Chateauneuf-du-Pape

2007
Red Rhone Wine
Domaine Du Vieux Lazaret
France

67% Grenache
22% Syrah
5% Mourvedre
6% "others"

As a child, I loved the "old" Christmas Carols (Perry Como, Glenn Miller, Doris Day, the Andrew Sisters, Benny Goodman). I still do today and find it harder and harder to find any station that plays the original stuff that makes Christmas extra awesome for me.

Christmas is like a wedding - lots of planning and excitement leading up to the event, then it's all over in a whirlwind and there's this feeling of "where'd it all go"? It is truly my most favorite time of year - I LOVE presents and I love giving presents. I love the food and WINE and family gatherings that I crave so much (and never seem to have enough of).

New Year's Eve is my second most unfavorite time of year (Halloween being first). So, I found a religious radio station that continues to play Christmas Carols for 12 days after Christmas and they have been making my week this week. THIS is the week I spiral into a depression. I can't help it. But this station is playing the most awesome eclectic old stuff mixed with some real good newer stuff (think Harry Connick, Jr.) and I am slightly more happy because of it. And, thanks to receiving almost 3 cases of wine in gifts this year, I have something to look forward to every day (or at least every few days!). I just have to come up with the food pairing. We have old friends coming for dinner Saturday and we are going to new friends for the big countdown tonight. So I am hanging in there. :)

My brother brought a couple of bottles of this wine (and I miss him now), and I enjoyed it more with him here with his aged cheddar cheese. However, it was still enjoyable on its own (and with him gone home).

Although I have not previously given much value to decanting, I did buy the Guy a decanter for Christmas and we have been enjoying how the wine aroma fills the room upon doing so. Well, I was blogging after Christmas and my brother decanted this and left it in front of me and left the room. My mouth started watering and I couldn't wait for us to pour it into glasses. We had some aged cheddar with it and had an awesome afternoon together tasting the two. This wine has a stone cherry scent and flavor and is one of the few French wines I thoroughly enjoy. Not a bad value for the price.

Happy New Year.


My world is changing
I'm rearranging
Does that mean Christmas changes too?

Where are you Christmas?
Do you remember
The one you used to know?
I'm not the same one
See what the time's done.
Is that why you have let me go?

Faith Hill



8.5 out fo 10 (when served with OLD cheddar cheese)
8.0 out of 10 on its own
14.5% alc. by vol.
$17/750 ml. bottle

Sonoma-Cutrer

2007
Chardonnay
Russian River Ranches

We went out to dinner tonight thanks to my mother-in-law and had a good dinner, though way too pricey. I had a glass of my old favorite Nora Albarino, 2007, but it just didn't taste as good as the first time. So, when my dinner came (shrimp with green beans and peas and garlic aioli sauce) I switched. I told the waitress I liked a heavier wine and she gave me a glass of the Sonoma-Cutrer. It was perfect with my shrimp. It was creamy lemon with butter and minerality. A nice match to both the shrimp and a bite I had of my stepfather-in-law's lobster and spinach provolone mac and cheese.

The highlight of my night was Dustin Hoffman showed up. I am a sucker for Hollywood types. I contained myself though and didn't act like a fool. Unlike the wait staff who came out of the woodwork to wait on him and ask him if he needed anything, repeatedly! Even the chef made a miraculous appearance shortly after he arrived. She acted casually, bringing out dinner to a table that she barely paid attention to. But on her return to the kitchen she made a strategic b-line to his table.

Anyway, I hate it when things are way over-priced, and our meal was for sure. But I enjoyed my wine with my meal. I just won't make a hearty attempt to return to that restaurant in the near future.

I'll bet she's beautiful
That girl he talks about
And she's got everything
That I've had to live without

-Taylor Swift-


8.0 out of 10
$19/750 ml. bottle

Passing Clouds

2005
Reserve Shiraz
Bendigo


Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas. I hate it when it's over. I luckily still have some celebrations to go so its not quite over yet. But all that anticipation and watching the wonder of my children and that "magic" in the air has faded. :(

My brother has been here since the 24th and he brought a case of wine which we have continued to enjoy daily. Yesterday was a great wine day. We tried (3) and enjoyed them all. Passing Clouds was definitely my favorite of the day. The finish on this was long and deliciously flavored. Black cherry mixed with ever so slight smoke and vanilla and oak, this wine went down very smoothly. Although awesome on its own, Passing Clouds went very well with aged cheddar cheese.





8.5 out of 10
15.2% alc. by vol.
$24 / 750 ml. bottle

Turley Zinfandel

2004
Howell Mountain
St. Helena, California
Dragon Vineyard

I am still in shock after coming home to discover a friend had left me two bottles of wine as a Christmas present in my absence. That, in itself, was not surprising. But the fact that one of the bottles purchased was a bottle of 2003 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap District, has me speechless. Morning can't get here fast enough for me to call him and tell him how crazy he HAS to be! I will not be drinking that anytime soon. It's good now through the next 20-25 years. I need a wine cellar now for sure as I don't want to ruin it while storing it for the right moment to eventually open it.

Regarding the Turley: this is our usual at Thanksgiving dinner. However, this year we had 3 different regions. I only have the bottles of two and I definitely know that Dragon Vineyard was my favorite. The other was a 2002 Old Vines also out of St. Helena. The third was from Paso Robles and I can't recall the vineyard. Please note: The other Turley wine was a 2002 Presenti Vineyard from Paso Robles. All three wines are a great match for turkey dinners, I just enjoyed the sweeter baking spice flavor of that from Dragon Vineyards.

The Dragon was awesome with the meal and especially pumpkin bread I'd made. With my first sip I knew it would be terrific. It smelled of baking spices: especially cloves and nutmeg and allspice. And that's exactly how it tasted too. The clove flavoring was enhanced by the pumpkin bread. It was highly enjoyable.

Oh there ain't no rest for the wicked
Money don't grow on trees
I got bills to pay
I got mouths to feed
There ain't nothing in this world for free

--Cage the Elephant--


16.0% alc. by vol.
Approx. $55 / 750 ml. bottle
8.5 out of 10

The Chocolate Block

2007
A Beautiful Blend of Syrah, Grenache Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault & Viognier
South Africa

This was a wine we enjoyed the weekend after Thanksgiving. Herbal notes and flavor with a hint of tobacco, this was a rather smooth wine that tasted even better with a piece of dark chocolate. Of course, the warm atmosphere of fire at the hearth, and my brother at my side, and a good movie rolling (Bottle Shock) probably contributed to my overall enjoyment.

I am up late baking a pie, drinking organic chocolate chai tea rather than a good wine, and reflecting on those I am indebted to. I wanted to be in bed by 10:00 but my evening unraveled in a frustrating fury when I locked not only my car and office keys and money inside my car, but the spare car key as well, as I hurried to grab my two younger children to bring them to the high school to see my older daughter's first "GLEE" performance. The show started in 10 minutes and I had no way to get there. The Guy didn't pick up his phone and neither did my mother (who was meeting me there). In a most frustrating frenzy of actually considering bundling my children up and walking to the high school in 18 degrees, I called my boss. He was there within 9 minutes and we made it. After the show my mom and stepdad called triple A for me and waited patiently in my kitchen (which, when we returned, wreaked horridly of canine gas). When triple A didn't show after an hour, I had a revelation and went in mad search of a backpack I brought to Maine over the summer. Inside, sure enough, was a third and only other spare key. It was 10:00 before I had even started making the pie, and I needed to clean the kitchen first.

So, as I wait for the pie to finish baking, I am thinking of how lucky I truly am. My brother was here for almost a week and fixed broken chairs for me and mowed the lawn and collected neat piles of leaves that my stepdad spent two full days leaf-blowing into clean, workable piles. I am honestly grateful to these men in my life who provide rides in bad weather or for locked-in car keys, who buy me lunch, fix things around my house, help me with the lawn, provide ladders or a hand in cleaning my gutters, and buy me fine wine. I know The Guy gets a little miffed at times at these gestures, but where would I be without all of their kindness and caring? Things get done and I am happier and calmer. And it's one less thing he has to try to eventually get to. So, now the mad pie baking begins to return thanks to all those who make my life easier. Being up late is a small price to pay in return to those who give unselfishly all year long.


8.25 out of 10
14.5% alc. by vol.
$37 / 750 ml. bottle

Cesari Amarone

2005
Della Valpolicella
Classico
Veneto, Italy


The week of Thanksgiving was a totally fab wine week. My brother purchased this Amarone in honor of my birthday, along with a bottle of 2003 Pio Cesare Barolo. Here is a terrific case of higher price not being indicative of a great wine. We all agreed the Della Valpolicella was superior to the Barolo. It was $36. The Barolo was $67.

The Amarone was really smooth, with a long finish, herbs and black fruit, and a bit of minerality. A most excellent Italian wine (and now my favorite Italian wine thus far). This wine was delicious on its own, and with my prosciutto and fontina cheese pinwheels.

I highly recommend the Amarone if you are looking for a pricier wine that is worth every penny (sorry for the photo blur factor to the right but I wanted to show the label for anyone interested in purchasing).









The Barolo was good, just not in the same league as the Amarone in spite of its heftier price. It was more dry with less finish time, and less flavor variation.


After dinner at our mother's we came back to my house, opened a bottle of The Chocolate Block, lit a warm fire, and kicked back and watched Bottle Shock (LOVED this movie based on the rise of California wine in the 1970's).





I have to throw in to this blog tonight how incredibly awesome it was to be back in the company of my high school Soul Sister, JAM, and her wonderful, fun sisters with their priceless sense of humor. I haven't laughed so much in quite awhile. You ladies are so much fun to be with. Thank you for always making me feel like part of the family. I've missed you!! Tonight I am happy.


I feel stressed out,
I wanna let it go.
Lets go way out, spaced out
and lose all control.

Fill up my cup,
Mazel Tov!

Black Eyed Peas (This little ditty causes me to spaz out whenever it comes on - I just gotsta MOVE.)

8.75 out of 19
$36 / 750 ml. bottle

Kistler Cuvee Natalie

2007 Pinot Noir
Silver Belt Vineyard
Bottle No. 05109 (12,456 bottles produced)
California

The Dead Arm Shiraz, The Holy Trinity and Kistler's Cuvee Natalie. Those, so far, are my top three wines of my life. :)

I had a wonderful winetasting week last week and have listed my Thanksgiving week wines on the left of this blog which I will be reviewing. However, following the fantastic wines from last week, I opened this. Cuvee Natalie easily moved to the top of the posting list.

Let me tell you, it is recommended to let this age for the next 10 years, and I can't imagine how incredibly awesome it might evolve to as it was beyond pretty darn good right now. The scent is black fruit with warm, slightly sweet baking spice mixed with herbs. The flavor is right on with the scent and is LONG and heated and really SMOOTH with a subtle minerality (it's a bit like ME actually - hah!). A most excellent wine.

This wine was a gift from my Uncle Bob and it was indeed a gift. We loved it SO much that we have savored it. I shared some with my mother when she dropped by last night. I gave her half a glass which she downed in no time, commenting on how delicious it was with each sip. After she finished, she reached over and popped the cork again and said she wanted "just a little bit more". Yes! It is that good. You don't want to take it or leave it. You just want to take it. Yet, you also want to leave it . . . for later. Because you just don't want it to be gone.

Robert Parker gave this a 94-96 rating.


I want a perfect body
I want a perfect soul
I want you to notice when I'm not around

~RADIOHEAD~


9.5 out of 10
14.1% alc. by vol.
:0 $120 - $159/750 ml. bottle :0 (clears throat, not quite budget material)
www.kistlervineyards.com (You can buy it direct from the vineyard for *only* $90)

Stag's Leap ARTEMIS

2006
Cabernet Sauvignon
NAPA

Oh. That's so more like it. I am content. The Bro and I went wine shopping tonight - he did the purchasing and we brought home some good stuff. The Artemis gave off a braised meat-herb sent and tasted like black berry fruit with rosemary mixed in. I loved it. The Bro (I have to find a new handle for him - not only does he hate it, but I do too) wasn't sure at first and thought there wasn't much of a finish. I experienced a subtle, slow to arrive finish that was just fine. The Guy liked the tannins he experienced right off. Once we introduced aged Old Quebec cheddar cheese and La Panzanella Croccantini peppercorm crackers to the wine, we were all pretty happy. Something about the peppercorns brought the wine to a new level. Highly recommend.

This wine on-line is regularly $55, on sale for $47. The Bro and I found it locally at a regular price of $48, on sale for $37. The taste and sale price are well matched. I highly recommend this wine if you can get it for the lower price. I think $55 would be paying too much. $48 would be pushing it.


May no man's touch ever tame you.
May no man's reigns ever chain you,
And may no man's weight
ever lay freight your soul...

And as for the clouds
Just let them roll . . .

Roll away

RAY LaMONTAGNE


8.25 out of 10
$37 / 750 ml. bottle (on Sale)
13.8% alc. by vol.

Morgon Beaujolais

2007
France
Georges Duboeuf (Blah!)

I apologize to any Georges Duboeuf fans out there. But, had I really looked at the label, I wouldn't have purchased it. I have never had a Georges Duboeuf wine I've liked. Once again, the French wines just don't have enough substance to keep me interested. This was weak, watery, uninteresting.That said, I am sure there is a "right" pairing out there somwhere for this Beaujolais, just not my dinner tonight.

I told the guy at the counter I was making grilled crab cakes and tuna. I was looking (as I always am damn it!) for an Albarino (come rescue me SPAIN!!!!!!). THIS was what was recommended. I decided against it, walked around some more. Didn't see ANYTHING interesting and went back to this. I didn't even study the label. I completely trusted the young, eager fellow behind the counter (he looked more like a Budweiser connosieur to me).

I didn't think the Beaujolais would be a good accompaniment to the crab cakes, but I thought there was a chance it would work with the tuna. But the tuna was nice and meaty like a steak would be and I prefer a full-bodied wine with a hearty piece of meat or fish, not something light.
Luckily, I had a Kendall Jackson Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay, 2008 on hand. The KJ was excellent with the crab cakes, as I expected. It tasted good with the tuna too, at least much better than the Morgon. But it was still no Albarino. :(

I am putting all my trust and hopes into next week. The Bro and Uncle Bob will hopefully save me. It is Thanksgiving, my favorite time of year and I am just in a complete funk. I am sadly thinking I need to find a non-budget wine to be happy. I know, intellectually, that I don't have to spend a lot to be pleased. But I also know I don't have a lot of time to shop around for a great bargain. I need a pleasant change.

Ironically, as I have not been partaking in any wine, the Morgon actually gave me a slight "buzz" after one half tumbler. Oh!!! I bought The Guy a couple of Reidel Merlot tumblers. I have always loved them. I bought some for The Bro for Christmas a couple of years ago and always wanted some myself. They are just awesome. I love wine glasses and their wonderful stems. But there is also something very beautiful about a well made tumbler too. :)


I toss and turn like the sea
If I drown tonight bring me back to life
Breathe your breath in me

Shinedown





6 out of 10
13% alc. by vol.
$15 / 750 ML bottle

Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

2006
La Valentina
Italy

**See update below for additional food pairing**

I was at a restaurant the other night and I had a glass of a Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, but not La Valentina. I never did get any further info on it. But it was excellent alone, with calamari and with pizza Caprese. I went to my local wine store this weekend actually looking for a pinot noir to accompany some organic chicken soup I was making a big pot of. I had to walk past the Italian section on my way over to pinot noir. As I walked past I remembered the wine I had and decided to look at the labels, thinking it would be cool if they had a bottle, highly doubting that they would. In fact, they did, only it was the La Valentina versus the other that I can't recall. So I bought it anyway because the other was so good.

This was good. The other was better, but I would buy this one again. I feel like the other was more full. This was more medium bodied, but it was smooth, with black cherry and herb flavors. I made a hearty lean turkey and black bean stew this evening and I added this to it and also had a glass with my meal. They were very good together.

I have found another Italian red that I like very much.

**UPDATE: The Montepulciano was excellent with leftover organic chicken soup.

I go about my business, I'm doing fine
Besides what would I say if I had you on the line
Same old story, not much to say
Hearts are broken, everyday.

Jewel



8.0 out of 10
13.5% alc. by vol.
$14 / 750 ml. bottle

Phantom

2006
Bogle Vineyards
California

A blend of Petite Sirah, Old Vine Zin & Old Vine Mourvedre - I just LOVE saying that word!!! MOURVEDRE (more-vay-drrruh)

Well, the night started off well enough. Halloween. My most not favorite night of the year. I was looking forward to it ending and pouring myself a glass of phantom (something I was hoping to make a Halloween tradition actually).

Each of my children desired to be at someone else's house and I was taxi driver. I eventually got into it though and even dressed up for my little one. We matched. And we stayed together. The first song that came on the radio as I started driving was my old favorite, Donovan's Season of the Witch. And I thought: this is going to be a great night.

I was ending the evening at a party where my oldest daughter was and couldn't wait to get there. However, I was tired and it was pouring and I was the only one dressed up and I was given a glass of Little Penguin Merlot upon my arrival there. Hah! I deserved that. I wrote not that long ago about it being a decent wine for the price. It was the last thing I wanted. I'd brought a Cab with me and didn't know how to tactfully request that it be opened instead! I caught up with some old friends that were unexpectedly there and had a few laughs and then headed home minus my daughter who randomly wanted to go to her friend's house for the night with another friend. I drove home in the pouring rain after getting pelted by acorns and felt the beginning of a bad headache. Damn that Little Penguin! I got home and went to bed, without any desire to visit with the phantom. So much for my "new" tradition.

Finally, the next day, after taking the dog for a workout and raking leaves for a couple of hours, I opened the phantom and watched the sun go down across the field. The scent of the wine had that wonderful "stone" characteristic to it - I've likened it previously to the scent of rocks baking in the sun. And a strong scent of cherry was mixed in.

Initial taste was rather chalky but it opened up to a black pepper creosote followed by a smooth rather quick finish. I liked it, it was better after sitting open for a bit, but I was disappointed as the 2004 was rather awesome two years ago. In case you don't know, Bogle releases the phantom each year around August's end and then it's done until the following year. It always comes out in time for fall, and Halloween appropriately. I totally missed last year's 2005 production and decided to make a point going forward of getting it for Halloween evening. The 2004 had an awesome smoke flavor to it. There was only a hint of that this time around. Still a good wine - it might be better in a few months time. I will now look forward to next year.

Carving the pumpkins.

Preparing the seeds for roasting.

Me and my sunshine.

Oh when I look over my shoulder
What do you think I see?
Some other cat looking over
His shoulder at me
And he's strange, sure he's strange
You've got to pick up every stitch
You've got to pick up every stitch, yeah
Beatniks are out to make it rich
Oh no, must be the season of the witch
Must be the season of the witch, yeah
Must be the season of the witch.

Donovan, Season of the Witch

8.0 out of 10
14.5% alc. by vol.
$19 / 750 ml. bottle

Opolo Merlot Reserve

2006
Paso Robles, CA

The scent of this reminded me very much of Tawny Port meets Kalamata Olive. The taste was like a Robitussin cherry mushroom with a bit of earth mixed in. I do not wish to insinuate that this wine tasted like cough medicine with my reference to Robitussin. As a child, I very much enjoyed the taste of Robitussin and therefore, the slight reminder this wine brought forth was a characteristic I liked.

The finish was dry yet had a smooth, lingering, warm, slight spice flavor. This was very good. It was a nice and welcome change from the usual.

Oh Lover, hold on
'till I come back again
For these arms are growin' tired,
And my tales are wearing thin

If you're patient I will surprise,
When you wake up i'll have come

All the anger will settle down
And we'll go do all the things we should have done

Rachael Yamagata / Duet (with Ray LaMontagne)

8.5 out of 10
Approx. $24 / 750 ml. bottle? (can't buy easily)
14.8% alc. by vol.

St. Francis Chardonnay

2007
Sonoma County
California

I was very happy with this choice to accompany (and use in) an angel hair pasta dish I made last night. I am constantly in search of minerality in my wines. It is one of my absolute favorite characteristics that, when it's there, usually promises me a highly enjoyable glass. This wine did not let me down. A magnificent yellow diamond sparkle in hue, this emitted an awesome fresh flower/strawberry essence when I held it in my mouth. Upon swallowing, it was slightly bitter which worried me in the first millisecond. Then as it went down, a burst of mineral heaven sprang forth and I smiled a très heureux smile and relaxed for awhile.


I seem to be on an emotional roller coaster lately. It's my grandmother's birthday today. She's 92 and alone at her nursing home. I am going to go see her tomorrow. But it's days like this that I long for more time. I wonder if the nurses wished her a happy birthday this morning and if she wondered if she would get any visitors today. She was such a big part of my life and I feel terrible that I haven't been there often enough due to too many other obligations and an hour's drive. She means so much to me and I know we have limited time left. We are very similar as she raised 3 children and made family the most important part of her life. She knew what was most important was raising her children in a loving and safe home. She taught me that other things could wait until their due time, but children are here but for a short while. Yet a part of her always felt like she was inferior and longed to be more . . . shiny. I too struggle along that line, knowing what's right, but sometimes wishing for just a bit more, wondering if this is where I am supposed to be. Nothing a little dark chocolate can't snap me out of. I am baking Devil's Food cupcakes right now to bring to her and hope that our visit will stay in her mind awhile. (Hah!!! I was just listening to Chris Martin of Coldplay after a live version of "In My Place" and, after thanking fans for sticking with them through thick and thin, he said - no joke - "Eat More Chocolate" YES!!!!!)

I go from thinking of my life growing up and visiting with my grandparents in their sunny, happy home which always smelled of some delicious meal cooking, to seeing my grandmother now in the end stages of life, to watching my own children grow up before my eyes and wondering exactly where I myself am headed.

I listened to my oldest daughter sing behind closed doors and cried. Her voice is awesome. She was trying out for Glee Club and was a nervous wreck. She's never sung before and was going to be judged on stage in front of others. She refused to practice in front of me. She toyed with singing one of her favorite harder edged rock songs, but decided on one of my favorites, a more recent pop song: Anna Nalick's 2 AM. I came up the stairs and heard her practicing. I stood outside in the hall and was overcome with listening to my first child singing like a young woman. And doing something I was always too shy to pursue. I just stood there and quietly sobbed!! It was an awesome feeling though. I was, once again, in awe of her.

I am really missing my children being little and am yearning for a little one SO badly. I wish I was in a better position to adopt. I am often overcome with the feeling lately, especially as my own grow older. There are SO many children out there in need of a good home, it slays me. I truly believe that children are divinely bestowed upon us and entrusted to our care. The every day headlines bring word of one atrocity being committed against a child after another. It is beyond heartbreaking.

My youngest has a cheery, sunny room and an extra bed. And my children all tell me that they always feel like there's someone missing at the dinner table. Of course, we have 6 chairs and there are only 5 of us, so I am sure that plays a part. But sometimes I am flooded with the same sensation and feel the only way I can "fix" it is to bring some less fortunate child into my home. I believe that whatever was meant to be, will be. And I trust that if it was meant to be, I will some day be in a position to give another child a chance at a better, more love- filled life. And, maybe by then, I'll be exactly where I was always meant to be.



I have an eclectic repertoire of music always churning in my head, on a daily basis. I've come to rely on the dimension music adds to my life, almost as much as that of wine. And I enjoy the two together. My favorites run the gamut of Radiohead to Sam Cooke. Today, it's Sam Cooke who's in my head:

There been times when I thought I couldn't last for long
but now I think I'm able to carry on
It's been a long, a long time coming
but I know a change gonna come, oh yes it will

~Sam Cooke~

8.25 out of 10
$12 / 750 ml. bottle

ZIN91

2006

Old Vine Zinfandel

California

This was just OK. Had a bit of a bitter taste that I couldn't get past. It wasn't bad, it just wasn't great. Mostly plum and slight cherry flavors with a bit of black pepper mixed in.

I'm stepping back in time tonight to remember my good old best friend John B. from college. A boy I was very fond of, but just not fond enough to make it work. (Harry was right in When Harry Met Sally - sometimes guys and girls just can't be friends without it having to go somewhere else, which then either ruins the friendship, or maybe, just maybe was the right thing after all.) Anyway, he was my best bud for awhile there (we're talking a couple of years), until we made out on my birthday and I felt like I was kissing my brother and pushed him away and he left all mad and pretty much didn't want to ever talk to me again. :(

A favorite song of his was running through my mind tonight and made me think of him:

Might as well go for a soda, nobody hurts and nobody cries
Might as well go for a soda, nobody drowns and nobody dies. . .
It's better than slander

The Kim Mitchell Band

$15 / 750 ml. bottle
7.5 out of 10
14% alc. by vol.

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.)

Yellow Tail Chardonnay

2007
South Eastern Australia



This is a good all around enjoyable summer wine that goes well with pasta and/or chicken. It fits in a tighter budget yet tastes better.

A little peach and vanilla, this can be surprisingly rich with the right food.

Walking by my little barrel of herbs outside my kitchen, I noticed my basil practically jumping out at me. I picked a whole bunch and then grabbed some pignolia nuts and garlic and got out the blender. A little olive oil and I was ready. Fresh pesto to add to my grilled chicken and otherwise boring pasta. I poured a glass of chardonnay and I was happy at the end of the day.







8 out of 10
13.5% alc. by vol.
$12 / 750 ml. bottle




And all I wanted was the simple things
A simple kind of life
And all I needed was a simple man
So I could be a wife . . .
I'm so ashamed, I've been so mean
I don't know how it got to this point . . .

A Simple Kind of Life, Gwen Stefani

Ballet of Angels

American White Wine
Sharpe Hill Vineyard
Pomfret, CT

When I went to pick up my daughter from a visit with friends, the parents gave me a glass of this and I really enjoyed it. Well chilled, this is a very refreshing medium-bodied semi-dry white wine. It is supposedly comprised of (10) grape types. Although I originally had a glass on its own, the mom and I had been talking over fresh cut watermelon and she had a bite right after a sip of wine and, mid-sentence her eyes widened and she quickly had another sip of wine and smiled and indicated for me to do the same. What ensued was a wonderful unexpected pairing. Needless to say, I had another glass of wine with watermelon.

Priced right, this is a definite summer recommendation.


And so there's a change...
In your emotions
And all of these memories come rushing
Like feral waves to your mind
Of the curl of your bodies
Like two perfect circles entwined
And you feel hopeless, and homeless
And lost in the haze
Of the wine . . .

Around Midnight, The Airborne Toxic Event
(This is currently my favorite song - a genius crescendo of raw emotion and lyrics that, if this has ever happened to you, hits close to home)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2YnDlEMXiU

8.0 out of 10
12% alc. by vol.
$11 / 750 ml. bottle

Yankee Girl Blush

Light (Blush) Wine
Hardwick Vineyard
Massachusetts

We had some good friends visit us from the volunteer state a couple of weekends ago and we had a great time visiting. I was pleasantly surprised to learn there was a bottle of wine waiting for me at their hotel a few days after they departed. It was this blush from a quaint little New England vineyard. The woman whose family owns the vineyard also does some of the label art work and I just loved this label.

Nicely chilled, this sweet wine is refreshing on a warm summer day. It had an apricot bouquet and it tasted of both peaches and apricots. I put my feet up on the back patio, opened a good book and sipped in the late afternoon sun. I thoroughly enjoyed it and was happy to venture a bit from my wintry norm. Thank you J&A!!





Although I liked it best on its own, it accompanied my Parmesan Omelet nicely!


8.0 out of 10
(Not much wine label particulars available)




You caught me under false pretenses
How long before you let me go?

"Supermassive Black Hole" by MUSE

Tres Picos Garnacha

Borsao Bodegas
Borja SPAIN
2007

I had the pleasure of being in Vermont the last few days and I am missing it terribly today, especially as my children and I were the only ones to leave.

Once again, I had to pull myself away from attempting to get things done around the house instead of going away (knowing I most likely would accomplish very little if I stayed - though I am proud of myself for having borrowed a ladder and cleaned the gutters). In addition, I went with car problems and three children in the car, armed with antifreeze and instructions from a mechanic as to what to look for and then do if the car overheated. (Plus I had my Swiss Army knife - don't leave home without it.) The morning of departure I woke up knowing it would be just fine. I went for it. It was a great weekend and now I am somewhat re-charged and happier.

It is amazing to me how a beautiful drive, museum visiting (I find museums so wonderfully quiet and welcoming - the work just beckons to you and then surrounds you), viewing art exhibits (this weekend it was Edward Steichen and Ralph Lieberman), hiking in the mountains, listening to old jazz artists (Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday), reading good books, viewing the mountains every morning with El Salvadoran espresso, and closing the day with wine and cheese and family can stimulate the soul and mind. Surround yourself with beauty and creativity and it can't help but rub off on you, or at least inspire you to strive.













Well, both my mom and my brother were very thoughtful and checked this blog and armed themselves with some of my favored wines. But my brother also brought an enticing new one. The Tres Picos Garnacha was awesome. I absolutely LOVED it. Blackberries and leather and clove and vanilla and plum-like spice, it was very smooth on the tongue. Nice finish. Delicious with unadulterated dark chocolate. The wine brought out the flavor of the chocolate and then the chocolate brought out the flavor of the wine. Highly recommend it, especially for the price. Though not cheap, also not expensive. Great deal for the flavor.
















8.25 out of 10
$16 / 750 ml. bottle
15% alc. by vol.

I leave you with the cleansing view from the porch (and an awesome Mark Twain quote):

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore. Dream. Discover.

Artisan Cabernet Sauvignon

2005
California

Do you truly taste your wine?

So, I have a co-worker who is very impressed by the amount of money spent on a bottle of wine. The more expensive it is, he is sure the better it tastes. I have tried to tell him that the price tag doesn't mean diddly. He tastes with his eyes, not his mouth. And I think he's a fool for it.

He has access to interesting people and parties and fabulous wines. His neighbor has a wine cellar to die for, a brother who is somewhat of a connoisseur, and a bank roll to buy the latest and greatest (or in most cases, the oldest and greatest). So, he tells me about the wines he experienced over the weekend and/or holiday. But when I ask for label info, or vintage, etc., he can never remember. All he can ever tell me is what color it was and it cost $90 a bottle and they went through ten of them (etc.). It's disappointing. So, I tend to have my more meaningful wine conversations with the guys who work in our machine shop that spend less than $15 on a bottle. I actually get good suggestions from them.

This is a perplexity that remains on my mind frequently. When I was bartender a few weeks back at an auction, the auctioneer's assistant came up and talked wine with me. He actually asked for a glass of Little Penguin Merlot. He passed up a 1995 Folonari and a few other older, more expensive labels that I wasn't familiar with myself. When I poured it for him, I told him it actually isn't a bad wine and it's great for the price. His eyes lit up, he winked at me, and he said: "I know!" Then he proceeded to impress me with tales of his extensive collection at home and the square footage of his cellar, etc. He told me how he and his wife held their son's wedding at their home and he was chief wine supplier to a very discriminating group of guests, especially on his new daughter-in-law's side (specifically, her mother). He served a few thousand dollars worth of wine before deciding later in the evening that everyone had totally ruined their palate and it wasn't worth bringing up the expensive stuff anymore. So, he took out the other wine. One of those he served was Little Penguin merlot. He said his daughter-in-law's mother came up to him with an empty glass and asked for more. He poured her a glass of Little Penguin and stood back and watched. She began to walk away, took her first sip, and then turned right around again and emphatically asked him what delicious wine he'd pulled from the cellar now. He told her, and she'd never heard of it( not surprisingly). But she told him it was "fantastic" and she could only guess how much it must have cost. Well, he and I had a huge laugh over that story. He told me that he was glad to see that I could recognize good wine doesn't always have to have a big price tag. And thus ends my story, but think about it. How do you really taste your wine? What factors must be present before you even bring the rim of the glass to your lips? Are you cheating yourself out of a better experience?

Well I finally had a taste of Toffee on the palate from a wine. This wine is pretty good. Though the Guy spent $12, I've seen it for $9, thereby making this a really good deal. I had it well after my dinner, but it is recommended with hearty stews and barbecue flavors. Mostly blackberry-forward, there is a melancholy headiness to it (I don't know what the hell that means - it just came to me in trying to describe my experience). But the Toffee kind of wraps it up nicely in the finish. I recommend it, especially if you can get it for the lesser price. And try it with a barbecued meal and then COME BACK HERE and comment on the experience. PLEASE.

She lives with a broken man
A cracked polystyrene man
Who just crumbles and burns.

--Radiohead, "Fake Plastic Trees"

8.0 out of 10
13.8% alc. by vol.
$9-12 / 750 ml. bottle

Smoking Loon Chardonnay

2006
California


This is not a great wine. However, it's enjoyable and rather versatile and . . . cheap. Obviously, if you have guests you are trying to impress that also happen to be connosieurs, it won't be the night's best pick. But, if you're hanging with your best buds, laughing and relaxing and eating non-pretentious, good old soul food, "Smoking Loon" will advance the night just fine.

I have reviewed "Smoking Loon" Cab I believe in the past (or perhaps it was the Merlot). Anyway, whether the red or the white, this is a good basic wine for a casual gathering.

If you make my little pasta salad above (your favorite pasta type, fresh basil to taste, roasted pignolia nuts, grape tomatoes, black olives, cubed fresh mozzarella and drizzled olive oil and fresh lemon to taste with crushed black and red pepper) and partake in this Charonnay well-chilled, you will not be disappointed. The flavors marry each other in your mouth and the honeymoon
goes off without a hitch.

Reviewed accompanying my pasta salad:

8.0 out of 10
13.5% alc. by vol.
$9.99 / 750 ml. bottle
www.smokingloon.com


NOTE TO the Guy: My Cuervo Gold strawberry margheritas are not fruit smoothies. It is unwise to come in from a hot muggy day, grasp the brilliantly presented margherita and drink it down in 3 chugs (tops) as if it was a gallon of iced tea and then go to the computer and type your reports. It is to be sipped and savored over a course of at least twenty minutes.