New Years Eve 2010

It is due time for me to elaborate on a evening that I shared with my very dear friends, it was a night of pure enjoyment, over-indulgence and complete bliss! When the usual suspects gather for food and wine, we have a tendency to always go over board as you will soon see. We usually treat each night that we spend together filled with lots of laughter, great wine and carefully thought out food preparation. This night being that it is New Years Eve we decided to do our usual but add a few more courses and do the best of the best and we all eagerly obliged, need I say more! We all gather with love and grace by our host Scott and Lynn King at their beautiful home in Olivenhain. Lynn prepared a menu that Daniel Boulud would praise and Eric Ripert would be proud of. Each couple was assigned their course by Lynn, which we prepared at our home in advance with the best and freshest ingredients. We were all responsible for pairing our course with an amazing bottle of wine, that we would be very proud to share with our friends. Hence, a night the heavens embraced the beauty of fresh produce, organic fed animals and well cured for vines that producers pick with the greatest care.

We all put our hearts into each course and had a very memorable night!

We started the evening promptly at 7pm with several bottles of Champagne; Ruinart, Blanc de Blanc, one of Champagne's oldest houses founded in 1792. The bottle is a replica of a 18th century model, the grapes are made from Grand and Premier Cru Chardonnay grapes. This is my favorite Champagne and holds so many special memories dear to my heart. Beautiful pale golden yellow in appearance; soft nose with citrus fruit and lavender; to the palate, beautiful structure, apricots and nectarines, perfect balance, beautiful. Next we popped a 1996 Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame, the prestige cuevee ofVeuve Clicquot Ponsardin . This was an amazing bottle of Champagne, Peter and I made sure we kept it very close to us until it was completely gone! The blend on this wine is predominately Pinot Noir grapes. This wine is rich with honey and vanilla custard, beautifully structured with a long finish, pure elegance.

We moved into the dining room where we enjoyed this lovely menu that Lynn carefully put together like a master piece;

Oysters Rockefeller
Jericho Canyon 2008, JVC, Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley
What an amazing Sauvignon Blanc this was, our first pairing of the night and it blew everyone away. This Producer had a long history of selling their grapes originally to Ramey, Chateau Montelena and Rudd Estate. This wine had tropical flesh, honeydew melon, bright and a very clean, delicate finish.

Cornell Caught Salmon Three Ways (fresh Salmon caught in Alaska by the chef)
King Estate 2008, Pinot Gris Signature Collection, Oregon
Another delicious gem like Oregon only does with Pinot Gris; pears, peaches, mineral and a crisp long finish, wonderful.

Cod with Mussels, Chorizo, Fried Croutons and a Saffron Mayonnaise
Weingart 2007 Bopparder Hamm Ohlenberg, Riesling Spatlese Trocken Gutsabfullung; Riesling is the great white wine in Germany, they do it the best and it is always delicious. This wine was dry, austere, orange notes with a sweet, long finish.

Lobster Mac N Cheese
Mi Sueno 2006 Chardonnay, Pugash Vineyard, Sonoma Mountain
this wine was wonderful, Mi Sueno means "My Dream" in Spanish. Rolando Herrera the owner and wine maker of this beautiful wine which I really loved, I came home and purchased a few bottles..heavy body, complex, round and luscious, beautifully balanced with a lovely finish.

We decided to take a little break and of course we paired this with something as well;
Shafer 2004, Relentless, Napa Valley
John and Dough Shafer, a father son team produce exceptional wines and are always awarded the highest accolades by wine enthusiast every year. This wine is made up of predominately Syrah grapes with a small percentage of Petite Sirah. Dark purple to the eye; with black berries, plums and figs to the nose. To the palate very round, complex with a hint of spice to the long and concentrated finish. This is a big, bold, beautiful and perfectly structured wine. We all enjoyed it and again Peter and I made sure it was well taken care of.

Pork Tenderloin with Caramelized Pears and a Pear-Brandy Cream Sauce
Gary Pisoni 2006, Pinot Noir "Pisoni Estate Vineyard", Santa Lucia Highlands
100% Pinot Noir, the most complex and compelling Pinot Noir, made in very small lots, Gary Pisoni believes wine is made in the vineyard. I must say this wine went considerably fast, after enjoying a small pour, I went for more and all the bottles were consumed. Brilliant cherry red in color, lovely nose of current, and a rich black fruit perfume, a wonderful sit and smell; rich palate, long finish lingered as smooth a velvet. Must go see Peter and Steph for more!

Toast at Midnight

Spiced Muscovy Duck Breast with Roasted Grapes and Cavello Nero with White Truffle Polenta
Chateau Grand Corbin, 1970 Grand Cru, Saint-Emilion
a beautifully aged bordeaux. Deep ruby red clear, the nose was medium open, scents of prunes and ripe cherries, tobacco and cedar. Tannins integrating well with the flavours, fresh acidity gives good intensity to a soft balanced bordeaux. Extremely lovely and very elegant.

Brown Estate Zinfandel Braised Beef Short Ribs with Tawny Port Wine Reduction, Oyster Mushrooms and Crab Potatoes
Pax 2004, Syrah, Cuvee Keltie, North Coast Sonoma
Deep ruby red in color, voluptuous nose with masses of black and red fruit with notes of chocolate. The fruit had great strength to balance with the acidity and perfectly round complex structure of this incredible wine. We sipped on this wine well into the dessert and into the night.

Red Velvet Cupcakes
Fresh Fruit
More wine

This was an over the top night, with great chefs, delicious wine and lots of laughs. Thank you for hosting another epic night Kings.....

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.