Highlights of the weekend were:
Making lunch at home for JP and "The Todd" from WineBerserkers.com and his lovely family.
Whale Watching off Dana Point
Sightseeing of The Mission at San Juan Capistrano
Pageant of the Masters in Laguna Beach
Entertaining my Mom, Brother and our family members visiting from Montreal
Libations for the marathon birthday weekend:
NV, Louis Roederer, Brut Premier
2000 Louis Roederer, Brut "Cristal"
2002 Louis Roederer, Blanc De Blancs
2005 Sea Smoke, "Southing"
2008 Chateau De Puligny-Montrachet, Bourgogne, Rose of Pinot Noir
10 different Champagnes from Ambonnay - Hi-Time Wine Cellars
2004 Ponsot Morey St. Denis - Monts Luisants
1970 Bodegas Marques De Murrieta, Castillo Ygay, Gran Reserva Especial
2002 Domaine De Baumard, Quarts de Chaume
1927 Solera - Alvear Pedro Ximenez
50 some odd rums - Hi-Time Wine Cellars (Rum Tasting, got through half of them)
2005 Les Pailleres - Gigondas
2005 Domaine Fontaine-Gagnard, Chassagne-Montrachet 1st Cru, "Les Caillerets"
NV, Schramsberg Brut Rose
Lapu Lapu (Royal Hawaiian)
2007 Pierre Boniface, "Apremont"
Restaurants:
Thursday, WaterMarc, Laguna Beach
Friday, Lunch at my place: Smoked salmon, Caprese salads (Thanks, JP for your endless supply of Caprese salads!), homemade chewy chocolate cookie ice cream sandwiches
Friday, Royal Hawaiian, Laguna Beach
Friday, 230 Forest, Laguna Beach
Saturday, Brunch at my place: Caprese salads, Serrano ham, baguette and cheeses
Saturday, Harbor House, Dana Point
Sunday, Hush Restaurant, Laguna Beach
Monday, A picnic lunch on the bluffs at Crystal Cove State Park
Monday, Splashes Restaurant at The Surf & Sand Hotel
Tuesday, GulfStream, Newport Beach
Of the wines, the real showstopper was the 1970 Bodegas Marques De Murrieta, Castillo Ygay, Gran Reserva Especial. It was a gorgeous wine with great texture, very present fruit still (no orangey edges in the glass), floral notes and a nonstop finish. Plus, it was the first wine I have had from my birth year. All the wines were wonderful, even the Apremont, which I bought for $12..just a lovely, refreshing summer wine.
The standout restaurants were: Hush, for their Veal Porterhouse and Truffled Mashed Potatoes. Heaven! Also, WaterMarc is a phenomenal find in Laguna and I can't wait to go there again. A remarkable weekend.
