the house of course.
Read 'em and weep:
Jaffurs Rose 2008***
Turning more syrah-like in the sense that their is a developing darker profile to this wine. It remains dry, refreshing, and delicious but is no longer the spry bright wine that it once was. It matched extremely well with the brightness of the yellowtail carpaccio.
Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc 2009***
In my opinion, this wine continues to be the best Sauvignon Blanc on the market. The nose was tropical with pineapple, banana, and lychee but also showing slightly more classic grassy notes. The beautifully balanced palate was gushing with wonderfully ripe pink grapefruit. A fantastic match with the spicy tuna Kamikaze roll.
Saracco Moscato d'Asti 2008**+
What a tasty little sweetie! Full of apples with a frothy creamy texture. Always enjoyable and what a deal! Great finish along with the tempura duck.
Jean-Marc Brocard Chablis Vieilles Vignes 2007***
This elegant wine had a laser beam of rockin' acidity and was just what the doctor ordered to go along with a little second dinner of local mussels and sweet potato fries. The nose was waxy with goat cheese and coriander leading into caramelized lemon peel. The cleansing palate was bright with citrus and minerality with a persistent and lingering finish.
Brewer-Clifton Pinot Noir Santa Barbara County 2008**
Taken as a taste, from cask. Very primary in character with luscious red fruits dominating.
Kunin Syrah Alisos Vineyard 2003***
Taken as a taste after a table sent this bottle back and it was immediately obvious that these particular individuals were not looking for a wine of any interest. Rich both on the nose and mouth, this wine is starting to go to it's secondary characteristics and has gone to a place of more finesse. Baked fruits, melted licorice, and forest floor help make this the best Kunin wine that I have had to date.
Another great night out with good friends in the wonderful place that I call home.
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 26, 2010
Monday, May 24, 2010
A Gift of Nebbiolo
May 21, 2010
Having this tasting and dinner with my family truly came as a result of the generosity of a few winemakers, of whom each hail from wine growing regions separated by thousands of miles. First came the gift from the ever-charming and hospitable, Barbara Sandrone during our most recent visit to Piedmont, last May. Along with homemade preserves and plans for our next visit, she generously gave a bottle from the beloved Sandrone vineyard of Valmaggiore. The second gift came from the unlikely but developing friendship between my brother and esteemed winemaker, Chris Ringland of Australia. After a dinner in San Francisco, an unprompted Ringland generously sent a bottle of his extremely limited production and un-released bottling of Australia cool-climate Nebbiolo for our enjoyment. The last gift came from a source much closer to home. My friend and celebrated winemaker, Steve Clifton shared a bottle of his passion project in Nebbiolo from his Palmina winery.
Though none of these wines could be considered "heavy-hitters" in terms of the world of Nebbiolo, it was a fascinating experiment in what is being down with this varietal from around the world. All the wines showed fantastic development throughout the night and showed the great interest that this particular varietal can provide. I am obviously quite biased, as this is probably my favorite grape variety, but as the night progressed the rest of my family seemed to enjoy a heightened sense of appreciation for my beloved Nebbiolo. Despite their extreme geographic diversity, the wines all seemed to be speaking the same language and it was pretty impressive that they were all of the same caliber.
Overall this was one of those great nights of simple pleasures with family that just happened to be centered around good food and fine wines. Barbequed chicken, salad of local organic greens, and twice baked potatoes provided the necessary nourishment for the evening and here is the lineup of wines:
Qupe Roussanne Hillside Estate Bien Nacido Vineyard 2007***
Rich and creamy texture while not being heavy. Butter and honeysuckle on the nose led to a mouthful of tropical fruits ranging from lychee to papaya. This wine continues to impress, from barrel samples to now. Can't wait to see where this goes over the next 5+ years.
R Wines Nebbiolo Solita 2004***
Savory and balsamic notes initially leading into red and black licorice, rose, roasted berries, mocha, and something a little like chocolate covered cherries. The mouth was mid-weight and elegant, showing cranberries and tar. This wine was a hugely pleasant surprise for me. I am well aware of this particular winemakers prowess when it comes to decadent wines of Grenache and Syrah, but working with colder climate fruit from the Adelaide Hills, Ringland really hit the varietal character that is rarely found outside of the Langhe. To his credit and as an example of this wine's "authenticity," the nose initially reminded me of wines coming from Serralunga d'Alba.
Palmina Nebbiolo Santa Barbara County 2005***
Aromatic nose of bright red fruit that gained weight and richness over time, pretty violets, chocolate, and undertones of something slightly savory. The tannins were less integrated than the other wines but continued to soften over time. Sweet chalky red fruit covering classic tar on the palate. This wine was probably the only wine that could have been identified throughout the tasting, because of it's more forthcoming fruit characteristics. But, please do not be mistaken, this wine was a serious wine and very enjoyable to drink.
Sandrone Valmaggiore Nebbiolo d'Alba 2004***
Fantastic aromatics of blue fruits, violets and sweet pipe tobacco. The palate was a little more dense than the other two wines and showed a much more pronounced streak of minerality. To me, this was the wine that I'd be most interested in re-visiting in 5 to 10 years. Both the nose and mouth showed a deeper and darker core to them that left me quite intrigued and wanting more.
Tablas Creek Vin de Paille 2005**+
Looking like liquid gold, this little sweetie is a fantastic way to finish off a night. The powerful nose of apples reminded me of a fine Calvados (minus the alcohol). Mouth filling delicious baked apples never approached anything sappy and stayed quite elegant for this white Rhone blend.
I hope that our evening might inspire some of you to organize an evening with good friends and family to share some good wines in a way where you can all learn something as you enjoy each other's company. That is my sappy sentiment of this entry, please forgive my current gushy condition, I can't help it... Well, I hope that you enjoyed this one and I look forward to any feedback you might have.
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.
Having this tasting and dinner with my family truly came as a result of the generosity of a few winemakers, of whom each hail from wine growing regions separated by thousands of miles. First came the gift from the ever-charming and hospitable, Barbara Sandrone during our most recent visit to Piedmont, last May. Along with homemade preserves and plans for our next visit, she generously gave a bottle from the beloved Sandrone vineyard of Valmaggiore. The second gift came from the unlikely but developing friendship between my brother and esteemed winemaker, Chris Ringland of Australia. After a dinner in San Francisco, an unprompted Ringland generously sent a bottle of his extremely limited production and un-released bottling of Australia cool-climate Nebbiolo for our enjoyment. The last gift came from a source much closer to home. My friend and celebrated winemaker, Steve Clifton shared a bottle of his passion project in Nebbiolo from his Palmina winery.
Though none of these wines could be considered "heavy-hitters" in terms of the world of Nebbiolo, it was a fascinating experiment in what is being down with this varietal from around the world. All the wines showed fantastic development throughout the night and showed the great interest that this particular varietal can provide. I am obviously quite biased, as this is probably my favorite grape variety, but as the night progressed the rest of my family seemed to enjoy a heightened sense of appreciation for my beloved Nebbiolo. Despite their extreme geographic diversity, the wines all seemed to be speaking the same language and it was pretty impressive that they were all of the same caliber.
Overall this was one of those great nights of simple pleasures with family that just happened to be centered around good food and fine wines. Barbequed chicken, salad of local organic greens, and twice baked potatoes provided the necessary nourishment for the evening and here is the lineup of wines:
Qupe Roussanne Hillside Estate Bien Nacido Vineyard 2007***
Rich and creamy texture while not being heavy. Butter and honeysuckle on the nose led to a mouthful of tropical fruits ranging from lychee to papaya. This wine continues to impress, from barrel samples to now. Can't wait to see where this goes over the next 5+ years.
R Wines Nebbiolo Solita 2004***
Savory and balsamic notes initially leading into red and black licorice, rose, roasted berries, mocha, and something a little like chocolate covered cherries. The mouth was mid-weight and elegant, showing cranberries and tar. This wine was a hugely pleasant surprise for me. I am well aware of this particular winemakers prowess when it comes to decadent wines of Grenache and Syrah, but working with colder climate fruit from the Adelaide Hills, Ringland really hit the varietal character that is rarely found outside of the Langhe. To his credit and as an example of this wine's "authenticity," the nose initially reminded me of wines coming from Serralunga d'Alba.
Palmina Nebbiolo Santa Barbara County 2005***
Aromatic nose of bright red fruit that gained weight and richness over time, pretty violets, chocolate, and undertones of something slightly savory. The tannins were less integrated than the other wines but continued to soften over time. Sweet chalky red fruit covering classic tar on the palate. This wine was probably the only wine that could have been identified throughout the tasting, because of it's more forthcoming fruit characteristics. But, please do not be mistaken, this wine was a serious wine and very enjoyable to drink.
Sandrone Valmaggiore Nebbiolo d'Alba 2004***
Fantastic aromatics of blue fruits, violets and sweet pipe tobacco. The palate was a little more dense than the other two wines and showed a much more pronounced streak of minerality. To me, this was the wine that I'd be most interested in re-visiting in 5 to 10 years. Both the nose and mouth showed a deeper and darker core to them that left me quite intrigued and wanting more.
Tablas Creek Vin de Paille 2005**+
Looking like liquid gold, this little sweetie is a fantastic way to finish off a night. The powerful nose of apples reminded me of a fine Calvados (minus the alcohol). Mouth filling delicious baked apples never approached anything sappy and stayed quite elegant for this white Rhone blend.
I hope that our evening might inspire some of you to organize an evening with good friends and family to share some good wines in a way where you can all learn something as you enjoy each other's company. That is my sappy sentiment of this entry, please forgive my current gushy condition, I can't help it... Well, I hope that you enjoyed this one and I look forward to any feedback you might have.
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, May 20, 2010
Fresco - May 19, 2010
May 19, 2010
Much of the core group got together on another nice evening at Fresco Cafe. Even though we did miss most of the Laker's game, we managed to entertain ourselves with plenty of good vino and lively conversation. This night was another great example of the un-canny ability of this group to bring a group of wines without any prior discussion that were seemingly perfectly organized for a fairly coherent tasting experience. Having three different local Sangiovese based wines follow by new and old world Rhones provided a virtual full-house, for our enjoyment.
Here is the line-up:
Fleur du Cap Chardonnay 2008
I was pretty excited about tasting this wine due to my extreme lack of exposure to wines from South Africa. But, unfortunately this wine was corked. No new growth in my knowledge on this night.
Foxen 7200 Sangiovese Williamson-Dore Vineyard 2006**
Slightly simple but offering nice bright red smoky fruit and a good match with the food.
Foxen 7200 Sangiovese Volpino 2006**
This wine is an 80% Sangiovese and 20% Merlot blend and more interesting than it's single varietal counterpart (above). This wine opened up with air and showed a pleasant richness filled with red and blue berries and some new leather for texture.
Palmina Alisos 2007**+
A nice match along next to the Volpino, this 72% Sangiovese and 28% Merlot blend showed a dark rich character of plums and dark berries while a pretty florality floated over the top of it all.
Domaine Monpertuis Chateauneuf du Pape 2007**+
At first, this was a little more simple and one dimensional than is desirable with a CDP, showing plenty of juicy red fruit. With time, some of that meaty smoked bacon came forward and made this wine much more interesting and enjoyable. A nice wine but lacking some of the classic CDP characteristics that I typically am drawn to.
Beckmen Syrah Estate Barrel Select 2002**
Still surprisingly tight and tannic with an espresso like texture on the palate. Though somewhat clinched, this wine had a certain intensity about it, showing white pepper, eucalyptus/mint, and black fruits. Would be worth a try on day two.
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.
Much of the core group got together on another nice evening at Fresco Cafe. Even though we did miss most of the Laker's game, we managed to entertain ourselves with plenty of good vino and lively conversation. This night was another great example of the un-canny ability of this group to bring a group of wines without any prior discussion that were seemingly perfectly organized for a fairly coherent tasting experience. Having three different local Sangiovese based wines follow by new and old world Rhones provided a virtual full-house, for our enjoyment.
Here is the line-up:
Fleur du Cap Chardonnay 2008
I was pretty excited about tasting this wine due to my extreme lack of exposure to wines from South Africa. But, unfortunately this wine was corked. No new growth in my knowledge on this night.
Foxen 7200 Sangiovese Williamson-Dore Vineyard 2006**
Slightly simple but offering nice bright red smoky fruit and a good match with the food.
Foxen 7200 Sangiovese Volpino 2006**
This wine is an 80% Sangiovese and 20% Merlot blend and more interesting than it's single varietal counterpart (above). This wine opened up with air and showed a pleasant richness filled with red and blue berries and some new leather for texture.
Palmina Alisos 2007**+
A nice match along next to the Volpino, this 72% Sangiovese and 28% Merlot blend showed a dark rich character of plums and dark berries while a pretty florality floated over the top of it all.
Domaine Monpertuis Chateauneuf du Pape 2007**+
At first, this was a little more simple and one dimensional than is desirable with a CDP, showing plenty of juicy red fruit. With time, some of that meaty smoked bacon came forward and made this wine much more interesting and enjoyable. A nice wine but lacking some of the classic CDP characteristics that I typically am drawn to.
Beckmen Syrah Estate Barrel Select 2002**
Still surprisingly tight and tannic with an espresso like texture on the palate. Though somewhat clinched, this wine had a certain intensity about it, showing white pepper, eucalyptus/mint, and black fruits. Would be worth a try on day two.
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 19, 2010
Medium Spice?
May 18, 2010
You have to love a night like this; pulled together at the last minute but everything came together in a wonderfully serendipitous way. It all started with a craving for good Thai food and turned into a visit to Meun Fan Thai (Mesa Thai), good friends (and some new ones), and perfectly appointed wines.
The bubbles would have been a perfect pairing, but alas, they were done before we got the restaurant. Fortunately for us, there were three other bottles of wine that both complimented the food and stood out enough for discussion. On this particular night, the food selection leaned to the more spicy and was probably my favorite visit to date. To start we enjoyed: chicken satay, egg rolls, and shrimp rolls. Followed by: drunken noodle with shrimp, green curry with chicken, sizzling platter with chicken, and spicy fried rice. All were especially delectable and really satisfied my cravings.
N.V. G. H. Mumm & Cie Champagne Grand Cru Brut Chardonnay Mumm De Cramant***
Not much of a mouse to speak of and larger than expected bubbles. Initially showed great verve and bright almost piercing acidity with bakery notes on the nose. This wine started to really show some complexity with more airtime as it gained richness and developed a vinosity that was very nice. Final notes were more honeyed and layered.
2007 Alma Rosa Pinot Blanc***
This wine is seriously one of the better Pinot Blancs that I've ever had. And, a fantastic bargain on top of that. High tones of citrus on the nose led into a creamy and delicate palate.
2008 Jaffurs Rose***
Starting to show a little bit of age with a softening of the edges. But still showing that fantastic dry rose character that I love about this particular bottling. Refreshing, cherry skins, and a wonderful match to the spicy Thai food.
2007 Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc***+
Youthful and bright on top of layered richness, adding endless enjoyment and interest to this wine. Citrus peel and strawberry guava developed into sumptuous and exotic mouthfuls of lychee and rambutan.
After all of that, we finished with something sweet and it was time to head home. This was one of those simple nights that truly engage, La Dolce Vita. Thanks for reading.
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.
You have to love a night like this; pulled together at the last minute but everything came together in a wonderfully serendipitous way. It all started with a craving for good Thai food and turned into a visit to Meun Fan Thai (Mesa Thai), good friends (and some new ones), and perfectly appointed wines.
The bubbles would have been a perfect pairing, but alas, they were done before we got the restaurant. Fortunately for us, there were three other bottles of wine that both complimented the food and stood out enough for discussion. On this particular night, the food selection leaned to the more spicy and was probably my favorite visit to date. To start we enjoyed: chicken satay, egg rolls, and shrimp rolls. Followed by: drunken noodle with shrimp, green curry with chicken, sizzling platter with chicken, and spicy fried rice. All were especially delectable and really satisfied my cravings.
N.V. G. H. Mumm & Cie Champagne Grand Cru Brut Chardonnay Mumm De Cramant***
Not much of a mouse to speak of and larger than expected bubbles. Initially showed great verve and bright almost piercing acidity with bakery notes on the nose. This wine started to really show some complexity with more airtime as it gained richness and developed a vinosity that was very nice. Final notes were more honeyed and layered.
2007 Alma Rosa Pinot Blanc***
This wine is seriously one of the better Pinot Blancs that I've ever had. And, a fantastic bargain on top of that. High tones of citrus on the nose led into a creamy and delicate palate.
2008 Jaffurs Rose***
Starting to show a little bit of age with a softening of the edges. But still showing that fantastic dry rose character that I love about this particular bottling. Refreshing, cherry skins, and a wonderful match to the spicy Thai food.
2007 Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc***+
Youthful and bright on top of layered richness, adding endless enjoyment and interest to this wine. Citrus peel and strawberry guava developed into sumptuous and exotic mouthfuls of lychee and rambutan.
After all of that, we finished with something sweet and it was time to head home. This was one of those simple nights that truly engage, La Dolce Vita. Thanks for reading.
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, May 11, 2010
Each Wine Tells a Different Story
May 10, 2010
Another great night spent on the Mesa. When the cat is away, the mice will play and on this night, Mike and I really out did ourselves. Salami and crackers led into shrimp and bay scallop linguine. The lemon infused olive and wilted rocket were an especially nice touch.
Domaine Leflaive Bourgogne Blanc 2006***
Elegant and bright with huge acidity. Wonderfully refreshing with all of that nuance that you look for in Chardonnay. High tones of citrus peel and the salinity of minerality gave way to hints of marzipan and honey.
Kutch Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2008**-***
Unfortunately, campfire was clearly present in this wine. Despite the apparent smoke taint, it had all the stuffing to be a very nice wine. The smoke came and went as it was open and when it wasn't there I got plums, bacon fat, and a hint at something similar to soy or teriyaki beef jerky. The palate was one very nice constant offering bramble berries and was mouth filing while staying quite elegant.
Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley 2005*-**
Tons of new American oak on this wine that completely dominated the nose and dried your palate. Fortunately with air, the initial singular focus of the wine began to relax and the fruit began to emerge. With this experience I can now say that I agree with large group of people that question the value of the hype surrounding this winery.
Food for thought:
How does a wine inherit the aromas of the atmosphere around the vines during the grapes maturation? The reason for me asking that question is in response to the Kutch wine enjoyed on this particular night, but leads into further questions about the actual depth of the concept of terrior.
There were massive and destructive wild fires all across the state of California during the summer of 2008 with several being caused by lighting strikes especially close to the vineyards of Sonoma. Could the smoke from these fires really impart it's distinct aromas into the very fabric of grape growing nearby and subsequently alter the fermented juice of those grapes? Apparently the answer is yes, but how? How does any outside influence get integrated into a finished wine? Even though I am sure there is some scientific reasons for its occurrence, I like to think that it is something more than that, something more beautiful and mysterious, like divine providence.
This issue is at the very heart of wine and why wine has been so celebrated for thousands of years. The ability to express a sense of place is what makes a wine so special and creates an undeniable sense of loyalty and pride amongst those that grow it, make it, and live it everyday of their lives. This is why wine isn't grown in hot houses and mass produced...well, good wine for that matter. The idea of terrior is paramount when thinking about wine. Without it, you might as well be drinking Budweiser.
Here is a question for everyone to think about: Why do you drink wine?
Until next time, 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.
Another great night spent on the Mesa. When the cat is away, the mice will play and on this night, Mike and I really out did ourselves. Salami and crackers led into shrimp and bay scallop linguine. The lemon infused olive and wilted rocket were an especially nice touch.
Domaine Leflaive Bourgogne Blanc 2006***
Elegant and bright with huge acidity. Wonderfully refreshing with all of that nuance that you look for in Chardonnay. High tones of citrus peel and the salinity of minerality gave way to hints of marzipan and honey.
Kutch Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2008**-***
Unfortunately, campfire was clearly present in this wine. Despite the apparent smoke taint, it had all the stuffing to be a very nice wine. The smoke came and went as it was open and when it wasn't there I got plums, bacon fat, and a hint at something similar to soy or teriyaki beef jerky. The palate was one very nice constant offering bramble berries and was mouth filing while staying quite elegant.
Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley 2005*-**
Tons of new American oak on this wine that completely dominated the nose and dried your palate. Fortunately with air, the initial singular focus of the wine began to relax and the fruit began to emerge. With this experience I can now say that I agree with large group of people that question the value of the hype surrounding this winery.
Food for thought:
How does a wine inherit the aromas of the atmosphere around the vines during the grapes maturation? The reason for me asking that question is in response to the Kutch wine enjoyed on this particular night, but leads into further questions about the actual depth of the concept of terrior.
There were massive and destructive wild fires all across the state of California during the summer of 2008 with several being caused by lighting strikes especially close to the vineyards of Sonoma. Could the smoke from these fires really impart it's distinct aromas into the very fabric of grape growing nearby and subsequently alter the fermented juice of those grapes? Apparently the answer is yes, but how? How does any outside influence get integrated into a finished wine? Even though I am sure there is some scientific reasons for its occurrence, I like to think that it is something more than that, something more beautiful and mysterious, like divine providence.
This issue is at the very heart of wine and why wine has been so celebrated for thousands of years. The ability to express a sense of place is what makes a wine so special and creates an undeniable sense of loyalty and pride amongst those that grow it, make it, and live it everyday of their lives. This is why wine isn't grown in hot houses and mass produced...well, good wine for that matter. The idea of terrior is paramount when thinking about wine. Without it, you might as well be drinking Budweiser.
Here is a question for everyone to think about: Why do you drink wine?
Until next time, 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 5, 2010
A Big Night at Petit Valentien
May 4, 2010
It doesn't get much better than getting together with good friends at one our local favorite restaurants, Petit Valentien, with a bevy of high quality wines. You may notice that the wines significantly outnumber Mike, Matt, and myself at this evening of hedonistic exploration. Not to worry, besides the fact that these were not all full 750ml bottles of wine, we enjoy sharing with the staff for their wine educational growth as well as bolstering our relationships.
Along with the wines and engaging conversation, the food was particularly good during this visit. Mike and I started things off with the special seafood crepe that was a deliciously doughy roll of tasty crab, scallop, and shrimp in a citrus cream sauce. Matt went with the always good crab cake in garlic sauce. For our main courses I got shrimp in an Asian flared broth of peas, shallots, and mint while the guys got the veal with prosciutto. Mike and I finished things off with a small cheese plate to accompany the "sticky," as he put it.
Here is the line-up:
Ridge Chardonnay Santa Cruz Mountains 2005**
Though the aromatic and flavor profile led me to believe this wine was older than it actually was, the body and acid was still fresh and full. The nose was dominated by toasted sesame leading into nutty. The palate never really came around with any fruit, but wasn't tired and showed nice balance.
Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Kanzler Vineyard 2005***
This was the biggest rollercoaster experience that I've ever had with a KB wine. For me, it went through three distinct phases. I opened this wine an hour before dinner and immediately poured it into a decanter. During this hour, my initial taste was bright and youthful giving me that beautiful red fruit nose that I find intoxicating. I poured the wine back into the bottle and went to the restaurant. Upon re-opening and continuing for the next hour or more, the wine was disjointed. The fruit was shut down, their was heat on the nose, and the oak seemed un-integrated at the back of the palate. At this point, I was pretty worried that this wine had all but completely fallen apart and would only get worse. Luckily, with more time in the glass things started to come back together and the fruit began to re-emerge. It's last phase showed a much more mature wine with sweet dark fruit and a juicy mouth feel. To be honest, I am a little dumbfounded by this experience because I have never had such a challenging bottle of Kosta Browne. I will just chalk this up to a slightly off bottle.
Jean-Luc Columbo Cornas Lex Ruchets 2002***
After relaxing, the initial greenness went away and elegant gun flinty fruit emerged. This was a stark contrast to the KB that was also open on the table.
Jaffurs Grenache 2005**
This was the last of a bottle that was opened the day before. To me, this was a little disappointing. The body was very round and the fruit a little simple and almost grapey. Would have liked to see what this wine was like on day one.
Fiddlehead Pinot Noir Oldsville Reserve 2003**
Tight and compact with very dark fruit. There was some V.A. present and that was difficult to ignore.
Dolce 2005***
This Sauvignon Blanc and Semillion late harvest blend from Napa was excellent. Succulent ripe peach on the nose and surprisingly light in the mouth. Stylistically, very elegant and a great way to finish off the night.
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 doesn't get much better than getting together with good friends at one our local favorite restaurants, Petit Valentien, with a bevy of high quality wines. You may notice that the wines significantly outnumber Mike, Matt, and myself at this evening of hedonistic exploration. Not to worry, besides the fact that these were not all full 750ml bottles of wine, we enjoy sharing with the staff for their wine educational growth as well as bolstering our relationships.
Along with the wines and engaging conversation, the food was particularly good during this visit. Mike and I started things off with the special seafood crepe that was a deliciously doughy roll of tasty crab, scallop, and shrimp in a citrus cream sauce. Matt went with the always good crab cake in garlic sauce. For our main courses I got shrimp in an Asian flared broth of peas, shallots, and mint while the guys got the veal with prosciutto. Mike and I finished things off with a small cheese plate to accompany the "sticky," as he put it.
Here is the line-up:
Ridge Chardonnay Santa Cruz Mountains 2005**
Though the aromatic and flavor profile led me to believe this wine was older than it actually was, the body and acid was still fresh and full. The nose was dominated by toasted sesame leading into nutty. The palate never really came around with any fruit, but wasn't tired and showed nice balance.
Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Kanzler Vineyard 2005***
This was the biggest rollercoaster experience that I've ever had with a KB wine. For me, it went through three distinct phases. I opened this wine an hour before dinner and immediately poured it into a decanter. During this hour, my initial taste was bright and youthful giving me that beautiful red fruit nose that I find intoxicating. I poured the wine back into the bottle and went to the restaurant. Upon re-opening and continuing for the next hour or more, the wine was disjointed. The fruit was shut down, their was heat on the nose, and the oak seemed un-integrated at the back of the palate. At this point, I was pretty worried that this wine had all but completely fallen apart and would only get worse. Luckily, with more time in the glass things started to come back together and the fruit began to re-emerge. It's last phase showed a much more mature wine with sweet dark fruit and a juicy mouth feel. To be honest, I am a little dumbfounded by this experience because I have never had such a challenging bottle of Kosta Browne. I will just chalk this up to a slightly off bottle.
Jean-Luc Columbo Cornas Lex Ruchets 2002***
After relaxing, the initial greenness went away and elegant gun flinty fruit emerged. This was a stark contrast to the KB that was also open on the table.
Jaffurs Grenache 2005**
This was the last of a bottle that was opened the day before. To me, this was a little disappointing. The body was very round and the fruit a little simple and almost grapey. Would have liked to see what this wine was like on day one.
Fiddlehead Pinot Noir Oldsville Reserve 2003**
Tight and compact with very dark fruit. There was some V.A. present and that was difficult to ignore.
Dolce 2005***
This Sauvignon Blanc and Semillion late harvest blend from Napa was excellent. Succulent ripe peach on the nose and surprisingly light in the mouth. Stylistically, very elegant and a great way to finish off the night.
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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