Thursday, July 29, 2010

Food Night Field Trip - Ridge

If you missed Part 1 of Food Night Field Trip, please click here. Otherwise, we resume our narrative from…

MONTE BELLO ROAD, CUPERTINO, CA – After Tyler Durden collected Alex and I from SFO at about midnight local time on Thursday, we retired to our palatial accommodations at La Quinta Inn. After circumnavigating the building and not finding one available parking spot, we thumbed our noses at a “Denny’s Parking Only” sign, and matriculated up to our room. We needed to rest up for our journey south the next morning to…



That’s right. We had a 10am appointment at Ridge for a little Monte Bello tasting! And hey, that's Noon Central Standard Time, so... stop freaking out. I’m sure you recall that the 2001 Ridge Monte Bello was one of THE best wines we have had at Food Night. Hence, we were pretty stoked for this initial tasting.

On our way up the mountain, we noticed lots and lots of signs indicating multiple consecutive and DRASTIC changes in direction, and couldn’t help but think…


… if there happened to be a truck of any consequence heading down the mountain as we were heading UP the mountain... well, our zippy li'l Jetta would be on the losing end of that equation. The end result of said equation would be us going from an elevation of 2300 feet (where the Monte Bello vineyards reside… yeah… they are way up there) to the bottom of the mountain in an entirely unacceptable manner.

We later learned that there are “procedures” in place for when the large trucks that ferry the grapes/juice/whatever to and fro are present on the mountain. A wise policy to be sure.

Once at Ridge, we were greeted by the extremely affable* Christopher Watkins who took us on a tasting tour that began with one of the best domestic Chardonnays we’ve had… the 2007 Monte Bello Chardonnay. Very Burgundian, fresh and lively, beautifully balanced acidity and fruit, this Chardonnay certainly lives up to its pedigree as a wine from Monte Bello.

* From the Merriam-Webster OnLine Dictionary... "Affable (adjective); being pleasant and at ease in talking to others". Bang. That was Christopher. In such a potentially snobby situation, where too many people seem to want to engage in a verbal wine-wits war, Christopher's vibe couldn't have been more on point. Relaxed, chill, yet extremely informative. So refreshing.

After that delicious Chardonnay, we tasted through a handful of very delightful zinfandel blends. Included here was the 2008 Pagani Ranch Zinfandel…


This blend included 10% Alicante Bouchet, which is not a grape I had heard of before. The resulting wine was very autumnal in nature I thought, with beautiful spice aromas, yet still young, fresh and almost Sangiovese-esque maybe? But what do I know. Regardless, it was really cool stuff.

We concluded the tasting with not one but TWO Monte Bellos. And since I was the dumb kid in the room, I decided to ask Christopher “What exactly IS Monte Bello?”

Is Monte Bello a road?


Is Monte Bello a wine so uber-deece and massive and unctuous and broodingly brilliant that it will only fit in large format bottles?


Is Monte Bello a place William the Conqueror visited on vacation in 1066* after the Norman Conquest?


* We all noticed the "EST 1066" part of the above sign outside the Tasting Room at Ridge and thought... um... not much was established here in "California" in the year 1066. So I decided to pose this conundrum to the Ridge website after we got home, and I got the following explanation; "The principal writer and marketer at Ridge in the early days was a Stanford classmate of Paul Draper (Ridge's winemaker), and a philosophy, literature, and history major. The humor in those days popped up in all sorts of ways. For many years, that 1066 portion of the sign was actually turned backwards. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms didn't find it funny and declared it to be false advertising. No sense of humor. Just in the last year or two, it made a reappearance, signifying that the feds aren't paying attention anymore, or someone explained the joke." Classic, no?!

Apparently, Monte Bello is both a “property” and a “vineyard designation”. The wines from this location focus on terroir – vineyard specific characteristics that express themselves effortlessly in these stunningly beautiful wines. First we tasted the 2007, and then a 375ml bottle of the 1995 Monte Bello.

The 07 had a preposterous nose to it… singular. Almost Paulliac-like in nature, with hints of graphite/pencil lead, it screamed sophistication and elegance. And the 1995 was gorgeous, almost like a distinguished gentleman sitting comfortably in his recliner knowing full well the breadth and depth of his well constructed existence, yet completely friendly and accessible. Like a wise uncle, perhaps. The bouquet on the 1995 hinted that this was not a recent vintage, and the palate revealed a wine well within it’s prime. An absolute gem.

So there you go! Ridge Monte Bello Tasting - that just happened!! We would like to send our thanks to Chris Griese at World Class Wines for coordinating this tasting for us, and of course to Christopher Watkins for sharing and discussing these beautiful wines with us, and for starting off our wine sojourn on such and enjoyable note.

Oh wait, one more little ditty before we conclude the Ridge chapter of Food Night Field Trip. While we discussed wine as it relates to food, and wine as a food accompaniment, Christopher gave us the gem that “Some wines come alive via culinary juxtaposition”. How beautiful is that?! And how true. Well said, sir. You can get more excellent wordsmithing from Christopher via Ridge’s blog.

And so with this memorable experience under our belts, we descended the mountain’s hairpin turns, hoping subsequent tastings could rival a bar set this high. 2300 feet high, to be exact.

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Food Night Field Trip

SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- You are reading Food Night LIVE, from San Francisco International Airport, where Food Night has just concluded a weekend of EPIC and absolutely game changing proportions. Perhaps you are aware that one of the principle players in Food Night, Mr. Tyler Durden, has fled the Upper Midwest and is back living in his native northern California.

Since life is short, and wine is good, Alex and I hopped on a plane bound for SFO where Mr. Durden collected us in a rented VW Jetta for a weekend that saw us log 800 miles in said German Engineering. That is not a misprint… 8-hondo-miles. I'm pretty sure there isn't an inch of twisted, narrow, paved earth that we didn't navigate between Hollister and Napa

Of course, I’m going to save the details for subsequent posts. But… in keeping with tradition… perhaps a brief taste of the roughly 400 photos I took would provide you with ample motivation to check back frequently for the full deets… yes? Good.

We of course went here….



… which, you knew we would. Not going to Calera on a trip like this would be like going to Paris and not seeing the Eiffel Tower. In addition to feeling (and probably, acting) like 6 year olds at Disneyland for the first time, during our time at Calera we saw MANY…

… NEAT…

… and RARE things.


That right there, ladies and gents, is a 375ml bottle of 1978 Calera Reed Pinot Noir that resides in Calera's wine cellar. In 1975, Josh Jensen planted pinot noir in three separate parcels of land on Mt. Harlan that he named the Selleck, Jensen and Reed vineyards. So we are assuming that bottle has got to be one of the first single vineyard Pinot Noirs Calera ever produced. Incredible!

Besides going to Calera, and six other wineries, we ate some fabulous food...


... and basked in the glow of how lucky we were to have been hooked up so royally at some WORLD CLASS wineries. So did we have a good time? How about I let Mr. Durden tell you….


And he isn’t excited about the price of gas there, I can tell you that! We have got lots and lots of pictures and experiences to share with you fabulous Food Nighters. So reserve some time to check back soon for the next installment of FOOD NIGHT FIELD TRIP. We’ll be right back…

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Food Night Wine List

You don't need a special occasion to buy or open a special bottle of wine. The wine IS the occasion.




White

Spain
Les Brugueres, Priorat Vi Blanc........................2006

France
Zind Humbrecht, Gewurztraminer, Turckheim..............1994
Leroy, Bourgogne Blanc.................................1998
Domaine des Remizieres, Hermitage Blanc, Cuvee Emilie..1999
Ballot Millot, Meursault Genevrières, 1er Cru..........2002
Etienne Sauzet, Puligny Montrachet,
William Fevre, Chablis, Champ Royaux...................2007
Jacquesson, Cuvee N 735, Champagne....................N/V
Bollinger, Special Cuvee, Champagne.......................N/V

Austria
Setzer, "Die Lage", Gruner Veltliner.........................1995

Germany
Grunhauser Riesling, Spatlese.................................2003

United States
Calera Mt. Harlan Chardonnay................................2004



Rosé

United States
Calera, Rosé of Pinot Noir.............................2008

France
Perrier-Jouët, Fleur de Champagne, Brut Rosé...........1995
Château de Pibarnon, Bandol......................................2012


Spain
R. Lopez de Heredia, Vina Gravonia.........................1995

Austria
Biohof Pratsch, Niederösterreich...............................2012

Chile
Montes, Rosé of Syrah..................................2008



Red

United States

Pinot Noir
Calera, Jensen Vineyard (1.5L).......................1992
Calera, Reed Vineyard....................................1996
Calera, Reed Vineyard....................................2003
Calera, Reed Vineyard....................................2005
Calera, Selleck Vineyard.................................2001
Calera, Selleck Vineyard ................................2002
Calera, Mills Vineyard...................................1996
Calera, Mills Vineyard...................................2001
Calera, Mills Vineyard...................................2002
Calera, Jensen Vineyard.................................1999
Calera, Jensen Vineyard..................................2005
Calera, Jensen Vineyard..................................2006
Calera, Jensen Vineyard..................................2008
Calera, Ryan Vineyard....................................2005
Calera, Ryan Vineyard....................................2007
Sequana, Russian River Valley.........................2009

Merlot
Northstar, Columbia Valley.............................2002

Cabernet Sauvignon
Mayacamas, Napa Valley.................................1979
Stag's Leap Cellars, Fay Vineyard......................1999
Dunn, Howell Mountain..................................2000
Dunn, Howell Mountain..................................2002
Freemark Abbey, Napa Valley............................2005
Swanson, Alexis Napa Valley............................2005
Opus One...............................................2005
Philip Togni, Tanbark Hill........................1999
Philip Togni............................................2004
Philip Togni............................................2005


Syrah
Rock, Hudson Vineyard, Carneros........................2005
Cayuse, Cailloux Vineyard, Walla Walla...............2010

Zinfandel
Ravenswood, Dickerson Vineyard.........................1989

Blends
Ravenswood, Pickberry Vineyards
(Merlot, Cabernet, Cab Franc)..........................1994
Ridge, Monte Bello
(Cabernet, Merlot, Petit Verdot).......................2001
Joseph Phelps, Le Mistral
(Syrah, Grenache, Petite Sirah)........................2003
L'Aventure, Estate Cuvée
(Syrah, Cabernet, Petit Verdot)........................2005
Kenefick Ranch, Picket Road Red, Napa Valley
(Merlot, Petite Verdot, Cabernet, Cab Franc)...........2006

France

Bordeaux
Château Rauzan-Segla, Margaux.........................1989
Château Léoville Barton, Saint Julien..................1995
Château Léoville Barton, Saint Julien..................2000
Château Léoville Barton, Saint Julien..................2002
Château Calon Segur, Saint Estephe....................2000
Chateau Cos D'Estournel, Saint Estephe..............2001
Chateau Pichon Longueville, Baron de Pichon.........2001
Château Pape Clément, Pessac-Léognan...................2001
Château Pape Clément, Pessac-Léognan...................2002
Château Clerc Milon, Pauillac..........................2002
Chateau Pichon Longueville, Comtesse de Lalande,
Pauillac...............................................2002
Carruades de Lafite, Pauillac..........................2003
Château Léoville Poyferré, Saint Julien................2003
Château Cambon La Pelouse, Haut-Médoc..................2005
Château De Fieuzal, Pessac-Léognan.....................2005
Château LaGaffeliere, Saint Emilion.......................2005

Château Latour........................................................2001
Château Mouton Rothschild....................................2002

Châteauneuf du Pape
Chapoutier Barbe Rac...................................1998
Clos Des Papes.........................................1998
Clos Des Papes.........................................2003
Clos Des Papes.........................................2005
Clos Des Papes.........................................2006
Vieux Télégraphe, la Crau..............................2000
Cuvée du Vatican, Réserve Sixtine......................2000
Villes Julienne........................................2000
Château de Beaucastel..................................2004
Clos du Mont-Olivet, la Cuvée du Papet.................2007

Gigondas
Chateau de Saint Cosme..........................................2010

Northern Rhone
Chapoutier, "Les Granits", Saint-Joseph..........1998
E. Guigal, Hermitage...................................1999
Patrick Lesec, Cornas, le Vignon.......................2001
Alain Voge, Les Vieilles Vignes, Cornas...........2005

Burgundy
Domaine Leroy, Côtes de Beaune-Villages................1996
Domaine Leroy, Pommard Vignots.........................1997
Domaine Leroy, Bourgogne.....................................2007
Domaine Leroy, Bourgogne Grand Ordinaire..........2008
Domaine Leclerc, Griotte Chambertin, Grand Cru...2000
Domaine Rene Engel, Vosne Romanee...................2000
Domaine de la Vougeraie, Nuits St. Georges, 1er Cru...2002
Claude Dugat, Gevery Chambertin........................2003
Domaine Henri Perrot-Minot, Bourgogne..................2005
Nicolas Potel, Chambolle-Musigny.......................2005
Joseph Drouhin, Clos des Mouche........................2005
Louis Latour, Pommard-Epenots, Premier Cru.............2005
Nicolas Potel, Charmes-Chambertin, Grand Cru..........2005
Domaine Dujac, Morey Saint-Denis.............................2004
Domaine Dujac, Morey Saint-Denis.............................2005

Other
Gerard Bertrand, Le Viala, Minervois la Liviniere.........2005

Spain
Rotllan Torra, Tirant, Priorat.........................2001
Vega Sicilia Valbuena, Ribera del Duero................2002
Clos Mogador, Priorat..................................2005
R. Lopez de Heredia, Vina Tondonia Reserva........2001
Marques de Murrieta, Castillo Ygay, Gran Reserva Especial.....2004

Italy
Silvio Grasso, Barolo, Ciabot Manzoni..................................1996
Parusso, Barolo, Bussia Vigna Munie....................................1996
Pelissero, Barbaresco Vanotu.................................................1997
Rocche dei Manzoni, Barolo, Vigna d'la Roul............................1999
Le Are, Amarone della Valpolicella.....................................2000
Casanova di Neri, Pietradonice.........................................2000
Casanova di Neri, Brunello di Montalcino, Tenuta Nuova.................2001
Sandrone, Le Vigne, Barolo..............................................2001
Falesco, Montiano Merlot....................................................2001
Antinori, Guado Al Tasso...............................................1999
Antinori, Guado Al Tasso...............................................2001
Antinori, Solaia.................................................................2003
Pio Cesare, Barbaresco.................................................2003
Ciacci Piccolomini, Brunello di Montalcino.............................2003
Andrea Oberto, Barolo.............................................................2004
Manzone, Barolo le Gramolere...........................................2004
Domenico Clerico, Barolo, Ciabot Mentin Ginestra.......................2004
Querciabella, Camartina IGT.......................................................2005
Rinaldi & Figli, Barolo, Cannubbio...........................................2006

Australia
d'Arenberg, Coppermine Road, Cabernet Sauvignon.................1999
Clarendon Hills, Old Vines Grenache, Kangarilla Vineyard......2002
The Standish Wine Company, "The Relic", Shiraz, Viogner.......2006