A TASTE OF ROY'S...A SIP OF WINE...A SPECIAL EVENING

As Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons would have crooned:  "OH WHAT A NIGHT!"
A magical gourmet night of gastronomical creation by Chef Partner Jason Moffitt of Roy's Restaurant in Woodland Hills.

The Occasion:  3 couples getting together for a great evening of food, wine and friendship.....do you need any other excuse?

An 8 course special tasting menu prepared especially for 6 of us to pair with the four wines we brought.
Melt in your mouth, delectable flavoring, creative presentation, wonderful sauces,
---my descriptions will be brief...because there is no way I could amply describe each incredible dish that was served over 3-1/2 hours...starting first with the
HAMACHI....(a juvenile yellow tail...found in the best sushi bars).  Rich and buttery....with a sauce that just put you over the edge.  Followed by a single large
SCALLOP...prepared to perfection....melt in your mouth..excite your senses....tease your taste buds. Next was
OPAKAPAKA...again with incredible sauce, flavors, garnish....and a lemon/mushroom risotto that put you in heaven.
The above paired with a 2008 CHATEAU MONTELENA CHARDONNAY.  Rich with flavors of apple and pear, and slight minerality.  This is the chardonnay that won the 1976 Paris Wine Competition, and won again 30 years later!  (well..not THE bottle of wine...but "the" bottle of wine.").  Moving right along to course #4.....
LOBSTER...meat served on a pretzel roll....along with a small lobster claw.  YUMYUMYUM...and then a small
QUAIL.....succulent, with an incredible brown sauce.  These two dishes paired delightfully with a 2008 SHEA PINOT NOIR from the WILLAMETTE VALLEY.  A typical Oregon pinot...fragrant, fruity, and a little spicey, with some minerality and a wonderful long finish.  
And then...the intermezzo.....
SORBET.....refreshing, tasty, palate cleansing.....a preamble for the final main course....a small...perfectly done---flavorful
FILET MIGNON.....and yes....THIS non meat eater ate every morsal!  And would have eaten even more!
This...accompanied by a BRANCAIA TOSCANA II BLU 2004.  A super Tuscan, full bodied, with dark fruits, velvety and well balanced.
AND....IF THAT WAS NOT ENOUGH!  As we opened and poured a 1989 Villa Helena Dulcinea from the Napa Valley---a special select late harvest dessert wine.....came
DESSERT!   A s'mores creation.....but not like any s'mores you have ever had.

BON APPETITE AND CHEERS!

AND A SPECIAL "THANK YOU" TO JASON....for such a wonderful evening.

Or....as Bob Hope would say:  Thanks for the memories.....

IT'S NOT AN ANOMALY!

                

Oh...but it IS! (an Anomaly that is).

I make no apology for my preference and prejudice for just about anything Paso...be it one of the select Paso Bordeaux producers or be it the incredible mouth watering, complex, layered fruit bomb Rhones that Paso is garnering a worldwide reputation for producing (not to mention scores that are knocking the !*%#! out of their Northern Cousins).

However, once in awhile...a Napa secret is born and discovered....a superstar that doesn't rely on a long standing geographical or varietal reputation...but one that is blazing new frontiers and setting a new bar of excellence, expectation and elegance.

Such is Steve Goldfarb's ANOMALY VINEYARDS Cabernet.  And the quality and WOW factor here is certainly no anomaly.

Just having opened a bottle of the 2003---I have to say that this bottle....compared to other Napa Cabs I have tried...just sets a new standard.  The subtle fragrances build as the bouquet of black fruits, cherry, plum gather force.  Then, that first sip.....makes a statement!  Fruit forward...forceful yet with a seamless and bright elegance and sophistication....that teases you and just stops short of exploding into fireworks.  Subtle, sexy and seductive as you would expect a cab to be from Napa....yet tantalizing with black fruits, a slight tartness, with great balance and a hint of earthiness and layers of flavors that keep changing.  A finish that slowly lingers on as your mind tries to grasp that last nuances of flavor.  And then...you are left with a memory to recapture...or if lucky enough....another small pour.

Sipped with an incredible meal, with sister and brother in law...at a birthday celebration...makes it even more special.

This is NOT your old-timers Cabernet!  THIS...is a STATEMENT of what Napa cabs could be when you dare to push the envelope on the old tried and true.....

Anomaly may be somewhat of a newcomer to the Napa scene......but....they have definitely made a statement, have created an elite place for themselves, and have a loyal following.

Try a bottle and see for yourself......become a believer.

Cheers,
Don

WINE, FOOD, NEW WINE, NEW FRIENDS-A SHORT PASO TRIP

It's getting to look a lot like HARVEST TIME IN PASO!

Just a quick trip for us this time up to Paso and back!

Starting out by pouring at Epoch Estate Winery with Stephanie and Christina, is just too much fun and sets the mood for the rest of our time in Paso.  Having the opportunity to pour wine, talk wine, drink wine, make new friends and then share a wonderful evening with them over wine and dinner, is priceless. Especially being able to sample one of Epoch's soon to be released new wines, Sensibility...ABSOLUTELY YUMMY!  A sensible blend dominated by 75% Grenache!  Be certain to order it upon release, it's sure not to last too long.  Nick and Dawn, Tom and Jillian and Rebecca and Ethan are three of the most delightful couples that my wife and I had the pleasure to drink and dine with this past weekend.

and...what can I say about Daniel Daou and Daou Vineyards?  Certainly not enough.  Gracious and affable host Daniel spent a good part of the morning touring us around his facility.  I am amazed at what I constantly learn about what goes into making a truly premium wine.  The picking, the equipment, the process, the barrels...and most of all....the true passion!  And Daniel's soon to be finished Tasting Room!  "WOW" doesn't even start to do justice in describing it.  You can already feel the warmth and intimacy that all will experience while sipping and looking out over what must be the most incredible view in the entire region.  That...coupled with the brilliant wines Daou makes (my current favorites being Celestus, a true celestial experience, and the unfortunately, unavailable except in my cellar Syrah)---are certain to put a smile on everyone's face.  We are still basking in the afterglow.  Be certain to plan to visit Daou's Tasting room sometime soon after their Grand Opening in late October.

And a special "Thank you" to Robert at L'Aventure for tasting us through their wonderful 2009 line-up.  While Optimus continues to be (IMO) the flagship----the 2009 Estate Cuvee is just....well...."indescribably delicious."  This blend of Syrah, Cabernet and Petite Verdot gives off an array of fireworks in your mouth, coupled with a silky, seductive blend of changing flavors and a finish that just does not want to quit.  Try it if you can.....I don't want to spoil the surprise by giving too much away.

As to food:  A trip to Paso just wouldn't be complete without a trip to Il Cortile.  Santos never fails to delight our senses with his creativity....yummmmm.   A gourmet treat in Cayucos is Cass House.  My, oh My!  A 4-course tasting menu (which actually was a 6 course menu) spread over about 3 hours of conversation and good wine, was worth every penny.  And if you want to be truly evil....take a trip next door to the Brown Butter Cookie House.....but watch your waistline---it's easy to get carried away sampling the delicious sea salt cookies (and then buying) their many delectible hand crafted varieties.

A last wine note:  Our new friends Ethan and Rebecca brought to dinner at Cass House a 2006 Vinoterra - Kisi (Kakheti).  This is a Georgian (the country, not the state of) white....which is as different, unusual, interesting and tantalizing as anything I have ever tasted.  Golden (like the sun) in color, with hints of dry hay, apricot, and nuts...the flavors kept changing as the wine opened up....truly a new winederful eperience.

Although this was just a quick trip....we are already looking forward to our next.....during Paderewski Fest in November.

Please...feel free to send me a comment, forward my blog to a friend, post it on your FB page...and drink good wine!


So...until next time, I leave you with this thought,

I am beauty and love;

I am friendship, the comforter;

I am that which forgives and forgets.

The Spirit of Wine.

W.E. Henley, British writer (1849-1903)

COMING UP--A QUICK PASO TRIP

What could be better than a quick, impromptu road trip up to the Paso Wine Country!  Leaving Sunday, coming back home Tuesday----and being able to sample some upcoming releases from a few favorites.
AND...if YOU happen to be up in Paso this Sunday the 18th (between 1:00-closing)....please drop by the EPOCH TASTING ROOM on York Mountain.....you might just find me behind the counter pouring some favorite Epoch wines (including the 95 point Authenticity)....so please come in and say HI and sip along with me.

Speaking of Epoch.....if you haven't received your Fall Release letter---sign up now at:  epochwines.com.  The store will open on September 26th at 9:00am----you don't want to miss getting in on another epic release from Epoch!

Hope to see some of you on the 18th!

Cheers,
Don

WINE NIGHT! 2 FROM NAPA.....2 FROM PASO!

The night before Wine night and all through the house (ooops...wrong story)...there was wood fired pizza night at Dana and Matt's New Outdoor Pizza Oven Kitchen.  This certainly set the tone for the eating and wine tasting weekend.....with just the BEST pizzas I have every eaten (along with some great Paso wines).....good food, wine and of course, the Chef and Cheftress:  My son in law and daughter!  That said.......

Our Wine Night Started out with quite a KICK (from Kick Ranch that is!)!!  As the 4 other wine affecianados arrived....they were served a 2010 Bevan Cellars Sauvignon Blanc...and that set the tone for the evening with quite a KICK...  A strong vibrant blast of grapefruit, citrus and tropical fruits....which left everyone saying saying:  WHERE can I get THIS?  Well.....unfortunately....Russell sold out of the 2010....so we'll be looking for the 2011.

After an appropriate time period.....4 brown bagged bottles, numbered 1-4 were placed on the table.....each to be blind tasted:  Poured, viewed, sniffed, sipped, savored, reviewed and rated!  All we knew was:  2 bottles from Paso.....and 2 bottles from Napa........after a fun evening of eating, sipping, dissecting, tasting, eating some more, re-tasting....changing our notes and reviews (and scores)....taking over 3 hours...each bottle was discussed....scores were added up....and the bottles then unwrapped and revealed.

The Napa Line Up:

Anomaly, a 2006 Classic Cabernet.  Soft, sensual, well balanced with a defining flavor of blueberry (so says my wife), light tannins and just oooohhh sooooo smooth and mellow.....this just got better and better as it was paired with the appetizers around the table.  There certainly is no Anomaly about the sensual pleasures this winery produces.....for anyone lucky enough to have ever experienced a bottle (or two).

Heitz Cellars, Martha's Vineyard Cabernet....1986!  Wait!  Was that a typo?  1986?? Paul (THE collector of our group), has been enjoying, buying and collecting wines for about 30 years...and was kind enough to share this rare gem with us.  Designated a Cellar Selection by Wine Spectator...WAYYYYY back in "the day"....everyone picked this as a Cabernet during the blind tasting.  A Cabernet yes, but soooo different from the cabs we generally drink and are used to.   Earthy and subtly robust (is that a conundrum?), with beautiful coloration....still spicy, somewhat earthy and with a full mouth feel.  Imagine our surprise when this wine was unveiled and we saw this was a 1986!  Thank you Paul, for sharing this 25 year old gem from your cellar.  Certainly, something we would never have experienced.

The Paso Lineup

Aha!  Let's throw a little confusion into the mix now!  While brown bagged....this big Paso wine was a definite fruit bomb....complex and layered....a wonderful nose of black fruits....flavors going from cherry, to leather to subtle spice yet not overpowering....definitely NOT syrah based, which would be normally expected from a big Paso wine....so behind bag #3 was
Denner Vineyards, 2008 Mother of Exiles!  LO and Behold...a Bordeaux blend!!---70% Cabernet sauvignon, 20% Petite verdot and 10% Cab Franc.  Just a little interesting twist for the evening! So who says Paso is ONLY about The Rhones?  Move over Napa....you have some serious competition here.

And finally.....when unveiled, bag #4 contained
Saxum's  Heartstone Vineyards, 2008.  A classic Paso GSM (or maybe SGM, as it is more heavily Syrah based).  A huge yet smooth Rhone blend...exhibiting the qualities you expect in these three Rhone varietals.  Dark fruits, spices, licorice and a finish that went on.....  It will be fun to see how this one evolves over the next many years as it grows up and gains age and maturity.

And...THE MOMENT OF TRUTH....the FINAL RATINGS FOR THE EVENING!  As the good Dr. Mike said:  It REALLY isn't fair to compare and score the more subtle, sexy and smooth Napa cabs against the bigger, Paso fruit bombs-----as we love them all.  So....that kept in mind.....they were ALL winners!  How could they not be....with 4 distinctively different wines exhibiting a plethora of individuality and personality, and maturity.  Flavors and textures changing by the minute as they were paired with a variety of foods and cheeses, exhibiting personalities as different as those of the people around the table.

Wine is so individualistic...and who can say that any one of these 4 (or 5 if you count the Sauvignon Blanc) was better than the other!  They simply all contributed to another winederful evening of expressive fun, flavor and friendship.

THIS was a winning night for everyone----
CHEERS!

Don

L.A. CELLARS---BRING A GOOD BOTTLE NIGHT

 So Friday night was Bring a GOOD bottle night at Kevin Jones' LA Cellars.....and some GREAT bottles were brought to be shared and enjoyed by all......A wonderful, HUGE Napa Cab with fruit flavors that exploded in your mouth and a finish that was incredible (QUIVET...a new one for me)......an incredible Portuguese red blend (Yes..I need to write down the names and vintages).....Torrin 2008 Banshee----yummy yummy yummy, some wonderful California Pinots, a Saxum 2007 Heartstone!  (My oh My)! and several other unique and mind boggling wines.  The BEST part of the evening however, was seeing old friends, making new friends, and the generosity shown by all with the wonderful wines that everyone brings to share and explore.  Kevin always has a delightful group, provides great cheeses and just a casual and relaxed atmosphere for everyone to sit around and chat, sip, laugh, finish out the week and slide into the weekend.

CHEERS!

Paso BD trip...PART 2

Ahhhhhh..and THEN....there was CALIZA'S Carl and Pamela Bowker.  I first met Carl a few years ago when he was bottling right after opening the tasting room.   JUST as my lovely wife and I approached him...the bottling line stopped.  The labeling machine had mis-fired...and botched up the bottling process.  Carl did NOT have a smile on his face...needless to say. That was a very very quick meet and greet.  But these days, there is not much to keep that smile off Carl's (or Pamela's) face.  With consistent 90+ ratings from '06 onward....and a steady and growing fan base, Carl and Pamela couldn't be happier.  You might just want to sit back and relax and be one of Caliza's "Kissin Cousins" on a warm afternoon......or just be a good "Companion"....a delicious tantalizing blend of Cabernet and Syrah.  Bottling glitch or not....what comes out of their bottles will keep you smiling till your next sip.  And Carl and Pamela are always there to talk, sip, and share their liquid passion.

So....what ELSE would a guy do for his birthday when up in Paso?  "WORK!" OF COURSE!  My afternoon spent pouring at the Epoch tasting room......finally I was able to sample (and pour, and chat about), some of the new and great 08's!  The 08 Tempranillo.....definitely an epic (or Epochical) sensory experience!  Complex, wonderful tongue popping  flavors with a tantalizing finish....I thought the 07 was good....but the 08 is a major mouthful of yummy.  And of course the flagship 08 "Ingenuity" a wonderful subtle and complex Rhone blend of GSM and Petite Syrah----drink it now...drink it later.  Drink it with or without food...but when you drink it the big smile will come to your face....can you say heavenly?  And while the temperature is still hot with warm nights....coming from someone who really does not favor rose....Epoch's new rose (almost equal parts of grenache, syrah and cunoise) is just a beautiful mixture of strawberry, raspberry, kiwi.  Sip it by the pool as the breeze blows in the late afternoon.....but be careful!  You may want to stay OUT of the pool-because you can finish the bottle before you know it.  And pouring alongside Stephanie and Christina, two of the nicest (and most knowledgeable) young women is a pleasure.  Pouring, sipping and making new friends....and re-meeting old/new friends I poured for before (Rebecca and Ethan) is what the Paso wine experience is all about.

The evening finished off at a new restaurant in town:  Roberts!  Definitely an "A" lister!  This one is a keeper.....try it if you haven't.  And of course, the old new favorite:  Il Cortile....nothing on the menu less than 5 star in preparation, presentation, creativity, flavors.

Of course, the highlight of the trip was being with my kids----they arranged most of the tastings and the sip and greets.  Kids, wife, friends, food, Paso wine......
we'll be back soon.
Cheers
and as always, PLEASE!  Feel free to comment, email me at askinut2@socal.rr.com, pass the blog along...
and drink good wine.
don