Just your typical Tuesday night, right?

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.