Sunday, August 25, 2013
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.
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Margie's July Wine Activity Event
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Today we headed out to Irvine to the OC Wine Mart, a tasting room on Michelson in Irvine near the John Wayne Airport. This tasting room has a self serve enomatic wine tasting machine. You insert the prepaid card and select which wine you want to taste. It dispenses the wine and deducts the amount from you card. They did have some nice wines. Numerous Orin Swifts wines which I tasted all of them including the Prisoner and Papillon. Nice little wine bar but not geographically friendly unless you are in the area for some reason. Anne the owner was friendly and very helpful.
After tasting we headed back to Huntington Beach to Issara, a Thai restaurant which we had been to before. There were 11 of us for dinner. Margie had pre-selected the menu with the owner David.
Started out with Vegetable Egg Rolls, Chicken Satay and Tom Kha Kai soup which was really good. Then Cripsy Sole, Sizzling Seafood, Panang Beef, Prik Khing (green beans) with Tofu, Pineapple Fried Rice (1 shrimp in the entire bowl) , Pad See Yiu with Beef and white & brown rice. All the food was very good but a few of the dishes were way to "hot" for me. I drank a lot of white wine because of that. Not a wine friendly menu except for white wines. We had Mango Sticky Rice for dessert. I was so full by this time, I passed up the green beans and the dessert. I personally thought that the dishes came out too fast. I prefer a slower pace. Just do not like 4 or 5 items on my plate at a time. I have gotten so used to one dish at a time at the Chinese dinners we do, Better to compare the wine and food dish together. It might have been " family style" but that does not mean everything on the table at once. Food gets mixed together then the wine pairing goes to hell. Food was very good, service was very good. If we do a group dinner here again I hope that the dishes will be paced to come out after the prior dish was finished.
Wine selection was good. All the whites wines seemed to be drank. Reds were left over because of the :hot" food.
2010 R2 Rhapsody, Grenache-Mouverde blend
2009 Effort Chardonnay
2009 Tablas Creek Espirit de beaucastle
2012 Dancing Coyote Chenin Blanc
Segura Viudas Brut Reserve Cava
2010 Penman Springs Syrah Rose
2010 Loring Clos Pepe Pinot Noir
2011 Nobiolo Sauvignon Blanc
2010 Tobin James Ballistic Zinfandel
2011 Tobin James Charo Radiance
2009 Hitching Post First Flight Pinot Noir
2008 Martinelli Charles Ranch Chadonnay
2009 Williams Selyem Flax Vineyards Pinot Noir
Today we headed out to Irvine to the OC Wine Mart, a tasting room on Michelson in Irvine near the John Wayne Airport. This tasting room has a self serve enomatic wine tasting machine. You insert the prepaid card and select which wine you want to taste. It dispenses the wine and deducts the amount from you card. They did have some nice wines. Numerous Orin Swifts wines which I tasted all of them including the Prisoner and Papillon. Nice little wine bar but not geographically friendly unless you are in the area for some reason. Anne the owner was friendly and very helpful.
After tasting we headed back to Huntington Beach to Issara, a Thai restaurant which we had been to before. There were 11 of us for dinner. Margie had pre-selected the menu with the owner David.
Started out with Vegetable Egg Rolls, Chicken Satay and Tom Kha Kai soup which was really good. Then Cripsy Sole, Sizzling Seafood, Panang Beef, Prik Khing (green beans) with Tofu, Pineapple Fried Rice (1 shrimp in the entire bowl) , Pad See Yiu with Beef and white & brown rice. All the food was very good but a few of the dishes were way to "hot" for me. I drank a lot of white wine because of that. Not a wine friendly menu except for white wines. We had Mango Sticky Rice for dessert. I was so full by this time, I passed up the green beans and the dessert. I personally thought that the dishes came out too fast. I prefer a slower pace. Just do not like 4 or 5 items on my plate at a time. I have gotten so used to one dish at a time at the Chinese dinners we do, Better to compare the wine and food dish together. It might have been " family style" but that does not mean everything on the table at once. Food gets mixed together then the wine pairing goes to hell. Food was very good, service was very good. If we do a group dinner here again I hope that the dishes will be paced to come out after the prior dish was finished.
Wine selection was good. All the whites wines seemed to be drank. Reds were left over because of the :hot" food.
2010 R2 Rhapsody, Grenache-Mouverde blend
2009 Effort Chardonnay
2009 Tablas Creek Espirit de beaucastle
2012 Dancing Coyote Chenin Blanc
Segura Viudas Brut Reserve Cava
2010 Penman Springs Syrah Rose
2010 Loring Clos Pepe Pinot Noir
2011 Nobiolo Sauvignon Blanc
2010 Tobin James Ballistic Zinfandel
2011 Tobin James Charo Radiance
2009 Hitching Post First Flight Pinot Noir
2008 Martinelli Charles Ranch Chadonnay
2009 Williams Selyem Flax Vineyards Pinot Noir
Michaels on Naple
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Jan & Bob invited me to dinner at Michaels on Naples tonight. Michaels received the "Top Italian Restaurant in Los Angeles County" award from Zagat. They got 28 points on the ratings. When the Zagat's (yes there is a Mr & Mrs) dined there recently they wrote on the bill "it should have been a 30".
I arrived about 6:00, dinner was scheduled for 6:30. Sat at the bar and had a "Sidecar" Its hard to find a bar that will make an authentic drink. This one was very good. Pete the bartender was personable and knew his drinks. Put in high end cognac and Cointreau.
Jan & Bob arrived about 6:20 and we were seated. This was "Dine In LA" week so we all ordered off the special menu. $45 for 3 courses. I had the Ahi Cappachio, Rabbit Roulade and Gelato and Sorbet for my chooses. Jan & Bob were happy with their halibut and steak.
They brought 2 bottles of Italian wine, bought were quite good. Since they belong to the Wine Crush's wine club they have a card that gets them no corkage for up to 2 bottles at local restaurants.
Jan & Bob invited me to dinner at Michaels on Naples tonight. Michaels received the "Top Italian Restaurant in Los Angeles County" award from Zagat. They got 28 points on the ratings. When the Zagat's (yes there is a Mr & Mrs) dined there recently they wrote on the bill "it should have been a 30".
I arrived about 6:00, dinner was scheduled for 6:30. Sat at the bar and had a "Sidecar" Its hard to find a bar that will make an authentic drink. This one was very good. Pete the bartender was personable and knew his drinks. Put in high end cognac and Cointreau.
Jan & Bob arrived about 6:20 and we were seated. This was "Dine In LA" week so we all ordered off the special menu. $45 for 3 courses. I had the Ahi Cappachio, Rabbit Roulade and Gelato and Sorbet for my chooses. Jan & Bob were happy with their halibut and steak.
They brought 2 bottles of Italian wine, bought were quite good. Since they belong to the Wine Crush's wine club they have a card that gets them no corkage for up to 2 bottles at local restaurants.
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