Domaine de L'Herbe Sainte Chardonnay

2008
Famille Greuzard
France


I couldn't stand it anymore. I broke down. I've been on an elminiation diet for 8 weeks now to try to determine if I've got food allergies. It's a strict diet with no dairy, no wheat, no sugar, no chocolate, no alcohol (NO WINE!), no garlic, no peppers. All vegetables and fruit and poultry are to be organic, salmon should be wild, and only well-treated, grass-fed beef (if I were to eat beef). I have done 85% well as I have been eating mostly organic fruits, vegetables and poultry (and wild salmon) for quite some time now. I was allowed a couple of times to go off for one special meal or invitation, but I was to not have it be two days in a row. Except for two wine tasting events, and my mother's birthday, (oh and a Fashion Show I just remembered - SHOOT!) I have followed it completely . But tonight, I broke down and opened a bottle of French Chardonnay I've had chilling since Christmas.

All I wanted to do was add a bit to my California Basmati brown rice along with some organic chicken broth to give it a more gourmet flavor. I opened this bottle, and the tropical aromas made me salivate. I told myself I'd have just one glass and ended up having almost two. Nice pear and citrus flavors with a hint of thyme and ever so slight mineral notes and a creamy finish. It was really good.




She's just the way she is, but no ones told her that's OK.

And she would change everything, everything just ask her.
Caught in the in-between, a beautiful disaster,

And she would change everything for happy ever after.
Caught in the in-between, a beautiful disaster.

--Jon Mclaughlin--




8.25 out of 10
13.5% alc. by vol.
$15 / 750 ml. bottle

Tobin James Fat Boy Zinfandel

2007
Zinfandel
Paso Robles, CA

We had the pleasure of attending another super fun wine tasting over the weekend. We actually started the event with an AWESOME daquiri that was the favorite of John and Jacqueline Kennedy. This is totally going to be a summer 2010 patio cocktail for me - it was so unbelievably smooth and drinkable. It was made with Oronoco rum and fresh lime and it was fantastic.

Anyway, we also drank Seghesio Vineyards 2006 Old Vine Zin which I have had in the past, but totally loved recently with the lavender chocolate we had later. We were served Cockburn's 2000 Vintage Port with our chocolate, which was enjoyable, but I preferred to revisit the Seghesio with the chocolate.

After the wine tasting, we went back to our friends' for wine in the cellar and we had more Tobin James. This time we had two TJ zins, and an Opolo zin. I really liked the Fat Boy which had been decanting a couple of hours. It was really jammy, with mushroom & oak nuances, and slight thyme which made me very happy. I love hints of herbs in wine.

I had invited the Guy's college friend Patty for dinner and she came with us to the wine tasting. It was really good to see her again and be around her intelligence and wit. It was a great night and I felt blessed to have laughed and drank in happiness.




















I know a man of healthy girth,
He's been a lover of beer, quite possibly since birth.
Pleasantly surprised was I to find,
He's let the ale go in favor of fine wine.
Salty chips and M&M's in the past we were sharing,
Have been replaced with fine chocolates and cheeses worthy of wine pairing.
And, I've witnessed an accomplishment most stellar,
He's invested not in a keg house, but a fantastic little wine cellar.





















8.5 out of 10
15.4% alc. by vol.
$55 / 750 ml. bottle (I know, not buget material either)

The Reunion

2006
Mourvedre, Shiraz & Grenache Blend
Rutherglen, Victoria
Australia





Hints of cherry, herb, and vanilla encompass this Australian blend. Although good on its own, it moves up a few notches when paired with aged Gouda. It especially tasted fantastic with gemelli pasta, vegetable tapenade, and shredded Gouda.




Twisted words
Falsified assumptions
A master retreat

Silence
Mind games
A cracked heart

A friendship severed and bleeding out

8.0 out of 10 (8.5 out of 10 with the Oakvale Aged Gouda cheese pairing)
14.5% alc. by vol.
$20 / 750 ml. bottle