Monday, January 21, 2008

What is your favorite?

Awhile back, I asked a few friends what their favorite wines were & here are their responses.

Dave Brown:
  • Pol Roger Champagne NV
  • Bollinger Special Cuvee Champagne NV
  • Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Champagne NV
  • Moran Pinot Noir
  • Chateau La Nerthe Chateauneuf du Pape
  • Domaine Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf du Pape
  • Domaine de Villenueve Chateauneuf du Pape
  • David Bruce Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
  • Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc

Erin Hutton:

  • Terre Rouge Syrah Sierra Foothills 2003?
  • Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir 2003
  • Robert Stemmler Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2004

Meagan & Richard Lewis

  • Everything Loring!
  • Torre Muga 1998
  • Columbia Crest Grand Estates Merlot
  • BV George de Latour 1976 (you bitches)
  • Rosenblum Le Paws Blanc & Rouge
  • Sokol Blosser Evolution
  • 1986 Dom Perignon

Its so interesting to see how everyone's styles & tastes are very diverse.

Sunday, January 13, 2008

Saturday Night with Becca & Lee


I was surprised when I realized I had this past Saturday evening off. Instead of just hanging out at home with Kelly, we decided to invite our good friends Becca & Lee over for dinner.


Here was the menu:


1st Course: Beef Carpaccio with truffle oil, maldon salt, shaved parmiggiano & fresh arugula tossed in blood orange juice. Paired with 2002 Au Bon Climat Le Bauge Au Dessus Pinot Noir


2nd Course: Steamer pot of clams, shrimp & chorizo (the spanish kind) with white wine, butter & basil


3rd Course: Puff pastry layered with gorgonzola & served over a blueberry-balsamic black pepper sauce. Paired with 2006 Adelsheim Deglace of Pinot Noir.

Kelly feels that the most successful pairing was the dessert. He mostly doesn't care for dessert wine at all so it must have been the best!

The special treat of the night was the exquisite bottle of wine that Becca brought. Get ready to drool because it is not available in the States. Chateau Golan Royal Reserve Syrah 2004 Golan Heights, Israel. Oh.....wow. The nose was straight up old world Northern Rhone. Blue-black fruits with hints of dried meat & herbs. I think I smelled it for about a minute or two before tasting it. The palate was rich but not heavy or overpowering. It was tight at first, Kelly even mentioned he thought it needed to open up. But it was obvious of the potential. After a few minutes, it blossomed into sweet blueberry, tarragon, bacon, subtle oak....absolutely delicious. I just recently tasted an Ambullneo Syrah which was super highly rated by certain critics. The Chateau Golan blew it away, without question . Thank you Becca!!!

Friday, January 11, 2008

Paul Hobbs Tasting @ Circa

Circa will be offering specially selected wines with Chef John Bragg's innovative cuisine to match, every other Wednesday beginning January 16th. This first event will feature the wines of world renowned winemaker Paul Hobbs. The selections will be sourced from his properties in California & South America. Mark Harris from Athens Distributing will be on hand to present each wine. Cost is $55 per person & seating is limited.

Start time is 7:00. Please call 901.522.1488 for reservations or other inquiries.

www.circamemphis.com