Author Archives

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Ecco Domani Pinot Grigio 2010

Our summer of the Grigio stays in high gear as we enjoyed this light summer fare at the end of a sultry Sunday afternoon.  We pulled together some delicious shrimp on the grill, where we also blazed up some fresh mango to go with a fresh salad and jasmine rice.  The Domani was predictably enjoyable.  Not an earth-shattering success by my standards, but a solid double into the gap.

Meal that accompanied our Ecco Domani Pinot Grigio 2010

The mango was an experiment; I’d rather have it fresh and cool than grilled in the future but it did work well.  The rice and shrimp, though, were definite highlights.

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2010 Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Chardonnay

The 2010 Kendall Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Chardonnay, California, USA.

We stayed up at Lake Monomonac an extra night for an opportunity to relax after the family picnic, and it was time very well spent.  After saying goodbye to the departing guests and rafting leisurely in the humid summer afternoon, it was time to head out on our hosts’ party boat for a relaxing cruise in Vermont and New Hampshire waters.  Six of us–plus Finn the dog–checked out the amazing waterfront properties and felt the lake breezes in our faces to great effect.

Already I’ve forgotten the good champagne that immediately preceded this bottle, but I recall it being a lovely, light way to celebrate the coming of dusk.  Next up was the 2010 Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Chardonnay.  We’re no strangers to KJ and this one was definitely on point.   California is easy territory for us and never disappoints.  I don’t know if it was the great company or surroundings (how can you have an unsatisfactory bottle, away from the pressures of work and with family on the lake?) but had to be certain to document this label for the blog.

I’m sure there are some taster’s notes available to assist you if you’re looking for a professional’s writeup of the Kendall-Jackson.  But if you’re looking for plain speak, just know this varietal is affordable, a light citrus dynamite, and entirely pleasurable–even if you’re not enjoying it in scenic boating spot like we were.  You can thank me later!

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2011 San Giuseppi Pinot Grigio

The San Giuseppi Pinot Grigio was, at least in 2011, a pretty nice, affordable Italian white.  Definite rich taste and a fresh sniff for your nose…liked this one a lot and it seemed to approach the Margherita territory at a less expensive price point.  I’m slightly behind the posting of this wine, though, so can no longer say what meal originally accompanied this nice breath of fresh air.

2011 San Giuseppi Pinot Grigio, Venezia region of Italy.

 

 

 

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Ruffino Pinot Grigio Lumina 2010

The summer pinot parade continued today with the 2010 Ruffino offering…not really the best.  Don’t misunderstand–it wasn’t awful either, but rather a middle-of-the-pack wine.  It was a value buy on our part, and we’ll hopefully encounter better grapes and vintages in the future.  The folks at Ruffino packed a powerful whiff of pear and floral fragrances into this little bottle, and we did drink it down with big smiles on our faces.   Here’s a little something from the winemaker:

“Crisp, aromatic and full of body.  Lumina is a versatile match with food.  Serve as an apertif or with dishes such as soft shell crabs, grilled fish, pasta primavera, and roasted chicken.  Lumina also pairs well with ethnic dishes such as Mexican enchiladas, Greek dolmas, and Thai green curries.”

Ruffino Pinot Grigio Lumina 2010, from the Tuscany region of Italy.

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2009 Buena Vista Pinot Noir – Clone 5 Pommard

Tonight was a good livin’ night.  Broke out a new pinot noir–this 2009 Clone 5 Pommard–to celebrate the end of the work week from the comfort of our deck.  We snacked on some favorites (e.g., olives stuffed with jalapeno peppers, cheddar/colby cheese) and broke out this red and some Miller Lites to enjoy the sunset and great temperature here in New Jersey.  Buena Vista remains one of our favorite Sonoma wineries, and it’s in no small part due to great pinots like this Clone 5 Pommard.  Perfect for a barbecue and outdoor grillin’.

2009 Buena Vista Pinot Noir Clone 5

2009 Buena Vista Pinot Noir Clone 5 Pommard, Buena Vista, Carneros, California.

This bottle was a screw top (still getting used to this trend) and was promising even from the first pour.   A deep lovely red, and all kinds of great berry smells wafting up even as it splashed down, inviting, into a stemless glass.  I didn’t let it sit at all, simply swirled it around the Reidel for a quick second, and then took a first sip.  Great stuff!  I’m pretty sure I got a feel for some cherry in this mouthful, and all kinds of amazing undercurrents that you know I don’t have the palate or experience to better describe.

I can say that we enjoyed this bottle with a lovely salad (arugula, onion, corn, real bacon [and cooked perfectly], blue cheese, and pepper) that didn’t even need dressing it was so good.  Our main course were grilled filets that helped bring out some of the character of our pinot.  Wish we could enjoy ambiance and tasty treats like this every night!

Not being familiar with this Clone 5 varietal, I thought I would share with you here the winemaker’s comments on it:  “Our Ramal Vineyard Estate in Carneros includes 112 vineyard blocks and 13 Pinot Noir clones.  Each vintage, winemaker Jeff Steward crafts small bottlings of clones that display distinct style and character.  The Clone 5 Pommard shows intense aromas of red cheery, black plum, and jasmine over opulent red and black fruity with a forest floor base.  Note the depth of color and remarkable intensity.”  If you’re reading this post because you’re thinking about grabbing this bottle for yourself, know that I am nodding vigorously.  Enjoy!

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2010 Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling

A rare miss.  Sometimes it seems that every entry here is a raving success, an unmistakable masterpiece that has to be enjoyed time and time again.  This is not one of those times.  This 2010, from the highly regarded Columbia Valley in Washington, is described by some as “refreshing” and “off-dry”.  It may be those things, but even more so it is sticky sweet.

2010 Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling

The 2010 Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling, from Woodinville, in the Columbia Valley region of Washington state.

If memory serves, we pulled the cork on this to accompany a lovely pasta dish, penne with peas and bacon in a delicious white sauce. The food was very much the highlight of the meal, as my unrefined taste buds could only handle a single glass without needing some water chaser for the sugary taste of the Riesling (which I normally enjoy immensely come the summer months).

What else can I say here?  One, that it tasted better after we left the bottle sitting uncorked in the fridge overnight; and two, it was better when used as a cooking wine later that week.  As I said at the start, this one was a rare miss for us.  But give it a shot and let us know what you thought!

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2008 Smoking Loon Pinot Noir

It’s the Memorial Day weekend and no better time to barbecue.  Fired up the grill and some fun snacks while we readied some steaks with Mediterranean sea salt and fresh ground pepper, and filled up our glasses with some 2008 Smoking Loon Pinot Noir.  This California pinot was in our ‘regular’ rotation of pinot noirs a few summers ago and was like an old friend stopping by to visit.   We didn’t allow it to sit upon uncorking but went straight to the pour.

2008 Smoking Loon Pinot Noir

2009 Smoking Loon Pinot Noir, from California, USA.

Very consumable, with a soft fruity red that left you an enjoyable berry aftertaste. I’m sure the experts have more erudite comments about the wine so I’ll simply remark that the second bottle always tastes just as great as the first. That should be testament enough.

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Ecco Domani Pinot Grigio 2010

Can’t believe it has been since November 15th of last year that we had occasion to enjoy this pinot grigio.  This double dose was a great way to kick off our holiday and welcome our brother into town for the Memorial Day weekend.  This grigio accompanied a delicious salmon, grilled to perfection on our deck, and coated with a barbecue and blueberry marinade.  A little asparagus with browned butter and lemon on the side, together with baby potatoes, and voila you’ve got a treat.

2010 Ecco Domani Pinot Grigio

2010 Ecco Domani, Pinot Grigio, Italy.

We polished these bottles off over some good stories told around the patio and dining room tables, smiling plenty and enjoying the light, fruity bouquet.  Grown in the northeastern “Tre Venezie” region of Italy, the 2010 actually blends pinot grigio (88.5%) and chardonnay grapes (11.5%).  According to the winemaker, “This wine has a clear, straw yellow color, with light golden reflections. A low concentration of surmaturo grapes gives the wine tropical fruit notes that make this unique vintage truly exotic, with apple and pineapple aromas and flavors. The wine is light bodied, with a pleasantly soft palate and a long finish.”

All good stuff.  And interesting to reflect back on our first occasion with the Ecco Domani and think about what the next one might hold.

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2009 Buena Vista Syrah

It’s no secret that our favorite winery out in Sonoma is Buena Vista.  This syrah was one of their wine club selections that I was exciting to break out over the past week.  In addition to providing a heart-healthy welcome home from work, it accompanied dinners that included 1) sushi, 2) a pork tenderloin with green beans and cous cous, and 3) chicken piccata with penne noodles in a white wine caper sauce.  All were delicious regardless of what wine one was supposed to have with the fish, fowl, or pig in order to complement the various tastes involved.

2009 Buena Vista Syrah

2009 Buena Vista Carneros Syrah

I’m sure finer and more experienced palates would offer a discerning analysis of this 2009 red…some pithy commentary regarding the bouquet, the nose, the fullness, and certainly the flavor.  From our time in California I know this wine is possible due to the unique temperatures of the days and nights out in the Carneros region, and the vineyard’s proximity to the oceans and mountains alike.  My taste buds simply offer a round of applause, and my eager hands reach for another glass.  The wine club shipments typically include both reds and whites but I’m always more interested in the reds; this 2009 is worthy of that same legacy.

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2008 Buenva Vista Carneros – Ramal Vineyards Chardonnay (Musque Clone)

2008 Buena Vista Carneros Chardonnay - Ramal Vineyards Musque Clone

A delicious chardonnay from the Ramal Vineyards at Buena Vista, our favorite Sonoma winery, we broke this open on a Tuesday evening as we prepared dinner together. Buttery and fruity smelling, this gentle white was sweeter than expected–but readily enjoyed.  It accompanied a delicious filet mignon (with french fries because my tastes are highbrow) and put us in a merry mood.  Here are some thoughts offered by our friends at Buena Vista:

“The Ramal Estate clonal wines give us the opportunity to showcase individual clones or blocks that perform exceptionally well in any given vintage. The 2008 Musque Clone selection showcases our most aromatic expression of Carneros Chardonnay with aromas of honeysuckle, orange blossom and floral notes. The aromatic fruit and muscat-like characters carry through with a rich, oily texture that pairs well with intensely flavored foods. The grapes were hand harvested at night from the Ramal Estate in September and whole cluster pressed. The wine was 100% barrel fermented; aged sur lies with lees stirring every two weeks for 9 months. The wine underwent malolactic fermentation in Dargaud et Jaegle, Cadus and Francois Frères French oak barrels (38% new, balance one to five year old) and remained in barrel for nine months.”