2011Garnacha Buscado

The day is winding down, I'm in the garden listening to fountain and chickens as they wander around their enclosure getting that last bit of food before settling in for the night. Today was Easter! We had a great day by setting up camp at the beach. A top of the line picnic with crackers and homemade spreads of eggplant and red roasted peppers, and a white bean and artichoke humus as well as onion dip and potato chips, and deviled eggs as the starters.  Then on nice spring time designed china, we had ou lunch of fresh vegetable quiche and the famous 12 layer salad. Of course a dessert of fresh strawbery shortcake topped with fresh whipping cream!

One we got home, unloaded the car and put things away, I decided to try a wine from Spain, 2011 Garnacha Buscado. When I was wondering through the store with my coupon in hand,on Saturday, I read the various reviews and this one scored a 93! A fricken 93 for a wine that retails for $9.95. I had to snap it up! I even buried it in my cart hoping no one else would see this unknown gem.


So it said to chill it to 59 degrees by putting it in the fridge for about 15 minutes. So the perfect to jump in the shower then try a nice glass of vino. So as I pour the wine into the glass the color is vivid with a deep purple and then the hints of garnet. Really, really lovely. The taste is amazing! The overtones of blackberry and black cherry is so refreshing, it really says "Summer". The finish is crisp and this vino has some serious "legs". After an official taste from the head chef here at 336, I was advised to go directly back and pick up at least 6 more bottles!


Now, this is perfect to combine for any casual dinner. I just learned that ours will be a light one. A tossed green salad and spanakopita and some baked fried green tomatoes! Can't wait I think this will the perfect combo!

So pick up a  few bottles, once I have picked up mine!  As I mentioned this wine is only $9.95 a bottle and MADE THE PIG JUMP OVER THE MOON!

2009 Cambria Pinot Noir - Julia's Vineyard

Saturday night and just finished dinner. A wonderful homemade chicken barbeque pizza with a smoked buffalo mozzarella and fresh cilantro from the garden, all on a great pita. Now, here you have to have some salad as well, and a wonderful green salad with parmesan shavings capped the meal. So tasty and healthy too. The day was a busy one, first, I was asked to some "retail time" this morning by the general manager so, in order to keep my discount, which comes in so handy for trying these different vinos, I went and spread some sunshine and sold the heck out of various wines and a cadre of Easter treasures to all our customers! 

Out by noon, I then hurried home to finish a couple of projects I had on the list. Now the weather was perfect for painting. One project was the repainting of the front and side gates, so that's what I did. Which reminds me of a story: While I wish I could paint wonderful landscapes, even though I have taken a watercolor classes, for some reason, my work seems to take on a very "abstract" look. Which really is quite funny. One year while on vacation in Yosemite, with the full on artist set up, I painted the landscape, the beautiful purple hued mountains, the crisp green pine trees and natural grasses that swayed in the wind...my painting looked so Picasso that it was comical! As a couple strolled by and commented how "lovely" my painting was! The same way that your mom gave you that confidence boost when you brought home your school artwork and placed it on the refrigerator. I thanked them, and put it on the fridge when we returned!

I chose the 2009 Cambria Pinot Noir - Julia's Vineyard that I had on the rack. I thought that the combo of this vino and the chicken and barbeque would be a great pairing, and it most certainly was!
Opening the bottle and pouring it into the glass velvety purple and ruby color
just looked so perfect. The aroma of red and black cherry, plum, rose petal, brown spice, earthy/mineral, toast and toffee. The taste is exactly the taste mirrors the aromas. The black cherry, plum, raspberry and spice plays with your tongue and has a wonderful crisp finish that leaves you wanting that next taste!

Here are some review of this vino:

92 points Wine Enthusiast
*Editors' Choice* Another lovely Julia's Pinot from Cambria, at a fair price. With its light tannins and transparency, it’s definitely Pinot Noir, and the acidity testifies to a cool climate. You might even pick out the Santa Maria Valley from the crushed Indian spices. Subtle but intriguing cherry, cola and plum flavors round out the picture. Drink now-2015.                                                                                         
90 points Wine & Spirits
A rich pinot with warm black cherry flavor, this is dark, chewy and broad. The tannins have a touch of smoky bitterness, needing a steak to bring them into line.


So don't walk, run to pick up a few bottles, I know I am! This wine retails for about $19.99 and certainly tastes like a heck of lot more.


This vino definitely made THE PIG JUMP OVER THE MOON!                                                                                
               

2011 Plungerhead Dry Creek Valley Old Vine Zinfandel

Wonderful Sunday. It was a beautiful day weather wise here. We drove the convertible up  to Los Angeles to get some sun and enjoy the weather.  Once we exited the freeway and drove down Melrose we saw a sight that will live us forever. Picture this, at the stop light we glance to the right and there is a woman, holding her 40 ounce beer neatly packaged in a brown paper bag, and she is dancing. Probably in her 30's or 40's dressed in a fleece pull over and jeans  she has no headphones or music, but totally rocking out! What made it even better, she was pole dancing using the bus stop sign as her pole! We watched her performance as we waited for the light to change, and looked over to see another man, a bit disheveled with his own 40 ounce in a brown bag sitting on the bus bench watching her performance as well! As the lighted changed to green and we proceeded down Melrose we saw an upcoming patrol car. We wondered if the dance session would be ended abruptly or if he would just continue down the street. Welcome to Hollywood!

So we went to Los Angeles to a truly great exhibition. The Diane Von Furstenberg Journey of a Dress was AMAZING!  The neon sign over the entrance to the event read " Feel like a woman, wear a dress!". The original ad ran in 1972 with Diane Von Furstenberg sitting on a white cube, with that very saying written and signed by her. Spectacular! As you enter room, the white mannequins all proudly have various dresses and pant suits that are unmistakably "The Wrap Dress". Colors, animal prints, geometric interlocking designs, all that makes your senses come alive and makes you smile because they are one thing, timeless. Her story is amazing and the dress changed women and the spirit of women.

When we got back, the kitchen was immediately busy.  A trip earlier in the week brought some short ribs back from the Beef Palace and they are sure smelling great! My understanding is that the dinner tonight will be short ribs, egg noodles sour cream with vegetables and arugula salad.  Really the dinner to cap a great day!

I decided to open the 2011 Plungerhead Dry Creek Valley Old Vine Zinfandel. Now I have raved about the TOG wines for a long time and this one too is a winner. The color is  very dark deep purple, and the aroma is blueberry and fig. Some pepper for sure and spice.  From the first taste you can taste dried cherry, dark chocolate, black raspberry, vanilla, and a hint of mocha. The finish continues to dip into the dark blackberry and cinnamon.

This vino checks in at about $15.00 a bottle and you won't be disappointed. Looking forward to pairing it tonight with dinner as I'm sure it will be just perfect.

This wine made the PIG JUMP OVER THE MOON.

ATTENTION ATTENTION I HAVE A WINE ALERT!!!

The other day I had a message on my phone and I had to share it with all of reading the blog. When I retrieved the message it was my friend Bill.


Now Bill and I worked together years ago and have kept in touch over the years. Being from Chicago we can call or leave messages with each other about missing those certain food items that we both grew up with. At any rate, Bill left this message, "Mr., Miller, attention, this is a wine alert, this is a wine alert!"  He then gave the name of the wine and I of course went and picked up a few bottles to try for myself. So stay tuned for that review. I saved the message and and replay it and it makes me smile.  Thanks Bill!