Napa Valley Register Article About Chef Eric C. Maczko - 9/7/10

http://napavalleyregister.com/lifestyles/food-and-cooking/article_657d6136-ba21-11df-8fc0-001cc4c03286.html

Wines Tasted - September 9, 2010

Pine Ridge Winery – Crimson Creek – Merlot – 2002 - $27 – (Modern) – Medium garnet-red, fades to a red rim with an auburn meniscus.  Some titrates and sediment visible at bottom of glass.  A nose of medium+ intensity, showcasing a broad framework of spice and dry red fruits: clove, cinnamon bark, graham, bergamot tea and dried flowers abut dried red cherry, dried currants and black plum. 

That spiced cherry quality carries right over to the palate as well, crushed cinnamon bark and red-hots blended with fresh and dried red cherry, vanilla bean pods and dark lush violets.

Acidity was easily a medium+, tannins were hanging on, proof of Cabernet in the blend I’d suspect.  I would feel comfortable cellaring this wine for up to 6 more years without sacrifice.

Napa Valley Register 10 Questions with Chef Eric C. Maczko - August 11, 2010

Did you miss my interview in the Napa Valley Register?

Read it here:

http://napavalleyregister.com/business/10-questions/article_f3fdfee0-a4fd-11df-920b-001cc4c03286.html

Wines Tasted, August 1, 2010

Cameron - Clos Electrique - Red Wine - Willamette Valley - Oregon - 2007 - $40 - (Classic, Ager, Food Wine, Old World) - All sources tell me its 100% Pinot Noir, though the vineyard grows Nebbiolo and Chard as well in its small 4 acres. So I got a couple of these as I've been very interested in tasting it for years.  Earthy funky aromas of: leather, cola, skunky, wet clay, (red berry, cran, rasp-all clumped together like Dig-Dug Characters hidden under all that Earth).  Maybe its that profound, maybe.  Structure-wise, it's med+ acid, alcohol, & m+ complexity, med in tannin, body, balanced and med+ in finish.

To read a recent interview I did on Wine & BBQ Pairing Concepts lick this link:
http://www.winecountryminute.com/taste/wines-for-grilled-food.html#eric

Just played prisoner to the 4000 acres of Kenzo Estate on Mt. George in Eastern North Napa. With David Abreau, Heidi Barret, TKRG(Thomas Keller Rest. Grp.) and $100000000.00. It's proof that all of Napa's Grands Crus have yet to be concieved...

Wines Tasted - June 25, 2010

Pinot Days - Fort Mason - San Francisco - 2010 -

The following wines were the standouts of my visit to Pinot Days:

Clouds Rest - Sonoma Coast - Pinot Noir - 2005 - $100 - (Showpiece, Modern-Ager) - These wines are excellent and I'll tell you why.  They are very well balanced yet intense and earthy with deep rooted potential for development.  I started with these wines because I wanted to have a fresh palate to see if they were worth the price and the hype.  I believe they are, especially their second wine at $50.

Clouds Rest - Sonoma Coast - Pinot Noir - 2004 - $100 - (Showpiece, Modern-Ager) - Similar to the 2005 but more weighty and concentrated.  Excellent.

Clouds Rest - "Femme Fatale" - Sonoma Coast - Pinot Noir - 2008 - $50 - (Modern, Balanced) - The Winery's second wine is equally enjoyable, though in a more fruit forward (perhaps due to its youth) style, but a great entry into this small estate's wealth.

A Cote & La Fenetre Wines - 
  I loved the line up here starting with the, A Cote thru the 3 La Fenetre single vineyards.  All very balanced, earthy, clear cut fruit, and medium in structure but with excellent acidity. 
A Cote - Pinot Noir - 2008 - $25 - (Classic, Old World, Food Wines) - A touch of pleasant brett in this wines nose gave me an Old World flashback.  I had to double check the label to be sure it said Central Coast.  It did.  And so i fell in love with this light to medium- bodied pinot of moderate extraction.  Nice ripe red cherry, pomegranate and dried red florals.  Medium+ acid, medium alcohol, medium- tannin & body.  An elegant quaffer with a vast array of foods.  Drink now.
La Fenetre - Los Alamos Vineyard - Pinot Noir - 2008 - $36 - (Classic, Old World, Food Wines) - A few shades more concentrated in ruby than the A Cote, as well as being cut from a similar cloth(sources).  This wine had less to none of the, "brett", I liked in the A Cote, but I liked it even more because of its clean lines.  Darker berry fruit, but still very much in the red fruit camp.  Another medium bodied effort which was my favorite of the line.
La Fenetre - Sierra Madre Vineyard - Pinot Noir - 2008 - $50 - (Classic, Old World, Food Wines) - Again getting darker in color as well as showing a touch more spice, toast and tannin than the, A Cote and Los Alamos wines.  Wild berry and Earth notes were common and the weight increased.  Still medium bodied, medium+ in alcohol, medium in tannin & medium+ in acidity.
La Fenetre - Au Bon Climat - Pinot Noir - 2008 - $50 - (Classic, Old World, Food Wines) - Proprietor & Founder Joshua Klapper worked a number of harvests at Au Bon Climat Winery to hone his skill, so a single vineyard offering of about 2 tons from his former employer's vineyard seems a typical Central Coast vignerons nod to having come-of-age as a winemaker.  This is by far the most concentrated wine of the lot.  The wine's medium ruby color hints at purple but never goes there.  The viscosity is higher that the previous bottlings and the wines fruit structure veers to the same camp.  Blackberry, black raspberry and red cherry notes mingle with forest floor and mossy notes as well as sage and turned dark Earth.
 

Clos Pepe Estate - Sta. Rita Hills - Monterrey - Pinot Noir - 2006 - $56 - (Classic, Food Wines, Agers) - I got to taste 3 vintages of Clos Pepe Estate Pinots with Vineyard Manager & Winemaker, Wes Hagen, and they had such a similar vein, I thought I'd write one review and just talk about the differences.  I like the most mature(2006) wine the most, and i think that sums up the style a little.  These wines are beautiful in that Geverey Chambertin way: a little funky and Earthy, red and dark berry fruited but not exuberantly, and full of mineral/rock/anise/floral notes.  Not very different through the vertical, just more "bratty" and infantile as we got into the 2007 & 2008s.  These wines don't demand cellar time, rather they ask nicely for it in a passive aggressive way.  I highly recommend this Grower/Producer if you are a fan of Classically styled New World Pinot.  

Clos Pepe Estate - Sta. Rita Hills - Monterrey - Pinot Noir - 2007 - $54 - (Classic, Food Wines, Agers) - Buy it, hold it & drink it in 2013.  Stellar.

Clos Pepe Estate - Sta. Rita Hills - Monterrey - Pinot Noir - 2008 - $49 - (Classic, Food Wines, Agers) - Buy it, hold it & drink it in 2014.  Waiting for it to be Stellar.

Cargasacchi - Pinot Noir - Cargasacchi Vineyard - Sta. Rita Hills - Monterrey - Pinot Noir - 2007 - $40 - (Classic, Agers) - I found the bright ruby colored Pinot from Cargasacchi to be of more full tannin structure than some of the others I enjoyed at Pinot Days.  These were brooding examples of moderate+ concentration and extraction.  They were Earthy and dark fruited with moderate purple florals and touches of spice and mocha.
Cargasacchi - Pinot Noir - Cargasacchi-JalamaVineyard - Santa Barbara County - Monterrey - Pinot Noir - 2007 - $40 - (Classic, Agers) - A touch darker, more savory and spicy than the Sta. Rita Hills wine.  A bit more tannic & funky as well.  Give this one 10 more months then revisit.  Both wines were a pleasure to drink.

Point Concepcion - Celestina - Pinot Grigio - Vin Gris - Santa Barbara County - 2008 - $18 - (Modern, Classic, Food Wine) - I usually need to justify a "Modern-Classic" but if you have even heard of the wines of Movia in Slovenia just NE of Italy, or of any of Alto-Adige's emulators of long macerations on classic "white" wine grapes.  Or of those who use no sulfur, no yeast additions and oxygen-rich maturations to raise their wines, then you must stop in with Peter Cargasacchi to try this stunner.  More than a Rose', less than a German Spatburgunder, but somewhere in the tweens.  Of deep pink-red color which is almost hazy.  This wine leads off with loads of ripe red fruits starting with strawberry and maraschino-cherry then gains stone fruit and citric notes.  Nearly no tannin, thus still seemingly Rose' in nature but a long way from Provence!  Great with Antipasti.

Shandels' Oppenlander Vineyard - Mendocino County - Pinot Noir - 2007 - $45 - (Classic, Food Wine, Ager?) - Oppenlander Vineyard is located in Comptche in Mendocino County. It is owned and farmed by fifth generation owners Bill and Norm Shandel.  The Vineyard is just outside the Northern Sector of Anderson Valley AVA.  Mainly Dijon Clones 114 & 115 as well as Pommard.  This is the "Estate" wine from the grower/owners and a trend from Pinot Days for me.  The 2007 was a more generous wine in the mouth than the palate, but time should change that.  Dark cherry, Earth, spice and some savory notes fill the senses of this medium+ bodied Pinot.  Good Medium+ acidity with medium alcohol & tannin.  Much more complete than the 2006, which showed the turned compost and skunk notes I associate with good but not great Pinot.  

This Vineyard supplies a number of other great wines like: Phillips-Hill & Adrian Fog.

Suacci Carciere - Suacci Vineyard - Russian River - Pinot Noir - 2006, 2007 & 2008 - $48 - (Modern, Showpiece) - I'd never heard of the producer, but the label was beautiful, so what the 'heck, right?  Great stuff.    I had the chance to taste 3 consecutive vintages and highly recommend them all.

These wines showed plenty of color extraction without going overboard, elegant noses of red and black cherries, plump round textures and rather low acidities and levels of tannin.  That was consistent across the 3 vintages tasted and a pleasant excursion from the Central Coast & Mendocino County wines.  All plush, ripe and soft in an elegant, drink me now style.  If you like Rochioli Estate Pinots, try these, they show similar terroir and structures.  (Yes, Suacci, that is a BIG compliment indeed;-)

Hanzell Vineyards - Sonoma County - Pinot Noir - 2000 - 1.5L - $300 - (Classic, Ager, Showpiece) - A magnum of Hanzell?  Who can say no?  Not me...Also tasted the 2006 in 750ml which is the current release.

The 2000 was showing mild color degradation but was still clear garnet/black at the core and faded to a garnet rim with a hint of brick.  The nose was so savory with pine needles, Christmas cake spice and dried currant, cherry, plum fruit.  The wine had nearly full bodied structure with medium+ tannins and acidity as well as alcohol.  A ripe wine in which the non-fruit notes rung highest.  A great glimpse of an Ultra-Classic Sonoma producer using Old World discipline and restraint while still allowing the Vineyard to pluck the strings of its melody.  This wine could continue to develop in bottle for 10 to 15 more years.

Check out what Doug Levey of SFGate.com says about Pine Ridge: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/inmarin/detail?&entry_id=66485

Wines Tasted - June 20, 2010

La Togata - Brunello di Montalcino - Tuscany - Italy - 2004 - $55 - (Modern, Showpiece) - Now when I call this Classically produced masterpiece a Modern-Showpiece, it's only because it is atypically ready to drink, with soft tannins and well developed fruit.  So, it starts off as a clear ruby wine with slight development at the rim and medium viscosity.  The nose just blows me away with ripe red & black cherry, and fresh plums mixed with tobacco box spice, leather and forest floor notes.  Very dimensional and complex.  Oak notes are subtle(boti, I suspect).  The wine was very dry, showed less fresh and more dried fruit impressions on the palate than the nose would lead you to believe, and had lower than expected acidity.  This is why I call it Modern, not because it was black and oaked to hell!  The body was medium+ all the way, it was perfectly balanced and had great length to the finish.  This was enjoyed with some toasted baguette and a bit of mature Hudson Vally Camembert with sliced Pears, and yes it went well...not perfectly, but without the Pears it would've gone awry;-) 
Get this at:
http://www.jjbuckley.com/2004-La-Togata-Brunello-di-Montalcino-Sangiovese-Grosso/p~2004~11094~750~f~ws before it's too too late!

Wines Tasted - June 20, 2010

Andre' Brunel - Cotes du Rhone - France - 2007 - $9 - (Classic, Easy Drinker, Food Wine) - With such a great vintage in 2007 for the Southern Rhone, I thought I'd toss a $10 bill at this reputable producer's nine dollar CdR.  I chose wisely!  This is a great Patio/Tuesday/Bring it out for those who don't know the difference wine.  Not big or awkward, nor under ripe or under fruited, just good old vine grenache at its ($9)best.  Clear, bright ruby of moderate concentration.  A touch reduced and alcoholic(13.5%) upon twisting the cap, but this all changed upon a little aeration.  The wine evolved to black olive tapenade, dried herbs and crushed raspberry.  Earthy notes abound, as do scents of fresh licorice and wet clay.  The acidity, tannin, complexity & body were moderate.  This was one of those: "How'd we get to the bottom of the bottle so fast?", wines.
Enjoyed this with Turkey Sandwiches with Foie Aioli from Bouchon Bakery.

Wines Tasted - June 04, 2010

Archery Summit Winery - Vireton Rose' - Pinot Noir - Willamette Valley - Oregon - 2009 - $20 - (Patio Wine, Food Wine, Summer Sipper) - A new release from Archery Summit, this wine showcases bright pale pink/salmon color, and a bouquet of fresh red flowers, strawberry and crushed cranberry.  Loaded with acidity to refresh the palate and a tooth coating viscosity.  A touch spritzy at the moment, which continues with the refreshing theme, but remember that this wine has some weight to it.  Highly recommended with Chilled Salmon Salad with Goat Cheese Crumbles.

NextGen Wine Competition for Millenial Wine Drinkers 2010

Last flight: sweet wines. Late Harvest Riesling, SB, Moscato and Chardonnays. One Moscato got a Gold!

Barefoot Cellars Muscat Alexandria NV - Wins Double Gold, Best of Class and almost swept Best of Show Awards

Finished Chardonnay Flights. One no oak. One oaked.

Wilson Vineyards of Sonoma's - Sonoma - Syrah - 2007 - Wins Double Gold, Best of Class, AND Best of Show Awards, the Sweepstakes Winner of the Competition!!!  Cheers Guys.  And "they" say no one is drinking Syrah anymore...

Finished Second Flight of Syrahs. No Golds.

Just finished flights of 2007 & 2006 Cabernets(no Golds).

Just finished our flight of 2007 Syrah/Shirazs and we awarded 3 Golds! One great wine from Washington, one from Sonoma.

NextGen Wine Competition for Millennial Wine Drinkers 2010 begins today.

Kenzo Estate - asatsuyu- Sauvignon Blanc - Napa Valley - $60 - (Modern) - Straw colored and withe medium+ viscosity, aromas of ripe sweet honeydew, muskmelon & banana. Lightly toasty in a pie crust way. Lightly spicy and minerally as well. Seems to have a little Musque Clone as well as being grown ripe and handled delicately. Medium acid & body, medium+(14.5%) alcohol, medium+ length.

Kenzo Estate - asatsuyu- Sauvignon Blanc - Napa Valley - $60 - (Modern) - Straw colored and withe medium+ viscosity, aromas of ripe sweet honeydew, muskmelon & banana. Lightly toasty in a pie crust way. Lightly spicy and minerally as well. Seems to have a little Musque Clone as well as being grown ripe and handled delicately. Medium acid & body, medium+(14.5%) alcohol, medium+ length.

Wines Tasted - May 31, 2010

Chateau de Montmirail - Cuvee des Deux Freres - Vacqueyras - 2007 - $24 - (Classic, Showpiece, Ager) - I couldn't say enough great things about this wine not only upon opening but through the last drop.  Bright, clear, medium+ ruby color.  Fruit aromas of blackberry jam, plum jam, and ripe raspberry & black cherry.  A spicy/peppery note, also with dried lavender and dried flower petals as well as a mild salami note.  Medium+ viscosity was evidence of a well made 2007.  All the CdP qualities are here but at 1/2 the price!  Drink it or keep it, you choose, but don't forget it, it's too good. 

Wines Tasted - May 31, 2010

Antica Azienda Agricola Paolo Bea Vignaioli di Montalfaco - Sanvalentino - IGT - Umbria - 2006 - $? - (Modern, Showpiece) - A bright crimson/ruby wine of high concentration despite it's clarity.  Aromas of purple fruits, plums, berries, and fennel dominate a nose with only mild oak spice notes.  A Sangiovese, Sagrantino and Montipulciano blend, thus the IGT designation.  This was the highlight of an Italian al Fresco lunch on Memorial Day.  Great medium+ acid levels, medium alcohol and medium tannin.  Great paired with Dry Rubbed "Beer-Can" Chicken over Charcoal (hint: Paul drank the beer and filled the cans with Pinot Grigio!)

Wines Tasted - May 28, 2010

Rose' Wines I've Enjoyed:

Domaine Sorin - Cotes du Provence - Rose' - 2009 - $16 - (Classic, Food Wine) - Aromas of ripe peach, strawberry and red currant abound amongst cracked sea shells and red flowers.  Bright Acidity and a refreshing length to the finish.  A delight with Antipasti and Buratta over Grilled Bread.

Carlotta Cellars - Eagle Point Ranch - Grenache Rose' - Mendocino - 2009 - $18 - (Classic, Food Wine) - Vinified by a great Sommelier and great friend: David Grega and his business partner Aran Healy, from top quality Grenache fruit from the famed Eagle Point Ranch.  This is not saigne', this is also not a full throttle version of a rose'.  This is however a well balanced, food-friendly version of a Southern Rhone (think Lirac or Navarra) or Northern Spain Grenache.  I loved the salmon/pink color extraction, the soft white flowers and pink skinned fruits glowing in the aromas.  The palate was more shy (only a few weeks in bottle) yet I feel restraint is the sign of a good Rose' producer.  This wine should show more lifted characteristics as Spring becomes Summer.  Enjoy now with Humboldt Fog on Warm Baguette.

Portal do Fidalgo - Alvarinho - de Region de Mincao - 2007 - $17 - (Classic, Food Wine) - medium golden straw with gas. White currants, white flowers and their stems, gooseberry, apple, pear and lemon zest kick off a developed nose that boasts fractured white rocks dusted with rain sprinkles.
Dry and of high spritzy acidity. Orchard, goosebery and spiced pear lead the palate to herbal, floral and limestone notes. Medium-in body, but with a long mouthwatering finish.
We had it with Peaking duck, fresh favas, and roasted cauliflower over fried white rice. A bit of a stretch...

Wines Tasted, May 12, 2010

Masi - Serego Aligherieri - 650th Anniversary - Valpolicella - Veneto - Italy - 1999 - (Classic, Classic, Classic, Ager, Food Wine) - $110/Magnum - (This was an auction lot wine and it's real price remains a matter of extended research) Tasted from a magnum this wine was a clear, pale ruby with a slight orange rim, some sediment thrown.  A stellar example of Corvina and Molinara at their peak of maturity.  A wine crying out for food, we drank it all by itself (sadly).  Leather, nuttyness, clove spice, and a raisinated tertiary note underly the dusted red cherry, and red plum fruit.  This wine surely saw some Recioto lees during a Ripasso process, and at 14% alcohol represents that fact.  I kept being drawn into its subtle "over ripe" nuance, but could not put aside it's dry earth notes and apparent oak spice which balanced this wine between modern and classic.  An eye opener for those of you not impressed with "regular Valpolicella" but not yet into Amarone(what are you waiting for?).

Wines Tasted, May 18, 2010

Muralhas de Moncao - Branco - Moncao - Vinho Verde - (Classic, Food Wine) - $16 - A co-operative of tremendous proportions (1700 growers and 100+ hectares of vineyards) and tremendous consistency.  This wine belongs on the table of seafood restaurants world wide!  I just love the style (70% Alvarhinho & 30% Trejadura) with a generous amount of absorbed CO2.  It shows visual gas along with its pale straw hue.  Aromas of fresh white florals abound initially but recede to show off more stone fruit and pear.  The wine is spritzy and of high acidity, thus it's cleansing with food.  The fruit is ripe but not heavy, and at 12% alc. easy to consume by ones self.  I had it with Grilled Sardines in Vinegary Sweet Onions with EVOO at La Salette Restaurant in Sonoma, yummy.

Wines Tasted, May 20, 2010

Pueblo del Sol - Tannat - Uruguay - 2008 - (Classic, Food Wine) - $8 - Now at this price, one expects very little, but this wine over delivers as most good quality Uruguayan Tannats tend to do.  If you haven't tried the varietal, you're missing out, and if you have, you know what I'm talking about.
Clear deep ruby with a purple tinge at the rim.  The wine offers up scents of lavender, lilacs and red bush fruits as well as an earthy component redolent of cracked limestone.  While it has seen no oak (cement tank aged), it has plenty of non fruit aromas and flavors.  Staying in the red berry camp are: red cherry, red currant and red plum and peppered apple flavors.  A great wine with food, it paired comfortably with Grilled Venison with Grilled Kale and Steamed Rice when most other wines on the table (New and Old World) floundered!

Wines Tasted, May 20, 2010

Pine Ridge Vineyards - Petite Verdot - Napa Valley - 2007 - (Modern, Ager, Showpiece Wine) - $65 - A single varietal Petite Verdot is rare, and Pine Ridge hasn't released one in 10 years, so get some if you're a fan or just curious because it's a monster!  Opaque black/ruby with a violet/ruby rim.  Highly staining in the glass.  Aromas of ripe blackberry, red & black plum, cranberry and blueberry-huckleberry jam.  Floral peppercorn notes abut cola, espresso and caramelized esters.
The wine enters with medium+ acidity and trends that way through the finish.  Tannins are a solid medium+, yet are polished.
The palate fruits are mainly black & blue: blackberries fresh off the bush, black plum skin flavors and texture, coffee infused blueberry-huckleberry jam with the tartness of ripe cranberries lifting the dense fruit profile.  Peppery-coffee notes round out the finish, which is long.  Aging from 2011 to 2020 will be recommended.

Wines Tasted, May 20, 2010

ForeFront by Pine Ridge - Cabernet Sauvignon - Napa Valley - 2008 - (Modern, Drinker) - $24 - ForeFront is a value priced line of wines from the established Pine Ridge Vineyards in Napa's Stags Leap District.  With this vintage of Cabernet they blend in Syrah from outside of Napa sources (9% San Louis Obisbo County and 7% Lake County) to balance an Estate driven base of Bordeaux varietals.  The wine has seen the classic Pine Ridge treatment in French bariques for 16 months, which has left the nearly opaque ruby/black wine and its dark ruby rim with a nose of: blackberry, black cherry and black plum fruit as well as coffee bean, light vannillin and dark floral notes.  The palate continues with ripe dark fruits and a slightly floral note in the mouth.  This 2008 is full bodied, moderately high in tannin and of medium+ length.  Drink from early 2011 to 2018.

Wines Tasted, May 20, 2010

Pine Ridge Vineyards - Le Petit Clos - Chardonnay - Stags Leap District - 2008 - (Modern, Balanced) - Yellow with green/gold cheeks.  This vintage of Le Petit has a highly intense nose of: green apple, yellow apple, banana peel, white peach fruit with peach and lemon blossoms as well as a mild biscuit/toasted brioche note.
  In the mouth, nutty almond paste, creamy lees and banana peel speak of 9 months of partially (25%) new French oak.  White florals, peach and orchard fruit plateau through the mid-palate, whilst spice and biscuit notes round out the impressively lengthy finish.

Wines Tasted, May 20, 2010

Fore Front by Pine Ridge - Pinot Gris - Willamette Valley - Oregon - (Modern, Food Wine) - $16 - A pale platinum-green color, hinting toward more development.  The nose is moderately intense with plenty of non-fruit characteristics such as beech mushroom, white flowers, peach pit and red pear skin to match up with a hint of maraschino cherry.  Dry, medium+ in acidity and medium+ in body, this wine has significant weight, mild bitterness(inherent in the grape, due to its thick skins and "grey" color) classic of Pinot Gris.  Spicy florals, pear skin and peach develop slowly in the mouth and extend to medium+ length.

Wines Tasted, May 20, 2010

Pine Ridge Vineyards - Sans Barique - Chardonnay - Carneros - Napa Valley - (Balanced, Food Wine) - $32 - A pale straw/platinum wine in color with intense aromas of ripe yellow pear, creamy banana custard and green fig.  A light biscuit note precedes the juicy pear and cream flavors.  The wine is un-oaked & non-malolactic, but has seen extended lees contact in stainless steel tanks.  Only 400 cases made.

Wines Tasted, May 20, 2010

Pine Ridge - Chenin Blanc/Viognier - California - 2009 - (Food Wine, Classic) - $14 - A pale, platinum wine with flecks of green and gas present.  Aromas of ripe pear, lychee, grapefruit pith, cut apples and kaffir lime leaf.  Flavors of ripe fruit salad of afformentioned fruits and a crackling, mouth-watering layer of acidity.  This wine has a medium+ to long finish, moderate-low alcohol and medium- body.  Great with slightly sweet shellfish and spicy Thai!

County Line - Sonoma Coast - Pinot Noir - 2008 -$25 - (Balanced, Modern) - The second wine of is a young dark berry accented wine with modest toasty, smoked bp

Pine Ridge Vineyards - Sans Barique - Chardonnay - 2009 - $32 -(New Style, Food Wine) - This wine makes me love Chsrdonnay fro CA again. No oak! All stainless, lees contact, no ML, top quality Dijon Clones. I just love the nose of ripe green pear and banana cream, with white flowers. The mouth does not give up on these notes either, yet a touch of secondary complexity still developing awaits. Drink now thru 2011. Great cheese wine with-Camembert, or Carmody.

Home Made Fish & Chips with 2008 Innocent Bystander Pinot Noir from Victoria.

Wines Tasted April 5, 2010

Domaine Vacheron - Sancerre - Loire - France - 2008 - $NA - (Modern/Classic, Food Wine) - A classic Sauvignon Blanc with New World traits of roasted jalapeno, chive, ripe gooseberry, lime and melon rind, yet with that unmistakable edge of ground limestone.  Ripe and rich at 13% alc., an easy transition for a Marlborough, NZ SB fan.
Jamek - Stein Am Rain - Kamptal - Niederosterreich - Federspiel - Gruner Veltliner - 2006 - $16 - (Classic,  Food Wine) - A pale green/straw wine with some gas evident and medium viscosity.  A slightly floral nose with orchard fruits and lemo peel, but with a sea shell/chalky quality.  Acids were moderate+ but since the wine had an underlying sweetness, it seemed less so.  More viscous than its 12.5% alc. label, yet delicate as any GV.  Lacking a bit in the vegetal department, but that should bode well for the fruit-seekers who shun Gruner for precisely such a reason.
Hafner - Alexander Valley - Sonoma - Chardonnay - 2006 - $16 - (Modern, Great Buy) - A rich butterscotch, leesy, orchard fruit-rich wine with obvious ML/Barrel ferment qualitits.  A great buy for any consumer seeking a traditional California chardonnay with these qualities.
Norton - Mendoza - Argentina - Malbec - Reserva - 2006 - $16 - (Modern/Classic, Great Buy) - If Mendoza makes classic malbec, then this is smack dab in the thick of it, and a price that is fair in every way. A black/purple/fucsha wine of considerable viscosity and an opacticity that defines midnight.  Ripe blackberry, black raspberry, black plum fruit leed off for a clean-up crew of: cocoa, melted chocolate ganache and fresh brewed coffee.  Noticable oak presence is integrated and lushly-sweet.  A mouthfull of roasted fruits, cocoa and chocolate layer on until it's almost too much, then the dryness sets in and acidity refreshes the tongue.  A drinkers wine, unless you've got grilled sausage ready to go.
Willamette Valley Vineyards - Willamewtte Valley - Pinot Noir - Barrel Select - 2007 - $25 - (Old World, Food Wine) - Not a favorite of mine, mostly due to what it lacks...it was too Old World for me to believe 2007 could produce such a green, stemmy wine, even in 2007.  That said, it was a pale red wine with a red/ruby rim and low viscosity.  The nose had such a dillyness and tart aromas of early picked strawberries and cranberries that I really thought this was a 2004 Beaune Village wine (tart, green and stemmy, sorry 2004).  Very good if you're a Burg Hound looking into Oregon for the first time or just hate Cali Pinots because they are too ripe and fat.
Castello Banfi - Chianti Classico - Reserva - 2006 - $16 - (Classic, Great Buy) - A beautiful ruby clear color with a ruby rim.  The nose attacks with ripe almost candied red cherry, cherry Life-Savers, red currant and ripe strawberry with limestone, fennel, rose petal and dried herb characteristics.  Turns less ripe on the palette, in the classic Classico way, to tart red fruits and plum pit notes with limestone texture to fine but persistant tannins and fresh acids.  A great bargain for dinner tonight if you plan on pasta with ground beef tomato sauce and basil...as simple as I can make it...

Wines Tasted April 2, 2010

Chateau Lafon-Rochet - St. Estephe - Medoc - Bordeaux - 1970 - $NA - (Classic) - With a pale red color and brick rim, this wine showed every bit of its age.  It was a bit floculated with stirred sediment (a measure of its handling and not its storage) and decanted roughly, but was an enjoyable time machine in a bottle.  Dry cherry, currant and cranberry fruit aromas with sandlewood, tobacco and wet gravel notes added complexity.  It was dry and of low tannin, yet with acid on its side.  It was more of a, drink-and-think, than a drink-and-discuss, wine.  Left us before we left it.  Drink now if you own it....

Wines Tasted - March 27, 2010

 

Pine Ridge Vineyards - Howell Mountain - Napa - Cabernet Sauvignon - 2007 - $90 - (Modern-Classic, Ager, Showpiece) - Clear edges but an opaque center to this dark ruby/black wine which fades slightly to a purple/ruby rim.  High concentration, high viscosity and a highly intense nose of blackberry, blueberry syrup and red currants soaked in a mixture of Arabica extract, cocoa beans and cocoa butter.  An Earthy note of liquid iron and ground pomace balance a fruit dominated initial attack, just enough to make you consider St. Emilion.
  On the palette, the wine is dry and rich with dark fruits and coffee/cocoa notes, but with a higher than expected level of acidity.  The tannins are Classic Howell Mountain: ripe, mouth coating and of mineral tinged-skin origin.  These mineral quailities seemed to elongate the finish and were dotted with blueberry and bitter-sweet chocolate.  A real stunner...

For Tomorrow's Lunch, we will host Republic National Distributing Company in our Estate Gardens.

                                       Menu:


Grilled California Halibut with Chive Compound Butter, Braised Fennel and Chanterelle Mushrooms paired with our Pine Ridge 2007 Dijon Clones Chardonnay

Prosciutto Wrapped Pork Tenderloin with Yukon Gold Whipped Potatoes, Brussels Sprouts and Morel Mushroom Cream Sauce with Fresh Thyme paired with our Forefront by Pine Ridge 2008 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

A Selection of Three Artisanal Cheeses and a Petite Salad of Estate Greens and Local Baguette paired with our Pine Ridge 2006 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Hand Rolled Belgian Chocolate Truffles to end the meal with Coffee or Tea


Photos to be posted on the Pine Ridge Group Page around 2:00PM tomorrow, check it

Wines Tasted - March 12, 2010

Pine Ridge Vineyards – Cabernet Sauvignon - Rutherford – Napa Valley - 2000 – (Modern, Drink Now) – Threw minor sediment.  Clear ruby with a slightly burnished rim.  Red cherries, red currants, baked red plums, cassis, cedar shakes, blonde caramel, tea leaves and light bourbon vanilla fill the nose.  It was dry, medium bodied, with medium tannins and a chalky/loamy texture.  Baked cherry, cedar and red plum round out the palette which has medium acid and a moderate length to the finish. 

Pine Ridge Vineyards – Cabernet Sauvignon – Stags Leap District – Napa Valley - 2000 – (Modern, Drink Now) – Bright medium ruby with a pale ruby rim.  A very enticing nose of black plum, black cherry, deep cassis, cocoa, black pepper, pipe tobacco and creamy vanilla.  Upon the entry the texture was incredibly soft, but built weight through the length of the long finish.  The tannins were sweet and ripe; the mid-palette was chocolaty and rich with black fruits.

Pine Ridge Vineyards – Andrus Reserve – Napa Valley - 2000 – (Modern, Drink Now) – A medium ruby core and a pale ruby rim are the segway to a developing wine with mature aromatics of red and Bing cherry, dried red currant and dried plums over coffee grounds, turned loam and cedary notes.  A medium bodied cabernet based claret with medium length, and medium tannins. 

Pine Ridge Vineyards – Andrus Reserve – Napa Valley - 2001 – (Modern) – Medium ruby/purple core leads to a slightly pale red/ruby rim.  This vintage offers up a nose of sweet black cherry, red plums and baked red currants surrounded by cocoa, baking spice, fresh roasted coffee beans, and sweet molasses laced with vanilla.  While the tannins were fine and loamy, the acidity was medium and alcohol balanced at 14.2%, all helping to stretch the finish to medium plus in length.

Pine Ridge Vineyards – Epitome – Stags Leap District - Napa Valley - 2000 – (Modern, Ager) – This wine was unfined and unfiltered and thus threw a tremendous amount of sediment; decant prior to service.

A clear medium plus ruby/black with a ruby rim.  A nose of ripe red cherry, red plum and cassis laced heavily with mocha and sweet spruce/vanilin note.  The entry was dry but the fruits were sweet and ripe with all above fruits and non-fruits confirmed.  The tannins were medium plus and rigid, as we’d expect from such a steep Hillside site with an ideal southern exposure.  A full bodied cabernet with a long finish.  I expect this wine to continue to mature for 5-7 more years, at least.

Wines Tasted - February 8, 2010

 Chateau Durfort-Vivens - Margaux - Bordeaux - 2004 - (Classic, Classified 2nd Growth, Ager, Food Wine) - $36 - An absolute stunner at this price or any price under $100.  I'd seek this wine out on Wine Searcher myself, if you don't.  Deep garnet color with a medium garnet rim.  Classic BDX nose of crushed wet gravel, and turned compost with ripe plum, cassis and curranty cherry blossoms and rose petals.  Ripe and soft on the entry, yet always Bordeaux.  Moderate tannins with moderate+ acid and a balanced-medium+ length to the finish.  The fruit was equally well developed on the palette with obvious Merlot ripeness and structure traits.  It was my first experience with this 2nd Growth from Margaux, and I was more than impressed with it's poetic nature.  

Wines Tasted - March 1, 2010

 

Hauts de Pontet-Canet - Pauillac - Boudeaux - 2006 - (Classic, Ager, Food Wine, Earthy Style, Best Buy) - $26 - A deep clear garnet/black fading to a deep garnet rim. Opened with a nose of scorched earth, new shower curtain and rubber tires, not that it's a bad thing, just classic BDX qualities.  But as it opened the bluberry rush came on, as did the currant and chocolaty qualities, and once truely aired, it was ripe crushed plums.  That is what we expect from great Merlot dominated blends with Cabernet should evolve to.  I loved this, but my Modern wine drinking friends felt less intimate with it.  It had medium tannins for a young 2006, but with a ton of earth and gravel to each pound of fruit.  Great with a bit of Braised Pork Shoulder, as the tannins and moderate+ acidity were instantly cut by the mented fat, yum!  A great QPR on this.

Wines Tasted - March 3, 2010

Had 2008 Forefront Willamette Valley Pinot Noir w/ Moroccan Rubbed Chicken & Bread Salad with Marinated Tomatoes.

Forefront by Pine Ridge - Willamette Valley - Pinot Noir - 2008 -  (Classic, Food Wine, Best Buy)  - $24 - A bright clear ruby with tinges of purple at the rim.  A nose of pure red fruits and Earth: Raspberries, red currants and pomegranite with turned earth, musk and nearly animale scents.  Very floral.  The entry is full of moderate+ acidity, and confirmed red fruit mix as well as the earthy notes and florals.  Oak is of moderate expression but showing a touch of spice.  Alcohol was moderate, tannins were fine and well structured, body was moderate and finish was quite long.  A balanced style which lets fruit shine while keeping the sense of place totally in Oregon.  Great Food Style.

Wines Tasted - March 1, 2010

Lucien Albrecht - Alsace- Gewurztraminer - Reserve - 2008 - (Classic, Food Wine) - $20 - Bright green straw, with some density visable. A classic nose of jasmine, honeysuckey and lavander with pear and apricot stewed in cardamom and chamomile. Alcohol was moderate+ (13%), and an off dry finish made for a ripe, rich glass of pure Alsace.

Wines Tasted - February 28, 2010

J. Rochioli - River Block - Russian River - Pinot Noir - 2007 - $90 - (Modern, Ager, Showpiece) - A bright clear ruby with hints of blue,slightly stained tears and a moderate plus viscosity. Coming in at 14.4% alc. this wine is a huge rush of black & red licorice whip, Ranier cherry, bluberry and red plum jam. But in the mouth it's smoky cherries, green tea and loads of spice and licorice. All in balance with integrated mYers of new oak and a touch of turned earth. The wine is ramped up but not at all clumsy, more sexy than brawny, it just makes you want it. These are wines of exclusive allure, like fine silk mixed with nappa leather, near perfect for their style: Modern & Ripe but balanced and Ageworthy.

The Greasy Weiner - My Story

  If someone asked me why I, a C.I.A. trained Chef and a professional Sommelier, would want to be involved in a truck selling hotdogs in Los Angeles, I’d probably just tell them its because without my love of a deep fried hotdog, I wouldn’t be what I am today.

  I’ll begin at the beginning:  Growing up in a little town named, Phillipsburg, in the great Garden State of New Jersey had its perks.  Most of them revolved around high school wrestling matches and late nights of underage drinking in fields or along train tracks.  But in truth they all seemed to lead back to one place: Toby’s.  Toby’s, was and still is a 30 square foot lean-to on the side of Route 22 West, right in the heart of town.  But it wasn’t the location, nor the vast amenities, like a gumball machine in the corner, it was ALL about the hotdogs.  They were these little deep fried morsels of goodness in a steamy bun with pickle spears on top and wrapped in the cheapest paper money could afford.  A trip to Toby’s could not be hidden from partygoers as you’d always reek of the place for the rest of the night, but you’d be the god of the social scene if you brought some for everyone else.  You might also be forced to go as a result of being ASSHOLE in the so named drinking/card game, but that’s another story!

  Now Phillipsburg is not known for its social graces, nor its Haute Cuisine, so a place like Toby’s has stood the test of time, and is still THE most visited place in town when I return.  It’s more to do with the desire to regress to a time when, “The Boys of Summer”, were there.  A simple meal of half a dozen hotdogs is pure nostalgia. 

  So, how did a hotdog stand make me who I am?  Well it was never a place I wanted to work, that’s for sure!  But Sammy’s Drive-In, just up the road was.  Samuel A. Ayoub, owned a 1950s style drive-in that was a chief competitor to Toby’s and had a history of employing Phillipsburg High School athletes, even my older brother worked there, and Sammy was a fun guy to work for.  He taught us how to slice and dice onions, butcher beef, make chili, and of course in classic East Coast tradition, deep fry hot dogs!  I was proud of myself every day working for Sam, and it was Sam who, despite our past differences, wrote me a recommendation letter that gained me entry to the top culinary school in the country: The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY.  Yes, he told a few white lies that day, but he did it for me, and for that I’ll always remember him fondly, thanks Sam.

  From my days at Sammy’s, to my trips to other great hot dog joints in the area such as: Yacco’s the Hot Dog King; Jimmy’s Hot Dog Stand and its many reincarnations; and Charlie’s Pool Room, I’d become fascinated by the rationality of the deep fried hot dog.  So, when my oldest and best friend Josh and his brother Adam, who both worked side-by-side with me at Sammy’s, approached me to create our own dog, based on our history and love of this specialty item, I jumped at the chance.  It is through a love of the deep fried dog, affectionately named, The Greasy Weiner, that a new chapter begins on a New Coast and I can only hope that you fall head over heels in love the way I did, so many hotdogs ago.

Sincerely,

Eric C. Maczko

Executive Chef, CS

Pine Ridge Vineyards - Napa, CA

Wines Tasted - February 26, 2010

Rivers-Marie - Sonoma Coast - Pinot Noir - 2008 -$24 - (Food Wine, Classic) - Clear garnet with a purple/red rim, moderate concentration and viscosity. Aromas are lifted and rich with woodsmoke, boiled beef, clove and fresh blackberry. Fruit seems secondary in the nose but entry on the palette shows off more tangerine rind, ripe smoky red cherry and red apple skin as well as bracing acidity, which bodes well for pairing with a broad range of higher acid foods. The body is medium, tannins are moderate-, and alcohol at 14.1% keeps the wine balanced for the new world wine drinker. Since the wine has yet to fully evolve, I'd recommend consumption from Summer 2010 to 2017. This wine is all acid, citrus and smoky red berry now thus a pairing with: Seared Ono with Lemon Aioli and Brown Rice and Broccoli fared nicely.

Wines Tasted - February 26, 2010

Pine Ridge Vineyards - Cabernet Franc - Trois Cuvee - Napa - 2001 - (Classically Styled) - $36 - A transparent ruby wine fading to a pink rim with a clear miniscus. Aromas of leather, tobacco, spice box and green peppercorns bolster black cherry, currant and plum fruits. The palette is dry and medium bodied with fleshy/dried fruits as well as a dustyness and earthyness redolent of Bordeaux or Rioja. For the old world wine drinker looking for virtues in a new world wine. Drink now thru 2012.
Pine Ridge Vineyards - Cabernet Franc - Trois Cuvee - Napa - 2002 - (Modern) - $36 - Quite a difference a year makes! Clear deep ruby with a thick pink rim. Obviously higher alcohol than the 2001(14.7% vs. 14.1%). and more complexity with: brown butter, fresh toffee and molasses notes supporting floral black cherry and black plum. The mouth is expansive and lush. Filled with butter toffee and plum skin as well as an afirmation of red flowers and blackstrap molasses. Medium-full bodied, moderate+ tannin and long in the finish. Drink now or keep until 2015! A big wine still.

Enjoyed these with: Braised Beef Brisket and Tomato/Chile Mole.

Check out My Snoith Article:
http://www.snooth.com/articles/wine-and-food/cooking-with-chef-eric-c-maczko/

Some writers are killing my love of wine...

ttp://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2010/feb/04/wine-criticism-tasting-flavour-matching

Read this article and decide for yourself who's filling your mind with BS and who's filling your glass with BS.
I have my own opinion, read it here.

Wines Tasted - February 3, 2010

Pine Ridge Vineyards - Stags Leap District - Cabernet Sauvignon - Napa - 2007 - $80 - (Modern, Ager, Food Wine, Showpiece) - A nearly opaque deep ruby color that fades to a thin ruby/red rim, no sediment.  This SLD Cab opens with very lifted aromas of fresh black cherry, black plum, cassis and blueberry fruits.  To that mix I'll add, caramelized pecans, violets, cocoa and sweet vanillin.  A bone-dry wine in the mouth, it flashes its youth like a siren.  All fruits are confirmed on the palete, but with a texture thats closer to the skin than the pit, and the secondaries of cocoa, pecans and vanillin are pronounced through the finish.  Big and muscular in tannin and acidity, moderate+ in alcohol and length of finish, balanced and keenly blended.

Classification of Napa Valley Vineyards - 2010

http://www.winevine-imports.com/images/thumbs/t_1508.jpg

Vineyard Ratings

Grand Cru Class A -
Araujo Estate - Pickett Lane, Calistoga
Abreu - Madrona Ranch
Bryant Family Vineyards - esp. Block 4 - Pritchard Hill
Dunn Howell Mountain Estate - Howell Mountain
Detert Estate - Oakville (Cabernet Franc)
Diamond Creek - Diamond Mountain 
Beckstoffer Tokalon - Oakville
Herb Lamb Vineyard - Howell Mountain
Blackbird Vineyard - Oak Knoll (Merlot)
Morisoli Vineyard - Rutherford 
Paloma Vineyard - Spring Mountain (Merlot)
Grace Family  Estate - St. Helena
Kronos Vineyard - St. Helena
Stage Coach Vineyard - Oakville
Bacchus Vineyard - Oakville 


Grand Cru Class B -
Abreu - Thorevilos - Howell Mountain
Abreu - Lucia - Howell Mountain 
Colgin - Estate Vinayard - Pritchard Hill
Hourglass - Estate - St. Helena 
Jericho Canyon Vineyard - Calistoga 
Keyes Vineyard - Howell Mountain 
Poetry Vineyard - Stags Leap District 
Shafer Hillside Estate - Stags Leap District
Sherwin - Estate - Spring Mountain 
Sloan - Rutherford
Sacrashe - Rutherford
Spottswoode - Estate - St. Helena 
Vineyard 29 - St. Helena
 
Grand Cru Class C -
Andrus Estate - Rutherford
Barnett - Estate - Spring Mountain 
Caymus - Estate - Rutherford 
Constant - Estate - Diamond Mountain 
Chateau Montelena - Estate - Calistoga 
Diamond Terrace - Estate - Diamond Mountain 
Eagle Summit Vineyard - Howell Mountain
Foreman - Estate - Howell Mountain/Conn Valley 
Hartwell - Estate - Stags Leap District 
Hewitt Vineyard - Rutherford 
Howell Mountain Vineyard - Howell Mountain
White Rock Vineyard - Soda Canyon
Martin Estate - Rutherford 
Mayacamas - Estate - Mt. Veeder 
Paradigm Estate - Oakville
Pine Ridge - Estate - Stags Leap District
Pine Ridge - Dos Olivos Vineyard - Oakville 
Pride - Estate - Spring Mountain 
Stags Leap Vineyard - Stags Leap District 
Sori Bricco - Diamond Mountain 
Veeder Peak Vineyard - Mt. Veeder 
Viader - Estate - Howell Mountain/Deer Park 

Grand Cru Class D - 
Burgess - Estate - Howell Mountain/Deer Park
Ehlers Estate - St. Helena
Fay Vineyard - Stags Leap District 
White Cottage Vineyard - Howell Mountain
La Jota - Estate - Howell Mountain
Lamborn - Estate - Howell Mountain 
Larkmead - Estate - St. Helena 
Ladera - Howell Mountain
Lewelling Vineyard - St. Helena 
Rubicon - Estate - Rutherford
Reverie - Estate - Diamond Mountain 
Staglin - Estate - Rutherford 
Chimney Rock - Estate - Stags Leap District
Varozza Vineyard - St. Helena
Von Strasser - Estate - Diamond Mountain
Tench Vineyard - Oakville 

Classification of Napa Valley Vineyards - 2010

  Much has been said about the 1855 Classification of Bordeaux, and much has been disputed, such as what the hell happened to St Emilion and Pomerol for God's Sake?!?  And why is Chateau "Whatever", a Third Growth, they make wine half as good as, Chateau "Awsomness", and Chateau "Awsomness" is not even Classified...
  It's these questions that the French, in their stubborness, chose never to answer for.  And it's these questions that Mr. Robert Parker and others have been battling to get rightful answers to for decades thru 100 point rating systems.  I like points, but I hate Point Chasers.  I can't stand watching someone walk in to the winery holding a Buying Guide only to skip on some wines to only taste the, "90 pointers".  That guy holding the scores in his hand isn't RP, so why would he trust only RP's opinion?  I think RP has a very good sense of taste, and an even better sense of "saleability", and this is what makes so many followers become devout in their acceptance of his "truth".
  To me it's the same as say, believing in a religion.  There's one "leader" they all listen to.  They never feel the "leader" is guiding them astray.  They continue to invest mindlessly in their "leader's" opinions and guidance.  They die never knowing the truth, which is the freedom they gave up when surrendering their thoughts to the "leader".
  Now it sounds like I'm placating, and I am.  That's why I don't score wine, I just write up my experiences with the great/memorable juice.  Do you think I only taste three wines a week?  Just think of how much good juice I have to wade thru to get you one great wine review.  Yes. I'm a snob.  But I'm a snob for ME, not for anyone else.  People are agast when I drive them thru Napa only to point out all the Vineyards that, "suck".  They say things like, "How can they all suck?" or " I like their wine!  They don't suck!!".  I just tell them, "No they don't suck, THAT vineyard sucks.  Not that producer...".  Yet they still don't get the concept until I explain that the wine they buy comes from so many other vineyards other than the one right on the Silverado Taril next the the Winery.  Some of the contributing Vineyards are stellar and make up for the failings of THAT vineyard.  Then the light comes on for them.
  This is the light I'm attempting to electrify for YOU with this Classification.

  It may take me some months to piece it all together, but be assured the information I provide will be honest, accurate(for a while at least, huh?), and supported by historical data based on grape prices(thus wine prices).
All I want to do is isolate: THE BEST PARCES OF NAPA VALLEY FOR BORDEAUX VARIETALS.
Sorry Petite Syrah, next time(Vincent Arroyo Greenwood Ranch, you would be a 1st Growth;).

Wines Tasted - January 24, 2010

 

J.L.Chave - St. Joseph - Offerus - 2007 - $30 - (Classic, Food Wine, Ager) - A dramatic young Norther Rhone Syrah, filled with aromas of roasted game, wood smoke, licorice, blackberries and black & white peppercorns.  On the palette it's layered but closed despite decanting.  It is classically Rhone in every way, but just so youthful it's a shame to open it in 2010 at all.  Full bodied, with moderate+ alcohol and tannin, acid was moderate to +, length was long but the finish dhed all its fruit but Earthyness lingered.

I recommend cellaring for 2 to 10 years additionally(not unlike all my 2007 Rhone Experiences thus far).

 

Niepoort - 1991 - Colheita - Port - Porto - (Classic, Food Wine, Ager, Dessert Wine, Aparatif, Digestif) - Well, what do you drink after Araujo Estate Syrah?  Aged Colheita Port of course!  Tasted from 375ml and aged so well in bottle.  Classic Port aromas of caramel, cherry, plum, fig, and chocolate.  Lucious in the mouth and not a bit hot for a 20+% alcohol wine.  Creamy and ripe with bitter spice complimenting sweet black fruit skins.  This wine could be kept for an aditional 20 to 30 years or more!!!

 

Araujo Estate - Eisele Vineyard - Napa Valley - Syrah - 2004 - (Modern Wine, Ager, Showpiece) - $135 - My first experience with this wine and it was quite an evening. OK, get ready for the most expensive Syrah in Napa (Colgin?). 

"My Lord, are you sure this isn't a young Howell Mountain Cabernet?"  That was my impression on this young, young, young Monster of a wine.  Black as night with a deep purple/garnet rim, opaque and of high concentration and viscosity.  A nose of licorice, ouzo, spice, pepper, blueberry liquor and berry jam.  On the palette it was: "Angry at us for opening it, hard to drink since it was so overwhelming with tannin, Mad at us, full of cinnamon stick, like liquid licorice, finished with blackberry liquor and mineral"

A wine that needed 10 more years in the cellar before we should revisit.

Check out what the Wall Street Journal says about my Cooking Class and other great wine events:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703699204575017203742783236.html

Wines Tasted Blind in Group - Monday, January 4, 2010

 

2005 - Cape Mentelle -Shiraz - Margaret River - Western Australia - (Modern, Ager) - One look at  (certainly not thru) this wine and we see a dark opaque purple/black wine with a garnet rim.  Viscosity is very high as is concentration.  Aromas are intense and clearly Australian: Chocolate, mint, brown spice, caramel, leather, plums, blueberries, blackberry pie filling and raw coconut/coconut shell.  This wine is dry, highly tannic, moderatly acidic and highly alcoholic in the classic Aussie paradigm.  It was the tannin structure which led me away from South Australia, but not away from Shiraz!  Thick and viscous in the rich, syrupy midpalette thru to an extended finish of sweet and bitter chocolate and fig paste.

Wines Tasted Blind in Group - Monday, January 4, 2010

 

2oo8 - Schloss Gobelsburger - Kamptal - Trocken - Riesling - $18 - (Classic, Mineral Wine, Food Wine, Ager) - Well, if you love riesling and you love heavily mineral-laced wines, then pick up a few of these.  A pale straw/green wine with suspended gas and a low viscosity, yet with a slightly reserved but potentially intense nose of liquid white-rock, mineral and peach-pear-lime fruit as well as a faint hint of green herb and petrol.  On the palette is all acid, lime, tinned peach and that resounding wet mineral loop.  This doesn't compare to the layerd fruit of a Mosel, but no one would make such a mistake in blind tasting.  So if German Riesling is, "too sweet or too fruity", steer the glass in this direction, because it is in every way a, Classic Dry Austrian Riesling, just waiting for a Sausage sandwich with kraut, grilled onions and pungent mustard!

 http://www.gobelsburg.com/index.html

Wines Tasted Blind in Group - Monday, January 4, 2010

 

2006 - Domaine Lignier-Michelot - Morey Saint Denis - Vielles Vignes - Red Burgundy - $50 - (Classic, Ager, Food Wine) - A medium ruby wine with a purple/ruby rim, moderate concentration and viscosity.  Upon opening this wine reaked of dark soy-sauce and plum paste, but further decanting for 30 minutes revealed a nuanced wine of classic stock: red and black cherries, soy, blackberry, turned dark Earth and cola/birch aromas.  Acidity was nearly high, tannin was moderate+, alcohol moderate and body medium and balanced.  Finish was longish but not overtly complex.  Best if allowed to rest for 4 to 8 years.

Cave Sonoma Trip - January 5, 2010

Thanks to Thomas and the Staff at The Cave Sonoma. Great Dinner!
And Thanks to Melisa & Scott J. at Cellars of Sonoma. Great wines and great visit, I love the DuNah Sangiacomo!
100 points on my scale.

 http://www.cellarsofsonoma.com/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=78

A Chef's Guide to Wine - January 2010
Join me every Sunday at 11:00 am for my, Cooking Demonstration/Food & Wine Pairing Class. This Month's Theme: White Fish and Red Wine? Absolutely!
I'll pair our 2006 Merlot, 2006 Cab Franc & 2006 Cabernet with:
Pan Roasted Blue Nose Bass over Braised Napa Cabbage with Applewood Smoked Bacon.
Pancetta Wrapped Monkfish with Laurel Sauce.
Seared Monterey Bay Scallops and Parmesan Gnocchi with Hen of the Woods Mushrooms and Porcini Broth!

Click here: Pine Ridge Vineyards Culinary Programs

Happy New Year! 2010!!!
2005-Bodegas Sierra Salinas-Mira-Alicante-Spain-$18-(Modern, Food Wine) - A clear, deep ruby wine with a ruby rim and high concentration as well as viscosity. Boasts a clean, highly intense nose of ripe blueberry, pluot mix, cherry, chocolate and sweet baking spice and light brown sugar. Oak is mixed but sweetly aromatic. While the wine's alcohol is high(15%), it is still balanced and rich. Fully ripe fruit on the palette, with an emphasis on plum, spice and dried purple flowers. The earthy tannins are ripe, modern and sweet; the glycerols are extreme so the length of the fruit rich finish sails.
This is NOT for those of you looking for a classic old world style, though it held on happily with: Pot Roast, Parmesan roasted asparagus, carrots and salt crusted baked potato.