Monthly Archives: April 2013

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Buena Vista 2008 Ramal Vineyard Pinot Noir

Friday night is always better when your friend Buena Vista stops by to join you for cocktails. The 2008 Ramal Vineyard Pinot Noir is good company to be sure. In what’s becoming a pattern, I had a glass of this berry-tinged red on Thursday night before a fantastic dinner of seasoned chicken breast, mashed potatoes, and veggie-heavy garden salads. Interesting mix of seasonings and wine that evening; it was hard to hold the line at just a single glass.

Friday’s dinner–pictured here for sake of posterity–took it to another level. My wife and I collaborated (yes she did the majority but I capably manned the grill) on a thick tasty London Broil, seasoned with plenty of salt, pepper, and similar, and we had too a few tater tot crowns and a light salad along with the cowflesh. It all came together in the 2008 Buena Vista–a smooth red that emptied far too soon. Sometimes I get to holding onto the Buena Vista, thinking that it should await a better occasion, and I’m glad that was not the case here. It was great and thankfully have a few related varietals from that fantastic vineyard to sample in the coming weeks and months!

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2008 Expo Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Last tasting of the 2008 Expo Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (at least for now).  After sampling a glass mid-week after work, I polished off this delicious cab on Friday evening on the porch.  My best friend was in town from California (he lives in wine country, actually) and we traded war stories as the evening came on.  The Expo kept me warm as the temperatures fell, and it went just fine with casual Friday food–chiefly a bun-free burger with all the fixings and French Fries.

The wine today was less about taste and more about relaxation–and it measured on both accounts.  I originally ordered this via http://www.WTSO.com and will keep my eyes peeled for future such offers.  This one was worthwhile for sure.

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La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2011

Another great treat for a milestone birthday, the La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2011 was gifted to me by my cousins and their significant others.  Becca and I had occasion to laugh and share an evening with the four of them and the rest of the Heuseveldt family last month, and I’ve been holding onto this lovely red for about four weeks waiting for my birthday so I could finally give it a shot.

La Crema Pinot Noir 2011, Sonoma Coast, California, USA.

La Crema Pinot Noir 2011, Sonoma Coast, California, USA.

So easy.  I knew from the first pour, as I saw the lights from our kitchen bleeding all warm and cozy through our stemless Riedel glass, that this Pinot was going to be something special.  Light, fruity, and a smooth finish.  It perfectly accompanied a light flank steak, steamed veggies, and a couple lightly seasoned baby potatoes.

Here some [edited] notes from the talented winemaker: “This 2011 opens with lovely, vibrant aromas of cherry pie and sassafras, supported by subtle earth tones and hints of rose petal and vanilla.  Vibrant pomegranate and cranberry join in on the palate, with notes of black licorice, espresso bean, sweet pipe tobacco and cherry cola.  With elegant structure, the juicy mid-palate leads to a lingering finish of sweet spice.”

That’s obviously way more technical than I could taste (I’d have to simply nod and grunt out, “Yeah, red berries.“), but I can say it was ready for business, and business was good!  Thanks to you all, Erik, Laura, Adam, and Bekah!

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Blue Rock Baby Blue 2010 Red Blend

Hard to know how to title this wine–the bottle reads simply Baby Blue but the winemaker’s website calls it Baby Blue Cabernet.  Or Baby Blue Estate Red Blend.  Whatever it’s called, it is fantastic.  My wife picked out this crazy winner and gifted it to me for my 40th birthday.  It was part of a great weekend, and we polished it off on Sunday night with a perfectly grilled steak, some delicious tater tot crowns, and grilled asparagus.  Perfect pairing, in all the ways that matter to me–obvious and subtle both.

Blue Rock, Baby Blue 2010 Red Blend. Alexander Valley, USA

Blue Rock, Baby Blue 2010 Red Blend. Alexander Valley, USA

At the moment, red blends are very much vogue for this gent.  Here’s the makeup of the Blue Rock:

  • Cabernet Sauvignon 52%
  • Merlot 25%
  • Cabernet Franc 13%
  • Syrah 10%

The winemaker remarks further, “The wine spent 16 months in French Oak (once used) and has been bottled unfined. As a result, Baby Blue is delicious on release and is intended for mid-term cellaring.”  Fans of this blog know that’s a bunch of high-falutin’ language but in the end it means one important thing–the wine is great.  I’m ready for my next glass already.

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Clarendelle 2005 Red Bordeaux, Clarence Dillon

Last night my wife and I finished off an enjoyable bottle of the Clarendelle 2005 Red Bordeaux from Clarence Dillon.  Must confess that I had a “sneak preview” glass on Wednesday night, but the final polish came last night as we celebrated the early end to the work week.  This Bordeaux accompanied shell steaks, grilled to taste, and a delicious salad of field greens, baby potatoes, blue cheese–and bacon!
Most times, a dinner glass of wine is about the taste, or a combination of tastes.  Yesterday, though, it was about celebrations instead.  With that spirit in mind, I sampled this rich red from a great birthday gift mug during the dinner hour and afterwards as I packed up all my black and orange for Opening Day at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.  Helped kick off a fun weekend!