Now then. It's been hot. I've been busy. And if you give me a minute, I could come up with a few more excuses for not keeping you in the loop of my nights with great friends and fine wine. I have been on a bit of a roll the past 2 1/2 weeks, though. Not drinking a lot, but when I have, it's been special.
Tres things stand out as of late. In first to worst (wine ranking order, not people or events) I break it down here.
Tom had us down with select company to surprise Meg for their 8th wedding anniversary. Actually, we weren't the surprise. The entertainment was. Tom arranged for singer/songwriter, Tyler Lyle to play a private show in their backyard. Think a way more likable David Grey. Very cool, super impressive.
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| "I just have to touch him." "Me too!" |
Check out a video or two. Buy his album. Well worth it.
By show time, I had sampled a few of the many opened bottles. But I made sure to have the bottle of red we brought ready to roll.
Silver Horse 2009 "The Main Thing" $38.00
California Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, & Petite Sirah. 130 cases made.
This was from day 1, second stop of our Paso trip. This place:
Ho-lee-cow. This was the best wine I've had since writing this blog. Easily. I really, really want to try it again because I'm very tempted to put it in the conversation of better wines I've ever had. It was that good.
Per chance it was the few glasses I'd had prior? Perhaps it was the company? Possibly the performance? Maybe that I'd brought it back from a great wine tasting trip? Or maybe it was just really that phenomenal.
Grade: A plus?
Bottle #2 (and 3 and 4) come from the fine folks of Wagner Family Wines. Tom cracked then double decanted 2 bottles of the 2009 Belle Glos Pinot, Los Alturas Vineyard. As you can see, it was a very special evening.
It's been well documented by me that this is one fine, big, smooth Pinot. That opinion didn't change. What I'd like to add is that a few months back I accidentally bought a 2010 version. I found out today that Wine Spectator gave the '10 a 92 Point rating, but I didn't know that going into a meal last weekend. I cracked it kicking myself for not paying closer attention to vintages. Hey oh! The 2010 is mighty fine. I'd say a bit bigger than the '09, but a tad less smooth. I'll take that trade off. I give the 2010 a slight edge.
Grade: A-
Wine Spectator Pinot Rating List Here.:
The Wellesley Wine Press also had a blogpost about 7 reliable fruit forward Pinots. Definitely worth a read.
And finally, a work conference in San Diego led me to dinner with co-workers in Little Italy at Davanti Enoteca and eating delicious food like this:
Go there. Wow.
While there, I was put in charge with ordering wine. I ventured out a bit from the norm and went with this.
Mollydooker "The Boxer" 2009 Shiraz ($27.00 at Total Wine)
I enjoyed it so much that I found it a few days later at Total Wine and brought it to Laguna Beach Saturday for dinner at Mare Culinary Lounge with my brother-in-law, J.R. and his girlfriend, Malea.
Make that, brought it for a celebration for both of their upcoming movie rolls, prior to us going to Pageant of the Masters! Woo-Hoo!
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| Congrats Again! |
