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In honor of Pope Francis’ visit to Philly I am enjoying a 2009 Grand Vin Clos Saint Michele.
Chateauneuf Du Pape means “new home of the Pope”.  A vacation place for Popes, a refuge during war, an amazing place.  The vineyards are rough, the huge rocks that define the soil make it so hard to believe grapes could be grown in such a place.
This delectable wine is a blend of Grenache and Syrah, only the best grapes chosen.  The fruit rises from the bottle the moment the cork pops. The rich, ripe fruit notes pass over the lips and invigorate the senses.  Black cherry, coffee, chocolate, hints of tobacco.  Elegant spice notes give wsy to very soft delicate tannins. The complexity is mind boggling.  Perfectly  balanced. 
Congrats to the Mousset family for their endeavors.  I was lucky to stand in their vineyards on a cool May day.  Wonderful.
I fear I am not paying enough homage to this wine in my attempt to hurry and watch Papa in Philly, my city is shining.
Enjoy

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Those rocks make the best wine

Those rocks make the best wines.

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What I am drinking tonight.  Clown Shoes, Blaecorn Unidragon.  a Russian Imperial Stout.  Can you say black, this is the darkest beer I think I have ever had.

11.5 abv

Malty and hoppy.  Thick, rich and very enjoyable.  Not one to drink every night but for that change for something new this is def one to go with.

What a wonderful surprise.  This little bottle packs a wallup.  This is what happens when an Italian family migrates to Argentina and starts producing wine.  You get the best of old and new. A single vineyard located in Cruz de Piedra Mendoza, that shines.  The winemaker is Rod “Opi” Sadler, a legend in Argentina and the wotld.  Here he has used the best grapes to produce this extraordinary wine. 
Once you open the bottle oh the aromas penetrate the room.  Floral bouquets, ripe cherries and plum are offered up. 
The beautiful color in the glass invites you to partake of its bounties.  Almost hesitant, I do not want to upend this experience, I lift the glass to my mouth and begin to slowly pour the contents.  Oh , oh ,oh.  My palate is dancing with excitement.   The many flavors burst in my mouth.  The wine is aged 12 months in American and French oak.  This adds another beautiful flavor to this complex wine.  First you are hit with flavors of raspberry jam, dark cherry follows along with hints of plum behind it.  Cinnamon and spice linger on the tongue, soft elegant tannins follow, your body is begging for more.  You literally have drunk the bottle before realizing (at least I did ).  I look  forward  to trying more of the wines from Mascota vineyards.

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Oh what a beautiful night

Enjoy

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Oh thee of the terraced vineyards.  Sitting on the side of spring mountain, Barnett vineyards is one of the most beautiful sites in Napa.  The vineyards are terraced along the hillside with little “rest” areas through out.  Beware of rattlesnake vineyard, it is named that for a reason.  I fully enjoyed my visit there and the tasting. Make sure you visit the cellars carved into the hillside. The owners of the vineyard, Hal and Fiona Barnett founded the estate in 1983.  Today, David Tate is the winemaker and oh is he producing some high quality wines.
This is one of the fantastic wines coming from this small producer.  A tremendous cab.  The rich dark color, intrigues and invites.  Aromas of currants, dark cherry, violets and a hint of plum.  Once the juice hits your mouth this symphony  starts playing.  All of the above flavors, intense, full and rich.  Long long long finish with firm tannins, already your mouth is begging for more.  So complex, so structured, but very approachable.   Already one of my new favorites. 
Praises to Barnett, setting the bar for premium wines.
Enjoy

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You must make this one of your special occasion wines.

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Classic Italian table.  A nose of rich ripe fruit, plums, raspberries. Hints of odorous florals, rose and violets.  Smooth and elegant soft subtle tannins.  Very fruit forward, hints of pepper at the end.  Can’t quite nail it, but herbs linger in the finish.  A fantastic red table.  Great with pizza, pasta or just drankin  on the porch.  Ya know what I mean.
Enjoy

Smooth and silky
Smooth and silky
Brisket
Brisket
cheese anyone
cheese anyone
Pozole verde
Pozole verde
Beet steak
Beet steak
PH Morel cotes du Rhone blanc
PH Morel cotes du Rhone blanc
scallops
scallops
lamb ribs
lamb ribs
Squab and spaetzel
Squab and spaetzel
yours truly
yours truly

Last Friday my wife and I set out to center city Philly to enjoy a recommended restaurant, a little byob named The Farm and The Fisherman.  This very cozy restaurant is owned and operated by Josh and Colleen Lawler.  This team strives to produce the freshest meals possible hence the name.  All items are as local and fresh as can be.

Tonight I brought along 2 bottles, PH Morel Cotes du Rhone blanc, and Le Renard Givry pinot noir.

The first course; Bloody Beet Steak for my wife and Pozole Verde for me.

The beet steak was served  warm with a creamy yogurt and the basalmic pan drippings.  My wife loved it, a true test of its worth.  The beet was thick and sweet, savory….very nice.  I chose the pozole verde.  This soup was extremely flavorful.  A split pea color with large chunks of crab, and the freshest veggies.  Tastes of cilantro, and citrus followed by the crunch of radish (sliced very thin) a wonderful delight to the taste buds.

Second course;

My wife had the lamb ribs.  Most of the time lamb ribs are served rare or medium rare-these were served well done.  At first sight not what you would think.  But, Lord have mercy, the flavors bursting from these…so incredible.  The crusty coating kept the meat juicy and tender.  Her favorite part of the whole meal.  I ordered the scallops.  Perfectly seared with asparagus and mushroom.  Is there anything better than veggies seared in the pan.  Wonderful.  And to top it off all of this was sitting on a bed of grits.  Did I mention rich and creamy…buddah.  Obviously my favorite.

Third course;

My wife ordered the brisket.  Served with broccoli rabe, and new potatoes.  Its own juice poured over with lots of garlic.  The brisket had a great flavor, but was a little over done for our taste and a little dry.

I ordered the squab.  I know, I know pigeon and all that.  Get over it folks this was de-lish..  Perfectly cooked breast, juicy the skin golden and crisp. Ohhh how good was this.  And to top it off served with cheese spaetzel, and mushroom puree.  I am quivering just thinking about it.

Last but not least to finish the meal a cheese plate with cinnamon pecans.

Now lets talk abput the wines.

The white; PH Morel CDR  blanc.  Well balanced and lush.The nose gives off ideas of herb and spice.  Hints of citrus with

backing of peach and melon coat the mouth.  A long and fruity finish.  A definite keeper.

The red;

Le Renard Givry Pinot Noir by Devallard.

Beautiful nose of ripe berries.  An elegant gorgeous dark ruby color.  Soft, elegant and fruity.  Smooth silky tannins.  A wine that coats your buds and offers that extra edge on a meal.  My mouth is watering again.

THANK YOU NICOLE AND EMMA

Enjoy

Well slap me down and call me silly.  Ginny Lambrix and Truett Hurst have done it again.  What a beautiful rich wine.  The nose exudes so many layers.  Aromas of rich ripe dark fruits freely flow from the glass.
The dark juice smoothly caresses your mouth, flavors so complex and concentrated coat your tongue.  Concentrated fruit, red berries, ripe and full, pepper and cinnamon linger in the back.  Mouth watering and luxurious, long finish begging for more.  Oh what I love about thee.
Truett Hurst is known for producing ripe full bodied wines. They practice bio dynamic farming and produce high quality wines.  Dry Creek offers a spectacular view as well as perfect terrior.  The winery sits right on the creek, if you have the chance to visit, plan a few hours to sip some wine and enjoy the surroundings.
Enjoy

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Oh yea Baby