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!

2011 Zolo Gaucho Select Torrontes

Tonight I am having a glass of the 2011 Zolo Gaucho Select Torrontes after a truly wonderful day. We went up to the Huntington Garden and Library today on a truly spectacular Sunday. The weather was partly cloudy, however by mid afternoon, the sunshine was out in full force with a slight breeze.


So as I sit here writing the chef is immersed in dinner. Tonight some homemade Persian food of chicken kabob, ground chicken on skewers, There is a countertop of the various parts of the meal that will be part of the dinner, Persian cucumbers, Feta cheese, onions, tomatoes, and the famous addictive bread!  Can't wait to get into all that!


In the mean time just a quick reflection on the day. As we left the gardens late this afternoon, I perched myself outside the gift shop while the other half decided to peruse the inside. I strategically sat as watched the promenade of people that were both leaving and those arriving. Just a parade of fashion, epecially watching some of the women. All done up with heels! God Bless them, just strutting down the runway. Mostly clinging onto the arm of a friend, boyfriend or husband. 


I would say the people watching there is pretty high up on the list of "best places"!  Great mix of people and just watching and listening was better than TV!  Here is one story I'll share.  A man in late 70's or early 80's is guided over by his daughter. She says "I think we need to get you out of the sun, you've been in it most of the day!" He smiles as she guides him over, and she directs him to the shady spot under the umbrella on the wooden bench, he sits down with a slight groan, smiles and moves back to get comfortable. The daughter says she is going into the gift shop to look around and to get Chloe, who is related some how, probably the granddaughter.  As she leaves and turns back to give him the look of "I'll only be gone a minute", he smiles, and as he watches her enter the shop and disappear into the store, he slides over to the sunny side of the bench, smiles, closes his eyes and enjoys the March sunshine on his face, with a look of complacency and knowing he should be on the shady side of the bench, however, is willing to risk getting caught and listening to a lecture on the dangers of the sun.


So as I drink the wine and recount the day, I can taste the citrus and flowers. It has a great crisp finish and I know not only with this be a great vino with the meal, but a great vino with some Thai food or a spicy sea food like shrimp! Yep, this is a great vino that I suggest you pick up and keep around. Gives Chardonnay a run for it's money for sure and at only $14.00 a bottle, I'd say the Mendoza region of Argentina, will be producing some great wines from now and in the future. I have tried the other Zolo wines and they have not disappointed.


This vino made THE PIG JUMP OVER THE MOON! 

Thorin 2013 Beaujolais Nouveau

Dinner tonight was a roasted and smoked turkey, stuffing with some cranberries and walnuts, from Mr. Garcia, fresh corn and broccoli, a delicious 100 layer roll and this great Beaujolais that I bought this past weekend. Now the bird sat on the grill yesterday for six hours! Yes, 6 hours, slowly smoking with citrus chips, it's insides stuffed with tangerines and lemons. I need to also mention that the bird also spent the night in a brine with apple juice.

I worked n the garden most of yesterday and could smell the smoking turkey and would smile when people walked by and would say "something sure smells great".


In the past we have had some great Pinot with Turkey, and then I saw this bottle of Thorin Beaujolais Nouveau and thought why not. First, the bottle is stunning, with beautiful colors and artwork. It easily can be seen on the self from a distance. Secondly, it had a great price point. Third, it only is sold for a short period of time, starting around Thanksgiving and is made to be drunk within a year.

Here is some notes about the wine:

Beaujolais Nouveau is a young red wine made from handpicked Gamay grapes grown in the Beaujolais region of France, where the beverage accounts for half of the region's production. While most red wines improve with age, Beaujolais Nouveau is all about freshness. Many producers, race to deliver the first of the vintage to celebrations throughout France and the world.

Under French law, the wine may be released at 12:01 a.m. on the third Thursday of November, just weeks after the wine's grapes have been harvested. Fermentation is so short that the resulting wine exhibits fruity flavors and light tannins. Beaujolais Nouveau should be consumed right away (or within a year of being made), and is best served slightly cooled. Nearly half of the wine's 70-million-bottle production is exported abroad, mainly to Japan, Germany and the United States (where it is popularly enjoyed with Thanksgiving dinner).


The wine is sweet and dry, with lots of fruity flavor. Red fruits and a deep cherry flavor, minimal tannins so easy to drink and enjoy. Now, many of the critics are quick to judge the Beaujolias with low ratings, but I think they're wrong. Sometimes it's great to step outside the box and find a new vino. What's the worst that could happen? I mean sometimes, you have a great surprise!


Time is running out running, so check out places to pick one up and give it a try with your next chicken or turkey dinner, you won't be disappointed.


For under $10.00, it was a great vino. This one made "The Pig Jump Over the Moon".

Beaujolais Nouveau is a young red wine made from handpicked Gamay grapes grown in the Beaujolais region of France, where the beverage accounts for half of the region's production. While most red wines improve with age, Beaujolais Nouveau is all about freshness. Many producers, including regional giant Georges Duboeuf, race to deliver the first of the vintage to celebrations throughout France and the world.
Under French law, the wine may be released at 12:01 a.m. on the third Thursday of November, just weeks after the wine's grapes have been harvested. Fermentation is so short that the resulting wine exhibits fruity flavors and light tannins. Beaujolais Nouveau should be consumed right away (or within a year of being made), and is best served slightly cooled. Nearly half of the wine's 70-million-bottle production is exported abroad, mainly to Japan, Germany and the United States (where it is popularly enjoyed with Thanksgiving dinner).

Read more at http://www.gayot.com/wine/beaujolais-nouveau-day.html#hmm1TM0IEHIOL8EA.99

Beaujolais Nouveau is a young red wine made from handpicked Gamay grapes grown in the Beaujolais region of France, where the beverage accounts for half of the region's production. While most red wines improve with age, Beaujolais Nouveau is all about freshness. Many producers, including regional giant Georges Duboeuf, race to deliver the first of the vintage to celebrations throughout France and the world.
Under French law, the wine may be released at 12:01 a.m. on the third Thursday of November, just weeks after the wine's grapes have been harvested. Fermentation is so short that the resulting wine exhibits fruity flavors and light tannins. Beaujolais Nouveau should be consumed right away (or within a year of being made), and is best served slightly cooled. Nearly half of the wine's 70-million-bottle production is exported abroad, mainly to Japan, Germany and the United States (where it is popularly enjoyed with Thanksgiving dinner).

Read more at http://www.gayot.com/wine/beaujolais-nouveau-day.html#hmm1TM0IEHIOL8EA.99

Beaujolais Nouveau is a young red wine made from handpicked Gamay grapes grown in the Beaujolais region of France, where the beverage accounts for half of the region's production. While most red wines improve with age, Beaujolais Nouveau is all about freshness. Many producers, including regional giant Georges Duboeuf, race to deliver the first of the vintage to celebrations throughout France and the world.
Under French law, the wine may be released at 12:01 a.m. on the third Thursday of November, just weeks after the wine's grapes have been harvested. Fermentation is so short that the resulting wine exhibits fruity flavors and light tannins. Beaujolais Nouveau should be consumed right away (or within a year of being made), and is best served slightly cooled. Nearly half of the wine's 70-million-bottle production is exported abroad, mainly to Japan, Germany and the United States (where it is popularly enjoyed with Thanksgiving dinner).

Read more at http://www.gayot.com/wine/beaujolais-nouveau-day.html#hmm1TM0IEHIOL8EA.99

Well, I am back...do you know why I haven't been posting?

So it has been several months since I posted and I'm sure many of you know why I haven't. Let's squash the rumors of me going to rehab, or traveling through the various wine regions around the world.
The fact of the matter is that on October 6th, I had a life changing event, I broke the wrist on my right hand. My primary hand. Which for several weeks and into months, I could do little with it. The"incident" as I like to refer to it, happened at a roller disco party. Not going into great detail here, but I was out there, enjoying the music, not being a hot dog or anything, and when I went to exit the floor, I fell. Fell so hard and landed on my right arm where the break was heard. So after going to the emergency room, in costume (I looked like a 70's pimp for sure) I had my arm set. Then appointments with specialist and surgeons resulted in a new metal plate, 12 screws and a new attitude about anything physical that might result in injury.


On the Brightside, I didn't stop drinking!  So I have some scribbled notes, with lettering looking like it was written by a serial killer, and saved bottles to catch you all up on some great vino.


"Lefty" was a new nickname given to me, and I like it!


Enjoy, glad to be back typing with two hands!


Don Antonio

2007 Clos Du Bois Pinot Noir

So, when you have turkey you think Pinot Noir. How about having a turkey that is slowly cooked on your grill? Yes, a slowly roasted turkey that is smoked with some apple chips for several hours.

Big Daddy began the process a day earlier brining "the bird" in a mix of salt and apple juice. Frankly, I had no idea that we had a pot that large! There the bird sat for 24 hours on the lower shelf of the refrigerator. Once it was drained, Big Daddy did some magical things with herbs and away she went to cook on the grill for next several hours.

I chose the Clos Du Bois Pinot Noir and what a great choice it was indeed!

This Pinot delivers big on aromatics, kicking things off with layered aromas of vanilla, earth, baking spice, brown sugar, red cherry and rhubarb. On the palate it marries the variety's signature smooth tannins , silky texture and excellent balance with well-knit flavors of cherry, toast, blackberry liqueur and a hint of cranberry. The finish is long and concludes with a soulful, smoky note.

The smoky notes paired wonderfully with the juicy and smoky grilled turkey that we had. The other side dishes were mashed potatoes with gravy, fresh green bean with butter and for dessert, lemon cake with fresh strawberries.

Be sure to checkout Big Daddy's blog on how to make a turkey on the grill yourself. Pick up a bottle of the Clos Du Bois Pinot Noir.  Priced at about $20.00,enjoy a bottle or two while you

This vino made THE PIG JUMP OVER THE MOON! 

2011 Pennywise Petite Sarah

So this is a little late in the publishing this wine review since it happened over the Labor Day weekend. I have had the bottle on the counter with my notes at the ready. But time kept marching on. Day after day, night after night, always with the best intention, just never happening.  Now, tonight I feel the need to finally stop the dilly dally and tell all of you how great this vino was.

I first poured the wine into the glass and noticed the dark purple color, then you notice the aroma.  Black raspberry, dark cherry, molasses, toasted cedar.  The flavors start sweet and then get darker on the finish. This blend starts with blueberry pie, blackberry, sweet cinnamon, fresh fig, and fire roasted smoky oak, and savory dried black cherry. 

It was a hot weekend. No not just hot, but humid and hot.  When Big Daddy said he was firing up the grill I thought he had lost his mind!  I stay out of the kitchen. He can be in there for hours. I do my stuff mainly outside, gardening, taking care of the chickens, seems that there is always a project to do. I like it, pretty cathartic. Big Daddy feels the same in the kitchen. Well apparently while I was doing my "thing", he was inside doing his. Preparing what would be a fantastic meal that paired wonderfully with this vino!

Big Daddy had roasted baby ribs on the grill. They were slow roasted then grilled with a nice sauce. Served with fresh corn on the cob, baked potatoes and tomato salad.  For dessert, the chocolate cake with extra special frosting was a spectacular treat. Let me tell you, the wine did great with ALL OF THEM!

According to the winemaker, you may also pair this vino with wild game; venison stew over wide pasta noodles, braised rabbit with roasted fennel and parsnips, or elk tenderloin with a blackberry molasses drizzle with roasted red potatoes. Or try with sausage lasagna, lamb gyros, or exotic mushrooms in an oyster sauce over jasmine rice.

I think though that this wine can be enjoyed with whatever you like.

Here are the winemaker notes from TOG:
Every year, I get to blend this wonderful Petite Sirah and it always makes me happy. The combination of Petite Sirah blocks from Lodi, Mendocino, Clarksburg, and Paso Robles makes for a sound wine. Even though the 2011 vintage was cool, we were still able to get some very ripe fruit and old vine characteristics from the warm growing districts of Lodi and Paso Robles. We paired this with some cooler climate Petite Sirah in Mendocino and Clarksburg to give the blend structure and depth. A little Merlot from Clarksburg for softness and black fruit and Tannat from Paso Robles for color were both ay, dded to round out this blend. At the end of the day, our Pennywise Petite Sirah always makes me happy. I hope it makes you happy too.

Yes, another great wine from the great folks at TOG wines. They know what they are doing. They have such great wines and even greater prices.  Pick up some, let me know what you think. For about $12.00 a bottle, stock up! This vino definitely MADE THE PIG JUMP OVER THE MOON!