California Pinot Noir

I am looking for CA pinots

06 Peay, Sonoma County - very nice Pinot!!!

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06 Pey Lucia - Sta Lucia Highlands Ret $39

07 Black Kite, Kite's Rest $42
07 Black Kite, Stony Terraces $52

05 Campion, Sta Lucia Highlands $35 (VWM)
05 Campion, Edna Valley $38 (VWM)

California Merlot

2003 Jessup Cellars, Napa Valley

Cafaro

Baxter

Venge

California Sauvignon Blanc

2007 Robert Biale "Pollo Bianco" Yountville

Green and Red $20

Fiddlehead $25

Ruston $18

Dutcher Crossing $21

Iridesse $22

Avatar Vitners, Croze $17

CrauforD $15

Wines from Andy

Need to write the list of wines that I taste, otherwise I don't know what I tried...

2006 Walter Hansel, Russian River, North Slope, Chardonnay
It is a little bit different from previous vintages, the nose is nice. On the palate is crispy and light.

206 Walter Hansel, Russian River, North Slope, Pinot Noir
Nice pinot, good nose, fruit forward on the palate and some crushed herbs. very nice.
smooth and well balanced

2007 Jeff Runquist, Silverspoon vineyard, Lodi, Grenache.

2005 Meyer, Napa Valley, Cabernet

Saxon Brown, Casa Santamaria, Semillon -- I got the chance to try this one! and it is good!!

Arcadian and Parador wines

These are the wines that I tasted on October 16... I am happy because they were good wines.. hmmm yummy!!

Tasted 17 new wines today..

2005 Arcadian Chardonnay
Sleepy Hollow Vineyard, Sta Lucia Higlands
Very nice chardonnay, from the beginning to the end. Little bit creamy, full body. Pears on the bouquet

Tried three different Pinots - they are all very good:

2005 Arcadian, Pinot Noit, Sleepy Hollow, Sta Lucia,

2005 Arcadian, Pinot Noir, Dierberg Vineyard, Sta Maria Valley. This is the one that I like the most. Very well balanced. No dry. Very smooth back end. Anise bouquet.

2005 Arcadian, Pinot Noir, Pisoni Vineyard, Sta Lucia Highlands.

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Met Steve from Parador today. He has amazing wines.
2005 Parador, Tempranillo, Napa Valley. This is a very nice tempranillo, very well balanced, spices, nice bouquet

2002 Parador, Tempranillo Reserva, Napa Valley. This is bigger than 2005. Full bodied, and little bit drier. Nose: Gum :o)

2004 Parador, Red Blend. 58% CS and 42% Tempranillo. Very nice nose, strawberry. Dry. Spices

2003 Parador, Red Blend. 78% Tempranillo, 22% CS. Nicer bouqet of anise.

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2006 Bell, Sauvignon Blanc, Lake County. It was a little creamy and has a very nice nose. Not bad. Easy to drink. Good on summer days.

2006 Bell, Chardonnays, Napa Valley. Very nice wine. Creamy, buttery. Great bouquet of pears, melon.

2006 Bell, Syrah, Canterbury Vineyard. Very nice nose of dark fruits. Fruit forward on the palate. Good finish.

2006 Bell, Claret. White pepper on the nose

2005 Bell, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley. Nice bouquet of white pepper, cooked strawberry.

2004 Bell, Sonette. It is a little bit dry, long lasting flavor.

2004 Bell, Clone 6 - totally different nose, crushed herbs, green bell pepper, dirt. Full body on the palate and dry.

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2005 Epiphany, Rodney's Vineyard, Sta Ynez Valley, Petite Sirah - Good one (B)

2004 Alibi, Dry Creek Valley, Zinfandel - I was impressed with this zinfandel. Well balanced wine. (A) -$22 Very good price too for this nice zin.

Wines I want to try or check

There are too many wines to check and I am creating a list of wines with notes for references.

Anglim - well known for Pinots
Littorai - I heard great things about the Pinots but hard to get.
Longfellow - friend mentioned to me about their wines
Jaffurs - good ratings for Syrah
Blockhedia - zins
Sea Smoke - I am still on the waiting list.
Don Quixote - Petite Sirah.

Shhhhhhh!!!!

I have a weakness for marble cakes... if I see it .. I will buy it. Luckily, I don't see it very often.

I need to find a good recipe.

Churros con chocolate, this is a traditional spanish breakfast.

I remember on the weekends, my sister and I will wake up early in the morning to buy the churros... good times.

Pain au chocolat

my other weakness.. can you tell that I love chocolates?

Charcuterie

Lomo Embuchado is a dry-cured loin of pork, meaty and tender with virtually no fat

Pairing: J. Runquist "R" Petite Syrah - it is a great combination

$40/lb

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Chorizo Soria, very popular cured meat (embutido) in Spain. This is a must in every Spanish home.

Bocadillos de chorizo are everywhere in Spain.

$20/lb

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Chorizo Blanco

Jamon Serrano

Salchichon de Vic

Fuet

Cheese

Flagship, Beecher's, (Seattle)
Type: semi hard cow's milk
Pairing: J.Runquist "R" Petite Syrah
$16.95/lb
Reserve $22.95/lb

This is one of the best cheddar cheese that I tried, specially the reserve one. Interesting.. the website suggests pairing with a Syrah, but I tried with Saxon Brown and yuck! that didn't work for me, but I am sure it will work with a different Syrah.
distributor: yes

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Burrata is a fresh Italian cheese, made from mozarella and cream. Served in room temperature, with olive oil and sea salt. Delicious!!!
Type: water buffalo milk
Pairing: Saxon Brown Syrah
$3.5 one ball

distributor: yes

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Delice D'Argental is similar to Explorateur. A triple cream cheese from Burgundy, France.
Type: Cow's milk
Pairing: Terraces Petite Syrah. I read it is best paired with dessert wine such as Sauternes (as dessert course) or Sancerre.
$20lb

SP tried with Ken Brown Chardonnay, and by his face expression I don't think that was a good pairing.
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Saint André, triple cream cheese similar to Delice D'Argental
Type: Cow's milk
Pairing: I haven't tried it yet, but it will probably work with Petite Syrah

Saint André is so fatty it can make a white wine taste sour and metallic - light beer and a slice of pear are suggested as better complements
One more comment: Absolutely heavenly
$10

Distributor: yes
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Prima Donna Aged
Hard cheese, cow's milk, Netherlands
Suggested wine: Merlot
I tried Napa Landing Merlot and I didn't like it, but then I tried Baxter Merlot and it was better than others, but not a 'wow'. It can work..
This cheese is very similar to Parmesan but smoother.
The following day I tried pair this cheese with a wine, and I can't find any that works very well.

$13.99 / lb
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English Farm House Cheddar
This is not my favorite cheddar cheese but it is not bad
$9.99/lb
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Manchego - sheep's milk (semi hard)
Mahon - cow's milk (semi hard)
Valdeon - blue cheese with goat and cow milk
Iberico - three milk (semi hard)
Murcia al vino - goat milk cheese with wine
Tronchon - three milk (soft)
Urgelia - cow milk (semi hard)

What did I taste today?

August 21, 2008

2004 Joseph Swan, Mancini Ranch, Russian River, Zinfandel
2005 Carver Sutro, Palisades Vineyard, Napa, Petite Syrah
2005 Selene, Napa, Cabernet Sauvignon

August 12, 2008

2006 Walter Hansel Cahill Lane Russian River Chardonnay
Amazing bouquet with pear, peach, very sweet smell. Medium body on the palate, good acidity, oaky

2006 Walter Hansel Cahill Lane Russian River Pinot Noir
Light color - it reminds me a similar style as Joseph Swan and Eric Ross Pinots. Fruit forward. On the nose, I smelled crushed strawberry.

2005 Saxon Brown Parmelee Hill Vineyard Sonoma Valley, Syrah
I am not a syrah person, but I really like this one. The first time that I took the sip I wasn't too crazy about the wine but this syrah took sometime to open up. I took another sip again, and wow! I was very pleased with the wine.
Nice fruit forward on the nose. It is a very well structured wine. I tasted a combination of dark fruits, mineral, herb. Also, very nice finish.

New wines at Artisan

Vie was started by Bryan Kane who asked a small group of friends (Bryan Robertson, Rachel Blatt, and Barry Dorf) who were also passionate about wine, to join him in his desire to produce high-quality, unique rhone varietal wines

Vie comes from the Old French word meaning "to invite" or "to give occasion for". Or, in French today, it is simply translated "Life". Make an occasion to enjoy Vie with friends. Enjoy Vie! Enjoy Life!

**Notes from the winemaker:

2006 Vie Winery L’Imaginaire Santa Barbara County Grenache
Aromas of blackberry and blueberry liqueur with a hint of pepper and minerals.
Enjoy this wine with fish, chicken or duck over the next 5-7 years.

2006 Vie Winery L’Etranger Sonoma County Zinfandel Blend
60% Zinfandel, 35% Syrah, 5% Petite Syrah
This wine combines the spicy peppery flavors and up-front blueberry, blackberry, and raspberry fruit of Zinfandel with the mid-palette weight of a Syrah and the tannins and structure of Petite Syrah. Enjoy over a barbeque or red meat over the next 3-4 years.
92 Points Wine Enthusiast

California Zinfandel

2001 Joseph Swan, Mancini Ranch
Steve and Lena love the bouquet on this wine - we smelled so many different things, such as mint, eucalyptus, cooked fruit.. what else...? after few minutes.. we smelled cola.

2005 Tofanelli, Napa Valley

2006 Jeff Runquist "Z", Massoni Ranch, Amador County

2006 Peter Franus, Napa Valley

2005 Downing Family Vineyard "Flight by Night", Oakville, Napa

2006 Robert Biale "Black Chicken", Napa Valley
Dense blackberry, raspberry preserves, and black cherry flavors are layered with allspice, toasty grilled bread, and vanilla bean. Broad on flavors and soft in texture

2006 Bucklin "Bambino", Old Hill Ranch, Sonoma, Zinfandel Blend

California Viognier

2006 Gregory Graham, Bartolucci Vineyards, Lake County

California Chardonnay

2006 Walter Hansel, Russian River

2006 Frank Family Vineyards, Napa Valley

2007 Lioco, Sonoma County
aroma: kaffir lime leaf, ruby red grapefruit, talc
flavor: lemon honey, pears in syrup, mineral
2006 vintage was rated 90 points-Wine Spectator

2005 Ken Brown, Sanford & Benedict Vineyard, Santa Rita Hills
Well balanced and harmonious, this Chardonnay is stylish and crisp with fresh aromas of white peach and green apple, accented by hints of seashell and an elegant minerality. A lift of natural acidity in the core is surrounded by a richly layered texture. The wine culminates in a fresh, resonating finish
227 cases

2005 Stuhlmuller Vineyard, Alexander Valley, Estate Reserve

2003 Vineyard 7 & 8, "8", Reserve, Spring Mountain District, Napa

Wineries Adventures

I have great experiences in every single one..

Robert Biale Vineyards
4038 Big Ranch Road, Napa, CA
Every single wine that I tried was amazing - I was not dissapointed

Darioush
4240 Silverado Trail, Napa, CA 94558
Amazing architect

Frank Family Vineyards
1091 Larkmead Lane, Calistoga, CA
Fun tasting room

The Terraces
1450 Silverado Trail, St Helena, CA
Boutiques wines

Ancien Wines
4047 E 3rd Ave., Napa, CA

Del Dotto Vineyards
1055 Atlas Peak Rd, Napa, CA

Krupp Brothers Estate
3265 Soda Canyon Rd, Napa, CA
500 acres!!! I wouldn't mind to go back to this winery, the view is amazing!

Chimmey Rock Winery
5350 Silverado Trail, Napa, CA
Love the people in there!