Valentines night. What are you drinking and eating?

WINE TALK
1

What are you guys doing tonight?

Kimberly and I went to Restaurant 301 at the Carter House in Eureka last night. The food was outstanding and staying in their B&B across the street was a real pleasure. After a five course meal, we closed the place down and shared the last of an 94 Heitz Cab with the chef- good times

92 Chapoutier Hermitage Blanc- strong petrol aromas and only showing hints of citrus- on it’s last legs
05 Suhr Luchtel PN Gary’s- tight and young, showing tart raspberry, red cherry, maple and cedar- needs time
94 Heitz Cabernet, Napa- juniper berry and cedar on the nose with celery seed, dusty plum and some dried cherry flavors, long and rich with resolved dusty tannins- very nice

2

We knocked down a 1990 Krug at Marshall’s Store on Tomales Bay and then knocked down a 2007 Peay Estate Chardonnay on the drive home. Next up prime age NY Strips and something good…

3

NV Dom. Chandon Rose followed by 2006 Stolpman Syrah Estate, top loin (NY Strip) roast, gratin dauphinois and roasted Brussels sprouts.

4

With Meatloaf-celebrating life as empty-nesters (hey…we even took in the Al Stewart concert last nite here in West LA…alright…the early show [thumbs-up.gif] ).

Holdredge 2004 Dry Creek Zin-killer juice, showing John’s feminista side. Elegant, but still all there. flirtysmile

Novy 2003 Syrah-Sonoma Cty-15.7% abv is showing it’s ugly nose, prolly as the fruit recedes.

5

Just popped an 06 Pahlmeyer Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir.

Haven’t made a decision on dinner or the wine. I’ve already been informed dinner will NOT be Macaroni & Cheese.

6

Scotch.

7

This Pahlmeyer had as much bite as my Dewars when we first opened it. This puppy needs some time. After 15 minutes the fruit is just coming forward. Carrie is reading some CT notes to guide us through the “Tasting & Research” on this wine.

8

Lamb sausage with broccoli rabe and potatoes paired with a very enjoyable 2007 Stefania Cab Uvas Creek.

9

Grilling some organic, grass fed, fillets and zucchini, with home grown yukon gold potatoes drizzled with Olive Oil. Going for another Heitz Cab tonight- the 05 this time- yeah I know, too soon- whatever. I like it all.

10

Finished off a bottle of Glenlivet 15 french oak tonight (didn’t drink whole bottle tonight)

11

Starting with a little NV Ruinart Blanc de Blancs. Then some pinot with a homemade spinach and goat cheese fritatta. Thank you Deborah Madison.

12

Making a Beef Short Rib Dinner…haven’t tried the recipe before: odd concoction of ingredients including wine, stewed tomatoes, celery, chili powder, worcestershire sauce and lemon juice. I’m not kidding…but it smells good simmering away on the stove top!

Pop and pour: 97 Togni–Cabernet with minerality, gravitas, substance and structure without the spoof. Only the faintest hint of greenness to this wine, excellent balance and ripping, chewy tannins. Very, very good and real glad I have the balance of a full case left of this beauty.

Other recent TNs:

  1. Donabaum Gruner Veltliner Spitzer Point Smaragd 97: odd bit of fizz in the wine, settled down a bit with aeration. Sweetish, slightly cloying, lacks acid and focus. Pleasant enough, but I’ll stick to my other Austrian faves when possible…

  2. 02 Leroy Meursault (Maison): awfully pretty lemony Chard with decent acid; slightly hollow mid palate but enough verve to hold interest. Good, not great.

  3. 96 Daniel Rion VR Beaux Monts: Ripe, rich nose with round broad notes. Distinctly Burgundy, but not distinctly Vosne. Somewhat coarse, lacks finesse. Oak seems to stick out a little more than desired. Good, not great.

4.95 Vieux Tele Cdp: ironically tasted twice in the past 7 days, at separate events. 1st bottle was somewhat austere, with structure dominating the fruit. Garrique to my point of tolerance, but not beyond. Nice length and went well with roasted Turkey sandwich. 2nd bottle was considerably better, with an abundance of fruit to dominate the garrique which played a nice supporting role; good tannic frame and several years to go. Neither bottle showed that Grenache sweetness I love in aged CdP, but still very solid wine.

13

Brought in Thai last night with a 2004 Mitolo Shiraz “Reiver”. The food was pretty good, and the wine really opened up.

Tonight I made Filets, mushroom and pea risotto and a nice organic salad. We opened a 2004 Sea Smoke Ten. It is rocking right now, but showing some interesting green streaks that I’ve never experienced with their wines. I’m digging it. As a side note, I was feeling generous so after I had portiones the steaks for the two of us and our daughter, we had a bit left which I cut up for Vinnie, the trusty Australian Shepherd, he threw up all over the rug almost immediately after he ate. I would take it personally, but everyone else enjoyed them.

The adventures of two people, two kids under two and a dog on valentines day.

14

Had this sparkling wine from Burgundy this afternoon for Valentine’s Day -Simonnet-Febvre Crémant de Bourgogne Brut.-Not bad for $14 and was excellent with camembert cheese, apples, and toasted almonds.

15

The adventures of two people, two kids under two and a dog on valentines day.[/quote]


That’s awesome, we always called it dinner theatre. Kids and animals are good entertainment!

16

Billecart-Salmon NV Rose, Carlisle Bennett Valley 2005 Syrah (some of this went into the Portobello mushroom reduction sauce), Flannery NY Strip (Helluva Deal), 2001 Egelhoff Cabernet Sauvignon, 2000 Fonseca VP. Not bad.

17

My darling wife is in Florida for business. So, I dined with my 5 yr old son. We had pizza. I had wine, he had milk. I made a sort of chunky sauce out of sauteed red pepper and shallots, mixed in some kalamata olives and topped it off with some goat cheese and grilled, marinated leg of lamb chunks. It was really good with a particularly fine 1998 Guigal Hermitage. A little leather, olives, smoke and poop on the nose with juicy, sweet fruit on the palate and plenty of finishing acidity to balance. Had a bottle of the same awhile back and it was a maderized, alcoholic mess. Better luck this time!

David [drinkers.gif]

18

Behrens & Hitchcock, 2004 Farewell (to Beckstoffer) Cuvee. Decanted at the restaurant (Leila’s) and went great with Wagau Steak and truffed potatoes.

Amazing dinner, amazing company (the wife), and a truly great wine.

19

VD is also my wife’s birthday, so I splurged with:

05 Aubert Lauren Chard
99 Shafer HSS

at our favorite local BYOB.

20

We opened up our 07 cabs (as a progress check):

  • Stagecoach Vineyard
  • Seventy Four - Forty One Napa Valley

Karen