Author: deshaw87

Husband, Father, Golf hacker. I Love to talk about our travels, the food, wine, family and things that interest me.

Well I did it.  Last night I asked HR to go pick out a bottle for me.  There it is, the girl brings up a 2009 Baldacci Stag’s Leap, Black Label.  Forget it….the earth shook and the heavens opened up.  What a spectacular wine.  The small winery has put forth some exciting and spectacular wines.  The winery is nestled into the stag’s leap district, a few acres snuggled in  with a cave.  A must see for anyone heading out to Napa.

The winemaker for Baldacci is Rolando Herrera.  He is a story unto himself. But, undoubtedly one of the best winemakers of the past 50 years.  One day I would really like to just tell his story. But tonight is all about the wine.

This is probably the softest, silkiest wine you will every have..and full bodied to boot. The nose is pure red fruit.  Cherry jumps at you then plum, raspberry followed by a little smokiness.

But oh the taste.  The full richness envelopes you as you pour the juice into your mouth.  The depth reeks havoc on your senses.  Your body quivers as tears slowly role down your cheeks.  Simple perfection.  The tannis are so silky just leaving that velvet glove touch in your mouth. I cannot put into words the beautiful pleasure.  You must  try, and you know my motto.  “Everyday is a special day.”

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ENJOY

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Just look at that. My mouth is watering now.

Truth be told I am a huge fan of the Boisset family wines.  I have never had one that was anything less than exhilarating , I have had the pleasure of visiting their wineries in California and Burgundy.  The Christophe series is from vineyards in Oakville.

The nose is full of currant, plum and cassis. The juice is concentrated, full bodied, well balanced and rich. What can I say.  It has a slight earthy note on the tongue.  Featuring notes of vanilla, and cocoa.  Long finish with very bold tannins.  It requires protein to build on. A great dinner wine.  Make it a great meal.

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Enjoy

 

 

Have you seen anything so dark and rich.  20160210_172458.jpg

I have to say Spanish wines are becoming my favorites.  In a short period of time they have progressed so far.  While other wine regions are stagnant or progressing slowly, Spain is moving forward rapidly.

Speaking of progress and change, the Montsant region is one.  A recently established DO, 2001, with only about 57 wineries.  And my I add producing some robust wines.

Tonight I am talking about Can Blau.  Oh damn so good.  The nose is very floral, lavendar, violet all of those dark floral notes.

The juice is luscious.  A complex blend of Mazuelo, Syrah and Garnacha.  WOW, what an effect.  A beautifully gorgeous full bodied wine.   Notes of dark berries, black pepper and spices.  This is a spectacular example of Spain.  Robust, full bodied and rich.  I am not sure if Penelope Cruz is from Spain, but oh my God this would be her wine.

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Enjoy

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Can you see the beauty.  Pretty label and all.

A totally unique blend.  Pinot Noir, Syrah, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay to top it off.
The nose gives off reminders of the holiday. Orange, nutmeg, pepper and spice. 
The wine hits your tongue and the complexity of flavors throws the mind into free fall.
Bright red fruit, cherry, strawberry and even a note of plum.   I know plum sometimes gives that note of stewed fruit…kinda like that cabernet from Paso Robles.
Perennial is best known for pinot blends.  I am not positive this blend works.   It is a decent wine, but for the price I wanted more.  I am not saying it is bad, and I would have it again, just not great.
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Enjoy

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When  most think of cabernet, California comes to mind automatically, mainly Napa but sometimes Sonoma.  What about Washington state, or Idaho? Idaho are you kidding me?   No, pinot maybe,-noir or gris- but cab?

What if I were to tell you about a little winery in Columbia Valley that makes a phenomenal cab.  The winery is owned by Kimber Gates.  It is uniquely located in Coeur D Alene, Idaho, with vineyards in Washington state, mainly Columbia Valley.

The wines are SPECIAL!!!!! Very small production with a total commitment to quality.

I had the extra special pleasure of the 2010 Cabernet.  Pedigreed with cabernet grapes from the Bacchus vineyards, and cab franc from McKinley Springs Vineyard in Horse Heaven Hills.  Can  you imagine this lineage.

The wine is so deep and rich. Cherry and mocha notes right off the bat.  Wow, the wine is so supple and full.  Full bodied with long muscled tannins.  SUPREME!  Chocolate and cherry, who can resist.  Plain out damn good…

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Enjoy

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Contado Mankas, not a name you hear often. Produced by Mankas Hills vineyards and owned by MGR Partners.  Coming from an AVA you definitely do not hear everyday, or even a few times a year.  Suisun Valley.  Located in Solano County it was made an AVA in 1982.  The owners of Mankas Hills are committed to producing high quality wines even if it means limited production.  They have achieve their goals.

Contado Mankas is a beautiful cabernet that exhibits all of the characteristics of its proud Italian namesake.  100% cabernet grapes.  Aged mainly in French oak for 24 months giving that extra flavor and depth.

The nose gives a fresh fruity aroma, enticing and pleasant.

The mouth blows away.  Full bodied, so many layers coating the tongue and cheeks.  Rich ripe fruit,  cherry, raspberry,  a delicious bounty.  Spice notes come at the end with tannins that seem to start soft and then grow.  Drinking this wine makes me think of doing something naughty but oh so much fun.  You know what I mean.  The pleasure of enjoyment.  A true guilty pleasure.

Enjoy $$$

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Contado Mankas cabernet

 

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Chateau Ferran is located in the Pessac Leognan., Graves.  This region is known for both red and white wines unlike most Bordeaux areas.  Most famous for being the home of Chateau Haut-Brion.  Being on the left bank, the predominant grape is Cabernet.

Chateau Ferran was a gift to me to sample.  I was not disappointed and will accept gifts as these any time. Thank You.  The nose emitted an air of old world mustiness.  Not in an off putting way though.  A typical aroma of wild ripe fruit that grows in the woods, berries of sorts, combined with an earthy truffle mushroom note.  Yea,  I know most of you are thinking WHAT? who would drink that, but believe me you will not be disappointed if you did.

The flavom hits you full force.  Front and center comes that earthiness immediately on its heels, the berries.  Rich and fruity.  Black berry, currant, cherry, a bit of coffee and chocolate are noted too, are all combined to make this an overwhelming mind blowing experience.  Slight hinders of cedar and smooth tannins with a long, long, long finish.   Very well structured with all the planes of flavor evenly spread.  A big dinner wine.

Enjoy

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You can almost taste the goodness from here.

On our BYOB night out this month we went to Zaccharias near Lansdale.  Specializing in Italian food, but also serving “American” fare, this cafe has built a reputation.  This evening I brought along 2 wines. Coquard Loison Fleurot Echezeaux, and Javillier Bourgogne des Forgets.

For starters we ordered elk sausage, chicken livers (yeppers, we are from the south) and butternut squash ravioli.  The sausage was excellent, the drawback was the red peppers served with them.  My God enough already.  The whole plate was filled with it, and yuck.  The chicken livers were perfection.  They were crisp and light with onions and cranberries, very delightful. The ravioli…..superb.  Homemade creamy goodness.

I decided to have the Delmonico, usually a good choice, and the wife had the short rib.  The short rib was so tender.  The meat just fell off and melted in your mouth.  The delmonico, not so wonderful.  I ordered med rare, which came as well.  Then it had this topping, umm, not quite sure what they were thinking, but think again. Onions and mushrooms, sounds great right, then add about a quart of balsamic vinegar.  WHAT, yea that’s what.  What could have been an interesting take actually turned into a blob of soggy yuck.  The steak, even over cooked, was flavorful, but add the goop and it turned into this sickly sweet I can’t really say.

The wines were not disappointing.  The Bourgogne des Forgets by Patrick Javillier and his daughter was amazing.  Light crisp and perfectly balanced.  So much flavor.  I remember visiting this winery.  Everything was in the cellar.  A true family operation.  The quality of the wines are so high.  The nose has aromas of honey, pear and apple.  The taste is superb.  Hints of orange, apple, pear and honey, coat the mouth.  My mouth is again watering just thinking about it.  Compliments to the winery.  Just awesome.

Echezeaux is a Grand Cru vineyard just in the Cote de Nuits in Burgundy.  Romanee-Conti of course comes to mind but this is not that.  (Though that is a bucket list item). When i visited there I was enthralled with the history. And I admit this is one of the bottles I bought paying just over 100 euro.  About 150.00 $ at that time.  Coquard Loison is a very very small- higher quality  winery.  Limited production gives greater control and it has paid off.

The nose is full of spice, dark cherry, cedar?, and earthiness.  Tasting the wine, oh what pleasure.  The rich ripe fruit bursts forth, followed by the spice and earthiness (a truffle might come to mind).  A smoky finish that is delightful.  A gorgeous- beautiful wine.  I want more,  guess I will have to visit again.  This is almost a perfect example of Burgundy.

If you can find either of these wines I suggest you try them. You will pay for them but you will absolutely enjoy them.

Enjoy

Look at the color of those wines, just art.  The appetizers were the best.