Happy Birthday Chef RJ

Monday was Chefguy Rj's birthday, so we set about to bring forth some superlative wines and champagnes for our usual Thursday tasting session.

Food of the highest caliber was provided by Chefguy's son Kyle, who may now be referred to as 'Chefkid'. This was a delicious pizza crust with cream cheese & chives and smoked salmon and then topped with cooked farm fresh egg pieces. This whole concoction was then baked (I think). Whatever it was, it ROCKED.

Chefkid discusses the finer points of glaze & braise...

Byington Chardonnay 'Santa Cruz Mountains' 2002

This was a tasty chardonnay. Ripe fruit, mild acids, judicious oak usage.
Bad Joke: "If yer selling-ton, I'm Bying-ton...."

Sonoma Coast Vineyards Pinot Noir 2002

This stuff really rocks. Deep fruit, balanced acids, gentle and lengthy flavors. For Burgundy fans who might just want to try something Cali with French flair. It's expensive, but if you can afford Burgundy, this is in the ballpark.

Fantastic Chardonnay, too...

David Bruce Sonoma County Pinot Noir 2003

Fruit-forward and more immediately gratifying than the Pinot Noir above. Sadly, I could see your 'average Joe Cleveland' consumer preferring this bottle to the truly exceptional Pinot above. Kind of overshadowed by the killer Sonoma Coast Pinot we tried immediately preceding this one.

And anyway, I've come to distrust people who have two first names.

Girault Pouilly Fume 'La Grappe D'or' 2003

Pretty damn ripe and clean for a closeout '03 Loire. This stuff is really affordable (about $15) and super suck-downable. Pair this one with...........who cares?

Chateau Lacombe Bordeaux Haut-Benauge Blanc
'La Petite Culottes' 1995

So Corky tried to explain to us the meaning of the 'Little Pants' reference on the wine label. It seems at one one time in Bordeaux there were some boy-loving monks (some things never change) and something about this particular wine enticed said boys to the Chateau of Mr.Lacombe. Apparently young lads and naughty French monks share a peculiar affinity for 10 year old white Bordeaux...

Oh, about the wine: Clean, well made, with very slight oxidation which would not be uncommon for a white Bordeaux of this age. In the US of A, however, a wine like this has limited appeal to the average consumer - even one who enjoys French whites regularly. I would say this is a wine only a man and his boy could love...

Tierra Salvaje Cava

Musty, Corky, Kosher.

Champagne Jean Vesselle 'Oeil de Perdrix'

This tasty rose was a perfect match for the food. The Eye of the Partridge.


Champagne Egly-Ouriet Brut

Super crisp and not really yeasty. Mineralty and terroir. If it starts with 'Egly', it has to be good!

Carmody McKnight 'Day in the Country' Paso Robles Chardonnay 2003

Lost in this tasting. Lost.

After the first round of wines, JimDun took the floor and blasted us all with mucho vino Italiano. Up until that point, it all seemed like child's play...

Palagetto Brunello di Montalcino 1999

Really, really good Sangiovese drinking just velvety after five years in bottle.

Cabutto Barolo 'Vigna La Volta' 1999

Gritty, big, tannic, and fairly mighty. Dry as dry gets, and really not ready to approach. Old-World-ish style that old Italian guys like to collect. 6-10 more years, please...

Cabutto Barolo 'Vigna La Volta' 2000

Really good stuff in the $50 price range. A huge 180 from the '99 vintage. This one is easier-drinking with zippin' acids and nice big sweet-tart fruit.

Cabutto Barolo 'Tenuta La Volta'
Reserva del Fondatore 1997

Having been open for three days prior, this wine showed great purity of fruit and really, really firm structure. Probably a better overall bottle than the '98, but not drinking nearly as smooth or sweet right now.

Cabutto Barolo 'Tenuta La Volta'
Reserva del Fondatore 1998

Having tried a few Cabutto products, I would conjecture that for my money (thanks JimDun for your generous samplage) the most complete and gulp-able wine was the '98 Riserva 'Sarmassa'.

Satisfaction defined: One chunk of home-made chocolate goats' milk fudge. One bottle 1994 Smith Woodhouse Vintage Port.