Saturday, February 27, 2016

Balverne Wines at LaTraviata

Friday, February 26, 2016

Met friends at LaTraviata in downtown Long Beach for a wine dinner. Not familiar with the wines., Balverne. 

Got there at 6:00, reception was going on with passed appetizers. Had 3 Coconut Shrimp and decided to stop., They could have been my entire meal. LaTraviata does make the best coconut shrimp I have ever tasted.  Also were serving 2 types of Bruschetta.  They poured  a Sangiovese Rosato which I found unappealing. Not my taste.

Finally about 7:10 we sat down for dinner. I think this is going to be a long night. The noise in this room is unbearable. I have a raging headache after only one hour. The background music was not soothing. It had a  beat to it and that thump, thump was very annoying.

First course was Dover Sole Wrapped Sea Scallop with Lime Cremolata. The Cremolata was excellent, the dover sole had issues and the scallop needed 10 seconds more cooking time. Mine was close to raw, Wine was no better,  a 2015 Russian River Sauvignon Blanc. To much like a New Zealand Sau Blanc. Not my style. Overkill on the grassy, citrus flavors.

Second course served is a Fettucine Alla Crema, pasta with a Leek., Radichio Cream, Prosciutto and Pecorino Crisp. Good flavor. Would have liked a bit more on the plate. Thought the portion was "skimpy".  Paired with a 2013 Russian River Unoaked Chardonnay. Frankly this dish would have been better with a slightly oaked chardonnay. I felt the food and wine really clashed.. Wine had a bitter taste to it.,

Next the Third course which was a South African Sea Bass with Roasted Garlic Potatoes, Fresh Vegetables and Lobster Sauce. LaTraviata is known for its Sea Bass but it is usually Chilean. This fish had no flavor, soft consistency. Not thrilled with this dish. A 2013 Russian River Pinot Noir was the wine, light but decent.

Main course was Bistecca Di Manzo.  Akaushi New York Steak, Aragula, Shaved Parmesan and Olive Oil. To say the steak was thinly sliced was a erroneous statement. It was paper thin. Had decent flavor if you could find some fat on it. It cried out for some seasoning. In fact most of the dishes tonight needed just a pinch more of seasoning.  Paired with a 2012 Chalk Hill Cabernet Sauvignon. Best wine and pairing of the evening. 

Dessert is a Tiramisu Al Panetone. Best dish of the evening. 

Not impressed with this winery. Food was OK but not what I expect from LaTraviata.  This was along, noisy evening.

Italian Wines at The Peterson

Thursday, February 25, 2016

Anxious to see the new renovations at the Peterson Auto Museaum in Los Angeles. Saw pictures and was impressed. Very Art Deco, Avant Guarde. Not so every one but my type of design. It did not disappoint.

The Great Wines of Italy tour was put on by K & L Wines and  James Suckling, a writer and wine critic.  He was in attendance. Total of 185 wines being poured tonight. All 90 points and higher. 3 have a perfect 100 point rating.  Most were in the 94 to 97 rating. Wine makers were all flown in from Italy. 

We were given a Lalique glass. It supposedly was a $75 glass. I would not have paid $7.50 for it but it came with the price of admission.

Attendance was limited to 800 people and it was sold out.

Exceptional wines, exceptional food and a fabulous venue. We were on the second floor of the Peterson and the tables were set up among the cars on display. This could not get any better for me.

Hope they do this again next year. It is an event not to be missed.

St. Supery Wines at Chianina

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Joined friends at Chianina tonight for dinner. Needed a big break. Been in court for 3 days for a 5 minute testimony and I am exhausted from not doing anything. 

We started out with a Potato Cheese Croquette, Tomme and Chives. Decent flavor. Paired with a 2013 Estate Virtu, Napa Valley. Blend of Semillion and Sauvignon Blanc. I did like this wine. It also was the wine for the second course of Fluke Crudo, Avocado, Cucumber, Meyer Lemon. Fluke was a little bland but the rest of the dish was exceptional. Wine paired well with both courses.

Third course was a Pappardelle with Wild Boar and Venison Ragu, Dried Currants, Pine Nuts. Wine served was a 2012 Rutherford Estate Merlot.  Not overly impressed with this wine. Food was excellent, wine was so so.

Main course turned out to be slices of Chianina bone in Rib Eye. It was cooked very rare, almost black and blue. Needed maybe another 30 seconds on the grill. Outstanding flavor. Had a Mushroom Feuille de Brick ( like a hot spring roll but made with puff pastry)  and Potato Puree on the plate.  Wine was a 2012 Napa Valley Estate Elu, Bordeaux Blend - favorite wine of the evening.

Dessert was a Brie Cheesecake, Local Citrus and Walnuts. Light, airy, almost meringue like. Good dessert but served with a 2014 Dollarhide Estate Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc. Not the best pairing. 

Talked with both  Massimo and Alejandro about this pairing. It was way off. So even the best of places can have an off pairing.

Monthly Gathering of The Wino Flock

Sunday, February 21, 2016

February was my month to host our monthly wine tasting. My theme was Wines Rated 94 to 100.  Made a brined boneless pork loin roast which turned out well.

We had a very mixed bag of wines going from Champagnes to Muscat and everything in between. A few were exceptionally good for my palate. My wine was a 2009 Kosta Browne Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir with a rating of 95.  I also liked the 2010 Molly Dooker Carnival of Love with a rating of 96,  1996 LaJota Cabernet Sauvignon rated at 96.

Not a bad wine in the 22 that were opened.  Wish all the tasting's  we have would be this good.

Tamber Bey Wine Tasting

Friday, February 12, 2016

ABC Fine Wines and Spirits in Long Beach held a "Tamber Bey" wine tasting this evening. Having never heard of the winery I was interested. They are located in the Calistoga area.  I found most of the wines good and one exceptional. Did not buy because I have too much wine as it is. These people are "horse" people and it shows in the price.  

The 2014 Mello Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc was way to grassy and acidic for me. . Not for me and at the price point of $30.

2013 Deux Chevaux Vineyard Chardonnay. Again not my preference. Too oaky and priced at $55. For that money a chardonnay has to be outstanding .

2013 Sun Chase Vineyard Pinot Noir. Decent, bright, clean nose, good front palate with a short finish. But at $70 way over priced.

2014 Deux  Chevaux Vineyard Merlot. Not a Merlot fan but I considered buying this wine. Nice, medium nose, good front palate, medium tannins and a well balanced wine. Priced at $75.

2012 Deux Chevaux Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon.  Deep cherry, light toast and a whiff of chocolate. Priced at $50 but I felt the Merlot was a far superior wine.

2012 Rabicano Deux Chevaux Red Bordeaux Blend. Exceptionally good wine, well balance at even at $75 I was leaning towards buying.

2012 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. 21 months in barrel. Well balanced, good front, middle and back palate. But at $130 it wasn't that good.

Friday, February 12, 2016

Ken Brown Wines at Arte Cafe

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Someone told me about this dinner so I looked up Ken Brown's web site and information about the dinner was on there.  I called and made a reservation 3 weeks ago. I kept expecting to get a e-mail from Arte Cafe  www.artecamellia.com,   regarding the menu and pricing. It never came.  I had 7 people at my table and besides Ken Brown and two wine reps, there were only 5 other people in attendance. I just could not understand why except that it was not advertised by Arte Cafe. This dinner should have been sold out and the restaurant packed. Ken Brown said he had a very hard time getting Richard to get him a menu and reservation count so he knew how much wine to bring.

The printed menu on the table was pink with hearts on it and said a "Pre Valentine Day Wine Dinner". In all the e-mails I have received from Arte Cafe in the last few weeks only the "Chinese New Years dinner and the Valentine's Day dinner were being promoted. 

 First dish was  Uni Pasta with Bay Scallops.  Good dish, scallops were very tender and cooked perfectly. I had a really hard time  finding  the Uni. At the very bottom of the plate in the sauce I saw two tiny Uni eggs.  Wine was a 2013 Ken Brown, Happy Canyon Sauvignon Blanc. A very good sau blanc for California. and a good pairing.

Second course served was a Heart Shaped Lobster Ravioli with Truffle Oil and Leeks. Dish had good flavor although I could not really see "heart shaped". Thankfully the truffle oil was not over done. Very light.  A 2015 Ken Brown, Vin Gris was the wine pick. Again a nice pairing.

Third course was to me a big disappointment. Exotic Mixed Greens with Mexican White Shrimp in a Whole Grain Mustard and Silton Blue Cheese sauce. The shrimp had good flavor but were slightly under cooked. I did not think the mustard and cheese complimented anything. I ate the shrimp only. The pairing was also not good.  2013 Ken Brown, Rita 's Crown, Pinot Noir. Wine was very good, a little too young but it did not pair with this dish at all. I liked the wine well enough to buy 4 bottles to put down.

Main course was a Moscovy Duck Breast with Dried Apricots, Black Eyed Beans in a Pinot Noir Reduction. This dish was good. Full of flavors but the wine was a 2013 Ken Brown, Santa Barbara County Syrah and it did not go well with the duck. The Pinot would have been a much better choice.

Dessert was a Heart Shaped Chocolate Mousse with strawberries. Beautiful presentation and nice dessert.

Had a good time. Ken Brown is very personable. In town for a few weeks doing lots of dinners and promotions. He was a gracious host in spite of the problems.

Arte Cafe has good food but management and service is lacking. Always has been the problem there.

Recon at Nayada

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Margie is having one of her dinners here at Nayada in April. CJ & I joined her and Paul to check out a few new dishes that may make it to her menu. Since there was only 4 of us we tried out couple  of appetizers. Lettuce Wraps and Golden Bags.  Wraps are good but messy to eat. The lettuce always seems either to small or to big. Flavor is good. The bags are just dough wrapped around a filling and twisted at the top to look like a "bag". This filling was pork. I personally prefer the cream cheese fillings.

Had the Green Curry Chicken. Flavor was excellent but it still had too much of a heat bite for me.  Ate a very small portion of this dish. I am sure others will love it. I just cannot handle "heat" like I used to. Burns the palate and wine does not go well with burn. this is a beer dish.

One dish I did enjoy as the Pork Kai Kau. Flat noodles with pork and vegetables.  New one for me.

I brought a 2013 Tercero Outlier, a dry gerwurztraminer, Perfect wine for Thai food. There also was a NV Veuve Cliquot yellow label Champagne, 2011 Roar, Santa Lucia Highlands, Pinot Noir and 2013 Four Graces, Pinot Blanc.  Nice wines for Thai food.

So a few new additions along with a few old favorites will be showing up on the menu for the April dinner

Sunday, February 7, 2016

Bistro st. Germain

Saturday, February 6, 2015

Bistro St. Germain in Seal Beach was Margie's choice for the February dinner.www.bistostgermain.com.  Parking is always a problem here so I have a tendency to try and arrive early enough to drive around several times looking for a space. Tonight was no different as downtown Seal Beach was packed. Fortunately I found a space right next to the restaurant.

 13 of us tonight and a pre-set menu. Choice of 4 appetizers - I picked the Onion Soup. Have had it here many times and it is good. Not salty like so many others and just the right amount of cheese.

For the main dish I choose the Steak Frites with the Bordelaise Sauce, Steak was very thin but had very good flavor and was tender.  Glad I ordered it rare because it came out medium.  Sauce was excellent but I do not think the fries were "Frites".  Frites are twice cooked and these did not seem to be. They also very very thin and small. Maybe thin steak is a French thing. I have never been to France except to change planes at DeGaulle airport

Dessert for me was  Mousse au Chocolat - Good flavor, chocolaty and smooth. Just the right amount for after dinner.

 Our time slot was 5:00 to 8:00 because on Saturday nights they are packed and need every table. I left at 8:10.  One 3 hours was more than enough time and the noise level was getting unbearable. Several people in the group are always extremely loud and the decibel level rises as the evening wears on.

Interesting collection of wines. Champagne was first bottle emptied and the the bottle I brought was the next dead solider. I brought at 2007 Sinor-LaValle, Anniversary Cuvee, Pinot Noir. It always boosts my ego when I bring a good wine.

2013 Pedrocelli, Dry Rose of Zinfandel - did not taste - did not even see it until several hours into the dinner.

2013 Two Vintners, Grenache Blanc - I had a small pour -decent - I have had worse but I also have had better

2012 Halter Ranch, Cotes de Paso -  did not taste

NV Nicolas Feuillate Brut Reserve Champagne - always good

2013 Louis Jadot - Pouilly-Fruisse - this is what a chardonnay is supposed to taste like

2012 Domaine Cherrier et fils, Sancerre - very good

2010 Chateau Carraud, Lalande de Pomerol, Bordeau - did not taste

2012 Alaine, Burgundy - did not taste

2014 Francois Chidaine "Les Argiles" Vouvary - nice wine

20143 Halter Ranch, Viognier - did not taste - not into Viognier

2012 Tablas Creek, Cotes de Tablas - did not taste

2009 Chateau Franc Grace Dieu, Bordeaux - nice wine , took awhile to open up

2013 Domaine Chenevieres, Chablis - good