Moron Friends, Doorknob Husbands and Thorny Rose Wine

Rolling on in my fantasy of wanting to be a advice columnist…

Dear Teri: I have a 19-month-old and a 34-month-old. Our family was invited to the childless home of our friends, and when we arrived, I scurried around childproofing. I moved their expensive items up out of reach, but my friends insisted on putting everything back. When an expensive piece of art was dropped, they were peeved. I felt I did my best in policing the children but still feel I should offer to pay the insurance deductible. My husband says to let it go because they asked for it.

Wow, where do I start? First, unless your kid just popped out of your womb or you’re describing wine in barrel, there’s no legitimate reason to use months as a measure of age. Your kids are 1 and almost 3. Only really annoying people force a listener to do the math. Second, if you hit my house like a tornado, I’d be miffed. And lastly, a babysitter would have been cheaper than the deductible, and yes you should pay it. (Your husband is a doorknob.) Now, should I tell you what I would drink if I had annoying friends like you? Or should I tell you the best bottle to give as a gift if you want to save what’s left of this friendship. Turns out they’re one in the same: Thorny Rose 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, is dark and dense (oh, you can relate?) with blackberry and cherry rolled into dirty bits of dark chocolate. It’s straightforward and uncomplicated — with a ‘leave your kids at home’ finish. Trust me, you’ll make the right decision next time — if there is a next time.

An Evening of Caramel Dunk and Perfectly Paried Wines

Cadaretta winemaker, Virginie Bourgue was French and adorable. Especially, by the way she pronounced focused – which sounded more like fuk-esed. And because I still have moments of immaturity, it made me giggle. But I listened intently as she described her winemaking talents and love for Walla Walla. In fact, I found myself completely captivated by Ms. Bourgue, until Larry Cherubino entered the picture. Larry is one of Australia’s most acclaimed winemakers and in my limited Italian vocabulary, I’m interpreting his name to mean “baby angel with dark, curly fro”.

Our evening at SAM’s TASTE unfolded with a thoughtfully and artfully prepared dinner by Chef Craig Hetherington. (Disclosure: I swiped some tasting note thoughts from TASTE’s director, Danielle Custer.)

Menu & Pairings
With the Duck – feta rosotto, honey-rhubarb sauce, quince gastrique, the wine selection opened with an SBS and an SSB:

• 2008 Cadaretta Sauvignon Blanc Semillion, Columbia Valley was a yeasty combination of Cardamom, pancake “batter”, sweet cream, with citrus and savory-sweet spice.
• 2008 The Yard Semillion Sauvingon Blanc, Pedestal Vinead Margaret River, Western Australia shows a richness of leafy and seaweed, green olives (briny) along with lemony, white grapefruit, lemon-thyme.

Then came the Chards paired with Pork – whipped crème fraiche, butterned gnocchi & fava

• 2008 Cadaretta Chardonay, Columbia Valley is made in Burgundian style, and we do love Burgundy…this wine is crisp and balanced, with butterscotch-honey and woody stick.
• 2008 Ad Lib “Hen & Chicken” Chardonay, Pemberton, Western Australia
Sidenote: Did anyone ever watch Cow & Chicken on Cartoon Network? I’ve tried to describe it to those unfamiliar and found that it’s impossible to convey the humor when describing cartoons. Anway…this wine was lean and angular with the chiseled features of a hot, California surfer. Strong fruit comes into play — citrus, melon and zesty rosemary with a plush texture of golden afro.

The Cheese selections begged the question: Can cheese truly be better then sex? Are you kidding me? If it’s dipped in a cup of caramel & espresso, the answer is ABSOLUTELY!

• port townshend cirrus – “neat”
• rogue blue pave – watercress & salumi mole chiffonade
• cave aged gruyere – caramel & espresso “to dunk”

Yes, I said dunking aged-gruyere in a liquidy caramel and espresso blend. Living proof that fantasies do come true. Though the espresso threw my tongue for a loop, I would never have passed on this brilliant idea. Now I know, if I’m ever in a position to order a “last meal” this is it! Oh-my-God!

• 2007, Ad Hoc “Middle of Everywhere” Shiraz, Frankland River Western Australia was gorgeously hued in dark blood red. This wine was chock full of ripe blueberry, boysenberry and unadulterated honesty.

Another perfect pair: Orbit Cake Bite, Theo bittersweet chocolate, balsamic ice-cream, and the 2006, Cadaretta Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley. This wine is a big-bodied beauty without rough and tough tannins. Smooth on black fruit and dark chocolate. Truly a delectable combination with the cake, though, balsamic ice cream…not so much.

We finished with a splash of 2008 Cadaretta Reserve Red, a Columbia Valley Blend, which was simple and delicate, an array of flavors with petite verdot violet shining through.

A lovely evening with gorgeous wines (and winemakers)…
Cheers!

Photos: zoominfo.com, larrychurbino.com, Cadaretta

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things (in Walla Walla for Spring Release)

Upon return from Spring Release in Walla Walla and trying to decipher my notes that really show my plentiful path to inebriation, instead of boring you with ALL the minutia – which I will do in forthcoming blogs, I’ll just bore you with some of it (as if….)

Most importantly — Ice-Burg is my absolute favorite spot for a cheeseburgers and peanut-butter, chocolate shakes…. GO THERE! 616 W Birch Street, and call ahead to place your order so you don’t have to wait in the dreadfully LONG line!! 509 529 1793

And on to more beverages….

Everything Long Shadows –Tasted the not-yet released 2008 Poet’s Leap Riesling, which wafted of bright, fresh peaches, carnations and lemony-vanilla. Only recently bottled, it tasted like an apricot spritzer, on the dryer side with a bit of fizz and hints of stoniness. Now, if only I could turn up the sun, lounge on a big deck chair in nothing more then a big hat, dark sunglasses and more string than bikini ….uh huh…. Enjoy it properly. $28

Dunham Cellars – Lots of favorites, but I’ll just name two: Dunham Cellars, Lewis River, 2004 Syrah – “I want to spice you up,” sings this wine. Layers of opaque fruit wrap up your tongue in a cloak of deep red pomegranate, cherry and smokey clove cigarette (ahhh, those were the days). It’s a mouthful of sensations that can best be understood through the luminous language of tantricity and craving. $75

And speaking of craving, Eric’s next masterpiece is a collaboration with actor, Kyle MacLachlan – a fellow Washingtonian and our dear friend Charlotte’s “sexually ineffective” husband Trey MacDougal. Hoping his wine stands up better then his Sex and the City performance…we are, indeed, not disappointed. Pursued by Bear, 2005 Cab Sauv is dark and rich with black cherry, black licorice and blackberry – all my favorite black things – and a lengthy finish to boot. Leave it to a wine to salvage one’s stamina and inspiring desperation in housewives. $65.

Keep an eye out for Baby Bear…the wine, dummy!

Photos: Dunham Cellars, Long Shadows, Flickr.com

I Like a Wine with a Temper

Catherine said slyly “I like a man with a temper,” as she sat across the dinner table from her husband Stephan. The German sat sandwiched between them and Ryan Seacrest pervaded the background with “Idol” finalist elimination commentary. It was our own version of Open That Bottle Night and The German selected a Burgess, Napa Valley, 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine proved special and provocative. It detonated dark fruit, currant, black berry, sour cherry and pomegranate. And through its tepid temperament came soft tannins and traces of coffee grounds. Mature and balanced with a medium finish, this wine shows austerity with hints of jest. The only thing it fakes is interest and that’s what we liked best. Divine.

$35-40
Where’s we get this German? I’ll post when I know.

Photo: Burgess Cellars

Slap My Face, Slap My Ass

Yes, there’s been a break, but I’ve taken up drinking again… a 1998 Penfolds Bin 407 Cab from South Australia.

Penfolds Bin 407, its presence is palpable. Dark ink imbues your mouth with ripe, rich expressions of black olive, blackberry and black currant. Such shaded darkness makes for a wonderful secret or a wicked surprise. Are they irreconcilable or one in the same? A slap on the face…surprising; a slap on the ass, may be best kept a secret. Ten years in and this wine is used to being noticed, or bothered. Poised tannins lead to a startling clear pomegranate finish. It drops its voice and leans in with round, suppleness, gives chills on the surface with a visceral allure. Love is in the air, and we can ALL feel it!

$55
Loved…

Photo: Winehouse.com

Thank you sir. May I have another?

No doubt, as a result of being on a dramatic cell phone conversation, I’ve parked my car, walked away, and promptly forgotten what floor, let alone, which parking garage it’s in.  So, no surprise, upon entering Target– on the phone – I mindlessly strapped my purse into the baby seat of my shopping cart and proceeded to laundry supplies stopping along the way to gaze at pillows and t-shirts.  

Next thing I know, I’m pushing someone else’s cart and the purse is nowhere to be seen.  I retrace my steps, unsure of exactly what those steps were, because of my distraction. With no luck, I realize I’m lost in Target, my purse has vanished, I need to hang up and RUN directly to customer service.  I do, screaming “My purse is gone! My purse is gone!”   

The customer service chick (bless her red and white t-shirted heart) reacts fast putting out an all-points bulletin over the walki-talki, while customers waiting in line, talking on their cell phones, look on sympathetically. A voice belts back over the radio that a black purse is sitting in a cart in women’s sportswear.  I run back (in slow motion, this time, just for effect) and there it was… waiting for me…judging me.

Well, if anyone is going to judge me, then that warrants a glass of wine. Del Rio, Rogue Valley, 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon steps forward from the depths of Southern Oregon – and weighs in heavily.  Its layers of deep, green pine, oak and cedar present an enchanted forest, full of dark surly attitude.  For sure, this wine does not let you off the hook easily.  Its rich black current, berry and plum leads you down a direction of smooth tannins and tough love.  With a sturdy backbone, it doesn’t mince words on its rant about cell phone users:

“As if you have license to behave badly!” it says. “Go ahead and talk, it’s just a child you nearly ran over!” it says. “Right!  Of course it’s my fault, because you couldn’t get off your phone fast enough,” it says. “Society has gone to hell…and YOU are a contributor!” 

Living like Heathens

Sorry for going dark.  The German and I headed south on a road trip to California by way of Willamette Valley Vineyards. ‘On your way to Napa?’ the tasting room pourers asked with keen interest?  “No, by gosh!  We’re heading to the mountains of Northern California to live like heathens and eat bad things that taste good.”

Camping in a tent for five days with no running hot water and no chance of a shower unless you count the lake could be daunting for some. And did I mention this was a family trip with lots of small nieces and nephews attached to hoards of dirty fingers groping, poking and dipping into whatever form of food I might be holding?

Oh yeah, extra crusty!

The most civilized time of day was when I would sip a wonderfully rewarding glass of wine (out of a real wine glass).  I decided that after 10am was as good a time as any. By then the coffee kicked in, the eggs cooked in bacon grease were on their way to some place elegant, and no doubt, it was 5 o’clock somewhere.

Patrick M. Paul Vineyards of Walla Walla, proved to be the first man of the hour.  With a brooding 2004, Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine was hardy and deep, juicy and sublime; lest a bit heavy, for our poorly paired yet easily prepared meal.  Nothing says delicious more then dry macaroni pasta and powdered processed cheese in a blue box.  Now that’s what I’m talking about.

The real gem emerged when, after a hard, hot day of swimming in the lake with several of the little goblins, the German appeared with a cheeseboard, crackers and two wine glasses full of the icy cold 2007, Willamette Valley Vineyards Riesling.  He laid the picnic on the shore of the lake as the dragon flies hovered for a dribble.  This Riesling is an all-day drinker.  It’s wonderfully smooth and fresh with crisp green apple, pear and citrus vibrancy.   A small piece of heaven until those grimey hands found us and vultured after our cheese.  Ahhh, family vacations. 

Peter M. Paul Vineyards, 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon: roughly $40

Purchased? At the winery in Walla Walla

Recommend?  Yes – though I don’t recall ever seeing it in stores and the website is lame. Perhaps call the winery.

Willamette Valley Vineyards, 2007 Riesling: $12

Purchased?  The winery in Willamette Valley

Recommend? Yes – can’t beat the price for an all-day drinker!!