I remember the day I came home from Georgetown University. I was so proud of my MA Degree and wanted to share my joy with my grandparents. When I pulled up to the horseshoe drive, I was greeted by my grandfather who had been working on his roses. After the customary pleasantries, Gramps asked me…
A wise man once said that before one can understand anything properly, one has to learn how to love it. For me, this holds true with both wine and women. It seems that the bulk of my time is spent with the pleasurable task of trying to understand the qualities and complexities of wine and…
Pinot Days 2013, as with Pinot Days of previous years, was a huge success. It never ceases to amaze me how many vintners, both small and large, attend this event to pour their creations for those who come to taste these wines. The wineries that are present at Pinot Days range from very small boutique…
My husband Eddie and I recently spent the night at the beautiful Holman Ranch in Carmel Valley. The expansive ranch was established in 1928 and was a fave destination for movie stars like Clark Gable and Joan Crawford. The grounds include a stone hacienda, private lodgings, game room, carriage house, conference room, chapel, patios, courtyard,…
I slammed shut my volume of Encyclopedia Americana and muttered to myself, “This makes absolutely no sense!” I had just returned home from seeing the latest Bond thriller. 007 was drinking a dark red wine which he referred to as a “Claret.” However, according to my research, a Clairette is a white Rhone varietal. Being…
I’m challenging myself this week to learn more about Kosher wines, recommend a few non-kosher wines and basically soak your holidays up through New Years, whether you’re lighting Menorah candles or Christmas trees. I’ve had the Kosher Manischewitz wine at a couple of Bris ceremonies: Fruit juice that a newborn boy could happily suckle off…
Aromas and tasting notes separated by “;” Robert Mondavi To Kalon Tasting Room All Cabernet Sauvignon Reserves Aromas are listed first, followed by “;” then are my tasting notes. 2005 Pluot, toast, black cherry, mint, slight leafy vegetable, fig, earth; silky yet tannic, earthy, pepper, same cherry carries through from the nose to the…
Quintessa (All blends using Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Carmenere) 2010 Both aromas and flavors of spiced-up blueberries, freshly cracked green peppercorns, rich Swiss dark chocolate and firm tannins. 2009 Woods after the rain, blackest of blackberries, sautéed mushrooms, black licorice, fresh anise and balanced tannins. 2008 This had…
It’s been awhile since I’ve done one of my one-bottle posts, so today I wrote my title using a little Français for fun, and, because I had tasted a French Bordeaux! See below for my observations on this wine’s Color, Aroma, Taste, Conclusion and Notes. I also tried the same wine with my dinner to…
Wines to be reviewed are stacking up at Chez Bushman and you know what that means? The pressure to drink is overwhelming! Now, I didn’t do these three all on the same night but I did get through them and made ample notes to prove it: Red Lava Vineyards 2005 Syrah 14.5% alcohol 100% Red…