This was a real crappy day.  Rainy, cold and just yuck and to top it off I spent too much of my day off doing work. YUCK  On days like these I tend to need a real comfort food kinda evening.  One of my favorites growing up was sausage and rice.  My Mom would make this really heavy meal, filling and comfortable and it would make me feel so much better.  So tonight I made this meal and I am really happy to say that me daughter and wife also find it to be a comfort meal.   On this night I paired it with Lloyd Chardonnay.

Rob Lloyd is as they say a wine “rock star”.  He worked his way through the ranks, starting out in the tasting rooms and then after graduation at La Crema and Rombauer.  He started his own consulting company and wine label “Lloyd”.  His credits are Butter, JAM cellars and Lloyd cellars.  He is a consultant on many wines too.  Tonight I am enjoying the 2015 Chardonnay.

The 2015 Chardonnay is rich, creamy and buttery.  Full bodied with lots of ripe Carneros fruit, notes of vanilla that soften it up.  Hints of oak linger at the finish but not overpowering.  Loads of texture, a beautiful example  of what chardonnay could be.

Sausage and rice with Lloyd Chardonnay.  A great combination.

Enjoy

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So before I talk about the #ceja wines let me tell you a little bit about their history.  A family of immigrants (yes I am going there Trump), who through hard work, perseverance and the desire to live the American dream have succeeded in building one of the most respected and hi end wineries in Napa.  Working in various jobs in Napa the family literally learned the business from the ground up.  A true American success story..Amelia Ceja was named woman of the year in 2005, she and her daughter, Dalia, have graced the cover of many magazines and continue to build the brand in powerhouse fashion.  From the beginning with the first 15 acres purchased by Amelia and her husband Pedro and family members Pablo, Armando and Juanita.  Armando is now the winemaker at Ceja (and doing a magnificent job).  OK enough gushing about the family and their success.  (Just for the record.. I visited the vineyards a couple of years ago and was treated to a winetasting and food prepared by the matriarch  yummmmm.

Now to three of their wines.

Ceja Chardonnay Carneros;

First that beautiful color, golden straw, sunset, you take your pick.  Aromas that revel with citrus and green apple.  The mouth is coated in refreshing light crisp citrus notes, followed by notes of tree fruits, pear and apple.  Very well balanced.  A perfect summer refreshing white.

Ceja Pinot Noir Carneros

A light ruby color.  The nose is very floral, with hints of ripe red fruits.  The wine coats your mouth with so many flavors wow the depth of complexity is amazing.  Ripe red fruit flavors, plum and cherry followed by a spicy finish.  Beautiifully balanced with elegant soft tannins.

Ceja Vino de Casa Red Napa

Everyone loves a great red blend, a common table wine.  But this is anything other than a common wine.  Dark red, not quite garnet.  The bouquet erupts with aromas of violets and cherry.  Very fruity on the palate.  Rich red fruit, a long finish

Fruit and spice and everything nice.

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Look at these gems….Enjoy