tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31697655670433905702024-02-07T16:58:04.911-08:00The Accidental Wine SnobMy experiences exploring the many wines of California with my wife and friends.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger148125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169765567043390570.post-31224349416039906842023-12-25T18:20:00.000-08:002023-12-27T21:53:55.433-08:00Christmas Pinots<p> Last year Alex and Adam came up for Christmas Eve. We has a wine tasting. Adam asked if we were going to have a testing this year. It seems the start of a tradition.</p><p>I ordered 6 wines from <a href="https://top100.winespectator.com/lists/" target="_blank">Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wine of 2023</a> and <a href="https://www.wineenthusiast.com/toplists/enthusiast-100-2023/" target="_blank">Wine Enthusiast's Top 100 Wine of 2023</a>. I whittled it down to 4 for the tasting, thinking 6 was too much.</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>2019 Rippon, Mature Vines, Central Otago, NZ</li><li>2021 Big Table Farm, Cattrail Brothers Vineyard, Eola Amity Hills, OR</li><li>2021 Occidental, Freeatone-Occidental, Sonoma Coast, CA</li><li>2021 Merry Edwards, Georganne Vineyard, Russian River Valley, CA</li></ul><p></p><p>I did not include 2021 Convene, Russian River Valley, CA and 2021 Resonance, Willamette Valley, OR.</p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Ratings</h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4CCjSZbpAvX5AFhzie89mLDEmBwW6mwgRUjeYeaJMzYvy9axYYLRECn1F9YqBdu26-65-1Xm21c_5vqlwWjQ1Tv5cn3I-4NNikQAEuMdZrGnUzeWRymAtjKcsYC9iWAdAVNU8gR2V_DNsbdRYLdRrzR7KwWE222cLVcAjrzRJv3UWhcrdq89UGKLvcMES/s4032/IMG_9745.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4CCjSZbpAvX5AFhzie89mLDEmBwW6mwgRUjeYeaJMzYvy9axYYLRECn1F9YqBdu26-65-1Xm21c_5vqlwWjQ1Tv5cn3I-4NNikQAEuMdZrGnUzeWRymAtjKcsYC9iWAdAVNU8gR2V_DNsbdRYLdRrzR7KwWE222cLVcAjrzRJv3UWhcrdq89UGKLvcMES/s320/IMG_9745.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9biAZIAlIu6VCEC6SydlGVCXL7nkQnf_NdNhKhuOZ75zX-EShC3dZJ5xcMDxVr5tgNpYFrjRXkBoxNescPg20M-j0M7WMsRZzkEQaAUSf3aDpyYEbsg8oXqaXC6xCmlAZCVqMVVE_nl7uB45aCbWP3kygdtvRpXUsfKmnBbeE0Ia_DgtSumbLzPA0S4P-/s280/Image%2012-27-23%20at%207.49%E2%80%AFPM.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="94" data-original-width="280" height="94" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9biAZIAlIu6VCEC6SydlGVCXL7nkQnf_NdNhKhuOZ75zX-EShC3dZJ5xcMDxVr5tgNpYFrjRXkBoxNescPg20M-j0M7WMsRZzkEQaAUSf3aDpyYEbsg8oXqaXC6xCmlAZCVqMVVE_nl7uB45aCbWP3kygdtvRpXUsfKmnBbeE0Ia_DgtSumbLzPA0S4P-/s1600/Image%2012-27-23%20at%207.49%E2%80%AFPM.jpeg" width="280" /></a></div><br /><p>D - 2021 Merry Edwards, Georganne Vineyard, Russian River Valley, CA came in first place with an average of 3.31. It was Wine Enthusiast #9 wine of 2023. It cost $70 from the winery</p><p>A - 2019 Rippon, Mature Vines, Central Otago, NZ came in second place with an average of 3.25. It was Wine Enthusiast #5 wine of 2023. It cost $55 from K&L.</p><p>C - 2021 Occidental, Freeatone-Occidental, Sonoma Coast, CA in third place with an average of 2.94. It was Wine Spectator's #2 wine of 2023. It cost $69 from Aabalat.</p><p>B - 2021 Big Table Farm, Cattrail Brothers Vineyard, Eola Amity Hills, OR came in last place with an average of 2.13. It was Wine Enthusiast #22 wines of 2023. It cost $72 from the winery.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169765567043390570.post-50476515811423761512023-06-10T15:00:00.180-07:002023-06-16T12:56:55.862-07:00Spring Cabs<p>Things have been kind of slow since we've moved to Santa Rosa. Late last year we threw a party. I wasn't convinced that our friends would drive two hours to see us, but they did. This year we decided to try a traditional blind tasting.</p><p>Last year we joined the BV wine club and acquired a vertical of Georges De Latour. I was thinking we should taste that and the clones that it's made of, but I threw together a couple of other options.</p><p>Option 1: Georges De Latour Cab Tasting</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>2017 Georges De Latour</li><li>2018 Georges De Latour</li><li>2019 Georges De Latour</li><li>2018 Clone 6</li><li>2018 Clone 4</li><li>2018 Clone 169</li></ul><p></p><p>Option 2: Cab Tasting</p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>2018 Ehret, Hillside Reserve</li><li>2018 Louis M. Martini, Lot 1</li><li>2018 Mayacamas</li><li>2016 Passalacqua, Block 18 & 19</li><li>2018 Stag's Leap, Cask 23</li><li>2018 Trujillo, Gary Morisoli</li></ul><p></p><p>Option 3: Everyone bring a cab</p><div>I asked a couple of people what they thought and both of them went for option 3.</div><div><br /></div><div>I sent out the invite, saying I would bring a Georges De Latour. Ted had mentioned that he would love to see how the Georges De Latour and Hartwell compared.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sue and I were forced to taste the Georges De Latour vertical and decide which bottle we thought we should bring. It was a tough job, but someone had to do it. We both had different favorites, but compromised on the 2018.</div><div><br /></div><div>Unfortunately, Carlos and Ling, and Michel and Linda couldn't make it, but we were blessed with the company of the rest of our wine tasting friends.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpDnwW_BT31k8b1vf6P1AJoymxuESF2X9-UTlirRD3HJE4vZstHnCcr69E2ZiZRElWjOhiTk6z5MLdbWomAStEUkkivIx0KNcJspcTaM_mpx76qUP0NPb505Dm2JAVubS3iyNn64kSmprVvqaeGtMdkNNQ4GufoNpCKWtrEQsQVBYOpxX7tX5Sp9pz7A/s4032/SueWorkingHard.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpDnwW_BT31k8b1vf6P1AJoymxuESF2X9-UTlirRD3HJE4vZstHnCcr69E2ZiZRElWjOhiTk6z5MLdbWomAStEUkkivIx0KNcJspcTaM_mpx76qUP0NPb505Dm2JAVubS3iyNn64kSmprVvqaeGtMdkNNQ4GufoNpCKWtrEQsQVBYOpxX7tX5Sp9pz7A/w400-h300/SueWorkingHard.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>Sue kept our bellies full with Duck Fat Fries and Fred Steak to name a few standouts.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_FvrMlEr5VcwG6Svcz8cYnrvBmeyKB2k8DI6drJbwxByku7JzxvPwxojEUVs2TrcX-d5pr6EVvPK4KbAx2Mxa7qQjmBxWnfSq8xrHpZ6FoVOcgYUnx8UWPDyy9Y6GDNdhuUVKkqCrsid9wU5PgUhT5fq-FjvW0qUiIoDydp3JQVZYC_ZH1nOC-FvTRA/s4032/RodsNewShirt.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_FvrMlEr5VcwG6Svcz8cYnrvBmeyKB2k8DI6drJbwxByku7JzxvPwxojEUVs2TrcX-d5pr6EVvPK4KbAx2Mxa7qQjmBxWnfSq8xrHpZ6FoVOcgYUnx8UWPDyy9Y6GDNdhuUVKkqCrsid9wU5PgUhT5fq-FjvW0qUiIoDydp3JQVZYC_ZH1nOC-FvTRA/s320/RodsNewShirt.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>I debuted my new Fourth of July shirt, that I got on a recent visit to Missouri for our nephew's high school graduation.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Results</h3><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj825EqHec0hShbpNj5GscNaw4B2O0ZzlcXHXNvh6nVArh0H8Fj7lVPfE0JLGmpIhc8qD_EDW_wNgfxlT0nuqzWnt4mgw0CK9JZor9f4ghf47xtW46KYzWHGbZ3MqVEJAX23zGfFLojKfJe9Rhq-6xsQ_fwQ_YswdHN4InYBQa0jkH_SDVOuQBBeMQnHw/s4032/Results.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj825EqHec0hShbpNj5GscNaw4B2O0ZzlcXHXNvh6nVArh0H8Fj7lVPfE0JLGmpIhc8qD_EDW_wNgfxlT0nuqzWnt4mgw0CK9JZor9f4ghf47xtW46KYzWHGbZ3MqVEJAX23zGfFLojKfJe9Rhq-6xsQ_fwQ_YswdHN4InYBQa0jkH_SDVOuQBBeMQnHw/w400-h300/Results.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivo6FMfr6KHwjXzzcO83XVZm7usUk_qlQLkg4Mk4G1e_olkjdU6ZNWnzpV-zgJ74K0pqN_t5ZNwFB23rXSJWg82HahXPE4_49LGG2fjxaQv-BmM-_EYfsRbX2NMFqqGYmK6FTt53Eo6fm7epnnogB2WeK3e2PcFunmyOp34YgXbVwr6nKxcRqyNotGVA/s1146/Ratings.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="242" data-original-width="1146" height="85" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivo6FMfr6KHwjXzzcO83XVZm7usUk_qlQLkg4Mk4G1e_olkjdU6ZNWnzpV-zgJ74K0pqN_t5ZNwFB23rXSJWg82HahXPE4_49LGG2fjxaQv-BmM-_EYfsRbX2NMFqqGYmK6FTt53Eo6fm7epnnogB2WeK3e2PcFunmyOp34YgXbVwr6nKxcRqyNotGVA/w400-h85/Ratings.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>E - 2011 Hartwell, Estate, Stags Leap District came in first place with an average of 3.86. Ted and Shannon brought this.</div><div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />B - 2019 <a href="https://raymondvineyards.com/" target="_blank">Raymond</a>, Reserve Selection, Napa Valley came in second place with an average of 3.73. Jose and Lili brought this.</div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />D - 2018 <a href="https://www.bvwines.com/" target="_blank">BV</a>, Georges De Latour, Napa Valley came in third place with an average of 3.42. Sue and I brought this.<div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />A - 2011 <a href="https://silveroak.com/" target="_blank">Silver Oak</a>, Anderson Valley came in fourth place with an average of 3.13. Mac and Rebecca brought this.</div><div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />B - 2006 <a href="https://www.stagsleapwinecellars.com/" target="_blank">Stag's Leap Wine Cellars</a>, S.L.V., Block 4, Napa Valley came in last place with an average of 2.76. Paul and Jennifer brought this.</div><div><br /></div><div>It was nice to taste some great cabernets with friends. Many of the cabs were older than I can ever see myself cellaring (they wouldn't last that long).</div><div><br /></div><div>People brought a lot of nice cabs to share in addition to the wine for the tasting.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169765567043390570.post-37365598931717731442021-07-17T17:00:00.206-07:002021-07-18T18:27:00.284-07:00One Last Zin Tasting for the Road<p>Our move was a weekend away. Friday we were moving all the wine. I had a crazy idea to do one last Zin tasting on Saturday. I figured as long as we kept it simple, like ordering pizza, it would be a welcome break from the the moving. I pinged Ted Wednesday night. He was game. He offered his place in order to save a dog sitter. I was cool with this, but he had to agree I could pay for the pizza. He did. I had a zin tasting ready to go, but would only do it if Jose were involved. Jose used to be big into Zins, he's now more into Cabs. I pinged Jose. He was in too. It was on!</p><p>I had a zin tasting in the cellars, yet another inspired by the 2021 SF Chronicle Wine Competition results. I had never tried any of the wines.</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Wilson Winery, Sydney's Reserve - <a href="https://winejudging.com/medal-winners/2021-medal-winners/2021-429/" target="_blank">2021 SF Chronicle Wine Competition</a> Best of Class Medal Winner</li><li>Rockpile Vineyards, Florence - 2021 SF Chronicle Wine Competition Double Gold Medal Winner</li><li>Robert Biale Vineyards, Black Chicken - I've been telling Jose we need to try this wine for years. It shows up on a lot of best of lists</li><li><a href="https://www.onceandfuturewine.com/wines/" target="_blank">Once and Future</a> Zinfandel Bedrock Vineyard 2018</li><ul><li>Made by the original owner of <a href="https://www.ravenswoodwinery.com/" target="_blank">Ravenswood</a>. I heard about this in a video: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFgERDlbEcw" target="_blank">Why California Wine Companies See Opportunity in IPO Boom</a></li></ul></ul><p></p><p>Ted had a couple of bottles he wanted to share, so I was supposed to bring only two bottles. I knew I wanted to bring the Best of Class and Black Chicken, but I also wanted to bring the Once and Future, so I did.</p><p>Ted was set up for four wines, so he randomly chose two of the three I had brought. It was a warm day. We started with a refreshing Savvy B from <a href="https://halleckvineyard.com/" target="_blank">Halleck</a>.</p><p>We had a great time tasting with everyone.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Results</h3><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdGQK7HdhkDKYWNTr8Z_SJyKgVcGtB2ax2evvwjtJymvM6lRerTqGS1779SJh61_5cIfFOJgIckMMbHTiNQy4gaM2PWO2hXgv8bVFuSoGFFpAClBNCJ8AQ7uhKmroi2LPNUglRLNm2t41-/s3753/Results.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2815" data-original-width="3753" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdGQK7HdhkDKYWNTr8Z_SJyKgVcGtB2ax2evvwjtJymvM6lRerTqGS1779SJh61_5cIfFOJgIckMMbHTiNQy4gaM2PWO2hXgv8bVFuSoGFFpAClBNCJ8AQ7uhKmroi2LPNUglRLNm2t41-/w400-h300/Results.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiuuca73zNDH_LpHmVQGVZF_6YasbbJfU7CJ5Vgc4t_uJPxOLChNv7EO89xpOu2P6c0N1pGZyD1asXirlsDXzwhfrkhpDxNcq2lgUFUkqizaVPQQbk713jMYZN0LFHGs9AT1CDDsX3BnlG/s676/Ratings.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="676" height="115" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiuuca73zNDH_LpHmVQGVZF_6YasbbJfU7CJ5Vgc4t_uJPxOLChNv7EO89xpOu2P6c0N1pGZyD1asXirlsDXzwhfrkhpDxNcq2lgUFUkqizaVPQQbk713jMYZN0LFHGs9AT1CDDsX3BnlG/w400-h115/Ratings.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>W - 2018 <a href="https://www.wilsonwinery.com/" target="_blank">Wilson</a>, Sydney's Reserve, Dry Creek Valley came in first place with an average of 4.14. It cost $60 directly from the winery.</p><p>Z - 2019 <a href="https://www.biale.com/" target="_blank">Robert Biale Vineyards</a>, Black Chicken, Napa Valley came in second place with an average of 3.98. It cost $50 directly from the winery.</p><p>Y - 2016 <a href="https://taftstreetwinery.com/" target="_blank">Taft Street</a>, Alexander Valley came in third place with an average of 3.55.</p><p>X - 2017 <a href="https://www.duttongoldfield.com/" target="_blank">Dutton-Golfield</a>, Dutton Ranch, Morelli Lane Vineyard, Russian River Valley came in last place with an average of 3.18.</p><p>The Zins were all really good.</p><p>I DoorDashed Round Table Pizza, which was enjoyed with a salad Shannon made from vegetables out of their garden. We also enjoyed a <a href="https://www.grgich.com/" target="_blank">GrGich</a> Zin Jose brought and the Once and Future.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169765567043390570.post-58664949590679674742021-06-12T16:00:00.206-07:002021-06-14T07:40:24.064-07:00Post Vaccination Blends<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLDKtcMEp9d4OWrieixlIKZHar1Hby2rFwWEh4En_l1RoN8pRfEa69U9QvK7khHvDuA5A6Te2EuO8paiPKCLDqGRbBZ0XRZ_FATdngwIUG-i3Q6n-LK3nHuwcqEPDHwtzVLDXGzFVuMUf4/s1626/FullyVaccinated.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1626" data-original-width="1539" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLDKtcMEp9d4OWrieixlIKZHar1Hby2rFwWEh4En_l1RoN8pRfEa69U9QvK7khHvDuA5A6Te2EuO8paiPKCLDqGRbBZ0XRZ_FATdngwIUG-i3Q6n-LK3nHuwcqEPDHwtzVLDXGzFVuMUf4/w379-h400/FullyVaccinated.jpeg" width="379" /></a></div><p>I was fully vaccinated and we were going to celebrate with a once in a lifetime tasting, again.</p><p>I decided on the following Cabernet Blends</p><div><ul><li>Opus One</li><li>Dominus</li><li>Insignia</li><li>Sassicaia</li><li>Pontet-Canet, Pauillac</li></ul><div>Most of them were younger than I would have liked, but I would try to give them time to open up, planning to decant them for 6 hours. I was still worried, but what could I do?</div></div><div><br /></div><div>The day of the tasting, it warmed up. I was worried about the wine during the decanting and turned on the AC.</div><div><br /></div><div>We started with a variety of Chardonnay. The heat was giving me problems and I struggled to serve the blends at the preferred temperature (61 - 64). Ling and Lili gathered their fill of loquats.</div><div><br /></div><div>We had a great time tasting with everyone.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Results</h3><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBUwC2eTiYmgQyOkaM339h9QAjChVeXIHuDExOeGOScO4Hy9PRhFbR_DJOYuWfGUHi_Vnsf5RoapndBU2xmPxAIv9Ik-WLON_F3dsSIaZL9S4JZirfwaMJkobly6n9cesOJUKyjvKiVmWn/s1738/Ratings.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="244" data-original-width="1738" height="56" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBUwC2eTiYmgQyOkaM339h9QAjChVeXIHuDExOeGOScO4Hy9PRhFbR_DJOYuWfGUHi_Vnsf5RoapndBU2xmPxAIv9Ik-WLON_F3dsSIaZL9S4JZirfwaMJkobly6n9cesOJUKyjvKiVmWn/w400-h56/Ratings.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0EhOxf5XtnC6rMvXa3tMLJDGodqM8WEUHB729PB5cWC34Fr3pqTpxhf6d0O-4vLyq45jBM5jVC10ZZxr_HnQuQ5LUrI6b8_MDmzFfucVVcs_AUvt70ngGx6PErR8iHqsRiAGD1udiOrDK/s4032/Results.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0EhOxf5XtnC6rMvXa3tMLJDGodqM8WEUHB729PB5cWC34Fr3pqTpxhf6d0O-4vLyq45jBM5jVC10ZZxr_HnQuQ5LUrI6b8_MDmzFfucVVcs_AUvt70ngGx6PErR8iHqsRiAGD1udiOrDK/w400-h300/Results.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><span>D - <a href="https://www.klwines.com/p/i?i=1484020" target="_blank">2017 San Guido "Sassicaia" Bolgheri, Italy</a> came in first place with an average of 3.87. It cost $220 from K&L.</span></span></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><span>B - <a href="https://www.klwines.com/p/i?i=1502832" target="_blank">2017 Opus One, Napa Valley</a> came in second place with an average of 3.49. It cost $325 from </span></span></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">K&L</span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">. When I tried this I figured it was the 2009, because it was so smooth. One of my tasting notes was, Wow!</span></div><div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><span>C - <a href="https://www.klwines.com/p/i?i=1407559" target="_blank">2016 Dominus, Napa Valley</a> came in third place with an average of 3.46. It cost $290 from </span></span></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">K&L</span><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><span>.</span></span></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><span>E - <a href="https://www.klwines.com/p/i?i=1497461" target="_blank">2017 Joseph Phelps "Insignia", Napa Valley</a> came in fourth place with an average of 3.40. It cost $250 from K&L.</span></span></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><span>A - <a href="https://www.klwines.com/p/i?i=1086906" target="_blank">2009 Pontet-Canet, Pauillac, France</a> came in last place with an average of 2.89. It cost $300 from K&L. </span></span></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><span>Robert Parker's Wine Advocate gave it 100 points.</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div>After we had revealed the winners, I brought out a one of a kind, 5L Santa Cruz Mountains Cuvee, won at the 2014 Premier Cruz silent auction. Dave, from <a href="https://burrellschool.com/" target="_blank">Burrel School</a>, had suggested we wait 5 to 10 years before opening. We had troubles with the cork and had duck taped it closed.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjZYDaJdKUySdiIovEV2VEeSzh_bKAcfOK4y-B1G0CSpSHulzVvqnXmADyws-sv6Ynj8hnSQhmfsyRDSrCU1nIAsKfNaTQBBmjFXPJ-5CI2KSEtge7UVdFCyPbCGjWPADbWtIR_MFLJTif/s2446/BigBotttle.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2446" data-original-width="1812" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjZYDaJdKUySdiIovEV2VEeSzh_bKAcfOK4y-B1G0CSpSHulzVvqnXmADyws-sv6Ynj8hnSQhmfsyRDSrCU1nIAsKfNaTQBBmjFXPJ-5CI2KSEtge7UVdFCyPbCGjWPADbWtIR_MFLJTif/w296-h400/BigBotttle.jpeg" width="296" /></a></div><br /><div>It's fun to wield large bottles!</div><div><br /></div><div>We thought it was going to be horrible because we had tried the cuvee twice before and had given the wine to the tree out back after one sip. We opened it because I didn't want to move wine that we would never enjoy to our new place in Santa Rosa. From the big bottle it actually tasted pretty good.</div><div><br /></div><div>Who knows how many more of these occasions we'll have in the future, given our move. It's not like we're never going to see anyone ever again, but it does seem unlikely we'll have as many of these kinds of gatherings in the future. We're blessed to have such incredible friends.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169765567043390570.post-27306244257459525582021-06-05T16:00:00.166-07:002021-06-09T17:51:13.654-07:00Post Vaccination ChampagneSue texted me the good news.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqXTUCmP0cymCWejztmmr5uo1IqXinzbvDNGHvUj3H5Hs-Hv0WqAMUYIXuUm61H0EEqroFKgrv68smmpNpxzD4VLTKgDLj1bXDrWj86DocQTKn8AJ_4tLC5mlNWI2C4xGngxBIkRYgIEk-/s960/Announcment.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqXTUCmP0cymCWejztmmr5uo1IqXinzbvDNGHvUj3H5Hs-Hv0WqAMUYIXuUm61H0EEqroFKgrv68smmpNpxzD4VLTKgDLj1bXDrWj86DocQTKn8AJ_4tLC5mlNWI2C4xGngxBIkRYgIEk-/w400-h400/Announcment.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>April 1st I would qualify for a vaccination. I got excited and started planning our first post vaccination gathering. I would spare no expense to celebrate. I would start with a Champagne tasting, followed by blend tasting. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb7KNFvMuvQz9LPRK4xyzfA" target="_blank">WINEKING</a> inspired some of the wines, while best of lists and K&L recommendations filled in the rest.</div><div><br /></div><div>People convinced me to split the event into two tastings. They thought it was too much wine for one tasting. They were probably right.</div><div><br /></div><div>For the champagne tasting, I started with the following</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Cristal</li><li>Bollinger La Grande Annee</li><li>Krug "Grande Cuvée"</li></ul></div><div>The Fosters had generously gifted us a couple bottles of Cristal and I wanted to share the experience with our friends.</div><div><br /></div><div>After receiving the Bollinger La Grande Annee I realized that this was the same champagne we had on new years eve of 2020. When I had purchased it, I thought I was buying Wine Enthusiast's #1 wine, when in fact, it was their #10 wine.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nDGtYjC768" target="_blank">Champagne Review: Armand de Brignac "Ace of Spades" Gold Brut</a> educated me that Cristal is not the champagne of choice for rappers anymore. Initially I was able to resist my urge to find one to add to the tasting, but as I hemmed and hawed about if and how to have the tasting. I figured we needed at least 4 champagnes and ordered it. You can alternatively read about it via a Decanter article Carlos found: <a href="https://www.decanter.com/wine-news/rapper-jay-z-boycotts-racist-cristal-94054/" target="_blank">Rapper Jay-Z boycotts ‘racist’ Cristal</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>An Instagram ad for the <a href="https://www.veuveclicquot.com/en-us/la-grande-dame-2012-by-yayoi-kusama" target="_blank">2012 Veuve Clicquot Le Grande Dame</a> convinced me to pick up this beautiful box and bottle to make a total of 5 champagnes.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQRxA_MCFaqgsw98V9KxEJErRuIExQqoSACGlyuL5mSFQSdaXcrsq-np4U6GOEih_rrKSF1p54fyifnK1iroE30ZJSnnbOf2IlOVDThE11DXWi8HtHZfFSgVGrXzdO-T1CnIlsfxRUtTiq/s2048/Le+Grande+Dame+Box.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQRxA_MCFaqgsw98V9KxEJErRuIExQqoSACGlyuL5mSFQSdaXcrsq-np4U6GOEih_rrKSF1p54fyifnK1iroE30ZJSnnbOf2IlOVDThE11DXWi8HtHZfFSgVGrXzdO-T1CnIlsfxRUtTiq/w300-h400/Le+Grande+Dame+Box.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigEK3k_MaCWGL66rkJbpVTycboO9kDF9RlbNs61KBdZImiSk0LrSZ5AKPYz1lY5OlKW3LpDgw5mhanWvEoZb6IBRL1hRBc6bxhQtOqb2xb33jkArIKZo0MlCjHjc-e8ImCCjKUS_P5IKc2/s2048/Le+Grande+Dame+Bottle.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigEK3k_MaCWGL66rkJbpVTycboO9kDF9RlbNs61KBdZImiSk0LrSZ5AKPYz1lY5OlKW3LpDgw5mhanWvEoZb6IBRL1hRBc6bxhQtOqb2xb33jkArIKZo0MlCjHjc-e8ImCCjKUS_P5IKc2/w300-h400/Le+Grande+Dame+Bottle.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div>I was worried we wouldn't have enough champagne after the tasting, so we picked up a 3L bottle of Tsarine. Yeah, we're nuts.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBPdu1zdnHYt1StE7UZBNzLph48g79YfnTqQ4CJ2IgzWOXX47NHIrwksyOny_sYxAxwUW55-C-CPB5gJDo1rqdsWksyAUWwc9C5PnbBN5EicBo4ISVjABSYCLQ3rPDPlt4PvPliKE2eXNZ/s3566/AllTheChampagnes.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2674" data-original-width="3566" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBPdu1zdnHYt1StE7UZBNzLph48g79YfnTqQ4CJ2IgzWOXX47NHIrwksyOny_sYxAxwUW55-C-CPB5gJDo1rqdsWksyAUWwc9C5PnbBN5EicBo4ISVjABSYCLQ3rPDPlt4PvPliKE2eXNZ/w400-h300/AllTheChampagnes.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>We had an incredible haul of champagne lined up for the tasting.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWIr2PTCgo1bKNDUQ60ozogkV0wX4kdSZnwrfePMrF6N48LVahV_3BkxHfSL_El6n8d-0S0Mz5_yZvpt3aXHM8Ri25EnKDhkVCs92ep3pLbEAIzdu0yAkppuea72YS5I7bbVHwIV1b8_JS/s4032/OutdoorSetup.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWIr2PTCgo1bKNDUQ60ozogkV0wX4kdSZnwrfePMrF6N48LVahV_3BkxHfSL_El6n8d-0S0Mz5_yZvpt3aXHM8Ri25EnKDhkVCs92ep3pLbEAIzdu0yAkppuea72YS5I7bbVHwIV1b8_JS/w400-h300/OutdoorSetup.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>Sue did a great job setting up everything outdoors.</div><div><br /></div>We started with some 2018 Tondre, Tondre Grapefield Chardonnay. It was very nice. Adam, Alex's long time boyfriend, who doesn't typically like wine, helped himself to another pour. I took it as a good sign.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9UcGgVjwLes3VY5Dz2ccCjoNwW0uGrM-JD2esXRPGfZP2qK68v5dcL10wpPTqdd7M-Z4WSeCqxsZF9Veeh2s6gzdsvcWvKwr_CswA09hTQnerlxu7ahYzagYbOuHF308Ix9PbBAUe8eB4/s3460/TinyBubbles.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2594" data-original-width="3460" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9UcGgVjwLes3VY5Dz2ccCjoNwW0uGrM-JD2esXRPGfZP2qK68v5dcL10wpPTqdd7M-Z4WSeCqxsZF9Veeh2s6gzdsvcWvKwr_CswA09hTQnerlxu7ahYzagYbOuHF308Ix9PbBAUe8eB4/w400-h300/TinyBubbles.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Jennifer entertained us with her rendition of tiny bubbles on her ukulele. Sue helped out with the singing. Some joined in on the chorus. We should have printed out the lyrics. Sue had said this, but I never followed through.</div><div><br /></div><div>We had a great time tasting with everyone. It had far been too long since we had seen everyone in person. It was a great feeling hugging friends again.</div><div><br /></div><div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Results</h3><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_cXhTarx6biQyOnH7N5IvE6GReGok_fRiSZOeH6zBUikLy5nyDDgJNVmqFOakGZ6vYZ4PMBj-EiwYjyKSQuf7FRhyE1NOGKwn1-Cy6e74s2SWEqihNFWu5rwWlNS3oqFshID4wj7H5zp6/s1454/Ratings.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="208" data-original-width="1454" height="58" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_cXhTarx6biQyOnH7N5IvE6GReGok_fRiSZOeH6zBUikLy5nyDDgJNVmqFOakGZ6vYZ4PMBj-EiwYjyKSQuf7FRhyE1NOGKwn1-Cy6e74s2SWEqihNFWu5rwWlNS3oqFshID4wj7H5zp6/w400-h58/Ratings.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKDitqi8e4-HsWstqlzdTwbYEC1HS4Xxox_0oGZhcntavMr-o0wAgR7_49tlewmrkVXCu-JRqNwIxtw_Z9hq4iTGaU6e2AdApc8vbo70sUUDCOHy3viW6ohiiKaFYFns0orCLD50ljnF2b/s3665/Results.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2749" data-original-width="3665" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKDitqi8e4-HsWstqlzdTwbYEC1HS4Xxox_0oGZhcntavMr-o0wAgR7_49tlewmrkVXCu-JRqNwIxtw_Z9hq4iTGaU6e2AdApc8vbo70sUUDCOHy3viW6ohiiKaFYFns0orCLD50ljnF2b/w400-h300/Results.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>A - <a href="https://www.klwines.com/p/i?i=1453980" target="_blank">Krug, Grand Cuvee, 168 edition</a> came in first place with an average of 4.15. It cost $170 from the <a href="https://www.klwines.com/" target="_blank">K&L</a>. Unbelievably, Mac thought A was a Krug and indicated it in his notes. He said it had a distinct taste. I was very impressed.</div><div><br /></div><div>E - 2012 Bollinger La Grande Annee came in second place with an average of 3.53. It cost $330 from <a href="https://www.artisanwinedepot.com/" target="_blank">Artisan Wine Depot</a> as a magnum.</div><div><br /></div><div>B - Armand de Brignac "Ace of Spades" Gold Brut came in third place with an average of 3.43. It cost $260 from Wine Chateau.</div><div><br /></div><div>D - 2012 Veuve Clicquot Le Grande Dame came in fourth place with an average of 3.32. It cost $200 from Wine Express.</div><div><br /></div><div>C - 2012 Louis Roederer "Cristal" Brut Champagne came in last place with an average of 3.10. It cost close to $300 from K&L or TotalWine.</div><div><br /></div><div>It was great to see everyone again, in person, and cheers surviving the pandemic with a once in a lifetime champagne tasting.</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169765567043390570.post-59025737953841462732021-05-22T16:00:00.135-07:002021-05-26T16:20:40.163-07:00Impromptu Young Cabs<p>Since we decided we were moving, I've been thinking the more wine we drink, the less wine we have to move. In this vein, I tried to get together an in person tasting over the weekend, weeks ahead of my official post vaccination tastings. I knew some of our friends were out of town, but I hoped I would be able to get a few to join us. Luckily Jose and Lili, and Paul and Jennifer were able to join us to taste some young cabs.</p><p>I decanted the wines 2 hours before we started, to give them a chance to overcome their youth.</p><p>We sat down in the backyard to enjoy the wines. It was nice to see people again. Lili and Jose brought Sue a lovely birthday gift and rum cake to share. We had a great time tasting with everyone.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Results</h3><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjis9cFOSTdxYwt6Bn4UWVau-darGigSSYq-kkAz9wF_EhvKK9ye3xczGUbqJK_tbVJREc4AEfjHT_qP7hjEpZLBErUjOJjkIcePfm0Dj7LELLUUzTTM8T_w-irVvl3HgtHkTFqchLUoLI4/s686/Ratings.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="186" data-original-width="686" height="109" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjis9cFOSTdxYwt6Bn4UWVau-darGigSSYq-kkAz9wF_EhvKK9ye3xczGUbqJK_tbVJREc4AEfjHT_qP7hjEpZLBErUjOJjkIcePfm0Dj7LELLUUzTTM8T_w-irVvl3HgtHkTFqchLUoLI4/w400-h109/Ratings.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCOzot1jo7yv_XHyNwEEzzsQFibnA4_fxLzaO9EUDNVg7dfYGDnRpTJ_hSVN6sD9SI4wkJ-k3iS2QFRSjXKvgbFf3YnL0T1ylOTzhKV0mfpkvE1Lku-zmAl2gpp7mhph-s6L83Qho3a8T2/s4032/Results.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCOzot1jo7yv_XHyNwEEzzsQFibnA4_fxLzaO9EUDNVg7dfYGDnRpTJ_hSVN6sD9SI4wkJ-k3iS2QFRSjXKvgbFf3YnL0T1ylOTzhKV0mfpkvE1Lku-zmAl2gpp7mhph-s6L83Qho3a8T2/w400-h300/Results.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>A - <a href="https://shop.brander.com/xe/xe.asp?page=viewitem&p=917&cat=red%2Dwine" target="_blank">2017 Brander Reserve, Los Olivos District</a> came in first place with an average of 3.58. It cost $50 from the winery. There was a mix up on a Sauvignon Blanc I ordered from them for a tasting I was putting together on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCobBZMwxodIfP2K9ELiytLg" target="_blank">Dr. Pat Farrell Master of Wine's</a> recommendation. The winery sent it to me as a gift.</p><p>D - <a href="https://wine.soquelvineyards.com/product?productid=35B8B4E2-020B-40FC-8C5D-234866A74CDA" target="_blank">2018 Soquel Partner's RESERVE, Atlas Peak, Napa Valley</a> came in second place with an average of 3.33. It cost $125 from the winery. We bought it as a future for half price as club members.</p><p>C - <a href="https://shop.lailvineyards.com/product/2018-Blueprint-Cabernet-Sauvignon?pageID=985CFEF2-09B7-2AA0-5F51-23AAF822B4EE&sortBy=DisplayOrder&maxRows=10&" target="_blank">2018 Lail, Blueprint, Napa Valley</a> came in third place with an average of 3.21. It cost $80 from the winery. The 2017 vintage was <a href="https://253qv1sx4ey389p9wtpp9sj0-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Wine_Enthusiast_Enth100_2020_R1.pdf" target="_blank">Wine Enthusiast's #1 wine of 2020</a>, but was only available in half bottles, so I picked up a couple of these to try.</p><p>B - <a href="https://www.lightpostwinery.com/product/2018-Cabernet-Sauvignon-Paso-Robles?pageID=6A18B88F-EEDD-A773-0CC0-15024D4526C6&sortBy=DisplayOrder&maxRows=10&" target="_blank">2018 LightPost Reserve, Paso Robles</a> came in last place with an average of 3.17. It cost $59 from the winery. It won Sweepstake Award (Best Cabernet Sauvignon) in 2021 SF Chronicle Wine Competition. I had ordered their Best of Class Pinot, but they sent me this on accident. I agreed to buy the bottles from them after a good sales job.</p><p>Afterwards, I opened a 2014 Vine Cliff, Private Stock, 16 Rows which is usually an incredible bottle of wine, but I was disappointed. I then opened a 2017 Plumpjack Reserve which was excellent.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169765567043390570.post-48467097757299149712021-05-08T16:00:00.047-07:002021-05-09T14:13:20.390-07:00Albariño TastingAs you might have guessed, I went a little crazy planning tastings when the <a href="https://winejudging.com/medal-winners/" target="_blank">2021 SF Chronicle Wine Competition</a> results came out. Why? I can't say. It might have been the weight of the pandemic, or perhaps I needed a distraction from my job, but in the end, I lined up an unprecedented number of tastings. In this effort I tried to pick some varietals that I was less familiar with. To that avail, I added an Albariño tasting. Only a subset of my friends are interested in a white tasting, but thankfully enough. Truth be told, I would do it without interest, but wine is always better with friends.<div><br /></div><div>To find my wines, I started with the <a href="https://winejudging.com/medal-winners/2021-medal-winners/2021-246/" target="_blank">Albariño: 2021 Awards</a>. I could not find the Double Gold winning, Idaho Albariño from <a href="http://www.willorch.com/" target="_blank">Williamson Orchards and Vineyards</a>. I contacted them because the wine was not listed on their web site. They told me they had limited sales to club members after winning the award. Apparently, it was flying off the shelves. The idea of trying an Idaho wine intrigued me, but not enough to join another wine club. Fortunately, I was able to find 3 choices I was happy with.</div><div><br /></div><div>The wines were in my hands and I planned to distribute them with the birthday Sangiovese wines. Coincidentally I received an email from Wine Enthusiast titled "<a href="https://www.winemag.com/rias-baixas-is-albarino-and-so-much-more/?utm_source=dotmailer&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2893344_WEM%20RiasBaixas_DedicatedEmail&bxid=233188816&leadsource=EMAIL1&dm_i=219S,1Q0IO,3UU1N4,5VZ6C,1" target="_blank">Fall in Love with Albariño from Rías Baixas</a>." I took this as a sign that I should add an Albariño from the region to the tasting, so I ordered one. I then waited two weeks for them to ship it to me. So much for distributing them at the same time. The good news was we had a representative from the home of Albariño!</div><div><br /></div><div>We met on a Saturday, a little earlier than usual given a Michael Franti virtual concert we planned to attend. We had a great time tasting with everyone.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrsSW8eqBy5XZwPN5U2BDSN2jSufTnyerka14Ol3FPN_kiwwOlDo_b0hOI_kLy-8JXncnJkrzsxl_tHgSDjMxgGNeYrXD6CSfPUvepzFABIhP97cOPecaqpWHyAiIfZDhFsxYnqUxI56dg/s2048/Zoom.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrsSW8eqBy5XZwPN5U2BDSN2jSufTnyerka14Ol3FPN_kiwwOlDo_b0hOI_kLy-8JXncnJkrzsxl_tHgSDjMxgGNeYrXD6CSfPUvepzFABIhP97cOPecaqpWHyAiIfZDhFsxYnqUxI56dg/w400-h300/Zoom.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Results</h3><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu5Kb32IHoqPI6yXxMVQqDeBLm5lM_iI7OzbM9y5H_jdzYyfLLrfKb4RrKVfl4z9gaFqIha2sw508ZhGDa9sY-a5f8zAbP6YNqN0LA6h0S7DiYI9IpjNghTtvP3fB_DDCDkfUj8Nwp4HYV/s904/Ratings.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="904" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu5Kb32IHoqPI6yXxMVQqDeBLm5lM_iI7OzbM9y5H_jdzYyfLLrfKb4RrKVfl4z9gaFqIha2sw508ZhGDa9sY-a5f8zAbP6YNqN0LA6h0S7DiYI9IpjNghTtvP3fB_DDCDkfUj8Nwp4HYV/w400-h80/Ratings.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIQ6FJHi-_aqlHvPzdxHqi1d4J_mo4wcwaF3-kfPB-FLULj03EoFwZfqfinWNkfjANOXgpbvhUgdQ4Nz5ByXYRO8qYs92D4ykJGTv61fLIDt3RAH09yuMrws_snm0FhiBreAX90rMlGNsL/s3692/Results.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2769" data-original-width="3692" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIQ6FJHi-_aqlHvPzdxHqi1d4J_mo4wcwaF3-kfPB-FLULj03EoFwZfqfinWNkfjANOXgpbvhUgdQ4Nz5ByXYRO8qYs92D4ykJGTv61fLIDt3RAH09yuMrws_snm0FhiBreAX90rMlGNsL/w400-h300/Results.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>B - 2019 Berryessa Gap, Yolo County, came in first place with an average of 4.01. It cost $23 from the winery. It won Gold in 2021 SF Chronicle Wine Competition.</div><div><br /></div><div>A - 2019 Pierce, San Antonio Valley, came in second place with an average of 3.88. It cost $25 from the winery. It won Best of Class in 2021 SF Chronicle Wine Competition.</div><div><br /></div><div>D - 2019 Harney Lane, Lodi, came in third place with an average of 3.43. It cost $20 from the winery. It won Double Gold in 2021 SF Chronicle Wine Competition.</div><div><br /></div><div>C - 2019 Paco & Lolo, Rias Baixas, came in last place with an average of 3.16. It cost $21.</div><div><br /></div><div>Everyone agreed all the wine was very enjoyable and glad to have given it a try.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169765567043390570.post-24688936990767099422021-04-24T16:00:00.134-07:002021-04-25T13:41:28.388-07:00More #@%!$ing Merlot<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KXXDC5FarhE" width="320" youtube-src-id="KXXDC5FarhE"></iframe></div><br /><p></p><p>ThankfullyTed and Shannon have been enthusiastic participants in my recent drive to taste <b>every</b> wine given <b>any</b> award in the recent <a href="https://winejudging.com/medal-winners/" target="_blank">2021 SF Chronicle Wine Competition</a>. We, contrary to Miles, are very willing to drink more #@%!$ing Merlot.</p><p>We found the weekend open, when the Albariño tasting was pushed off two weeks. We had tried to do the tasting the weekend before, but my inability to sleep caused us to cancel; I blame my job. The weather didn't look good for an outdoor, socially distanced tasting, so we decided to do it remotely. I'm not fully vaccinated yet and am hesitant to move things inside.</p><p>Some back and forth with Jose after I had informed him of Malbec Day had me thinking it was Sauvignon Blanc Day and regretting that my Sauvignon Blanc tasting was incomplete. More googling indicated that May 7th was the day this year, which may prod me to do something. As if I need prodding.</p><p>Ted and Shannon brought over two Merlots to add to the 3 medal winners I had picked up. We bagged, randomized, and sent them home with 5 half bottles. An hour later we met on zoom to taste. We had a great time tasting with them both.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Results</h3><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSDp3dHP5jfge7BDbW540V1KX5Lerx6x7_AF7_Ci5qM9d1Mwp8tw_E_ya2e2rtf1lmJM18F5wPAXk9bnFdo-s11aAfqZFwjQiaO6T7Uluw4ydJ7iWivlYaCjwrAn7o9BWl7TQYxpQ1XqSF/s578/Ratings.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="216" data-original-width="578" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSDp3dHP5jfge7BDbW540V1KX5Lerx6x7_AF7_Ci5qM9d1Mwp8tw_E_ya2e2rtf1lmJM18F5wPAXk9bnFdo-s11aAfqZFwjQiaO6T7Uluw4ydJ7iWivlYaCjwrAn7o9BWl7TQYxpQ1XqSF/w400-h150/Ratings.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH0zyf65ViG20A1rFzub3WYOgZAgDzDw4Tbvds7dLmF7A7s8Av9jUP_P6wlhS0hAhTrQP-okSvhEEyUox_N9UoRAbIiE2GLwVDRhO38cf8ssd2xLo-YPqkOWr_q_YqmH_dU1Nt9vLRnN9b/s2048/Results.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH0zyf65ViG20A1rFzub3WYOgZAgDzDw4Tbvds7dLmF7A7s8Av9jUP_P6wlhS0hAhTrQP-okSvhEEyUox_N9UoRAbIiE2GLwVDRhO38cf8ssd2xLo-YPqkOWr_q_YqmH_dU1Nt9vLRnN9b/w400-h300/Results.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>A - 2011 <a href="https://hartwellvineyards.com/" target="_blank">Hartwell</a>, Estate, came in first place with an average of 4.38. Ted and Shannon brought this.</p><p>C - 2018 <a href="https://www.trujillowines.com/" target="_blank">Trujillo</a>, Napa Valley, came in second place with an average of 4.00. It cost $65 from the winery. It won Double Gold in 2021 SF Chronicle Wine Competition.</p><p>B - 2017 <a href="https://wilddiamond.com/" target="_blank">Wild Diamond</a>, Lake County, came in third place with an average of 3.50. It cost $42 from the winery. It won Best of Class in 2021 SF Chronicle Wine Competition</p><p>D - 2013 <a href="https://www.chateaustjean.com/" target="_blank">Chateau St Jean</a>, Sonoma County, Reserve, came in fourth place with an average of 3.13. Ted and Shannon brought this.</p><p>E - 2018 <a href="https://bargetto.com/" target="_blank">Bargetto</a>, Regan Vineyard, Reserve, Santa Cruz Mountains came in last place with an average of 3.13. It cost $40 from the winery. It also won Double Gold in 2021 SF Chronicle Wine Competition</p><p>The winner was obvious from the start. The only question: The order of the other 4. All of the wines were enjoyable. If I can give the ones I brought more time, meaning not drink them for 5 plus years, perhaps we'll try them again.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169765567043390570.post-34877753202977455272021-04-16T18:00:00.128-07:002021-04-25T13:16:49.066-07:00Stag's Leap Cabs<p>When we tasted Kuleto Cabs with Paul and Jennifer, Jennifer generously offered to put together a tasting of her favorite, <a href="https://www.stagsleapwinecellars.com/" target="_blank">Stag's Leap Wine Cellars</a>. </p><p>Jennifer found four different Stag's Leap cabs all from the same year, 2009. We met the next Friday to taste them. We let the wines breath for two hours before we started. Ten minutes before it began, we cooled the wines to the ideal serving temperature, 60-65, putting them in the fridge, and measuring with a surface temperature thermometer.</p><p>Jennifer kicked off the tasting singing Tiny Bubbles while playing ukulele, Don Ho style. It was wonderful! Jennifer has used the pandemic to learn new skills, unlike most of us.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9_oYlg_grcr7immJSgp9EfZTYWkuaUkcw68rD9kClu2u4veNq9fKstTUWlHIuOdVvBVxCVF79Sxpkowt5GnbJ9-KvIKZMDLK_UdRmRLOphZ22qu6Ai96s-5Zx8Rr0KLKTfe5pqU2tmh6R/s4032/Zoom.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9_oYlg_grcr7immJSgp9EfZTYWkuaUkcw68rD9kClu2u4veNq9fKstTUWlHIuOdVvBVxCVF79Sxpkowt5GnbJ9-KvIKZMDLK_UdRmRLOphZ22qu6Ai96s-5Zx8Rr0KLKTfe5pqU2tmh6R/w400-h300/Zoom.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>We had a great time tasting these amazing wines with Paul and Jennifer.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Results</h3><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFq0E5JY5dPKiLAEjpIv_tXBGFZveiYMQMMQllVsiqdCeJQjxbWph6PxGRivPvXwvVIuVNEyk3omQ_aO8PBdFIbWIp693ErH-2wPm7j5gwIOXFVs3O0cSPSBXg-EJatTTXaT4hGbfpB_1F/s718/Ratings.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="192" data-original-width="718" height="108" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFq0E5JY5dPKiLAEjpIv_tXBGFZveiYMQMMQllVsiqdCeJQjxbWph6PxGRivPvXwvVIuVNEyk3omQ_aO8PBdFIbWIp693ErH-2wPm7j5gwIOXFVs3O0cSPSBXg-EJatTTXaT4hGbfpB_1F/w400-h108/Ratings.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidyOYJLE8jX97Op_ThcD8WDxIw0FSlF6AYOZ8uioSFG7hGqSvhb_cMK-4jDFIRhpb-2Nu6hPMxIO_en_4nEkakR4IPTQKvKj8Yq3-KaOR5BXDot4aivn3TtOK3lqerB1MFvixGIKF90GyT/s2048/Results.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1401" data-original-width="2048" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidyOYJLE8jX97Op_ThcD8WDxIw0FSlF6AYOZ8uioSFG7hGqSvhb_cMK-4jDFIRhpb-2Nu6hPMxIO_en_4nEkakR4IPTQKvKj8Yq3-KaOR5BXDot4aivn3TtOK3lqerB1MFvixGIKF90GyT/w400-h274/Results.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>C - 2009 Chase Creek, Stag's Leap, Estate, Napa Valley came in first place with an average of 4.18.</div><div><br /></div><div>B - 2009 FAY, Stag's Leap, Estate, Napa Valley came in second place with an average of 4.29.</div><div><br /></div><div>C - 2009 S.L.V, Stag's Leap, Estate, Napa Valley came in third place with an average of 4.14.</div><div><br /></div><div>C - 2009 Cask 23, Stag's Leap, Estate, Napa Valley came in last place with an average of 4.03.</div><div><br /></div><div>All the wines were incredibly smooth. It's amazing what age will do for a wine. Although the wines were all earthy, a taste that typically throws me off, I thought it was well integrated and worked really well.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169765567043390570.post-40857254082528796352021-04-09T18:00:00.205-07:002021-04-11T22:04:29.374-07:00Intimate Remote Kuleto Cabs Tasting<p>Years ago we attended Taste of the Town in San Francisco with Bob and Carolyn. Out of the literally hundreds of wines to try there, Sue found a favorite in <a href="https://www.kuletoestate.com/" target="_blank">Kuleto's</a> Cabernet Sauvignon, India Ink. Bob agreed she had found a good one. They both went back for a couple of retastes. Years later we visited their beautiful winery. We learned they had renamed India Ink to El Coyote. Given Sue's love of the wine, I would occasionally purchase some for her as gifts. This last time I went to acquire some, I thought it would be fun to put Sue to the test, blind taste all of the Kuleto Cabs I could find in the same vintage, seeing if she truly knew what her favorite was. Worse case scenario: She would find one she more preferred. You may have noticed, I like to think of ways to do more blind tastings.</p><p>I picked up all these 2016s</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>El Coyote, Napa Valley</li><li>Lone Acre, Napa Valley</li><li>The Point, Napa Valley</li><li>Villa Vista, Napa Valley</li></ul><div><br /></div><div>On a whim I pinged Paul to see if they were interested in doing it over the weekend. We had wanted to involve them in our Valentine's Day tasting, but the timing didn't work for them. Knowing how much Jennifer loves Cabs, I hoped we could find a time this tasting would work for both of us. Paul confirmed it would work.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVD3rvDSxrzJ50IAkjpQjiKlxqm9bQOTAyLyOPAhY3Wlk_SlI6yxcVNAU_ll16Dp39Z6sFXXuTOKH1NneDmZdVM6b8Tc7dbttd9k9xzF7FFj4MrhW3PWG7JuCLTjMTLGrr7Fh0507P9ibn/s2048/TastingInShorts.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVD3rvDSxrzJ50IAkjpQjiKlxqm9bQOTAyLyOPAhY3Wlk_SlI6yxcVNAU_ll16Dp39Z6sFXXuTOKH1NneDmZdVM6b8Tc7dbttd9k9xzF7FFj4MrhW3PWG7JuCLTjMTLGrr7Fh0507P9ibn/w300-h400/TastingInShorts.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div>Sue thought my zoom wine tasting attire, complete with my lucky <a href="https://shopandrewneeme.com/collections/men/products/pre-sale-fvrbl-sweatpant-shorts" target="_blank">Andrew Neeme sweatpants shorts</a>, was funny. She said her only concession for remote tastings was that sometimes she wore slippers, instead of boots.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr4fSceJr0whM_cFzBzVAff7YK3uCw373spJtUWZTvVyoLphpnrkyHI3a8cVPpfNiTjQUvP0XCWtPotwIS8tPwXCs2t7HpWshzbfC_ye0pLB9_Uluoasyv9UKYqo_Y9S9Yhaa1g9wOox1R/s2048/Prep.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr4fSceJr0whM_cFzBzVAff7YK3uCw373spJtUWZTvVyoLphpnrkyHI3a8cVPpfNiTjQUvP0XCWtPotwIS8tPwXCs2t7HpWshzbfC_ye0pLB9_Uluoasyv9UKYqo_Y9S9Yhaa1g9wOox1R/w400-h300/Prep.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>We're all on our way to being fully vaccinated, but we're not there yet. It was to be another remote tasting. We split the bottles and Paul picked them up. I failed to properly open A and shoved the cork into the bottle with spurts of wine all over the place. We're talking wine on the ceiling! We worked around this and I switched to the AH-so wine opener for the rest of the bottles. The corks were fine, but sometimes the bag makes it difficult to get our usual opener attached properly.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpSdtJE2ow80SSGRnV1o_O6Pq93dTS9S4jlEHLu1Uo5YS6RnindPd3GgHrib7TJRXnBKNQgcGPSz9a6pPy7rJc7j7c1G5QFsMeIKzgxnSJAGvCdjOqf6gN44x_YBQAaWzxARsVh2lly7VH/s2048/Setup.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpSdtJE2ow80SSGRnV1o_O6Pq93dTS9S4jlEHLu1Uo5YS6RnindPd3GgHrib7TJRXnBKNQgcGPSz9a6pPy7rJc7j7c1G5QFsMeIKzgxnSJAGvCdjOqf6gN44x_YBQAaWzxARsVh2lly7VH/w400-h300/Setup.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>We had a great time tasting with Paul and Jennifer.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Results</h3><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDcCm0BGMdz-58u3Ul47p3nwvjwaZ3MswAKuUNDio2FF7JnzND4BgqoOryti03QKLwUuhtwKfntpBx3OHRTXXzz7AqXvw9xpPxdVOyyGKYft2FObRFDtzz18CsInzdjyrVzfuS1XIJ2tiY/s540/Ratings.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="540" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDcCm0BGMdz-58u3Ul47p3nwvjwaZ3MswAKuUNDio2FF7JnzND4BgqoOryti03QKLwUuhtwKfntpBx3OHRTXXzz7AqXvw9xpPxdVOyyGKYft2FObRFDtzz18CsInzdjyrVzfuS1XIJ2tiY/w400-h144/Ratings.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheEGvTFcQU5Q6uYGwIxwwp1BoGfz_A2LxyMvvXvuC0AiEmjCW43MgKzkEZ70tbBDenL7ISLSoBSJLJhWVHcU5WGZ-C8YYlrMoZlFHQnKxvLPtj6_vWrAQ_K2dEwMgnJRFn121a7oBQRHnc/s3180/Results.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2385" data-original-width="3180" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheEGvTFcQU5Q6uYGwIxwwp1BoGfz_A2LxyMvvXvuC0AiEmjCW43MgKzkEZ70tbBDenL7ISLSoBSJLJhWVHcU5WGZ-C8YYlrMoZlFHQnKxvLPtj6_vWrAQ_K2dEwMgnJRFn121a7oBQRHnc/w400-h300/Results.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>D - <a href="https://shop.foleyfoodandwinesociety.com/product/2016-Kuleto-El-Coyote-Cabernet-Sauvignon--Napa-Valley?pageID=9D1A6C4C-DD71-583E-D79A-2C1261E38412&sortBy=DisplayOrder&maxRows=10&&productListName=Kuleto%20Estate&position=15" target="_blank">2016 Kuleto, El Coyote, Napa Valley</a>, came in first place with an average of 4.18. It cost $100 from the winery.</div><div><br /></div><div>C - <a href="https://shop.foleyfoodandwinesociety.com/product/2016-Kuleto-The-Point-Cabernet-Sauvignon--Napa-Valley?pageID=9D1A6C4C-DD71-583E-D79A-2C1261E38412&sortBy=DisplayOrder&maxRows=10&&productListName=Kuleto%20Estate&position=4" target="_blank">2016 Kuleto, The Point, Napa Valley</a>, came in second place with an average of 4.06. It cost $100 from the winery.</div><div><br /></div><div>A - <a href="https://shop.foleyfoodandwinesociety.com/product/2016-Kuleto-Estate-Lone-Acre-Cabernet-Sauvignon--Napa-Valley?pageID=9D1A6C4C-DD71-583E-D79A-2C1261E38412&sortBy=DisplayOrder&maxRows=10&&productListName=Kuleto%20Estate&position=16" target="_blank">2016 Kuleto, Lone Acre, Napa Valley</a>, came in third place with an average of 3.88. It cost $100 from the winery.</div><div><br /></div><div>B - <a href="https://shop.foleyfoodandwinesociety.com/product/2016-Kuleto-Villa-Vista-Cabernet-Sauvignon--Napa-Valley?pageID=9D1A6C4C-DD71-583E-D79A-2C1261E38412&sortBy=DisplayOrder&maxRows=10&&productListName=Kuleto%20Estate&position=5" target="_blank">2016 Kuleto, Villa Vista, Napa Valley</a>, came in last place with an average of 3.55. It cost $100 from the winery.</div><div><br /></div><div>The wine was all very good, lowest average 3.55, and Sue may have found a new favorite.</div><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169765567043390570.post-58752528358852653982021-03-27T18:00:00.202-07:002021-03-29T15:39:49.178-07:00Birthday Sangiovese<p>As I've said, we've watched al lot of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb7KNFvMuvQz9LPRK4xyzfA" target="_blank">WINEKING</a>. Peter Koff's love of Sangiovese inspired me to plan a Sangiovese tasting. I figured if I could use his company, <a href="https://greatwine2u.com/" target="_blank">Great Wine 2 U</a>, even better. A lot of <a href="https://www.greatwine2u.com/sangiovese/" target="_blank">the choices</a> were unavailable, but I found my way to a selection if 4.</p><p>I was concerned about the age of two of them. I contacted the company with this concern. Peter responded, saying he had tried one of them recently and it was "lovely." He said he hadn't tried the other recently, but would. He responded later that he was trying the other and it was "delicious!"</p><p>Despite the assurances, I was still concerned. A couple of days before the tasting, the latest WINEKING tasted some Sangiovese. I decided to add one last minute, if I could get it to everyone involved.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSlqj8AFgFP2I1l2FIMjF5d4APc7U0NcFm-Tz7HpBLYXSQDLyogt8aH0MPhqlhmvIZGW8EuLRiaU_SbrLe_wnLr3oFlHUTKGizifL1_n7SQP47zftY5D33YYMQALXnTAjv8LHrKmfz-tTK/s2048/wine+king.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSlqj8AFgFP2I1l2FIMjF5d4APc7U0NcFm-Tz7HpBLYXSQDLyogt8aH0MPhqlhmvIZGW8EuLRiaU_SbrLe_wnLr3oFlHUTKGizifL1_n7SQP47zftY5D33YYMQALXnTAjv8LHrKmfz-tTK/w400-h300/wine+king.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The front tree always looks beautiful my birthday weekend.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0AuQeDko6MlsPAffJsLMHeqYsUnrxuL6ZadrI6163pMGJrf3sZdgkQ9ThQMA0Ac_AgS7AdmrxRtyufLNKWkt80qfzYfl_ZaQ5X-vEpbRIl62aUbrzg5mS-XOfgD6_k2LKCrifupr4PZ7t/s2048/SpringIsHere.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0AuQeDko6MlsPAffJsLMHeqYsUnrxuL6ZadrI6163pMGJrf3sZdgkQ9ThQMA0Ac_AgS7AdmrxRtyufLNKWkt80qfzYfl_ZaQ5X-vEpbRIl62aUbrzg5mS-XOfgD6_k2LKCrifupr4PZ7t/w400-h300/SpringIsHere.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p>It was yet another celebration via remote tasting, but there's light at the end of the tunnel, and I look forward to in person, vaccinated gatherings.</p><p>In an effort to reduce the cost of the tasting, 4 of us split bottles the day of the tasting. I was worried about some of the corks being problems, since they were over ten years old. I used an AH-so wine opener and didn't have any problems.</p><p>We used these great half bottles I found on Amazon, inspired by Jose's suggestions.</p>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08288CYQM?ie=UTF8&psc=1&linkCode=li2&tag=theac0da-20&linkId=8fefdb2e83ae1bf7fc56a4007dad549a&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_il" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B08288CYQM&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=theac0da-20&language=en_US" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=theac0da-20&language=en_US&l=li2&o=1&a=B08288CYQM" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" />
<p>When Jose picked up his bottles, he dropped off a box of Alfajores Lili had made for me for my birthday. What a wonderfully delicious surprise!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwuZKGEiu868frJyg34h7oB0qbY55O2GPUncJHbIEAi_yE4Dh0XtYdH2wTrO8cdNon82mG-4cUsdsNYF8cmjzUarjoLLiQAGL-LlIZKl0enjcTCLnNQx2_77pKSKl9x9CuOtOiVm2zVHFn/s2048/Alfajores.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwuZKGEiu868frJyg34h7oB0qbY55O2GPUncJHbIEAi_yE4Dh0XtYdH2wTrO8cdNon82mG-4cUsdsNYF8cmjzUarjoLLiQAGL-LlIZKl0enjcTCLnNQx2_77pKSKl9x9CuOtOiVm2zVHFn/w400-h400/Alfajores.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p>We all joined up at 6 to taste and enjoy each other's company.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6D9e-ZiMURuGx06I-1ws9saqKgYARPFUOL7kqS8yeYogbpIIXB7_ByV7fi5X0aU7K7CkBXjAENFkJKfquLq0FWlXk-wHAv1UsCt8rn2nOGF56CcHuekFgL23fpW6ZZepfkEOqSBm54dXT/s2048/zoom.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6D9e-ZiMURuGx06I-1ws9saqKgYARPFUOL7kqS8yeYogbpIIXB7_ByV7fi5X0aU7K7CkBXjAENFkJKfquLq0FWlXk-wHAv1UsCt8rn2nOGF56CcHuekFgL23fpW6ZZepfkEOqSBm54dXT/w400-h300/zoom.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h2><h2 style="text-align: left;">Results</h2><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPBaWl5RYXHkyk9dhI1wD6jBAw_0JPIWThIV87uTnwj_NfhnX-rSqL02FrV57XWDX14a9UEgttgeBrAKZRx7ICo8ir4tgu4Yl2zWzLyQuV0ugsUj9DgniLhNWuLzul3oa33KXuvoTPQpCD/s1164/Ratings.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="226" data-original-width="1164" height="78" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPBaWl5RYXHkyk9dhI1wD6jBAw_0JPIWThIV87uTnwj_NfhnX-rSqL02FrV57XWDX14a9UEgttgeBrAKZRx7ICo8ir4tgu4Yl2zWzLyQuV0ugsUj9DgniLhNWuLzul3oa33KXuvoTPQpCD/w400-h78/Ratings.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbxXyYrujj3Wxtwx82fSgeEQdrQgXVXA_FXu3V1OcQbBfzFBeJsTJn0DqPaIHK2QCAO7_KUmPoClI_KcQvx2uPzvz8tZJRhMrEm2U4W7A48f1VQQYfibBc-_PT8mh83C7fMQEBpAdMIwCt/s2048/Results.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1522" data-original-width="2048" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbxXyYrujj3Wxtwx82fSgeEQdrQgXVXA_FXu3V1OcQbBfzFBeJsTJn0DqPaIHK2QCAO7_KUmPoClI_KcQvx2uPzvz8tZJRhMrEm2U4W7A48f1VQQYfibBc-_PT8mh83C7fMQEBpAdMIwCt/w400-h297/Results.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>E - <a href="https://www.totalwine.com/wine/red-wine/sangiovese/volpaia-chianti-classico-riserva-docg/p/5414750?s=1127&igrules=true" target="_blank">2017 Volpaia Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG</a>, came in first place with an average of 3.59. It cost $30.50 from TotalWine.</div><div><br /></div><div>C - <a href="https://www.greatwine2u.com/la-fornace-brunello-di-montalcino-riserva-docg-2013-italy-750-ml/" target="_blank">2013 La Fornace Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOC</a>, came in second place with an average of 2.66. It cost $76 from Great Wine 2 U.</div><div><br /></div><div>A - <a href="https://www.greatwine2u.com/2003-cupano-brunello-di-montalcino-docg-italy-750-ml/" target="_blank">2003 Cupano Brunello di Montalcino DOCG</a>, came in third place with an average of 2.50. It cost $92 from Great Wine 2 U.</div><div><br /></div><div>B - <a href="https://www.greatwine2u.com/2012-stellekaya-hercules-stellenbosch-south-africa-750-ml/">2012 Stellekaya Hercules Stellenbosch South Africa</a>, came in fourth place with an average of 2.20. It cost $27.50 from Great Wine 2 U.</div><div><br /></div><div>D - <a href="https://www.greatwine2u.com/2005-lombardo-vino-nobile-di-montepulciano-docg-italy-750-ml/" target="_blank">2005 Lombardo Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG Italy</a>, came in last place with an average of 1.45. It cost $70 from Great Wine 2 U.</div><div><br /></div><div>Overall I did not enjoy the wine. I was surprised at how much taste A had, given its age. In the end, everyone reminded me that it's more about the social interactions, which was close to a 5. Many expressed an interest adventuring out into different varietals. Overall it was a great time and I discovered that Alfajores pair wonderfully with a number of the Sangiovese we tasted!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169765567043390570.post-9461800866712683052021-03-19T17:30:00.080-07:002021-03-27T08:06:55.669-07:00Intimate Remote Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc Tasting<p>As I mentioned before, we've watched a lot of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb7KNFvMuvQz9LPRK4xyzfA" target="_blank">WINEKING</a> lately. One of the episodes involved a bottle of Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc. I had never heard of this. Given my recent love of whites, I set about gathering a tasting. I could only find 4 of them, 2 from <a href="https://www.totalwine.com/" target="_blank">TotalWine</a> and 2 from <a href="https://www.klwines.com/" target="_blank">K&L</a>. K&L had six or so for pre-arrival, but I wasn't willing to wait. Overall, it was slim pickings.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwCBRqX0HwMgfTyKG6cf1iB3tzremFuFRtp0d8XFJvm6HzZp_dZ0QaR-fwGlmT1f8G4PQ7GwFSSCxCE26nHjsJZOzPXNfbWwlKLAgK8pZ2cghvVbJE7k9SwyaNfTkSLzOYE2yhOX-JgkpR/s4032/wine+king.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwCBRqX0HwMgfTyKG6cf1iB3tzremFuFRtp0d8XFJvm6HzZp_dZ0QaR-fwGlmT1f8G4PQ7GwFSSCxCE26nHjsJZOzPXNfbWwlKLAgK8pZ2cghvVbJE7k9SwyaNfTkSLzOYE2yhOX-JgkpR/w400-h300/wine+king.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Ted and Shannon were eager to try the varietal, unsure they had ever tried it.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkfQj0GTJHY7BL7Q4aAMYIRrurlKg7KAQ-UodDEzAVQJ5NYq8nVbgR2q4uMhsB5XyRmsdiVDbxphVnkRS_AgR8Lb-i9VH8EuqxmQvySmWz2P6h49EyxyIo17FXu91mwk-hLtdQtbBEt1HJ/s4032/Setup.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkfQj0GTJHY7BL7Q4aAMYIRrurlKg7KAQ-UodDEzAVQJ5NYq8nVbgR2q4uMhsB5XyRmsdiVDbxphVnkRS_AgR8Lb-i9VH8EuqxmQvySmWz2P6h49EyxyIo17FXu91mwk-hLtdQtbBEt1HJ/w400-h300/Setup.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p>We let the wine breath and warm up for 30 minutes before we joined Ted and Shannon on the zoom. The ideal temperature for tasting these wines is 64-65 degrees. They were a little cold when we started. We had a great time tasting them.</p><p>I don't usually get much on the nose of the wines, but for the third wine I was thrilled to get a strong note of warm bread.</p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Results</h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoBUj3Na6FhbeD972TW9s7St199HMYAyDy1KiqcyM7H8iNd8msA7eZq-4fztDqu3h4vgvNxLXVbh5hm-fKMbVrVpefpw6D1bbx_5xIdSD9W7kWeqXA5qajQk-KZsZ5NmZkHL8bH5W0FnVW/s548/Ratings.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="182" data-original-width="548" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoBUj3Na6FhbeD972TW9s7St199HMYAyDy1KiqcyM7H8iNd8msA7eZq-4fztDqu3h4vgvNxLXVbh5hm-fKMbVrVpefpw6D1bbx_5xIdSD9W7kWeqXA5qajQk-KZsZ5NmZkHL8bH5W0FnVW/w400-h133/Ratings.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLAB8iaUPVZmHCUfCn7WdSXNsIH1pl4FUBKFt7K4MM9XhEH15nPMwEiN25aWy4tm-oRRWE5Uk1DcaoFP91BKpPLlmUf-CO8pYNIc1TUX21Gzv1kLn7BFjboYuftPZFM5hVwgWzhpP023Dv/s2048/Results.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1805" data-original-width="2048" height="353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLAB8iaUPVZmHCUfCn7WdSXNsIH1pl4FUBKFt7K4MM9XhEH15nPMwEiN25aWy4tm-oRRWE5Uk1DcaoFP91BKpPLlmUf-CO8pYNIc1TUX21Gzv1kLn7BFjboYuftPZFM5hVwgWzhpP023Dv/w400-h353/Results.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>A - <a href="https://www.klwines.com/p/i?i=1507199" target="_blank">2019 Domaine de Marcoux</a>, came in first place with an average of 3.63. It cost $60 from K&L.</p><p>B - <a href="https://www.totalwine.com/wine/white-wine/rhone-blend/clos-st-michel-chateauneufdupape-blanc/p/92200750?s=1127&igrules=true" target="_blank">2018 Clos St Michel</a>, came in second place with an average of 3.44. It cost $45 from TotalWine.</p><p>C - <a href="https://www.klwines.com/p/i?i=1507199" target="_blank">2019 Domaine de Beaurenard</a>, came in third place with an average of 3.25. It cost $60 from K&L.</p><p>D - <a href="https://www.totalwine.com/wine/white-wine/rhone-blend/domaine-presidente-chateauneuf-du-pape-blanc/p/132115750?s=1127&igrules=true" target="_blank">2018 <span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="color: #1c252a; font-size: 16px;">Domaine Presidente</span></a>, came in last place with an average of 3.00. It cost $36 from TotalWine.</p><p>Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc is interesting. All the wines were well made, but I'm not certain I like the flavor profile. More research may be required.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169765567043390570.post-58826971626440711322021-03-13T17:00:00.135-08:002021-03-20T16:36:46.255-07:00Intimate Remote Sangiovese Tasting<p>The results of the <a href="https://winejudging.com/" target="_blank">2021 SF Chronicle Wine Competition</a> inspired me to pick up 5 different tastings. If you snooze, the wine is unavailable. Even after springing into action the day the results were published, I found an Idaho Albarino unavailable to non club members after its Double Gold win. I was also disappointed to find that <a href="https://www.texasheritagevineyard.com/" target="_blank">Texas Heritage Vineyard</a> was unable to ship their Best of Class Barbera my way. Sue was somewhat relieved. Needless to say, I would have added a Barbera tasting, had they been available.</p><p>We've been watching a lot of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb7KNFvMuvQz9LPRK4xyzfA" target="_blank">WINEKING</a>. <a href="http://www.mastersofwine.org/peter-koff-mw" target="_blank">Peter Koff's</a> love of less familiar varietals has inspired me to expand my blind tasting. Sangiovese was the perfect place to start. Fortunately our good friends Ted and Shannon are always willing to try, indulging my madness.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLfF_auKZVhbOviMJ-fYqdziuV7cOZWJc-tjLF1PNKxtnJnGilQZ5PdKpAhoTSb4eAeigWFI0M3E_PprGlAZilo2v9Z4xQqneEwFRRBr0JC78AC7Ysmo1STtv82qNmDe46xZ9LpVOOvDHU/s4032/SpringIsInTheAir.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLfF_auKZVhbOviMJ-fYqdziuV7cOZWJc-tjLF1PNKxtnJnGilQZ5PdKpAhoTSb4eAeigWFI0M3E_PprGlAZilo2v9Z4xQqneEwFRRBr0JC78AC7Ysmo1STtv82qNmDe46xZ9LpVOOvDHU/w400-h300/SpringIsInTheAir.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p>The cherry blossom tree out front always looks beautiful when Spring is in the air, and my birthday near.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9PmNPkB8gGGWQrbwDi0EJVRo5HwlKayq56XzFbMekrFgzXULg4yoD_mvPztnN3ELos47DC-fWgHJRjov_tOK3WIwt47Wh-L-uhfIWfXHcHEvk1xChP7DTUOJ5QXcMofbWHYS7vrlvH6l7/s4032/Prep.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9PmNPkB8gGGWQrbwDi0EJVRo5HwlKayq56XzFbMekrFgzXULg4yoD_mvPztnN3ELos47DC-fWgHJRjov_tOK3WIwt47Wh-L-uhfIWfXHcHEvk1xChP7DTUOJ5QXcMofbWHYS7vrlvH6l7/w400-h300/Prep.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>We let the wines breath for an hour before we joined the zoom session. We had a great time tasting with Ted and Shannon.</p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Results</h2><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWlLorRvcCxf5Ci8AMVvEnx2o28JpqWTFR-5wcdd-6kAJRQmM65pVwoBdEZ-ojBp50sIEL5EkFoEeK7l53zjlKGLuXBl91cVxdBG1qxODI7X9_1b9kYUu_glpFkyIqw4ihPvB2C0IXowCk/s478/Ratings.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="478" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWlLorRvcCxf5Ci8AMVvEnx2o28JpqWTFR-5wcdd-6kAJRQmM65pVwoBdEZ-ojBp50sIEL5EkFoEeK7l53zjlKGLuXBl91cVxdBG1qxODI7X9_1b9kYUu_glpFkyIqw4ihPvB2C0IXowCk/w400-h163/Ratings.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDSUK-4vtimB0mxHpenjNTF0kDOj6fiyM-I0NxNxYvjDl3CHS-A4dJmPNUmoXyjN45FskdrQtm4zsRXJ8-H2SvGqLEzCIb0LD5S14Il7ON_b4i8ca0uPl9tXBtufhCFoRs7n1nZ70ndXkv/s2048/Results.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Results" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDSUK-4vtimB0mxHpenjNTF0kDOj6fiyM-I0NxNxYvjDl3CHS-A4dJmPNUmoXyjN45FskdrQtm4zsRXJ8-H2SvGqLEzCIb0LD5S14Il7ON_b4i8ca0uPl9tXBtufhCFoRs7n1nZ70ndXkv/w400-h300/Results.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p>A - <a href="https://www.ladyhill.com/index.cfm?method=products.productDrilldown&productID=C1465506-E6BF-23A6-A1FD-A37817854FCA" target="_blank">2016 Procedo</a>, Red Willow Vineyard, Columbia Valley, came in first place with an average of 3.83. It won Double Gold at the 2021 SF Wine Competition. It cost $76 from the winery.</p><p>C - 2017 <a href="https://www.laspositasvineyards.com/" target="_blank">Las Positas</a>, Estate, Livermore Valley, came in second place with an average of 3.58. It won Double Gold at the 2021 SF Wine Competition. It cost $48 from the winery.</p><p>D - 2017 <a href="https://deerhillvineyards.com/" target="_blank">Deer Hill Vineyards</a>, Tiffany Hills Vineyards, Lamorinda, came in third place with an average of 2.96. It won Best of Class at the 2021 SF Wine Competition. It cost $55 from the winery.</p><p>B - 2016 <a href="https://idlecellars.com/" target="_blank">Idle Cellars</a>, Speedy Creek Vineyard, Knights Valley, came in last place with an average of 2.81. It won Gold at the 2021 SF Wine Competition. It cost $60 from the winery.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169765567043390570.post-30676123990076262752021-02-14T18:00:00.094-08:002021-03-20T18:03:45.171-07:00Intimate Valentine's Day Remote Tasting<p>Silverado sent me an email at the right time, offering a Valentine's Day Tasting, a bottle of their 2016 Geo and some truffles. It sounded fun to me. I added all of their 2016 Cab offerings and decided to do a blind tasting.</p><p>February a number of our friends participate in a dry month, promoted by a friend. We mostly refer to it as Teduary. This limited our participants. I pinged Paul, knowing Jennifer loved cabs, but they were unable to attend. I promised Paul we would do something in the future. I knew Jose had a new love of cabs, and had expressed a fondness for Silverado, which is why I was on their email list. He joined us.</p><p>We split the bottles, and let them breath an hour before we zoomed. We had a great time tasting with Jose.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvYdN1hbIAf6F_rO8tNTxOs-Rhjvguyji4BnoZTJnCKmPAO1s6xt2ycWfaNeqaA_5HF5o4lNCQ1Tb4vbdUIpr9UhRxL4P9sad6BYcqS88q6mD0w-hFMyVvQcbV2dFeBj56565PA_FVfvz0/s4032/Prep.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvYdN1hbIAf6F_rO8tNTxOs-Rhjvguyji4BnoZTJnCKmPAO1s6xt2ycWfaNeqaA_5HF5o4lNCQ1Tb4vbdUIpr9UhRxL4P9sad6BYcqS88q6mD0w-hFMyVvQcbV2dFeBj56565PA_FVfvz0/w400-h300/Prep.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Results</h2><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijXihSCZP6Lx6G19gDwLpGInMuKOwjvJ405TK_rslQPAUBel4ZhgonSnBJQVsw4DETR2sPvh9AyjayUz9CLQl54lsQdAzLPCClifE3XNDpxN0Dvp4Su46cIOmWaDDpi1fvMQzNT37jrQ0K/s374/Ratings.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="178" data-original-width="374" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijXihSCZP6Lx6G19gDwLpGInMuKOwjvJ405TK_rslQPAUBel4ZhgonSnBJQVsw4DETR2sPvh9AyjayUz9CLQl54lsQdAzLPCClifE3XNDpxN0Dvp4Su46cIOmWaDDpi1fvMQzNT37jrQ0K/w400-h190/Ratings.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfGxneuQWOT3KdAONtttzRg52WJ5sXfyquYJkb-m4ugaTqa9a9BOcaLYSUmuKw4WhZWjc4zSdOXyMN9N0JlU0jxqC5lYvIhQ7gBeKbQhj3vg0zQUncZA2j-IhebYJCgr4U5qKHmI6AL3-K/s2048/Results.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfGxneuQWOT3KdAONtttzRg52WJ5sXfyquYJkb-m4ugaTqa9a9BOcaLYSUmuKw4WhZWjc4zSdOXyMN9N0JlU0jxqC5lYvIhQ7gBeKbQhj3vg0zQUncZA2j-IhebYJCgr4U5qKHmI6AL3-K/w400-h300/Results.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>A -<a href="https://silveradovineyards.com/shop/item/2016-see-selection-cabernet-sauvignon-1" target="_blank">2016 - See Selection</a>, Stags Leap District, Napa Valley, came in first place with an average of 4.50. It cost $90 from the winery.</p><p>D -<a href="https://silveradovineyards.com/shop/item/2016-solo-cabernet-sauvignon" target="_blank">2016 - SOLO</a>, Stags Leap District, Napa Valley, came in second place with an average of 4.03. It cost $125 from the winery.</p><p>C -<a href="https://silveradovineyards.com/shop/item/2016-oakville-station-cabernet-sauvignon" target="_blank">2016 - Oakville Station</a>, Napa Valley, came in third place with an average of 3.73. It cost $90 from the winery.</p><p>B -<a href="https://silveradovineyards.com/shop/item/2016-geo-cabernet-sauvignon" target="_blank">2016 - GEO</a>, Coombsville, Napa Valley, came in last place with an average of 3.70. It cost $75 from the winery.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169765567043390570.post-43020343582194657432021-01-15T18:00:00.004-08:002021-03-29T20:54:36.283-07:00#@%!$ing Merlot<p> I've been wanting to try the canonical Merlot: <a href="https://www.winemag.com/2020/11/20/napa-legends-making-iconic-wines-buy/?utm_source=dotmailer&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2829311_WEM%20Top%20Shelf%2012%2F01&bxid=233188816&leadsource=EMAIL1&dm_i=219S,1ON3Z,3UU1N4,5QHJQ,1" target="_blank">Duckhorn Three Palms. Articles like The Napa Legends Making Iconic Wines You Can Actually Buy</a> and <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/tomhyland/2018/07/11/duckhorn-the-triumph-of-merlot/?sh=31a4aa1a550e" target="_blank">Duckhorn Vineyards And The Unusual Triumph Of Merlot In Napa Valley</a> further convinced me. It also showed up in 15th place as the only Merlot on the <a href="https://top100.winespectator.com/lists/?fbclid=IwAR1J93YvU-qSHJz7FBJfpw12MuHNlJLkJkkGNhdvzdl_dFVHjGHu0dX2XFk" target="_blank">2020 Wine Spectator Top 100 List</a>.</p><p>I reviewed a lot of "Best Merlots" lists and found my other two bottles:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://sequoiagrove.com/product/2017-napa-valley-merlot/" target="_blank">2017 Sequoia Grove Winery</a>, <a href="https://winejudging.com/medal-winners/2020-medal-winners/2020-507/" target="_blank">Best of Class from the 2020 SF Chronicle Wine Competition</a></li><li><a href="https://www.trefethen.com/wine/signature-merlot/" target="_blank">Trefethen Family Vineyards, Oak Knoll District</a>, <a href="https://winejudging.com/medal-winners/2018-medal-winners/2018-456/" target="_blank">Best of Class from the 2018 SF Chronicle Wine Competition</a>. Unfortunately, I couldn't find the 2015 and had to settle for the 2018.</li></ul><div><br /></div><div>We met on a Friday night over zoom. We raucously tasted the wines. Remote wine tastings can be challenging with so many people. Michel introduced us to his new friend, Linda. She was brave to join us. It was nice to see a new face. She fit right in.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwWeSvWphWR5-6UESIkjqtq9VbeO-ieJudXDWuwkMC6wiLdQ4sb_v31c9gjj3hub18dwsw_aK9G8YuLln_I4YfZjwCs_gnyaaBFz6C023iUuf2LB1CvqSlm0u0-FfUcu4QD5fyKahNblry/s2048/Zoom.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwWeSvWphWR5-6UESIkjqtq9VbeO-ieJudXDWuwkMC6wiLdQ4sb_v31c9gjj3hub18dwsw_aK9G8YuLln_I4YfZjwCs_gnyaaBFz6C023iUuf2LB1CvqSlm0u0-FfUcu4QD5fyKahNblry/w400-h300/Zoom.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Results</h2><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsoHG63DCwa3jeubqBodiokcjWwN6NG4ADYPMKruOO-k6FrCkcTjkSNpABy26caAtZdRDV5vkqczGgyxx0IJDIwyWAx-XsP98Yf45LkK744KZQDjlWCseTn442T0r5cTo_Bg6UwL0-RMnV/s1330/Ratings.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="156" data-original-width="1330" height="48" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsoHG63DCwa3jeubqBodiokcjWwN6NG4ADYPMKruOO-k6FrCkcTjkSNpABy26caAtZdRDV5vkqczGgyxx0IJDIwyWAx-XsP98Yf45LkK744KZQDjlWCseTn442T0r5cTo_Bg6UwL0-RMnV/w400-h48/Ratings.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLntp7iZmRyJFKxnzMydte_cIkmaxEQsmYsf59AKhmlaVAJ8YjIHBOBkGRlA1G1GdFadzTjfEG32k946rnHiRPNIGu7F9MXxk3JVklD7E6ijry5tlonDBe7ffQWd4u50qLBhikGwlab2Ym/s2048/Results.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLntp7iZmRyJFKxnzMydte_cIkmaxEQsmYsf59AKhmlaVAJ8YjIHBOBkGRlA1G1GdFadzTjfEG32k946rnHiRPNIGu7F9MXxk3JVklD7E6ijry5tlonDBe7ffQWd4u50qLBhikGwlab2Ym/w400-h300/Results.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>B - <a href="https://www.duckhorn.com/product/2017-duckhorn-vineyards-napa-valley-merlot-three-palms-vineyard?productListName=Merlot&position=4" target="_blank">2017 Duckhorn, Three Palms Vineyard, Napa Valley</a> came in first place with an average of 3.62. It costs $100 from K&L, $110 directly from the winery.</div><div><br /></div><div>C - <a href="https://sequoiagrove.com/product/2017-napa-valley-merlot/" target="_blank">2017 Sequoia Grove, Napa Valley</a> came in second place with an average of 3.60, a virtual tie. It costs $50 directly from the winery.</div><div><br /></div><div>A - <a href="https://www.trefethen.com/wine/signature-merlot/" target="_blank">2018 Trefethen, Oak Knoll District</a> came in last place with an average of 3.06. It costs $50 directly from the winery.</div><div><br /></div><div>All the wine was good and will taste even better in a few years.</div><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169765567043390570.post-64836048547092969552020-11-07T16:00:00.026-08:002021-03-29T20:54:57.712-07:00Celebrity Rosés<p>Ted mentioned that Cameron Diaz had some new wine that wasn't supposed to give you a hangover after a couple of glasses or bottles, it was unclear which. Soon thereafter I saw a Wine Enthusiast Facebook post titled <a href="https://www.winemag.com/2020/08/03/post-malone-rose-wine-interview/" target="_blank">“Rosé is for When You Want to Get a Little Fancy,” Says Post Malone</a>. We like to get a little fancy, so I started looking for celebrity rosés to taste. I did a little research and decided to add Jon Bon Jovi's and Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's rosés in the mix.</p><p>I didn't ask the usuals if they were interested, because I assumed they would not be. We asked both of our sisters and they were happy to participate.</p><p>When the bottles arrived I sent a picture of them to Ted and Carlos titled, "The tasting nobody asked for"</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAr_qcTT7_ys1uGVGd-C00DXpb__M42JJJv9LCaLniJuoilf0HEbM-wEUaxdOSBQ7jIrz8-2448jLiuMlrDtxaPKHykT8B_u0QNRBLpmjBuXJRJzVpwXVALpS5-uhB8H9FsuH-8Uev0Tkg/s2048/TheTastingNoOneWanted.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAr_qcTT7_ys1uGVGd-C00DXpb__M42JJJv9LCaLniJuoilf0HEbM-wEUaxdOSBQ7jIrz8-2448jLiuMlrDtxaPKHykT8B_u0QNRBLpmjBuXJRJzVpwXVALpS5-uhB8H9FsuH-8Uev0Tkg/w400-h300/TheTastingNoOneWanted.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p>To my surprise, Ted thought Shannon would be interested.</p><p>Days later I was talking to Paul, telling him about this horrible tasting I had planned. He too said he was interested.</p><p>I looked up the serving temperature for rosés and found there were two options.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggVeLayehQP3PBJJjXMcx3wGtAsUhkp54TaU9vD-ctSgLY6Aa935X9IcYehI5iUFnfnOBndAcDaUlAWOObYP-kVAz4U3_beiIVPgtryyhIp3Ep5Z9v7W0L1Olr92DcKm7eV327IDDZT0Xh/s1290/RoseServingTemp.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="636" data-original-width="1290" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggVeLayehQP3PBJJjXMcx3wGtAsUhkp54TaU9vD-ctSgLY6Aa935X9IcYehI5iUFnfnOBndAcDaUlAWOObYP-kVAz4U3_beiIVPgtryyhIp3Ep5Z9v7W0L1Olr92DcKm7eV327IDDZT0Xh/w400-h198/RoseServingTemp.png" width="400" /></a></div><p>I chose to serve the rosés at the cooler temperature.</p><p>Months later everyone had the wine and we met on the Saturday after the election.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM6mwvNflRegvY48MCKrEtr63LJeU1A2idHGvgb1qaCWNzNVCKhOk65hTBdL3HjhysIlhUOx6xRclH1p8YDnmDsKI-Nq_HJlkz-hf6UEk6DQOhZEfIvwt5f9gX3Ilxsc38Z9kGRRX6jgDb/s2048/Zoom.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM6mwvNflRegvY48MCKrEtr63LJeU1A2idHGvgb1qaCWNzNVCKhOk65hTBdL3HjhysIlhUOx6xRclH1p8YDnmDsKI-Nq_HJlkz-hf6UEk6DQOhZEfIvwt5f9gX3Ilxsc38Z9kGRRX6jgDb/w400-h300/Zoom.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Sue's sister, Barb, joined us from Massachusetts. Two of her children and their significant others also joined. So many that she had to zoom in twice. My sister Kellie joined us from Nebraska with Katie and a cameo by my mother and nephew Elliot. The rest of us joined from California. It was a coast to coast rosé tasting.</p><p>We tasted the wines, laughed, enjoyed each other's company, and learned new words. We could not truly blind the wines, given the bottle's unique sizes and the remote complications. We went through them one by one and stack ranked them.</p><p>Ted joined us to socialize, but he did not partake in any of the rosés. He does not like rosés.</p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Results</h2><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib0GppHuIxKwQ63ItM_YbQitUCOFDt8EBOojo7jQh36o4kfmZvhqVXYctKD8Mzsu2XV-0KRAvT-K8hWq3z_C50deH70dmfh3A7ZOrMFw9W787JaJMoGIU08IgXsckaHfhSaURBorG9k6Ws/s1266/Rating.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="188" data-original-width="1266" height="60" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib0GppHuIxKwQ63ItM_YbQitUCOFDt8EBOojo7jQh36o4kfmZvhqVXYctKD8Mzsu2XV-0KRAvT-K8hWq3z_C50deH70dmfh3A7ZOrMFw9W787JaJMoGIU08IgXsckaHfhSaURBorG9k6Ws/w400-h60/Rating.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjARqi1pj3PVY74jhnjaWIoatF6nQxy-9_lrgDERa4-sUSpY7hRDND2HAiYvKXeudQgGOoDqYc-ouU7pIUFQUDcm84mXZdm9l_It1V1xk82JnhHMMS8sgUxFl7yFJ2ZnrH28neJMo6_sgzp/s2048/Results.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjARqi1pj3PVY74jhnjaWIoatF6nQxy-9_lrgDERa4-sUSpY7hRDND2HAiYvKXeudQgGOoDqYc-ouU7pIUFQUDcm84mXZdm9l_It1V1xk82JnhHMMS8sgUxFl7yFJ2ZnrH28neJMo6_sgzp/w400-h300/Results.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p><a href="https://www.miraval.com/en/home/" target="_blank">Miraval Rose</a> 2019 came in first. It cost $22 from <a href="http://wine.com">wine.com</a>.</p><p>Shannon said they served this at <a href="https://cincinwinebar.com/" target="_blank">cincin</a> at some point.</p><p><a href="https://maison9wine.com/" target="_blank">Maison No. 9</a> - A Post Malone Project Rose 2019 came in second. It also cost $22 from wine.com.</p><p>Katie said she thought this tasted like it would give you a hang over the next day.</p><div><a href="https://hamptonwaterwine.com/" target="_blank">Hampton Water Rose</a> 2019 came in third. It cost $20 from wine.com.</div><div><br /></div><div>Shannon said this tasted like baby aspirin. Many of us agreed.</div><div><br /></div><div>Barb liked this the best and kept saying I knew her taste.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://drinkavaline.com/products/rose-wine" target="_blank">Avaline Rose</a> came in last. It also cost $20 from wine.com.</div><div><br /></div><div>This was vegan friendly and organic.</div><div><br /></div><div>It was surprising that all of the wines were made in France.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169765567043390570.post-49245810347251212042020-07-31T17:00:00.066-07:002021-03-29T20:56:20.999-07:002020 SFCWC SLH Chards Gold or BetterEvery year I look at the <a href="https://winejudging.com/medal-winners/" target="_blank">San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition</a> results and usually am inspired to a blind tasting or two. This year wasn't any different, outside of being the worst year ever. Inspired by our love of <a href="https://www.testarossa.com/" target="_blank">Testarossa's</a> Rosella's Chardonnay, I found a tasting of 5 wines in Santa Lucia Highland's Chards that won a Gold medal or better.<div><br /></div><div>The wines were:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>2017 Bernardus, Sierra Mar Vineyard</li><li>2018 Barton, Secret Garden</li><li>2017 Calerrain</li><li>2018 Tondre, Tondre Grapefield</li><li>2018 Soquel Vineyards, Partners' Reserve Lone Oak Vineyard</li></ul><br />I had never heard of Barton, or Calerrain. It's always exciting to try new wineries.</div><div><br /></div><div>It took me a couple of months to gather up all of these wines, with some mishaps along the way. At one point I was moving the Bernardus, Sierra Mar Vineyard and realized it was red. I had mistakenly ordered the Pinot from wine.com instead of the Chard. Luckily Bernardus was kind enough to find the Chard, even when the website said it was sold out. Barton too found enough of the Secret Garden after the website listed it as sold out. Reaching out to the wineries, before using 3rd party sellers, is something I'll do in the future.</div><div><br /></div><div>Tondre was harder to acquire than you would think. The site did not reply to my inquiry, but I was able to find a wine shop in Fresno that helped me out. It seemed a little silly that I couldn't find some place closer, and maybe I could have. As it was, Tony at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/bellavinofresno/" target="_blank">Bella Vino Cellar</a> took good care of me.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thankfully, I had friends that were excited to try the Chards. A couple of the usuals were not interested.</div><div><br /></div><div>I defoiled and bagged all the wines.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTF7jSTTVYV4iaNbmCHd9dYSl1cF48Np0BANAvauBVLCu1jng6EhujJf5GtdTvovCbriQlTJ_UrzdAVU6tar8MgCMUATsGsvx-GLNLS5CQ3t0Gm5cfAxg6FIfYaw3dPLmQgb1l7KZrHySv/s2048/Setup1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTF7jSTTVYV4iaNbmCHd9dYSl1cF48Np0BANAvauBVLCu1jng6EhujJf5GtdTvovCbriQlTJ_UrzdAVU6tar8MgCMUATsGsvx-GLNLS5CQ3t0Gm5cfAxg6FIfYaw3dPLmQgb1l7KZrHySv/w400-h300/Setup1.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Kait randomized and left them in groups so no one knew what letter corresponded to what wine.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHK8lAVYoB0w3xruUYc-xvJ6ktTwDrHv_VLBYFZi1MssQh6aCFVCi7dvy0nbVWAbhTdQ328_Nf9FCUOsPhXTqDY5M1KVKZvKuVdOvBbwtcDE7CEv2PVWYMeAZhXskEmBas4dUe1daT0AtO/s2048/Setup2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHK8lAVYoB0w3xruUYc-xvJ6ktTwDrHv_VLBYFZi1MssQh6aCFVCi7dvy0nbVWAbhTdQ328_Nf9FCUOsPhXTqDY5M1KVKZvKuVdOvBbwtcDE7CEv2PVWYMeAZhXskEmBas4dUe1daT0AtO/w400-h300/Setup2.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>We zoomed, enjoying the company and wine.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBBCuqIC29d2vi_4S1NFs6jCrnmu7JnI1zWjPL6L3aXwwSnhMRPe6sixlVlVpJ4l0s8crZ-tlBot63jxDQkYXbT3puqioGOhM4SWpp2RtD0AAUD1_YqEpRjr4FWaychAcLCuKDG2XN44hM/s2048/Zoom.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBBCuqIC29d2vi_4S1NFs6jCrnmu7JnI1zWjPL6L3aXwwSnhMRPe6sixlVlVpJ4l0s8crZ-tlBot63jxDQkYXbT3puqioGOhM4SWpp2RtD0AAUD1_YqEpRjr4FWaychAcLCuKDG2XN44hM/w400-h300/Zoom.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>We used a <a href="https://www.coravin.com/" target="_blank">Coravin</a>, as did the Fosters. Bob gave me one of these years ago for Christmas. I never thought I'd find a use for it, but the virus and remote wine tastings have given the gift purpose. Rebecca's Coravin was fancy compared to ours, leading to envy, planned future investigation, and possibly purchases. They had pimped their Coravin with an aerator.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0756M2RL6/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0756M2RL6&linkCode=as2&tag=theac0da-20&linkId=91256abf35f57a68c95e0a37d2fd5de2" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=B0756M2RL6&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=theac0da-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=theac0da-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B0756M2RL6" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /></div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Results</h2><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAod5CVh3PMWHFaoXM5UjE3g07JqUeNl3FNnQru3yr0aERhSbzylAw63wpSNCdKA0O3XCQt8caahEQ8a09XlW1ThJS6DU8UsSaBEix8BPI5JH9_LLK6D-SXFAcb3rVVfyaxhEPM3uG4Zw-/s888/Ratings.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="216" data-original-width="888" height="98" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAod5CVh3PMWHFaoXM5UjE3g07JqUeNl3FNnQru3yr0aERhSbzylAw63wpSNCdKA0O3XCQt8caahEQ8a09XlW1ThJS6DU8UsSaBEix8BPI5JH9_LLK6D-SXFAcb3rVVfyaxhEPM3uG4Zw-/w400-h98/Ratings.png" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzVLvneszolTUl-m8h5rI4ACR4bUoxZ3f4kIMWRVDMtZGKAimglRyvAB3qZ6CfGv90GzZyKby7ZQ8T-LIOBfZp-5merSEt-tLxItXwzPziOaFaq9dRqRLzSr0XnCt5gp35COAeUG-udV4O/s2048/Results.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzVLvneszolTUl-m8h5rI4ACR4bUoxZ3f4kIMWRVDMtZGKAimglRyvAB3qZ6CfGv90GzZyKby7ZQ8T-LIOBfZp-5merSEt-tLxItXwzPziOaFaq9dRqRLzSr0XnCt5gp35COAeUG-udV4O/w400-h300/Results.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>A - 2018 <a href="https://www.soquelvineyards.com/" target="_blank">Soquel Vineyards</a>, Partners' Reserve Lone Oak Vineyard came in first place with an average of 3.84. It costs $12.50 as a special if you buy 6, but normally costs $25 for wine club members.</div><div><br /></div><div>D - 2017 <a href="https://www.calerrainwine.com/" target="_blank">Calerrain</a> came in second place with an average of 3.57. It costs $35 directly from the winery.</div><div><br /></div><div>E - 2018 <a href="https://www.bartonfamilywines.com/" target="_blank">Barton</a>, Secret Garden came in third place with an average of 3.36. It costs $40 directly from the winery. This turns out to be from Boekenoogen vineyard, which is a coincidence, since we just tried a Boekenoogen from <a href="https://www.wrathwines.com/" target="_blank">Wrath</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>C - 2018 <a href="https://tondrewines.com/" target="_blank">Tondre</a>, Tondre Grapefield came in 4th place with an average of 3.22. It costs $30.</div><div><br /></div><div>B - 2017 <a href="https://www.bernardus.com/" target="_blank">Bernardus</a>, Sierra Mar Vineyard came in last place with an average of 2.90. It costs $35, club discounted down from $50.</div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169765567043390570.post-29220683076843172242020-06-13T17:00:00.002-07:002021-03-29T20:56:54.378-07:00Dry Creek's Best Zinfandel<div>We've tried the blends from <a href="https://www.drycreekvineyard.com/" target="_blank">Dry Creek Vineyard</a>, but we've never really tried their best. I sent them an email asking what they considered their best Zinfandel. I received a reply from their Direct to Consumer Manager, Michael Longerbeam.</div><div><div><br /></div><div><i>Our best Zinfandel? That’s a tough question to answer since we make so many, and they are each so different from one another.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>I’ll highlight 3 of my personal favorites.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><a href="https://store.drycreekvineyard.com/product/2017-Somers-Ranch-Zinfandel" target="_blank">2017 Somers Ranch Zinfandel</a></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>If your preference is a fruit forward Zinfandel with a nice long finish, this is your best bet</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><a href="https://store.drycreekvineyard.com/product/2017-DCV2-Estate-Zinfandel---Four-Clones-Vineyard" target="_blank">2017 DCV2 Four Clones Zinfandel</a></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>A beautifully balanced Zinfandel made from four different Zinfandel clones</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><a href="https://store.drycreekvineyard.com/product/2017-Vogensen-Ranch-Zinfandel" target="_blank">2017 Vogensen Ranch Zinfandel</a></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Our mountain Zinfandel. The flavors are full bodied due to dry farming and vines grown at high elevation</i></div></div><div><br /></div><div>With Kaitlynn's help we randomized these and I distributed them. Ted and I shared some confusion around the tasting, but in the end we figured it out.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAocWWeOtw87QM3fj6CX7UxcWcd_Fn9frGF67r9EPpvW1cX4tqk62HZFKSGlJ_2tLFUKB5ptXI76aJyLaOwSCxDe4R4kmQAYgZXT2K8tjNBHlRfXCAhSdH6WAG5TblVOIl62oEcVVu9s0-/s2048/Prep.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAocWWeOtw87QM3fj6CX7UxcWcd_Fn9frGF67r9EPpvW1cX4tqk62HZFKSGlJ_2tLFUKB5ptXI76aJyLaOwSCxDe4R4kmQAYgZXT2K8tjNBHlRfXCAhSdH6WAG5TblVOIl62oEcVVu9s0-/w400-h300/Prep.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>We zoomed, enjoying the company and wine. It was nice to have Paul and Jennifer.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1F-RSh-2iFWt8fik4awv93mnfNqNIAnyhuG88tJlJFd4khcqDtBHY6XH2BD5k4bQCmelIcn4yDksu1jqH9hTOX2MepYlbZQvipMN40QUle2TCrVXAne89z1fK7w3ML0d2rYI7lzxgxpLA/s2048/Zoom.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1F-RSh-2iFWt8fik4awv93mnfNqNIAnyhuG88tJlJFd4khcqDtBHY6XH2BD5k4bQCmelIcn4yDksu1jqH9hTOX2MepYlbZQvipMN40QUle2TCrVXAne89z1fK7w3ML0d2rYI7lzxgxpLA/w400-h300/Zoom.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Results</h3><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixYF1JoyLHYQZpylMhZFZ3CHGMqQjvr8TBFywp74EwKo6k-xAXujdH-iTLKKpq6ZWu71pXQwu-aepRCAJiAUcoKSHHoKuez0xMqTn_R6Ju024yVLCDZ-aObfQSv-q4ywbzgYTKqdF0khTF/s918/Ratings.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="148" data-original-width="918" height="64" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixYF1JoyLHYQZpylMhZFZ3CHGMqQjvr8TBFywp74EwKo6k-xAXujdH-iTLKKpq6ZWu71pXQwu-aepRCAJiAUcoKSHHoKuez0xMqTn_R6Ju024yVLCDZ-aObfQSv-q4ywbzgYTKqdF0khTF/w400-h64/Ratings.png" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFiq9AkCpygLEw1XuSxn89fBwuLTIMfc6n8FIHu_ID1XGvvFp1Z7q1o6hm-_KZVRmWBvhFDjNtbJ4MUncn1eMjYuVxFEzi_OpM9BB_cvdQe1bailkwhwXje58EY3fiuC8yqrYemITuTyig/s2048/Results.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFiq9AkCpygLEw1XuSxn89fBwuLTIMfc6n8FIHu_ID1XGvvFp1Z7q1o6hm-_KZVRmWBvhFDjNtbJ4MUncn1eMjYuVxFEzi_OpM9BB_cvdQe1bailkwhwXje58EY3fiuC8yqrYemITuTyig/w400-h300/Results.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>A - <a href="https://store.drycreekvineyard.com/product/2017-Vogensen-Ranch-Zinfandel" target="_blank">2017 Vogensen Ranch Zinfandel</a> came in first place with an average of 3.97.</div><div><br /></div><div>C - <a href="https://store.drycreekvineyard.com/product/2017-DCV2-Estate-Zinfandel---Four-Clones-Vineyard" target="_blank">2017 DCV2 Four Clones Zinfandel</a> came in second place with an average of 3.25.</div><div><br /></div><div>B - <a href="https://store.drycreekvineyard.com/product/2017-Somers-Ranch-Zinfandel" target="_blank">2017 Somers Ranch Zinfandel</a> came in last place with an average of 2.91.</div><div><br /></div><div>All the wines cost $44.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169765567043390570.post-21799057947180169632020-05-23T15:32:00.045-07:002021-03-29T20:57:27.664-07:00Michel's Remote Cab TastingMichel sent out his proposed rules:<div><br /></div><div><p class="p1" style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i>We will taste 3 DIFFERENT wines 😊 Like we were suppose to do last time.</i></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><i><br /></i></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i>I can pick the 3 wines or someone can bring their own choice, if they would like. The wines must be Cabs and must be between $35 and $50 approximately. If someone wants to bring their own, they have to bring me 4 bottles of it (or I can go pick it up at your place).</i></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><i><br /></i></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i>I will then create 4 packages of three bottles, all in brown bags, with marked corked top, and bottles will be marked A, B and C, because I would like for all of us to taste the same bottle together.</i></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><i><br /></i></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i>I will deliver each of you a package of three bottles, some days ahead of the tasting, which could be on Saturday May 23rd. </i></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><i><br /></i></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i>If that date works for you and you would like to chose a wine, please let me know ASAP, so I don’t buy more than needed.</i></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br /></p></div><div>I thought Ted and I were going to submit bottles. In the ends Michel supplied two and I supplied one. I chose from the <a href="https://winejudging.com/medal-winners/2020-medal-winners/2020-520/" target="_blank">SF Chronicle's Wine Competition Cabernet Winners</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Michel graciously picked up my wine and delivered the set to everyone. Ted's rocket ship wasn't necessary.</div><div><br /></div><div>Jose texted that he was ready days before.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpwkHGN93uTV-hTNQXmTcWhm07Y3bNp_5zvG00CmJr7srTQNbUgZHaMgD0PiHRiCM0lP2zlUxkDemxAWQlBOIL5lxXYvVk6gGGGCbtqNzm9dyvrvSKStVUIQbLhV96PWi7-XPvgu1lZVB5/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpwkHGN93uTV-hTNQXmTcWhm07Y3bNp_5zvG00CmJr7srTQNbUgZHaMgD0PiHRiCM0lP2zlUxkDemxAWQlBOIL5lxXYvVk6gGGGCbtqNzm9dyvrvSKStVUIQbLhV96PWi7-XPvgu1lZVB5/w400-h300/JoseWasReady.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>We zoomed, enjoying the company and wine. Michel told everyone that the wines were from three different regions: Napa, Livermore, and Paso Robles. Ted and Shannon tried to get everyone to guess what regions each of the wines were from.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP-i4spGOvaK2mRZOxDK4WQ72GDqhoiK5TFxJxEiADaw_OaUiMOLQL1R0a2TNqALCNKZv-XMqdqWnBizERDMwA5sDTEOauE6wJBzQUSiOGsCFK8xIRptm50uIgIdTcx5s9UTZf56mgiVv9/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP-i4spGOvaK2mRZOxDK4WQ72GDqhoiK5TFxJxEiADaw_OaUiMOLQL1R0a2TNqALCNKZv-XMqdqWnBizERDMwA5sDTEOauE6wJBzQUSiOGsCFK8xIRptm50uIgIdTcx5s9UTZf56mgiVv9/w400-h300/Zoom.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Results</h2><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnh4kzNQ3QnjNVy_B43G9FsTEr003RUNOMCQAwaRw8dTHnRFlUG5ty8ktzduq4NOTl7v0HPtqUBxEprdXenc0vtb-z-tnhsrgeSZDCJksQgU-dfeHFcWah7y31DmR9byRPLdDDM-YtKhuq/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="144" data-original-width="1176" height="49" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnh4kzNQ3QnjNVy_B43G9FsTEr003RUNOMCQAwaRw8dTHnRFlUG5ty8ktzduq4NOTl7v0HPtqUBxEprdXenc0vtb-z-tnhsrgeSZDCJksQgU-dfeHFcWah7y31DmR9byRPLdDDM-YtKhuq/w400-h49/Ratings.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhlWMZdJem9qJT_OaObk1_FiTK4T3X5NR18-2EGrt4AiyFxlwFSBVQ5MApWZnrVhMYApDGMcsom0KK6qL12SRX7EYD9KTtegKwLPoK_TAARiZGBtSVPv4FZ8NwLd8GZbmO7TFMecP2H0qO/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2881" data-original-width="2541" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhlWMZdJem9qJT_OaObk1_FiTK4T3X5NR18-2EGrt4AiyFxlwFSBVQ5MApWZnrVhMYApDGMcsom0KK6qL12SRX7EYD9KTtegKwLPoK_TAARiZGBtSVPv4FZ8NwLd8GZbmO7TFMecP2H0qO/w353-h400/Results.jpeg" width="353" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>B 2016 <a href="https://www.justinwine.com/" target="_blank">Justin</a>, Isosceles, Paso Robles - came in first place with an average of 3.76. It cost $47. It is usually priced out of the range, but a friend, who is an owner of a wine store, gave it to him at cost. It's listed as a Bordeaux blend. At a bigger tasting, price or blend might have disqualified it.</div><div><br /></div><div><div>A 2016 <a href="https://mcgrailvineyards.com/" target="_blank">McGrail Vineyards</a>, Reserve, Livermore Valley - came in second place with an average of 3.58. It cost $48.</div><div><br /></div></div><div><div>C 2016 <a href="https://www.peju.com/" target="_blank">Peju</a>, Napa Valley- came in last place with an average of 3.13. It cost $41. Michel likes it for the price.</div><div><br /></div></div><div>Our wine was too hot when we tasted it, but a later retasting at proper temperature confirmed at least the ones we liked the most.</div><div><br /></div><div>Everyone having the same labeled wines I think helped. I'm not certain the aluminum foil was worth it, but it did hide the cork until extracted.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.vivino.com/" target="_blank">Vinvino</a> came up as a source of future tastings. It scored the Justin a 4.5, the McGrail a 4.1, and the Peju a 4.2. Vivino's top rated <a href="https://www.vivino.com/explore?e=eJwVyjkKgDAUBcDbvFJcsHydNxArEfnGGAImkSS43F5tphoX2RQtnPVsSji52ZZQD4ce6qPDwQpm4ynR6iw7wsIo2XqTZjl1FKMRuOqkcOVx-vNnjUQlL1bcHkw=" target="_blank">Cabs from $30 - $50</a> looked like an interesting tasting to me.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169765567043390570.post-14410290683413307812020-05-15T11:27:00.030-07:002020-05-25T18:27:11.402-07:00Halleck Vineyard's Virtual Tasting<div>On a whim, I ordered a <a href="https://www.blogger.com/#">Virtual Tasting</a> from <a href="https://www.blogger.com/#">Halleck Vineyards</a>. Stop me if you've heard this one before. By on a whim, I mean I received an email offer at 11:30 after enjoying a couple bottles of wine, not wanting to go to bed because that would mean having to get up and go to work. I asked Sue if she was interested. She of course was. Shannon's birthday was right around the corner as was Sue's. I decided to buy two one for us and one for the Farrell's. We could partake somewhere in the middle of the two birthdays.<br /> <br /> I ordered the <a href="https://www.blogger.com/#">Mother's Day Virtual Tasting</a>, but in retrospect I could have investigated a little more before I purchased. I'm pretty certain we didn't need the embroidered apron and wine opener to say the least. <br /> <br /> The tasting included<br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>2019 "Not Your Mother's" Dry White Zinfandel </li><li>2017 Three Sons Cuvee Pinot Noir </li><li>2016 The Farm Vineyards Pinot Noir </li></ul> I added a bottle of 2016 Haas Vineyard Pinot Noir. We have tasted at Halleck before, but never this wine. <br /><br />The tasting included two different cheeses from <a href="https://www.blogger.com/#">Valley Ford</a> and some chocolates. Instead of a White Zinfindel, we were shipped a Sauvignon Blanc. We scheduled the tasting for Friday at 5.</div><div><br /></div><div>Halleck supplied materials to print out if you wanted and instructions on when to take the wines out. At 5, we were all set up.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCzqSaF3IfL4Z7nVL-8DSsPn_o9idh8ynWJfFS1w_lvIuMUcG8G-gt-mEn5065q8CjiCUpVXz7KFZpULh_P8Da87Ug9qg4rn4E4FbQTEQ2QuQ1Y4fjzoEoG3eBo_Z1GAM_cN6JE_UL07EH/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2739" data-original-width="3650" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCzqSaF3IfL4Z7nVL-8DSsPn_o9idh8ynWJfFS1w_lvIuMUcG8G-gt-mEn5065q8CjiCUpVXz7KFZpULh_P8Da87Ug9qg4rn4E4FbQTEQ2QuQ1Y4fjzoEoG3eBo_Z1GAM_cN6JE_UL07EH/w400-h300/Setup.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Stephanie Culen was our host. She was excellent! She walked us through the 5 Ss: See, Swirl, Smell, Sip, and Savor. She made a short presentation on the history of Halleck. She guided us to the cheeses that paired best with the wine we were trying. She was very informative and answered any of our questions.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjngW8za6I8i0Dx8de4ELRqDUCo6fo4xhAWJQcj0ATV6FfjxuDnKdgKiP5UUfBHD4y8iU1T7YK1sjPxzXHkPNMyHWmnkmn5bApelolj4s0F85JraDPCWZY_dIe1fLcTC-s4RPPkzKBlxQTJ/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjngW8za6I8i0Dx8de4ELRqDUCo6fo4xhAWJQcj0ATV6FfjxuDnKdgKiP5UUfBHD4y8iU1T7YK1sjPxzXHkPNMyHWmnkmn5bApelolj4s0F85JraDPCWZY_dIe1fLcTC-s4RPPkzKBlxQTJ/w400-h300/WatchingPresentation.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>We had a great time.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBix8ua_xiOZY7OoHpPwjDaqK4hIfsp9B9jwLAAcoFEHlWKmd7Sg0QOurpuCyuxRfFuDAmWNVKNbesvIv3UXvKabqUNZhKegAg9p1W0oLLWl7KDVD-LqKihHuBZRVHKTQDYhs1D1WgAxfn/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBix8ua_xiOZY7OoHpPwjDaqK4hIfsp9B9jwLAAcoFEHlWKmd7Sg0QOurpuCyuxRfFuDAmWNVKNbesvIv3UXvKabqUNZhKegAg9p1W0oLLWl7KDVD-LqKihHuBZRVHKTQDYhs1D1WgAxfn/w400-h300/Zoom.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>All of the wine tasted great. The Farm was our favorite. Ted's favorite was the Haas.</div><div><br /></div><div>I would recommend this experience to anyone.</div><div><br /></div><div>In retrospect, Sue does make good use of the apron.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkg4_Xo21IlvBMkt8Ty5kSikPjx-uqEoJJ3V6kRjwDRJH6irjA0JP58o_BlY9IZ9m9bOXLk5L3YtHNnnEiGJyWZR2jdMZniwPahTPo9GMLJeV4a2g-hfZL3grWeaPOq6vbzJ5fyq0AW3vA/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3396" data-original-width="2550" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkg4_Xo21IlvBMkt8Ty5kSikPjx-uqEoJJ3V6kRjwDRJH6irjA0JP58o_BlY9IZ9m9bOXLk5L3YtHNnnEiGJyWZR2jdMZniwPahTPo9GMLJeV4a2g-hfZL3grWeaPOq6vbzJ5fyq0AW3vA/w300-h400/SueHalleckApron.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div>
<span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif;"></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comSanta Clara, CA, USA37.3541079 -121.95523569.043874063821157 -157.11148559999998 65.664341736178841 -86.7989856tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169765567043390570.post-46896064464705247642020-05-09T11:01:00.003-07:002021-03-29T20:58:11.402-07:00Jose's Remote Zin TastingJose broached the idea of a remote wine tasting while everyone was sheltered in place. We talked about it for 3+ hours. Weeks later he sent out an email.<br />
<ol style="background-color: white; font-family: calibri, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="color: #201f1e; font-size: 14.6667px;"><i>Vote on the type of wine we’ll taste. I narrowed the choices to three: Zins, Malbecs, and Pinots. My vote is Zins. Please reply to this email confirming your participation and with your vote.</i></span></li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="color: #201f1e; font-size: 14.6667px;"><i>Each tasting party suggests 1 or 2 wines to include in the tasting. Please make sure that the wines you suggest are available in quantities of 3 or more. Please reply to this email with your suggestions by Wednesday April 29th.</i></span></li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="color: #201f1e; font-size: 14.6667px;"><i>Once we have the list of candidates we’ll have a Zoom meeting to randomly choose only 3 wines from the suggested wines. I will write the names of the wines in identical pieces of paper, drop the individual papers into an opaque container, shuffle, and draw from the container 3 choices, these will be the wines we’ll taste. Tentatively, we can have the wine drawing meeting on Thursday April 30th.</i></span></li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="color: #201f1e; font-size: 14.6667px;"><i>Each tasting party buys the chosen 3 wines. If one of your suggested wines is part of the 3 wines we are tasting, please provide the information where to buy that wine by Friday May 1st.</i></span></li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="color: #201f1e; font-size: 14.6667px;"><i>Once all parties have the same 3 wines at home we will schedule the Remote Tasting Meeting.</i></span></li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="color: #201f1e; font-size: 14.6667px;"><i>Some notes on how the tasting can be blind, specially when only one person is at home. My plan is to remove the cork wrapping, and paper bag each bottle as soon as I get them. Blind shuffle the bottles each day until the tasting day. On the day of the tasting uncork the bottles and shuffle then one more time. Finally, write a number on the bottles from 1 to 3. You should also number your covered bottles. Our numbering will not map to the same wines, but that is OK, when the tasting is done we’ll add each other’s rating per wine, not per number.</i></span></li></ol>
We agreed to Zin, knowing Jose's love of the varietal.<br />
<br />
Our wine suggestions were:<br />
<br />
<i>1)We've tried the lower end from Dry Creek Vineyard. Why not try what they consider their best? I asked them. Here's the reply I received from their Direct to Consumer Manager, Michael Longerbeam We would choose one.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Our best Zinfandel? That’s a tough question to answer since we make so many, and they are each so different from one another.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>I’ll highlight 3 of my personal favorites.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i><a href="https://store.drycreekvineyard.com/product/2017-Somers-Ranch-Zinfandel">2017 Somers Ranch Zinfandel</a></i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>If your preference is a fruit forward Zinfandel with a nice long finish, this is your best bet</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i><a href="https://store.drycreekvineyard.com/product/2017-DCV2-Estate-Zinfandel---Four-Clones-Vineyard">2017 DCV2 Four Clones Zinfandel</a></i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>A beautifully balanced Zinfandel made from four different Zinfandel clones</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i><a href="https://store.drycreekvineyard.com/product/2017-Vogensen-Ranch-Zinfandel">2017 Vogensen Ranch Zinfandel</a></i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Our mountain Zinfandel. The flavors are full bodied due to dry farming and vines grown at high elevation</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>2)Robert Biale "Black Chicken"</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>I found this in a light article, titled "<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/food/5-california-zinfandels-youll-want-to-drink-right-now/2018/02/22/f849be32-1811-11e8-92c9-376b4fe57ff7_story.html">5 California zinfandels you’ll want to drink right now</a>".</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>"During Prohibition, when customers of the Biale farm ordered produce over the unsecure telephone party line, “black chicken” was code for a jug of zinfandel."</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Sounded interesting.</i><br />
<br />Michel's suggestions were:<div><br /></div><div><div><i>1 - Ridge Geyserville</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>2 - <span class="il">Rombauer</span> Zinfandel N.V.</i></div><br />
As the process progressed, the rules were changed so only three of the four tasting parties were able to pick a wine. I volunteered to not pick. Ted volunteered to disperse the wines, giving him more time to drive his new car. I was thankful, because I couldn't justify driving around for wine for a wine tasting as essential.<div><br /></div><div>Ted's path to delivery was complicated, 6 steps long, but he pulled it off in record time.<br />
<br />
After some discussion of tasting on Cinco de Mayo, which I thought was trouble, since it was a work night. We agreed to taste on a Saturday night at 8.<div><div><br /></div><div>We got all set up. Taking the wines out of the cellar 2 and a half hours before, and pouring the wines into decanters an hour before. Alex didn't do as much homework as she should have, but came anyway. What a treat!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL40BypgIK6BGHgxe7NdRaGR7mBNDY9WJ1RL1A_OpFlObsdkVvK3BCbN93_NtYKMJoiUxoO7lXfX0Ea4OZEi7xQlvMB9HCYMgyErslMNiHuVbrwyDGecKtMEGPnA8A2jjzqMATBLt1VB5P/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2723" data-original-width="3632" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL40BypgIK6BGHgxe7NdRaGR7mBNDY9WJ1RL1A_OpFlObsdkVvK3BCbN93_NtYKMJoiUxoO7lXfX0Ea4OZEi7xQlvMB9HCYMgyErslMNiHuVbrwyDGecKtMEGPnA8A2jjzqMATBLt1VB5P/w400-h300/Setup.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Jose had been ready since 5:30.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTtUh7vEOlQl7zWTHv5Hhi5O9A0YzrihggLvrbYRlQ_V2CEveKjAsEpIPvgjilHR39U4SrZSvvn8EgTo1Jeae5ZWM9-4HTkUzRuJl-nrDwI_I-r84UF_Ed1S4wQzADxRjN_SNZzdQ3WgYl/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTtUh7vEOlQl7zWTHv5Hhi5O9A0YzrihggLvrbYRlQ_V2CEveKjAsEpIPvgjilHR39U4SrZSvvn8EgTo1Jeae5ZWM9-4HTkUzRuJl-nrDwI_I-r84UF_Ed1S4wQzADxRjN_SNZzdQ3WgYl/w400-h300/JoseWasReady.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>We zoomed, enjoying the company and wine. After we had settled on scores, Shannon guided us through an attempt to align our randomizations. Our A, was Michel's C, etc.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYgCsmbJ-DyQayA22ONfROsGSv48MZ2exOMFiU9kVBTcYspFYcqA_7UVQMWEKZIKFutY5y10pXSSK_ddIwSsnUhd_6kKux_HLW98TsOj5xbMnF8eqFV8FkSKL3Tc5fOejsEQ6e6QtRhLVO/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2851" data-original-width="3800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYgCsmbJ-DyQayA22ONfROsGSv48MZ2exOMFiU9kVBTcYspFYcqA_7UVQMWEKZIKFutY5y10pXSSK_ddIwSsnUhd_6kKux_HLW98TsOj5xbMnF8eqFV8FkSKL3Tc5fOejsEQ6e6QtRhLVO/w400-h300/Zoom.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Results</h2><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLEfn0lRrZQzoEHvtlNx9UEofjELRJefQTykkKn9xjxY60yICA-d8w3Qez1lNQ4IxjgEUrEhlIkughJnO2zblxI0XB31mTRzrser3sGNf5gCjC6u6Apd2PbDGXkNt1MKx65LS6em6WNgz2/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2729" data-original-width="3639" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLEfn0lRrZQzoEHvtlNx9UEofjELRJefQTykkKn9xjxY60yICA-d8w3Qez1lNQ4IxjgEUrEhlIkughJnO2zblxI0XB31mTRzrser3sGNf5gCjC6u6Apd2PbDGXkNt1MKx65LS6em6WNgz2/w400-h300/Results.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>B - 2013 <a href="https://www.seghesio.com/" target="_blank">Seghesio</a>, Old Vine, Sonoma County took first place. It cost $30, including tax.</div><div><br /></div><div>A - 2017 <a href="https://www.rombauer.com/" target="_blank">Rombauer</a> took second place. It cost $35, including tax.</div><div><br /></div><div>C - 2017 Rombauer took third place. It cost $38, including tax.</div><div><br /></div><div>Unbelievably, two of the same wines were picked. Better yet, we all thought they tasted a little different. I wrote down sickening sweet as a descriptor for both of them, but I thought one was jammy, so what do I know. Alex had said how much she liked Rombauer zin during the tasting, but she's not certain which one her and her friend usually drink. Sometimes they enjoy El Dorado "Twin Rivers" Zinfandel.</div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comSanta Clara, CA, USA37.3541079 -121.95523569.043874063821157 -157.11148559999998 65.664341736178841 -86.7989856tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169765567043390570.post-28112662974205471442020-04-28T18:04:00.000-07:002020-04-28T18:36:48.838-07:00Thomas Fogarty Winery Online Tasting ExperienceOn a whim, I ordered a <a href="https://shop.fogartywinery.com/Wines/Virtual-Tastings">Virtual Tasting</a> from <a href="https://www.fogartywinery.com/">Thomas Fogarty Winery</a>. By on a whim, I mean an email offer came to me at the right time during the shelter in place. A lot of wineries have discovered the right time recently. I'm sure my name is on a list that people pay good money for. I imagine this list is titled, "Send this guy an email. He'll buy your wine, sometimes if he's never even heard of you before. Discounts help".<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The virtual tasting included two bottles of Pinot, cost $109, and included free shipping.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It started on Friday at 5 PM PST.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We joined a zoom session and enjoyed an hour of discussion of the two wines and interesting tidbits about the vineyards, including some fun pictures. Tom Fogarty Jr, winemaker Nathan Kandler, founding winemaker Michael Martella, and wine director and sommelier at Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay John Toigo did a good job entertaining us and answering questions people typed in the chat.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I wasn't sure if there was going to be face to face communication during the zoom. There wasn't. I felt bad that Sue got all gussied up, from the waist up, and even put on make up. She looked great, but no one but me could see her.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDcZowpljrXFpUcgkHBMMEJepGK1MaJrdluTJsMV-ue6oAfJ2aUco_OWKv3RTvy5C-HHJGNipRFas5z2DOhpuCd85PJocseFEYlFnbOpPVpnAyxAEvDiZ_U-40f8w9amCN31ihXwSPVmt1/s1600/Fogarty+Virtual+Tasting.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDcZowpljrXFpUcgkHBMMEJepGK1MaJrdluTJsMV-ue6oAfJ2aUco_OWKv3RTvy5C-HHJGNipRFas5z2DOhpuCd85PJocseFEYlFnbOpPVpnAyxAEvDiZ_U-40f8w9amCN31ihXwSPVmt1/s400/Fogarty+Virtual+Tasting.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We tasted the 2016 Razorback Vineyard and 2016 Rapley Trail Vineyard. We both enjoyed the wine and the experience.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I think the experience could be improved by giving more of a deal. $109 may have been a deal, but it didn't feel like it to me. Even without a reduction in price, I still would do it again if Sue wanted to.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zu4gTh0PAgM">YouTube of the Event</a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169765567043390570.post-74867923928106711842020-03-29T14:37:00.000-07:002020-03-29T20:06:31.948-07:0050th Birthday COVID-19 Interrupts2020 was a special year for us. It was my 50th birthday and our 30th wedding anniversary. We thought this was a pretty good reason to do something big, and we planned to go to France, the birthplace of Pinot. Unfortunately, COVID-19 happened, and everything was delayed. While we were unable to go to France we still feel incredibly lucky to have a job and our health, knock on wood, in these trying times.<br />
<br />
Because it was the "end of the world" and we weren't in France, I decided to have a tasting of White Burgundies, even if it was only going to be Sue and myself. I used KnL's website and chose one White Burgundy from each of the regions they had available. It turned out to be only four appelations: Chassagne Montrachet, Corton, Meursault, and Puligny Montrachet. We had them delivered.<br />
<br />
Spring did not stop for COVID-19, it came as usual around my birthday.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCuXTdONC0NwfZ_ITzdgP-JBuchXqQbRl2FvTpkHS7Xbinsnc10uhjjjVub7d2YRg0o0NNDuNaQo_8FmwsaAeNCxw47AP7zNIFszN73gnP69NEGhXFX8xuBx6suc9bs-El4oVOwh5xdazC/s1600/SpringIsIneTheAir.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCuXTdONC0NwfZ_ITzdgP-JBuchXqQbRl2FvTpkHS7Xbinsnc10uhjjjVub7d2YRg0o0NNDuNaQo_8FmwsaAeNCxw47AP7zNIFszN73gnP69NEGhXFX8xuBx6suc9bs-El4oVOwh5xdazC/s400/SpringIsIneTheAir.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
We had the tasting on the Friday after my birthday and only invited our kids and their significant others given the shelter in place and social distancing.<br />
<br />
I wrapped all the bottles, but we didn't use go so far as decanters for a double blind system.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHlf_T64uJk9hq1ImzgTatIVK_Zepu6JZgSczqiTdE3VZ3_4cN7_iOkJpSt8DQ9x15KC7HbC7Z3QVn-3myChQbsrxKyWx04x3PDxVkUC8tK1dgYWdg_ICbC24DsmlHWXCTo9OqSavXjf8a/s1600/Setup.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHlf_T64uJk9hq1ImzgTatIVK_Zepu6JZgSczqiTdE3VZ3_4cN7_iOkJpSt8DQ9x15KC7HbC7Z3QVn-3myChQbsrxKyWx04x3PDxVkUC8tK1dgYWdg_ICbC24DsmlHWXCTo9OqSavXjf8a/s400/Setup.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Alex, the only one of our three children that drinks, agreed to participate. I used an aerator to pour the wines into the glasses.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6W5RRnCpYMnWfB-8PMdOKg8ppeZXtr-XGr5GpYJLjMXDXsWhvk5mKYG-eG1LO0uj5Q4CUL2sryn7U9VY_rlLdgmiEF7rFdKtjt0InmqNrVa4N-IXpEPInvaf8VaZPsKVgml8rSEoZnBB3/s1600/SetupIncludingGlasses.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6W5RRnCpYMnWfB-8PMdOKg8ppeZXtr-XGr5GpYJLjMXDXsWhvk5mKYG-eG1LO0uj5Q4CUL2sryn7U9VY_rlLdgmiEF7rFdKtjt0InmqNrVa4N-IXpEPInvaf8VaZPsKVgml8rSEoZnBB3/s400/SetupIncludingGlasses.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Given the small number of participants, I wouldn't rely on the results, but we all enjoyed trying the wines. I would have liked to involved all my friends as well, but it was nice to be with family.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Results</h3>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieJZePzxT8-eE217rNet8PnKtgczzK59MZVuZnfQxTLKArPIZ-AD_YPzcGkgZ_kY760Mt83SUiTqBcn6YE567n8pSUW6063_xpuuporlFn6cWW9M_2ySdaeaEOwIJxZIVKoATqX2n6RH_5/s1600/Ratings.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="90" data-original-width="228" height="157" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieJZePzxT8-eE217rNet8PnKtgczzK59MZVuZnfQxTLKArPIZ-AD_YPzcGkgZ_kY760Mt83SUiTqBcn6YE567n8pSUW6063_xpuuporlFn6cWW9M_2ySdaeaEOwIJxZIVKoATqX2n6RH_5/s400/Ratings.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAinr8zYIJdob3_CsBPvm1QLcqSq5FGWBe9OD3E3a29UwEZn-tQmRyglr4SErMZL6laJ7GA2AMciadlt4tZ_wybE45Q0SjIz-OoJysNeycd2Gl7dfudNoy4l7mEEGwRZqXqQcxy1Aslxp4/s1600/Results.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAinr8zYIJdob3_CsBPvm1QLcqSq5FGWBe9OD3E3a29UwEZn-tQmRyglr4SErMZL6laJ7GA2AMciadlt4tZ_wybE45Q0SjIz-OoJysNeycd2Gl7dfudNoy4l7mEEGwRZqXqQcxy1Aslxp4/s400/Results.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
A - 2017 Ballot Millot Meursault 1er Cru "Perrières" came in first place with an average of 3.83. It costs $150. This was Alex's and my favorite.<br />
<br />
C - 2017 Domaine Bouchard Père et Fils Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru came in second place with an average of 3.20. It costs $200. This was Sue's favorite.<br />
<br />
B - 2017 Domaine Joseph Drouhin Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru "Folatieres" tied for third place with an average of 3.00. It costs $120<br />
<br />
D - 2017 Domaine Marc Morey Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru "Morgeot" tied for third place with an average of 3.00. It costs $95Unknownnoreply@blogger.comSanta Clara, CA, USA37.3541079 -121.955235637.253154900000006 -122.11659709999999 37.4550609 -121.7938741tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169765567043390570.post-43484838355191987242019-06-29T07:38:00.000-07:002019-07-01T10:54:04.539-07:00The Napa Cabs of SummerLast winter I picked up some Napa Cabs thinking we would have a small tasting. It didn't happen, but I was able to get something going over the summer. I knew Jennifer would love to taste some of her favorites; she's known for her love of <a href="https://www.stagsleap.com/">Stag's Leap</a> cabs. Karol mentioned his wife's favorite winery, <a href="http://www.springmountainvineyard.com/">Spring Mountain</a>, and I thought we could use some new blood in our tasting group. Ted has always been known for his love of Napa Cabs. We rounded out the group with Jose, who prefers Zins, but never says no to a tasting.<br />
<br />
Recent winery tastings had brought my attention to modern, angular wine glasses. Given we primarily had Pinot glasses and throwing in some toughness convinced me to push the Amazon buy button on Schott Zwiesel, Tritan Crystal, Cabernet glasses. Truthfully, there wasn't much arm twisting involved.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000LI182A/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000LI182A&linkCode=as2&tag=theac0da-20&linkId=1f4bf6ec2750a81d2078ff1ee62fe1d1" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=B000LI182A&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=theac0da-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=theac0da-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B000LI182A" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<br />
The glasses are beautiful, easy to wash and dry, and a joy to use. We're very happy with our decision, although Sue thinks I went a little overboard with the number of times I clicked the button.<br />
<br />
When Paul was preparing their bottle, the cork broke. This worried Jennifer and they decided to give it a taste only to find it off, possibly corked. At Jennifer's insistence Paul ran back to their house and picked up another bottle.<br />
<br />
We offered two choices to whet appetites: A 2012 <a href="https://rhysvineyards.com/">Rhys</a>, Horseshoe Vineyard, Chardonnay and a 2018 <a href="https://www.patzhall.com/">Patz & Hall</a>, Sonoma Coast, Rose. We had been cellaring the Chard for awhile and although their <a href="https://rhysvineyards.com/wine/rhys-vintage-charts/">vintage chart</a> still said to hold, I thought it was time. It was very nice and its taste improved as it warmed to room temperature. We've really been enjoying the Rose and wanted to share. Not everyone likes Rose, Ted, cough, so we offered the Chard as well.<br />
<br />
As a special treat, we offered elk and deer summer sausage on the meat plate, a gift from my cousin's husband Justin. It tasted great and the novelty enticed everyone to try and enjoy. Thanks Justin!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ5YDIgqyPCIDTo-0sBAEypVOgSflJymDyWnZ7jJRe2O6GHZZe4eq1Ngg-fi0MqcS6ElSDTKSeC4oyFtOHaI8EsrMuubZIWsDptazAqLoGxKIaCIEWA3AWwnSCyOniG0QBlqFftSeT95v-/s1600/MeatPlate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1144" data-original-width="1600" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ5YDIgqyPCIDTo-0sBAEypVOgSflJymDyWnZ7jJRe2O6GHZZe4eq1Ngg-fi0MqcS6ElSDTKSeC4oyFtOHaI8EsrMuubZIWsDptazAqLoGxKIaCIEWA3AWwnSCyOniG0QBlqFftSeT95v-/s400/MeatPlate.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Sue prepared the backyard for our first of the summer event, positioning her flowers and lights to great effect.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkSdSSLa0l3qXSf5AtmQutXFTrDJ4VZx9f3hdw7O5oreUNS_PyLTpSuO4K4Md5Vw6c2iA6U9RCSfQHUhPd2JoWi1rtAcyDeKUckFjrf84AC4nqcA8DB2ZSUfYKluS3MaG8iz__7zlw4OiN/s1600/Setup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkSdSSLa0l3qXSf5AtmQutXFTrDJ4VZx9f3hdw7O5oreUNS_PyLTpSuO4K4Md5Vw6c2iA6U9RCSfQHUhPd2JoWi1rtAcyDeKUckFjrf84AC4nqcA8DB2ZSUfYKluS3MaG8iz__7zlw4OiN/s400/Setup.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
We gave everyone three glasses, tasting the six wines in two rounds, followed by a final round of comparisons.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Results</h3>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRYRmqJ0sIwkBePmD4hypht9T9L21bHJnkwEFjmndTecA3eJc6xBzThrWsj1ppD6asqoZWWibom0lk8oSC7CVXmw42OK5iSnilpTMAwOeiC-CNuBMqDvghXS0AgmWwGz3Rzs4TEKFmLYJK/s1600/Ratings.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="248" data-original-width="1048" height="93" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRYRmqJ0sIwkBePmD4hypht9T9L21bHJnkwEFjmndTecA3eJc6xBzThrWsj1ppD6asqoZWWibom0lk8oSC7CVXmw42OK5iSnilpTMAwOeiC-CNuBMqDvghXS0AgmWwGz3Rzs4TEKFmLYJK/s400/Ratings.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEine_pcTKIA_63EniXGhuIRmfQ0YELxEaQjsVflqCXbwTntE8t9zQ1UIAJGoTT98JoJTX5L9x3F74dPX2ws2HwQAn3e5w11jsfqAYERF_tKUmD-lqNsB9b-qhaWZ0orI8qd7fKlWSw77bkq/s1600/Results.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="911" data-original-width="1600" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEine_pcTKIA_63EniXGhuIRmfQ0YELxEaQjsVflqCXbwTntE8t9zQ1UIAJGoTT98JoJTX5L9x3F74dPX2ws2HwQAn3e5w11jsfqAYERF_tKUmD-lqNsB9b-qhaWZ0orI8qd7fKlWSw77bkq/s400/Results.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
D - 2016 <a href="https://www.amicicellars.com/">Amici</a>, Reserve came in first place with an average of 3.98. It cost $80. Jose brought this and said "I was planning to get the silver oak, but in my search for it in K&L Wines the Amici also came up, and it had higher ratings. 96 from Jeb Dunnuck, 94 from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, 94 from James Suckling, 93 from Vinous."<br />
<br />
B - 2005 <a href="https://www.stagsleap.com/">Stag's Leap Wine Cellars</a>, Cask 23 came in second place with an average of 3.76. It costs $270 from KnL. Paul and Jennifer brought this from her private stash.<br />
<br />
E - 2013 <span id="goog_2077724441"></span><a href="http://www.hartwellvineyards.com/">Hartwell</a><span id="goog_2077724442"></span><span id="goog_2077724447"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_2077724448"></span>, Stag's Leap District, Estate came in third place with an average of 3.73. It cost $120. Ted and Shannon brought this.<br />
<br />
F - 2014 <a href="https://www.crossbarn.com/">Crossbarn</a> came in fourth place with an average of 3.66. It cost $46. Sue and I brought this. It was on a list when I was searching the internet. 2014 was supposed to be a great year.<br />
<br />
C - 2015 <a href="https://www.robertmondaviwinery.com/">Robert Mondavi</a>, To Kalon Vineyard, Oakville came in fifth place with an average of 3.31. It cost $125. Sue and I brought this. Mondavi was instrumental in the establishment of Napa. I had never tried one of his wines and figured this was a good place to start.<br />
<br />
A - 2014 <a href="https://montelena.com/">Chateau Montelena</a>, Estate came in last place with an average of 3.27. It cost $130. Sue and I also brought this. Who doesn't want to enjoy a Chateau Montelena? It's a great wine.<br />
<br />
I managed to secure the last three places, not a trivial task.<br />
<br />
The unveiling almost went wrong given a copy/paste error in my spreadsheet that showed 4 ties for last place. Thankfully we fixed this after the second reveal.<br />
<br />
Karol and Amber shared a lovely 2006 <a href="http://www.springmountainvineyard.com/">Spring Mountain</a> blend with us that we had disallowed from the tasting because it was denoted as a red wine and not a cab. You'd think we would have given Karol a break, but we didn't.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaVYAEfv3Ot8QoWwxiRdx2Qso8yOeQnMeXROmsG_2wTc9Ki26PhxG78SCKSRxOAEUy5cueQCYF6535mhGqXfa0_Wy7lDXjOBpgMb5AqxpUvldaadcXydIMKxIiaYPtEffaw8EybdznR2fj/s1600/SpringMountainCab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaVYAEfv3Ot8QoWwxiRdx2Qso8yOeQnMeXROmsG_2wTc9Ki26PhxG78SCKSRxOAEUy5cueQCYF6535mhGqXfa0_Wy7lDXjOBpgMb5AqxpUvldaadcXydIMKxIiaYPtEffaw8EybdznR2fj/s400/SpringMountainCab.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3169765567043390570.post-54458302930994328532019-05-24T06:32:00.000-07:002019-05-27T12:49:26.429-07:00Carlos Loves Oregon PinotsCarlos is always talking about how much he enjoys Oregon Pinots. We've enjoyed some, but mainly stick to California Pinots given that we mostly drink wine from the wineries we visit. We decided to give them a try. Temperatures kept us inside, and we chose to keep it simple, limiting us to 4 couples, including us. Unfortunately, we couldn't include all the usuals, but this did allow us to bring out one glass for each wine.<br />
<br />
We started with a 2016 <a href="https://www.domaineserene.com/">Domaine Serene</a>, Dundee Hills, Chard. It was an excellent introduction into Oregon wines.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPpxT3VpQUycxTVXeu-_76Wge7WLD8Ec97E0UmrQOgiDpj_Dt-8md6AkUrzrzBvtTeX1ZzoMOcPc4DPdXC9wB-9We0UQurNI9gffCOnqwGOt97r940dQ1KQZdGYa_aQK94bUZCubWwCpOw/s1600/StartingChard.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPpxT3VpQUycxTVXeu-_76Wge7WLD8Ec97E0UmrQOgiDpj_Dt-8md6AkUrzrzBvtTeX1ZzoMOcPc4DPdXC9wB-9We0UQurNI9gffCOnqwGOt97r940dQ1KQZdGYa_aQK94bUZCubWwCpOw/s320/StartingChard.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<h4>
Results</h4>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiucCCNGo0flzHKqFaw4S4lj0V-QmlD5LIg1noOS-aqYnCEIqKMN3CNSXxK3yGvnZBRD_LXXfFk2P5vaEhKlBgMxiC7aXVv6On4gGvplb6ifuOFrfc90rF9L3S8zaiwqLVkzUs0WMLKpc06/s1600/Ratings.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="212" data-original-width="832" height="101" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiucCCNGo0flzHKqFaw4S4lj0V-QmlD5LIg1noOS-aqYnCEIqKMN3CNSXxK3yGvnZBRD_LXXfFk2P5vaEhKlBgMxiC7aXVv6On4gGvplb6ifuOFrfc90rF9L3S8zaiwqLVkzUs0WMLKpc06/s400/Ratings.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyrwFkOi8y_NJYuwpSluJChfiWx7FWDo9Nfm55FBMiZdtdT0ntDQAVXKkri8Nt04l7rMX8V3rW8hk-sStFeIJgtaQh5xuPAVUxvi4r0Whf7d3afWXMuJhWYzNNvNY8QPt61z1An35KilqP/s1600/Results.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyrwFkOi8y_NJYuwpSluJChfiWx7FWDo9Nfm55FBMiZdtdT0ntDQAVXKkri8Nt04l7rMX8V3rW8hk-sStFeIJgtaQh5xuPAVUxvi4r0Whf7d3afWXMuJhWYzNNvNY8QPt61z1An35KilqP/s400/Results.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
B - 2015 <a href="https://www.eveninglandvineyards.com/">Evening Land</a>, La Source, Seven Springs Estate, Eola-amity Hills came in first place with an average of 3.25. I picked this up a year or two ago from the winery's website after doing some online research. I found out after that I could have purchased it via KnL and avoided the shipping and handling. It cost $75.<br />
<br />
C - 2015 <a href="https://www.domaineserene.com/">Domaine Serene</a>, Evensted Reserve, Willamette Valley came in second place with an average of 3.24, although you could argue it was a virtual tie. In our tastings of Oregon Pinots this has always been a go to. I wanted to make certain it was represented so I brought one, telling everyone else not to bring it. It cost $75 at KnL.<br />
<br />
D - 2015 <a href="https://www.domainedrouhin.com/en/">Domaine Drouhin</a>, Dundee Hills came in third place with an average of 3.11.<br />
A - 2015 Domaine Drouhin, Dundee Hills came in fourth place with an average of 2.98. KnL lists this at $40.<br />
There's a first time for everything! Carlos and Ling brought one of these, Ted and Shannon the other. Carlos selected a couple and the owners of the store said 'this one'. Ted said this was on a list of good Oregon pointers (5th he thinks); he went down the list looking for it in stock and this was first hit.<br />
<br />
E - 2017 <a href="https://resonancewines.com/">Resonance</a>, Willamette Valley came in last place with an average of 2.67. Jose and Lili brought this. Jose picked this because Paul Gregutt ratings was 4.5/5 stars. He had never heard of Paul, but that was the only rating he could find. He paid slightly over $30 including tax.<br />
<br />
<h4>
Caveat</h4>
<div>
<br /></div>
The wines were tasted at different temperatures. 3 were cooler, which allowed people to know more about the wines than they should have. To what degree this influenced the outcome is anyone's guess, but it no doubt did. Suffice it to say this will be addressed in future tastings. I don't know why this hasn't come up before.<br />
<br />
<h4>
Aftermath</h4>
<div>
<br /></div>
The downside of one glass per wine is 3 or 4 dishwasher loads of glasses. It usually takes a week for our house to get back to normal after one of these events, but it's well worth it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Qa1_xqG5wiZMX0jfn4vrTfXQIJI4eKywXkuN4518a0ngjJvArXfKXaP0tL86qQotq-xEe5T39TuiEhs-7oK5IpwYMhCDzYbqHD8WPlDFUTFmJuyo8RtrqgbO71Yog4-1jeups3f5QoLs/s1600/Aftermath.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Qa1_xqG5wiZMX0jfn4vrTfXQIJI4eKywXkuN4518a0ngjJvArXfKXaP0tL86qQotq-xEe5T39TuiEhs-7oK5IpwYMhCDzYbqHD8WPlDFUTFmJuyo8RtrqgbO71Yog4-1jeups3f5QoLs/s400/Aftermath.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com