Van The Wine Man's Most Popular - 2015

Here is a recap of my most popular posts of 2015:

Wine-O wall at Brian McClintic's Les Marchands

Brian McClintic, Master Sommelier And Much More

The SOMM star talked about managing his insane schedule, promoting winemaking in Santa Barbara, and his philosophy on wine service.

Wine Talk With Rajat Parr

The two-time James Beard Award winner and extraordinary wine taster discussed his four current winemaking projects and the importance of trying different wines to expand your palate.

Dave Danhi Thinks Grilled Cheese Needs Veterans, And Wine

The man behind The Grilled Cheese Truck has ambitious and creative plans for such a simple and delicious staple of life.

Sandhi and Domaine De La Cote - Santa Barbara Stars

Rajat Parr sat me up in his tasting room to try several examples of the excellent Chardonnay and Pinot Noir coming out of Santa Barbara County.

A Visit To Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello

Favorite memories from a drive up the mountain, with Paul Draper, Monte Bello assemblage, and pieces of Ridge history.  

Wine Stories - Paydirt, Paso Robles

Going For Broke label

Patrick McNeil always brings non-traditional artistic expression to the wines he works with. An entrepreneur on the business side of wine, he was previously behind the design and marketing of The Prisoner, among others. Now with winemaker McPrice Myers, he has his own memorable brand on the market, Paydirt. The label on the current Going For Broke blend is part of a larger work of art, with another piece of the puzzle appearing on a different bottling, Reckless Abandon. Perhaps there will be additional wild-eyed labels in the series, and exciting red blends to match!

Paydirt Going For Broke 2013 - A mouthful of a red blend, with Zinfandel, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Grenache, and Mourvedre. A juicy balance of dark berries, medium tannins, some peppery spice, a taste of The Dirt of Paydirt, and a pleasantly lingering finish. $30

Art on the wall of Paydirt

Quenching Your Wine Thirst - 2015

Standouts from a tasting of the current portfolio of Thirst Wine Merchants.

White Wines

1. Blackbird Vineyards Arriviste Rose 2014 - A delightful dry Rose from French varietals. $16
2. Sandhi Chardonnay Santa Rita Hills 2013 - Becoming a regular favorite from Rajat Parr. $34
3. SCRIBE Estate Chardonnay 2013 - Grapes from the corner of Carneros, Sonoma, and Napa, with a hint of pepper. $25
4. SCRIBE Chardonnay Skin-Fermented 2014 - From a different clone in the same vineyards as #3, delivering a very unexpected punch. $34
5. Gramercy Cellars Viognier 2014 - A field of daisies and baby powder. $22

Red Wines

1. Leonetti Cellar Merlot 2013 - A Merlot leading the way?! Very dark, thick, and smooth. $84
2. Figgins Family Estate Red 2012 - Herbaceous, then very dry and balanced. $87
3. Chateau Angludet Margaux 2011 - The winemaker loves Petit Verdot, and this has 12%. Dark and earthy, with a hint of sweetness to finish. $45
4. Blackbird Vineyards Arise 2012 - Dirty and chewy with strong spice. $52
5. Owen Roe Syrah Ex Umbris 2012 - From hot and cool climate vineyards offering balance. Smooth with some spice. $19
6. Sean Minor Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 - $18
7. Boroli Barolo 2010 - $45
8. Shaefer Vineyards Merlot 2013 - $53
9. Casa Silva Carmenere 2013 - $15
10. Cleto Chiarli Lambrusco Vigneto Enrico Cialdini 2013 - Yes, Lambrusco. $18

Half-Price Wine On Sundays At Garozzo's, Kansas City

I am rarely in favor of discounting by full-service restaurants, but Garozzo's of Kansas City has a wine promotion that works splendidly: Half-Priced Wine Every Sunday

While enjoying your Chicken Spiedini on Sunday nights, you can take your pick of Garozzo's wines for half the listed prices. It is a sizable list, with numerous Italians to choose from, and is already reasonably priced. With the Sunday discount, your bottle may be less than retail, where you may have difficulty finding some of the selections. On my original Sunday trip, I found a 1998 Anselma Barolo for $40. Already brick in color, with classic tar and roses, and a sweet finish, this was the wine that solidified my Nebbiolo love. 

Once you hit the one-hundred-dollar bottles, you get fifty-dollars off, but no wines are excluded from discounting, and Garozzo's has maintained Half-Priced Wine Sundays for many years. A great deal you can count on for wine, delicious food, and a "family" atmosphere...It is a combination that is difficult to top. 

Garozzo's Ristorante - 526 Harrison St., Kansas City, MO  64106

A Visit To Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello

I visited Ridge Vineyards' Monte Bello Estate high atop the Santa Cruz Mountains during the final assemblage of their 2006 flagship wine. I recently happened upon a supply of the wine, and enjoyed recalling one of my best winery experiences. 

Paul Draper - Legendary Winemaker

Anything Ridge begins with Paul Draper, the chief winemaker since 1969 and CEO since 1988. Draper is one of the most-decorated winemakers in the world, including the James Beard Award for Outstanding Wine and Spirits, which he won shortly before my visit in 2007. He is an advocate for quality and transparency in winemaking, and Ridge has listed all ingredients on their labels since 2012. It was intriguing to have a conversation with Paul at ease in his element. With one of wine's greatest resumes, he remains eagerly hospitable. When setting up my visit, I copied three Ridge employees on my request email, and who do you think replied first and most-graciously? That's right, Paul Draper. 

Monte Bello Assemblage

Tasting the individual components of the 2006 Monte Bello was extremely interesting, with guidance from Ridge vice president of winemaking for Monte Bello, Eric Baugher. A Santa Cruz-area native who grew up farming before earning degrees in biochemistry and molecular biology, Baugher has been with Ridge since 1994. During the tasting, he explained in depth the constantly-refined science of winemaking at Ridge. The Monte Bello is a Bordeaux-style blend is made up of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc grapes, all grown on the Monte Bello Estate. Draper likes to say, "Wines make themselves", and the cool, mountain-top climate and terroir undoubtedly "make" this standout wine as much as the winemakers.  

Ridge Vineyards and Wine History

2006 marked the thirtieth anniversary of the famed Judgement of Paris, where the 1971 Ridge Monte Bello placed fifth. It was celebrated with a re-tasting of the same wines from the seventies, and this time around, the Monte Bello lead the way for the now dominant American wines. The 2006 version is promoted as a "direct descendant" of the winning wine.  But sentimental feelings for the 2006 aside, any year is likely to impress. At the assemblage tasting I also savored a couple of glasses of the 1978. Browned at the edges, yet bright and fresh, with a fantastic(!) taste of forest floor, this library selection was still very much alive. Always concentrated and complex, Ridge Monte Bello is built to please now or for the long-haul.

Along with the excellent wine and conversation, the humility and commitment to great wine at Ridge must be appreciated. During my visit, there was not a peep of the accolades from the thirty-year anniversary of the Judgement, nor Paul Draper's James Beard Award. All talk was about the current and future wines. If you have the opportunity, take the long, winding road up the mountain to Ridge, a unique and memorable wine experience.

Ridge Vineyards, Monte Bello - 17100 Montebello Road, Cupertino, CA  95014

Lessons With Wine Exploration

Always eager to try a different style of wine, I was excited when friends brought me straight from Germany a bottle of Schreieck Faszination Scheurebe Trocken 2014. The wine was a treat, but more, it made me think of all the lessons to be learned while exploring the background of just one bottle:

• Fun with Languages - There were a minuscule twelve-thousand search returns for "weingut schreieck", and almost none in English. Site translation proved helpful to an extent, and reasoning on a variety of unfamiliar German words and phrases proved challenging, but intriguing. The Faszination line appears to describe wines that are as elegant and "delightful as you are". Also the description might read "good for happy hours", and "especially at night".
• Underlying and Unexpected Flavors - I felt this particular bottle was dominated by a thick layer of grapefruit. This is apparently common with wines from the Scheurebe grape, a mysterious offshoot of Riesling. The winery promotes gooseberry and rhubarb notes. My tongue is not keen enough to recognize such specific flavors, but they made sense after I read the literature. Interestingly, a search finds everything from Pinterest boards to toiletry product lines of "grapefruit and gooseberry". Who knew?
• (More) Level Playing Field - Almost hidden in the description is the wine's Silberne, or Silver Kammerpreismunze, a German state's Chamber of Agriculture-awarded medal for wine quality. It appears Germany attempts to reward quality in the glass, rather than location, tradition, etc. It would be interesting to see how an overarching, state-run, wine ratings system would be received in America.

These are only a few of the interesting references available on the web about a somewhat obscure wine. Much like wine choices, information about wine has never been more available. And, I had as much fun reading up on the wine as drinking it. What do you like to learn while wine-ing around?

Subtle On-Screen Wine Appearances

My wine love leads to quirky activities, like identifying wines that are somewhat hidden on-screen. There are understandably increasing numbers of films that are based on wine, like my all-timer SOMM, or serious box office bonanzas like Sideways. But what about appearances where wine was not intentionally a star? Here are just a few not-so-subtle starring roles. 

Anton Ego and Cheval Blanc '47 from Ratatouille

Bogie as booze master, via BoozeMovies.com

1. Casablanca - Champagne and Cognac and Brandy, oh my! What would you expect from Rick's? There are so many scenes involving wine and service, it is difficult to pick the best. But the classic is not really about the drinks. Or is it? 
2. The Muppet Movie - Steve Martin hilarity with assistance from bottle-capped wine from Idaho. See the conversation here, via WineIntro.com. 
3. Sopranos - A specific reference to the season six, episode nine wine heist of a case of Chateau Pichon-Loungueville Comtesse de Lalande 1986. If I had a case, I would happily savor a bottle as soon as possible, even if I were to gulp it down in a parking lot, like Tony. Though I would take much better care of the rest!
4. Ratatouille - Esteemed food villain Anton Ego enjoys Chateau Cheval Blanc 1947, another famed Bordeaux fetching up to five figures for a bottle. And there was this. 
5. Mad Men - Alongside the dominance of cocktails, wine had an increasing presence throughout the series. If only it could have carried further into the seventies to encompass the initial explosion of American wine. I like this article for a dive into the historical accuracy of the Mad wine culture, and there are several more articles on GrapeFriend.com.

With dozens more to choose from, what are your favorite on-screen wine moments?

A Great Wine Program - Ruth's Chris, Destin

I rarely find memorable experiences at chain restaurants, much less outstanding wine programs and service. Ruth's Chris Steakhouse in Destin, Florida delivered a completely unexpected pleasure on a recent visit.

Intriguing Diddle-Speak

My wife and I arrived early for a reservation and decided to have a cocktail at the bar. Beverage Director Skot Harville overheard my request for the wine list, which he delivered. After browsing, I asked which wines were drinking well that he would recommend to go with dinner. Without hesitation he suggested the Donatella Cinelli Colombini Brunello di Montalcino 2010, priced with a hefty markup at $150. Everything was proceeding as I would expect at an upscale chain restaurant, with somewhat impersonal exchanges building up to a high-dollar wine pitch.

But the conversation expanded as we enjoyed our cocktails and studied the list. Skot described the Brunello in depth, asked questions about our wine preferences, and we discussed various regions of Italy. Next, he surprised us when he began bringing out bottles for us to taste, each served in a new glass with a significant pour. First there was Southern Belle Precious Syrah 2011, a Spanish wine supposedly finished in old Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon barrels. It was full and spicy initially, then as promised, wood-charred and sweet on the finish. As interesting as the wine was, the back label verbiage might have been even better. He followed that with a new bottle of Cheval des Andes 2010, a joint project of Cheval Blanc and Terrazas de los Andes. A Malbec-based Bordeaux blend, it was almost black, with floral and minerals heaped upon layers of dark berries. As he opened the bottle, he justified out loud that he would save the rest for a large group that evening. We would have enjoyed either of the other wines, but chose the big Brunello for dinner, which was opened at the bar for a quick gasp of air. We lingered several minutes after finishing our drinks enjoying the wine talk. 

Our table had been ready for twenty minutes, but there was no pressure to be seated. "Whenever you are ready", said the hostess. Dinner was excellent, with solid team service. Skot checked at the table to confirm we agreed the Brunello drank well with our steaks. The pairing was very nice, although I saved most of the wine to savor after the meal. It was bold, but not too big, with burned edges, very dry, and long-lasting. I returned to the bar before we left to thank Skot and snap photos of the earlier wines. I mentioned my interest in the Cheval des Andes, and he allowed me to purchase a bottle for just above his cost, a nice discount from retail price. 

This Ruth's Chris experience, dominated by the basics of great service, wine and steak, is my favorite from a large-scale steakhouse. It would have been better than average had I not been engaged by Skot at the bar, but his attention and interest put it over the top. When in Destin, be sure to look him up.

Ruth's Chris Steak House - 15000 Emerald Coast Parkway, Silver Shells Resort, Destin, FL 32541

Wine Stories - Allora Vineyards

Wines are always accompanied by stories. My friends gifted me two delightful wines from Allora Vineyards. I was not familiar, so I read up on their history. Owner Terry Klein spent his teenage years in Napa Valley, and dreamed making fine wine. Returning as an adult with his wife Nancy, they purchased a pasture in St. Helena in 1998, and commenced growing what would become Allora. In a short time, they have turned out a solid product line from their former pasture. 

Allora Vineyards Lusso Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 - With tannins smoothed out, a gentle giant emerged. Layers of complexity expressed themselves over time, with red berries, chocolate, and wood tones. A 100% Cabernet Reserve wine.

Allora Vineyards Cielo Red Proprietary Blend 2011 - A rustic, slightly spicy wine reflecting Italian style. Also very smooth, and dry at the end. The blend is 75% Sangiovese and 25% Cabernet. 

Additional wines include a Petite Sirah and Cabernet Franc.

Another story is on the Lusso label, which features the art of Margaret Keane, famous for her Big Eyes paintings and the 2014 film centered on her life story. In the poster the label is taken from, three young women sit contemplating over their wine. Looking closely, you can see a tiny Cielo bottle on the right side of the print. 

New Orleans Wine And Food Experience

The Saturday Grand Tasting on Memorial Day weekend was a wine and dining circus. Although inside the New Orleans Convention Center, the layout and lighting gave it a giant tent-like feel, microphones blared tasting notes and cooking demonstrations from every angle, and a low, steady roar of the crowd (or was it lions and tigers?) carried on throughout. I enjoyed a fast-paced tasting tour, although the crowds slowed me considerably, preventing the volume I would have preferred. Several vendors ran out of product completely, and even packed up and left their areas, as early as halfway through the event. But these are the risks when attempting serious tasting in a large crowd. Standout wines included:

1. Nozzole Chianti Classico Riserva 2010 - Bright red berries with a rustic, dry finish. $17
2. Chateau De Chantegrive Graves Blanc 2011 - Refreshing and light Sauvignon Blanc-Semillon blend, with honeysuckle. $22
3. Clarksburg Wine Company Petite Sirah 2011 - Thick and inky, with dark berries, subtle spices, and a vanilla hint. $26
4. Willamette Valley Vineyards Whole Cluster Pinot Noir 2014 - Earthy, raspberry and spice. $22
5. Canard Vineyard Adam's Blend 2012 - (link to 2011 notes) The second Canard wine that has caught my attention in as many months. Mostly Cabernet Franc, with red fruit to spare, woody, and chocolate notes. $65

Six Months Of Van The Wine Man

It has been a busy six months since I started Van The Wine Man, with wine and restaurant service experiences from coast to coast. Thank you for reading and connecting with me along the way, whether online or in-person.  If this is the first time you have visited my blog, or if you want to look back with me, here are my most-popular posts to date:

Dave Danhi Thinks Grilled Cheese Needs Veterans, And Wine

The Total Guest Experience - Devin Zendel Of DB Brasserie

Wine Buying Strategy

Tasting Experience At Les Marchands Wine Bar & Merchant

Craig Collins MS On Austin And Professional Service

Best Of New York City Wine Service And Dining

Here are the standouts from my recent visit to New York.

21 Club Steak Tartare and Gin

Wine

1. Bergadano Barolo Sarmassa 2007 at Elio's - A smooth and sweet Barolo to accompany a rich veal dish.
2. E. Guigal Chateauneuf Du Pape 2007 at Peter Luger - On the lighter side, but accompanied the steak well.
3. Claudia Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio Dry Red Wine 2003 - Typically good Italian table wine in a Little Italy restaurant.
4. Maison Roche de Bellene Bourgogne Rouge Vieilles Vignes 2011 at Les Halles Downtown
5. Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Rose at Buddakan

Service

1. The Carlyle - See my review
2. Bergdorf Goodman Bar - While the restaurant was booked, with even a wait for the bar, the busy bartender quickly knew just the martini I was after. 
3. Ritz Carlton Battery Park Bar - Bar service at night was good, but Victor took note of me mid-morning. I was looking for the coffee service, which had been taken down, and a light snack for the road. He promptly returned with a large coffee and a box of baked goods, on the house!
4. Peter Luger - Thorough service from seven people over the course of an hour.
5. Les Halles Downtown - Excellent service from one waiter over the course of an hour.

"Side" pasta at Elio's

Dining

1. Elio's - A serious old school Italian eatery served up a fine prosciutto and gorgonzola-stuffed veal chop, but I could not stop eating the bowl of al dente angel hair with garlic and parmesan.
2. 21 Club - The classic "Speakeasy" Steak Tartare, matched by perfectly round, thin, and crisp Chicken Paillard with arugula.
3. Peter Luger Steak House - Steak for two, creamed spinach, extra thick bacon, and extra-extra Peter Luger attitude.
4. Les Halles Downtown - See my review
5. Katz's Delicatessen - Pastrami, period.

Best Cocktail

Brooklyn Gin Martini with Lemon Peel at Bergdorf Goodman Bar

Wine Forum Of Oklahoma - Picks From The Grand Tasting

The Wine Forum of Oklahoma took place last weekend in Stillwater, with wine education sessions and the grand tasting. I tried forty-six wines in the big white tent on the Oklahoma State University campus. Here are the standouts:

1. Stoller Family Estate Reserve Pinot Noir 2010 - A delicious wine from the Dundee Hills of Oregon. Sweet spice, raspberry, and tart earthiness. $45
2. Elyse C'Est Si Bon Naggiar Vineyard 2011 - C'Est Si Bon means "It's so good". This Rhone style blend, primarily Mourvedre and Grenache, delivers. $28
3. Gerard Bertrand Cuvee Thomas Jefferson Cremant De Limoux Brut 2012 - History of Limoux in southern France traces back to the sixteenth century. Excited bubbles, with flowery sweetness. $18
4. Canard Vineyard Zinfandel 2011 - Rich and ripe fruits, with spices and vanilla hint. A big, thick-necked Zin. $45
5. Spann Vineyards Cabernet Franc 2011 - A pleasantly smooth and round wine, for drinking alone or lighter dining. $27

Best of Santa Fe - Wine Service and Dining

Braised Lamb Osso Bucco at The Compound

A brief, but satisfying, weekend wine and dining adventure. 

Wine

This trip was not focused on wine discovery, but I still found time for a few treats:

• Damilano Barolo Cannubi 2008 at The Compound
• Bodegas Toro Albala Don PX 1983 at The Compound
• Paolo Scavino Barbera D'Alba 2010 at Izanami

Service

• Izanami at Ten Thousand Waves - Kaz, Japanese Customer Service Manager, (their title) was everywhere. At the restaurant. At the spa check-in. Around the spa grounds. Always checking on me personally, attentively. Delivering messages between spouses creatively. My Izanami waitress was similarly attentive, taking extra time to guide me through a sake tasting and explaining the food items, like the Kinpira Gobo below. 
• The Compound - Alex and his team of five took very good care of us from start to finish. He was particularly helpful with wine selection, finding out our desires and recommending the wine that was drinking best at the time, and cheapest, of three bottles in consideration. 

Kinpira Gobo at Izanami

Food

• The Compound - I tasted twelve food items, from Tuna Tartare to a chocolate snowball treat, and all were delightful in their own ways. Braised Lamb Osso Bucco with wild mushroom risotto and garlic chips was a replacement (for veal) feature that stood out.
• Smothered Breakfast Burrito at Tune-Up Cafe - Roasted and smoky the green chile sauce would have been enjoyable as a soup, but performed well over the bacon, egg, and potato burrito.
• Kinpira Gobo at Izanami - My surprise of the trip, with slivers of burdock root, and carrot, in sesame soy dressing. Light, simple, and startlingly therapeutic to nibble at with chopsticks. 
• Green Chile Breakfast Burrito at The Anasazi Restaurant and Bar 

Best cocktail

Blood Orange Margarita at Fuego Restaurant 

Tasting Experience At Les Marchands Wine Bar & Merchant

After an impassioned pitch from Brian McClintic of SOMM fame, I was more than eager to visit Les Marchands, his Santa Barbara Funk Zone wine bar. On a pleasant Friday evening in January, the bar was already bustling, and my group of four tested out the adaptability of his staff.

I loved the space, with partially roughed-out walls blending right into refined areas with floor to ceiling wine racks. We sat at a corner table directly adjacent to the end of the bar, where we never felt crowded or over-stimulated by the activity around us. I laid out my desire to taste several wines with my wife, while our companions would have only a glass, and asked for suggestions. There was not a tasting on the menu that night, but our initial server confirmed what I was looking for, and assured us that it could be arranged. Soon, a second server arrived. Based on a series of questions, she recommended six wines between the by-the-glass menu and specials board in the bar. My friends chose their glass from her descriptions that followed.

• Terre Des Chardons Marginal Grenache 2011 - What became my overall favorite. A great funky nose, then red berries and roundness. $43
• Calabretta Cala Cala Nerello Mascalese NV - My favorite that night was tannic and tart, with several layers and a long finish. $29
• Catherine et Pierre Breton Trinch! Cabernet Franc 2013 - Grassy, followed by earth, with a sweet finish. $33
• Bellus Girasole Sangiovese 2010 - Petroleum on the nose, then peppery, dirty, and mouth-drying. $31
• Ojai Vineyards John Sebastiano Syrah/Grenache 2013 - From Santa Barbara County. $46
• Star Lane Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 - From Happy Lane, CA. $46 

I inquired of our server about the wine clubs and shipping availability, and another staff member came to escort me to the wine market. He took considerable time to answer my questions about the current inventory and how the clubs work, while addressing numerable questions and requests from staff. The mission of helping customers to discover unknown wines was highlighted. We were discussing Cote Rotie. He described how, if my orders make clear I am a fan of Cote Rotie, or Northern Rhone, or Syrah in general, that Brian and the staff will recognize and use this knowledge to customize future shipments. However, this will not eliminate the encouragement of new experiences, as there will still be the unexpected bottles. I am certain that patrons of the wine bar and club members may be accustomed to hearing, "trust me", from the staff, and pleasantly surprised by the outcome. 

There were slight transitional delays in service. I would like to have heard more about the Vallin project Brian is involved in. Perhaps the omission was due to lack of supply of the popular new wines. There was over-sell on the ramen bowl special, a new feature which was suggested four times, even though I stated from the beginning we were only drinking wine.

Four total staff members combined for a complete service experience, accommodating all requests, including the unscheduled, impromptu wine tasting, and answering all questions. Overall, I was pleased with adequate service, and exhilarated by the wines and the discussion of them with several staff members who "got it". I would become a fixture of Les Marchands should I spend regular time in Santa Barbara.

Les Marchands Wine Bar & Merchant

Suite B, 131 Anacapa St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Best Of Los Angeles Wine, Service, And Dining

Impromptu tasting at Les Marchands

The standouts from my visit to Los Angeles and SoCal, from Laguna to Lompoc:

wine

1. Sandhi Sta Rita Hills Chardonnay 2012 - These first two are Rajat Parr and Sashi Moorman's Santa Barbara projects. Full coverage here.
2. Domaine De La Cote Sta Rita Hills 2012 - Pinot Noir... 
3. Terre Des Chardones "Marginal" 2012 - Found at Les Marchands. A funky, earthy Syrah-Grenache with a sweet hint to end.
4. Calabretta Vino Rosso "Cala Cala" NV - Also from Les Marchands. "The magma in the body". Drink from Mount Etna.
5. Marotti Campi Rubico Lacrima Di Morro D'Alba 2012 - Discovered at the Slow Wine event. The story here.

service

1. Domaine De La Cote Tasting Room - Outstanding hospitality, throughout set up and a generous tasting. Lompoc
2. Open Sesame - Friendly, thorough service and constant attention, from only one server. Long Beach
3. Les Marchands Wine Bar & Merchant - Brian McClintic's thriving operation. Four staff members assisted with everything from setting up an impromptu tasting, to advising on a selection of Cote Rotie to take home. Santa Barbara
4. Hotel Shangri-La Dining Room Bar - A right-proper mimosa, with just a splash of OJ, but they had me at Whistle Pig Rye. Santa Monica
5. C'est La Vie Restaurant and Bakery - French foods and baked goods were good. The view of the ocean from the upstairs deck, along with entertaining service from "Gary Glitter" made the experience. Gary knows anything you need to know about the area. Laguna Beach

Kogi food truck delights

food

1. Republique - I left wanting more. Read about it. 624 South La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles
2. Open Sesame - Beef shawarma, lamb chops, hummus, garlic fried potatoes. Musar Jeune 2011. A great experience. Long Beach
3. Kogi BBQ Truck - The sweet chili chicken quesadilla, Kogi dog, and various tacos on the hood of my rental. Various locations
4. Tortilla Republic - Great sauces on both the duck enchiladas with a habanero cream sauce and mole chicken enchiladas. West Hollywood
5. Ma 'n Pa Grocery - "World Famous Fried Chicken" every Wednesday...from a converted gas station. Long Beach

best cocktail

Patterson’s Nap at Melrose Umbrella Company - Cool drink in a cooler place. Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Tangerine, Lemon, Campari. West Hollywood

best to be

Augustine Wine Bar - Now open! 13456 Ventura Boulevard, Sherman Oaks

Be Adventuresome With Wine Tasting

I recently overheard a foursome of young business people talking wine.  Sitting at a nearby table, hearing their excitable discussion was unavoidable. "I love Cabernets," stated one, "and (mainstream producer) is really popular right now." The conversation carried on, experiences were shared, and it became clear that these were not wine novices. Yet, non-California Cabernet, like "those William-ette Oregon Pinots" received only a passing, dismissive mention from this group. 

With so many great, affordable, and unknown wines to choose from, you should strategize for wine adventures. I had the pleasure of visiting with winemaker Lorenzo Marotti Campi at the Slow Wine Tour in Los Angeles. He poured his wines made from the rare Lacrima grape in the Marche DOC of Italy. The wines had an immensely floral nose, and the perfumed fragrance filled the general tasting area.  There were sweet yet firm fruits, and peppery finishes. Lorenzo was extremely kind and hospitable, and his wines were outstandingly different from anything else I tasted. 

• Marotti Campi Orgiolo Lacrima Di Morro D'Alba 2012 - $21
• Marotti Campi Rubico Lacrima Di Morro D'Alba 2012 - $21

Lorenzo Marotti Campi & Wife of Wine Man

unlimit your wine adventures

Here is the thing: If I had limited myself to tasting what I knew at the time, I would not have enjoyed this experience. I have had very few wines from this region, and did not know of the Lacrima grape. At the event, Marotti Campi was set up at a table far from regions like Tuscany or Piedmont, and was one of only two (out of 53 total) producers from Marche. It was the last table I visited, and his neighbor producer had already shut down, leaving the table looking somewhat disheveled. Fortunately, my wife insisted that we go over and try it. 

I may never taste these wines again, but the ten minutes spent with Lorenzo and his wines made my night, and converted an otherwise average tasting into a memorable experience. If you are currently committed to a particular wine, enjoy it to the full. But when the opportunity to taste something new and different, red or white or bubbly, presents itself, take it! You just do not know what you might otherwise miss.

Connect with me on the social media links below for more out of the ordinary wine talk.

2012 Bordeaux Tasting Standouts

Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux members showed off many wines from the 2012 vintage at the Museum of Flight in Santa Monica. Thanks to Wally's Wine & Spirits for hosting the event. It was a packed event, full of colorful personalities, many of whom made individual exhibitions of an unfortunate array of perfumes and colognes. I tasted my way through fifty-six wines in two hours. While many were light, even thin for their youth, and had an overriding grassiness, there were several standouts. Here are the best tasting Chateau to me, their appellation, highest En Primeur critics ratings as available, and current, still-futures (expected delivery summer, 2015) prices.

Bordeaux bargain

Clarke, Listrac-Medoc - Layers of flavors, yet smooth and approachable, and great for the price. 16-Decanter, $32

Great Whites

Malartic-Lagraviere Blanc, Pessac-Leognan - Rich and powerful fruits and acidity, stoney, with toasty edges. 91-94-Parker, $66

Larrivet Haut-Brion Blanc, Pessac-Leognan - $50

Red and ready

Haut-Bailly, Pessac-Leognan - Full and ripe, with tobacco spice and length of finish. 91-93-Parker, $90

Pape Clement, Pessac-Leognan - 92-95-Parker, $95

Lagrange, Saint-Julien - 17 Decanter, $50

Langoa-Barton, Saint-Julien - 87-90-Wine Spectator, $65

Saint Pierre, Saint-Julien - 91-93-Parker, $59

Rest of the best

Le Bon Pasteur, Pomerol - $70

Lascombes, Margaux - 90-92-Parker, $73

Trotte Vielle, Saint-Emilion - 90-93-Parker, $83

Grand Puy-Lacoste, Pauillac - 89-92-Wine Spectator, $67

Leoville Barton, Saint-Julien - 90-93-Wine Spectator, $95

Sandhi And Domaine De La Cote - Santa Barbara Stars

These were some of my favorite wines from a tasting trip in the Los Angeles area. Rajat Parr and Sashi Moorman are players in both wineries, and have special things happening in Santa Barbara.

I tried six wines at the Domaine De La Cote tasting room in Lompoc. The delightful Molly Barker, an enthusiastic Lompoc native who runs the tasting room, explained that Raj wanted the Domaine De La Cote Pinot Noirs tasted before the Sandhi Chardonnays. It was an intriguing spin to the customary order which showed off the purity of the Pinots, then allowed the powerful and refreshing whites to shine. 

• Domaine De La Cote Sta. Rita Hills 2012 - Smoky and dirty, with ripe and tart red berries, my favorite of the Pinots. $45
• Domaine De La Cote Bloom's Field 2012 - A big and bold peppery start, leveled by sweeter red fruit, and a long ending. $70
• Domaine De La Cote la Cote 2012 - Even bigger(?) with spice notes, this one balanced by creamy fruits. $90

• Sandhi Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay 2012 - Lemon creme and wisps of smoke, very fresh. My favorite of the Chardonnays. $38
• Sandhi Rita's Crown Chardonnay 2012 - Boldly, yet nicely, acidic and mineral driven. $55
• Sandhi Sanford & Benedict Chardonnay 2012 - From some of the oldest vines in the area, very smooth and subtle with a slightly bitter finish. $55

Molly mentioned a couple of the primary winemaking focuses: Domaine De La Cote is stored in neutral oak with no toast, for a transparent expression of Pinot. Sandhi is made with lower alcohol and higher acidity. These philosophies are working for them. I would enjoy all six wines on a regular basis.

Santa Barbara Wines Ready To Impress

A recent wine tasting trip to Southern California yielded some unexpected favorites. After several tastings, and over a hundred wines from all around the world, the most impressive were not from Bordeaux or Napa, but from Santa Barbara County. Several exuberant wines like Domaine De La Cote Bloom's Field 2012, and Sandhi Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay 2012 stood out from their competition. It is easy to see why winemaker and master sommelier Brian McClintic said, "Santa Barbara has unlimited potential." 

The wines tasted include 2012 Bordeaux and out of the mainstream Italians tried at large events, plus smaller producer tastings and numerous wines by the glass. Along with the wine itself, there were conversations with some of the top wine professionals and one of the foremost advocates of food trucks in the United States. I will share more about my tastings and best experiences in posts over the next few weeks.