Chateau Leoville Poyferré

1996
French Red
Apellation Saint Julien


LOVED this wine - NOT budget material. I looked it up and found case pricing to be (on average) $1,600.


We went to my cousin's pre-wedding party this weekend and had a really nice time at a beautiful home filled with nice, good people, delicious food, and . . . my uncle and his wine.

We had an intriguing 1999 German white (Alsace Pinot Blanc Vielles Vignes Zind-Humbrecht), the Poyferré, and champagne. The Pinot Blanc was delicious with Mozarella, tomato and olive appetizers and prosciutto wrapped melon, and, I'm told, is perfectly matched with bacon wrapped scallops. The Poyferré I loved on its own. It was fine with my meal (salmon) and The Guy's beef filet.



My dear Uncle means the world to me. He and my aunt are kind, gracious, intelligent, giving people and fabulous parents to their two great, now-adult kids. I don't believe they have any idea how much they are an inspiration to me and how much I admire them as parents. But, together, they have become an important part of my life.

(Once I downloaded this photo I so thought was going to be great, I realized it was, sadly, blurry - especially the hand holding the wine. Then I thought about it and laughed because I realized no wine shall stay still in my uncle's hands.)


This wine was very good. I would have enjoyed having much more than I allowed myself to. Deep in color, it's flavor was heady earthiness with wood, a hint of tobacco and a velvet finish.



It even tasted good with the cupcakes from Two Little Red Hens.


So how do I do normal?
A smile I fake
the permanent wave of
cue-cards and fix-it kits
Can't you tell?
I'm not myself

I'm a slow motion accident
Lost in coffee rings and fingerprints
I don't wanna feel anything but I do

Frou Frou ("Hear Me Out")

8.50 out of 10
About $133 / 750 ml. bottle

Kendall-Jackson Pinot Noir

Vintner's Reserve
California
2006

Will drink again for sure.

I am not a big pinot noir fan except for but a few I've had in the past with the right food. The Kendall-Jackson had more body than most and had me swooning when I least expected it. It packed a black cherry punch with ever so slight vanilla notes that I enjoyed. It took on a more brazen pepper flavor when introduced to our dinner: mushroom crostini. I recommend this pairing for anyone looking for a light supper and an enjoyable wine experience.

The following recipe I got from my desk calendar at work, which is of course wine-related, written by Karen McNeil (author of the Wine Bible). Karen recommends a pinot noir accompaniment to the dish.


Mushroom Crostini Recipe:

-4 c coarsely chopped mixed-variety mushrooms (chantrelles, porcini, shitake & oyster are the recommended mixture - I used baby portabella, shitake & oyster)
-2 sprigs of fresh thyme (this I have plenty of in my little kitchen garden and was so happy to make use of in such a delicious way)
-4 T Olive Oil
- 1/2 t ++ Salt
-(1) baguette, thinly sliced on an angle
-Freshly grated Parmesan Cheese

Cook the mushrooms in covered skillet over med-low heat with thyme, 1/2 t salt, and olive oil until the mushrooms give up their liquid and then reabsorb it. Uncover the skillet, increase heat to med-high, and saute the mushrooms until lightly browned. Season with more salt to taste and set aside.

Drizzle the baguette slices with olive oil and toss. Then place in a single layer on a baking sheet at the oven's lowest setting until they're crisp.

Top the crostini with the mushroom mixture, sprinkle with Parmesan on top, and place under the broiler briefly to just brown the cheese gently. Serve immediately with a glass of pinot noir. (I recommend the Kendall-Jackson.)





"And it's not California here"
Hem
Not California


8.0 out of 10
13.5% alc. by vol.
$17 / 750 ml. bottle

Mirassou Riesling

Monterey County
California
2006

Floral and citrus notes, pleasing finish. Really good buy for the cost.

This was very good with chicken, wheat crackers and cheddar cheese, and, especially, a dish I can't remember and I'm disappointed in myself for taking so long to post that I forgot what it was good with! But, I believe it was a creamy poultry dish.

Update: I remembered what dish it was that accompanied the Mirassou so well - It was zucchini fritters.











8.0 out of 10
$9/750 ml. bottle
12.5% alc. by vol.

"Oh, kiss me
Flick your cigarette, then kiss me"

No You Girls
Franz Ferdinand
(This song is just awesome. I like to turn it up loud.)