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)