Saturday, April 27, 2013
This was Margie's April Fun Wine Activity event today. First we headed off to Costa Mesa to Anne's Boutique Wines on 17th St. I brought a cheese platter and Margie brought other goodies for the tasting.
We tasted 7 wines along with a Patricia Greene Pinot that Margie had brought along for Anne to taste.
Nice small wine store with an unusual collection of small wineries being showcased. I will have to go back again some day when I have more time to take a really good look around.
At 7'o'clock we met at The Alley which was just a few minutes away from the wine shop. This restaurant is a landmark in Newport. 12 of us were here tonight for dinner.
The special of the day was a prime rib with two sides for $15. Can't beat that. Several of us had this and we were all happy with our dinners. I had expected the slice of meat to be on the small side but it was quite large and I ended up taking half of it home. Of course I couldn't have been full from the mac n' cheese appetizer CJ ordered ? It was the most decadent, rich mac n'cheese I have ever had. Everyone was happy with what they ordered. there was a wide variety upon the 12 of us and no complaints. Service was good
I brought a 2005 Sea Smoke Southing Pinot Noir and a 2009 Roar Rosella's Chardonnay. CJ brought a 2006 Williams Seylem Russian River Pinot Noir which was excellent.
Other wines of the night were 2011 Clos Pepe Homage to Chablis Chardonnay, (one of my favorites) 2011 Dave Phiney "I", 2009 Stoplman L'Avion (Roussane), 2007 Turley Juvenile Zinfandel, NV Paul Goerg Blanc de Blanc Premier Cru Brut Champagne, (excellent) 2004 Pago dei Feusi Taurasi (red), 2004 Terredora Dipola, 2009 Seal Beach Winery Pinot Noir, Porque'no and a Rata Sauvignon Blanc
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Pipestone Wines & Delius Restaurant
Friday, April 26, 2013
This was a full house for dinner this evening. Usually is when its a winemaker dinner.
We started out with Apricot Parsnip Ravioli with a brown butter and pine nut sauce. This ravioli was my favorite dish of the night. Paired perfectly with a 2011 Viognier, barrel sample. This wine has not been bottled yet. I am not a fan of white Rhone wines and I would not like to drink a glass of this wine by itself but it was so perfect with the dish.
Second course was Roasted Squab, Brussels Sprouts, Roasted Tomato Ragout. Good dish except I felt the Brussels Sprouts needed a minute more of cooking. I like my vegetables to have some crunch but I felt these were to close to raw. Paired with a 2009 Grenache.
Third course was Crispy Sweetbreads, Jerusalem Artichokes, Pearl Onions and Heirloom Baby Carrots. They deep fried the sweetbreads which was an unusual way of cooking them. But I really liked the way they turned out. Wine poured was a 2008 Rhone Style Red.
Main Course was Marinated Flat Iron Steak with Farro Risotto, Steak was excellent but I found that the Farro needed to be cooked a little longer. Just a tad too al dente for me. Good flavor. and went very well with the 2008 Syrah.
Dessert was a very good Frozen Lemon Souffle, Graham Cracker Tuile, Lemon Chip and Strawberry Coulis.
Very good dinner, just a couple of minor flaws for me personally. Had great conversation with the winery owner, Jeff Pipes, the rep Bert and his wife. Looking forward to the next winemaker dinner which will be Andrew Murray. Should be another sold out event.
This was a full house for dinner this evening. Usually is when its a winemaker dinner.
We started out with Apricot Parsnip Ravioli with a brown butter and pine nut sauce. This ravioli was my favorite dish of the night. Paired perfectly with a 2011 Viognier, barrel sample. This wine has not been bottled yet. I am not a fan of white Rhone wines and I would not like to drink a glass of this wine by itself but it was so perfect with the dish.
Second course was Roasted Squab, Brussels Sprouts, Roasted Tomato Ragout. Good dish except I felt the Brussels Sprouts needed a minute more of cooking. I like my vegetables to have some crunch but I felt these were to close to raw. Paired with a 2009 Grenache.
Third course was Crispy Sweetbreads, Jerusalem Artichokes, Pearl Onions and Heirloom Baby Carrots. They deep fried the sweetbreads which was an unusual way of cooking them. But I really liked the way they turned out. Wine poured was a 2008 Rhone Style Red.
Main Course was Marinated Flat Iron Steak with Farro Risotto, Steak was excellent but I found that the Farro needed to be cooked a little longer. Just a tad too al dente for me. Good flavor. and went very well with the 2008 Syrah.
Dessert was a very good Frozen Lemon Souffle, Graham Cracker Tuile, Lemon Chip and Strawberry Coulis.
Very good dinner, just a couple of minor flaws for me personally. Had great conversation with the winery owner, Jeff Pipes, the rep Bert and his wife. Looking forward to the next winemaker dinner which will be Andrew Murray. Should be another sold out event.
Saturday, April 20, 2013
April's Wino's
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Small gathering today for our monthly meeting of the wino's. Lot of colds going around but I have also noticed that the restaurants are not as busy as they normally are.
It was a cold and windy day so Mike & Bradlee had the wines inside the house. The view was still outstanding from their place. All of Long Beach to Catalina and if you walked around the deck to the north you can see downtown Los Angeles.
Theme was interesting. Besides Russian River Reds and Columbia River Whites they threw in "Wines 1998 & Older " I can say I was really surprised at the older wines that showed up.
1997 Kalin Cellars, Livermore, Semillion - this was the only wine that was not good. Should have been opened up a couple of years ago,
1994 BV, Georges De LaTour, Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon - Excellent
1995 Opus One, Napa Valley - this was good but of the 4 older reds my least favorite
1995 Chateau St Jean, Cinq Cepages - another excellent wine
1998 Sterling, Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon - this was my favorite of all the wines today - thank you David & Judy for bringing it.
Small gathering today for our monthly meeting of the wino's. Lot of colds going around but I have also noticed that the restaurants are not as busy as they normally are.
It was a cold and windy day so Mike & Bradlee had the wines inside the house. The view was still outstanding from their place. All of Long Beach to Catalina and if you walked around the deck to the north you can see downtown Los Angeles.
Theme was interesting. Besides Russian River Reds and Columbia River Whites they threw in "Wines 1998 & Older " I can say I was really surprised at the older wines that showed up.
1997 Kalin Cellars, Livermore, Semillion - this was the only wine that was not good. Should have been opened up a couple of years ago,
1994 BV, Georges De LaTour, Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon - Excellent
1995 Opus One, Napa Valley - this was good but of the 4 older reds my least favorite
1995 Chateau St Jean, Cinq Cepages - another excellent wine
1998 Sterling, Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon - this was my favorite of all the wines today - thank you David & Judy for bringing it.
Me & The Guys at Golden Star
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Decided to have a "bon voage" dinner before Terry drives away on his "odyssey". He is leaving for 6 to 7 weeks and driving around the country to visit relatives and friends. we don't need an excuse or getting together and having dinner but it is always nice to conger up one.
Mr. Do had just taken out a roasted duck and we took half of it. It was so moist and juicy. I really pigged out on it. Served with a plum sauce.
Next a plate of very small whole fish that had been breaded and deep fried appeared. It was like eating a crispy chip of some kind. These were very addictive and not one was left on the plate. You just popped them into your mouth and ate the hole thing. The bones were so small and delicate after the deep frying you just chomped away.They probably would not have been as good cold but hot they were excellent
A soup was ladled out. Pork with Vegetables and Apples. Good flavor. Henry called it Mystery Soup # 8. Otherwise known as leftovers thrown together
A plate of white sea bass and garlic green beans showed up at the table. This has always been a good dish. CJ had requested this particular dish and glad he did
I am starting to get full but we have 3 more dishes to go.
A plate of chicken with "special chef's sauce". Special sauce is always the name when you are not sure what is in it.
Beef with Chinese Broccoli. Another dish that is consistently good.But we needed beef to go with the Cab's that were brought.
And last dish served Terry had requested. Salt & Pepper Whole Shrimp. Finger licking good.
Dessert was Warm Tapioca and a plate of sliced oranges and strawberries.
When this particular group of people get together the wines are always good. and tonight was the same. Nothing mediocre here.
NV Veuve Cliquot Champagne
2001 Lone Madrone Cabernet Sauvignon - I had been waiting to open this wine. 50 cases made. Took awhile to open but when it did was excellent. From the Paso Robles area . Since John was coming tonight and he is partial to Cab's I decided it was time. I think I opened this wine at its prime.
2008 Cornerstone Cellars, Howell Mtn., Cabernet Sauvignon. John brought this one it was excellent also.
2008 McKeon Phillips Petit Verdot
2009 Proivgnase, Vin de Pay du Loiret Cher
2006 La Venture Cote de Cote
Decided to have a "bon voage" dinner before Terry drives away on his "odyssey". He is leaving for 6 to 7 weeks and driving around the country to visit relatives and friends. we don't need an excuse or getting together and having dinner but it is always nice to conger up one.
Mr. Do had just taken out a roasted duck and we took half of it. It was so moist and juicy. I really pigged out on it. Served with a plum sauce.
Next a plate of very small whole fish that had been breaded and deep fried appeared. It was like eating a crispy chip of some kind. These were very addictive and not one was left on the plate. You just popped them into your mouth and ate the hole thing. The bones were so small and delicate after the deep frying you just chomped away.They probably would not have been as good cold but hot they were excellent
A soup was ladled out. Pork with Vegetables and Apples. Good flavor. Henry called it Mystery Soup # 8. Otherwise known as leftovers thrown together
A plate of white sea bass and garlic green beans showed up at the table. This has always been a good dish. CJ had requested this particular dish and glad he did
I am starting to get full but we have 3 more dishes to go.
A plate of chicken with "special chef's sauce". Special sauce is always the name when you are not sure what is in it.
Beef with Chinese Broccoli. Another dish that is consistently good.But we needed beef to go with the Cab's that were brought.
And last dish served Terry had requested. Salt & Pepper Whole Shrimp. Finger licking good.
Dessert was Warm Tapioca and a plate of sliced oranges and strawberries.
When this particular group of people get together the wines are always good. and tonight was the same. Nothing mediocre here.
NV Veuve Cliquot Champagne
2001 Lone Madrone Cabernet Sauvignon - I had been waiting to open this wine. 50 cases made. Took awhile to open but when it did was excellent. From the Paso Robles area . Since John was coming tonight and he is partial to Cab's I decided it was time. I think I opened this wine at its prime.
2008 Cornerstone Cellars, Howell Mtn., Cabernet Sauvignon. John brought this one it was excellent also.
2008 McKeon Phillips Petit Verdot
2009 Proivgnase, Vin de Pay du Loiret Cher
2006 La Venture Cote de Cote
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Delius & Hartford Court
Friday, March 29, 2013
The first of Delius's wine dinners for the year. Tom Rozner from Hartford Court was at the table I was seated at. I just had seen him at the dinner at the Hyatt a few months back.
First Course: Potato Gnocchi, Shredded Pork, Marinated Green Apple Celery Cilantro Salad. Interesting dish. The Gnocchi was quite large and stuffed with the pork. Good flavor They poured a 2011 Russian River Chardonnay with this dish and another bonus wine , a 2010 Stone Cote (Durell Vineyards) Chardonnay. Good pairing.
Second Course: Cherry Smoked Octopus, Mache Salad, Beluga Lentils & Cherry Vinaigrette. Octopus was outstanding. . They poured a 2011 Russian River Pinot Noir with this dish. OK pairing but I still had some Stone Cote Chardonnay left and it was a far superior pairing.
Third Course: Beef Short Rib Ravioli, Pinot reduction and organic mushrooms. This was a big hit also. Really great flavors. They paired this with a 3010 Lands Edge Pinot Noir. Also a 2009 McLeans Block Pinot Noir and a 2009 Far Coast Pinot Noir.
Fourth Course: Cumin & Herb Crusted Rack of Lamb, Chestnut Puree, Swiss Chard. I had the kitchen box this up to take home. I could really not stuff anymore in to me and still had dessert. Ate it the next day and it was very good. The wine served was a 2011 Russian River Zinfandel.
Dessert: Meyer Lemon Tartlette, Strawberry Ice Cream, White Chocolate, Tulle ( shaped like a spoon) Berry Sauce.
Good dinner and decent wines. Hartford Court makes several single vineyards Pinots which I prefer but all in all the wines tonight were good.
The first of Delius's wine dinners for the year. Tom Rozner from Hartford Court was at the table I was seated at. I just had seen him at the dinner at the Hyatt a few months back.
First Course: Potato Gnocchi, Shredded Pork, Marinated Green Apple Celery Cilantro Salad. Interesting dish. The Gnocchi was quite large and stuffed with the pork. Good flavor They poured a 2011 Russian River Chardonnay with this dish and another bonus wine , a 2010 Stone Cote (Durell Vineyards) Chardonnay. Good pairing.
Second Course: Cherry Smoked Octopus, Mache Salad, Beluga Lentils & Cherry Vinaigrette. Octopus was outstanding. . They poured a 2011 Russian River Pinot Noir with this dish. OK pairing but I still had some Stone Cote Chardonnay left and it was a far superior pairing.
Third Course: Beef Short Rib Ravioli, Pinot reduction and organic mushrooms. This was a big hit also. Really great flavors. They paired this with a 3010 Lands Edge Pinot Noir. Also a 2009 McLeans Block Pinot Noir and a 2009 Far Coast Pinot Noir.
Fourth Course: Cumin & Herb Crusted Rack of Lamb, Chestnut Puree, Swiss Chard. I had the kitchen box this up to take home. I could really not stuff anymore in to me and still had dessert. Ate it the next day and it was very good. The wine served was a 2011 Russian River Zinfandel.
Dessert: Meyer Lemon Tartlette, Strawberry Ice Cream, White Chocolate, Tulle ( shaped like a spoon) Berry Sauce.
Good dinner and decent wines. Hartford Court makes several single vineyards Pinots which I prefer but all in all the wines tonight were good.
Single Malt Scotch at ABC
Thursday, March 28, 2013
ABC Liquor & Wine hosted a Gordon & McPhail single malt scotch tasting tonight. I like good scotch and always enjoy being able to taste without buying a bottle.
Tonight we tasted:
Scapa 2000, 11 year
Bladnock 1993, 17 year
Smiths Glenlivet, 21 year at $170 a bottle
Glenburgie, 10 year
Clynelish 1993, 13 year
McCallan 1990, 21 year at $170 a bottle
Benromach Organic (my least favorite)
Caol Ila 1999, 10 year ( very smokey & peaty)
The one that suited me best was the Scapa 2000. It was only $90 per bottle
ABC Liquor & Wine hosted a Gordon & McPhail single malt scotch tasting tonight. I like good scotch and always enjoy being able to taste without buying a bottle.
Tonight we tasted:
Scapa 2000, 11 year
Bladnock 1993, 17 year
Smiths Glenlivet, 21 year at $170 a bottle
Glenburgie, 10 year
Clynelish 1993, 13 year
McCallan 1990, 21 year at $170 a bottle
Benromach Organic (my least favorite)
Caol Ila 1999, 10 year ( very smokey & peaty)
The one that suited me best was the Scapa 2000. It was only $90 per bottle
Phil Trani's Wine Dinner
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
6 of us gathered tonight to try out Phil Trani's in Long Beach venture in hosting wine dinners.. Apparently he has had 2 others previous but Margie just got onto the mailing list. Wines were provided by Southern Wines & Spirits. I had not seen Dave, the rep for Southern in several years.
I will give the restaurant credit for not holding dinner up for the late attendees.
We started off with a 2011 Markham, Napa, Sauvignon Blanc. It was a decent sau blanc. Paired well with the "Spring mix salad with shrimp". A salad is a salad. The dressing was good and the wine paired nicely with it.
Second course was a pan fried Catalina Sand Dabs with lemon, capers and butter. Again a decent dish but I feel the quality of the sand dabs at the Fish Camp are superior. Wine poured was a 2011 Lucky Country Chardonnay from Australia. A little oaky but did go well the the sauce on the fish.
Next came a Walnut crusted lamb chops and country potatoes. My chops we cooked medium well which for me is way over done. Good flavor and the walnut crust as good. The potatoes were something else. If I had not read the menu I would not have known they were potatoes. Paired with a 2009 Chateau Timberlay Bordeaux Superior Rouge, Good pairing but the wine was "light".
Fourth course was a Flat Iron steak with a reduced cabernet sauce served over cous cous. The streak was cooked perfectly., Had good flavor. They poured a 2010 Canto Lapostolle red blend from Chile.
This to me was he best dish and wine tonight.
Dessert was a Red Velvet Cake and a German Chocolate Cake. A Fizz sparkling wine from Italy accompanied the dessert. Way to sweet for me. Cakes were good but I would have liked a little sauce of some kind drizzled on them .
They had a few prizes to give away. CJ & I both won a bottle of the Fizz along with a insulated wine bag to carry it in. I gave my wine to Margie since she seemed to really like it. But kept the bag. It will be handy for cold wines.
A decent dinner considering the price. Nothing to really fault them on. The food was good. If I had ordered the lamb chops off the regular menu at a dinner they would have been cooked to my taste. When you have large group in for a "wine dinner" there is a certain amount of give and take.
I would go back and try another dinner. Have been to Phil Trani's before and thought the food was good. This restaurant has a lot of sports memorabilia. Helmets, signed jerseys, drivers suits etc., Phil used to have a place in San Pedro which was the hang out for the Rams and other sports teams. Over he years he collected quite a bit of "stuff". Worth a lot of money nowdays.
6 of us gathered tonight to try out Phil Trani's in Long Beach venture in hosting wine dinners.. Apparently he has had 2 others previous but Margie just got onto the mailing list. Wines were provided by Southern Wines & Spirits. I had not seen Dave, the rep for Southern in several years.
I will give the restaurant credit for not holding dinner up for the late attendees.
We started off with a 2011 Markham, Napa, Sauvignon Blanc. It was a decent sau blanc. Paired well with the "Spring mix salad with shrimp". A salad is a salad. The dressing was good and the wine paired nicely with it.
Second course was a pan fried Catalina Sand Dabs with lemon, capers and butter. Again a decent dish but I feel the quality of the sand dabs at the Fish Camp are superior. Wine poured was a 2011 Lucky Country Chardonnay from Australia. A little oaky but did go well the the sauce on the fish.
Next came a Walnut crusted lamb chops and country potatoes. My chops we cooked medium well which for me is way over done. Good flavor and the walnut crust as good. The potatoes were something else. If I had not read the menu I would not have known they were potatoes. Paired with a 2009 Chateau Timberlay Bordeaux Superior Rouge, Good pairing but the wine was "light".
Fourth course was a Flat Iron steak with a reduced cabernet sauce served over cous cous. The streak was cooked perfectly., Had good flavor. They poured a 2010 Canto Lapostolle red blend from Chile.
This to me was he best dish and wine tonight.
Dessert was a Red Velvet Cake and a German Chocolate Cake. A Fizz sparkling wine from Italy accompanied the dessert. Way to sweet for me. Cakes were good but I would have liked a little sauce of some kind drizzled on them .
They had a few prizes to give away. CJ & I both won a bottle of the Fizz along with a insulated wine bag to carry it in. I gave my wine to Margie since she seemed to really like it. But kept the bag. It will be handy for cold wines.
A decent dinner considering the price. Nothing to really fault them on. The food was good. If I had ordered the lamb chops off the regular menu at a dinner they would have been cooked to my taste. When you have large group in for a "wine dinner" there is a certain amount of give and take.
I would go back and try another dinner. Have been to Phil Trani's before and thought the food was good. This restaurant has a lot of sports memorabilia. Helmets, signed jerseys, drivers suits etc., Phil used to have a place in San Pedro which was the hang out for the Rams and other sports teams. Over he years he collected quite a bit of "stuff". Worth a lot of money nowdays.
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