I so often do single bottle reviews, but readers should know that I often eat as well too! Usually I do the review first, then, later, I finish off with a meal. My husband Eddie had been out of town and I wanted to make him a really good, hearty, beef stew his first day…
Getting caught up on unsolicited (wines sent that I didn’t expect) and solicited (new friends that have the gift – of wine) produced this hodgepodge of tasting notes: Hawk and Horse http://www.hawkandhorsevineyards.com 2007 Red Hills Lake County Cabernet Sauvignon 14.1% alcohol The color was a clear, beautiful ruby with slight tawny edge in one ounce…
As it’s the Friday before a long weekend, I give you two wines from Napa Valley’s Patland Estate Vineyards to consider drinking if you’re housebound or bound to parts unknown: 08 Proprietary Red Wine Terra Del Cuore 14.8% alcohol Bottle No. 1008 of 1560 Napa Valley Color – Opaque, purple, deep ruby edge. Aroma –Mint,…
Back in the day, when my column was called “Eve of Destruction” it would have made sense that I made fun of something (guess which then-local politician) and then had to answer for it (when said politician called me up and asked me to lunch). Fast forward to my current glorious job as a wine…
As I was getting ready to leave the Circle of Hope’s Vine 2 Wine CLASSIC last month, there was a rumor swelling…all opened bottles had to be finished, poured out, or stored properly in the trunks of cars to enjoy at home. I made a beeline for the Library Wine tables first, and there was…
In reviewing two bottles of Napa Valley wine, from the same winemaker but two different varietals, I expected to find no similarities. But, in looking over my tasting notes for today’s column, I found one: Both wines developed, ripened, blossomed and smoothed out after ten minutes in my glass. I found myself returning to my…
Hate to admit it, but we are all probably guilty of this at one time: I haven’t tasted or visited Rombauer Vineyards in a few years. Just like when you check out the constant barrage of new restaurants and forget about your old favorites. So I was very pleased to be reminded of this long-running…
EPOCH ESTATE WINES It’s been over five years since we first tasted Epoch Estate Wines in Paso Robles. At the time, they were still making their wines over at Denner with Justin Smith as consulting winemaker. Current winemaker Jordan Fiorentini had just come on board. A lot has changed. Winemaking has moved to the Epoch…
“If you’re not living on the edge, you’re taking up too much room.” Ted Plemons, CASS winery partner. Guests at a recent CASS wine pairing dinner were treated to more than one Ted-Ism, as Ted Plemons wife, Lisa, calls her husband’s affable speech, on a warm night on Salt Creek Grille’s patio. But first, SCG…
There was more than one Goddess braving the SCV cold in nothing but a toga and a ceremonial grapevine headdress on one recent Friday night. Me, as the temporary Goddess for Circle of Hope’s Vine 2 Wine event in June, and the Goddess of Wine, a fellow-wine blogger, wine educator, WSET Level Two Certified, lucky-for-me-she-lives-in-Burbank-and-can’t-take-my-peeps-home-with-her,…