Our monthly wino's gathering theme was Zinfandels, Primotivo's. Champagnes, Sparkings & Rose's. Weather cooperated and the day was not to hot. Nothing like high alcohol wines and heat. Started at 3:00 and the host is still setting up at 3:30. I have never been able to understand this concept. I tasted about 5 of the Zinfandels and they were good. The one Rose that was brought I was not a fan of but all the sparklings were good. Appetizers were very good. I filled up on them as the host is known for over cooking the meat until it is so dry I can't eat it. So what ever was on the table for the main course I bypassed on. Good company and enjoyed myself. But left at a reasonable hour as I have had quite the week.
Sunday, August 25, 2013
German Wines and Dinner at Delius
Friday, August 24, 2013 - Rudi Weist Imports was rep'd by Allie who brought her daughter along. Allie's daughter is studying agriculture at SLO University and wants to be a winemaker She has already interned at a winery in Germany and for Saxum in Paso Robles. Nice to have a mother with connections. So it was the three of us a the table. Sold out dinner. As usual the food was great. I found no fault with any of the dishes or wine pairings. The red wine that was served with the lamb was a Caberent / Dornfelder blend. Drinking it on its own would not be my thing but it blossomed with the food.
We started out with a glass of 2011 von Buhl Riesling Sekt Brut. Nice pours when you sit with the rep.
First course was a Squash and Carmelized Onion Ravioli, house made Ricotta stuffed Squash Blossom over a Corn Pudding. My favorite of the evening. wine was a 2011 Schloss Lieser Estate Riesling, Medium dry. Absolutely perfect pairing.
Next was Braised Pork Cheek with Trio of Baled Farm Apples, Celery and Fennel. The pork cheek melted in your mouth. Paired with a 2009 Reinhold Haart Piesporter Goldtropchen Riesling Kabinett.
Third Course: Fried Oysters, Green Curry Aioli - my second favorite dish. Oysters were fried perfectly and soft and succulent. Wine was a 2011 Monchhof Mosel Slate Riesling Spatlese. Again a perfect pairing.
Main Course served was a Leg of Lamb Stuffed With Farm Root Vegetables and Chimichurri. Served with a 2009 Becker Red Wine Cuvee "Guillaume"
Dessert was a Rumtopf - traditional rum pot dessert. Excellent.
We started out with a glass of 2011 von Buhl Riesling Sekt Brut. Nice pours when you sit with the rep.
First course was a Squash and Carmelized Onion Ravioli, house made Ricotta stuffed Squash Blossom over a Corn Pudding. My favorite of the evening. wine was a 2011 Schloss Lieser Estate Riesling, Medium dry. Absolutely perfect pairing.
Next was Braised Pork Cheek with Trio of Baled Farm Apples, Celery and Fennel. The pork cheek melted in your mouth. Paired with a 2009 Reinhold Haart Piesporter Goldtropchen Riesling Kabinett.
Third Course: Fried Oysters, Green Curry Aioli - my second favorite dish. Oysters were fried perfectly and soft and succulent. Wine was a 2011 Monchhof Mosel Slate Riesling Spatlese. Again a perfect pairing.
Main Course served was a Leg of Lamb Stuffed With Farm Root Vegetables and Chimichurri. Served with a 2009 Becker Red Wine Cuvee "Guillaume"
Dessert was a Rumtopf - traditional rum pot dessert. Excellent.
Clos Pepe Open House and Barrel Sampling
Sunday, August 18, 2013 - Arrived at the Clos Pepe Vineyards for their annual open house and to pick up wines I ordered last year and place my new order for pickup in 2014. They put out their grand cheese spread. All cheeses from the Beverly Hills Cheese Company. Tasted all the new releases and some Library wines. Again numerous people that I knew were in attendance.
Loaded my wines and headed across Hwy 246 to Huber Vineyards to visit with Norman & Traudl. Found out they will be leasing their vineyards to Pali Wines and slowly start retiring. They are a great couple but unfortunately none of their children or grand children are interested in the wine business. Spent some time with them and Norman showed be a beautiful hand carved Black Forest wood clock in the house along with a very old desk he is refinishing. Beautiful work. Norman was brought over to restore all the woodwork on the Queen Mary when it was brought into Long Beach. They are selling the few remaining cases of 2009 Huber Pinot Noir for $210 a case. Bought one and probably should have brought 2 cases.
Left the Huber's and continued to Buellton to attend Loring/Cragasacchi open house at their new tasting room next to the Hitching Post restaurant. They had a Taco stand for the day and some of the best taco's I have had in awhile, The lady was hand making the tortillas, patting them in her hand and they were perfect rounds. Sat down and had 3 tacos and a Coca Cola in a GLASS bottle. They do taste different between glass and cans.
Picked yo my wine I had ordered earlier in the year and headed back to Lompoc. Have to drive back on Monday morning.
Loaded my wines and headed across Hwy 246 to Huber Vineyards to visit with Norman & Traudl. Found out they will be leasing their vineyards to Pali Wines and slowly start retiring. They are a great couple but unfortunately none of their children or grand children are interested in the wine business. Spent some time with them and Norman showed be a beautiful hand carved Black Forest wood clock in the house along with a very old desk he is refinishing. Beautiful work. Norman was brought over to restore all the woodwork on the Queen Mary when it was brought into Long Beach. They are selling the few remaining cases of 2009 Huber Pinot Noir for $210 a case. Bought one and probably should have brought 2 cases.
Left the Huber's and continued to Buellton to attend Loring/Cragasacchi open house at their new tasting room next to the Hitching Post restaurant. They had a Taco stand for the day and some of the best taco's I have had in awhile, The lady was hand making the tortillas, patting them in her hand and they were perfect rounds. Sat down and had 3 tacos and a Coca Cola in a GLASS bottle. They do taste different between glass and cans.
Picked yo my wine I had ordered earlier in the year and headed back to Lompoc. Have to drive back on Monday morning.
2013 Wine & Fire Grand Tasting
After checking into my hotel, I left to attend the Grand Tasting at the La Purisima Mission. 40 wineries and 10 restaurants. Saw numerous people I knew from LA & Orange county. Wino's show up everywhere. I only tasted approximately 15 wineries. This is wine overload and you are better off picking and choosing. I try to taste new wineries that I am not familiar with. Kita Wines was one of them, This is an endeavor by the Chumash Indians and I found their wines quite pleasing. Its really hard to find a bad wine in this area. After wandering for several hours and enjoying the perfect weather that nature has given me this weekend. I headed by to my room. After all I have a big day tomorrow.
2013 Wine & Fire Symposium
Saturday, August 17 left OC about 6:10 and with a great drive, no traffic but lots of fog arrived in Buellton about 8:50. Gassed the car up - only took 6 gallons to get here and headed to Ellen's for breakfast. Ellen's was packed so decided to try Coco's . It has been closed down, I need to be at Hillard Bruce Winery by 10:00 for a seminar on "The Treasures of The Sta. Rita Hills", so I hit Carl's Jr for a breakfast sandwich. Sure missed the biscuits and gravy at Ellen's. I was so looking forward to it. Only time I order it because the dish is really not very good for the body. But it sure does taste good as does most things you shouldn't eat.
Headed down 246 towards Lompoc and got to Hillard Bruce about 9:50. Tables for lunch were set up on the circular driveway and the tent covered the huge patio area in front of the house (which is huge also). After a few minutes of cahos (which happens most times with volunteers) we were allowed to go in a be seated. Sat in the front row facing the panelist's first seminar was on Chardonnay. Josh Raynolds of Stephan Tanzer's International Wine Cellar was the moderator. Steve Clifton talked about Sweeney Canyon Vineyard, Ken Brown had Rita's Crown Vineyard, Rancho El Jabli was represented by Richard Sanford. These three were talking about what the call the "Santa Rosa" corridor of the Sta. Rita Hills. Next we had the Sta Rita Hwy 246 corridor represented by John Hillard of Hillard Bruce Vineyard, Leslie Mead Renauld of Foley Winery and Antonio Moretti of Moretti Wines. We tasted the 2010 Sweeney Canyon Chardonnay, 2011 Rita's Crown Chardonnay, 2011 Alma Rosa, El Jabali Chardonnay, 2010 Hillard Bruce Chardonnay, 2011 T Anchor Chardonnay and the 2011 3-D Vineyard Chardonnay,
Took a small break and listen to Wes Hagen give a talk about the soil in the region and how it affects the great wine that is made in the Sta. Rita Hills. Then came back in the start the Pinot Noir segment of the seminar. The Santa Rosa Corridor was represented by Brandon Sparks-Gilles of Dragonette talking about the Cargasacchi Vineyard, Kris Curran of D'Alfonso Curran speaking about the Rancho LaVina Vneyards, and Norm Yost of Flying Goat representing Rio Vista Vineyards, The Sta. Rita 246 Corridor had Kimberly Smith of La Montagne spoke about the Kessler-Hawk Vineyard, Clos Pepe Vineyard was represented by Adam Lee of Siduri and Bill Wathen of Foxen was last with the Sabastiano Vineyard.
The seminars were informative and very casual. Question and answer time followed each seminar. I could have stayed a few more hours just listening to the panelists. We then went outside to have lunch catered by the Hitching Post Restaurant. I grabbed a seat with an umbrella over the table. Ended up sitting with Nikki of Liquid Farms, Adam Lee of Siduri and Wes Hagen of Clos Pepe. Not bad company top share lunch with. The wines poured freely and I had to really watch my consumption. After all we have the big tasting tonight
Headed down 246 towards Lompoc and got to Hillard Bruce about 9:50. Tables for lunch were set up on the circular driveway and the tent covered the huge patio area in front of the house (which is huge also). After a few minutes of cahos (which happens most times with volunteers) we were allowed to go in a be seated. Sat in the front row facing the panelist's first seminar was on Chardonnay. Josh Raynolds of Stephan Tanzer's International Wine Cellar was the moderator. Steve Clifton talked about Sweeney Canyon Vineyard, Ken Brown had Rita's Crown Vineyard, Rancho El Jabli was represented by Richard Sanford. These three were talking about what the call the "Santa Rosa" corridor of the Sta. Rita Hills. Next we had the Sta Rita Hwy 246 corridor represented by John Hillard of Hillard Bruce Vineyard, Leslie Mead Renauld of Foley Winery and Antonio Moretti of Moretti Wines. We tasted the 2010 Sweeney Canyon Chardonnay, 2011 Rita's Crown Chardonnay, 2011 Alma Rosa, El Jabali Chardonnay, 2010 Hillard Bruce Chardonnay, 2011 T Anchor Chardonnay and the 2011 3-D Vineyard Chardonnay,
Took a small break and listen to Wes Hagen give a talk about the soil in the region and how it affects the great wine that is made in the Sta. Rita Hills. Then came back in the start the Pinot Noir segment of the seminar. The Santa Rosa Corridor was represented by Brandon Sparks-Gilles of Dragonette talking about the Cargasacchi Vineyard, Kris Curran of D'Alfonso Curran speaking about the Rancho LaVina Vneyards, and Norm Yost of Flying Goat representing Rio Vista Vineyards, The Sta. Rita 246 Corridor had Kimberly Smith of La Montagne spoke about the Kessler-Hawk Vineyard, Clos Pepe Vineyard was represented by Adam Lee of Siduri and Bill Wathen of Foxen was last with the Sabastiano Vineyard.
The seminars were informative and very casual. Question and answer time followed each seminar. I could have stayed a few more hours just listening to the panelists. We then went outside to have lunch catered by the Hitching Post Restaurant. I grabbed a seat with an umbrella over the table. Ended up sitting with Nikki of Liquid Farms, Adam Lee of Siduri and Wes Hagen of Clos Pepe. Not bad company top share lunch with. The wines poured freely and I had to really watch my consumption. After all we have the big tasting tonight
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Williams Selyem Part 2
Saturday. August 3, 2013
This is the second part of a Williams Selyem wine tasting. Part 1 last year which was a vertical of the wines left 2 magnums not opened. So "tonight is the night because I have been saving all my wines for you". This tasting was in a private home and limited to a total of 12 people. A different mix from last year. 5 of us from last year and 7 new faces at the table. Dining tonight was "al fresco". Weather was good and the area enclosed so the ocean breeze did not bother you. I went over a few hours early to help with the food prep and set up.
We started out with an appetizer plate that consisted of 3 cheese, Asiago, Comte & Rubusto, fresh mango, Kettle Honey Dijon chips, Puff pastry filled with Brie, walnuts and honey and seared Wasabi encrusted Ahi with citrus soy sauce. The wine was a 2008 Drake Estate Vineyard, Blanc de Blanc (100% Pinot). Only sold at the winery to allocation members only. Williams Seylem is a closed winery and open by appointment to members only.
Second course was a Scallop Crudo and Thai Lime Shrimp. Paired with a 2011 Limestone Ridge, Vista Verde Vineyard Chenin Blanc.
Entree plate was Grilled Wild Salmon, Lamb Stew, Truffle infused Mashed Potatoes with Rosemary speared Red Potato, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Green Beans & Peas in a Romanesco garlic sauce, Diced Carrots & garlic cheese Focaccia bread.
Wines paired with the entree were 2006 Peay Vineyard Pinot Noir, 2005 Peay Vineyard Pinot Noir, 2002 Vista Verde Vineyard Pinot Noir (Magnum), 2000 Weir Vineyard (Magnum), 1999 Weir Pinot Noir and a last minute wine, a 1997 Rochiolli Riverblock Vineyard Pinot Noir.
We ended up not having dessert as planned. The host decided to bring out the Riverblock Pinot instead of the Port and his take was Pinot does not go with dessert. My take is different. Port does not go with sweet. Serve it with cheeses.
All wines were Williams Selyem from different vineyards.
A very good evening with great conversations and fantastic wines. Got home about 1 am which is very late for me
This is the second part of a Williams Selyem wine tasting. Part 1 last year which was a vertical of the wines left 2 magnums not opened. So "tonight is the night because I have been saving all my wines for you". This tasting was in a private home and limited to a total of 12 people. A different mix from last year. 5 of us from last year and 7 new faces at the table. Dining tonight was "al fresco". Weather was good and the area enclosed so the ocean breeze did not bother you. I went over a few hours early to help with the food prep and set up.
We started out with an appetizer plate that consisted of 3 cheese, Asiago, Comte & Rubusto, fresh mango, Kettle Honey Dijon chips, Puff pastry filled with Brie, walnuts and honey and seared Wasabi encrusted Ahi with citrus soy sauce. The wine was a 2008 Drake Estate Vineyard, Blanc de Blanc (100% Pinot). Only sold at the winery to allocation members only. Williams Seylem is a closed winery and open by appointment to members only.
Second course was a Scallop Crudo and Thai Lime Shrimp. Paired with a 2011 Limestone Ridge, Vista Verde Vineyard Chenin Blanc.
Entree plate was Grilled Wild Salmon, Lamb Stew, Truffle infused Mashed Potatoes with Rosemary speared Red Potato, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Green Beans & Peas in a Romanesco garlic sauce, Diced Carrots & garlic cheese Focaccia bread.
Wines paired with the entree were 2006 Peay Vineyard Pinot Noir, 2005 Peay Vineyard Pinot Noir, 2002 Vista Verde Vineyard Pinot Noir (Magnum), 2000 Weir Vineyard (Magnum), 1999 Weir Pinot Noir and a last minute wine, a 1997 Rochiolli Riverblock Vineyard Pinot Noir.
We ended up not having dessert as planned. The host decided to bring out the Riverblock Pinot instead of the Port and his take was Pinot does not go with dessert. My take is different. Port does not go with sweet. Serve it with cheeses.
All wines were Williams Selyem from different vineyards.
A very good evening with great conversations and fantastic wines. Got home about 1 am which is very late for me
The Boys and Me at the Seafood Palace - again
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Had to wait until Henry returned from vacation to come back. There were six of us which makes for a good number to share the food dishes.
Terry came with his arm in a sling. He fell doing something "stupid" at his house (which we all do at one time or another) Along with the sling he had a beautiful black eye.
We started out with the Salt & Pepper Calamari, always good but tonight for some reason there was very little salt or pepper,
Next was Peking Duck - one of my favorites. Took some leftovers of this home.
Rounded out the meal with Beef & Chinese Broccoli, Chef's Special Shrimp (outstanding), A Spicy / Sour soup and Sea bass with vegetables.
I brought a Charles Hiedsick Blue Label Reserve Brut Champagne. I got a deal on this wine an now wished I had bought more.
Other wines were:
2008 Tyler Priesido Vineyard, Pinot Noir
2006 McKeon Phillips Caberent Franc
2005 Reserve de' ori Hamme, Chateauneauf de Pape
2008 Jonata, Tierra, Sangiovese
2005 McKeon Phillips BPR Cabernet Sauvignon
Had to wait until Henry returned from vacation to come back. There were six of us which makes for a good number to share the food dishes.
Terry came with his arm in a sling. He fell doing something "stupid" at his house (which we all do at one time or another) Along with the sling he had a beautiful black eye.
We started out with the Salt & Pepper Calamari, always good but tonight for some reason there was very little salt or pepper,
Next was Peking Duck - one of my favorites. Took some leftovers of this home.
Rounded out the meal with Beef & Chinese Broccoli, Chef's Special Shrimp (outstanding), A Spicy / Sour soup and Sea bass with vegetables.
I brought a Charles Hiedsick Blue Label Reserve Brut Champagne. I got a deal on this wine an now wished I had bought more.
Other wines were:
2008 Tyler Priesido Vineyard, Pinot Noir
2006 McKeon Phillips Caberent Franc
2005 Reserve de' ori Hamme, Chateauneauf de Pape
2008 Jonata, Tierra, Sangiovese
2005 McKeon Phillips BPR Cabernet Sauvignon
July's Wino's Gathering
Sunday, July 28, 2013
This months theme was Red wines from Spain & White wines from Latin America. William & Patte also threw in "Salsa Contest". The prize being a multiple bottle metal wine cage. That ended up being won by Sherry who made a Mango Salsa. I did not taste any myself as I really don't care for Salsas that much
8 white wines and 12 reds were brought. I brought a wine that was a blend of Riesling, Albarino and Savagnin. This particular wine would really been good at the dinner last night at Issara,
One of the wines I liked the best was a 1994 Muga Reserve Roja. I did taste most of the wines but I am sure I missed a few of the whites and I know at least one of the reds. But with 20 wines you really had to pace yourself.
So another month down and on to August and those high alcohol Zinfandels.
This months theme was Red wines from Spain & White wines from Latin America. William & Patte also threw in "Salsa Contest". The prize being a multiple bottle metal wine cage. That ended up being won by Sherry who made a Mango Salsa. I did not taste any myself as I really don't care for Salsas that much
8 white wines and 12 reds were brought. I brought a wine that was a blend of Riesling, Albarino and Savagnin. This particular wine would really been good at the dinner last night at Issara,
One of the wines I liked the best was a 1994 Muga Reserve Roja. I did taste most of the wines but I am sure I missed a few of the whites and I know at least one of the reds. But with 20 wines you really had to pace yourself.
So another month down and on to August and those high alcohol Zinfandels.
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