Bouchaine Pinot Noir `10 #BouchaineWines #CarnerosWine

Napa Valley's Carneros AVA on NY's Gold Coast: Lunch with Bouchaine Vineyard's Greg Gauthier.

We're surrounded by wine in NY - spoilt for choice actually; it's a city of 8 million people -  with a galaxy of wine shops and restaurants to choose from, so how do we decide?  Price? Recommendation? Reputation of the maker/area? There are so many choices, but when you cancel out the mass produced wines (you know, the ones you see on billboards and wrapped around the side of a bus) there are small gems to be found, bottled evidence of the efforts of passionate people who love what they do.  Each of these small producer wines that make their way to our tables represents a  diversity of landscapes from lands unlike Manhattan.  These wines are a tapestry of flavors,  moments that enrich our meals and enlighten us to a different place, unique to  farms, tilled soil and vineyard friendly climates- or as the French would say, "Terroir".

Lunch with  Greg Gauthier, Bouchaine's Vice President, of Wine Production and Sales, was just that kind of  transcontinental moment.  He's a UC Davis educated, Carneros Cowboy with a palate. As I walked in, I found him standing in the hotel lobby with his bags packed, and a bottle of  `10 Pinot Noir in one hand, and `11 Estate Chardonnay in the other - like I said... spoilt for choice.

Just when you think you know Napa, someone like Greg comes around and throws you a curve ball in the game of wine.  I hadn't really thought a lot about the sub regions of Napa, and I was surprised to  read that Carneros  "Where the San Francisco Bay meets Napa and Sonoma" produces wines I have really enjoyed in the past (at the time I just though "ahhh- Napa") Gloria Ferrer- Sonoma Brut , and Saintsbury to name a couple, now I'll put this Pinot Noir at the top of the list.  It was a perfect pour for the rich intimacy of the  Polo Steak House, in Garden City, NY.  Look for it on restaurant lists - you won't be sorry.

For romantic souls, wine alone can tell the story of a vineyard in the bottle, but for people like me, it's great to hear Greg talk about the colorful history of Bouchaine.  As I sipped the classically styled, (a delightful 13.8% ETOH), complex, earthy Pinot Noir with a hint of tangerine, I listened to Greg talk about his coming to Bouchaine over a decade ago .  We paused momentarily so I could taste a slice of seared tuna from his lunch, with the Pinot.  I smiled and thought of Robin Pfeiffer, who taught me that "wine wants to be married", the right wine enhances food and can make a good meal, great.  I sipped the Pinot as I nibbled away at the layers of my Cobb salad,  - it's true, although wine by nature is a brief and polygamous partner, it opened up the flavors of the salad's grilled chicken, balanced the smoke of the bacon, and then melded smoothly with the blue cheese, heightening the meal's layers of distinct, delicious flavors and textures. 

Greg told me about their wine making process - tasting, blending, tasting, waiting, tasting and then tasting again, to get the flavor "just right".  There is a lot of talent at Bouchaine,and along with the owners Gerret and Tatiana Copeland, everyone is part of the process, General Manager & Winemaker Michael Richmond, Greg,  and the newest addition to the team, second generation Associate Winemaker Andrew Brooks. Their work and dedication is paying off. This `10  Carneros Pinot is from a 9,798 case production -  one of their largest lots; With a total case production of 20,000 each year, Bouchaine is an artisanal vineyard, making about 15 wines; including other specialty Pinot Noirs,  and ranging to the Estate Vineyard Chardonnay, with some interesting varietals in between, including Las Brisas Vineyard Riesling, Pinot Gris, a late harvest Bouche d’or Chardonnay dessert wine, and an exotic Pinot Meunier to name a few.  

The staff at Bouchaine is working with cooking schools to educate nascent chefs in the layers of flavor that can be found in a single varietal wine, the 20 micro-climates that make each lot of their 80 acres subtly unique, and the blending process.  As I swirled my glass, and held it up to the light, to see the the vibrant garnet edges of the wine, Greg  shared Bouchain's history as the oldest continuously operating winery in Carneros - originally planted by a Missouri farmer, Boon Fly in the late 1880's, it's a labor of love that Gerret and Tatiana Copeland have fostered since 1993, They've got deep rootstock behind them, and a bright future ahead.  Bouchaine is a shining star in the New York galaxy of wine.

Willamette Valley Estate Pinot Noir`09 $45.00 Live Blog Red #WBC12

"It's Willamette, Dammit!" Turner Oregon.  ETOH 14.5% They take this wine seriously, and this Pinot is serious.  The wine is light, but has long finish.  I'm thinking Thanksgiving turkey. This is a vineyard that cares. It cares about its wine, and about the earth.  They talk the talk and they walk the walk.  This is a sustainable, happy wine. I'm a convert.

Decible Pinot Noir `10 $28.00 Live Blog Red #WBC12

New Zealand Martinborough.  Daniel is from Philly but moved to NZ.  This is a Pinot with an undertone of minerality.  I may be imagining this as I think of NZ, but it is very interesting, and has a great flavor.  This is a 100 case wine, so seriously, buy it and talk about it.  It is Distributed in NY, so if you see it, snap some up, and talk about it while you eat mushroom risotto, or go out to eat and order a bottle.  This wine is in a lot of restaurants in PA.  Try it, you'll like it.

Cornerstone Pinot Noir`09 $50.00 Live blog red #WBC12

Hi Craig!!!  This is an Oregon Pinot Noir,  I'll just drink your yummy wine while you talk about how you make it.  Ok, I'll take a picture and then wonder how many bottles I can fit in my suitcase for the flight home.  This is a great wine that would pair with the char on a perfect thick slap of grilled salmon.  ETOH 13.9%  So you can buy three bottles and the hangover won't be too bad.  This is a great wine to impress people with!

Archery Summit Premire Cuvee Pinot Noir`10 $48.00 Live Blog Red #WBC12

This is a very fruity pinot.  WOW.  Fruit upon fruit upon fruit. 14.5% ETOH it is a big wine.

J. Christopher Pinot Noir `10 $30.00 Live Blog Red #WBC12

Winery started by J Somers.  From the Chehalem Mountains AVA.  This is a complex Pinot.  This is a Pinot that would stand up to a fatty lamb.

Louis Jadot Pinot Noir `08 $17.99 **

I got home from work and found JPH prepping eggplant. It was going to be a comfort food night.  There was a chicken in the fridge that needed to be roasted, potatoes to be baked & mashed, parsley to be chopped and rosemary that needed to be harvested from the patio. (finally the plants are outside  - I am trying to convince S. to start a gardening blog, she has done amazing work with the garden).  As I was seasoning the chicken, JPH pointed out that a wine needed to be selected.  I hesitated on this French Pinot Noir simply because it is a $17.99 bottle of plonk - that is steep for a Wednesday night table wine, but hey, why not?  JPH also challenged me to a review and since I have been slipping in that department this year, I accepted.

This is a classic French Pinot Noir from the classic Bourgogne power house Maison Louis Jadot.  That being said, it is simple French table wine and we were opening it on the down side of it's peak.  It has some forward spice and a watery finish, which is not unattractive in a wine to have with a well seasoned dinner.  At 12.5% ETOH, JPH noted that you could just keep drinking and drinking this with a meal. We wondered just how many French restaurants have it as their house red. We're guessing a lot - Maison Jadot has a winery dedicated exclusively to the production of Bourgogne Pinot Noir. This is high quality, mass production wine and it is the backbone of Burgundy, good wine that you can drink that won't break the bank.

"Well Balanced" was the catch phrase for the evening.  It is an even drinking wine with no surprises.  Slight tannins made it a good astringent foil for the roasted chicken, and the earthiness made the truffles stand out more in the truffled mashed potatoes.  (seriously, between the wine and the potatoes, I wondered if I put any butter in at all)

This is a "safe" classic French wine.  You could bring it to your in-laws and be deemed cultured.  As for me, I am just thrilled that we hit the pairing out of the park.  Dinner was the highlight of my day. Chicken roasted with lemon and rosemary, sauteed eggplant in garlic scented olive oil with parsley and truffled mashed potato. It doesn't get much better on the comfort scale.

I'll leave you with my chicken as it just came out of the oven, and the eggplant waiting to be plated. It was a rainy Spring night, and comfort food hit the spot.

Sassy Bitch Pinot Noir `10 $10.99 *(*)

I went home to Maine for a post-Christmas visit, and low and behold there were two bottles of Sassy Bitch sitting ready for Sunday Dinner.  They were gifts.  YOU KNOW why they were gifts.  Sassy Bitch is purchased for the label and the laughter.  We did laugh, the four Sassy Bitches around the table.  What can I say, I was raised by a line of strong women, and the next generation is improving on that strength.

Why is this wine like a Sassy Bitch?  Because it is fun to look at, talk about and be around for a while.  But just like that sassy bitch at a party, it has a bitter undertone and is really hard to take.  It is rough, has some acid, not very well balanced, is just a bit too sassy, and a bit alcoholic at 14% ETOH.  This Sassy Bitch is not going to age well. She is already a smoky old hag, and she was born in 2010.  YIKES. (I have a bottle of their Cabernet Sauvignon waiting in the wine rack - We'll uncork her when we need a laugh)

Their website is full of sass, but no production notes.  It is hard to take this Chilean wine seriously, it is a Pinot Noir novelty item.  It was worth the $10.99 in laughter, but after the first sip, we drank something else with dinner. Just like the stereotype it portrays, this wine has its place.  But it isn't relationship material.

I'll leave you with the vintage and the nouveau
Sassy Bitches in my life.
One has aged gracefully, a `30 Premiers Crus Bordeaux.  
The other is a `93 New World red with a lot of potential.
I love them both. 
Their Sass is well balanced with depth of character,
clarity and a finish that makes my soul glow.

Layer Cake Pinot Noir `10 $11.99 ****

Yes, four stars.  Yes, we liked it THAT much.  Hey for $11.99 what is not to like? Which leads me to qualify it as a four star $11.99 bottle of wine.  If it were more expensive, it would lose a star.  JPH bought it as part of a mixed case at Coves Discount, and pulled it from the rack to have with Sunday lunch.

S. and JPH had just been exploring the newest local Fairway Market in Douglaston and came home with some great food.   Lunch was:  Fresh French bread, sausages and cheese.  We had l'ami du chambertin, a delicious (once you get past the smell and the texture) semi stinky, runny French cheese.

As we slathered cheese of bread, JPH commented "this is a good wine".  In between sips I dismissively said "of course" and then went into a spiel about Jayson Woodbridge, his wines and homage to his Grandfather:

"“My old grandfather told me the soils in which the vines lived were a layer cake. If properly made, the wine from these vines was like a delicious cake layered with fruit, mocha and chocolate, with hints of spice and rich, always rich. Never pass up a good Layer Cake.”.

(I monologue like that sometimes...it is a nasty habit - spewing everything I know into lunchtime conversation) I was SURE that I had reviewed this wine.  When I went back to see what I had written, I realized that I was wrong.

Now to correct that oversight....

Layer Cake Pinot Noir `10 is delicious.  Full of fruit, deep flavor with a hint of leather/tobacco and no oak that I could taste.  Cherry, deep cherry, and with a high 14.5% ETOH, all we wanted after a lunch of rich cheese, French sausages and this wine was a nap.  I had chocolate instead and ran to write this review, S. is putting up Christmas decorations, and JPH is cleaning out the gutters with the help of the new puppy.

100% Pinot Noir from the California Coast Monterey vineyards at Arroyo Loma and Alta Loma which border the Santa Lucia Highlands.  This wine shows that America really is on the world wine map.  I was amazed at how well it paired with the flavorful French Cheese.  S. reminded me that the buttery cheese was from Burgundy - it was absolutely screaming for a mouthful of wine like this Layer Cake Pinot Noir to pair it with.

Enjoy this full flavored, nicely priced, easy to drink wine and buy into the story of Layer Cake. The New York cynic in me wants to scream "Hokey marketing" BUT the happily buzzed, well fed writer in me says "Jayson really is on to something.  He hit this one out of the park."

I'll leave you with Ginnie,
the latest addition to the household.

This is the picture that I fell in love with on Petfinder.com.

I'm lucky that S. and JPH are suckers
for long legs and a cute face! 

She is a rescued puppy from Love Handlers Ranch in Tennessee. 

You'll be seeing more of her in the future.

WillaKenzie Estate Pinot Noir Pierre Leon`08 $41.00 #wbc11 live blog reds

14.2% ETOH.  Smooth, easy to drink, Estate Grown in Willamette Valley, Oregon I am imagining it with mushrooms, lots of mushrooms.  It is versatile, and a nice representation of the Pinot Noir varietal.  The color is vibrant, and would also do well with salmon!

www.willakenzie.com

King Estate Domaine Pinot Noir `08 $60.00 #wbc11 live blog reds

The King Estate's Finest.  It has an amazing fresh smell, and elegant taste.  It is a subtle wine.  A mouth full of flavor on the first sip, and then you are ready for either another sip, or better yet a nice pork loin. 

This wine wants a pork roast.  You can impress someone by doing a crown loin, and this Pinot will elevate the experience and add a fruity highlight to the meal. Impressive.

Talisman Red Dog Pinot Noir`07 $46.00 live blog reds #wbc11

Grown in the Sonoma Mountains presented by Amy.  Scott Rich and Marta Rich.  Met at Mondavi and decided to go out and make Pinot Noir.

As I drink this, I try to think about where it is grown, and what I would pair it with.  It is bright, and has a burn, and it would hold up really well against a burger or a pizza.  Yikes, I just realized that I would pair this expensive wine with a burger (make that a Kobe Beef Burger), but it is a labor of love.  Scott and Marta kept their day jobs, and their love of Pinot Noir shows in this bottle.

Pommard Clone.  High ETOH: 14.3%

www.talismanwine.com

Louis Max Bourgogne Pinot Noir Beaucharme Pinot Noir `09 $12.99 (not TJ's) unrateable

I don't think that wine producer Louis Max would approve of what we drank (I may try a different bottle from a different supplier to test my theory and then re-review)  Somewhere along the line, this bottle of  French Pinot Noir met with a nefarious character. I will give the bottler the benefit of doubt for now.  At first sip, there was a subtle burst of flavor and the finish was... water.

My first reaction:  "JPH, taste this!" (he didn't really want to put down his beer - but he obliged and was equally surprised).  I poured S. a glass.  She pulled a perplexed face.  I said, "I know, doesn't this taste like gatoraide?" This wateriness and anemic finish did not stop us from finishing the bottle, but we could never call this a pinot noir.  I am curious as to how a wine that others review as "deep, berry flavored, needs to aerate..." can be the same wine that I tasted; it was so light at the finish that I laughed at the thought of aerating it.  It would simply disappear!

This was S's garden as we walked along the terrace
smelling the Day Lilies, Orange Tree and Gardenia in bloom.  

With a late afternoon view like this,
who really cares about watered down wine?

Domaine Seguin-Manuel Savigny-lès-Beaune Vieilles Vignes `08 (not TJ's) $29.99****

Expensive for a week night, yet perfect for a great steak dinner on an amazing Spring day. This is a fantastic fruit forward Pinot Noir  from Savigny-lès-Beaune AOC in Burgundy.  Bright, light, with a mouthful of spicy fruit that just made my mouth water. It was a hit.

Made traditionally by award winning Thibault Marion at Domaine Seguin-Manuel, this wine is a great nod to his family heritage (Domain founded 1824).  The label is fancy French, kind of highbrow and intimidating, BUT the wine inside is fresh, bold and spicy. It is a light crimson color that smells of lush fruit. There is a full forward richness, and just a hint of mouthwatering acidity, and a long, flavorful finish that is spicy -  (subtle cloves).  It is 13% ETOH, and paired really well with our menu of: Grilled Steak, roasted red pepper, broccoli rabe with pancetta, garlic and olive oil in a balsamic reduction and just to put us over the top, baked potatoes with butter and truffled sea-salt.

After aeration with the nuance: Don't bother. Just pour and enjoy!  This bottle may have been a 2008 aged in french oak for 10 months, but to me it taste fresh and gorgeous with a slight hint of age just peeking through, adding deep flavor.

While JPH was roasting the red peppers on the grill, 

I poured myself a glass, 

as MEH had an impromptu photo shoot.  

She styled and took this picture.  

We are having a beautiful Spring!

Sainsbury's Blanc de Noirs Champagne NV (not TJ's) £15.98 [$25.36] ****

I hadn't been to London in two years. I was suffering withdrawals.  I may be a girl from Monroe, Maine, but once upon a time I hopped on a 757 to Europe and spent the most adventure filled decades of my life so far.

It was in a certain townhouse in Knightsbridge that I was introduced to Laurent Perrier. Until I tasted that elixir, I was a Veuve Clicquot girl.  Back at home in NY,  JPH, S. & I are predominantly red wine drinkers with the occasional bottle of white (ok, and port, and limoncello and cognac, and rum, and Cherry Bounce... and well, you see the blog, and the variety of bottled goodness)  But here in Knightsbridge, it is generally bubbly.  (photo styled by VCE)

Imagine my surprise when I arrived on the doorstep and Laurent Perrier had been supplanted by gasp... a major supermarket brand: Sainsbury's Blanc de Noirs Champagne NV.  Imagine my shock when I realized that it was good.  It wasn't just us either, in a blind tasting, Sainsbury's Blanc de Noirs Champagne NV out shone Moet and many others.

This wine is sourced from the Producteurs des Grands Terroirs de la Champagne, a  French co-operative.  It is a dry blend of 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Pinot Meunier (aka Black Riesling). VCE has the quote of the night with "it has a slightly tart Blackberry/Blueberry hint to it", I concur and add:  "it was mouth watering with a bright finish".

As a pre-dinner bottle on a Friday night, you couldn't do much better.  In the savings, you could order some extra desserts and a taxi ride home.  I know that Laurent Perrier still lurks in the cellar, but it can rest there, waiting for a special moment.  Until then, it is Sainsbury's to the rescue.

Since my last last trip home to London, we lost a friend.  

Suha Yusuf was an artist first in everything that she undertook. 

She created and lived for beauty; 

in nature, in friendships and in every step of her life. 

Her etchings and prints will be in a gallery showing in the future, 

and proceeds will be going to a charitable trust.

Drinking Wine on Vacation Part II: Vino Volo Three courses/flights $69.00

I always add an hour or so to all of my afternoon/evening departing JFK flights. Not because I particularly like being overly early for flights or even hanging out in in American's Admirals Club, but because I like the wine bar Vino Volo. I discovered it a couple of years ago when I was flying to LA.  And now it is simply my "go to" airport restaurant.

I was en-route to London, my night flight had been canceled; there was a snowstorm raging outside and my fingers were crossed that I would be on the 6:45 pm flight.  I settled in for a 90 minute meal that included three flights of wine.

The menu is small and pairing specific. For my first course, I had the "Sparkling" flight and a small Brie & Prosciutto sandwich on cibatta with fig spread. With the wine comes a tasting sheet. The wines are available for purchase in the retail shop next door. (prices are Vino Volo Retail bottle/internet average)
 

"Celebration Sparklers" Flight $12.00

Juvé y Camps Reserva de la Familio Brut `05 (Not TJs) $25.99/$14.99 ***
Spanish Cava from Penedes:  Their tasting mat said white fruits and toasted bread.  hmm, I thought, fruity, dry and my notes said "tight".  It was very dry, and the finish was bright. It was my favorite of the three. (center in photo)

Loius Roederer Premire Brut NV  (Not TJ's) $53.00/$35.00**
Their tasting notes said Citrus and Ginger.  My thoughts: I liked the after burn of the ginger, the whole thought of a spicy champagne was new to me. It was the crispness that was good and I did taste a slight hint of butter in the finish.  But really, you are paying for the name Roederer, it is a designer old-school Champagne, and honestly, I just don't understand drinking these wines for anything other than the taste. (left in photo)

J Vineyards Cuvee 20 Brut NV (Not TJ's) $33.00/$29.99 *
Their tasting notes: Fiji Apple and Toast.  This was my least favorite.  It was very dry and slightly sour. There was a predominant taste of Fiji apple and grapefruit. But I got the toast note, and that was cool. his was also the richest tasting wine of the three.  I am thinking that it is the California Chardonnay that adds a butteriness, and the toast just is enhanced by the buttery note. It was the sour that put me off.  (right in photo)

Next, I had the "World Noirs" Flight, that I paired with half servings of Chickpea and Chorizo Chili and Pork Tacos.  I love their chickpea and chorizo chili; it is delicious. The Pork Tacos were moist and had a bit of spice  Both dishes were perfectly paired for these wines.  The menu may be small, but it works.

 "World of Noirs" Flight $16.00


Cristom Pinot Noir Mt. Jefferson Cuvee `08 (Not TJ's) $39.00/$30.00 ***
This was my favorite, because it was interesting.  The Vino Volo Mat says "Red Cherry and Tea".  Well, blow my socks off, it does have a subtle taste of tea.  And it smells of it too.  And it is a bright wine, almost effervescent. I am a total sucker for an interesting wine. (center in photo)

ZD Wines Cameros `07 (Not TJ's) $45.00/$33.00 ***
This is a beautiful, full smooth wine.  The tasting notes say "Raspberry and Cedar" and they are spot on. It really is gorgeous and priced as such.  This is a fantastic wine to bring as a hostess gift for a meal, or to pull out when you are cooking to impress.  It doesn't have the haughtiness of a Cabernet, but it does have a flavorful, fruity and juicy taste, with a nice grounding of cedar on the finish. I'm not giving it four stars, simply because I consider it a special purchase wine.  At that price point, there are a lot of gorgeous wines out there. (right in photo)

Gerhard Pittnauer Pinot Noir Fuchsenfeld `06 (Not TJ's) $33.00/ $29.00 ***
The Mat said "Cranberry & Earth" hmmm.  I got the cranberry notes.  Kind of tart.  Ok, really tart, and peppery.  I think that it was a disservice that I tried this wine with two that I loved.  I feel like the comparison was so diverse, that I simply had to sit back, enjoy the wine and just experience it.  Not judge it.  This wine makes me think about my whole ratings system even more.  I may just switch to "Loved it, Liked it, Hated it".  I liked this wine, it was ok.  I think that is is a wine to have with a meal, I wouldn't open a bottle to just sip. I am glad that I got to taste this Old World Pinot Noir.(left in photo)

Well, you would think that after all that wine and food, I would have had enough.  BUT, I was on vacation and I decided that I was going for the full tasting.  I ordered a flight of dessert wine and dessert.  Why not?  I was on my way to London, and it was going to be a 6 hour overnight flight to sober up on!  I would be guaranteed to sleep well.  Dessert was a portion of Cheesecake and a portion of flour-less chocolate cake.  Both were delicious, and the wines, well....  one wine blew my mind. (I'll leave that one for last)

"Just Dessert"  Flight

Casa de Santa Eufemia 10 year old Tawny Port NV (Not TJ's) $56.00/$37.00 ****
I love Tawny Port, and this one is a great one. (left in photo)  It has a distinct coffee undertone, and a date-like sweetness.  It boarders on cloying, but in moderation, this is a lovely end to a meal.  Made by Quinta de Santa Eufêmia this port is a rich, long finish library drink. I am always amazed that the same grape varietal made the Pinot Noir flight in my pairing above, also made this port.  I love versatility.

Viñedo de los Vientos Tannat Alcyone NV (Not TJ's) $39.00/$33.00 ****
This was the mind blowing, amazing experience that makes me love Vino Volo.  I tried my first wine from Uruguay.  I tried my first varietal Tannat and I had my first dessert wine that tasted like toasted marshmallows. I am a pyromaniac that will sit and burn marshmallows and eat them until I am in a diabetic coma. And since I am NOT a diabetic, just imagine me sitting with a stick, in front of a fire with glassy eyes and a perm-a-grin on my face.... To me, this wine was that campfire/marshmallow happiness in a glass (with notes of cherry and vanilla as well.). This wine was the most amazing of the meal, and I will be picking up a bottle to do a full review when I get back from London.

After my meal, I walked to my gate, boarded my plane an hour later than scheduled and then sat on the plane on the runway for three hours due to the snowstorm.  I slept on the plane and when I woke up, 

I was at Heathrow, then I took the train to Central London.  

Here it is, my beloved Paddington Station.

Laetitia Pinot Noir Estate `09 $25.00 (not TJ's) ***

Picture me on a Saturday night, bathed in subtle romantic lighting, standing at a polished mahogany bar, perusing a Country Club wine list for a very, very long time. (have you stopped laughing yet???) I can't help it, I study wine lists; looking for something familiar, something that all of us would enjoy and something that's mark up does not seem like highway robbery. It took me a while to choose and it wasn't because the list was extensive (it had maybe 40 bottles on it).

When faced with a wine list that ranged from $30.00 - $290.00 per bottle, I worked through process of elimination.  It was a cold winter night.  So red was in order. This cut out half of the wine list. We were only drinking, not eating, so "heavier" wines were cut out (goodbye Cabernet and Merlot).  It was just the three of us, and seriously, I have issues with paying a 100% mark up for wine I'm cheap, so I opted for the lower prices. I was down to just choosing from a list of six wines, and I decided to pick the Laetitia Pinot Noir Estate @ $40.00.  ($25.00 average price on the web).  The Club manager uncorked the bottle, brought it, along with three glasses to our seats and we settled in for a night of comedy in a beautiful setting (one comedienne likened the club to Hogwarts).

This is a really good wine for drinking.  It is mellow, fruity and has a great smell.  It also has a hint of vanilla, which is really yummy. Predominantly it is a light fresh cherry tasting wine with undertones (or a heaviness) of fresh plum. I didn't even have a thought about decanting it, we simply chatted and sipped as we waited for the show to start. I could imagine this as being a nice wine for h'orderves as well.

What surprised me was that this was a totally different wine than the Oregon/PNW Pinot Noirs that I have been drinking lately.  I wasn't so surprised though, when I went to the Latetia Vineyard and Winery web page. This is a wine that is perfect for the setting in which I had it.  It is a Country Club wine.  Perfectly acceptable, not offensive, polite/well mannered and tastes good.  It is like the conservative date that you want to take home to Mom & Dad, when you know that Owen Roe, that red converse with a tux, single earring wearing, creative musician with a trust fund is waiting for you after cotillion to go and hear some jazz and make a 3am run to Chinatown for some noodles.

Letitia is not just a California Vineyard and Winery, they have a great website that is good for us too; with great links to wine education (recommended reading anyone?), pairings and well, all things that we should do to be responsible wine drinking adults. There is room for philosophy in wine.  I'm just glad, all writing aside, that this was a delicious wine for a fun evening.  Well done Laetitia, you were the belle of the ball at the Club. (But I'll be waking up on Owen's futon on Sunday morning)

I need to apologize for the bad quality of the pictures in this post.  K and I were talking wine and she taunted me "C'mon, review it!" What can I say, I aim to please : )  Yes, I will write a wine review on demand, and because of this, I was THAT slightly tipsy woman on the balcony trying to snap pictures with her blackberry. They didn't come out very well, but at least you get an idea of the beautiful lighting and the Hogwarts reference. 

I'll leave you with a picture of my view from the balcony: 

A very funny ventriloquist Vince Dantona and his sidekick, George.

(IMHO, they were the hit of the night!)

Owen Roe Sharecropper's Pinot Noir `09 $24.99 (Not TJ's) ****

I was in Vermont. Waitsfield.  Just down the street from the von Trapp Farm.  Yes, those von Trapp's. But my hills were alive with the sounds of skiing, sledding, beer bottles opening and laughter. It was a great weekend.  On our way home from the mountain on Saturday, I was doing a lot of thinking about what wine to get for nibbles before we went out to dinner.

We stopped at the local supermarket/state liquor store Mehuron's and shopped.  I got lost in the wine section.  Not because of the size, but because I was perplexed.  None of the local Vermont wines called out to me.  (They looked a bit scary, and I wasn't feeling daring enough.  I WISH I had taken a picture of the shopping cart filled with lonely one off "Discount" bottles.)  For what seemed like ages, I wandered.  Then I looked at a display and it seemed as though I just bumped into an old friend.  Owen Roe had mysteriously popped into my life again - it was like he was hiding behind a pillar and tapped me on the shoulder. We still don't know where the bottle of Owen Roe Cabernet Sauvignon came from when we found it on the counter at home last week, but it was good.  So, I snapped this pic and grabbed a bottle of their Pinot Noir to try.


Owen Roe Sharecropper's Pinot Noir `09 is a very, very good wine.  It is a gorgeous wine that has a deep flavor (tasting notes say cherry cola, and I agree with them).  It paired really well with Cabot extra sharp cheddar and wheat thins.  Not so great with the granny smith apple that was left over from breakfast at Sugarbush, but PERFECT with nibbles of dark chocolate.  I think that there were subtle tastes of coffee as well, but it got confusing after my second glass. It  I didn't have the chance to aerate it.  (bad packing for this trip, I forgot my phone charger, an iPod cable for the car AND an aerator - oh, and shoes....)

On the whole, this is a bold, flavorful yet smooth wine (14% ETOH), with a deep dry/candied cherry taste (hence the cherry cola comment).  It was a perfect stand alone sipping wine with cheese and wheat thins and we liked it. Owen Roe, you have a fan. This Pinot was a vacation splurge that was worth the $24.99.

Here is the view from my weekend.
I found myself just staring out the window each morning. 

AtoZ Oregon Pinot Noir `07 $19.99 (not TJ's) **

I was on a Pinot Noir roll and I heard about a local tasting - I piled my non participating accomplice into the Mini, bribed with the promise of  bakery goods from next door and we were on our way!  The upshot is,  I loved what I was tasting (Argyle Pinot Noir and Flowers Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir), but I balked at paying over  $42.00 for a bottle of Pinot, so we went to the "Pinot Wall" at Greenvale Grapes and my accomplice and I picked a wine by label and price. I finally decided on the AtoZ Pinot Noir because it is from Oregon, and I think that Oregon is beautiful (I haven't had enough of their wine to have any real opinion on their wine making).

Saturday's  supper was a simple sausage and cream sauce pasta with pumpkin ravioli and spaghetti squash.  For this menu, the pinot was a lightweight fighter in a heavyweight ring.  It didn't have the power to hold up to the rich meal, as a matter of fact, it tasted like a watered down blackberry/current wine. It was just too delicate and although it had a strong tannin finish, I didn't taste anything but weak berry flavors. I was not happy.  Running it through the vinturi did nothing to it.

Since the combined wisdom in choosing the wine was: Varietal, label, price and a romantic attachment to the provenance - I knew it was a risk.  Although, since I bought it at my first time at Greenvale Grapes (and NOT my last, they're next between my bank's ATM  and my favorite pastry shop Leonetti's) it was auspicious! They sold me a bottle of malbec as a buy one get one for .99cents. I can't wait to review my .99 cent Argentinian wine!

Sunday Lunch

The next day, when we were experimenting with leftovers for lunch, I decided it would only be fair to give this wine another shot. MEH was lamenting the current "mini" trend in Hors d'œuvres (mini cheeseburgers, mini grilled cheese and tomato soup in a shot glass etc...), and I had a flash of inspiration, why not bake some ham, cheese and wheat thins and play with flavor profiles while we wait for the leftovers to heat in the over?  Seemed like a fun win/win, and I would try the wine with a sweet/savory food rather than a rich creamy one.It worked, the Pinot is acceptable with small nibbles.  But is it worth $19.99 - No.  For that, it gets two stars.

I'm not on a Pinot Noir high anymore; although I am mulling the thought of drinking just one varietal for a week (after Christmas, when it is just me, the dog & the cat) and then my taste testing chops may be developed - or, maybe not.  For sure I'll be posting.  Maybe I'll do Pinot Noir, maybe I'll do Gewurztraminer... hmm, I'll have to mull this one over... mmmm mulled wine.... (That was my inner Homer Simpson coming through), it should be an adventure no matter what varietal I choose and you'll be the first one to hear about it (the dog is deaf).

Babich Marlborough Pinot Noir `09 $18.99 (not TJ's) ***

Liked it.  Liked it the first time I sipped it.  Liked it so much that I went old school blogging and took a picture with my Blackberry and thought, "I need to write about this wine!"

Medium weight, dry cherry with a savory hint of mushroom.  (I know, how in the world can a wine taste like mushrooms??? Well, I tells you, this one does!)  What a great combination of fruity, savory, and not too heavy even when grounded with a taste of earthiness (that elusive mushroom flavor).  I did have a chuckle when I read the label "made from Pinot Noir Clone", I'll admit it, when I read "clone", my mind went Star Wars but the truth is, New Zealand is fertile ground for developing new strains of grapes that produce good wine. I say grow those clones and produce more bottles like this one.  New Zealand is becoming a "New World" order for wines from around the globe.  It isn't just for hobbits anymore... or sheep, or beautiful mountains, or the gateway to Antarctica, or some great sailing, or some extreme sports (the list goes on...). New Zealand is a hidden gem, and producing wine like this just adds one more facet to the diamond.

The Vinturi did not affect this wine - don't bother aerating, just unscrew the cap and enjoy!  We had it with grilled steak and mushrooms in a cream sauce with  pasta. Now to try some of The Babich family's other wines by winemaker Adam Hazeldine!

Friday for lunch, there was one glass left in the bottle.  It was still multifaceted and very easy to drink, maybe it had broken down a little and seemed a bit more alcoholic but you should never save just one glass in a bottle.  We split yummie Meatball Parmesan and Eggplant Parmesan sandwiches from Razzanos  (2009 review here), I just savored the glass and was happy.