A Beautiful eveing with Friends!

On the calendar for a month, lots of preparation from our host and great anticipation from all of us, we were able to get the gang back together for a memorable night of food, wine and friendship...It never starts off innocent, we know what to expect, late night, lots of laughs, amazing wine and beautifully prepared food. The Brennan's (Peter & Stephanie) our host this evening and the Kings (Scott & Lynn) along with their friend from out of town, my husband and myself arrive to the Brennan's. Awaiting are warm hugs, big smiles, Champs and a concert that will out perform any 5 star dining experience.

Here we go....

We start the evening off with a bottle of 1998 Roederer Estate, Anderson Valley L'Ermitage. Delicious, light, hazelnut and complex. This sparkling wine from the California region, was very nice, I love Champagne and usually drink from its origin of birth but I found this to be a wonderful brut. Also out is a bottle of 2005 Black Jack Chardonnay "Black Cap Reserve", Santa Barbara County. As I was so busy sipping on the champagne, I finally did get a chance to sample this wonderful wine. Obtained from the Brennan's last trip to the Santa Barbara wine country, this is the single greatest Chardonnay by this producer. Clone 76 Dijon fruit, with a touch of vanilla, rich, concentrated, creme brulee. I found this to be a lovely wine with great character, I will find some to put in my cellar for future consumption. Our lovely host paired this with pears, blue cheese and prosciutto.

As I stood around the kitchen island, my dear friend and host, Peter pulled out a bottle of
2005 Saint-Aubin 1er Cru, Les Murgers des Dents de Chein. Knowing how much I love this wine, I was very happy to enjoy a few glasses. This wine won the wine of the evening at our last dinner party and there are many reasons why. Perfect pale yellow in color, amazing nose of pear and apple fruit, to the palate; butter flavors, smooth, elegant with a perfect mineral note with a long finish. By far a fabulous white burgundy that I will always follow and continue to enjoy. This exceptional wine paired nicely with the most delicious Petite Cheese Tarts and salmon dolloped over mini yellow potatoes.

The white burgundy was consumed in a matter of minutes, before I could look for more Peter pulled out another favorite of mine; 2006 John's Creek Chardonnay, Nickel & Nickel. Nickel & Nickel has always produced exceptional wines that are consistently good. All their wines are from a single-vineyard which takes talent and skills from the winemaker, no blending allowed to help enhance the flavor. This particular wine showed a beautiful nose of fig and apricots, to the palate; soft orange flesh, vanilla, pear with a lingering finish. Simply yummy. No time for pairing on this one, it went way to fast.

As we all are assigned our seats and sit at the dinner table with great anticipation from the parfumes in the kitchen, we get a taste of our next wine. 2005 Casa Lapostolle, Clos Apalta Colchagua Valley, Chile. This wine was voted the #1 wine of The Year by Wine Spectator. Lynn and I tasted this wine blind, we contemplated it being a Bordeaux. This wine was tight nosed out of the bottle and needed some time to develop. Once decanted the nuances changed immediately and became a different wine. This is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, sourced from the estates oldest vines in Colchagua. To the eye this wine was dark blueberry jam, to the nose; dark berry fruit, dark plum flesh, to the palate; velvety, smooth, elegant with a smoky finish. This wine can lay down for many years, simply elegant. This was paired with a Rib Roast topped with a Thyme-Mustard Jus, Potato Gorgonzola Gratin and Roasted Asparagus. I closed my eyes to savor the moment of being in heaven.

As you are learning from this group wine goes pretty quickly and it is all amazing, next to enjoy was a 2005 La Jota Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain. Howell Mountain is located on volcanic soil and deep elevations, which yields wine of great structure and intense fruit. To the color this wine was dark blueberry, the nose; rich dark fruits, cherries and a hint of smoke, on the palate; earth, minerals, with lush dark fruits on the finish. I found this wine to be amazing. As the evening evolved this wine enhanced and became softer and sexy.. I will definitely seek this wine out to lay down in my cellar.

And yet another bottle of amazing juice. 2003 Whispering Dove Stags Leap Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon. Made from some of Napa's best fruit, this is a dark concentrated Cabernet. Intense nose of blackberries and leather, tannis dominate the palate with a long finish. Such a great bottle of wine, I have no idea how Peter has saved a few bottle after all these years.

As our dessert is in the oven and the smell of vanilla fills the house we all decide to keep drinking the many bottles still lingering on the table of the La Jota and Whispering Dove. Our beautiful host, Stephanie brings everyone a homemade dessert of Vanilla Bean Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream and Caramel. This looked so amazing and the presentation was so beautiful you hated to touch it but it had to be done. The only thing I could think of that would go so perfectly with this was a Sautern. Knowing Peter like I do, he thought exactly the same thing. 2001 Les Cypres de Climens, appellation Barsac, sub-region Sauterns. Beautiful deep honey color, intense nose of vanilla, apricots, lemon curd and oranges made my palate jump for joy. Loads of flavour, very rich, great depth and very complex. Very good indeed! This paired so nicely with the Vanilla Bean cake and even on the palate made the vanilla so profound.

As we ended the evening with great gratitude and kindness towards Peter and Stephanie, I appreciated the love and attention they put into such an enjoyable evening. When you can go to your dear friends and they open their home, their cellar and spend the whole day preparing a 5 star of epicurean delights just for you, you know you are truly fortunate and this brings warmth to my heart.

Thank you for such a treasured evening!

Great Friends!

I was fortunate enough to be able to spend the weekend with my best friend of 40 years! I traveled with my eldest son to make it even more special...the occasion, a birthday celebration of a very dear friend.

Upon arrival my son and I were greeted with the warm smile and huge welcome from my best friend, as usual we immediately went to lunch. After a succulent lunch of made to order gourmet burgers, we went to our final destination for relaxation and fun, her lovely home..

The evening started off with a bottle of 2006 Flowers, Sonoma Coast Chardonnay, straw color, to the nose; vanilla and apricots, to the palate; full body, rich, structurally balanced and a nice finish.

We dined on a catered gourmet Asian inspired feast of epicurean delights. PJ's and Pinot was our theme and Fun and laughter lasted all night long.

My last evening there, my dear birthday girl decided to spoil me with one of my favorite chardonnay and one of my favorite pinot.

2006 Kistler Vineyard Chardonnay; This particular vintage scored a 96-98 and always consistently amazing. Very Burgundian in style, aromatics and texture. Golden honey color; to the palate; figs, white peach, papaya, perfectly balanced, structured, long finish. A special treat!

2006 Kost Browne, Pinot Noir 4 Barrel. Perhaps their best wine of the vintage for Kosta Browne. A very small lot, detailed to perfection and produces an amazing Pinot Noir. Now lets talk about how amazing this wine was, to the eye; dark cherry red, to the nose; dark berries, chocolate, to the palate; currants, dark berries, dark chocolate, beautifully balanced, very long finish, delicious. Pure bliss!

After this lovely wine, we rush off to Michael Jackson's, "This is It"....A perfect weekend!!

Paolo Scavino Estate

This room has the most amazing smell and feel, warm and inviting...with rows and lines of barrels filled with the most amazing juice from the Nebbiolo grape. A vision.....

Paolo Scavino Cellar

This is where many great vintages and wines over the years are stored...What an amazing cellar and definitely something to admire....

Paolo Scavino Estate

Once inside this remarkable Estate, this is the view of the courtyard, picturesque!

Paolo Scavino Estate

The great Paolo Scavino Barolo is a pleasure to collect, taste and treasure...This great estate is ran by two generations of the Scavino family. Enrico Scavino, whom followed in his fathers footsteps producing exceptional, rare and priceless wines. He has achieved great international fame with his skills and remarkable techniques. We are all so lucky and fortunate to taste and collect these structured, aromatic, elegant wines. Enrico Scavino has two daughters Enrica and Elisa Scavino whom manage and care for the Estate.

I had the great honor to meet Enrico Scavino along with his daughter Elisa Scavino at their Estate in Castiglione Falletto in Langhe. I was there with my family touring and tasting all the Great Barolo Producers of Piedmonte. Our first stop was this great Producer of Barolo. Elisa gave us an amazing tour of the Scavino Estate and we ended the tour in the tasting room. We sampled many of the great vintages and Elisa was very kind as to give us salami, cheeses and crostini to sample these amazing wines with. While we tasted we were given a rich education of the family estate, the vineyard and the soil that makes this such a reputable wine of the Barolo region and of the world. Before we left Enrico Scavino was very kind as to come and meet my family, grace us with his wonderful memories and stories of his father and working beside him on the vineyard and making this amazing juice.

Castiglione Falletto is located about 12 kilometers from Alba. There are 16 great vineyards in the municipality, all regulated by the Barolo DOCG zone. This area produces rich, structured, soft, elegant and full bodied wines. Barolo is the most important wine in Italy and praised by the world.

While I was at this great Estate, we tasted many great vintages and was also very fortunate enough to purchase some wine to bring home. Many I have laid down in my cellar to age longer and many I have had and will continue to drink now.

Now we taste; Paolo Scavino ,1999 Bric del Fiasc from Castiglione Falletto, produced since 1978 and has been a famous wine within the Enrico's great portfolio. To the color, rich garnet red with a brown hue; To the nose intense red fruits, huge fruit, tar and violets; To the Palate, raspberries, strawberries, dried currants, dark chocolate, beautifully structured and insanely delicious Barolo. This is The Fiasco Cru, a Barolo to collect, store and lay down for many years...Exceptional

Thank you to the Scavino family for making this such a treasured memory for me and my family.

Love and Napa Grapes!

Celebrating a birthday of a loved one, very close to my heart the other night, I decided to do a simple courses and of course good juice! We started the evening with a celebratory bottle of champagne (Champs); Deutz Brut Classic. This champagne is highly praised in my home and I keep it very well stocked in my cellar. This Champagne is golden honey orange, to the nose Carmel, floral notes and a slight citrus touch, to the taste peaches and apricots, well rounded, complex, perfect amount of acidity, long finish and completely elegant and delicious...By far one of my favorite Champagnes... this was paired with Lox that was finely chopped with garlic, shallots, onions, dill, creme cheese and creme fraiche, spread over small bilini bites. A perfect pairing!

Next was the classic USDA Prime rib eye steaks, twice baked potatoes and a simple butter leaf lettuce salad with avocado, heirloom tomatoes and gorgonzola dolce cheese. A family favorite dish in our home, especially on birthdays and special occasions. Now for the wine, I chose one of my favorite producers in Napa, Robert Biale Vineyard, 2005 Aldo Zinfandel. With vines planted in 1937 which lay in the Oak Knoll District. The color black purple, the nose black berry fruit, plums, cherries and the palate wants to dance, very concentrated, notes of blackberry cobbler with a perfect balance and a 30 second finish. Paired nicely with the rib eyes and aged gorgonzola cheese.

We ended the evening with a 1977 Dow's Vintage Porto. Deep plum color, big on the nose, on the palate full and round, cherries and chocolate, lots of fruit and still very much alive, lovely finish. One of the most amazing ports I have ever had.

After a very long pause, we made ice cream sundaes with 6 different Ben & Jerry's favorites! A perfect end to a lovely evening!


Salute

Weingut Brundlmayer

Tonight, salmon steaks with a dill sauce, green bean with finely chopped garlic and ginger and of course a nice bottle of wine. As I look in my cellar I am drawn to a bottle from Austria. This vineyard has received high acclaim from wine enthusiast and now lets give it a try.

2003 Weingut Brundlmayer, St. Laurent, Ried Ladner. St. Laurent is a traditional Austrian grape, very much like Pinot Noir. St. Laurent grows on a rocky soil "Ried Ladner" vineyard. This area is located in Austria, Langenlois some 70km north west of Vienna. Exceptional producer, beautiful area....Now lets talk about the juice; medium ruby red in color; nose is fruity, dark cherries and plums with a touch of earth; palate is light, earthy, mineral finish and a very long finish, austere with a touch of red cherries, had a slight bitter taste which I loved, perfectly balanced and very lovely. Paired perfectly with our salmon, another perfect evening.

Morlet Family Vineyards

I had the most incredible white wine with friends the other night. We all decided to go out to dinner and instead of ordering wine of the menu, we thought it would be fun to bring in a special wine from our cellars. A very good friend, whom also has the great love of finding interesting wines, learning about them and trying new blends, was in Napa tasting and found this unique white wine!

La Proportion Doree from Sonoma County. This wine is perfectly proportioned of 65% Semillon, 33% Sauvignon Blanc and 2% Muscadelle, a blend of three classic white Bordeaux varietals. The grapes are 50 to over 100 year old vines. Once opened and poured into my glass you could not help notice the beautiful color of soft yellow apricots. The nose was incredible; figs, straw, a variety of melons, oranges and floral notes. I held the perfumes of this wine under my nose with my eyes closed for at least 60seconds, mesmerized by this beautiful bouquet. Once on the palate, honeydew, citrus, perfectly balanced, complex and very elegant. This was a very delicious wine, the varietal of grapes and the integrated beauty made this wine a must buy for my cellar!! Seek this wine out and try it, I could not get enough!

1970 Chateau Grand Corbin

As I spent 5 hours braising my lamb shanks, per Daniel Boulud style. I went in my cellar to determine which wine would taste delicious paired with this rich dish...The outcome, a lovely Bordeaux; 1970 Chateau Grand Corbin Grand Cru Classe. Located in the northern part of the Saint-Emilion commune close to Pomerol. This wine has been produced since the 19Th century.
As I poured this Bordeaux into our glass I could not help notice the color of dark cherries still vibrant after all these years. Perfumes of dark plums, ripe fruit a and a touch of "terroir". Exceptional on the palate, long finish, beautifully balanced Bordeaux. Evolved over the course of the night and kept getting better and better!! Perfect pairing, enjoyed this wine immensely. Glad I have 6 more to lay down and open thru out the years.

A New Age!

My Birthday!

As I stare outside at the moon, clouds and the beautiful climate, I await 12:01am, where I turn a new age, contemplate what it all means and how much good juice did I consume! To my recolation I can attest t00 many occasions where I shared amazing and unforgettable memories of wine and company....But I can think of three occasions where it really stands out!

I was invited as a guest from a very dear friend of my fathers to join a tasting at Spagos. Vieux Chateau Certan was the producer and I tasted the vintages of 1986 to 2006. A very memorable evening, meeting friends from the past that use to come to our home for amazing wine tastings in my Fathers cellar, to the best Epicurean delights from Wolfgang Puck, hands on in the kitchen...this was a special night for me and I will treasure it always!

Second, as it always ends up, my family..1970 Chateau Grand Corbin Grand Cru. Started off rather innocent with Champs leading the evening and ending up with this fruity, perfectly structured St. Emilion wine that took my breath away....Showed off many different characteristics thru the evening and always kept us wanting more...We had a slow cooked pork with it, where no knife was needed, a Beautiful evening!..

Third, Thanksgiving last October! It was a "family affair", my sister and family, my brother and family along with my husband and children...It was a 5 day feast of culinary delights and wines from all the Grand Cru and their friends. My brother and his wife have a lovely home upper state NY. We gather there with the children and really enjoy cooking, picking out wines from their amazing cellar and each others company... I am very fortunate to have such amazing family, in my life to share these amazing times...Looking back this vacation really stands out!!! We opened up all these wines over a course of five days and experienced so many different Producers and vintages....A very special time and very generous of our host....Thank you!
1989 Echezeaux Grand Cru, Mugneret-Gibourg, Vosne-Romanee. 1998 Guvee-Marie Beurrier Bonneau & Fils, Chateauneuf-Du-Pape.
1966 Chateau Mouton Rothschild. 1988 Chateau Mouton Rothschild. 1988 Grand Vin de Chateau Latour. 1988 Hermitage LaChapelle, Paul Jaboulet Aine. 1990 Chateau de Beaucastel, Chateauneuf du Pape. 1978 La Spinona Barbaresco. Berutti Pietro. Such amazing wine, very special time...

Now that it is 12:07am, I wish myself Happy Birthday and look back on a year of special family times, great experiences and to a beautiful life. Thank you to all that make it special, this is me, my world and my life!

Cheers!

1947 Chateau Cheval Blanc

The cork, 1947 Chateau Cheval Blanc

Champagne Deutz Brut Classic

The pop of Champagne (Champs) is always such a lovely sound and such a great way to start any occasion! I like to try new Champagne from all the great houses in France, not mainstream marketed but hidden gems that you must seek out. It's fun and a educational process as well...

One of the oldest producers is Deutz, Deutz has been produced by five generations of the same family since 1838. Deutz Brut Classic owes its remarkable taste to a blend of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay grapes...They are collected from Montagne de Reims and villages around Epernay.

This Champagne is golden honey orange, to the nose Carmel, floral notes and a slight citrus touch, to the taste peaches and apricots, well rounded, complex, perfect amount of acidity, long finish and completely elegant and delicious...By far one of my favorite Champagnes...

The price point is under $40, which is an exceptional value given the pedigree...Once you seek it out and try this incredible Champagne, I know you will agree..........this will pop on Champs night!

Cheers

1953 Chateau La Mission Haut Brion

My Birthday Family Celebration!

The evening started with the family gathering around the kitchen island with our favorite starter, Champagne (Champs)! As we popped a bottle of 1996 Dom Perignon Champagne, we looked around at each other with big smiles, enjoying the effort everyone took to fly in from around the world to be together on this special day, my Birthday! The 1996 Dom Perignon Champagne was a honey apricot color; to the nose hints of orange; to the palate candied fruit, perfect balance, great acidity, pure heaven.. This paired nicely with a Duck Roulette..

Our next course which is simple to make, beautiful to the eyes and very good is, Glazed Scallops and Capers in a Madeira Glaze reduction...Gray Kunz does an amazing job with this dish...We continued with the 1996 Dom Perignon Champagne with this dish.

As we all enjoyed in good conversation and enjoyed watching all the children play together, we took a little break to prepare for our next course...It was of great pleasure and enjoyment to open a bottle of 1975 Grand Vin de Chateau LaTour, Pauillac, Bordeaux...while we BBQ'd! Amazing bottle, beautiful garnet red with a hint of brown in color, cranberries, black cherries, smoke and perfectly well balanced, great structure...Could lay down another 50 years.... this went fairly quickly and we were ready to move back into the dining room to enjoy our next pairing....

Our next wine considered the most famous wine in the world, the most sought after and "a happy accident of nature", was next! A wine that the world of connoisseurs wait their whole lives to taste; 1947 Chateau Cheval Blanc, St. Emilion Grand Cru.
First Growth, 1947 Cheval Blanc is the most celebrated wine in the world and considered the best wine ever made..Cheval Blanc dates back to the 1830's, located on the right bank of Gironde, France, Merlot country. Mis en bouteille au Chateau, only one owner, original and it showed off for us this evening! The cork gave a struggle, like it wanted to continue to be preserved for a lifetime, stay a time capsule filled with the power of perfection.... Once it finally gave up with the determination of my brother working diligently to pull the cork out...we poured it into a decanter admiring the beautiful dark plum color...We immediately poured this rare once in a lifetime wine into our glasses...(No decanting and waiting hours, we drink the wine once opened and enjoy the experience immediately, evaluating the wine from the first pour and evolve with it thru out the evening....a pattern I do follow) Once poured into our glasses you see a touch of brown around the edges, age, maturity, a gift of pure love. The nose, OH the nose!!!! Perfumes of life begin to materialize, dried raisins, chocolate and prunes. Now the palate was ready to explore and experience this extraordinary moment in time...Deep concentrated port like, complex, well rounded, perfection, long enticing finish. As the evening progressed and the wine evolved and breathed, you could not help but enjoy all the different characteristics and nuances this wine had to offer...I decided to sit with my eyes closed, swirling this amazing liquid on my palate and saying Happy Birthday to myself while savoring the moment in time that will always be one of the best wines I have ever experience in my lifetime....

Could there possibly be more after The Cheval Blanc, do we really continue?....Anyone that knows my family, knows the answer is YES! Next to be opened was the 1953 Chateau Mission Haut Brion Grand Cru, Pessac Leognan. From the Graves region, named after the gravelly terroir which is a distinctive trait for this First Growth beauty. One of the oldest and longest established regions of Bordeaux. Once opened again with a slight hesitation of wanting to reward us with its grace and charm, we poured and began the process of pleasure. A beautiful ruby, garnet color, with a touch of chocolate. Huge nose and very aromatic for such a mature wine. To the palate sweet, delicate, dark fruit and a touch of earth to give it the stamp of approval from which it came, the Gravel soil....Complete divine, long finish and utterly enticing.
This paired nicely with an amazing assortment of hard and soft cheeses, especially Rogue River blue.

I know what you are thinking, is there more? Again this is my family and we can go on forever...A proper birthday dinner for me would never be complete without my favorite dish..Seared Foie Gras and this time we did it over a seared pineapple...Decadent and superb to put it mildly...Of course this was paired with its proper partner a Sauterns. 1967 Chateau Sigalas Rabaud Premier Cru. Dessert, sweet, butterscotch, creme brulee, and perfectly balanced. The color was a beautiful orange- apricot. This Sauternes had a long finish and did it ever pair nicely with the Foie Gras, specially flown in from Hudson Valley..Young and fabulous and still could lay down for more time....67!

An orchestrated night, filled with love, priceless memories and family....

Grazie Mille

1947 Chateau Cheval Blanc

2005 Pago Florentino- Great Juice, Nice Price Point!

Over dinner last night we had the most remarkable wine...

2005 Pago Florentino, Tinto...From La Mancha , Spain, 100% Tempranillo grape..
This wine was blueberry garnet, poured like a dream, the nose was full of bouquet and perfumes, wild strawberries, black cherries, homemade jam, blueberries and a touch of chocolate, the taste, well, this wine blew us away....loads of flavor, perfectly balanced and enough tannin to give it a nice backbone.... exceptional....

Easy to find and at a great price point under $20!

1990 Amorone Classico Bolla

1969 Echezeaux Grand Cru

1990 Pommard Clos Des Epineaux

2004 Condrieu Coteau de Vernon

A Birthday Celebration for Dad!

We are in Bordighera, Italy on the beautiful Riviera! My Father is celebrating his birthday and we thought there is no better place to do it than his home in Italy, with our family, food and wine, during Tartufi season, need I say more....

Antipasti
It began like every other family get together, Champagne (Champs) is popped and the celebration and feast begins...We started the evening with 1996 Salon Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne; 100% chardonnay and complete heaven! Beautiful nose of apples, good citrus notes, to the taste creme brulee, nice minerals and pure elegance... this could lay down for another 30 years! This was paired very nicely with Caviar on small golden potatoes, fried mussels and fried sage...a perfect balance to assist the palate with such a lovely champagne!

Primi Piatti
We happily sit down to began our next pairing; A beautiful assortment of large and small gamberoni over seasonal sauteed vegetable. This paired nicely with the sweet and nicely balanced 2000 Tokaji Aszu 5 Puttonyos, Prince Laszlo. Being that I love Sauternes, this is another favorite of mine. Deep orange brown color, to the nose caramel and raisins, to the taste, well that is the great pleasure of describing, rich, thick and delicious, high acidity, sweet but with a perfect balance...

For our next course, which happens to be my favorite dish, along with my Fathers...this is one of those dishes you have and wish that it could be a staple in your life everyday...Foie Gras de Canard with Chocolate Mole and Figs. We paired this nicely with 1989 Chateau Guiraud Sauternes. Golden yellow color; to the nose flowers and honey; to the taste figs, raisins, marmalade and the distinct taste of botrytis.

We had a long pause, to digest and reflect on the amazing juice we had just consumed...could there be more...With Robinson's,,,,yes!

Secundi Piatti
Scallops with Black Truffles was paired very lovely with; 2004 Condrieu Coteau de Vernon Georges Vernay. Full of body, to the taste completely balanced and held up nicely with the truffles.

Finale
Another favorite of mine and this came out to perfection...My brother cooked it on the stove with butter and olive oil and it seared very nicely....Filet Mignon con Tartufi Neri, Filet Mignon with Black Truffles....Oh to be in Italy, in October during Tartufi season...! We paired this with a 1969 Echezeaux Grand Cru, Leroy....Lovely garnet red, to the nose, big and big, raspberries, plums and figs, to the taste, perfect balance loads of fruit still after all these years...perfect pairing..

We had an amazing evening, loved each dish and enjoyed all the fine juice we were able to experience....We ended the evening looking at the stars, smelling the fresh ocean air and toasting to an incredible Father on his birthday....1990 Amorone Classico DOC ended the night....

Buona Notte

A Great Pairing Night Photo!

dinner3.jpg (JPEG Image, 1600x1145 pixels) - Scaled (71%)

A great pairing night!

As I stood around the kitchen island with my family and enjoyed our first bottle for the evening of Perrier-Jouet Champagne. A blend of chardonnay and Pinot Noirs full fruit notes with a hint of honey was a great way to start our culinary adventure...this was paired nicely with chicken livers wrapped in Nieman Ranch Apple Smoked bacon along with dates also wrapped with the same bacon..Both broiled in the oven just long enough to give it a nice crisp taste...

Our second pairing was a 1995 Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru, Domaine Leflaive. 1995 vintage scored consistently 93-100 points, epic year. We opened this wine and tasted it right out of the bottle, as we do all our wines and let it evolve and change thru out the evening...A beautiful gold yellow in color, tight nosed at first and then it really opened up, deep minerals and floral perfume notes, fantastic length. An amazing white burgundy and a very special treat!
We paired this with a Foie Gras pate, complete bliss...

We decided to move into the dining room where we started with a 2002 Colgin, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tychson Hill Vineyard. A very new wine on the block that has scored 95-100 points for the past 5 out of 6 vintages. This particular vintage scored 96 points and is VERY hard to come by...Thank you to my special guest! A little history here, Ann Colfin purchased a five acre parcel north of St. Helena. The property once belonged to Josephine Tychson, documented as the first woman winemaker in California. The 2000 vintage being the first bottling of Colgin Tychson Hill Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. Now lets talk about the wine, as customary we opened the wine and tasted it right out of the bottle...The color deep ruby red, the nose huge hints of cherries, blueberries and raspberries, very big and inviting...covered my palate with berries and a slight hint of plums. Many layers of depths unfolded thru the course of the evening, silky, soft and a big impression as it lingered on my palate....I expect this wine to lay down for another 15-20 years...
This wine was paired with a Roasted leg of lamb, stuffed with garlic, rosemary and shallots in a red wine reduction. A perfect pairing for such a tremendous and truly delicious wine.

I was fortunate enough to acquire a case of 1983 Chateau Lynch Bages Grand Cru, Pauillac, our next wine pairing...This is such an elegant wine. Again, opened and tasted right out of the bottle as to enjoy its life and changes....dark red with a browning rim, tight nosed at first but with some time opened up to be very lovely. To the smell, currants, prunes and dried fruits gave this wine an inviting lure. On my palate deep fruit with a perfect balance of tannin, silky and velvety with a long finish. A classic Bordeaux, truly fantastic.
This wine was paired with Gorgonzola Dolce, Roaring Forties Blue and Camembert Le Chatelain Cheeses....Delicious!

Our last and final pairing for the evening was Sauternes and dessert. Being the chocolate lover that I am I always try to end a perfect evening with chocolate....I learned from my Father a simple and very decadent recipe for Chocolate Souffle...the key is to use Valrhona Chocolate, Extra Bittersweet 86% Cocoa. This dessert paired very lovely with a 1975 Rieussec Grand Cru Sauternes. Since I was very young, growing up in a home where my father was a very well respected and highly regarded wine collector, I always considered Sauternes to be the juice of the gods...Today I do my best to keep my cellar stocked with Sauternes. Now lets talk about the juice; A honey gold color, enticing nose of pears, caramel, oranges, apricots, to the taste; very rich and concentrated, sweet and full of life and flavor, perfect!

Now that it is very late, I will retire knowing that I tasted and enjoyed some amazing and unforgettable wines....Such a nice way to end the day.....Buona Notte!

Until next time....

Barolo and Pork

Before we went to sleep Tuesday morning at 1230am, we followed The River Cottage Meat Cookbook of a Slow Cooked 8lb Pork shoulder. This was placed in the oven with a simple rub of anise pods, fennel seeds, cinnamon stick, garlic cloves, black pepper corn, brown sugar, fresh ground ginger, soy sauce, garlic cloves and sea salt...Tucked in with a hug and kiss at a temperature of 250 for 19hours to cook ever so slowly..... The smell in the house over night was amazing, I did my best not to get up and take a bite...

The pork shoulder was accompanied with sweet potato fries and a simple slaw....The Pork being at center stage sat lovely in the middle of the table...no need for a knife as with a slight touch with a fork the pork fell off the bone and melted in my mouth....

This aromatic and succulent dinner was paired with a;
2001 Barolo Rocche Marcenasco by Renato Ratti. Barolo is the absolute master, it conquers the palate with the conviction of strength, harmony and fullness. This wine had a beautiful nose, lovely balance of tannin, slight strawberry and plum taste, long finish and held up nicely to this big pork dish.....The vineyard of Rocche is historically considered the most important of the Marcenasco sub zone...Located in La Morra, Piedmont in Italy. The average age of the vines are 50 years old, longevity of the wine once bottled is 18-30 years, sometimes more and produces 6200 bottles....

Barolo Rocche Marcenasco by Renato Ratti and Pork....a beautiful slow movement night!
Stay tuned for our next tastings