Lost Love Remembered

Food and wine often have strong associations with people and places, memories and old forgotten longings. One taste of a favorite dish or wine can transport me to another place and time, washing away the day's cares and worries in an instant. Last night, we opened an almost-forgotten bottle in our cellar, from the days when we belonged to St. Supery's wine club, one of the first clubs we joined after moving to California. St. Supery's winery is an elegant and friendly place, with very knowledgeable pourers who make you feel welcome and as though they want you to stay awhile and learn to appreciate the finer qualities of their wines. Somehow, I think because of a canceled credit card, we were dropped from St. Supery's club, and I have missed their wines with a longing akin to a lost first love.

What we drank:
St. Supery Lot 2006, Napa Valley Red Wine, 2004
This fun wine was the result of a blending party by wine club members in 2006, where the members (we were not present, sadly) determined the final blend of the wines. I was a bit fearful - some blends are pretty muddy - and was delighfully surprised. The nose practically leapt out of the glass, grabbed my hand and pulled me in, and as Bill put it, sang "CHERRY!" I also got a pleasing balance of cinnamon, oak and briar. In this well-balanced and smooth wine, the front was that lovely pop of red cherry, yellow plum, and oak, the mid-palate bringing in the cinnamon and briar, with a hint of leather. The finish was long and smooth, with lingering cinnamon. It only wanted for a little more body mid-palate and in the finish to be perfect. I gave it 9 out of 10 points.

We need to go back to St. Supery to see what they've been doing the past few years, and reacquaint ourselves with their wonderful wines. Can't wait to try the Lot 2007 waiting in the cellar.

Small Towns with Da Bomb Restaurants, Part II

North of Redding, California and just south of Mount Shasta is a tiny town with some amazing restaurants. Dunsmuir is located just off I-5 and near the Castle Crags in the Cascade mountain range (and I recommend the state park if you like hiking, it is beautiful, serene, and not heavily visited.) The downtown area is several blocks long, has railroad turntable for railroad buffs, a very cool Ace Hardware with very interesting inventory, and two of my favorite restaurants. The Cornerstone has the most inventive and delicious breakfasts I have ever had anywhere. However, this is wine blog, so I'm focusing on Cafe Maddalena, where had dinner.

The Cafe is tiny, not more than nine or ten tables tucked into the front room, with the chef cooking in a corner of the room in what seemed to me to be an impossibly tiny kitchen. Proof that wonderful things come from small packages. The food and service were what you would expect from a fine dining establishment in San Francisco or Napa.

What I drank:
Cotes du Rhone Belleruche (by the glass)
The nose was a soft-to-medium body lift of blackberry and plum with a hint of white pepper. The wine was very well balanced, starting with flavors of blackberry, dried cherry and plum, moving cinnamon and pepper mid-palate, and finishing smoothly and elegantly with lingering spice. The wine was a perfect complement to my entree of rabbit loin in pancetta polenta with a ragu of portabello mushrooms and tomatoes.

It was the kind of dining experience that is so memorable, I can still taste the wine and the food, and remember the warm, welcoming atmosphere and the friendly staff. In fact, I believe it is time for a return trip.

Il Forno Classico Grgich Hills Tasting, 11/23/09

Back at Il Forno Classico with Heidi and Michael for Scotty’s Grgich Hills tasting. If you don’t know the history of Napa and Mike Grgich, read the informative book, Judgment in Paris, about the pivotal Paris wine tasting won by California wines in a stunning upset. How California wines developed to reach that moment is a fascinating story in which Mike Grgich features prominently.

Wines we tasted:

Grgich Fumé Blanc 2007

With a light, fruity nose, the wine was on the sweeter side. Noted flavors were pear, peach skin, and mandarin orange. The finish was a little flat, although the wine left a nice citrus flavor on the tongue. I rated this 7 out of 10 points.

Grgich Chardonnay 2006

This had a light, lemony nose. The wine was dry and light and not a buttery, oaky Chard at all. The front and mid-palate were of lemon and grapefruit, with a hint of fresh fig on the end. The finish was smooth and uplifting. I rated this a 6 out of 10 points because I prefer a Chardonnay with a little more complexity and some oak; overall, it was a good wine.

Viansa Cabernet Sauvignon Uriah Red 2006

A nice nose on the lighter side for a cab, this wine was rich in flavor, lower in tannins, and smooth.  The front and mid-palate flavors were of oak, plum, dried cherry, and leather. The wine was lush and bold, and had a lovely smooth finish that left a bit of pepper and leather on the tongue. I rated this 8 out of 10 points.

As noted in earlier posts, we never can leave well enough alone and so we tasted one more not on Scotty's list:

Phipps Family Treborce Vineyard Dry Creek Zinfandel 2007

The nose was wonderful, hinting of rich plum and spices, and the wine did not disappoint. A very rich pop of flavor, this was almost like port and had hints of whiskey. The flavors were of pepper and nutmeg, roasted meat, dark plum and dried cherry, along with a hint of dried hay and pumpkin seed. I loved this wine and gave it 9 out of 10 points. (I am partial to zinfandels, though.)

As always, it was a lovely evening with dear friends and great wines, and I cannot ask for more in life than this.

San Diego, Island Prime

You know that perfect moment, the one where you are in an utterly beautiful place, with people you really like, and the food and wine together take you to culinary heaven? That was my evening. I'm in San Diego for work, teaching a training class with a co-worker I really like, who lives here. Gillian told me she and her husband, Pete, were taking me to dinner tonight, so after a long and fun day of teaching, off we went to Harbor Island and the lovely, scenic Island Prime. Don't let the name fool you, the menu is quite eclectic and has more than enough selections for everyone's taste. We sat outside on a beautiful San Diego evening (really, is there any other kind?) and enjoyed a spectacular view of the harbor, Coronado bridge and the lights of downtown San Diego.

What I drank:
Viognier, Hawley, Sonoma County (by the glass, no vintage listed)
The wine had a good nose of apple and lemon with a touch of grapefruit. This was a nicely balanced viognier with initial flavors of apple, lemon and honey, progressing to a rich, honey citrus flavor mid-palate, and ending with full, lush honey and date flavors. While the wine was well-balanced and flavorful, I thought it was just a touch too sweet. Then, I tried it with my dinner, a "Hawaiian Ahi Stack" of ahi, crab, avocado, sweet red peppers, fresh herbs and a lovely little side of red and black caviar. Cue the angels singing! The wine paired perfectly with the food, and together I had that moment of bliss that says, "Remember me the next time you're feeling a little blue." I give it an 8 out of 10 points for its food-wine nirvana moment.

I just have to say if you ever find yourself in San Diego, go to Island Prime and ask for patio seating. You will not be disappointed. Gillian and Pete both enjoyed their meals and their wines as well, Gillian had the Franc Family Chardonnay and Pete had a very nice Merlot (the name of which I forgot to record as Pete was telling a very funny story when I tasted his wine.)

A memory to keep me warm and happy on the gloomiest, rainiest Sacramento winter day! Thank you so much to my dear friends who created this perfect moment.

Stag's Leap Tasting at Il Forno Classico - 10/22/09

When Scotty at Il Forno Classico announced the Stag’s Leap Cabernet Sauvignon tasting, I was leaping for joy (pun intended, sorry.) There were a group of us at this tasting, dear friends Heidi, Michael and Al, plus Dan, Chickie, Eric from Hawai’i, Minuki and Tim. Most also belong to Blind on the Vine, our tasting group, and we had a nice diverse group of palates.

What we tasted:

Chimney Rock 2006

This wine starts with a good fruity nose of bright cherry, and the front and middle of the wine are bright and fruit-forward. I tasted sweet cherry, violets, and a hint of vanilla. The finish was disappointing, a bit flat, and the wine was not particularly rich or layered. 6 out of 10 points.

Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars 2006

I did not like this wine at all. It had an odd nose, sort of sour-smelling, and my notes say, “Not good wine! Toilet! Vile like bile!” It tasted sour, floral and flat to me, and I spit and dumped it after one sip. No points for YOU.

Stag’s Leap Winery 2005

Starting with very little nose, the wine surprised me with a lovely opening note of sour cherry and vanilla. It was smooth, soft, and delicate, with hints of rose and sunflower. The finish was soft and round. 7 out of 10 points.

Renteria Vineyard 2004

This started with a big nose of cherry and vanilla that I really liked. The flavors were rich and complex, of vanilla, cherry, chocolate, tobacco, and raspberry. The finish was full and well-balanced, and I thought, “Finally, this is what I expected of Stag’s Leap.” I gave it 9 out of 10 points. I noted this paired well with the Meatball Sliders at Il Forno Classico – I don’t eat much meat, but these sliders are worth it. The meatballs are like my grandmother’s, a big mouthful of YUM!

All in all, I was disappointed with the Stag’s Leap wines, probably because I had very high expectations. None of these wines were cheap, and I have had cabs under $10 that would beat the Wine Cellars 2006 by a mile. Just proves that price doesn't necessarily equal quality.

Paradise, or Pretty Darned Close!

Today was one of those perfect Northern California winter days that make me so glad we moved here (almost 7 years ago!) The high temperature was near 70 degrees, the sky a clear, pure blue that makes me want to get my watercolors and capture it so I don't forget on the gloomier days, and the slight breeze brought hints of warming earth and the idea that spring is not far away. In case you are not from California, the climate varies tremendously from one region to another. Southern California is typically sunny and warmer than the rest of the state, San Francisco has a climate all its own, the Sierra Nevada is cold and prone to huge snowstorms and blizzards, the foothills can get snow as well, while the area where we live, Sacramento Valley, can be rainy, foggy, and chilly in the winter and hot and dry inthe summer.

So on this gorgeous day, around 4 PM, Bill and I decided it was wine o'clock and time to try one of the new wines we purchased from Lot 18. I am LOVING Lot 18, the prices are unbeatable, and we received our first wines in two or three days from the date ordered. Cannot wait to try more from Lot 18.

What we drank:
DeLoach Lake County Zinfandel, Nova Vineyard, 2007
For a young wine with 15% alcohol, this was remarkably elegant and refined, and for a zin, I was pleasantly surprised. Many California winemakers craft zins that are fruit and pepper bombs, to the point where they are overwhelming and good (in my opinion) only for making really nice marinara or pizza sauce. This is a notable wine for its restraint. The nose was big, fruity and spicy at first, transforming with time into an oakier scent. The front of the wine is a punch of black cherry, purple plum, and cinnamon that I loved. The middle palate brought in notes of oak and pepper and some big tannins, and the smooth, elegant finish was oaky and spicy with the tannins only lightly suggested, lingering nicely on my palate. We had a fun little cheese similar to a Swiss that went nicely, along with almond and raisin cheese crackers that really brought out the best in the wine. Bill said, "Mmmm, good...wine!" He'll drink pretty much anything.

I was surprised - typically I prefer zinfandels from the foothills (Amador County in particular) which yield a bigger, fruitier wine higher in alcohol (higher sugar in the grapes.) Also, DeLoach is based in Santa Rosa, which is in Sonoma County, and I think this is the first zinfandel I have had from that region that has left a distinct impression. I think I just found a new love. Tasting a new wine on this gorgeous California day is a memory that I will have forever. Go out and make some memories of your own!

Il Forno Classico Cabernet Sauvignon Tasting 11/5/2009

Once again we found ourselves with our friends Heidi and Michael at Il Forno Classico for a Cabernet Sauvignon tasting. There really is nothing better in life than good times with good friends in a warm, lovely setting, with some wonderful wines. Here is what we tasted:

Nickle & Nickel Howell Mountain Vogt Vineyard 2005

The wine started with a very subtle nose of vanilla and currant. This was a medium-bodied Cab that reminded me of summer. The front of the wine was soft with flavors of warm vanilla, lemon, rose and currant. The middle notes picked up a hint of black tea, and the finish was soft and round with low tannins and a hint of leather. I gave this a 6 out of 10 points.

Seavey 2004

This had a nice nose of cherry and vanilla. The front and middle of the wine were a bit sour, with notes of soft cherry, vanilla, and dried rose petals. The finish was peppery and the cherry was more pronounced. This reminded me more of a Syrah than a Cab. I gave it 6 out of 10 points.

Sebastiani Cherryblock 2001

The nose was beautiful with notes of chocolate, cherry, and oak. The wine was full-bodied and well-balanced, with the same flavors found in the nose and added hints of blackberry and rose. The finish was round, smooth, and full. This was a nicely aged Cab with some tannins remaining, and I thought it was damned near perfect. I gave it 10 out of 10 points.

St. Michelle Col Solare 1999

The nose was soft, with hints of pepper and leather. There were very few tannins present due to the wine’s age. The wine was peppery from start to finish, overwhelming other flavors except for the leather and oak overtones. I gave it a 5 out of 10 points.

Perry Moore 2005

The nose was subtle, with hints of cherry, oak, tobacco, and leather. The front of the wine had flavors of blackberry, cherry and vanilla. The middle brought forth a lovely note of fennel, and the finish added the flavors in the front of the wine, with a light peppery feel on the tongue. The wine was richly layered and well-balanced. I gave it 9 out of 10 points.

As always, Scotty at Il Forno Classico put together a wonderful range of wines to taste, something for everyone in this grouping.

Best Company Outing EVER

My husband, Bill, used to work for the best company ever, ADR Consulting. Alas, they were a victim of the Great Recession and an angry, vindictive VP. However, in its heyday, ADR had the best company outings, always involving wine to some degree. Okay...best being relative, as they did have a few employees who did not drink, and I am sure those employees had a very different view of the outings. I, however, loved them.

This particular company outing occurred on 10/2/2009, and was a trip to Napa with private tours and tastings at three wineries: Mumm Cellars, Regusci Vineyards, and Rubicon/Neibaum-Coppola. We traveled there in a luxurious bus, so no worries about driving and drinking. The weather was pefect, in the upper 70s and sunny, typical for Napa in October.

Mumm Cellars
Really hands-down the best tour I have ever had. The guide gave us deep insight into methode champenoise, and Mumm operations, and it was fascinating. The process of bottle-fermenting champagne is quite the science experiment, and if they'd taught this in Chemistry, I would have gotten an A instead of a B and made my chemist dad proud. Please note, although my point scale is still 1-10, I am rating the wine mostly on palate, effervescence and balance, and very little on nose.

What we tasted:
Brut Prestige
A 50/50 blend of pinot noir and chardonnay grapes, with 1% pinot gris, this wine was tart, dry, acidic, light, and effervescent. I found it a bit too light and would have preferred a little more body and flavor. I gave it a 5 out of 10 points.

Cuvee M
This was lightly sweet, with flavors of toast and blueberry, and a hint of violet. The wine was nicely balanced, medium body, and the flavors carried through the wine and lingered on the palate. 9 out of 10 points. I wrote "wine breakthrough" after this, which I think meant I finally found a champagne I really liked. Or else I was already buzzed. Hmm.

Santana
This champagne was a collaboration between Mumm and Carlos Santana, the famous musician. The wine was full-bodied and had bold flavors of toasted brioche, cardamom, white pepper and a hint of berry. The finish was spectacular, lingering spice and honey, very smooth. Kind of like Santana himself, bold and spicy yet smooth and refined. I gave this a 10 out of 10 and bought a bottle. I need more!!!


Regusci
A very pretty winery with lovely grounds and very friendly staff, our guide and pourer was very knowledgeable and friendly. He had everyone laughing and enjoying themselves, and we had a nice picnic lunch on their grounds.

What we tasted: 
Merlot (sadly, I neglected to record the vintage)
This was a big, round, fruity wine with a nice nose of oak, bright cherry and vanilla. The wine was well-balanced with flavors of cherry, vanilla sugar, oak, and hints of rose and violet. The finish was peppery and smooth. 8 out of 10 points.

Zinfandel (I must have been tipsy...where are the vintages?)
The nose was rather soft for a zin, with some pepper and black cherry. The wine was fruit-forward with flavors of cherry, raisin, and black pepper on the mid-palate. Then, the wine fell flat and had a light finish, not what I like in a zin. After giving the wine a bit more air, it developed more and had a better mid-palate but the finish just was not there. 5 out of 10 points.

Cabernet Sauvignon (sorry...no vintage again...maybe I was hungry)
The nose was light with hints of oak and plum. The palate was nicely balanced, leading with oak and plum, developing into cherry and finishing with heavier tannins, a little hint of vanilla, and cherry. I gave it 8 out 10.

Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 (FINALLY, a vintage in my notes!)
This was a big cab, with a big nose of black cherry and oak. Well-balanced on the palate, the wine led with lively black cherry, developed good oak and leather flavors, and finished very smoothly with just a hint of tannins and a little spice. I gave it 9 out of 10.

Rubicon (AKA Neibaum-Coppola)
How many times can a winery change its name? This winery used to be Inglenook, then Coppola, then Neibaum-Coppola, and now Rubicon. I love companies that continually reinvent themselves, and this winery is the leader! The main building is a monument to Francis Ford Coppola, and has an extensive gift shop and tasting room. The gifts are quite unique and extremely pricey, supposedly collected by Mrs. Coppola on her extensive journeys through Europe, none of which impressed me. $100 for a glass? Really? Why???

What we tasted:
White Bacaneaus
This is a blend of three wines including viognier and that was what I predominantly tasted. Starting with a delicate nose of apricot and lemon, the wine was well-balanced and smooth. Predominant flavors were of dried apricot, lemon, and white pepper. The finish was smooth with lingering fruit and pepper. So...why didn't I taste the other varietals? 7 out of 10 points.

Zinfandel 2007
This was a big, full zin, which I love. The nose was black cherry, plum, and pepper. The well-balanced wine was fruit-forward with a hint of raspberry along with the black cherry and plum, stronger pepper and cinnamon notes in the mid-palate and finishing with a lingering, smooth peppery jammy flavor. YUM! 10 out of 10 for this beauty.

Cask Cabernet 2005
This was the beginning of my love affair with Cask, my favorite cabernet sauvignon. The 2005 is, to me, the epitome of a beautiful, well-balanced cab that is not overwhelmingly complex, too high in alcohol, or too tannic. The wine had a beautiful nose of tart cherry and vanilla, and led with those flavors. The mid-palate brought notes of pepper, oak, and violet, and was very juicy. The wine finished with a smooth elegance and lingering pepper and oak. 10 out of 10, I love you, Rubicon Cask. We ended up splitting a case of this wine with a friend, and we hoard those bottles and only bring them out for special occasions.

It was a wonderful day with my husband's colleagues, a day I will remember forever.

Small Towns with Da Bomb Restaurants, Part I

California, more so than any other state where I've lived, has so many small towns with astonishing restaurants. It seems everywhere we travel, we find chefs who have migrated from L.A. or San Francisco and opened these little restaurants in tiny towns that make traveling there an absolute delight.

Starting with my most favorite place north of Redding, CA, in the charming and beautiful town of Mt. Shasta, is Trinity Cafe. This little restaurant on the edge of town is in a Craftsman style house. The restaurant is in what was the living and dining room of the house, so it's tiny - maybe 10 tables and a small bar. Reservations are needed! If I were doing a food blog, I would tell you about the heavenly dishes, artful presentations, and perfect service. Instead, I'll discuss our visit on 11/14/09, and one of my favorite wines that complemented their luscious food.

What I drank:
Domaine Chandon Pinot Meunier Carneros 2006
Pinot Meunier is an interesting varietal, and although this was the first time I tried this wine, since we are wine club members at Domaine Chandon, it was not the last and it is one of my favorite varietals. The interesting thing about the varietal is its very low tannins, unlike the pinot noir grape. This makes for a very smoooooth wine. The nose is very soft, with notes of spice and cherry. The wine's smoothness is carried throughout the palate. There is a nice peppery, nutmeg spice on the front and at the finish. The middle palate is a bright cherry and raspberry with hints of rose and violet. The finish is velvety and the pepper and cherry linger nicely.

This wine was the perfect complement to my most excellent pan-seared wild salmon with risotto milanese. Okay, I said this wasn't a food blog, but I just have to say that Trinity Cafe makes the BEST risotto I have ever had, anywhere, including Italy. I make my own risotto, so I am very picky, and theirs beats mine hands-down. Every time I have ever eaten at this restaurant, the dishes are perfect. If you ever find yourself in Mt. Shasta, I strongly recommend you experience Trinity Cafe.

Patty's Birthday Trip, Part III

On Day Three of Patty's Birthday Trip to Napa, we visited just one winery, Cakebread Cellars. I highly recommend a visit to this winery because of their extraordinary tasting method. Unlike other wineries, Cakebread divides guests into small (4-6 people) groups and takes each group to a private tasting room. Guests have the undivided attention of a host, who pours the wines and explains in depth the varietals, growing methods and winemaking process. Our host was very knowledgeable, friendly, and down-to-earth, and my sisters ranked Cakebread as their favorite winery on the trip, not only for the wines (which they rated as very good to excellent) but also for the experience.

What we tasted:

Sauvignon Blanc 2008

The nose had soft peach and lemon notes, and was not particularly strong. The wine was hot, meaning the alcohol hit the palate throughout, and dry, with delicious tart lemon and peach flavors. The finish was light and smooth. I thought this would go well with sushi and Thai food. I gave it a 6 out of 10, as I did not like the alcohol factor.

Anderson Valley Chardonnay 2007

This is a very nice Chardonnay, with a beautiful nose that hinted of its French oak aging and apple flavor. There were oak overtones throughout the wine, and the flavors were of Fuji apple and pear. The wine had a lovely smooth, creamy finish. 9 out of 10 points, a very well-balanced Chardonnay that would be great with grilled fish, roasted chicken and pork, and just for sipping.

Cakebread Reserve Chardonnay Carneros 2006

Another superb Chard, this wine had a lighter nose that again hinted of oak aging. This was a dry wine with flavors of cinnamon apple, vanilla and oak. The finish was big, rich, and creamy. The wine would be great with creamy pasta dishes, risotto, and the meats mentioned above. I gave it a 10 out of 10 points.

Anderson Valley Pinot Noir 2006

The nose was rather light and smoky with a hint of pepper. Low in tannins, this was an unusual pinot noir. The front of the wine was big, earthy, and smoky, with flavors of cherry and chocolate. Sadly, the middle and finish were disappointingly flat. The wine tasted young to me, and might improve with age. I gave it a 5 out of 10.

Red Hills Lake County Zinfandel 2005

The host noted the grapes came from a young vineyard, and I could tell. This wine had a softer nose and was lower in fruit and spice than the typical zinfandel. The predominant flavors were of peach skin, dark chocolate, roasted coffee, and toasted oak with a hint of pepper and cinnamon. The finish was softer and more rounded, probably due to the age of the wine. I was on the fence, as I usually like big, punchy zins, so I gave it a 6 out of 10. This might pair nicely with food, I’d have to experiment.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

This had a big nose of oak, leather and dark cherry, and the taste did not disappoint. Well-balanced with punches of leather, cherry, chocolate and pine, the wine was rich and smooth. The finish was softer and very rounded. 9 out of 10 points.

We had lunch at Downtown Joe’s in Napa, where we drank some of their most excellent beer while sitting on the patio overlooking the Napa River – delightful! Dinner was at Celadon, also in downtown Napa, and another restaurant I highly recommend. We had the following wine with dinner:

Acacia Carneros Pinot Noir 2006

Starting with a lovely nose of bright cherry, this wine was well-balanced and smooth. Predominant flavor was of red cherry with hints of eucalyptus and vanilla. The wine was perfect with my grilled red snapper, and I gave it an 8 out of 10 points.

At the end of the third day, we all agreed the wine tasting part of the trip was a huge success. My sisters and I purchased many of the wines I reviewed, and as noted earlier, I joined two wine clubs, Acacia and Domaine Chandon. The hubby and I still are members and visit these wineries regularly. The rest of my sister’s trip was spent at Indian Springs Spa, Armstrong Redwoods State Park, and driving along the Sonoma coast. I was sorry to see my sisters head back home, and hope they’ll be back soon.

Patty's Birthday Trip, Part II

Day Two was a much better day. We started at Acacia Vineyards, a first-time visit for all of us. You need an appointment as this winery has a very small tasting room and a maximum of two people pouring. The staff are very knowledgeable, friendly, and more than willing to share their expertise and wines with you.

Acacia Vineyards

Viognier 2008

I love this wine! To this day, it remains one of my favorite white wines. The nose has an enticing citrus scent, and the wine has notes of peach, apple, and asian pear, along with lemon blossom and violet. Mid-palate brings in grapefruit and mandarin tartness. The finish is smooth and well-rounded with lingering peach and lemon notes. This is a well-constructed lighter wine that is perfect with crab, seafood, and lighter pasta dishes. It’s perfect for summer sipping, too. I gave it a 9 out of 10, and joined the wine club instantly!

Marsh Chardonnay 2007

This is a full-bodied Chard, on the acidic side, with a toasted oak note and good citrus flavors. It is nicely layered, starting gently with the citrus, progressing with the oak notes, and finishing with a creamy vanilla flavor. I gave this a 10 out of 10, because I like bigger Chards.

Pinot Noir Lone Tree Vineyard 2006

The highlights of this elegant pinot are a lovely tart cherry note, layers of raspberry, briar, and cinnamon, and a smooth, velvety finish with good acidity. 8 out of 10.

Pinot Noir DeSoto Vineyard 2006

This pinot was more tannic, with a deeper, richer cherry flavor, and a nice, almost meaty mouth feel. The finish was lush and rich. 7 out of 10 (I like more fruit and floral in my pinots.)

Pinot Noir Horseshoe Bend Vineyard 2006

This had a rather smoky nose and even smokier flavor, almost like peppered bacon. It  made me wonder if 2006 was the year we had those wildfires that caused a blanket of smoke to form over the valley…and if these grapes got infused with that. I can’t say it was “bad”, it just was not what I was expecting. So, I gave it a 6 out of 10.

Pinot Noir Rosé 2008

My first pinot noir rosé was interesting…soft nose with just a hint of cherry. Then flavors of tart cherry, eucalyptus, and violets. The wine had a nice acidity that balanced the soft notes, and the finish was light and delicate. Although the winemaker probably was going for soft and fruity, it was just a bit too much of both for me. 5 out of 10.

Then we were on to Domaine Chandon. Part of the famous French Moet et Chandon family, this winery has lovely grounds and a beautiful building meant to complement the surrounding hills rather than dominate them. This is a large place, with the wonderful Étoile restaurant on site, a gift shop, tours, and so forth. It can get very crowded, and they do not take tasting appointments, just tour appointments. If Étoile prices scare you, they serve similar food at the tasting bar, and it is all delicious.

Domaine Chandon

We tasted non-vintage sparkling wines, all made via methode champaignoise.

Étoile Brut

Lovely, light champagne with notes of almond, honey, meringue, and a hint of dry hay. This dances on the tongue and leaves a lovely lingering toasted almond flavor. One of my favorite champagnes, a 7 out of 10.

Brut Classic

This is a semi-dry champagne with a more fruity note, of lemon and mandarin, with hints of almond. This is a little too light for my taste, with a very light finish. 5 out of 10.

Étoile Rosé

With notes of lemon and mandarin, nutmeg and hints of truffle (the root not the chocolate) and eucalyptus, this is an interesting sparkling wine. It was a bit too sweet for me, so I gave it 4 out of 10.

Reserve Pinot Noir Brut

This was quite interesting, much more bubbly than a typical brut, with a nutty flavor and black cherry notes. It also had a disconcerting cough-syrup aftertaste, so I had to give it 3 out of 10.

I ended up joining Domaine Chandon’s wine club on this visit, and now my husband and I are regular visitors. We usually sit in the tasting bar or out on the patio, enjoying the spectacular views and wonderful food. We recently went to Étoile and had a superb meal…too bad I’m not writing a restaurant blog! I will do a review of their pinot meunier, which is a really interesting grape and wine.

Patty's Birthday Trip Part I

When my older sister Patty turned 50, my younger sister Laurie and I offered her a free trip anywhere she chose. And Patty chose…Napa! Hooray! She wanted to do a wine tasting tour primarily, and I have to say I’ve never had as much fun putting a trip together. Because we did three days of wine tastings, I am breaking up the blog postings into three parts so it isn’t wine information overload. We tasted A LOT of wines, and fortunately I’d booked a limo for all three days, so no one was driving.

Patty drinks primarily white wines, which is a bit tougher in Napa, as most of the vineyards and the wineries focus on red wine varietals. However, there are some stellar whites to be had in Napa, and we found several, along with notable reds that I tasted.

Day One:

V. Sattui

This used to be my favorite place to take visitors, first because V. Sattui only sells their wines at the winery and not in any stores. Second, the place is beautiful. The grounds and buildings are reminiscent of Tuscany, and there is a nice picnic area where one can have a lovely lunch with food purchased from V. Sattui’s onsite deli. The pouring staff used to be really wonderful too, even when the place was crowded. On this visit, it was just another crank-‘em-out commercial enterprise, and the wines were not even worth writing about. It was a disappointment all around, other than the enjoyable lunch we had there.

Beaulieu Vineyards

This was a first-time visit for me, and I was very disappointed. We all were. The pourer was as disinterested as a McDonald’s server on a bad day, and spent more time taking our money than he did pouring, and certainly spent zero time telling us anything about the wines. Here is what we tasted:

Pinot Noir 2006

A soft nose with just a hint of fruit, this wine was better in taste, with good notes of tart cherry and rose, and just a hint of nutmeg. The finish had a nice peppery kick, and was decently smooth. I gave it 6 out of 10 points.

Red Blend 2006

I did not like this wine, I thought it was very sour, and all I wrote was “sour”, meaning I dumped it after one sip.

Syrah 2006

The nose was unimpressive, with a hint of slate and not much else. The wine was slightly dry and sour, with  rather muted flavors of plum and briar. I thought the wine seemed tight and somewhat tannic, and would be better aged another year or so. I gave this 5 out of 10 points.

Beaulieu Zinfandel 2006

This had a big nose, full of raisin and tart cherry. The wine was full-bodied and hot, with raisin, tart cherry, black pepper, and cinnamon. It had a bit of a rough finish, with a lingering peppery flavor. I gave it 7 out of 10 points.

We ended the day with dinner at Ristorante Allegria in downtown Napa, a delightful restaurant with pretty outdoor seating. They serve real, actual, blissful Italian food with lovely flavors. We did not have any wine, as we were fairly tipsy from our Happy Hour on the outdoor patio of our hotel, the spectacular and luxurious Avia, also in downtown Napa. Even though the winery visits were a disappointment, a so-so day in Napa still is a great day!

Marvelous Maui, September 2009

Ever since my first trip to Hawai’i, I have felt a special bond with these isolated, unique, and hauntingly beautiful islands. During that first visit we stayed in West Maui, near Lahaina, and loved the area so much, we have continued to vacation on that side of the island. I could write at length about the wonderful restaurants and the lavish meals we’ve had…but this is a wine blog and I’ve already digressed into food once, so I’m going to focus on one place where we had an interesting experience with wine. Now if I were writing about Mai Tais, I would rave about Hula Grill (just saying…)

Pacific’o, Lahaina, HI

This restaurant is a favorite for several reasons. First there’s the setting, on the beach in Lahaina, and so drop-dead gorgeous I want to stay forever. I suspect any wine would be heavenly here, just because the setting puts me in such a relaxed, happy mood. I plan to investigate this theory at length on our next trip. During this visit to Pacific’o, our charming waiter told us about a special pinot noir that was being offered for $25 a glass. I laughed out loud and then asked him what pinot noir possibly could be worth that much? He described the wine, and his eloquent description convinced me to try it.

Domaine Serena Willamette Pinot Noir 2006

Bliss in a bottle. The vintner is an artist. The nose was quite astonishing for a pinot, with hints of fruit, floral, and spice. The front of the wine is truly pinot noir with lovely notes of dried cherry, spice cake, and a little bit of leather. The middle was where I got quite a bit more of the leather and a rich, complex, balance between fruit and spice, most notably clove and nutmeg. The finish was almost like a cabernet, deep and complex, with lingering pepper and cherry on the tongue. Even now, a year and a half later, as I post this I can still clearly remember the smell and taste of this wine. I really loved this wine, and I especially enjoyed it sitting on the beach in Lahaina at Pacific’o. Oh, oh, oh.

Other Maui Favorites:

Mama’s Fish House, Paia

Lahaina Grill, Lahaina

Hula Grill, Ka’anapali

Aloha Mixed Plate, Lahaina

We are headed back to Maui in February 2011, so look for more tasting notes from that trip. If I decide to return to the mainland…

Carmel-By-The-Sea

Monterey Bay is one of my favorite places in California. With its myriad beach towns ranging from laid-back surfer to over-the-top luxury, and activities from surfing to the world-class aquarium, there is something for everyone. On this trip in July 2009, we stayed in Carmel, or more accurately, Carmel-by-the-Sea. I have mixed feelings about this town. It is gorgeous, there is no debating that, with its story-book houses and sugar sand beaches. It is also blue-blood, upscale, snotty, and self-absorbed to a degree that I find both amusing and irritating. Rarely will you see so much money in one place, so much excess, so much self-indulgence. And for the record, that is NOT me – I am more the sandy floor, beach shack type.

One of our favorite restaurants in Carmel (CBTS) is the Flying Fish Grill in the oh-too-precious downtown area. This is an Asian restaurant like you’ve never experienced, and I suppose you could call it Asian Fusion. I just call it delicious. Now, I know I've said this is not a food blog, and I am going to break that rule for this posting...just because I feel like it.

Wine we drank:

Matchbook Dunnegan Hills Syrah 2005

A very nice nose that hints of fruit and spice, and was not particularly strong. The wine was medium-bodied with notes of blackberry, cherry, white pepper, nutmeg and a hint of cloves. The finish was smooth but a bit hot, and I thought the wine would improve even more with age. I gave it a 7 out of 10.

What we ate:

Yin-Yang Salmon: Alaskan king salmon that was farmed and surprised me with a flavor very close to wild. The Yin-Yang was the sauce – half a white sesame sauce and half black sesame, both creamy, delicious, well-balanced, and with a lovely sesame flavor. The snow peas that accompanied the dish were perfectly steamed, crisp, bright green and very fresh. Delightful!

Angel Hair Pasta with Caviar: I called the sauce on this “caviar dream sauce”, as it was light, creamy, and contained a perfect balance of caviar to create little bursts of heaven in my mouth. The sauce components (soy, lime, light cream) were lovely and well-balanced. The pasta was rice noodles that were perfectly cooked to al dente and complemented the sauce without taking anything from it.

The total cost of the dinner was $83 before tip, including the wine – a tremendous bargain considering the location and the food. Flying Fish is one of the reasons we return to Carmel over and over!

Eclectic Wine Bar & Cafe, North Hollywood

On a business trip to Los Angeles with two wine-loving colleagues, Karen and Gill, we found this neighborhood gem in North Hollywood. The Eclectic Wine Bar is just exactly that - eclectic menu, eclectic customers, and a good selection of electic wines. Gill selected a white, the name of which I forgot to record...I am sorry! In addition to a range of wines by the glass and bottle, the restaurant was featuring two flights; one of sparkling wines and one of Rhone-inspired reds. I chose the Rhone-inspired wine flight as did Karen.

The first wine was Cotes du Rhone Belleruche M. Chapoutier from France, a 50/50 blend of Grenache and Syrah. The nose was lovely and soft with a hint of violets and cherry. The wine was well-balanced, with flavors of cherry, vanilla, and raspberry. Both Karen and I thought the wine was a bit hot at the end, although the finish was round and full. Neither of us liked the sour notes from the Syrah. I gave this a 6 out of 10 points.

The second wine was a Tintara Grenache from Australia, and I thought it was a very well done example of this varietal. The nose was delicate with notes of cherry and rose. The wine was lovely, well-balanced, rich and round, with elegant flavors of mulberry, cherry, white pepper and rose. The finish was superbly smooth  and delicate, with lingering pepper - I wanted just a bit more fruit on the finish. I gave this a 9 out of 10 points.

The third wine, a Syrah Summerland Santa Ynez Valley, was my least favorite, although I should note that Syrah is one of my least favorite varietals. This wine was sour from start to finish, and had such a strong dried flower scent, it overpowered everything for me. I found it to be flat and uninspired, and did not finish the tasting. Karen also did not like it for similar reasons, although she did finish her sample, indicating there were poor wineless people in third world countries who would go without thanks to my squandering ways. Sorry, as you know, I believe life is too short to drink bad wine.

I loved the symmetry of this flight - Grenache/Syrah blend, then Grenache, then Syrah, and thought it was an inspired selection. The wine bar and restaurant were very nice, with a warm, comfortable atmosphere. It was quite noisy, especially around 9 PM when the place really started jumping. However, I would definitely return again for more inspired wine flights.

Pinot Noir Tasting on 6/25/09

Il Forno Classico Pinot Noir Tasting

We met dear friends Heidi and Michael at Il Forno Classico, owned by friend and wine buddy Scotty Litteral. I love the tastings here, Scotty is brilliant at selecting wines that are diverse and, while readily available, not wines I already have tried or would think of trying.

Wines we tasted:

Santa Lucia Highlands 2007

With a subtle fruit and vanilla on the nose, this was a well-rounded wine with a good balance. The flavors were a little muted, some raspberry and cherry, with vanilla and sugared-violet. The finish was on the sweeter side, and I really tasted sugared-violet at the end, which I liked. I gave this 7.5 out of 10 point.

Santa Lucia Highlands, Garvis Vineyard 2007

This was a tight, tannic wine that in my opinion needed more aging. Sometimes with wines that are that tannic, I have a hard time getting a handle on the flavors. I tasted mostly sour cherry with a hint of vanilla, and found the finish was a little rough and quite hot (too much alcohol.) I gave this 5 out of 10.

Santa Lucia Highlands, Pisoni  2006

With a very nice nose of cherry, violet, and vanilla, the wine was nicely balanced and had a very smooth finish. I tasted tart cherry, violet, vanilla, and a hint of rose. I liked this pinot the best and gave it 8 out of 10 points.

Heidi, Michael, Bill and I are never ones to try just the wines presented at a tasting, we always have to add at least one more (thinking, I suppose, what if we died tonight and did not get to drink wine ever again?) So we added:

Sobon Zinfandel, 2006

A superb zinfandel with a bold nose of plum and pepper. The flavors were very fruit-forward, with plum and blackberry being the most notable. There were notes of black pepper and cinnamon, and a hint of cardamom. I liked this and gave it an 8 out of 10 points.

What would life be without great friends and good wines? For me, it would be a dreary and uninspired existence.

Bodega Bay June 2009

Celebrating our wedding anniversary is often about recreating moments from our honeymoon, where we spent two weeks riding a rented motorcycle on the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) from L.A. almost to Oregon. We were living in New Jersey at the time and we were simply enthralled by California, the coast, and the vineyards we saw from Santa Barbara to Mendocino.

For our 10^th anniversary in 2009, we visited Bodega Bay, arguably best known for its portrayal in Hitchcock’s film, The Birds. Grotesque images of attacking birds notwithstanding, the town is a fun, friendly, and oddly small place, given its prime position just north of San Francisco and on a beautiful stretch of coastline. We stayed at Bodega Bay Lodge, which I highly recommend for its beautiful rooms and resort feel, along with its delightful restaurant, The Duck Club.

One of our favorite haunts in Bodega Bay is a little place right on the bay, Gourmet Au Bay. This tiny wine shop more than makes up for limited floor space by having an outstanding selection of wines and just about the best way to taste them that I’ve ever experienced. After selecting your tastings, the friendly staff slide your glasses into a boat-shaped holder, and you trot your happy self out to their deck overlooking the bay. Part of it is enclosed for those famously foggy and/or rainy northern California days, and part of the deck is bathed in sun (when it shines.) Many a time we’ve sat in the sun, soaking in the view and tasting one wonderful wine after another. Pure bliss!

Wines Tasted:

Napoma Zinfandel 2006 ($20)

A very smooth, spicy, and juicy wine with notes of black cherry, cinnamon, briar, and clove. Not a particularly bold wine, and the finish was quite smooth for a zin. I gave this a 7 out of 10.

York Creek Cuvee Red Wine (blend of cabernet/merlot/petit verdot/pinot blanc) – Non-vintage

This had an odd nose of toast and yeast. The wine was spicy and a bit tannic, with notes of vanilla and current. I thought it would pair best with red meat, and gave it a 6 out of 10.

Lapis Luna Petit Syrah (I did not note the vintage…oops!)

The nose was a little floral and slightly musty, which I found off-putting. The main notes were of dark plum, blackberry, and black pepper, and the wine was rather tannic. The middle was rather bland, although the finish was smooth and creamy. I did not particularly care for this wine, I prefer a Petit Syrah with a better balance of fruit/floral/spice, so I gave it 4 out of 10.

We dined at The Duck Club at Bodega Bay Lodge on 6/7/09, and had two pinot noirs, a Kenwood and a Sebastiani. Both were just okay, so I made very few notes. The food, however, was divine. Maybe I should start a food blog?

Wine Mentors

As you may have read in my "About Me" section, my Wine Hero is my dad, Larry Miller. He probably doesn't think of himself as a wine connoisseur, even though Dad has one of the best palates I know, and instinctually knows good wine. And of course, he's a chemist, which I am sure laid a great foundation for understanding wine at that gut level. Anyway, Dad taught me the basics of tasting and loving wine, especially the number one most important rule: drink what you love, not what someone else tells you is good.

For those seeking higher knowledge of wine, you might find it helpful to cultivate Wine Mentors. In my case, these are friends who happen to have vast knowledge and access to wine, and who incorporate it into their daily lives in the form of most excellent parties and dinners and so forth. There are three people in my life who fill this role along with being really wonderful friends, and that's the best combination.

Michael Murphy: he was the man responsible for my husband's and my move to California in that he hired my husband to work at his company. Michael and his wife Heidi also collect wine, and Michael is not just a Super Taster, he has one of the most sophisticated palates I know. Plus, Heidi and Michael are just FUN. When I taste wine with them, I learn so much each time, and then I go home feeling very happy.

Scotty Litteral: owner of Il Forno Classico and a really down-to-earth, wonderful person. Scotty hosts the best wine tasting events, including playing host to Blind on the Vine, the wine club that hubby and I finally (!) became members of a year or so ago. Scotty knows many of the vineyards in California and has recommended many of the ones we've visited and come to love. His knowledge of wine is both broad and deep, and he understands wine making. Plus, his lovely S.O., Renee, is one of my favorite people in BOTV. If you are ever in the Sacramento area, I highly recommend you visit Scotty at Il Forno Classico in Gold River, CA.

Al Reynaud: the leader of the motley crew known as BOTV, another fine palate and wine lover, and all-around great person. Al and I have a mutual dislike of "lollipops" - those women who are so thin, their heads are disporportionately big...hence the term "lollipops". I love Al, he is one of the nicest, funniest people I know. Al is another highly knowledgeable wine connoisseur, and he is willing to share and educate.

More later on both BOTV and my favorite places to taste and drink wine. Make it a great day!

Lovely Whites

Not a fan of whites? Having had one too many bland white wines that had to be ice-cold to be drinkable, I tended to steer away from them until I discovered Acacia Winery. This small, friendly winery at the southern end of Napa has some stellar Chardonnay and my favorite Viognier ever. The Chards have a nice range from less complex to very oaky, almost bacony, and and all with a wonderful velvety finish. However, the wine that I obsess over, that I think about most, is their Viognier. The first time I tasted it, I thought I'd bitten into a very ripe peach. Subsequent time spent with this lovely, full-bodied, near-perfect Viognier yielded a deeper appreciation of its more subtle qualities. Some grapefruit/lemon hints, a wonderful nose and and very graceful finish are some of its finer points. This wine pairs well with just about any lighter dish, especially crab and pasta with white sauce.

Another absolute must-try white is Bennett Lane's Maximus White Feasting wine. First Street Wine in Livermore, CA introduced me to this wine during a tasting, and it was love at first sip. This is a bordeaux-style wine that has a much complexity as a red wine. It is a BIG white, a powerful mouthful of YUM. The nose is much more subtle, and gives you just a hint of what's to come, with a lemon, peach, sugared-violet and slightly oaky scent that begs you to try it...just try it! The front is creamy and lightly tart, the middle has more of a citrus bite, and the finish - this is what gets me every time I drink this wine. Smooth as peach skin, with a much bigger punch of smoky oak, and a lingering of lemon and that sugared-violet you get in the nose. This wine pairs well with so many foods, Feasting is an excellent name for it. We've tried it with everything from a white pizza to a creamy butternut squash risotto, and just loved it. It's great for sipping, but it really comes alive when paired with food.

I brought both of these wines, the Acacia Viognier and the Maxiumus White Feasting, to a family gathering in Park City a few weeks ago, and everyone loved them. Even the red drinkers wanted more. Too BAD! I'm saving the rest of my bottles for me, selfish wine wench that I am!

Get Serious!

Has this happened to you: looking for a wine for dinner, you go to your cellar, fridge, or other wine storage place, pull out a bottle and think, "What the heck?!? I don't even remember buying this!" Then you open it, take a sniff, love what you smell, pour it, take a sip, and OMG!!! "I'm so glad I bought this...wait, I wonder what I paid...I hope this isn't horrifically expensive."

It's happened one too many times to me, and after my latest experience tonight, I have decided it's time to get serious and really use this blog to discuss my wine tasting and purchasing experiences.

Tonight: after a long day of remodeling the master bath (we really need to start hiring people instead of thinking we're young enough to do this stuff any more,) I put together a simple dinner of pasta, tomato sauce, baby peas, and French rolls. We drank our last bottle of red wine from the "table wine" storage rack in the kitchen, so I went to our wine fridge and pulled out this gem:

French Hill Grand Reserve 2005 Sierra Foothills Barbera

and had the experience described above. This is a wonderful wine! After much discussion, my beloved husband finally remembered we purchased the wine in Clarksburg, CA, at the Sugar Mill wine shop, the name of which neither of us can remember. But if you go, it's the one on the right when you first walk into the building. This place is worth the trip, for a number of reasons. First, it's a beautiful drive through the Sacramento Delta, where you'll swear you have been transported to Louisiana. Second, theSugar Mill is a sweet little spot with shops and wine tastings, and is just fun to visit.

Okay...about the wine. This is a smack-you-in-the-face, scream-at-you BARBERA - a wonderful example of the grape and superior wine-making. The nose is big, with a hint of juniper, black cherry, blackberry, and just a little oak. The front of the wine is a bit hot - at 15% alchohol, it should be! The middle is a smooth mouthful of peppery jam, and I got just a bit of something floral, like violets or roses. The finish is very spicy, with pepper, juniper, and sort of a little cinnamon-like essence.

With the marinara sauce...divine, just a superb complement.In fact, I wish I'd added some of the wine to the sauce, and next time, I will. I still don't remember what we paid, but it was well worth it. This wine reminded me why Barberas run a close second to my beloved Zinfandels.