A Glorious Spring Wine Night!

Some have w(h)ined...and rightfully so, because I have become derelict in posting my WINE NIGHT REVIEWS!  My apologies to all....friends, wine group, winemakers, wine lovers, and those who enjoy my casual blog!

So...a few weeks late.....but here it is!

April 20th saw another wonderful collection of friends, wines, and of course.....food!

Spring has definitely Sprung!

As guests arrived, they were greeted with Jeff Streka's incredible Field Day (ONX)..  75% Sauvignon Blanc and 25% Viognier, this is aptly described as "a beach vacation in a bottle."  True enough!  Light, tropical fruits, citrus, well balanced acidity and floral notes...closing your eyes your could just imagine yourself as an 8 year old, walking home on a summer day passing by the honeysuckle.  A wonderful way to begin the evening, get everyone in a relaxed mood, as we sat outside on a pleasantly warm Spring evening, sipping and eating appetizers, as the breeze lightly stirred the wind chimes and the birds sang.......

My Special Tasting Cup

Moving inside.....we were ready to eat, and as is our routine, taste one brown bagged delight after another....reviews, rate and finally add up our scores, unwrap the wines, and see what bottle was rated first.

The Table is Ready

Tonight was RED wine night!  No specific varietal or geography, just bring a really good red wine...and good wines abounded!

Tonight saw a little more wine than normal....as our special guest this evening, Chris with his lovely companion Trang....brought two bottles!

Let the meal, the sipping, the laughter and fun begin!

Finally seated....we are now in wine tasting mode....for the next few hours!

Sated and Saturated....Successfully so, if those smiles mean anything!

It was now time to see what was what!  We unwrapped the wines in no particular order; here was our collection of incredible wines for the evening!

Of course, no one had to guess who brought the 1997 Paleo, a classic Italian red Bordeaux Blend from Tuscany....unavailable of course, bought and aged over a decade ago, and shared by Paul from his eclectic and varied wine cellar!

Next up...what's this?  Another Italian red?  A 2004 Tignanello, another Tuscan red blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.  Knowing how Mike and Paul have been conspiring of late, this bottle had to have been provided by Mike....and it was!

Both of these Italian beauties being soft, silky, subtle and ohhh sooooo food friendly!

After re-tasting these two Italian gems, I closed my eyes, and the flavors brought back my memories of Tuscany in springtime, staying in a 500 year old mansion, a view of the vineyards budding, the hillsides planted with vines and the sound of the river rushing through the valley below........Memories are made of this.....



No surprise to see a Paso wine next unwrapped, a 2008 Barrel 27 Bull by the Horns.  Vibrant and fruit forward, with just the right kick.....donated by Dana and Matt!

Next, a red blend from Oakville!  A 2008 Bevan Ontogeny.  One of Russel's creations.  The definition of  "ontogeny" being:  The development of an organism.  A unique and different treat!

The next to last bottle unwrapped, a 2008 Jada Vineyards Jack of Hearts.  Big and bold with lots of heart, this is a vibrant Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petite Verdot blend.

and finally to be exposed, a 2009 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon.  The king of grapes which displays all that is expected from a great Cabernet.  Both the Caymus and Jada graciously provided by Chris.

The Final Line-up

Suffice to say, that all the wines were in a word (or more):  Elegant!  Tantalizing!  Mouth Watering!  Delightful, and just plain:  YUMMY!  The two Italian blends being so different from the California wines.  And, the final ratings being separated by less than 2 points. However, as is our habit...there is ALWAYS one wine to score more than the others...and tonight's high point scorer.....went to Bevan's Ontogeny!

Finally....the evening comes to a close....Time for bed....clean up can wait till tomorrow....

And to all...a good night!

I hope you have enjoyed sharing another eclectic evening with your group!  Please, feel free to comment, post on your blog, forward to your friends, email me.....and have a glass of wine!

Cheers,

Don

A NEW FIND!

A quick trip to Paso last Tuesday......made all the more worthwhile by meeting a new, incredible (and yet another YOUNG) Paso Winemaker:  Jeff Strekas of ONX!  Being introduced to Jeff and his lineup, sitting on the porch, a light breeze blowing, looking out over the vineyards and distant hills, sipping the incredible wines was nirvana.
(Thank you Addie for the introduction)!

   A picture is worth more than 1000 words

Jeff....a happy winemaker

Passover---2013

WHAT DO THESE ELITE PASO WINERIES HAVE IN COMMON???

Alta Colina
   Daou
      Caliza
          Per Cazo
             L'Aventure
                Denner
                    Torrin
                       Epoch
                          Nicora

Take a large, loving group of family and friends
  Bring them together for a special Passover holiday celebration
    Add 9 elite Paso wines
       And the evening is filled with love, memories, laughter, great food, great wine and a great time!

Passover 2013---

Beginning to prepare.....the line up

(Minus the chilling bottle of Per Cazo)

The Table is Set

An evening in progress...32 happy people

The evening is over, the clean-up begins

9 bottles, 26 adults, Not bad
Great Wines are to be shared with Great People

A PERFECT EVENING WITH THOSE WE LOVE

PASO ROBLES GRAND TASTING TOUR: FEBRUARY 28

FEBRUARY 28TH, AT THE BOOKBINDERY IN CULVER CITY

THE PASO ROBLES GRAND TASTING TOUR....

40 PASO WINERIES....MAKING HUNDREDS OF  PEOPLE HAPPY
SURROUNDED BY GREAT WINES
TASTING GREAT WINES
TALKING TO GREAT PEOPLE
THERE IS NOTHING BUT SMILING FACES, LAUGHTER AND
FRIENDLINESS ALL AROUND
CHEERS TO PASO, PASO WINE AND THE PEOPLE WHO
MAKE THEM, DRINK THEM AND LOVE THEM

Jennifer and Don (yes...that would be me) from DAOU VINEYARDS

Lindsey and Addie from EPOCH ESTATE

Smiles all around!

Assorted Cheeses and Canapes!

Happy pourer...happy taster

Carl of CALIZA

Debbie and David Hunt...from HUNT CELLARS

A happy and thirsty crowd

Good wines bring out the happiness in people

Robert from L'AVENUTRE

VALENTINO'S: MAGIC IN FOOD AND WINE

THE PERFECT RECIPE FOR A MAGICAL EVENING  

Start the evening with 8 close friends entering a stretch limousine.

Take them to Valentino's in Santa Monica.  Have Piero Selvaggio greet and escort them to the private wine room where a table for 8 is set.   Add 7 specially prepared and elegant food courses, pairing each with a unique wine chosen by Piero.  Assign Sean to oversee the evening and explain the food and wine that accompanies each course.  Be generous all evening with lots of laughter.  What do you get?  A most memorable, unique dining experience with flowing wine, surrounded by one of the greatest wine collections in the country, if not the world.  A "magical mystery tour" of food and wine from one of the premier Italian restaurants in the country is going to take us away.

MEMORIES ARE MADE OF THIS!

Following our arrival, and gracious greeting by Piero, we are escorted through the kitchen, up the staircase, to the private wine room, where a an elegant table is set for 8.

                                                    Surrounded by over $1,000,000 of wine

                                                       The mood is being set for the evening

Sean, our affable Maitre d' for the evening, hands us each a glass of Brut Zardetto Cuvee.  An elegant, soft sparkling wine, with a nose and flavors of  peach, pear, apricot.  The bubbly sets the mood for what is to follow.   As we take our seats we are served a trio of appetizers:  Eggplant with ricotta, rolled salmon with marscapone and a fried risotto.

                                                         And now, the food journey begins

Savoring the food, talking, laughing, sipping, relaxing.....unaware that the plates have been cleared, a new wine is poured, 

The 2008 Villa Ruzziz Pinot Bianco is light, floral and fruity.  Aromas tease the senses and pallet, and is exquisitely complimentary with the second course, a lump crab salad with heirloom tomatoes and micro greens.

                                            A picture is worth 1000 words-a taste even more

We are all definitely climbing the stairway to heaven, as a glass of 2008 Valle Dell 'Acate Bidis is poured, to the accompaniment of a warm mushroom tortino with black winter truffles.  Red and fruity, this wine accentuates the flavors of the mushrooms and truffles.....as we continue to be hypnotized by the food, wine and company.

                                                                    indescribable tastes

We are an hour into the gourmet experience, and everyone is happy, satisfied and relaxing, as the pasta course is served:  This is a spaghetti (home made of course) with an incredible sauce I wouldn't try to describe, with mushrooms and beef.  The wine that so perfectly brings out the flavors is a 2009 Blina Barbers d'asti.  Well balanced, and fruity, it is a perfect match with the dish.  Of course by now, we all think everything is a perfect match!

                                                     Spaghetti like mama never made

MORE food?  More wine?  But of course!  The main courses are about to be served!
A small veal fillet, wrapped in bacon, served over risotto that is blended with red wine and goat cheese.
How to best describe?  YUMMM!  And the 2008 La Massa Toscana, a Sangiovese...is yet another perfect fit.  Bold yet elegant, with dark fruit and minerality....that brings out the flavors of the wine and the food, and a lingering finish blending all the flavors together.

                                                              The risotto was to die for

With the evening approaching it's last chapter, we are served the final, well almost final, course:  Osso Buco on polenta. And to pair with this course, Piero has chosen a 2007  Dominico Clerico Arte, a Nebiolo that is deep ruby red.  Well structured, with layers of dark berries and minerals and a hint of spice.  Savoring the last bites, sipping the last drops from the glass.  All that remains now is dessert.

                                           Apologies by the photographer!  So wrapped up in the food,
                                                                   only took a mental picture

The 2009 Sol Solis Moscato d'Asti, a wonderful floral bouquet whose honey dominant flavor dances on your tongue....and brings out the flavors of the dessert assortment of a mini tiramisu, warm dark chocolate cake with a liquid fudge filling, and a small scoop of berry sorbet.  All masterfully tied together, so that no one flavor fights or dominates another.

THE NIGHT'S WINES

                                       Thankfully, we did NOT have to go through the Wine book
                                                              to choose the wines ourselves!

Sitting back, totally sated, the magical evening almost at an end, we have one more treat in store for us.  Not to eat or drink or even touch, but to see:  One of the world's rarest bottles of wine that resides in Piero's Cellar:

One of Four bottles known to exist in the world! An 1891 Biondi Santi Brunello di Montalcino!  Re-corked and "topped off" several years ago, this 120 year old bottle is still vibrant and fills a proud spot in Piero's wine cellar.  What an honor to be able to see a liquid work of art like this.

                                      From when it was tasted, tested, re-corked several years ago,
                                                that is the original 1891 cork attached to the bottle
                                                      and yes, it IS on the wine list for purchase

Grudgingly, the evening must come to a close.  Walking back from the wine room, through the almost empty restaurant (the hour is now quite late), we bid "arriverderci" to Piero, Sean, and Paul (the sommelier).  No thanks is adequate for the incredible experience we just had.  Something so special and unique that words just do not do justice.

And of course, a most special "thank you" to Paul for arranging the evening.  If it were not for his 25 year association and friendship with Piero, we would never have the opportunity of such a special and one of a kind experience.

PASO TRIP--WINE NIGHT--HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

A quick trip up to Paso Robles this past week.....just barely a day and a half...seeing old friends and

having the privilege of meeting two new (to us), exciting winemakers:

Aaron Jackson of Aaron Wines!  Previewing his upcoming releases was a treat!  But, being introduced to his BIG Petite Sirah (WHY is a BIG Sirah called petite?)...was a WOW!  As Aaron states on his bottles:  GO BIG OR GO HOME~
BUT....when you GO home, you better be taking some of his Petite Sirah with you!  Thank you Aaron for the hospitality and introduction to your wines.

Then, a few hours spent in the home of Guillaume and Solene Fabre, of Clos Solene.  Just two of the nicest people you would ever want to meet. Guillaume and Solene's wines are nothing short of amazing:
Homage a Nos Pairs...a blend of 95% Syrah, 3% Grenache and 2% Mourvedre is liquid velvet, and their L'Insolent, 60% Cabernet and 40% Petite Verdot----indescribably delicious.  Who says Paso can't produce
some of the best Bordeaux wines in the state?

                                  

Guillaume, Solene and their two precious children Clementine and Jean, with cousin Shelley and Ashley, Myself (Lynn behind the lens) and Guillaume and Solene's wonderful wines!  Tre Magnifique!

Of course we LOVE meeting new winemakers and making new friends....but no Paso trip would be complete without always seeing some of our old friends...this time:
Maggie Tillman of Alta Colina.....finally getting to sample the 2010 Toasted Slope and finding out what all the rage is about!
Nick Elliott of Nicora.  Sampling (and coming away with a bottle) his soon to be released GSM2010!  Get it before it's gone.  Nick may only be on his second release, but he has already hit the big time!

And Daniel Daou.  Thank you for the magnificent lunch Daniel...and Soul of a Lion is even better after being in the bottle 4 months.  Can't wait for that release in February!

And upon our return:  WINE NIGHT!  This was Grenache night....With 4 different entries:
From Dr. Mike and Pamela:  Orin Swifts 2010 Abstract!  THE WINNER
From my Dana and Matt:    McPrice Myers 2010 L'Ange Rouge
From Paul and Ellen...always a different and unique "elder" wine.....a 1995 Beaucastel Chateauneuf Du Pape
and..from Me and Lynn:  A 2010 Linne Calodo Sticks and Stones

Needless to say, although there is always an official winner...all the wines are always unique and wonderful, and a pleasure to be exposed to.

                                             A picture IS worth a thousand words...especially

                                                                       during wine night           

AND FROM OUR WINE GROUP TO ALL OF YOU....WE WISH YOU NOTHING BUT THE BEST FOR THE NEW YEAR!  HEALTH, HAPPINESS AND OF COURSE....WONDERFUL WINES!

(From the left:  Pamela, Mike, Dana, Matt, Lynn, Paul, Ellen

and yes, Don is behind the lens)

Happy people drinking good wine

Drinking good wine makes happy people

                                             HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

A NIGHT OF ECLECTIC WINE!

Welcome into our home!  Please join us again, as we sip, eat, chat, laugh and enjoy ourselves with some unique and eclectic wines, accompanied by food, food and more food and of course, a sinful dessert.  The main ingredient of the evening, bringing it all together, is friendship, laughter and a love of wine.

Normally, our Wine Group's Wine Night focuses on brown bagging a specific designated wine type, with definite parameters, and not unveiling what we are drinking until all wines have been adequately sipped, savored, discussed, rated and scored.  However, Tonight...Wine Night was designated as:  "Bring ANY good bottle of wine" night.  No restrictions! No brown bagging, no analysis, no rating, no competition.  Just an evening savoring a variety of eclectic and unusual wines to be enjoyed and sampled by all.

And if eclectic was the requirement for tonight's wines....they were just that. This evening melded the three ingredients for a successful gathering:  Wine....Food....Friends....all blending well together.  With wines from around the world, and around the state.

Let's get started:

The evening begins with a glass of Don Burns' (Westberg Cellars)

Willow White

As each guest arrived, so did the appetizers----which would have been enough for dinner itself!  Starting casually with appetizers, our guests were  introduced to something new, Westberg Cellars Willow White.  Don Burns (Westside of Paso Robles) is a small, handcraft winemaker, turning out some wonderful wines.  Willow White is the color of golden hay, aromatic and crisp.  Citrus, white peach, nectarine and melon. It is a creative blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling.  A perfect start to the evening....made to sip on its own, or with our assorted appetizers and cheese.  A perfect start to what will follow.
 
Now easing into "the mood," dinner is served!   Bring a a good bottle of wine night is also "make your own taco night!"

Make your own Tacos (or taco salad)....with a variety

of fillings, salsas and condiments

And once everyone has a full plate.....let the wine tasting begin!

Tonight's line up of eclectic wines!

Wine Night usually presents us with a special surprise, something from the depths of Paul's substantial cellar.  Tonight is no exception:  A  1997 Brunello di Montalcino Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona.  This 100% Sangiovese was soft and silky....very nice subtle tones of red fruit and chocolate with some subtle spiciness.  It is always such a pleasure being treated to a rare and old wine that Paul pulls from his vaired collection.  Having the opportunity of sharing a fine bottle of wine that normally none of us would ever have the chance of tasting or purchasing adds a wonderful intangible to the evening.

Ontogeny comes from the Greek word "ontos", and translated means:  "The origin and development of an organism from conception to adulthood."  And that is exactly what Russel Bevan of Bevan Cellars does with this incredible Bordeaux blend. The 2009 Ontogeny, a blend of  45% Cabernet Franc, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and 5% Petite Verdot, has quickly evolved from infancy in the bottle to a full fledged adult. It is light, supple, and sexy with teasing aromas and flavors of plum, cherry and blackberry,  floral and chocolaty on the edges.A tapestry of flavors.  If you haven't had Ontogeny, you should get a bottle, and you may experience a true wine epiphany.

Cousin Jacqueline, our evenings invited guest, pours a 2005 Darioush Cabernet Franc.  Delicious!  Full bodied, with an enticing nose. A hint of pepper and raspberry.....this Cabernet Franc, usually used in blending, stood well on it's own.  Normally expecting this to be intense, ageing has mellowed out the juice,   As Goldilocks would have said:  NOT too light, NOT too strong...but JUST RIGHT!

As always, there is a Doctor in the house, and good Dr. Mike contributed a 2007 Barossa Valley Bella's Garden Two Hands Shiraz.  It's been awhile since Dr. Mike has shared one of his Australian gems with us.  An integration of subtle cherry and red fruits...not too spicy, with some subtle minerality----good by itself, good with food and displaying the character of the Australia terroir where this is grown.  Smooth with a lingering finish....yummy Mike? Being a Shiraz (Syrah) it was fun to drink this side by side with the other contribution of the evening, also a Syrah:

Epoch's 2009 Block B Syrah.  Paso Robles of course HAD to be represented, and Dana and Matt did not disappoint:   BIG, BOLD, IN YOUR FACE...the Epoch 2009 Block B Syrah is simply described as 4th of July and New Year's Eve fireworks going off in your mouth.  big and chewy, a cacophony of rich, decadent flavors, one after the other.  Nothing subtle here like with the Two Hands.  You will either love this Syrah....or it's just not your style!

Are those chocolate/pumpkin Tarantulas?  YES!

along with a few other yummies

Chocolate and pumpkin personal cheesecakes, and chocolate cookie/pumpkin filled TARANTULAS! winking at you! Made from scratch by Cousin Jacqueline.....baker extraordinaire.  Of course, any great dessert must be accompanies by a dessert wine, in this case a 2009 Dunham Cellars late Harvest Riesling.  Having the pleasure of meeting and spending time with Eric Dunham up in Walla Walla, Washington earlier this summer...this was the perfect pairing with our dessert.  Pear and apricot, full and pleasing to the senses...this was the perfect ending to a perfectly wonderful evening of eclectic, unusual wines (and food)!

As usual, everyone went home happy and well sated.  Looking forward to the next meeting of our wine group, when we will be back in sync, with the next host determining a specific wine or type, where the competition to bring the #1 rated bottle of the evening will continue.  Of course, the bottom line seems to be, no matter which wine is voted #1 for the evening...they are all #1!

Now...that looks like one happy wine group!

Until the next time you can share our wine night....please leave your comments, email me, forward this blog, or post on your website.  And remember:

A bottle of wine begs to be shared; I have never met a miserly wine lover.
~ Clifton Fadiman

As always, it is good to share our wine night with you.

ds