by Christina Waters | Apr 21, 2009 | Wine |
I just wanted to use that title (say it slowly). Actually the newly-released Martin Alfaro Lester Family Vineyard 2007 Pinot Noir is a pinot to be reckoned with. And those of you wandering the atmospheric south county vineyards at the May 9 Corralitos Wine Trail will be treated to a pour at the very spiffy tasting room at Alfaro Family Vineyards. (New tasting deck at right.)
The 2007 is already showing the stuff that winemakers live for. Enough fruit at the start to capture anyone’s attention, but enough minerality and structure to arouse pinot envy in colleagues of winemakers Joe Martin and Richard Alfaro. I’m finding hints of northwest rainforest, sassafras and dried plum in the center. Potentially great, already wonderful.
Available for sampling and purchase at the Corralitos vineyard crawl next weekend. Be there.
by Christina Waters | Apr 21, 2009 | Art, Home |
Tandy Beal joins her old friend, Bobby “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” McFerrin in Abu Dhabi late April/May– thirteen time zones away! She will dance with him in performances at Al Ain and the Emirates Palace. She will also stage several local dance groups for the performances. What an adventure in cross-cultural art-making with Arabic singers and dancers-and Bobby’s American magic!
And kudos to Beal & Company awarded $15,000 by the National Endowment for the Arts for an upcoming full-length production with dancers, actors and video.
Especially in this fiscal climate, making art is always the best revenge!
by Christina Waters | Apr 19, 2009 | Art, Home |
Armed with a hefty Zagat rating – 24 no less – and a streamlined lunch concept, Tues-Sat Zuni-style non-gooey pizzas and salads – Gabriella continues to showcase the skills of chef Brad Briske in an effort to conquer the culinary world.
Former UCSC Chancellor Bob Sinsheimer has recently been seen grinning broadly after polishing off one of Gabriella’s new pizzas. And if you need more nudging, the delicious plein air paintings of Charles Prentiss go on display inside the dining rooms starting July 1. (This one’s titled Highway 129.)
by Christina Waters | Apr 16, 2009 | Home, Wine |
Bradley Brown, winemaker up at Big Basin Vineyards, covered himself in media glory not too long ago with his wild-at-heart, terroir-driven Syrah from Rattlesnake Ridge. And now I know why.
This supple 2006 New World Rhônesque beauty unfolds for miles. From a spice and plum opening, it slides into a meaty center filled with tart and savory mysteries. Bay leaves, cardamom, huckleberries, cassis. The mineral foundation works almost invisibly to support this wine’s rich, smoky center. An Easter meal involving rack of lamb provided the perfect occasion to take this robust, almost feral creature out for a spin.
Soft where you don’t expect it, dynamic through and through. (more…)
by Christina Waters | Apr 15, 2009 | Wine |
Winemaker’s Dinner at Three Degrees with Burrell School Vineyards
April 23rd 2009 7pm
Join Burrell School proprietors Dave and Anne Moulton for a very affordable 4-course dinner, paired with memorable wines, for only $65 on April 23, at Three Degrees restaurant in the Toll House, Los Gatos. (more…)
