Friday, November 20, 2009
Several people gathered tonight to have another taste of Paella and bring "Sea Smoke" vineyard Pinots to compare.
We had a 2007 Foxen "Sea Smoke" vineyard and a 2007 Sea Smoke Southing along with several other wines. Both of these particular wines were very good.
I also brought along a bottle of Maderia which I had purchased at a Maderia tasting Wednesday night. Iberico cheese , Agur blue cheese and anchovy stuffed olives were served with it . Apparently I was the only one that had tasted Maderia before. Several people were quite taken with it.
Nice way to end the summer/fall social season before we head into the holidays.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Brulee
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
9 of us got together tonight and had dinner at a small restaurant called Brulee. Apparently it is not brand new as several people have mentioned it to me lately. The place was a little noisy, the acoustics were not good but after the crowd that was in there for the "Prix Fixe" special left it became tolerable. They had a 3 course dinner with 2 glasses of wine for $30, 5:00 to 7:00 only. There is no corkage on Tuesday.
I will say that their pizza appetizers were excellent. They also served a small plate with small heirloom tomatoes and cheese which I passed up. The other people at the table said it was good
Various items were ordered and all said theirs were good. I ordered the short rib "osso bucco" which had great flavor and was very tender. A steak was ordered, halibut and lamb chops. No one had a complaint.
This restaurant is in Long Beach at Loynes and Pacific Coast Hwy., Parking can be dicey as there are several restaurants in the small shopping area.
Brulee is definitely worth another look .
9 of us got together tonight and had dinner at a small restaurant called Brulee. Apparently it is not brand new as several people have mentioned it to me lately. The place was a little noisy, the acoustics were not good but after the crowd that was in there for the "Prix Fixe" special left it became tolerable. They had a 3 course dinner with 2 glasses of wine for $30, 5:00 to 7:00 only. There is no corkage on Tuesday.
I will say that their pizza appetizers were excellent. They also served a small plate with small heirloom tomatoes and cheese which I passed up. The other people at the table said it was good
Various items were ordered and all said theirs were good. I ordered the short rib "osso bucco" which had great flavor and was very tender. A steak was ordered, halibut and lamb chops. No one had a complaint.
This restaurant is in Long Beach at Loynes and Pacific Coast Hwy., Parking can be dicey as there are several restaurants in the small shopping area.
Brulee is definitely worth another look .
Sunday, November 15, 2009
November's Wine & Dine
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Tonite the "Wine & Dine" group met at my favorite Chinese restaurant - Doung Son in "Little Saigon". 16 of us attended this dinner.
Since CJ keeps a list of the wines brought, I just list the food. I did bring a 2005 Clos Pepe Pinot Noir. I just grabbed a bottle off the rack and did not notice that is was the "VS" which is more expensive that the Estate. The wine was really a treat even though it was a mistake on my part and those of us that got to taste it were glad. The wine did not make it to the other table, That is their loss.
For some reason tonight there was an over abundance of white wines. Seems people think that whites go better with Chinese food but in the case of Doung Son it is just the opposite with most of the food dishes. The whites were fine with the lobster and the sea bass but so were the Pinots.
First up was a plate of freshly made "Shrimp Chips". The Chinese potato chip.
Roasted duck Cantonese style was served. The first time we have had it this was. Very good. Nice "jus" with it.
Lobster was put on the table. They take the whole lobster and hack it up into many pieces and stir fry it in a wok with scallions and ginger. It makes it's own sauce. They served it with the soft noddles that the lobster had been sitting on and the juices saturate the noddles.
Pea Shoots were served. We had this a few months back and they are becoming a favorite.
At this point I am starting to get full but I know there are a few more things to go.
Spicy green beans with white sea bass was set down. Then came Beef Tendon with Daikon radishes. Next was the Pork ribs - there have a sauce on them that is strangely like maple syrup. Crispy and very good.
A new dish appeared. Eggplant with chicken. I did not eat any of this as I had reached the saturation point and I just am not an eggplant fan.
Last up was the fried tofu with vegetable sauce. For some reason the tofu was not as good as it usually is. It did not seem as creamy. I ate 1 small piece. A bit disappointing.
Dessert was melon with leeche nut and grapes.
Tonite the "Wine & Dine" group met at my favorite Chinese restaurant - Doung Son in "Little Saigon". 16 of us attended this dinner.
Since CJ keeps a list of the wines brought, I just list the food. I did bring a 2005 Clos Pepe Pinot Noir. I just grabbed a bottle off the rack and did not notice that is was the "VS" which is more expensive that the Estate. The wine was really a treat even though it was a mistake on my part and those of us that got to taste it were glad. The wine did not make it to the other table, That is their loss.
For some reason tonight there was an over abundance of white wines. Seems people think that whites go better with Chinese food but in the case of Doung Son it is just the opposite with most of the food dishes. The whites were fine with the lobster and the sea bass but so were the Pinots.
First up was a plate of freshly made "Shrimp Chips". The Chinese potato chip.
Roasted duck Cantonese style was served. The first time we have had it this was. Very good. Nice "jus" with it.
Lobster was put on the table. They take the whole lobster and hack it up into many pieces and stir fry it in a wok with scallions and ginger. It makes it's own sauce. They served it with the soft noddles that the lobster had been sitting on and the juices saturate the noddles.
Pea Shoots were served. We had this a few months back and they are becoming a favorite.
At this point I am starting to get full but I know there are a few more things to go.
Spicy green beans with white sea bass was set down. Then came Beef Tendon with Daikon radishes. Next was the Pork ribs - there have a sauce on them that is strangely like maple syrup. Crispy and very good.
A new dish appeared. Eggplant with chicken. I did not eat any of this as I had reached the saturation point and I just am not an eggplant fan.
Last up was the fried tofu with vegetable sauce. For some reason the tofu was not as good as it usually is. It did not seem as creamy. I ate 1 small piece. A bit disappointing.
Dessert was melon with leeche nut and grapes.
Sta Rita Hills Wine Tasting
Friday, November 13, 2009
Wine Country, www.thewinecountry.com, is Signal Hill, hosted at "Sta Rita Hills" tasting tonight. The place was a sell out but I was happy to say that my name was the first on the list for this event.
Wes Hagen of Clos Pepe and Ken Brown of Ken Brown Wines were in attendance. Both were extremely informative and we learned a lot about the Sta Rita Hills area and how it was formed millions of years ago. This makes it ideal for growing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes. The knowledge that these two people had made for a really enjoyable evening and along with the great wines we tasted it was a not to be missed event.
Not all the wines were from these 2 wineries. There were 4 other wineries represented and it really showed the difference in wine making styles.
First we had a 2008 Clos Pepe Chardonnay and a 2005 Ken Brown "Sanford & Benedict" Chardonnay. Even though they were not the same vintages I gave the edge to the Clos Pepe. It was very Chablis in style. 2008 was a hard year because of the frosts. A very limited production of this wine. Only 75 cases made. The Ken Brown was a more fuller mouth feel with a slight buttery taste. Great wine but I did personally prefer the Clos Pepe.
Next two was the Ken Brown Sta Rita Hills Pinot, a blend of Rio Vista, Sanford & Benedict and Clos Pepe and the 2007 Alma Rosa Sta Rita Hills Pinot. This time I gave the nod to the Ken Brown. It just suited my palate.
Along came the 2006 Ken Brown "Cargassacchi Vineyards" Pinot Noir with the 2006 Longoria "Fe Ciega Vineyard" Pinot. The Ken Brown took this one hands down. I did not care for the Longoria at all and ended up dumping it. I've always been a fan of the "Cargassacchi" grapes.
Next pairing was the 2005 Clos Pepe and the 2007 Clos Pepe Pinot Noir. Very interesting comparison. I have always been a fan of the 2005 vintage. And still am. Both wines will cellar.
Last was the 2008 Axis Mundi Syrah and the 2007 Samsara Melville Vineyard Syrah. The Axis Mundi is Wes Hagen's new baby. With the 2008 low yields he was looking for something to make along with the "very limited" production of his Pinot's & Chardonnays. Axis Mundi was born. Its a really dark almost brooding Syrah. I think he has a real winner here and I did prefer it over the Samsara.
Great evening with great wines. Doesn't get better than this.
Wine Country, www.thewinecountry.com, is Signal Hill, hosted at "Sta Rita Hills" tasting tonight. The place was a sell out but I was happy to say that my name was the first on the list for this event.
Wes Hagen of Clos Pepe and Ken Brown of Ken Brown Wines were in attendance. Both were extremely informative and we learned a lot about the Sta Rita Hills area and how it was formed millions of years ago. This makes it ideal for growing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes. The knowledge that these two people had made for a really enjoyable evening and along with the great wines we tasted it was a not to be missed event.
Not all the wines were from these 2 wineries. There were 4 other wineries represented and it really showed the difference in wine making styles.
First we had a 2008 Clos Pepe Chardonnay and a 2005 Ken Brown "Sanford & Benedict" Chardonnay. Even though they were not the same vintages I gave the edge to the Clos Pepe. It was very Chablis in style. 2008 was a hard year because of the frosts. A very limited production of this wine. Only 75 cases made. The Ken Brown was a more fuller mouth feel with a slight buttery taste. Great wine but I did personally prefer the Clos Pepe.
Next two was the Ken Brown Sta Rita Hills Pinot, a blend of Rio Vista, Sanford & Benedict and Clos Pepe and the 2007 Alma Rosa Sta Rita Hills Pinot. This time I gave the nod to the Ken Brown. It just suited my palate.
Along came the 2006 Ken Brown "Cargassacchi Vineyards" Pinot Noir with the 2006 Longoria "Fe Ciega Vineyard" Pinot. The Ken Brown took this one hands down. I did not care for the Longoria at all and ended up dumping it. I've always been a fan of the "Cargassacchi" grapes.
Next pairing was the 2005 Clos Pepe and the 2007 Clos Pepe Pinot Noir. Very interesting comparison. I have always been a fan of the 2005 vintage. And still am. Both wines will cellar.
Last was the 2008 Axis Mundi Syrah and the 2007 Samsara Melville Vineyard Syrah. The Axis Mundi is Wes Hagen's new baby. With the 2008 low yields he was looking for something to make along with the "very limited" production of his Pinot's & Chardonnays. Axis Mundi was born. Its a really dark almost brooding Syrah. I think he has a real winner here and I did prefer it over the Samsara.
Great evening with great wines. Doesn't get better than this.
November's Gathering of The Flock
Saturday, November 7, 2009
This month's theme was "9 Year Vertical of McKeon-Phillips BPR Cabernet Sauvignon" . Terry & Cora hosted this event using my residence. It was truly a unique experience and one of the best "gathering" in the 10 years we have been doing them.
All the food that was brought was great. People went out of their way to elevate their "offerings".
I did not keep notes on the wines but I do remember being very impressed with the 1999 and the 2005. These are not what you would call high end wines. Upon release they are in the $35 to $40 range. But they are very enjoyable food friendly wines and this tasting showed how well they cellar.
Some of the "flock" could take a lesson from this tasting and elevate their theme's a little. Not everyone can offer a large vertical like this but they could really use some help in the imagination part when they pick their themes.
No "gathering in December but next January we are on to Pinot Noir's, Oregon vs Sta Rita Hills.
This month's theme was "9 Year Vertical of McKeon-Phillips BPR Cabernet Sauvignon" . Terry & Cora hosted this event using my residence. It was truly a unique experience and one of the best "gathering" in the 10 years we have been doing them.
All the food that was brought was great. People went out of their way to elevate their "offerings".
I did not keep notes on the wines but I do remember being very impressed with the 1999 and the 2005. These are not what you would call high end wines. Upon release they are in the $35 to $40 range. But they are very enjoyable food friendly wines and this tasting showed how well they cellar.
Some of the "flock" could take a lesson from this tasting and elevate their theme's a little. Not everyone can offer a large vertical like this but they could really use some help in the imagination part when they pick their themes.
No "gathering in December but next January we are on to Pinot Noir's, Oregon vs Sta Rita Hills.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Bukhara
Friday, October 30, 2009
Met Terry & Cora at Buhkara tonight for a quick dinner. I have had a hankering for Lamb Saag for awhile and tonight would take care of this. We all ordered lamb dishes, just different sauces. They brought an excellent Syrah and I brought a 2005 Sinor-LaValle, Talley-Rincon, Pinot Noir. The wine opened up very well towards the end of the meal. This wine can take a few more years of cellaring. I have bought wines for Sinor-LaValle for several years but had not had the opportunity to taste them until my September trip to Paso Robles. I got to meet Mike Sinor and he opened several bottles of his wine for me to try. Now I know to leave his wines alone for at least 4 years before opening.
Met Terry & Cora at Buhkara tonight for a quick dinner. I have had a hankering for Lamb Saag for awhile and tonight would take care of this. We all ordered lamb dishes, just different sauces. They brought an excellent Syrah and I brought a 2005 Sinor-LaValle, Talley-Rincon, Pinot Noir. The wine opened up very well towards the end of the meal. This wine can take a few more years of cellaring. I have bought wines for Sinor-LaValle for several years but had not had the opportunity to taste them until my September trip to Paso Robles. I got to meet Mike Sinor and he opened several bottles of his wine for me to try. Now I know to leave his wines alone for at least 4 years before opening.
Four Vines Wine Dinner
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Delius Restaurant hosted a Four Vines wine dinner this evening. in conjunction with Wine Getaways. I had not seen Peter and Bart in since the old restaurant. I was surprised that they remembered me. We also had Bill Grant, one of the owners at Four Vines at our table. Quite a character. Gave very good presentations of the wines being poured and a lot of the history of the old families of the Paso Robles area.
First Course: Crispy Pork Cheeks with baby watercress, black radish and pear sorbet. This paired with a 2008 Naked Chardonnay. No oak. Excellent pairing. I would not have thought to pair pork with chardonnay but this was a real surprise.
Second Course: Duo of Duck - Duck terrine with toasted brioche and caramelized onion compote. Also Roasted Duck Breast with confit of potato, micro arugula and spiced duck "jus". Paired with 2007 Biker Zinfandel and a 2007 J.Dusi, Dante Dusi Vineyards Zinfandel. Interesting to compare the two different winemakers approach to the grapes from the same vineyard. I would say the J. Dusi was a little bit more European in style. I think that was the consensus of most people at our table. But it was split on which wine they preferred. Again a very good food and wine pairing.
Third Course: Lamb Cassoulet - grilled lamb loin with white beans, dried blueberries and baby carrots. I will say that this particular dish was my favorite of the evening. It had such good earthy flavor. This was paired with 2006 Killer Canyon Syrah.
Fourth Course: Braised Short Rib, red wine cherry glaze, polenta puree and crispy shallots. The wine with this dish was a 2007 Heretic Petite Syrah. Again another very good pairing and good food. The short rib had excellent flavor and was very tender
Dessert: Frozen Raspberry Mousse, chocolate granache and caramel tuile. Served with a 2005 Zinfandel Port. The dessert was just the right "lightness" to end a heavy meal and take care of your sweet tooth.
Again another excellent dinner at Delius. These dinners are never the cheapest around but the quality of the food surpasses everyone else in the area. They use the best ingredients which shows up on your plate.
Delius Restaurant hosted a Four Vines wine dinner this evening. in conjunction with Wine Getaways. I had not seen Peter and Bart in since the old restaurant. I was surprised that they remembered me. We also had Bill Grant, one of the owners at Four Vines at our table. Quite a character. Gave very good presentations of the wines being poured and a lot of the history of the old families of the Paso Robles area.
First Course: Crispy Pork Cheeks with baby watercress, black radish and pear sorbet. This paired with a 2008 Naked Chardonnay. No oak. Excellent pairing. I would not have thought to pair pork with chardonnay but this was a real surprise.
Second Course: Duo of Duck - Duck terrine with toasted brioche and caramelized onion compote. Also Roasted Duck Breast with confit of potato, micro arugula and spiced duck "jus". Paired with 2007 Biker Zinfandel and a 2007 J.Dusi, Dante Dusi Vineyards Zinfandel. Interesting to compare the two different winemakers approach to the grapes from the same vineyard. I would say the J. Dusi was a little bit more European in style. I think that was the consensus of most people at our table. But it was split on which wine they preferred. Again a very good food and wine pairing.
Third Course: Lamb Cassoulet - grilled lamb loin with white beans, dried blueberries and baby carrots. I will say that this particular dish was my favorite of the evening. It had such good earthy flavor. This was paired with 2006 Killer Canyon Syrah.
Fourth Course: Braised Short Rib, red wine cherry glaze, polenta puree and crispy shallots. The wine with this dish was a 2007 Heretic Petite Syrah. Again another very good pairing and good food. The short rib had excellent flavor and was very tender
Dessert: Frozen Raspberry Mousse, chocolate granache and caramel tuile. Served with a 2005 Zinfandel Port. The dessert was just the right "lightness" to end a heavy meal and take care of your sweet tooth.
Again another excellent dinner at Delius. These dinners are never the cheapest around but the quality of the food surpasses everyone else in the area. They use the best ingredients which shows up on your plate.
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