We are loving the oak-free finish and intricate interior of Ryan Beauregard’s 2009 Chardonnay “Metallique” — aged in stainless steel so that the heady grass, citrus and jalapeño oil varietal qualities of chard can reach forward.
Vibrant and refreshing, it’s available at Shoppers for a rock bottom $14.99. This one opens beautifully and is even better the second day.
How nice of winemaker Jim Schultze to provide an elegant Burgundian-style Pinot Noir, bearing the Windy Oaks label and made from Santa Cruz Mountains grapes, for under $30.
The 2010 Terra Narro ($27.99 @ Shoppers) is a sensational companion for salmon or pork, and offers up perfume of bay leaves, mint and smoke riding an appealing raspberry foundation. Just enough tannins to provide structure, this is a highly approachable 14% alcohol creation. The long, slow finish gets better the second day.
Fans of Vine Hill’s well-crafted wines will want to rush over to Shoppers Corner immediately. In-house wine guru Andre Beauregard has slashed prices on a terrific array of Vine Hill and Cumbre Syrahs, Chardonnays and many other varietals—in half!
That means, for example, $13 for a 2008 Syrah. $9.99 for a mouth-filling 2009 Chardonnay.
Need I say more? Shoppers Corner.
[turns out there’s been some MAJOR upsets at Vine Hill….details coming soon]
That would be the 2006 Mt. Eden Vineyards Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir I had been saving (okay, only for two years….) and finally opened.
Such a beautifully-balanced creation. Plums and sassafras, minerals, a through-line of licorice and a bouquet that suggested the elegant Russian Leather perfume by Chanel. All of this was strung, like Christmas lights, on a slender but sturdy core of tannins. At 13.8% alcohol, it is nearly perfect for my palate.
With salmon, it was celestial. And worth the $49.50 pricetag. Let me say that again. You really do get what you pay for, and even though there’s a lot of drinkable stuff out there (thank you Chile) there’s not a lot of memorable wine.
This was memorable.
Even though many winemakers — and wine drinkers — have long recognized the unique properties of the Corralitos region of our SCM AVA, the news bears repeating.
Still Sunday’s piece at SFGate is a sweet bit of recognition.
Check it out.
Yes there is a new chef, and a new name over at the Bonny Doon Tasting Room. Le Cigare Volant’s the name, and Ryan Shelton—formerly of the Michelin two-star restaurant Baumé in Palo Alto—is the chef.
Our initial dinner last week gave us plenty to smile about. The food is deeply flavorful, i.e. not tricky or overwrought. The ingredients impeccable, and yes, the presentation was both attractive and uncluttered.
Here are some observations. We began with a small plate of house-cured boquerones ($5) fresh from the Monterey Bay. And they were outstanding, neither “fishy,” nor aggressively seasoned. Actually delicate. Great with glasses of Le Cigare Volant Blanc and the 2008 Nebbiolo.
Next we shared what I predict will be the destination starter at the new Le Cigare Volant—an order of the evening’s flatbread creation, topped with spinach, earthy hen of the woods mushrooms and fresh lemon basil sprigs ($14). (more…)
A book of sensory adventure: The rituals, passions and discoveries of an engaged life.