Ten Year Challenge…With Wine and Spirits

February 4, 2022 by evebushman

My husband Eddie has painstakingly categorized our photos by year on our cell phones, so I recently looked at photos from ten years ago to see if any were worth posting alongside a photo taken recently, for the latest #10YearChallenge on social media. As you can guess, most of my photos back then were of wine, so I thought I would take a look back at what I was drinking then.

(I also searched my name, 2011 and photos on Facebook to add to my wine blast from the past.) This is what I wanted to share:

Contributing Editor Michael Perlis, Eve and then contributor Rusty Sly at All Corked Up in 2011.

From Napa

Meeting with winemaker Gerard Zanzonico in the stunning caves at Del Dotto for maybe the first time, wine tasting at 10 am in the private room for club members at Mondavi, having a seated tasting on an expansive patio with incredible views at Joseph Phelps, an underground tour and tasting in the caves at Schramsberg, meeting with the most gracious host/owner Suzanne Phifer Pavitt at Phifer Pavitt, an evening tasting at the downtown Napa PureCru tasting bar with winemaker Mitch Consentino.

From Paso

Blending wine at TH Estate with winemaker and owner Terry Hoage, visiting Cass for the first time, a mind-blowing multi-course Earth Day dinner at Justin, visiting with the now shuttered Edward Sellers, winery tour and tasting with Lawrence Lohr of J Lohr, discovering that Whalebone really does have whale bones around the property and Calcareous has calcareous rock in their vineyards, time spent with the one and only Gary Eberle, tasting wines, spirits and having dinner at Opolo, seeing Sculpterra for the first time, the dry farming at Minassian Young, Niner when it first opened, the first concrete eggs were at Villa Creek, meeting and tasting incredible wines with Janell Dusi at J Dusi, tasting Nuggucciet Cellars made by a local newspaper man and Mystic Hills Vineyard lovingly owned by local friends.

Jamaica

Though not known for wine we were well taken care of on a trip to Jamaica ten years ago with French Champagne, Appleton rum blended drinks and icy cold Red Stripe Beer.

Events
The annual Union des Grand Crus de Bordeaux tasting is always not only huge but amazing, and since I love Rhone wines the Rhone Rangers can’t be missed, local have Vine 2 Wine with lots of local support, Garagiste Festival offered drinkers events in LA as well as Paso, Pinot Days up in the Skirball Center, Paso’s Earth Day Food and Wine fest was new, and long-time favorite LA Wine Fest with Yoshi Murakami doing sake classes and Chris Uhde teaching about scotch.

Special Dining

Fontanafredda Barolo at Spago Beverly Hills with fellow wine writers, Martinis at Blue Mermaid Chowder House and Bar in San Francisco on vacation, wine and cheese at Wine 661 for locals, A Taste of Monterey Wine Tasting when I visited Eddie there for Naval Postgraduate School, Iron Horse sparkling that came complements of Bourbon Steak in San Francisco for our wedding anniversary dinner.

Places that no longer exist today

Wine bar/restaurant/wine storage facility – and even live music – at All Corked Up as loved by many, the two brothers that opened Artisan Paso Robles that was a favorite for locals and visitors alike, Chef Daniel Otto was first discovered at the Oaks Grille at TPC, Chef Jason Park at Maru Sushi when it was local on Town Center Drive and many times over drinking wine at Valencia Wine Company with owner Guy Lelarge and also attending all of the wine dinners and events he organized at local restaurants.

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video (over 16k views), authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.

UGCB confirms the strong performance of the Bordeaux Grands Crus

November 10, 2021 by evebushman

The 2021 vintage, which tested winegrowers’ nerves until the very end…

The harvest began with the white wines in early September, followed by the reds from the end of the month until mid-October. It signalled the end of a year marked by weather conditions that compelled winegrowers to go the extra mile. After an early start, the 2021 growing season was affected by frost in spring, leading to losses in highly localized areas. While initially slow to emerge, the summer eventually set in, with sunshine and a fairly dry month of August. As a result, the 2021 harvest began later than expected, and yields are lower compared to previous years. The unusual weather also accounts for the distinctive nuances of this vintage. This year’s grapes are remarkably sweet and well-balanced, conducive to producing elegant and harmonious wines. In the coming weeks, they will be transferred to the cellar to age for several months.

… to be presented “En Primeur” in April 2022

As the historic organiser, the Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux has confirmed that the next “En Primeur” tastings, bringing industry professionals from around the world, will take place from 25 to 28 April 2022. Health regulations permitting, this international event will be held in the iconic backdrop of Bordeaux. The aim for the UGCB is to continue to support industry activities and maintain longstanding ties between producers and professionals. The one-off format adopted for the previous two years to allow the “En Primeur” tastings to go ahead in the best possible conditions stands as a testimony to this.

The Bordeaux Grands Crus have confirmed their strong performance in France and abroad

The Bordeaux Grands Crus are still winning over fans. Sales have seen strong growth in the past year, both in France and all over the world. Exports of Bordeaux wines sold at over €22.50/bottle have exceeded 1.3 billion euros in the past 12 months. According to Ronan Laborde, President of the UGCB, several factors explain this growth. Firstly, the outstanding quality and style of Bordeaux wines, which appeal to enthusiasts. Secondly, the industry’s unique commercial approach, which has helped drive the market despite the restrictions in place

My Fave Wines From 2020: The Year When Drinking Wine Became Everyone’s Favorite Pastime

February 12, 2021 by evebushman

Lots pop into our heads when we think of 2020, and of course we aren’t out of the woods yet, or even close, so far for 2021. For me it was a windfall of wines sent for review, often accompanied by a Zoom tasting led by the winemaker. I (virtually) traveled to Germany, Spain, Argentina, France, Italy and more in those meetings and via my own cellar. And before Covid shut things down I did have quick trips to Los Olivos, Paso Robles and the Lompoc Wine Ghetto. Below is a collection of some of my favorite wines from 2020. If any of this sounds good to you, go find these wines!

It turns out that I had about 50 wine tastings, if not more, in 2020. These shout-outs are from EveWine101 website articles: the 2020 Gambero Rosso Master Class, 2017 Bordeaux presented by the Union des Grand Crus, Vega Sicilia collectors dinner with Pablo Alvarez, Fontanafredda Barolo, wine from New Zealand’s Waipapa Bay, Folded Hills Winery with winemaker Angela Osborne, California Wine STARS 2020, LA County Wines (Byron Blatty, Acri Wine Company, Angeleno Wine Company and Cavaletti Vineyards), Zoom tasting with Suzanne Phifer Pavitt and their 2012 Date Night Cabernet, Camins 2 Dreams, Gary Farrell single vineyard Pinots with winemaker Theresa Heredia, revisiting Montemar, catching up with winemaker Mark Cargasacchi and Jalama wines, also visiting Ampelos and Zotovich in Lompoc, Switchback Ridge via the Grand Reserves Reward Master Card, tasting from family-owned wineries with Dr. Laura Catena, Anne Trimbach, Laure Colombo and Alessia Collauto Travaglini, great wines that stole my palate but not my wallet from Guarachi Wine Partners, reviewing DAOU’s Soul of a Lion, Tenuta Montemagno sparkling Barbera, Castello di Fonterutoli with Giovanni Mazzei, Paul Kornell Sparkling…

In SCV Elite Magazine this year I got to write about wine tasting in Paso Robles just before the shutdown. Had exceptional experiences at Thacher Winery, Tablas Creek Vineyard, Derby Wine Estates, Steinbeck Wines, Cass Wines, Eberle Winery, Oso Libre Winery, HammerSky vineyards and the Allegretto Vineyard Resort.

January started out great with my first, and last, visit and dinner at Marstons with my VP/BFF Michael Perlis, our wonderful spouses, all over lots of wine ($10 corkage!) including 2013 Audacious Grenache/Syrah/Cab blend by Law Estate, 2013 Comstock Rockpile/Sonoma County Zinfandel, 2009 Regusci Zinfandel Napa Valley…

At Wine 661: Lucas And Lewellen tasting where we sampled five of their Santa Barbara County wines, including a Rose of Pinot and a Bordeaux blend. Had a couple of wines off of the Happy Hour menu. This was not the last time I went to Wine 661 in 2020…

Now some single bottle shout outs:

Vinos Zanzonico 2017 Syrah Reserva: 100% Syrah, 13.5% alcohol, from the Valle de la Grulla area of Baja. With a regal dark purple color, I was drawn in to fantastic aromas of sweet black cherry, plum, tri-color peppercorns, layers of rich bark, milk chocolate…all very welcoming. I went in for a taste and was rewarded with a very rich and layered mouthfeel, with dark and dry blue to black fruit, grilled mushrooms, peppery spicy goodness and tannins that held my back palate at attention for a length that just would…not…quit. 99 Eve points.

2014 Old Vine Zichichi Family Vineyard Zinfandel from the Dry Creek Valley: The 14.8% alcohol didn’t translate at all to a hot wine on the palate, instead it delivered incredible substance. It started with a nose full of sweet dark plums, pipe tobacco, black licorice, toasted oak, black pepper and popcorn kernel. Going in for a taste my mouth was filled with delicious dried blueberry and blackberry, that same black pepper, tannins that held firm, and a great balance of the dark fruit and tannins to keep it lingering a long time on the palate. This was a new Zin discovery for me, will definitely be looking for it again!

Entourage by Two Papas Wine barrel fermented (1) and stainless steel (2) 2019 Chardonnay, Thompson Vineyard, Santa Barbara County: 1. Barrel: Designated by a gold wax top (the stainless has a silver wax top) I was amazed that this was a young 2019 vintage! It had lovely notes of creamy butter, pineapple, golden delicious apple and popcorn kernel that morphed into caramel apple on the palate, mild acidity, with a long, balanced and lush finish. 2. No barrel: Our stainless sibling gave off nicely scented whiffs of Meyer lemon, both cantaloupe and honeydew melon, and a little unsalted butter. When I tasted the wine I got homemade fruit cocktail, wet pebbles, low acidity and a medium finish.

2018 Kindred Rose of Pinot Noir: The color of rose gold, complete with sparkles! Then on the nose I found pink grapefruit, lemon pith, French Toast, Creme Brûlée, and Mandarin orange = all very inviting! In for a taste next, there is a very round mouthfeel, and the same citrus fruits I found on the nose – grapefruit, lemon and orange – with a medium acidity. Enjoy now, with or without food IMO!

2015 Phifer Pavitt XRoads Cabernet Sauvignon: Crushed dark cherry, wet forest floor, grilled steak and mushrooms, dark chocolate, black licorice, pipe tobacco, toasted oak, a hint of sweet cream and more all on the nose. Flavors included that same black cherry as well as blackberry, blueberry, a gamut of spices, velvety and firm drying tannins that of course require that you go back in for another sip…and another.

2012 Regusci Patriarch Proprietary Red: aroma: dark berries, dried leaves, figs, toasted oak and a bit o’ mint. Some of the same aromas in the flavors with the addition of dark chocolate.

2001 Giacomo Conterno Cascina Francia, a Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont…I looked for the roses, tar, licorice and red berries (notes from a professional critic) and also found tart berries, spice and tannins after decanting for 7 hours. So interesting.

Have you tried Guentota, aka the “Soul of Cuyo”, a “100-YR-OLD-VINE PREMIUM 2016 MALBEC” from Mendoza, Argentina? It’s from Belasco De Baqueano and was awarded 91 points from James Suckling. And I was far too busy lapping it up to make any tasting notes. But find it at Newhall Press Room. (Truth be told I had a LOT of wine from Newhall Press in 2020!)

2002 Joseph Phelps Insignia, I have no notes as I was also too busy drinking to take any. A stellar wine as it’s been proven vintage after vintage.

1999 Bartolo Mascarello Barolo: The nose and taste had really changed and mellowed over the 7 hours, with aromas of dried dark fruit, grilled mushroom, balsamic, dust and oak; on the palate I got both bright and dark fruit in a very fine balance.

From my local Pulchella Winery we had: Suspect sparkling wine, 2019 Latitude Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier blend, 2017 Mercenary Zinfandel blend, 2018 Witness Grenache…among others!

A note on Los Olivos: this was a non-press trip so no notes were taken. With that in mind we loved: Barbieri and Kempe are “Boutique wines made by Master Sommelier Paolo Barbieri” along with his wife Erin Kempe = bought a case! The second, Bella Cavailli Farms and Vineyard, produces some amazing wines against a backdrop of a working horse ranch, as well as some fun distilled spirits from Dorwood Distillery. Jeff Lockwood is the winemaker and his brother Jay the head distiller. We left there with both wine and spirts to enjoy at home.

A note from Wine on the Porch: During the summer months we enjoyed Hanzell Chardonnay, Saintsbury Chardonnay, Parhelion Cellars Light Pillar Chardonnay, St Supery Virtu Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc blend, Pagter Brothers 2018 Viognier, and from Hoi Polloi I snatched up their 2018 Rose of Grenache and Double-Gold Best-Of-Class 2018 Chardonnay!

A note about spirits: Yea, I wrote a lot about spirits this year too, stay tuned for a roundup of those next!

Eve Reviews: Union des Grands Crus 2017 Bordeaux Vintage

January 31, 2020 by evebushman

Once again the Union des Grands Crus came to LA for their annual event, a tasting of their newest wines from the Bordeaux region of France. This time it was to present the 2017 vintage. The press and trade come in the afternoon, and then the wine reps do it all over again for the public in the evening. The event was held at Sofitel LA, in the dining room, patio and bar. It was a different set up, and not all of the members of the UGC were there (we were told that there was another UGC event that day in a different state) but with at least 100 Château present, it was more than enough to taste and get a feel for the new wines.

For this article I will share my own general “takeaway” from the event, the tastes I enjoyed the most and a link to my photos.
https://www.parkviewortho.com/wp-content/languages/new/premarin.html

A note about this year’s photos: People have asked me what my trick is for remembering what wines I’ve liked over the years. In the past I would remember a label, however not always because I liked the wine, the label would stick in my memory. So I got in the habit of trying to take photos of the wines I like. For this tasting I did that, and for the wines that really stood out, I tried to get a photo of the wine with the rep.

2017 Takeaway

Between our own palates (my husband Eddie has attended with me for many years and knows what to look for in these young wines) we found that we liked most of the classic Château the best, the names of which most Bordeaux lovers know. We often bought futures of the red Bordeaux, sometimes buying a few new discoveries, and often it has been the classics that always fared the best. Maybe that’s why they’re so good year after year for so many people and remain classics. One last note, maybe it’s me but I can’t seem to find a Sauterne that I don’t like, especially after a long day of tasting red Bordeaux wines.

Wines We Liked

Château Talbot, Château Carbonneau, Château Clinet, Château Rauzan Gassies, Château Phélan Ségur, Château Lagrange, Château Gloria, Château Canon, Château La Couspaude St Emilion, Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey – 1er Grand Cru Classé en 1855, Château Clos Haut-Peyraguey, Château Doisy Daene, Château les Carmes Haut-Brion, Château Latour-Martillac, Château Domaine de Chevalier, Château La Tour Carnet, Château Ferrière, Château Giscours, Château Malescot.

What Stood Out

Château Leoville Poyferre, Smith Haut Lafitte, Château Lynch Bages, Château La Gaffelière, Château Beau-Sejour Becot, Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, Château Guiraud, Château Suduiraut, Château Duhart-Milon, Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse De Lalande,Château Rauzan Segla, Château Croizet Bages, Château Marquis De Terme.

Tasting 2016 Bordeaux via Union Des Grands Cru Bordeaux 2019 Tour

February 8, 2019 by evebushman

This is one of several years we’ve covered the Union Des Grands Cru (UGC) Bordeaux tasting. This year we were trying the latest 2016 releases at the Jeremy Hotel in West Hollywood, surrounded by many old friends – from the wineries and wine pals – in attendence. I covered as much ground as I could in the two hours I had (traffic and parking were not on my side, though we were given three hours for the press and distributor portion of event) most of which can be seen in these four photo grids.

There were two rooms for the tasting, and as I mentioned we were late, the first larger room was pretty crowded so we headed to the second smaller room behind it. There we found the usual long row of tables of sauternes – our dessert for last that we would return to – as well as wines from other appellations: Pauillac, Saint – Estephe and Saint – Julien if I remember correctly. The larger room held the remaining Bordeaux appellations.

The entire list of the wines that were expected to be sampled is below. The Chateaus that stood out for my palate, and in no particuclar order, included Brainaire – Ducru, Talbot, Clerc Melon, Lynch – Bages, De Pez, Grand Mayne, Cap de Mourlin, Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, Villemaurine, Canon – La – Gaffeliere, Leoville Poyferre, Rauzan Gassies, Coufran, Franc Mayne, d’Armailhac, Phelan Segur, La Dour Figeac, Pavie MacQuin, La Couspaude, Balestard La Tonnelle, Smith Haut Lafitte, La Louviere, Giscours, Clinet, Gazin, Fonreaud, Suduiraut, Lafaurie – Peyraguey, Guiraud and de Fargues.

Note: When I got to the Saint – Emilion tables I was quite pleased with about 90% of the wines I tried, and many had a nice little sweetness to them. One gentleman, Julien Barth of Chateau Beau Sejour Becot, was quite earnest in how “serious” he felt the appellation was that I filmed him sharing his opinion – for about 30 seconds.

Of the pals I met up with, many were completely immersed in the tasting. There was not a consensus about this particular vintage year that I heard, and as I’ve stated in past coverage of this event, there is no way I would say all was good or all was bad – my palate, such that it is, always seeks out – and always finds – outstanding wines. If a Chateau that you normally like isn’t on my list it doesn’t mean I didn’t care for it, it could just mean that I didn’t have the time to taste everything that was available. And one last word to the winery reps and family that come to pour in this tour: we appreciate you traveling to so many of our U.S. cities to share your latest vintages year in and year out. Looking forward to seeing you all again in 2020, and enjoying these 2016s wherever I can find them.

MEMBERS OF THE UNION DES GRANDS CRUS DE BORDEAUX