2011 Norton Malbec Reserve.
Ya know, for a cheap bottle of malbec that’s been sitting down in the basement for (who knows how) many years, it’s pretty darn good.
@ScottW58 Very fun night. The Pirate is a fun tasty crowd pleaser bottle that is very good. Ripe black fruit forward with a little spice kick - worked very well with the rubs on the Tri Tip.
I will admit that this morning was not a very fun morning, thankfully I generally just work from my home these days.
@karenhynes@klezman
Pistachio is f’ing awesome walnut was really good too! Pine nuts are great but if you’re making as much pesto as I have been traditional is boring. I know it’s tough klez but try something new once in a while
@karenhynes@ScottW58 like I said, pistachio sounds good! Most of the commercial ones are walnut and I’m less a fan. Brazil nuts sounds interesting though.
@danandlisa@klezman@ScottW58
I haven’t had a macadamia nut in years but I don’t recall them being particularly sweet. Maybe it’s been too long to remember. I do buy guara and marcona almonds pretty regularly. That might be my next try. Or I can stick with the pistachio!
@catcoland I was a bit worried at first because of low fill (it was just below the neck) but was pleasantly surprised. No notes, but it had good complexity and balance. I’m sure this could go a long while longer, but not sure how much better it will get. Was definitely worth the $65 tariff.
Don’t know what I’m eating yet but this was a pleasant surprise to find in the cellar! A hint of bitterness on the finish but I think it just need a bit more air
Second night Rosh Hashannah dinner! Starting off with NV GD Vajra N.S. della Neve - a bubbly Nebbiolo! Then it’ll be either 2014 Et Fille Deux Vert Pinot Noir and/or 2012 Denier-Handal Zinfandel.
@radiolysis I really like this matchup, the vanilla and cinnamon seem to bring out the flavors in the port. I think typically people think of something chocolate, but sometimes different is good too.
@2many2no Totally. I certainly think “chocolate”, but i guess i would also think dark fruits, molasses, nuts. Maybe i’ll try to break out a bottle of Four Grapes during the next round of pie!
3rd night with Two Jakes 2011 Merlot. It was mentioned earlier, and I wanted to try one. Try as I might, I’m just not excited about it. It’s got flavor, which was best on day 2, but still singing. Flavor all across the palate, with a significant finish, but just…It’s just too old-world for me…but very good for old-world. And, since it’s still singing on day 3, I suspect that my other bottles will last quite some time in the cellar. @winesmith ?
I don’t think I’ve ever had any of their Zins (except for maybe while tasting onsite). I love all of their pinots. I’ve had a few other odds and ends over the past few years (I recall a rosé and a few whites). Never had a disappointing bottle.
I never see their wines any place local, or I’d likely pick up a few bottles of things that never seem to be available on their allocation offerings.
Didn’t somebody recently say a 2008 Wellington Victory was over the hill? I decided to open one to check my stash. They should just be entering their teenage drinking window. And I haven’t had one in a bit more than 2 years so it seems a good time.
@klezman
IMO the 2008 is still very young and primary, same with the 2007 and benefit from a several hours decant. We are opening the 2005s right now, and a 2004 when the occasion calls.
The 2004 went through a dumb phase from 2016 - 2019 for us, several bottles were very muted… which makes me hold off on popping the corks on the younger bottles.
@knlprez This bottle is rocking! I love these (and Corison) in their teens and this isn’t disappointing. Plenty of fruit of course, but not primary at all. Just great stuff and happy I’ve still got 7 or 8 of these.
@bunnymasseuse@klezman I’d say it’s down to preference. My SO and I enjoy older wines, so for us we try to wait 15 years on the Victory bottlings. But if you prefer younger wines and don’t mind if it’s a little tight, or can give it a good decant, I haven’t had a bad bottle!
I base my decision to open a Victory off of a '94 and a '97 we drank in 2017. They were both really good. The '94 was a real treat, floral, expressive, really well balanced and didn’t feel tired at all. I wish we had more! So, I feel Victory has a lot to offer in its 20s and even approaching 30 years of age and try to hold off as long as I can!
2011 Château Bianca Pinot Noir
pretty much undrinkable day one, dtd with the glass.
Balance in the fridge and now on day four it’s at least passable, as the acidic bite has subsided to a tolerable level.
@klezman@rjquillin
Oh god I will gladly pay 2 or 3 bucks a bottle more for a wine that shows up locally all the time rather than wait 6 months or a year or more if you don’t have a full case. This kind of wine I might want to drink now or maybe next week
@rjquillin@ScottW58 If I wanted to drink it now, then sure. But $10/bottle less - a touch more if you take taxes vs shipping into account - for the Esprit de Tablas is a nice discount. And that’s a wine I wouldn’t touch for probably 4-5 years. So let Rimmerman store it for me!
@klezman@rjquillin
I pay taxes and shipping with Garagiste but not shipping with K&L that being said I try to be pretty picky with what I will have stored by other people for god knows how long just to save a few bucks.
2010 Blockheadia Ringnosii Petite Sirah Top of the Block
Excellent. Everyone on CT is giving it 91 pts.
Question: Are 2010 Petite Sirahs generally “ripe” now?
@bunnymasseuse
Likely oxidized since the wine has crept all the way up and through the cork over time, compromising its integrity. Partially oxidized wines can be complex and interesting as they teeter on the brink of undrinkability, IMHO. Or they can be just plain bad.
@chipgreen it’s…. Nothing like it “should” be but not exactly vinegar either… this was my single magnum purchase from this opportunity last year: and on the outside no way to know this occurred until the foil was removed, and the outside was tacky/sticky to the touch. Storage was the same since I received it, no temp flux. Very much a bummer, and sad to have a super large bottle of something that is not as it was meant to be.
Disassembled a whole duck. Roasting the legs and wings, and going to pan-sear the breast. Then going to open a 2011 Rivers-Marie Pinot Noir Gioia Vineyard
@FritzCat 2nd evening with Scout’s Honor, and I’ma come clean and admit that I’m a big fan of Big Zin and Zin blends. I love Michael & David Phillips’ high end Zins, Earthquake and the individual Sins. And, I just went over to the place with multiple Vs and bought a case of Scout’s Honor and
San Marzano 60 Sessantanni Old Vines Primitivo Di Manduria. I know, some of you will pooh pooh my taste in wines, but, oh well, I like what I like.
Recommendations are always appreciated.
@FritzCat
Nothing wrong with drinking what you like! A place I used to love makes zins that I think you would like is Zin Alley in Templeton, a bit pricy now but if you like in your face zins these guys deliver!
@ScottW58 Zin Alley wines do look interesting, but, as you say, a little pricey, and shipping East of The River is pretty steep. If I see them around, I’ll certainly snag one…or two.
Was an acidic mess on the pop and pour but after an hour in the decanter the fruit came out to play and it was one of the best wines I’ve had all year!
I had hoped it was over, on Saturday it was cool enough I had to wear a light sweater yeah a light one, well today it’s like 105 ugh. Back to cold champagne and dreaming about better places
@hscottk@ScottW58 Yes it is. It is less than 5 minutes from the house. It looks different this year, more rocks, less sand.I love when the sand is in when you can go thru the small hole to the beach that is small, but amazing. Plus the tide pools. Lots of sea urchins and secret pools.
@winesmith Very enjoyable (and somewhat different, being a Grenache). BTW, there is a “Class of '69 Turns 70” party tomorrow afternoon/evening beachside in Ormond (I won’t be there).
@hscottk You can do either, drinking very well but plenty of life ahead. I have several so drank one but will wait to drink others to see how it evolves over the next few years. Tasty juice!
2007 Twisted Oak Parcel 17. Last night with cumin beef. It may not have been an ideal pairing, but held up to the strong flavors quite well. Really enjoyed this.
@ScottW58 You should slice half the lemon, insert said slices underneath the skin with fresh bay leaves, not dried, insert other half of lemon in the cavity after squeezing the half on the chicken. Cook at 425. Parsnips are also very good underneath the chicken.
@danandlisa
That’s a good call! I did finely chopped a preserved lemon and put it under the skin pierced the lemon 30 times then after cooking sliced and let the juice blend with the chicken fat which is part of the recipe I guess
@danandlisa@ScottW58 It’s finally cooling down enough here to turn on the oven, and the farmer’s market has plenty of nice root vegetables. Need to roast me a bird one of these nights. Maybe I’ll even open one of those Beau Rivage to go with! I think the '19 is the only one I have left from BD.
@InFrom@ScottW58 Love fresh bay leaves. We have a bay tree that is amazing. We made it yesterday. Tonight, I made a curried chicken salad over lettuce for dinner. Love roasted chicken leftovers.
@hscottk My first KF to open. Liked it, but based on comments want to revisit the bottle after a few days open. Tasted with some light pasta, salmon and green beans.
@rjquillin
Ah, yes…my pathetic life.
Please meet Mr. September. I don’t have a lot of hope for the future of our relationship. We’ve had a few dates over the past few weeks, but I’m not sure it will last much longer. It may be close to time to move on. I’m quite fickle, apparently.
Ployez-Jacquemart NV Champagne… With Chilean sea bass belly at Blue Point Grill. Wine was very nice, but the fish, which I’d never heard of, was incredible… rich and flavorful. Funny thing, it was like a third the price of the regular Chilean sea bass. It blew away my wife’s locally caught swordfish by a mile.
@FritzCat Slightly corked. Very noticeable, SWMBO took one sip, and that was it…down the drain it went.
Opened another of the same tonight, and it was very good; “old world” to start, “bold”, “a cab drinker’s merlot”, We’ll drink the rest tomorrow.
@knlprez Ready. Very good. Floral nose. Plenty of dark fruit balanced with resolving fine grained tannins. Peppery finish. Stood up to a much too heavy carbonara recipe I tried. It could stand up to anything, yet enjoyable as a cocktail.
Dinner with friends over the weekend. The third couple were sweet wine drinkers so I did my best to accommodate them along with our main wine choices.
1st course: Crostini with goat cheese and cherry jam + 2010 Iron Horse Classic Vintage Brut and 2017 Anne Amie Cuvee A Amrita 2nd course: Gazpacho + 2009 Scott Harvey Zinfandel Old Vine Reserve and NV Casemates QPR Select 3rd course: Mixed greens salad with citrus oil dressing + 2018 Underground Wine Project “And Why Am I Mr. Pink” Rose and 2014 Paetra Riesling 4th course: Tequila Lime Chicken with Basmati Rice + 2010 Bodegas M Albarino “Querida” 5th course: Banana Sorbet + 2006 Kent Rasmussen Late Harvest Viognier “Esoterica” and 2018 Tank Garage Winery “Skin Flick” Skin-Fermented White Wine
Look at the deep golden color of that Albarino! So delicious and perfect pairing with the tequila lime chicken. @winedavid49 is Bodegas M still around? The wine aged very gracefully. Would love to get some more.
@chipgreen Mmm, everything looks delish. Making me hungry, and I just finished dinner! The wine went well overall with a meal that was kind of all over the place. The gazpacho came out great though.
2009 Twisted Oak Red Hill Vineyard Tempranillo
Excellent bottle. In great shape and drinking well. Dark red and black fruits, tobacco notes, nice acidity. Very enjoyable
@ScottW58 greens and carrots was polished off by myself and the resident vegetarian, who despite not indulging in meat still enjoyed the reds. If you zoom in you can see a bunny painted on a wine glass with a wine glass marker
2005 WineSmith Faux Chablis - still holding up really well with 2 bottles remaining in the cellar.
@sosptuba winesmith wednesday here too
2011 Norton Malbec Reserve.
Ya know, for a cheap bottle of malbec that’s been sitting down in the basement for (who knows how) many years, it’s pretty darn good.
@FritzCat Yeah, some of those cheapie bottles get significantly better when you forget about them for 8 years or so!
2013 Wellington Vineyards Syrah Estate Vineyard Sonoma Valley
Smoking some beef ribs…
Tube steaks and a little white wine, it’s the little things in life
@ScottW58 We had t-bone tacos with farmer’s market grapes, margaritas, followed by bourbon.
@danandlisa
That’s a hell of a Wednesday night!
@ScottW58 It was a hell of a Wednesday. Tacos were amazing.
@ScottW58 Looks like you may have gotten a little piece of hot dog in the frame… Very creative.
@InFrom
Lol that would be a very pale dog
@InFrom @ScottW58
Coonies
Last nights annual Tritip & football picks get together.
@rc70
I’m guessing that was a fun night! How was that Heidi Barrett wine? Always wondered about those?
@ScottW58 Very fun night. The Pirate is a fun tasty crowd pleaser bottle that is very good. Ripe black fruit forward with a little spice kick - worked very well with the rubs on the Tri Tip.
I will admit that this morning was not a very fun morning, thankfully I generally just work from my home these days.
@radiolysis picked up one on staff recommendation at TW. And…
@msten and…??? We liked it but it was fruity not toasty.
2018 Ion Rose
Finishing a 2019 Orr Wines Grenache and then moving on to 2006 Nysa Vineyard Pinot Noir
@klezman Those didn’t sit for long.
@rjquillin can’t age everything! And with a new winery it seems important to try the wines…
2020 campesino Isa with bbq chicken
Monument City/Four Score - Paloma (Paloma Smoothie Sour)
2017 Iron Horse Chardonnay, Two Clones.
Picanha, chimichurri, other stuff and
2013 Wellington Vineyards Malbec
I wish more!
2016 Donati claret
2013 Woot Cellars Pouracle - Still holding up nicely and paired well with BLT’s!
2014 Tercero Viognier White Hawk Vineyard and going to make a carbonara (with real guanciale!) to go with it.
@klezman
That’s the only way to make it IMHO!
@ScottW58 Not too shabby with pancetta either…that was the only thing I used to be able to get.
Grilled up some chicken and made 2 Pesto’s one with walnuts and one with pistachios for a taste test
@ScottW58
Pistachio pesto is so good!
@karenhynes @ScottW58 Never had pistachio pesto. Walnuts - meh. Why not pine nuts? That’s the traditional version.
@karenhynes @klezman
Pistachio is f’ing awesome walnut was really good too! Pine nuts are great but if you’re making as much pesto as I have been traditional is boring. I know it’s tough klez but try something new once in a while
POPSOCKETS! COURT DOCKETS! FOLK ROCK HITS! AWESOME!
@klezman @ScottW58
I’ve never tried walnut, but I’m not really a fan of walnuts in general. Have you ever tried macadamias or maybe marcona almonds??
@karenhynes @klezman
Hmmm that sounds good that will be my next two batches
@karenhynes @klezman @ScottW58 Karen, macadamias are sweet so not so good in pesto, regular almonds are good. Cashews or Brazil nuts are also good.
@danandlisa @karenhynes @klezman
Thanks for the tip!
@karenhynes @ScottW58 like I said, pistachio sounds good! Most of the commercial ones are walnut and I’m less a fan. Brazil nuts sounds interesting though.
@danandlisa @klezman @ScottW58
I haven’t had a macadamia nut in years but I don’t recall them being particularly sweet. Maybe it’s been too long to remember. I do buy guara and marcona almonds pretty regularly. That might be my next try. Or I can stick with the pistachio!
2019 Pedroncelli Chardonnay
Shana tova to my fellow MOT!
Turkey tonight, with:
NV Kirkland Champagne Brut
2015 Onesta Cinsaut
2012 Tercero Verbiage Rouge
With my lab rat duties complete, it seemed like an appropriate time to pop this bad boy. Went well with a Flannery hangar steak.
@hscottk Appears to be a 2007 for the curious.
@hscottk How was it?
@catcoland I was a bit worried at first because of low fill (it was just below the neck) but was pleasantly surprised. No notes, but it had good complexity and balance. I’m sure this could go a long while longer, but not sure how much better it will get. Was definitely worth the $65 tariff.
I think @eljefetwisted would appreciate me calling this Twisted Tuesday!
Don’t know what I’m eating yet but this was a pleasant surprise to find in the cellar! A hint of bitterness on the finish but I think it just need a bit more air
@ScottW58 Those age really well!
@klezman
Especially when they start out great!
Second night Rosh Hashannah dinner! Starting off with NV GD Vajra N.S. della Neve - a bubbly Nebbiolo! Then it’ll be either 2014 Et Fille Deux Vert Pinot Noir and/or 2012 Denier-Handal Zinfandel.
Saturday was off the chain!
@bunnymasseuse
@bunnymasseuse
@bunnymasseuse
@bunnymasseuse
@bunnymasseuse
@bunnymasseuse
Yum!!!
@bunnymasseuse @kawichris650
Yum indeed!
@kawichris650 @ScottW58 not pictured was collard greens veggie and with meat, mac&cheese and tons of hungry people! The 2Jakes was a fan favorite!
Pedroncelli 2012 Four Grapes Port with some apple pie a la mode. Giving my sweet tooth a few loving strokes.
@2many2no that wouldn’t have been my first pairing thought. Probably would have aimed for a sweet white. How was the combo?
@radiolysis I really like this matchup, the vanilla and cinnamon seem to bring out the flavors in the port. I think typically people think of something chocolate, but sometimes different is good too.
@2many2no Totally. I certainly think “chocolate”, but i guess i would also think dark fruits, molasses, nuts. Maybe i’ll try to break out a bottle of Four Grapes during the next round of pie!
3rd night with Two Jakes 2011 Merlot. It was mentioned earlier, and I wanted to try one. Try as I might, I’m just not excited about it. It’s got flavor, which was best on day 2, but still singing. Flavor all across the palate, with a significant finish, but just…It’s just too old-world for me…but very good for old-world. And, since it’s still singing on day 3, I suspect that my other bottles will last quite some time in the cellar. @winesmith ?
@FritzCat Was this part of a meal or on its own? Sounds like it could benefit from a good pairing.
@hscottk Duh! All three nights on its own. You are absolutely correct. With a good piece of meat that wine would have been fantastic.
@FritzCat @hscottk called them up today on the Merlot, will work with WS to get me some of the Merlot, thank you for the notes!
Wellington Wednesday
No idea what I’m going to cook yet, but I’m drinking a 2017 Once & Future Wine Mataro Oakley Road Vineyard
2017 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir, Central Coast with chicken marsala
@karenhynes How was that?
I’ve got a single bottle of WS, a
2001 Zinfandel Russian River Valley
and keep wondering if I should be looking for others.
@rjquillin
This one? Sounds delicious!!!
https://www.williamsselyem.com/wine/2011-papera-zinfandel/
I don’t think I’ve ever had any of their Zins (except for maybe while tasting onsite). I love all of their pinots. I’ve had a few other odds and ends over the past few years (I recall a rosé and a few whites). Never had a disappointing bottle.
I never see their wines any place local, or I’d likely pick up a few bottles of things that never seem to be available on their allocation offerings.
I say give it a try…and report back, of course!
@karenhynes
2001 Zinfandel Russian River Valley
this one.
Can’t keep up with Karen so hot dogs with a chickpea salad with olive oil, lemon juice and zest, parsley and Sorrel.
@ScottW58
2018 ahhh, tnx. Was just looking at what was visible of the neck label.
@rjquillin
2018 not sure I would want to age it that long, fresh and delicious!
2012 Wellington Vineyards Zinfandel Meeks Hilltop Ranch
2009 Iron Horse Russian Cuvee
2005 Nysa Vineyard PN. Earthy, mushroomy goodness. I can only hope the other bottles are this good.
@hscottk I’m saving that one for last due to the rat reports
Sounds like it was the best of the bunch.
Didn’t somebody recently say a 2008 Wellington Victory was over the hill? I decided to open one to check my stash. They should just be entering their teenage drinking window. And I haven’t had one in a bit more than 2 years so it seems a good time.
@klezman If so, that, oth, would be most difficult to internalize, unless storage was really sub-par.
@klezman I coravined a glass of my last bottle of the 08 a few weeks ago. Not over the hill in my opinion.
@klezman
IMO the 2008 is still very young and primary, same with the 2007 and benefit from a several hours decant. We are opening the 2005s right now, and a 2004 when the occasion calls.
The 2004 went through a dumb phase from 2016 - 2019 for us, several bottles were very muted… which makes me hold off on popping the corks on the younger bottles.
@knlprez This bottle is rocking! I love these (and Corison) in their teens and this isn’t disappointing. Plenty of fruit of course, but not primary at all. Just great stuff and happy I’ve still got 7 or 8 of these.
@klezman @knlprez so what of the victory years SHOULD I be drinking now?
@bunnymasseuse @klezman I’d say it’s down to preference. My SO and I enjoy older wines, so for us we try to wait 15 years on the Victory bottlings. But if you prefer younger wines and don’t mind if it’s a little tight, or can give it a good decant, I haven’t had a bad bottle!
I base my decision to open a Victory off of a '94 and a '97 we drank in 2017. They were both really good. The '94 was a real treat, floral, expressive, really well balanced and didn’t feel tired at all. I wish we had more! So, I feel Victory has a lot to offer in its 20s and even approaching 30 years of age and try to hold off as long as I can!
@klezman @knlprez thank you for the insight!
2016 campesino Grenache
Did Vespertine again tonight, New Orleans with a 2010 Heitz cab. Too tired after golf to think about pairing, not bad tho.
@ScottW58 I was SO tempted for this one but Lea didn’t go for it. More my style than hers. Was it as good as the other one?
@klezman
Yes fantastic! Liked the Spain one just a hair more but I would not hesitate to do it again.
@ScottW58 Nice!
Maybe next time I’ll convince you to do it here with all four of us
@klezman
they only do meals for 4 tho…but there is so much that Andrea and I can barely finish. I really think one meal is good enough for 3
yes
@ScottW58 I sure wasn’t thinking of letting our kids have Vespertine! They’re too young to merit Flannery still!
@klezman @ScottW58
Laissez les bon temps rouler!
2011 Two Jakes of Diamonds Cabernet Franc Diamond Ridge
finishing off the unseared Picanha from earlier, by sous vide warm and searing it, with sides of taters, kale, corn and artichoke.
2016 bottling of Council Brewing “Beatitude” Cherry Saison
2016 Peterson Zinfandel Tradizionale – first pop (twist) from a recent order.
With a Morgan ranch wagyu sirloin flap and some sauted dragon tongue beans from the garden.
2018 Ty Caton Ty’s Red
Nice bottle, likely opened too soon
2016 Kendric Vineyards Sangiovese Reward Ranch
@rjquillin
Nice bottle but opened too soon lol!
@ScottW58
lookin at CT drink by dates, (yeah, I know) I’m 3~24 years early, and I only have three left…
Three? Perhaps.
24? The commenter had too much to drink.
@rjquillin
Since when did CT drink dates mean anything? If it’s drinking well why wait?
@ScottW58
Finishing up the Kendric.
After a week in the fridge with no Ar, still quite tasty;
yup, too soon.
@rjquillin
Sorry to hear it disappointed you because it was too young!
2017 Broc Cellars Eaglepoint Ranch Counoise
Damn good
@klezman
I wish @WineDavid49 could land Broc Cellars again. Haven’t seen an offer from them since the WW days!
@chipgreen @Winedavid49 I don’t even remember them being on woot!
@chipgreen @klezman @Winedavid49
Pretty sure they were once or twice?
@klezman @ScottW58 @Winedavid49
Indeed they were.
2008 La Fiorita Brunello di Montalcino
with Flannery hangers
2011 Château Bianca Pinot Noir
pretty much undrinkable day one, dtd with the glass.
Balance in the fridge and now on day four it’s at least passable, as the acidic bite has subsided to a tolerable level.
Waiting for Wednesday to make another selection.
@rjquillin those were good a couple years ago iirc
@klezman @rjquillin
Yikes. I have never bitten on Chateau Bianca but I did go in on the Wetzel Family Estate Pinot magnums, which were very good.
With duck leg confit potato gratin and green stuff, I don’t drink enough Tablas Creek wines.
@ScottW58 Of the places I have visited in Paso Robles, Tablas Creek stands out the strongest.
@ScottW58
Nicki (Garagiste Offers)
1:27 PM (2 hours ago)
Tablas Creek
Dear Friends,
Three gems from Tablas Creek, set to arrive shortly!
@rjquillin
Um yeah no, pretty easy to pickup the wines locally.
@Mark_L
I agree!
@rjquillin @ScottW58 Yeah, but the prices are all better than at K&L
@klezman @rjquillin
Oh god I will gladly pay 2 or 3 bucks a bottle more for a wine that shows up locally all the time rather than wait 6 months or a year or more if you don’t have a full case. This kind of wine I might want to drink now or maybe next week
@rjquillin @ScottW58 If I wanted to drink it now, then sure. But $10/bottle less - a touch more if you take taxes vs shipping into account - for the Esprit de Tablas is a nice discount. And that’s a wine I wouldn’t touch for probably 4-5 years. So let Rimmerman store it for me!
@klezman @rjquillin
I pay taxes and shipping with Garagiste but not shipping with K&L that being said I try to be pretty picky with what I will have stored by other people for god knows how long just to save a few bucks.
@klezman @rjquillin
Maybe they don’t charge tax? not sure but if they don’t that’s not legal but certainly pay shipping.
2010 Wellington Vineyards CS Handal-Denier
@catcoland and??? How was?
@bunnymasseuse Very good and far from over the hill, glad I have 4 more, won’t be in a hurry to drink them.
@catcoland I only have two I think, deciding when to open the first…
2010 Blockheadia Ringnosii Petite Sirah Top of the Block
Excellent. Everyone on CT is giving it 91 pts.
Question: Are 2010 Petite Sirahs generally “ripe” now?
@FritzCat
Hopefully it was ripe when it was harvested
So…. Not sure this is fully cooked but it doesn’t currently taste to the tasting notes others have described so this could be a sad Magnum loss…
@bunnymasseuse
@bunnymasseuse
Likely oxidized since the wine has crept all the way up and through the cork over time, compromising its integrity. Partially oxidized wines can be complex and interesting as they teeter on the brink of undrinkability, IMHO. Or they can be just plain bad.
@chipgreen it’s…. Nothing like it “should” be but not exactly vinegar either… this was my single magnum purchase from this opportunity last year: and on the outside no way to know this occurred until the foil was removed, and the outside was tacky/sticky to the touch. Storage was the same since I received it, no temp flux. Very much a bummer, and sad to have a super large bottle of something that is not as it was meant to be.
@bunnymasseuse @chipgreen If you send Scott or Jana an email I’m sure they’ll help you out.
2012 Scott Harvey Zinfandel Amador County Old Vine Reserve
@bunnymasseuse this is the bottle that isn’t drinking as it’s notes suggest : (
2013 Peterson La Stupenda Barbera
Okay imho I have perfected the flannery burger
Hard sear in a carbon steel pan and 3 minutes in the oven 
@ScottW58
Looks delicious!!!
Okay imho I have perfected the flannery burger
Hard sear in a carbon steel pan and 3 minutes in the oven 
@ScottW58
Looks so good I 'liked" it twice!!
@karenhynes
LoL guess I was so excited I posted twice, oh and for Ron and Adam 1 minute in the oven since you like it raw
@karenhynes @ScottW58
Why even bother with the oven?
It just heats up the house…
@karenhynes @rjquillin
Not so much I have a good hood fan, and I prefer my meat at least slightly cooked
@karenhynes @rjquillin @ScottW58 Well I just ordered additional burger blend in the current sale, so I’ll get lots of practice!
@karenhynes @klezman @ScottW58
I thought that ended yesterday
@karenhynes @rjquillin @ScottW58 “Just” is a wishy washy term for a reason. Are you getting more literal from covid?
1994 Wine Smith Cabernet Franc
1999 Prager Aria White Port
2013 Engracia Chardonnay
2011 Trione Henry’s Blend
Disassembled a whole duck. Roasting the legs and wings, and going to pan-sear the breast. Then going to open a 2011 Rivers-Marie Pinot Noir Gioia Vineyard
Got the sludge from the bottom of a recent vintage Oregon Pinot. Wasn’t expecting that…
Belle Fiore Vineyards 2017 Pinot Noir
@CorTot dregs!!!
Scout’s Honor, 2016 by Venge,
a delicious Zin Blend.
@FritzCat
Nils Venge?
@chipgreen Looks like Kirk Venge (Nils’ son) is running the joint now.
@FritzCat 2nd evening with Scout’s Honor, and I’ma come clean and admit that I’m a big fan of Big Zin and Zin blends. I love Michael & David Phillips’ high end Zins, Earthquake and the individual Sins. And, I just went over to the place with multiple Vs and bought a case of Scout’s Honor and
San Marzano 60 Sessantanni Old Vines Primitivo Di Manduria. I know, some of you will pooh pooh my taste in wines, but, oh well, I like what I like.
Recommendations are always appreciated.
@FritzCat
Nothing wrong with drinking what you like! A place I used to love makes zins that I think you would like is Zin Alley in Templeton, a bit pricy now but if you like in your face zins these guys deliver!
@FritzCat No apologising for what you like!
@ScottW58 Zin Alley wines do look interesting, but, as you say, a little pricey, and shipping East of The River is pretty steep. If I see them around, I’ll certainly snag one…or two.
Was an acidic mess on the pop and pour but after an hour in the decanter the fruit came out to play and it was one of the best wines I’ve had all year!
Ridge 2012 Mazzoni Home Ranch
2018 Turley The White Coat
My first white wine from Turley - it’s excellent! And only 13.8% alcohol, too!
Pretty killer merlot!
2016 Pedroncelli Sonoma Classico
I had hoped it was over, on Saturday it was cool enough I had to wear a light sweater yeah a light one, well today it’s like 105 ugh. Back to cold champagne and dreaming about better places
@ScottW58 18 years ago. Looks very much the same.
@hscottk
that’s @danandlisa back yard!
Ha! Yes it does
@hscottk @ScottW58 Yes it is. It is less than 5 minutes from the house. It looks different this year, more rocks, less sand.I love when the sand is in when you can go thru the small hole to the beach that is small, but amazing. Plus the tide pools. Lots of sea urchins and secret pools.
@danandlisa @ScottW58 An amazing part of the world!
@hscottk @ScottW58
Finishing up a 2007 Pedroncelli Petite Sirah.
Tonight at Trivia!
2013 Wellington Vineyards Syrah Estate Vineyard
Wellington Wednesday!
@kawichris650 ok I’m about to open one…. 2009 or the 2010 Zin from WW??
@bunnymasseuse
You honestly can’t go wrong with either.
Or… you could open both and compare them side by side. You know, for science!
2019 Sandlands Cinsault
Celebrating our 43rd anniversary with the first of my 3 2017 @winesmith Sparkling Grenache.
@Mark_L
Happy Anniversary!
@chipgreen @Mark_L
Wow. Happy anniversary!!
@Mark_L
Happy Anniversary!
@Mark_L
43rd wow congrats! Did you get married in high school?
@Mark_L
Happy anniversary! Cheers!
@ScottW58 A bit later. I’m 70 now!
@Mark_L We are honored! Do let us know how it goes.
Sandcrabs rule!
@winesmith Very enjoyable (and somewhat different, being a Grenache). BTW, there is a “Class of '69 Turns 70” party tomorrow afternoon/evening beachside in Ormond (I won’t be there).
2017 Di Costanzo DI CO
@rc70 how is it doing? Drink/hold?
@rc70
Looks like the pup might be eyeing your wine haha.
@hscottk You can do either, drinking very well but plenty of life ahead. I have several so drank one but will wait to drink others to see how it evolves over the next few years. Tasty juice!
@kawichris650
Think she’s keeping an eye on me to make sure I’m still standing.
@hscottk @rc70
Agreed
Not Wednesday, not Wellington; with some Mex
2011 Denier-Handal Family Selection
@rjquillin
We like that one a lot, still have a couple left.
@chipgreen I think I’m down to just one now. Seems each one has been better than the last. After that one last year, perhaps I rushed into this one.
2007 Twisted Oak Parcel 17. Last night with cumin beef. It may not have been an ideal pairing, but held up to the strong flavors quite well. Really enjoyed this.
@hscottk That is one of my favourite wines ever. I’ve got one left. I still remember being hit in the face with aromas of wild blueberry.
@CorTot
It’s a test.
Can you read this bottle after you empty it?
@rjquillin they are terrible labels. I’m sure the artist would say otherwise.
Did the Marcella Hazan lemon chicken with a Chenin so simple so f’ing delicious!
@ScottW58 You should slice half the lemon, insert said slices underneath the skin with fresh bay leaves, not dried, insert other half of lemon in the cavity after squeezing the half on the chicken. Cook at 425. Parsnips are also very good underneath the chicken.
@danandlisa @ScottW58 Sounds delish. Though you can’t beat Marcella’s way for simplicity and great results.
@danandlisa
That’s a good call! I did finely chopped a preserved lemon and put it under the skin pierced the lemon 30 times then after cooking sliced and let the juice blend with the chicken fat which is part of the recipe I guess
@danandlisa @InFrom
or anywhere else for that matter!
And on a cold night on the Oregon coast it would be heaven
@danandlisa @InFrom
@danandlisa @ScottW58 It’s finally cooling down enough here to turn on the oven, and the farmer’s market has plenty of nice root vegetables. Need to roast me a bird one of these nights. Maybe I’ll even open one of those Beau Rivage to go with! I think the '19 is the only one I have left from BD.
@InFrom @ScottW58 Love fresh bay leaves. We have a bay tree that is amazing. We made it yesterday. Tonight, I made a curried chicken salad over lettuce for dinner. Love roasted chicken leftovers.
@danandlisa @InFrom
They play very well with the chicken and the fat
@InFrom @ScottW58 Yes they do. My husband and I have an understanding. I get the white meat, he gets the dark.
@danandlisa @InFrom
I always liked your husband!
2015 Kelley Fox Wines Pinot Noir Momtazi Vineyard
@rjquillin Thoughts? I liked this, but loved the Hyland. I thought a few years might do it some good, so I’ve been holding remaining bottles.
@hscottk My first KF to open. Liked it, but based on comments want to revisit the bottle after a few days open. Tasted with some light pasta, salmon and green beans.
2018 Refugio Ranch Vineyards Malvasia Bianca
2016 Pedroncelli Merlot, Dry Creek Valley, Bench Vineyards
Happy Friday indeed!!!
@karenhynes You’re still slacking on Mr. Month.
@rjquillin
Ah, yes…my pathetic life.
Please meet Mr. September. I don’t have a lot of hope for the future of our relationship. We’ve had a few dates over the past few weeks, but I’m not sure it will last much longer. It may be close to time to move on. I’m quite fickle, apparently.
@karenhynes @rjquillin
He has that pre-historic Johnny Damon thing going on, sans facial hair.
Last night, fun one later today!
@bunnymasseuse
One of my two favorite Sins…
The other is Gluttony
2013 Twisted Oak The Spaniard with a Spanish cheese plate. Fantastic!
Gonna be some Flannery Ribeyes pairing up with this
Yup, still some of these around and doing well.
Interesting observation: last pulled a cork on one of these almost exactly three years ago.
Wonder how Fred is…?
@rjquillin Looks like you didn’t even need that schmancy corkpuller on this one.
Ployez-Jacquemart NV Champagne… With Chilean sea bass belly at Blue Point Grill. Wine was very nice, but the fish, which I’d never heard of, was incredible… rich and flavorful. Funny thing, it was like a third the price of the regular Chilean sea bass. It blew away my wife’s locally caught swordfish by a mile.
@hscottk
Tuna belly, Chūtoro, is, imo, the tastiest part; rich and oiley (in a good way).
Perhaps that bass is similar.
@hscottk @rjquillin
or maybe a collar?
You can throw the rest out, tuna belly is the best
@hscottk @ScottW58
Yup, collar is right up there too!
@rjquillin @ScottW58 The waiter described it exactly that way…rich and more oily. It was like butter.
Celebrating my 65th with family & friends and a lot of Flannery hangers.
@rc70
Happy 65th!!!
@kawichris650 @rc70
Nice!!
@kawichris650 @rc70 @ScottW58 happy birthday!
With a truly crappy pizza! But the wine made up for it.
@ScottW58
My usual question, which is your favorite year thus far?
@chefjess
Too close to call between 98 and 2000?
2013 Twisted Oak Cockamamie Red Blend
2015 Ca Rozzeria Langhe Nebbiolo
2009 Ty Caton, Carleton Brooke Merlot
@FritzCat Slightly corked. Very noticeable, SWMBO took one sip, and that was it…down the drain it went.
Opened another of the same tonight, and it was very good; “old world” to start, “bold”, “a cab drinker’s merlot”, We’ll drink the rest tomorrow.
@FritzCat 2nd day for the good bottle: Phenomenal!
On Cellartracker, this got 88-89 points, but the latest reviews are from 2016…patience grasshopper…
@msten Nothing wrong with an early start.
@msten how was that wine drinking? We have a few bottles but I have no idea when to pull the corks!
@knlprez Ready. Very good. Floral nose. Plenty of dark fruit balanced with resolving fine grained tannins. Peppery finish. Stood up to a much too heavy carbonara recipe I tried. It could stand up to anything, yet enjoyable as a cocktail.
@msten Thanks for the insight! We will have to pop one open and check it out!
2015v Twisted Oak Touriga Naçional
Dinner with friends over the weekend. The third couple were sweet wine drinkers so I did my best to accommodate them along with our main wine choices.
1st course: Crostini with goat cheese and cherry jam + 2010 Iron Horse Classic Vintage Brut and 2017 Anne Amie Cuvee A Amrita
2nd course: Gazpacho + 2009 Scott Harvey Zinfandel Old Vine Reserve and NV Casemates QPR Select
3rd course: Mixed greens salad with citrus oil dressing + 2018 Underground Wine Project “And Why Am I Mr. Pink” Rose and 2014 Paetra Riesling
4th course: Tequila Lime Chicken with Basmati Rice + 2010 Bodegas M Albarino “Querida”
5th course: Banana Sorbet + 2006 Kent Rasmussen Late Harvest Viognier “Esoterica” and 2018 Tank Garage Winery “Skin Flick” Skin-Fermented White Wine
Pics later…
@chipgreen Wow, nice array and menu!
How’d the gazpacho pair with those reds? I’m planning on whipping up a batch for tonight. I was thinking of going with a Xarel-lo.
@chipgreen
Nice Chip! and I really wish I would have bought some of that “And Why Am I Mr. Pink”. Greatest wine name ever!
@InFrom
The Scott Harvey OVZ was smoooth and paired really well with the gazpacho. I can’t vouch for the QPR. Think I took a sip, that was it.
Look at the deep golden color of that Albarino! So delicious and perfect pairing with the tequila lime chicken. @winedavid49 is Bodegas M still around? The wine aged very gracefully. Would love to get some more.
@chipgreen @ScottW58 the 2019 was on LB just a couple of weeks ago. I definitely now own 6.
@chipgreen @CorTot
Damn I gotta keep my eyes open for that, watched the clip of that scene today at work, fun ride
@chipgreen Mmm, everything looks delish. Making me hungry, and I just finished dinner! The wine went well overall with a meal that was kind of all over the place. The gazpacho came out great though.
@chipgreen @InFrom
Hell yeah that looks great!
@chipgreen noted!
@InFrom
Very nice!
@chipgreen @CorTot @ScottW58 I have a couple of bottles of the Chester’s Anvil Hattori Hanzo. I just need some Mr. Pink to complete the set.
@chipgreen @CorTot @hscottk
Lol
2009 Twisted Oak Red Hill Vineyard Tempranillo
Excellent bottle. In great shape and drinking well. Dark red and black fruits, tobacco notes, nice acidity. Very enjoyable
It’s Wednesday so…
@rc70 I have only one of those left. Might be time to pop it soon
@hscottk @rc70 No rush if it’s stored properly!
2018 Stolpman Grenache. A bit of fizz on the first pour, which soon dissipated.
With crab cakes and lemon basil sorrell tarter sauce.
Last Saturday, With a big ol slab of meat, and my homemade pumpkin pie which escaped pictures…
@bunnymasseuse
@bunnymasseuse
@bunnymasseuse
@bunnymasseuse
For the record, we polished off 1 1/2 bottles of decanted Clark’s Roman Reserve CabFranc that had only a 3-5day decant, crowd was impressed!
@bunnymasseuse
I am even more impressed that I only see one small bowl of green stuff with all that meat and other goodies
@ScottW58 greens and carrots was polished off by myself and the resident vegetarian, who despite not indulging in meat still enjoyed the reds. If you zoom in you can see a bunny painted on a wine glass with a wine glass marker
Wilson, Dry Creek Valley Cab. Sauv. 2010
Very good.
Woohoo!! WTFNW night, lol why the F not Wellington ?!?
2009 Estate Vineyard Wellington Zinfandel Sonoma Valley