The Madness and Brilliance of Grant Achatz

Chef Grant Achatz is known for his highly-acclaimed restaurant, Alinea in Chicago. In Fall 2010, he will be opening his bar, Aviary (well, except it isn't a bar, nor a lounge, and has no bartenders). The chefs in the kitchen will be making the drinks. Holy Hell!

Needless to say after watching this, I cannot wait to visit. I'm awed by the painstaking, meticulous work he and his staff do with cocktails, and this doesn't even cover his food. His other restaurant, "Next" will open at the same time.

Amazing the thought that went into this:

Acid is your friend.

2007 Benito Santos Albariño Viñedo de Xoan, Rias Biaxas (Ree-yas Bye-Shas), Spain - from José Pastor Selections



Had this with calamari and cod from the local fish market.

Jose Pastor is the importer of this wine, who you'll hopefully hear more about in the future. This is a "Natural Wine", meaning (here's the Cliff's Notes version) this is a wine produced with minimal intervention in all aspects of wine-making, from using indigenous yeasts, and also using several organic methodologies from farming to production.

The term "natural wine" is currently a hot topic with wine geeks because the official definition is still being discussed and yet to be agreed upon. I think the goal of natural wine, is to use natural farming and wine-making practices that produce wines reflecting the soil and the weather where the grapes were grown. There are different philosophies and not everyone agrees at which point a winemaker intervenes, and to what degree. Hence, the controversy.
Anyhow, back to the wine...

Light-golden color with the faintest bit of spritz. Smelling a sea salt briny goodness, and lemon. Good acid! If you are new to wine: Don't be afraid of acid! It makes having food and wine together a joy, gives a 'zip' (for lack of better words) to the wine that you'll appreciate and love, and acid plays a big role in allowing a wine to age.

If I had to describe this wine in one word: Exhilarating. Going back to ask, "What was that?" I detect lemon, sea water, peach pit, and on the finish: more lemon with a kind of cheddar (?huh?). Re-tasted on the 3rd day and still drinking well. Love this. An extremely interesting wine which I don't think I'll tire from, and I can't wait to try this again.

My Summer Ro(sé)mance

2009 Château de Peyrassol Côtes de Provence Rosé

Summer brings in long days, warm nights, and lovely rosé wines. This one is at the head of the list, a beautiful Provencal rosé made of Grenache, Cinsault & Syrah.

Color: Clear, pale salmon.
Nose: Cranberry, carnations, honeydew. A friend described it as: Sea breeze and fresh tangerine. I agree!
Palate: Razor-sharp crispness, dry, red berry, white pepper. Great minerality. Perfect, harmonious balance, and keeps drinking as fresh from the first sip as to the last. Planning on keeping this (along with Pierre Boniface Apremont, which I will cover next time) as my house wine during the summer.

Cheers,

Summer is Gone, but...

..Domaine Tempier Rosé still remains.

2008 Domaine Tempier Bandol Rosé



Many people scoff at Rosés because they are thinking of White Zinfandel. Two different styles of wine entirely. Domaine Tempier is a world class wine which happens to be a Rosé.

Light Salmon-colored, Light-to-Medium bodied, but delicate. Honeydew on the nose,then ripe Canteloupe. Dry. You also get a whiff of chilled carnations and roses. Perfumey. No heat. Sleek and silky. A wee-bit buttery with a lingering finish. I have had Francophiles disway me from buying this wine in the past, strictly because of its price ("Don't spend that much on a Rosé!."), but now after having it, I understand.

Napa... this week! ...with Updates on the Big Bad List of wines.

The Flannery Steak... Behold!



Am so happy to be going back to Napa. I want to move there, seriously!

A swarm of my wine-geek buddies (50 people?) from WineBerserkers.com will be infesting Napa at the end of this week. I will be on the road Thursday through Sunday (driving up "The 5" oh dear, but it's a quick route).



On tap will be: Barbecues (Flannery Steaks with none other than Bryan Flannery in attendance) with gout-inducing mass amounts of meat and wine, of course. Winetastings, and wine dinners. Will see a lot of people I've never met before, and also some familiar faces. Totally hyped!

More later. Ciao!

UPDATE

Here are the wines present on Saturday for Berserkerfest... we all did our best to try and get to as many of them as humanly possible. The Flannery beef was outrageously good.

Sparkling
N.V. Jacquesson & Fils Champagne Cuvée No. 731 (France, Champagne)
N.V. Vilmart Champagne Grand Cellier (France, Champagne)
1999 Mumm Napa DVX Santana (USA, California, Napa Valley)
1998 Schramsberg Vineyards Blanc de Blancs (USA, California)

Whites
2006 Sea Smoke Chardonnay Gratis (USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Rita Hills - Sta. Rita Hills) - Magnum
2003 Clos Pepe Estate Chardonnay (USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Rita Hills - Sta. Rita Hills)
2008 Grey Stack Cellars Sauvignon Blanc Rosemary's Block (USA, California, North Coast, Bennett Valley)
2007 Josef Rosch Leiwener Klostergarten Riesling Kabinett (Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer)
2006 Remoissenet Père et Fils Meursault 1er Cru Les Genevrières (France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Meursault 1er Cru)
2002 (Label gone!) Chablis 1er Cru Côte de Léchet (France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis 1er Cru)
2004 Mountford Chardonnay (New Zealand, South Island, Canterbury, Waipara)
2007 Olivier Savary Chablis 1er Cru Fourchaume (France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis 1er Cru)
2006 Cameron Chardonnay Blanc Abbey Ridge (USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley)
2006 Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Baudines (France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru)
2007 Corra Sauvignon Blanc (USA, California, Napa Valley)
2002 Tablas Creek Roussanne (USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles)
2007 François Chidaine Vouvray Le Bouchet (France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Vouvray)
2007 Didier Dagueneau Pouilly-Fumé Silex (France, Loire Valley, Upper Loire, Pouilly-Fumé)
2007 Araujo Estate Sauvignon Blanc Eisele Vineyard (USA, California, Napa Valley)
2006 L'Aventure Roussanne Estate (USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles)
2007 Melville Viognier Estate Verna's (USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County)
2007 Spottswoode Sauvignon Blanc (USA, California, Napa Valley)
2007 Lava Vine Vineyards Chardonnay (USA, California, Napa Valley)
2006 Robledo Family Winery Sauvignon Blanc The Seven Brothers (USA, California, North Coast, Lake County)
2008 Hartwell Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc (USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District)
2006 Aubert Chardonnay Lauren Vineyard (USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast)

Rosés
2008 Dacalier Première Rosé (USA, California, North Coast, Lake County)
2007 Domaine du Gros' Noré Bandol Rosé (France, Provence, Bandol)

Reds
2004 Bodegas y Viñedos de Murcia Jumilla Pico Madama (Spain, Murcia, Jumilla)
2004 Sea Smoke Pinot Noir Southing (USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Rita Hills - Sta. Rita Hills) - Magnum
2002 Carter Vineyard Pinot Noir Hillblock Pommard (USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Eola - Amity Hills)
2000 Château Pontet-Canet (France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac)
2003 Carlisle Petite Sirah Dry Creek Valley (USA, California, Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley)
2003 Carlisle Three Birds (USA, California, Sonoma County)
2005 Carlisle Syrah Pelkan Ranch (USA, California, Sonoma County, Knights Valley)
2004 Saxum Broken Stones (USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles)
2004 Saxum James Berry Vineyard (USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles)
1992 Dominus Estate Napanook Vineyard (USA, California, Napa Valley)
2007 Maybach Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Materium (USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville) - Magnum
1994 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon Special Selection (USA, California, Napa Valley)
2003 Pax Cuvée Moriah (USA, California, Sonoma County)
1998 M. Chapoutier Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence Terra d'Or (France, Provence, Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence)
2006 Aubert Pinot Noir UV Vineyard (USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast)
1965 Louis M. Martini Cabernet Sauvignon (USA, California, Napa Valley)
2005 Piña Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Buckeye Vineyard (USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain)
2005 Concha y Toro Cabernet Sauvignon Don Melchor (Private Reserve) (Chile, Central Valley, Maipo Valley, Puente Alto)
2005 Alapay Cellars Syrah Reserve Stolpman Vineyard (USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Ynez Valley)
2006 Justin Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve (USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles)
2003 Robert Foley Claret (USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District) - Magnum
1997 Seavey Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (USA, California, Napa Valley)
2003 E. Guigal Hermitage (France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Hermitage)
2003 Château Olivier (France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan)
1995 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape (France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
2004 Bodegas Vega-Sicilia Ribera del Duero Valbuena (Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero)
2004 Bell Wine Cellars Merlot (USA, California, Napa Valley, Yountville)
2004 Bravante Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon (USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain)
1995 Whitehall Lane Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve (USA, California, Napa Valley)
1997 Beaulieu Vineyard Tapestry Reserve (USA, California, Napa Valley)
2006 Two Hands Cabernet Sauvignon Charlie's Patch (USA, California, Napa Valley)
2006 Schrader Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon GIII Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard (USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville)
2005 Neal Family Zinfandel (USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford)
2003 Andrew Rich Syrah Reserve (USA, Washington, Columbia Valley)
2005 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon Special Selection (USA, California, Napa Valley)
2005 Match Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Butterdragon Hill (USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena)
1995 Château Troplong Mondot (France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru)
2000 Brown Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (USA, California, Napa Valley, Chiles Valley)
2006 Belle Pente Pinot Noir Belle Pente Vineyard (USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Yamhill-Carlton)
2006 Scherrer Winery Zinfandel Old and Mature Vines Alexander Valley (USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley)
2004 Petroni Sangiovese Poggio Alla Pietra (USA, California, Sonoma County)
1994 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Estate (USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena)
2002 Plumpjack Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve (USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville)
2001 Reverdito Michele Barolo Bricco Cogni (Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo)
2005 Bodegas y Viñedos Alión Ribera del Duero (Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero)
2001 Clark-Claudon Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Grown (USA, California, Napa Valley)
2005 Reynolds Family Winery Meritage Fourteen Vineyards (USA, California, Napa Valley)
2000 Rolex Cabernet Sauvignon
2005 Black Coyote Cabernet Sauvignon (USA, California, Napa Valley)
2000 Bodega Numanthia Termes Toro Numanthia (Spain, Castilla y León, Toro)
2001 Bodega Numanthia Termes Toro Numanthia (Spain, Castilla y León, Toro)
2004 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Lyndenhurst 'Young Vines' (USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena)
2005 Match Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Baconbrook (USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District) - Magnum
2007 Peachy Canyon Zinfandel The Vortex (USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles)
2007 Peachy Canyon Zinfandel Snow (USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles)
2007 Peachy Canyon Zinfandel Especial (USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles)
1999 Signorello Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Bottled (USA, California, Napa Valley) - Magnum
2006 Jessup Cellars Petite Sirah (USA, California, Central Valley, Yolo County)
2004 Casa Lapostolle Clos Apalta (Chile, Central Valley, Rapel Valley, Colchagua Valley)
2005 Domaine Dujac Morey St. Denis (France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Morey St. Denis)
2001 Nicolas Potel Chambertin-Clos de Bèze (France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambertin-Clos de Bèze Grand Cru)
2004 Rivers-Marie Cabernet Sauvignon (USA, California, Napa Valley)

All I can say is, WOW. Napa was great as always. Had some amazing food and ridiculous wines. My contributions were: the 2007 Didier Dagueneau "Silex" (which happened to be the WOTN), and also the 2001 Reverdito Bricco Cogni Barolo, the 005 Bodegas y Viñedos Alión Ribera del Duero, 2004 Bodegas Vega-Sicilia Ribera del Duero Valbuena, 2004 Bravante Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, and I also brought "the Ringer": 1999 Mumm Napa DVX Santana. :)

Roy Piper was kind enough to show us around the vineyard where he makes wine, "Seven Stones" located in Meadowwood in St. Helena. Delicious cabs, gorgeous property. We enjoyed the wines near the pool. Then, we went to Randy Sloan's of Match Vineyards and had lunch at his property while tasting his Butterdragon cabs. A group of us also went to "Ghost Horse World" and spent time with none other than "The Todd"... Todd Anderson of Anderson's Conn Valley and his entourage. More on that on my next post.

Peace!

A hedonistic Birthday weekend

Had an absolutely wonderful, elongated birthday weekend, which stretched from Thursday until Tuesday. Imagine that! Birthdays should be every month.

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.

Vednesday is for Vagner

And, of course Bugs...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_D_Ka4Bfqhk