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 Labor Day is over, kids are back in school and the “fashionistas” are already promoting winter wear. However, I am optimistically looking forward to an Indian summer. I still have many wines to taste while enjoying the sunsets from my deck.  The other evening the temperature had dropped into the low 60’s and my friend was in the mood for red wine. We opened a 2005 Kuleto Estate Zinfandel from Napa Valley. The color was dark ruby with a tinge of purple. It had dark berry, cedar and plum on the nose. The palate offered blackberry, anise, pepper and spice. Tannins were a bit chewy with a medium finish of jam flavors. Alcohol 15.2% The wine paired well with the mussel and shrimp stew. http://www.kuletoestate.com Wishing you a blissful Tuesday!
Cheers! Penina  It’s already Thursday and I’m still trying to catch up with everything. It’s a juggling act at best!  On “Day 80”, September 6th, 2014, I posted a quick review of 1988 Chateau Coufran Haut – Médoc. I remember how impressed we were that it had held up so well throughout the years considering it was not stored under the most ideal conditions. When my friend came over for dinner on Tuesday evening, he asked if we might open my last bottle of 1988 Chateau Coufran Haut - Médoc. And so, a year later, as we swirled and sipped, we were again awed as to how well this wine stood the test of time! It was better than the first bottle.  The cork was solid and came out with ease. It was decanted, with no visible sediment, which is unusual for a wine of this age. The color was dark brick red with aromas of cherry and dark berries. The wine was soft and uncomplicated with gentle flavors of cherry, pomegranate, a hint of spice and licorice. As the wine continued to open up over the course of the evening, the fruit became a bit bolder on the palate. The finish was medium. It was an exceptional wine for its age. http://www.chateau-coufran.com The 76 hectare vineyard is situated on the Left Bank close to St. Estephe. The vineyard, which dates back to the mid 1700’s, was originally planted with Cabernet Sauvignon. The Miaihe family purchased the property in 1924 and in the early 1930’s they ended up ripping out most of the Cabernet vines and planting 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet grapes in the vineyards. This is quite unique for the Haut - Médoc. I would love to taste their more recent vintages as a comparison to the 1988 bottle. Have a great Thursday!
Cheers! Penina  The past few days have been extremely busy and quite productive. So, I was grateful to spend a few low-key evenings relaxing with friends. I need to get caught up, so let me back track a few days.  An early evening swim on Sunday was followed by dinner with a friend. The “supermoon” was still full and magnificent as we dined al fresco on lobster salad and a bottle of 2010 Brokenwood Semillon from Hunter Valley, Australia. When one thinks of Semillon, we usually associate it with France because it is the major white grape in the Bordeaux region and the 3rd most planted grape in France. However, it has taken a stronghold in many other parts of the world including Australia. Semillon has been compared to Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, depending on where it is grown.  The Brokenwood Semillon we tasted was an interesting color of pale straw with a green hue. It had wonderful aromas of citrus, green apple and honeydew. On the palate there was an initial sweetness that segued into green apples, lime and a hint of pear. The wine was full of character with a long crisp finish and reminiscent of Sauvignon Blanc. http://www.brokenwood.com.au When I have more time, I’ll discuss the major role that Semillon plays in the world of Sauternes, especially my favorite Château d'Yquem!
Tomorrow’s post will be about an incredible 1988 vintage wine I had last night. Happy Wednesday! Cheers! Penina Tuesday seemed to fly by without any work drama or otherwise for a change. The weather was nice and I was really looking forward to getting together with friends.  The evening began at my home with an aperitif of 2014 Mussel Bay Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough, NZ. The color was pale gold with aromas of tropical fruit, citrus and grass. The wine was medium bodied and had a slight effervescence to it. The palate offered an interesting range of tropical fruit with grapefruit and herbs lingering on the finish. This is a nice summer “go to” wine and decently priced.  As the sun began to set, we continued on to a friend’s home where we dined and wined. I love these progressive “food and wine” evenings. We drank 2013 La Crema Chardonnay from the Russian River Valley. I guess my host had a few bottles left over from the boat ride we went on a few weeks ago. This is my review from 7/19/15: “It was a beautiful straw color with a nose full of apple, citrus and oak. The palate was layered with pear, apple, toasted nuts, honey and citrus. It was full-bodied and well balanced. The finish was long and smooth. The wine was barrel aged for nine months and alcohol was 14.5%.” http://www.lacrema.com The wine paired beautifully with grilled salmon, corn and tomatoes.  I’m going to spend some time later today selecting two of my knitted art wear designs for an upcoming Art Show in early October. In a perfect world, I would have made something just for the show, but I have been inattentive to my knitting needles this summer.  There is a full moon tonight and the skies will be clear for viewing!
Happy Wednesday! Cheers! Penina  Wednesday turned out to be a day and evening full of surprises, not all good, but manageable. At times, I felt as though I was navigating an unwieldy car through hairpin turns with no brakes! I went from the shock of losing a friend and saying good-bye to a chapter in my life to gaining insight and embracing the new paths ahead…and so the day unfolded.  However, it all ended in a magical sunset sail with good friends! Wine and dinner overlooking the harbor was beyond perfection.  We drank 2012 Chardonnay, Hess Collection Napa Valley. The color was light straw with lovely aromas of citrus, apple and pear. The palate offered green apple, citrus, pineapple and a hint of oak with nice acidity. It was a medium finish at best. http://www.hesscollection.com
And now, on with the day! Have a great Thursday! Cheers! Penina The weekend was filled with social and work obligations. So I am remiss in not posting anything for a few days. I need to catch up on reviews and some fun moments, but not today.  Well…I will give you a quick review on a wine I had the other evening. It was a 2013 Palazzone Terre Vinate Orvieto Classico. This Orvieto blend comes from a small estate in Umbria. The blend is 50% Procanico, 20% Grechetto, 30% Verdello, Malvasia & Drupeggio. It was a perfect sunset drink before dinner. The wine was pale gold with fruit and flowers on the nose. On the palate it was dry but refreshing with hints of nuts and peaches. It definitely had a “bite” to it, but the finish was delightful with floral and pear lingering. http://www.palazzone.com  I have much to do as I’m hosting a little get together this evening. I have shopping to do and food to prepare. However, the wine and vodka are already chilling! Happy Monday
Cheers! Penina  As predicted, another rainstorm came through towards the end of Tuesday. Fortunately, I had already finished grilling the vegetables. After the storm passed, the sun finally came out to give us a beautiful and dry evening.  I wrapped up the grilled veggies and drove to my friend’s house for a relaxed evening of good food, wine and laughter. We ate baked salmon en papillote, grilled vegetables and roasted potatoes.  The wine was a 2013 Liquid Farm White Hill Chardonnay. This wine comes from the ancient terroir of Sta. Rita Hills, located on the Central Coast of CA. Although the wine is named for it’s “Chablis-like characteristics”, it should not be confused with Chablis. This is all chardonnay! The color was soft gold with a nose full of citrus, earth and flowers. The palate was multi-layered with lemon, grapefruit, stone fruit, honeysuckle and a hint of nuttiness. This was a well-balanced wine with a long finish. www.liquidfarm.com  My “vodka guy” made a delivery today! Hooray…the freezer is stocked again. And, I’m looking forward to an end of the day swim and cocktail! Happy Wednesday
Cheers! Penina  The days are flying by so quickly. Most of the fun things I wanted to do this summer didn’t happen. My energy and concentration was diverted to more practical and necessary issues. However, there are still a few weeks left to plan a quick trip here and there.  In the meantime, let me tell you about the wine I tasted last night. A few of us gathered around sunset, which was beautiful! We sat outside and enjoyed a 2012 Peter Lauer Barrel X Riesling. It was pale straw in color, with fruit and citrus aromas. It had a nice kick to it with fennel, grapefruit, tart apple and lemon on the palate. It was just bordering on “dry”. If you are a fan of the grape, then you will definitely enjoy this wine. It was a nice accompaniment to the platter of cheeses and fruit. http://lauer-ayl. I have a long day ahead of me, but I’m looking forward to a late day swim!
Enjoy your Sunday. Cheers! Penina  It was a productive but long day on Monday. I rewarded myself with a 30-minute swim before heading out for the evening. I was looking forward to a nice and relaxing dinner with a friend.  We dined on grilled swordfish basted with teriyaki and sesame seeds. The asparagus and mushrooms were seasoned with herbs that I brought from my garden.  I also brought a bottle of I Balzini Cabernet, but he wanted to open a 2012 Pinot Noir CrossBarn by Paul Hobbs from the Sonoma Coast. It was heavenly. The color was deep ruby with a nose full of ripe fruit, anise and spice. The palate offered layers of dark cherry, raspberry, plum, licorice and oak. The texture was velvety with a long finish of lingering licorice, spice and berry. The grapes were hand-harvested from select vineyards across the Sonoma Coast AVA and the wine was aged in 10% new oak for 10 months before bottling. This was a real treat! http://www.crossbarnwinery.com I have another non-stop day ahead of me.
Happy Tuesday! Cheers! Penina  It was another scorcher yesterday. I tried to get all of my obligations out of the way early so that I could immerse myself in air conditioning for the rest of the day. I had every intention of staying home for the evening. However, my friend coaxed me out of my “cool” cocoon to join him for dinner, promising me a nice bottle of wine. He did not disappoint me.  In addition to a wonderful meal, we opened a 2012 Freemark Abbey Viognier from Napa Valley. Wow! It was the palest of straw with floral aromas, stone fruit and lemon. This medium-bodied wine was layered with flavors of honeysuckle, citrus, peach, tropical fruits and a hint of oak. It was rich and very decadent, with a touch of spice lingering on the finish. http://www.freemarkabbey.com An interesting note: Freemark Abbey was the only California winery to have both a Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon selected to compete at the Judgment of Paris in 1976! I will look forward to tasting more of their wines. Busy day…must run.
Happy Thursday! Cheers! Penina |
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