tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-128332342024-03-13T03:41:52.513-07:00Seattle Wine BlogThis blog is dedicated to commentary on all aspects of wine, especially short entries to help you find the best wines without the usual hype and spin. These are my frank, independent opinions, usually based on tasting wine at a public event, off the shelf or at the winery. "All creative acts must arise out of a specific soil and flicker with a spirit of place" -D.H. LawrenceGene Stein, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02886738378937125318noreply@blogger.comBlogger567125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12833234.post-56668248097297561662014-08-24T16:46:00.001-07:002016-05-01T22:40:29.402-07:00The State of Washington Wines - 2011<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The State of Washington went from about 6 wineries to over 600 in roughly 30 years, the equivalent of zero to sixty in six seconds I would say. This summer I checked out Washington wines at Red mountain, Yakima and Woodinville , to say nothing of several tastings in Seattle. Even though ratings such as 89 from Robert Parker would appear to suggest a pretty decent year, in fact, Washington Wines were in a sorry state in 2011.<br />
<br />
Even though there are so many fabulous wineries now, many,including some of the best, struggled in 2011. To some degree this can be traced to frost in 2010. There were a surprising number of disappointing wines from many good wineries. A few, such as Long Shadows escaped and made outstanding wines.<br />
<br />
Caveat emptor. Unless you can taste the wine first, you might be better off buying 2011 Columbia Crest Chardonnay at your local convenience store, or big bottles at Costco for $9.99. Not to worry! Generally speaking 2012 was a much better year.</div>
Gene Stein, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02886738378937125318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12833234.post-57073020058609910662014-06-09T14:09:00.001-07:002014-06-12T09:25:34.980-07:00Portugal Invades Seattle<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It was an invasion of the highest quality. Charming people brought charming wine for Seattle distributors and trade to taste. Never has there been such a refined and wine knowledgeable group of winemakers and reps, and their English was a lot better than my Portuguese. Never has there been so much good wine in the same room and they are all orphans looking for a home. The overall quality was amazing. Some wines were outstanding. Twenty-one wineries trying to place these great wines in a good home. Wine from most of Portugal's 25 DOCs were represented. From crisp and fresh whites such as Vino Verde and Alvarinho(AlbariƱo) to dry reds from Dao and the Douro, there was one delight after another.<br />
<br />
I have fond memories of drinking Dao and Vino Verde with Ameijos con Carne in Cascais. They were simple wines, but delicious and cheap. Now they are bigger, cleaner and more complex. What a treat. I particularly liked the Quinta de Pedra Alvarinho 2011 full bodied fruit and perfect counterbalancing acidity. Among the Douros, I particularly liked the reds from Quinta Do Cume represented by the charming Claudia Cudell. Marrying art and science resulted in a very appealing fruity, easy Red Selection and a more serious and complex, but delicious Tinto. The dry Douros were an eye opener. All four Quinta Do S. Jose reds made by winemaker Joao Brito E Cunha were spectacular. The Principal Grande Reserva 2009 from the Bairrada DOC could be described as a SuperBairrada for its blend of Touriga Nacional with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Alternatively, you could call it a Portuguese First Growth. Either way, it was GOOD!<br />
<br />
The sweet wines were the real thing, none of the big six Neo- Post- Colonial Anglo deep red stuff, not some neo-post-colonial beverage to be served counterclockwise with cigars after the women adjourn to the parlor. Almost all of the sweet wines had both tawny character and color, even the whites. The sweet white Casa Do Conego Licoroso made from the Fernao Pires grape by Vidigal Wines was luscious like a very sweet Madeira. The Porto Messias Tawny and the Colheita 1985 were perfect examples of real Portuguese- style Porto. The highlight was a tasting of a dozen or so incredible red and white Portos from C. Da Silva. All of the Dalva wines were outstanding, but the 1971 white port was estupendo!<br />
<br />
Portugal is where Spain was in the 1980s. Want to get in on the ground floor? Adopt these wonderful orphans looking for a home.</div>
Gene Stein, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02886738378937125318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12833234.post-72381540718850095962014-02-20T10:40:00.001-08:002014-02-20T10:40:14.475-08:00The Black Talis finishes his Autobiography<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Finally, I've finished the rough draft of "The Black Talis." I think of the rough draft as a sculpture blocked in. Think of "The Thinker" by Rodin. Hoping for online publication in the fall of '14. The Black Talis has many wine adventures in places such as France, New York, Minneapolis, Washington, Oregon and California which is why I think you might enjoy it. Right now, I've been tweeting about some of Talis' wine experiences. Follow his adventures @seattlewine blog.<br />
<br /></div>
Gene Stein, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02886738378937125318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12833234.post-75332932507310357022013-07-10T08:38:00.002-07:002013-07-10T08:38:56.111-07:00What's A Black Talis?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
What's a black Talis? What's it got to do with wine? A Talis is a Jewish prayer shawl. The black Talis is looking for a magical wine. Got any suggestions?</div>
Gene Stein, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02886738378937125318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12833234.post-40909415216638516552013-06-03T10:52:00.000-07:002013-06-03T10:58:20.776-07:00Where's The Lamb?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Yes, eat and drink better at home. Our friends, Bob and Kathy raise sheep. I've always maintained that American Lamb is best, well, with the possible exception of French lamb from Pauillac in Bordeaux. The best American lamb we've had come from the Toveys. Contrary to most people usually choose the wine, then the food. In this case, Kathy prepared exquisite lamb shanks. Bob and I had the difficult task of choosing the wine. The pair of Oregon Pinot Noirs seemed like they might be a little light for the shanks. The French Rhone wines, a Gigondas from Bernard and a Cotes du Rhone from St. Cosme definitely would have been a great choice, but we couldn't resist a pair of Glencorrie Cabs from the 2006 and 2007 vintages. Same vineyards, same vintner, two radically different wines.<br />
The 2007 with a higher percentage of Gamache fruit, was lighter, fruitier, more forward, easier to drink, but not as complex and serious as the 2006 which had a higher amount of fruit from Stillwater vineyard. They both blew us away in their own ways - a fabulous pairing. As I said, better to eat and drink at home!</div>
Gene Stein, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02886738378937125318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12833234.post-20377064313759164402013-06-03T10:29:00.002-07:002013-06-03T10:31:32.286-07:00Larks - Send It Back Twice<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Larks in the Ashland Springs Hotel in Ashland, Oregon has a locovore blackboard full of locally grown veggies and an appealing menu. We were looking forward to a great dinner, excuse me "supper", between plays at the Shakespeare Festival. Got off to a good start with a glass of Chehalem Chardonnay - fairly full bodied with nice balance between fruit and acid. Great on its own or with food. My wife had Raptor Ridge Pinot which was a little flat and acidic, but went well with her tasty salmon. Unfortunately, I had a new first! Had to send my fish back twice, then left without eating dinner. For details see my Yelp review. Moral of the story? Eat and drink better at home.</div>
Gene Stein, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02886738378937125318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12833234.post-88462076643623626972013-05-19T14:28:00.001-07:002013-05-19T14:28:43.548-07:00Big News!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Despite wild rumors to the contrary, I'm still here and I have big news, not to trump Donald Trump.<br />
Sorry I disappeared for much of this year, but I've been working on a book. Didn't have the bandwidth for both the blog and the book. Not a wine book, but full of wine anecdotes. It's hard to describe, kind of Harry Potter meets Tom Clancy over a glass of wine. Well, not exactly, it's a bit of a spoof with many layers. Fun for those of you into references and allusions, but hopefully fun for everyone. It certainly has been fun for me. It's called The Black Talis. A Talis is a Jewish prayer shawl, but it really has very little to do things Jewish or with prayer shawls. In fact it's X rated. It's about a search for a magical solution. Is wine the solution?<br />
<br />
Tune in for more hints and occasional posts on wine. I will only be posting from my iPad, so hopefully, they will be mercifully short and sweet. Adios for now!</div>
Gene Stein, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02886738378937125318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12833234.post-39429639633662536112012-08-16T20:25:00.001-07:002012-08-16T20:25:02.880-07:00Oregon Reflections -II<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Now my fave de faves - Panther Creek. When Ken Wright struck out on his own, he left behind one the best wineries in Oregon - Panther Creek. Why is this my favorite Oregon winery? They have an incredible variety of vineyard designated wines and winemakers, Mike Stevenson and BillHanson. My favorite vineyard used to be Bednarick which is the northernmost vineyard in the portfolio, perhaps in the Willamette Valley. The weather at Bednarick is very erratic with such northern exposure, but in great years it is like a peacocks tail, a panoply of flavors. Unfortunately, because it is so erratic, Panther Creek has stopped making it. If you don't believe in "terroir" here's your chance to check it out. You can taste Shea, Freedom Hill, Vista and many other vineyards from the same winemakers and the same vintage. Notice any differences? Here's another secret. Mike produces his own label, Stevenson-Barrie and Bill makes Libra wines. They are very, very good and reasonably priced these are insider's wines - delicious and reasonably priced. If you can walk fifty yards you can check out Anthiny Dell-the 2005 Pinot was such full bodied and dark it reminded us of a Henri Gouges Nuits St. Georges. Another fifty yards will bring you to Domenico, another home of excellent wine. Want to get away from it all? Check out Elk Cove. Truly a a little glade in the woods, home of one of the oldest wineries in Oregon, the elk gather here and you should, too, for one of the best, fruitiness, but dry, Pinot Gris. Want some really good value? Try Bethel Heights unoaked Chardonnay.<br />
<br />
Welcome to the feast, fellow wine bloggers!</div>
Gene Stein, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02886738378937125318noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12833234.post-5866980528757272622012-08-16T18:53:00.000-07:002012-08-16T18:53:51.588-07:00My Refections On Oregon Wines<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Wine bloggers will gather this weekend in Portland, Oregon for our annual conference. Even though I won't be able to attend, I thought I would share some of my impressions of Oregon wines. My fondest memories are of my visits to the Willamette Valley with my partner Bob Tovey, especially our visits to Carlton and the Dundee hills. Another highlight was our visit to Phelps winery in the Hood River AVA. Owner, Bob Morus told us that for every mile you go east there is one inch less rainfall. That's why you grow both Pinot Noir and Zinfandel within thirty miles of each other. Bob's Pinot Noirs are great even though the grapes are grown on the eastern slopes of the Cascades just north of Mt. Hood. Hood River is one of two AVAs that include both Oregon and Washington State. On the Washington side Syncline and Memoose produce excellent wines. The other bi- state AVA is Walla Walla. Zerba is a good example of an Oregon winery producing estate wines from the Oregon side of the Walla Walla AVA. Cristophe Baron's fabulous Cauyue wines are considered Washington state wines even though the "atelier" and vineyards are all in Oregon. Deborah Hansen's vineyards are all in the same stony "calloux" amidst the Oregon apple and cherry orchids as Christophe 's even the wines are made at Cougar Crest winery just outside of Walla Walla in Washington . Even though it would make sense, somehow Washington and Oregon have never been able to market together. Kind of like trying to herd cattle and sheep at the same time.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
A less well known fact is that several Willamette Valley winemakers make great wines from the Walla Walla AVA. Ron Lachini, who I discovered in his first year at a Seattle wine event, has made excellent Pinot Noir from day one, but he also makes outstanding Bordeaux style blends from Walla Walla grapes. Ken Wright also makes great wines from Walla Walla grapes. He makes a spectacular Chardonnay from Cililo vineyard grapes grown in Washington . Ken is as close as you get to a cult wine celebrity in Oregon. His vineyard designated Pinots are fabulous. We especially like Canary, McCrone and Freedom vineyards. Since the great recession, it is possible to obtain Ken Wright wines directly at the Tyrus Evans tasting room in Carlton without having to be in the mailing list. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
IMHO , some of the most famous Oregon Pinots aren't that great -Beaux Freres, Archery Summit, Serene, Argyle, Patricia Green to name a few seem overrated to us especially compared to our faves at much more reasonable prices. Drouhin is on the cusp for us. A little too pricey for what you get, though can never forget the 1992 that we drank in 2002 . It was spectacular! At age ten, we felt we were committing infanticide. We are not really talking about price, but price/quality. Back in Carlton, at the winemakers studio we discovered Ayoub and Retour. I probably shouldn't tell you about these - very small production, high prices, incredible wine. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There are so many other wonderful wines in the Yamhill/Carlton/Ribbon Ridge area, but let's move<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);"> on to the Red Hills of Dundee. Here you will find a veritable feast. Lange, Winderslea, Tori Mar and De Ponte Cellars are highlights. The winemaker at Tori Mar, Jean Tardy, comes from an old Burgudian winemaking family and makes top notch Burgundy style Pinots. The Pinots from De Ponte are beautifully made by French winemaker, Isabelle. Everything Isabelle touches turns to gold, not just the Pinots, but the melon, the rose, you name it. Here's another secret! Ssh! When I first met Isabelle, she was wearing a very warm sweater in the middle of summer. Now, admittedly, Dundee is not the warmest place in the world, but her dress seemed extreme. Isabelle told me tat she had moved from the sith of France to start a new life with her children and shortly thereafter she gave birth to a new revolutionary wine , "1789", the year of the French revolution. Try to get your hands on sime at the De Ponte tasting room.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);">Okay, so you don't like back roads in the woods. You want to stay in town. Some of the best kept secrets are hidden in McMinnville. The whole Oregon wine industry was virtually started in the 1970s by pioneers such as David Lett. Everyone thought David was crazy. He planted Pinot Noir and Pinot blanc into wilds of Oregon I remember his 1976 Pinot Noir. It tasted like many of it's California cousins - a little clunky, a little chunky, but no worse than anything it of California. Up to his death a few years ago, eyrie wines were always in the lead. Now under his son, Jason the tradition continues with some interesting modifications. Bob and I will always remember his "Blackcap" Pinot - dark as ink, full of flavor</span></div>
</div>
Gene Stein, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02886738378937125318noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12833234.post-79465907705300204632012-07-19T11:24:00.001-07:002012-07-19T11:24:26.492-07:00Black Magic<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I left the best for last. It turns out that Carol Shelton is also a magician. Her Black Magic is a very unusual Zin Port. Light in color and body and only about 5% residual sugar this one would work as an aperatif before rather than after dinner. In Fact, if you have any French friends, they will love it as the French always drink their Port as an apero, not an after dinner digestif. However you take it, you will like it. <br />
<br />
Contrast this with the Trentadue Zinfandel Port. Exact opposites. First and last wines of the evening, aperatif and digestif. Different styles, but both WOW wines. The Trentadue is big and inky and tastes very similar to Porto from Portugal. In fact, it is one of the best American Ports I've had look for it or order from the winery or join their Port club</div>Gene Stein, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02886738378937125318noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12833234.post-49208450716310997132012-07-18T20:18:00.003-07:002012-07-18T20:18:51.916-07:00Zapatistas Ride Into Seattle - Part I<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Once again, ZAP, Zinfandel Advocates and Producers visits Seattle. This time it was a pleasure. Many of the usual suspects were missing, and some rootin', tootin' gunslingers arrived with some mighty mean beverages. Really, there were some old timers, some biggies, but there were also some interesting characters wd hacn't seen before.<br />
<br />
Carol Shelton is not exactly a newbie. In fact, she is a pioneering woman winemaker. She got started shortly after Zelma Long, back in the 1970s. My mom was a fiminist, so I get excited about pioneering women, but that is not really the point about Coral Shelton Wines. The real point is incredible quality.The wines are organic and some are made with wild yeast fermentation. Anyone who wants to seriously tk about terroir needs to pay attention to the wild yeast in their neighborhood.<br />
<br />
Where the wild things are! 2008 "Wild Thing" Old Vine Zinfandel is 83% Zin, 13% Carignane, 2% Petite Sirah, 2% Cabbernet. Get down on your hand an knees and worship. An amazing value at $15 a bottle. Search, search, search, cherchez le Zin!<br />
<br />
Istanbul, Cucamonga - 2008 "Monga" Zin - Frankly, the only good wine I haveever tasted from Cucamonga grapes. Carol says rustic and tamed , I say fabulous with licorice and five spce in the nose. Hunt for this one at about $15.<br />
<br />
Good Karma - 2008 "Karma Zin' - 3% Alicante Bouschet, 3% Petite Syrah Carol says, "lusty, full- bodied, powerful, classic Sonoma Zin, I say soft pleaure with hints of chocolatefor only $25.<br />
<br />
2008 Rockpile - Okay, so Mauritsen claims to whole RockpileAVA for themselves. Not so fast buddies, Carol says she staked a claim earlier than you guys and harvests a big substantial, serious wine from the the rockpile</div>Gene Stein, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02886738378937125318noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12833234.post-64215828452632535502012-07-16T10:55:00.001-07:002012-07-16T10:55:04.132-07:00Monte Ferro: A New Northwest WineMy wife's friend, Cindy, gave us a Monte Ferro Syrah from her brother-in-law. It's good stuff with a nose of cherries with a hint of pepper. It has a deep, rich color, lots of black fruit and a hint of acid and tannin which should completely smooth out in a few months. Even though the alcohol is a very high 15.1%, it is not overly jammy and in your face. Definitely in the league with some of the more established northwest wineries.
Now, where exactly is Monte Ferro? Grapes from the Columbia Valley, winery in Carlton? Whose the winemaker? Made at Cana or the winemaker studio? what's the bit with MonteFerro Foods? Website just shows Godaddy ads. Why Monte Ferro, Iron Mountain? I guess it's like so many startups - so many hats, so little time. Most of all I w old like to see a Pinot Noir from a winery based in the Willamette ValleyGene Stein, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02886738378937125318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12833234.post-36422625618996515042012-06-07T19:06:00.001-07:002012-06-07T19:06:08.392-07:00Independence Day In June?No, I'm not off my rocker. on July 1st almost everybody was free to sell liquor - No more state liquor stores. At the initiative of Costco, we switched from liquor in state stores only, to what should have been a feast for consumers. Walgreens,Safeway, Albertsons, and Costco started selling booze. The old state liquor stores started selling under private ownership. Go figure. Chaos and confusion prevailed! Listed prices excluded all taxes including excise. Which previously had been embedded in washigton's high prices. You had to be able to figure out thirty percent more for tax. Those bottleslisted at $30, werereally going to set you back $40. Where were those promised lower prices? Where was the longed for variety? The pricing strikes me as deceptive. In California, if johnnie walker is $30, it's thirty buck plain and simple. Safeway was the most aggressive marketer with " sale" prices on virtually everything. At least Albertsons had the decency to post examples of the new pricing system. The manager at Trader Joe's told me they would have more competitive prices once they started buying direct. The effect on wine? Less shelf space. The moral of the story, be careful what you wish for. Watch those libertarian impulses. How will it evolve? We shall see!Gene Stein, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02886738378937125318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12833234.post-2769331252372715792012-02-01T11:19:00.000-08:002012-02-01T11:20:53.504-08:00Nick's Wine: Amarone<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Cousin Nick gave my wife a bottle of Amarone which we saved until his visit. Amarone is a fascinating wine made mostly from the Corvino grape in the Valpolicella region of Italy close to Venice.<br />
Traditionally the grapes are laid out on bamboo racks to dry, thus concentrating the flavor. NIck brought us a 2004 Amarone Classico from Cantina Negrar. We served it with grilled quail over a bed of farro salad at room temperature. I must say it was a perfect pairing for lunch. The wine was big, rich, and complex, full of nuance and not at all jammy - a real treat! Thanks, Nick.</div>Gene Stein, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02886738378937125318noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12833234.post-3713471188119296192012-02-01T11:10:00.000-08:002012-02-01T11:10:02.233-08:00An Offer You Can't Refuse From The Wall Street Journal<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">No, it's not a one year subscription to the Wall Street Journal for $1. When "The Wall Street Journal" offered 15 wines for $75, I couldn't resist. The offer was slick and made me wonder if this was the next new Geerlings & Wade. The strong UPS man struggled to get the 15 bottle case into the house. Opening the box I found three bottles of my "bonus" Italian Chianti, several other Italian reds, two Spanish Riojas, one French Bordeaux, one Calfionia Pinot Noir, one Calfornia Cabernet, and I think two Australians.There were wine notes, a loose leaf folder, and a sign up sheet for my friends. Fifty bucks for me, if you sign up! Wanna sign up? <br />
<br />
The wines looked amazingly kosher, amazingly correct - nice shiny new bottles with impeccable labels, all the right language - vintage, wine name, country, region ,and certifications A.O.C., D.O.C.G., etc,.Very impressive, though I must admit I was skeptical. So far I've tasted three of them. <br />
<br />
The first wine we tasted was a 2006 Torre Ercilla Reserva Rioja from Spain certified as a Rioja Reserva by Denomenacion de Origen Calificadaand garbed in the golden wire netting so often associated with Rioja. All we could taste was acid, no resemblance to a Rioja or Tempranillo. Actually, one of the worst wines I've ever tasted. Give it a 65. Not off to a very good start , but wait, there's more. <br />
<br />
The second wine was a 2010 Chianti apparently from Collezione Di Paolo, Denominazione Di Origine Controllata e Garantita. This wasn't bad at all. Medium-bodied with lots of good berry fruit and just the right amount of tangy finish for a Chianti. Better than many Chiantis I've tasted in the past. This certainly was a worthy bonus. Give it an 84.<br />
<br />
The third wine was a 2009 William Knuttel Sonoma Pinot Noir "Epee Cuvee". Light to medium-bodied with earth tones and cherry flavors. A little flat but in the same league with Erath Pinot Noir at $15-$20 a bottle. Give it an 86.<br />
<br />
So, so far, batting two for one. Not a bad batting average at all. You will probably never read about these wines in Robert Parker, but for five bucks the good ones are a real bargain, for $12 or more the value is about the same as in the supermarket.Will the WSJ wines go down the drain the way Geerlings and Wade did? Who knows? Only the shadow knows! Stay tuned! There are six more wines to go.</div>Gene Stein, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02886738378937125318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12833234.post-85562255718754286512012-01-19T09:52:00.000-08:002012-01-19T09:58:47.045-08:00How To Ruin a Good Bordeaux<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">IMHO, lamb is the only thing to have with a good Bordeaux, preferably a St. Julien or Margaux. The best match, of course, is with the difficult to find Agneau de Pauilliac, pairing local food with local wine. Since this is not possible in most of the world you must bring the Bordeaux to the lamb. Local American lamb can be quite tender and delicious. The best American lamb we ever had was in Douglas, Wyoming. Sonoma produces beautiful stuff and the Tovey's lamb from Oregon has always pleased. But, alas, the local stuff is not always available, either, so more often than not, we have had to resort to lamb from Costco or Trader Joe's. Since the Great Recession. however we have had at least two bad experiences with lamb from Australia at Trader Joe's and Costco. Generally speaking New Zealand lamb seems younger and more tender and we have had no trouble with it. Australain lamb can be bigger, tougher and older, a little closer to mutton which we also love. <br />
<br />
So what's the problem. Well, it appears that since the crash of 2008, the Australians have been using more and more Hydrogen Sulfide as a preservative. So not only is the meat vacuum packed, but the bag is imjected with Hydrogen Sufide to keep the oxygen out and thus add extra shelf life to the product. The problem is the product stinks! H2S smells like rotten eggs. If the right amount is used it usually dissipates and the meat smells reasonably fresh in a few minutes. On the other hand, if too much is used, the lamb continues to smell like rottens eggs right through cooking and onto the palate, Ugg! Yuck!!! Perhaps the only appropriate pairing at this poin twould be with a corked wine. Just think of the smell of rotten eggs paired with the smell of wet dog, sweat socks or wet cardboard. Let's give the TCA cheer - 2,4,6 trichloroanisole, rah, rah , rah! Nah, nah, nah! Take it back. Stick it in their face if necessary.<br />
<br />
We once had lamb paired with 1995 Chateau Labegorce Zede, a Cru Bourgeois Margaux, a real treat.. Get yourself a real treat. Look for domestic or New Zealand lamb and pair it with Bordeaux, perhaps a 2009 Haut Sorillon from Trader Joe's (about $10) or a 2009 Bois Redon from Total Wines (about $9). Avoid that hydrogen sulfide and enjoy! </div>Gene Stein, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02886738378937125318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12833234.post-76987488978991716382012-01-12T12:55:00.000-08:002012-01-12T13:00:01.637-08:002011 Unofficial Cassification Of Washington Wineries<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
This is the sixth annual Unofficial Classification of Washington State Wineries. The 2011 Unofficial Classification Of Washington State Wineries represents my personal, perhaps idiosyncratic or eccentric, opinions of the quality of Washington State wineries. Out of more than 700 wineries, there are well over a hundred producing great wine. About half of the wine produced in Washington comes from wineries owned by Chateau Ste. Michelle. The other wineries are mostly small artesanal family enterprises typically producing 2000-3000 cases, in some cases up to 20,000 cases or more. In contrast to other classifications of wine such as the 1855 classification of Bordeaux, the Unofficial Classification of Washington Wineries can change every year. It is not set in stone. Since it is retrospective, it does not necessarily predict future rankings. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.Wines at the top of the list tend to be special wines for special occasions, whereas wines in the "Cinqieme" group tend to be outstanding values. Exclusion from this classification, in no way represents a commentary on the quality of a winery. In many cases, it may simply mean that I am not familiar enough with the wines or winemaker to form an opinion. On the other hand, not all Washington wines and wineries are great, so only the best that I am familiar with are listed here. Wineries are listed in alphabetical order and not ranked within each category. Wineries are listed as "deferred," if I have reason to believe they are worthy, but haven't tasted enough of their wines recently to form an opinion. There are well over 100 classified growths in Washington State. I would be happy to drink wine from any of these wineries and you will be, too.<br />
<div id="wrapper"><div id="main-wrapper"><div id="main-content"><div id="content-wrapper"><div class="post"><div class="post-body"><div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><div id="wrapper"><div id="main-wrapper"><div id="main-content"><div id="content-wrapper"><div class="post"><div class="post-body"><div><br />
<br />
Premier Grand Cru ( Extraordinary)<br />
<br />
Cayuse<br />
<br />
Leonetti<br />
<br />
Quilceda Creek<br />
<br />
<br />
Deuxieme Grand Cru (Outstanding)<br />
<br />
Andrew Will<br />
<br />
Betz<br />
<br />
Cadence<br />
<br />
DeLille<br />
<br />
Januik<br />
<br />
Long Shadow<br />
<br />
Pepper Bridge<br />
<br />
Spring Valley</div><div><br />
<br />
<br />
Troisieme Grand Cru ( Exceptional)<br />
<br />
Abeja<br />
<br />
Adams Bench<br />
<br />
Amaurice<br />
<br />
Boudreaux<br />
<br />
Brian Carter<br />
<br />
Buty<br />
<br />
Caderetta <br />
<br />
Canon De Sol <br />
<br />
Cougar Crest<br />
<br />
Doyanne<br />
<br />
Elsom <br />
<br />
Fall Line<br />
<br />
Five Star<br />
<br />
Glencorrie <br />
<br />
Gorman<br />
<br />
Hestia<br />
<br />
Hightower<br />
<br />
Irlandes <br />
<br />
Isenhower<br />
<br />
Mark Ryan<br />
<br />
Note Bene<br />
<br />
O-S<br />
<br />
Palouse<br />
<br />
Pomum<br />
<br />
Pondera<br />
<br />
Robert Ramsey <br />
<br />
Ross Andrew<br />
<br />
Saviah<br />
<br />
Sleight Of Hand<br />
<br />
Sparkman<br />
<br />
Syncline<br />
<br />
Trio<br />
<br />
Willis Hall <br />
<br />
<br />
Quatrieme Grand Cru ( Excellent)<br />
<br />
426<br />
<br />
Adamant<br />
<br />
Amavi<br />
<br />
Baer<br />
<br />
Barrage<br />
<br />
Basel Cellars <br />
<br />
Beresen<br />
<br />
Bergevin Lane<br />
<br />
Canoe Ridge<br />
<br />
Chatter Creek <br />
<br />
Covington<br />
<br />
Darby<br />
<br />
Davonport<br />
<br />
Des Voignes<br />
<br />
Desert Wind<br />
<br />
Domaine Pouillon <br />
<br />
Dusted Valley<br />
<br />
Efeste <br />
<br />
Flying Trout<br />
<br />
Forgeron<br />
<br />
Gifford Hirlinger<br />
<br />
Guardian <br />
<br />
Hedges<br />
<br />
Kestrel<br />
<br />
Kiona<br />
<br />
L'Ecole<br />
<br />
Mountain Dome<br />
<br />
Nicolas Cole<br />
<br />
Northstar<br />
<br />
Novelty Hill<br />
<br />
Pattterson <br />
<br />
Red Sky<br />
<br />
Reininger<br />
<br />
Seven Hills<br />
<br />
Sheridan<br />
<br />
Syzygy<br />
<br />
Terra Blanca<br />
<br />
Tertulia<br />
<br />
Three Rivers<br />
<br />
Thurston Wolfe <br />
<br />
Trust<br />
<br />
Tyrus Evan <br />
<br />
Vin Du Lac<br />
<br />
Walla Walla Vineyards<br />
<br />
Walter Dacon<br />
<br />
Whitman<br />
<br />
William Church <br />
<br />
<br />
Cinqieme Cru (Best Buys)<br />
<br />
14 Hands<br />
<br />
Airfield Estates<br />
<br />
Apex<br />
<br />
Balboa</div><div>Bergevin Lane<br />
<br />
Boomtown<br />
<br />
Barnard Griffin<br />
<br />
Chinook<br />
<br />
Columbia Crest "Two Vines"<br />
<br />
Covington <br />
<br />
Dama</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Eliseo Silva<br />
<br />
Goose Ridge<br />
<br />
Gordon Bros<br />
<br />
Hogue<br />
<br />
Martinez & Martinez<br />
<br />
Maryhill<br />
<br />
Nelms Road<br />
<br />
NXNW <br />
<br />
Pavin & Riley<br />
<br />
Pine & Post<br />
<br />
Red Diamond<br />
<br />
Revelry<br />
<br />
Ryan Patrick<br />
<br />
Sagelands<br />
<br />
Saint Laurent<br />
<br />
Two Vintners <br />
<br />
Waterbrook<br />
<br />
Willow Crest<br />
<br />
Wines of Substance <br />
<br />
<br />
Deferred<br />
<br />
Agate Field<br />
<br />
Andrake<br />
<br />
Animale<br />
<br />
Cameraderie<br />
<br />
Columbia Crest Reserve<br />
<br />
Doubleback <br />
<br />
Dunham<br />
<br />
Ensemble<br />
<br />
Glacial Lake Missoula<br />
<br />
Gramercy <br />
<br />
Grand Reve <br />
<br />
Latitude 46 N<br />
<br />
Local Wine Company<br />
<br />
Massett<br />
<br />
McKinley Springs<br />
<br />
McCrea<br />
<br />
Pacific Rim <br />
<br />
Parejas<br />
<br />
Rulo<br />
<br />
Sandidge <br />
<br />
Sandhill<br />
<br />
Soos Creek<br />
<br />
Terra Blanca - Onyx<br />
<br />
Two Mountains<br />
<br />
Woodward Canyon<br />
<br />
Zefina </div></div><div class="post-footer"><br />
</div></div><div class="post"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=12833234&postID=5019388632998908448" name="8131001193189200033"></a> <br />
<div class="post-body"><div><br />
</div></div></div></div></div></div><div id="blog-footer"><div><br />
</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Gene Stein, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02886738378937125318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12833234.post-26436775375921837292012-01-02T14:00:00.000-08:002012-01-02T14:07:22.893-08:00The Best And Worst Wines Of 2011<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">With over 600,000 wines in the world ,obviously, these are not The Best and The Worst in the whole world.They are just some of my faves, and disfaves(?), unfives(?), anti-fave(s)? that I've tasted in the past year.They appear in no particular order, just stream of consciousness, you know.<br />
<br />
:<u>Worst:</u><br />
<br />
<ul><li>Roederer Brut - WhaT a disappointment!Neither fresh and elegant like Crystal, nor creamy like Napa Roederer Estate, I really wanted to send this one back. It tasted metallic, old or cooked, no pizzaz. Was it spoiled or poorly made? Fortunately we had a backup for New Year's Eve. The next day we tatsed it again. This time it was softer, less obnoxious. Still didn't like it Give it a 65</li>
<li>2009 Quivera Zinfandel This one reallywasn't that bad, only by comparison with the glorious 2007. Too much herbaceousness, eucalyotus, vegetative taste for me. Give it an 80</li>
<li>2006 Domaine Du Moulie -I was so excited to find a Madiran from the southwest of France Another disappointment! Lacking real Madiran quality, it was so acidic as to be undrinkable. We finally managed to use for cooking. Give it a 70.</li>
</ul><br />
<u>Best:</u><br />
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;"><li> NV Chandon Brut - Fresh, lively, a lazer beam when really cold, fuller, softer, but still pleasingly dry when warmer. When it's on sale for $12 at Safeway, it's a great bargain .Give it an 88. </li>
<li>1998 Nelm's Road Merlot -This would have been one for Ryan's cellar. I purchased a case roughly ten years ago, and it has been getting better and better. The first bottline was, great, though high in tannin. The last bottle was beautifully complex with a panoply of dark fruit flavorsIn the old days Parker might have given it an 80, not it definitely rates a 90-good stuff at a reasonable price.</li>
<li>NV Quail Oak Merlot - well, not quite the same as the Nelms Road, but we prefered it to Two Buck Chuck. and Southern from Walgreen's. Good basic Merlot, not too sweet or sappy - great for cooking. Call it Four Buck Chuck.</li>
<li>1991 Togni Cabernet Sauvignon - We first met Phillip in the 1970s when he was winemaker at Cuvaison up the Silverado Trail near Calistoga. We had done a tasting of three French White Burgundies and three Napa Chardonnays totally blind. Phillip"s Cuvaison won by far. When he read the results in the Northwest Consumer's Wine Guide, he invited us to visit. When he started his own "Togni" winery on Spring Mountain we continued to follow him..Tthe twenty year old 1991 Cab, not surprisingly, tastes like a well aged Bordeaux with a little more "stuffing as the English say. Let's give it a "91".</li>
<li>1975 Chateau Latour - The first Chateau Latour I tasted was a 1963 for which I paid $3. As a poor student that represeted approximately .001% of my yearly income, but it was worth it. Okay, you 1%ers, don't turn up your noses at a 1963. Yes it was a lousy year, but the Latour taste was there. Even though Robert Parker has always kind of panned 1975 it was mindblowing good - flowers, dark fruit, peonies, roses and tar = complex, holds your attention, soft and velvety, but with plenty of substance. Definitely better than Parker's "93+".</li>
<li>-2009 Chateau Greteau - It's a good thing we didn't taste this after the Ch. Latour, but on it's own it is a delicious 2009 Bordeaux at Costco for about $10. A best buy and still, I think, available.</li>
<li>2004 Andrew Will- An outstanding wine from Chris Carmada. This Washington State beauty is mad from Champoux vineyard grapes. I keep debating with myself about which is better - Champoux or Ciel Du Cheval. I'll take either one. Fabulously rich, fruity and complex. A delight to drink. Give it a 94.</li>
<li>2003 Peppe Bridge Walla Walla Pepper Bridge Vineyard Reserve - Another fabulous wine from Washington State. Jean Francois Pellet has fashioned a big rich velvety red an outstanding flaor profile. If you want to debate more terroir, compare Jean Francois' wines from Peper Bridge Vineyard with those from neighbor Seven Hills Vineyard. Give it a 91</li>
<li>2005 Cayuse Syrah En Cerise - You will feel like you've been hit by a bowling ball that splits open to reveala spicy fruitbomb. Give it a 92</li>
<li>1997 Dunn Cabernet Sauvignon - With this one a baseball bat will hit it out of the park. A BIG, linear, powerful gamma knife that that will cut your steak for you. Belive it or not, it is only 13% alcohol. It's a style! Give it a 90.</li>
<li>1997 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Fay Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon - Winner of the 1976 Spurrier tasting in Paris, Warren Winiarski launched Napa and California on a journay to the top of the wine world with his 1973 "Cask 23" Cab. Robert Parker has bee poohpoohing the winery since to 90s saying the winery is living on it's reputation. Rollover Robert, this is possibly the best California wine I've tasted. At 14.5% alcohol it is a velvet tapistry or soft textures and complex flavors. No jammy in-your-face here. Reminiscent of a really big but soft St. Julien from Bordeaux Diane and I decided to give it a "110".</li>
<li>2009 Chateau Bois Redon - This Bordeaux Superior is a Right Bank style red with 75% Merlot. It is an amazing value at $10 from Total Wines. Give it an 85.</li>
<li>2009 Ch Haut Sorillon - Perhaps the best value I've tasted this year at $9 from Trader Joe's. Delicious Bordeaux at a great price (85)</li>
</ul></div>Gene Stein, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02886738378937125318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12833234.post-89037062297088836952011-12-28T11:49:00.000-08:002011-12-28T11:49:25.631-08:00Happy New Year Champagne<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">The new year is almost here. Let us hope it will be better than 2011. Do you have your Champagne, yet, to celebrate the arrival of 2012? If no , here's a list of suggestions.<br />
<br />
For the 1%<br />
<ul><li>Crystal</li>
</ul>For the rest of us<br />
<br />
Over $30:<br />
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Roederer</li>
<li>Piper Heidsick</li>
</ul>Over $10<br />
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Chandon Napa</li>
<li>Mumm's Napa</li>
<li>Roederer Estate</li>
<li>Gruet </li>
<li>Mountain Dome</li>
</ul>Under $10<br />
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Freixenet</li>
<li>Ch Ste. Michelle </li>
</ul> <br />
Happy New Year!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</div>Gene Stein, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02886738378937125318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12833234.post-41929239104934841922011-11-11T13:14:00.000-08:002011-11-11T13:22:52.297-08:00Thanksgiving Wine<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Where've you been? You could say I've been pre-Occupied with Wall Street. You could say I've been sick. You could say I've been travelling. You could say all of the above, but I haven't been neglecting wine, just writing about it. So we've visited our favorite wineries in the Willamette Valley, Oregon and<br />
Dry Creek Valley in Sonoma, California which I'll tell you about soon, but first the low down on the annual showdown with all those turkeys out there (no, not the politicans, the birds).<br />
<br />
Food pairings can be overdone. Basically you can drink any wine you like with any food. Red wine with fish, white wine with red meat. Bordeaux with salmon, Chardonnay with steak. It does happen that some pairings are exquisite together such as foie gras and Sauternes, blue cheese, walnuts and Port, rack of lamb and Bordeaux, T-bone steak with big Napa Cab, Salmon and Pinot Noir, Barolo and Osso Buco to name a few examples. So even though you can drink anything with Turkey there are some pairings that work better than others<br />
<br />
You can always drink Champagne or other sparklers with anything including Turkey. Even though I don't generally like sweeter Champagnes, they do go well with Turkey. Try Prosecco or Sparkling Vouvray. Vouvray, a Chenin Blanc from the Loire Valley might just be the perfect wine with Turkey. Sparkling Vouvray has the added advantage of being festive and generally less expensive than Champagne. Vouvray, both sparkling and plain come in varying degrees of sweetness, so it might be best to ask someone in the store. Semillon is another great match. Of course, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris would work well, too. Gnerally speaking, whites go better than reds, but if you prefer reds try Beaujolais Nouveau, Beaujolais, or Pinot Noir. If Turkey's not you thing, try Rose with Ham and Burgundy or Pinot Noir with Roast Beef.<br />
<br />
Here are ten specific suggestions:<br />
<br />
1) Chandon Napa Sparkling Wine<br />
2) Mumm's Napa Sparkling Wine<br />
3) Gruet New Mexico Sparkling Wine<br />
4) Mountain Dome Washington Sparkling Wine<br />
5) Zardetto Prosecco - Italy<br />
6) Vouvray - Loire Valley, France<br />
7) Sparkling Vouvray, Loire, France<br />
8) L'Ecole Semillon, Washington State<br />
9) L'Ecole Walla Voila(Chenin Blanc) - Washington State<br />
10) Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau - France<br />
<br />
Enjoy! Have a Happy Holiday!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</div>Gene Stein, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02886738378937125318noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12833234.post-69746184533977464032011-08-22T05:40:00.000-07:002011-08-22T05:40:00.280-07:00One Of The Best Kept Wine Secrets In America<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">OK, OK, so the sky isn't falling. Or maybe it's better to just enjoy your wine and not worry about the world One way to forget the world crisis is a visit to the source of some of the best bottles in the U.S, dare I say in the world? Buried in a Seattle suburb, half an hour from downtown you can find some of the best wine in the U.S. Napa move over. There are well over 100 excellent wineries and tasting rooms in Woodinville, Washington. So many wineries from east of the,Cascades, where the grapes grow, have dicided to "bring the mountain to Mohammed", so to speak, o,r as Willy Sutton supposedly said, go where the money is. Dusted Valley and Isenhower are just two Walla Walla wineries that have recentlyset up shop in Woodinville.<br />
<br />
So many great wines, so little time. Yesterday we took our friends, Alan & Judy, on a brief tour of some of our faves. Alas, we didn't get to Novelty Hill, Januik, Brian Carter or Adam's Bench to name a few, but we did manage to stop in at Hestia's new digs where Shannon et al were busily hammering away in their new winery. Shannon was kind enough to take some time out from construction to taste us on his two flagship wines. The 2008 Syrah was spectacular and full flavored. The2008 Cab more linear. Judy couldn't resist the Syrah.<br />
<br />
Pondera just across the allet was open for business so we mosied over there. We first tasted Pondera wines at one of David Le Cl;aire's Discoveries and Debuts a few years ago and even then they really stood out. All the wine were good, but the 2008 Cuvee and 2008 Sericus really stood out for us The Cuvee so flavorful, so balancd, so appealing, for only twenty bucks and the Sericus, more serious, bigger, full flavored. To heck with school, to heck with Davis, the heck with Boing, these guys know what they are doing. And the artistry entends beyond winemaking, to painting. Judy couldn't resist a fabulous print of a wild horse for only twenty bucks.<br />
<br />
South a few miles to DeLille's new tasting room. DeLille is one of those wineries that is not only totally reliable, but spectacular at the same time. After a little chat with Jay Soloff, we tasted through three of their Rhone style wines and three of their Bordeaux style wines. Of the wines poured, our favorites this time around were the 2008 Harrison Hill and the 2010 Doyenne Rousanne. The 2008 Harrison Hill comes from one of the oldest vineyards in Washington. The Cabernet Sauvignon was softened up and balanced out by 25% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot - supple, silky and pure. Yum! The 2008 Rousanne was mindblowingly magnificent. Probably the best Rousanne I 've ever had. Truly spectacular - a virtual mountain water fall flowing down my gullet with all the flavor of the stones in a Cascade stream -Wow!<br />
<br />
So now the secret is out! Where else can you find so many great wineries concentrated in just a a few square miles? Well there is one other place - the South Park area just south of Seattle. There you can taste amazing wines from the likes of Cadence, Fall Line, Note Bene, Falling Rain, Smasne and others.<br />
<br />
Don't want to spend a bundle on a wine vacation? Seattle wineries and tasting rooms are still the best kept secret treasure in the wine world.Save on airfare and spend on wine.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</div>Gene Stein, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02886738378937125318noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12833234.post-3816466812523829522011-08-11T06:06:00.000-07:002011-08-11T06:14:28.604-07:00Tales From My Father By Charlie<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Oh, hell, so it's not about wine, it's about the economy, stupid! So I met Charlie in the hot tub. He's got arthritic aches and pains like so many retired people. Somehow it didn't take very long to get from physical pains to psychological, emotional, and fiscal pains.. Like most of us, his 401k is down 20%. It didn't take much to get us into a joint rant. Let's see, where to start? Neither one of us belongs to a party - not Democrat, Republican, Independent or Tea Party. Charlie is angry! About Wall Street, about Washington, about political dysfunction, about the fact that low (no) interest rates devastate retirees, about Congress people who have fat health plans and retirements that we don't have, about waste, about deficit spending and the debt which in the long run lead to the downfall of empires, about the fact that, after retiring from a major drug company, he may have to go back to work, about the dilemma that spending cuts destroy jobs. What the hell happened? What happened to his father's prudence.<br />
<br />
Complexity is too much for the human brain, even though consequences are multi-determined to borrow a phrase from Freud. Although there is no single cause, we tend to look for a simple explanation and a simple solution. So if we want to play the blame game, we could finger Greenspan, Barney Frank, greedy mortgage brokers, sub-prime mortgages, Fannie & Freddie, the big banks, CDOs and SIVs, greedy speculators, Washington and Wall Street. Anyway here we are in this mess "Round Two.". Governments bailed out the banks, will the banks bail out the governments?<br />
<br />
So here we are, and Charlie is angry. Do you think he is the only one? Do you think the Tea Partiers are the only ones? What did his Dad have to say? Here are the laws of the father. Here are the ten commandments<br />
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Don't borrow</li>
<li>Don't get into debt</li>
<li>Never a lender nor a borrower be </li>
<li>Don't overspend</li>
<li>Pay off your debts every month</li>
<li>Work hard</li>
<li>Be innovative</li>
<li>Take care of yourself, your family, your community</li>
<li>Cut back</li>
<li>Get a job</li>
</ul>There's the rub! How can you get a job when everybody is cutting back? Corporations have discovered that they can have the biggest profits ever by simply not hiring (and firing). Look at Bank of America, where Ken Lewis fired 35,000 of his most competent employees and bought disaster areas such as Countrywide and Merril Lynch retaining the least expensive and most incompetent employees, only to take home one of those "$165 million bonuses" found only on Wall Street and in the executive suites of big banks. Most of us have been cutting back - Cash is King. And now the government is cutting back. We were on a spending spree encouraged by economists such as Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan. Atlas shrugged and the world collapsed. " I see a flaw" - you're kidding me!!!<br />
<br />
Since WWII, thery've called it demand pull. A house for every American and three SUV's in every garage. Greenspan thought it was fine to take out a second "home equity loan" when Charlie's father was saying, if you must borrow to buy a house to live in, pay it off asap. What happened to integrity, waht happened to civility, what happened to bipartisanship, what happened to our country, what happened to the world. Turn over any rock and you find money. Turn over any financial transaction and you find greed. "Greed is good?" Up to a point! Aren't rapacious capitalism and extreme socialism ( i.e., communism) two sides of the same coin?<br />
<br />
Doe Charlie drink wine? I never asked him, but I wouldn't be surprised. In fact, I'll bet he he's drinking more and paying less just like in 2008-2009. Over 50 restaurants closed in Tucson in the fall of 2008. How many wineries will close this time around. Cheers!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</div>Gene Stein, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02886738378937125318noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12833234.post-11416082411918184852011-07-21T18:12:00.000-07:002011-07-21T18:14:09.023-07:00Summer Wines<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Summer? What's that? It the sun ever comes out here in Seattle you may want to have a picnic or maybe you live on the shvitz on the East Coast or in the inferno in the Midwest on in caliente Arizona. Once again, 2009 provided a way to cool off. How about some oysters (not the Rocky Mountain kind) with 2009 Chateau Des Cleons Muscadet from Trader Joe's for about $9 - crisp, fresh dry, tart - everthing a Muscadet should be, with just a hint of fruit to soften it up. Too hot to turn on the oven, too tired to fire up the BBQ? How about sauteeing some scallops for a simple salad compose? I have the perfect match - 2009 Domaine de Niales Macon-Villages. This amazingly rich Chardonnay is made from old vines and resembles white Burgundies at twice the price or more - perfect balance of fruit and acid with wonderful minerality at about $12 from K&L Wines in San Francisco. In Seattle, you can pick up some 2009 Borgogne Blanc from Lambdin at McCarthy & Schiering for thirteen bucks. Lambdin was recommended to me by son-in-law Laurent who found it at Andronico's in San FRancisco. A little drier feel than the Macon it would be fabulous with any seafood, fish or chicken. BTW, 2009 Drouhin and Louis Jadot Macon-Villages are widely distributed and quite good in the $10-$15 price range.<br />
<br />
About that picnic, shift to 2010 for one of the best Roses I've ever tasted. My friend Carol doesn't like Rose I think because she associates it with sweet white Zinfandel. Personally, I don't like sweet Roses either whether from France or the U.S. I have never had a Rose from the Loire Valley of France that I found enjoyable. Similarly, most American Roses are too sweet for my taste. A number of years ago I visited the Enotheque in Les Arcs - more than 50 Cotes de Provence wines to taste almost all Roses. I wished I could take them all home with me. So when I opened Carol & Stevens fridge in Morro Bay and saw a 2010 Cotes de Provence Rose, I couldn't resist a little sip. WOW! The perfect Provencale Rose! It is hard to describe the essence of this bliss producing wine. Of course, the salmon color is pleasing, flavors superb and the dryness of the wine just right. Perhaps it is the restraint and incredible lightness that is so magical - the essence of the sun and sea of Provence in a glass. You might think you would pay over $20 for a wine made so close to the famous Bandol, but Luc & Serine Sorin have kept the price amazingly reasonable. I got my bottles at McCarthy & Schiering for $12 a bottle. Where else can you buy such wine in Seattle? Tune in ...</div>Gene Stein, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02886738378937125318noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12833234.post-89163273649136982752011-06-28T13:51:00.000-07:002011-06-28T13:51:44.031-07:00Bordeaux With Pizza?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">You know I'm on a 2009 kick, drinking my way through the bottom of the barrel searching for values. Trader Joe's is a frequent haunt in the hunt for values, though the results vary tremendously. Two more Bordeaux raised an interesting question. Can you really drink Bordeaux with pizza, pasta, burgers The answer is a definite yes. Chateau Moulinde Beausejour 2009 proves it, Like most 2009 Bordeaux, Moulin Beausejour has fruit, but more acid than I would like in a Bordeaux, so I re-imagined it as a Chianti. Now it tasted like a classic Chianti with lots of good berry fruit and the tangy acid finish needed to pair with pizza and pasta. Amazing! French Merlot in the style of Italian Sangiovese. The second wine, an old Trader Joe's standby was more of a hamburger wine. The 2009 L'Estey Reserve is a negociant's blend from Calvert, better than Mouton Cadet and, IMHO, Two Buck Chuck. It had good fruit and balance but seemed a little dull, unidimensional - a good everyday wine </div>Gene Stein, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02886738378937125318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12833234.post-59206614776774377402011-06-23T17:52:00.000-07:002011-07-21T17:24:38.691-07:00What Am I Drinking?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">What am I drinking these days? 2009 Bordeaux! Am I a Chinese billionaire? Am I a wine killer? Committing infanticide? No way! While 2009 First Growth Futures sold for around $1000 (a bottle!), the other end of the barbell is coming into it's own. For years now the the prices of fancy classsified wines have skyrocketed while the rest of Bordeaux wine was virtually unsaleable. Finally, some French vignerons are figuring out how to sop up the " lake of wine." Of course the weather helped. The 2009 vintage is so balanced and fruit forward it was a bit easier to produce delicious wines even at the low end. If you've always been curious about Bordeaux, but figured you couldn't afford it, think again. There are so many excellent Bordeaux coming ashore from the big appellations like Bordeaux, Entre-Deux-Mers, Bordeaux Superior, Cotes de Fronsac, etc.,. So far all the wines I've tasted have had good fruit with gentle tannins and acid. Some are very fruity, almost American in style, lots of Merlot here, but others have complex flavors and some balancing tannin and acid. These wines are all drinkable now, and some will improve with a few years of ageing. It is unlikely that they will last more than 6 to 10 years. And the coup de grace? An average price of $10 to $12 a bottle.<br />
<br />
Here are some Bordeaux I've tasted:<br />
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;"><li>2009 Chateau Grand Pierre, Bordeaux Superior, about $10 at K&L - This wine grabbed us - medium bodied, delicious black fruit some soft tannins and good backbone this will probably get even better over the next year or two. Drink now to 2015 - definitely our favorite.</li>
</ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> 2009 Grand Bateau, Bordeaux about$10 at K&L. This seems to be a negociants blend kind of like Mouton Cadet only infinitely superior. Mainly Merlot, this is pure simple fruit. A good quaff, but not too interesting </li>
</ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>2009 Chateau de Riberbon, Bordeaux Superior, about $15 from WTSO online. Good fruit with enough tannin so that it really needs at least two years before it wil come around to easy drinkability</li>
</ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> 2009 Chateau Haut Sorillon, Bordeaux Superior, about $9 at Trader Joe's. That's not a typo! Eight bucks for a delicious, balanced, fruity red with a nose of violets and lavander. Ready to drink, good for at least four more years. A best buy! </li>
</ul><ul style="text-align: left;"></ul><br />
Next on my list to check out are 2009 Reserve de L'Estay and 2009 Moulin de Beausejour both from Trader Joe's. </div>Gene Stein, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02886738378937125318noreply@blogger.com1