Saturday Night – Mick kicks off the New Year right – Part 2

Click here for Part 1

 

For the main course Mick did East Indian Sliders, well sort of, as the recipe called for lamb but Amy didn’t want lamb so they were made from beef instead.  He had mini buns and/or Nan bread for the sliders and he did fresh cut French fries as the side.  Mick paired these with a 2011 De L’arjolle Zinfandel from France (not a typo, it is actually a Zinfandel from France!).

 

The nose was certain French as musty basement was the dominate aroma with Cherry flavoured Halls, mushroom, white pepper and clove as secondary aromas.  Tasting the wine, sour cherry was the main flavour but there was a touch of lime on the finish.  I found the wine simple with a thin mouth-feel but very smooth.  The wine was quite dainty and feminine which is something I never thought I’d say about a red Zinfandel.  I have been off Zinfandels lately as I fin d them too big and jammy most of the time but this one I really liked.  The other issue with the wine is it missed as a pairing as something in the food was making it awkward at times.

Here is the group rating for the wine - Mick – 85, Mark – 87, Kathy – 85, Amy – 85, Overall – 85.5.

Here is the LCBO information on the wine -

De l'Arjolle Zinfandel 2011
VINTAGES#: 346072  
Price : $19.95
Release Date : January 4, 2014
750 mL bottle
Alcohol/Vol14.0%
Made in: Midi, France
By : Domaine de l'Arjolle
Sugar Content:5 g/L
Sweetness Descriptor : XD - Extra Dry
Style : Full-bodied & Smooth
Varietal : Zinfandel

Description - This is a real gem. Inspired and impressed by the Zinfandel he encountered during a visit to California, founder Louis-Marie Teisserenc became determined that Domaine de l'Arjolle would produce Zin. Their 100% Zinfandel Z de l'Arjolle is still the only Zinfandel wine in France, and must be classified as Vin de France as there are no AC classifications for Zinfandel.

 

I really liked that Mick found two Zinfandels from two very different regions done in two very different styles and both were exactly the same price. 

 

For dessert, Amy picked up a Caramel Crunch which was a nice way to wrap up the night.

 

Thanks to Mick and Amy for hosting and to Mick for his hard work in making two very tasty dishes.

 

Cheers!

 

Mark

Saturday Night – Mick kicks off the New Year right – Part 1

Mick and Amy were hosting this past Saturday night dinner and Mick had a new dish and two new wines for us to try.  The first course was an old favourite, Marmalade and Dijon glazed barbequed chicken wings and Mick paired them with a 2011 Rosenblum “Paso Robles” Zinfandel.

 

The nose was big with black raspberry, smoke, black pepper and pine needle.  Tasting the wine, it starts raspberry jam and then finishes with a black licorice and cherry finish.  This wine was right on the edge of being too syrupy as the grapes were over-ripe but the good acidity helped save it.  That said it was smooth and worked well on its own and with the food.

Here is the group rating for the wine - Mick – 87, Mark – 87, Kathy – 87, Amy – 87, Overall – 87.

Here is the LCBO information on the wine –

Rosenblum Zinfandel 2011
VINTAGES#: 31781  
Price : $19.95
Release Date: December 6, 2014
750 mL bottle
Alcohol/Vol 14.9%
Made in : California, USA
By: Rosenblum Cellars
Sugar Content:9 g/L
Sweetness Descriptor : D – Dry
Varietal : Zinfandel

The chicken wings were very good but I’d be surprised if they weren’t as these are Mick best chicken wing recipe.

Click here for Part 2

Saturday Night – Just a Quickie

December is always a busy time for me at work and with the holidays so on the Saturday before Christmas I really wasn’t in the mood to do a lot of work dinner-wise. To make things simple we just ordered in some takeout Sushi from Spring Sushi for our usual Mick and Amy Saturday night dinner. This worked out well as I had a new Champagne in the fridge that I wanted to try out and Champagne and Sushi pair very well together. The Champagne was a JM Gobillard & Fils (non-vintage).

 

The nose on the Champagne was powerful and easy to find with aromas of yeast, sage and cedar. Tasting the wine tart grapefruit was the dominant flavour. The taste changed though with the Sushi and it was more of a very nice Mandarin orange/orange liqueur flavour. The structure was good but acidity was a touch harsh at times and finish didn’t linger for long. I really didn’t like this Champagne on its own but it was exceptionally good with the Sushi. It was also a simple and straight forward Champagne without much complexity.

Here is the group rating for the wine - Mick – 87, Mark – 87, Kathy – 86, Amy – 85, Overall – 86.25.

Here is the LCBO information on the wine –

Gobillard & Fils Tradition Brut Champagne

VINTAGES#: 385807  
Price : $42.95
Release Date : September 13, 2014
750 mL bottle
Alcohol/Vol 12.5%
Made in: Champagne, France
By: Champagne Jm Gobillard & Fils
Sugar Content:11 g/L
Sweetness Descriptor : XD - Extra Dry
Style: Rich & Complex
Varietal : Champagne

Description - Tightly meshed and vibrant, with juicy acidity backing hints of pineapple and papaya, showing flavors of chalk, biscuit, plum and fresh ginger. A note of zesty spice graces the fresh, mineral-tinged finish. Drink now through 2016. Score - 90. (Alison Napjus, winespectator.com, Nov. 30, 2013)

At $43 dollars this Champagne is at the lower end of the price point. I’m a bit torn on recommending this one as it wasn’t great on its own but if you wanted it to go with Sushi I would certainly recommend that you pick up a bottle.

I’d like to wish my loyal two or three readers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Cheers!

Mark.

Saturday Night – Pulled Pork and other goodies

Mick and Amy were hosting this past Saturday night’s dinner.  For the first course Mick had a new recipe on tap for us to try – grilled pear and blue cheese bruschetta.  Mick paired this course with a 2012 Cakebread Cellars Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc.

 

The nose on the wine was mild as you needed to swirl the glass to get much off of it but you were rewarded with pleasant aromas of pear, Irish Spring soap, mushroom and vanilla.  Tasting the wine it starts pear and finishes with a pink grapefruit flavour with hints of vanilla throughout.  Structure wise the wine was a bit of an odd duck, as it starts very soft but then just after the midway point there is a a real bite to it.  The balance was decent as the acidity was good but I’m not a fan of the oak being added to this wine.  I liked it as a pairing but found that at times it was getting lost against the powerful flavours of the dish.

Here is the group rating for the wine - Mick – 87, Mark – 86, Kathy – 86, Amy – 87, Overall – 86.5.

Here is the LCBO information on the wine –

Cakebread Cellars Sauvignon Blanc 2012
VINTAGES#: 707224  
Price: $41.95
Release Date: June 21, 2014
750 mL bottle
Alcohol/Vol14.0%
Made in: California, USA
By: Kobrand Corporation
Sugar Content:2 g/L
Sweetness Descriptor: XD - Extra Dry
Style: Aromatic & Flavourful
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc Blend

Description - The 2012 Cakebread Cellars Sauvignon Blanc brings wonderful aromas of fresh cut grass, citrus, herbal notes and melon. I love the vibrancy and freshness along with the racy finish. Fermented in a combination of stainless steel and French oak, then aged in mature French oak barrels for 5 months. (Best 2013-2015) Score - 90. (internationalwinereport.com, June 2013)

Mick picked this wine up in the US and didn’t have to pay duty on it which is good because at a $42 CDN bottle price point this wine certainly isn’t a good deal.  The grilled pear and blue cheese bruschetta was very tasting especially as it was topped with crispy prosciutto. 

For the main course Mick did pulled pork, smoked macaroni and cheese and homemade coleslaw and gave us a choice of so many BBQ sauces it wasn’t funny.  He paired this with a 2011 Ben Marco Malbec.  We have reviewed this wine before so I won’t go into much detail other than to say it was a great pairing with the main course.

For dessert, Amy picked up a selection of cupcakes which was a nice way to end the evening.

Thanks to Mick and Amy for hosting and to Mick for all of his hard work in making some very yummy food dishes.

Cheers!

Mark

Saturday Night – Steak, steak and more steak – Part 2

Click here for Part 1

 

The main course was beef tenderloin topped with lobster, sugar snap peas and Béarnaise sauce with a side of baby potatoes.  I paired this course with a 2005 Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.

 

The nose was a pleasing mix of cassis, blackberry, pine tree, cinnamon, eucalyptus, pencil shavings, vanilla and lavender.  The nose was actually very cool as strength of each of those aromas changed as the wine opened up.  Tasting the wine the cassis and blackberry carried through to the flavour with a sprinkling of dark chocolate in the background.  This was one of the most perfectly balanced and smoothest wines I have ever tried; the tannin was silky and smooth, the acidity was high enough to be refreshing but not in your face and the alcohol didn’t overpower the wine.   As a paring for the main course it was amazing and it was just as good on its own.  My only regret I have with this wine is that I only had one bottle of it the on the rack.

Here is the group rating for the wine - Mick – 92, Mark – 92, Kathy – 91, Amy – 91, Overall – 91.5

Here is the LCBO information on the wine –

Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
VINTAGES#: 718452
Price : $59.95
Release Date: September 13, 2014
750 mL bottle
Alcohol/Vol14.5%
Made in: California, USA
By:Chateau Montelena
Sugar Content:6 g/L
Sweetness Descriptor: D – Dry
Style: Full-bodied & Smooth
Varietal: Cabernet/Merlot

Description- A child of the cool 2011 vintage, this Cab will be lively and fresh with excellent acidity, dominant red fruit flavours and great structure. A nice mix of New World presence and refined, Old World sensibility from one of the legendary producers who made history at the 1976 Paris tasting.
*Please note that this is for the 2011 vintage and not the 2005 reviewed here.

The 91.5 overall rating puts this wine into the Zippy Sauce Top Ten Reds and it very much deserves to be there.  I’m a little shocked at the $60 price point as I would have guessed by the quality of this wine that the price should easily be double that. 

For dessert I made up a batch of Reese’s Fudge and the Chateau Montelena worked nicely with that as well. 

Fun night, though maybe a touch too much food but oh well that is what Saturday nights are about.

Cheers!

Mark

Saturday Night – Steak, steak and more steak – Part 1

This past Saturday night I had a craving for steak so my starter and my main course were both steak based courses.  The first course was a blackened steak salad and I paired this with a 2005 Elderton Barossa Shiraz.

 

The nose on the wine had a lot going on with Black Forest cake, white pepper, mint, thyme, green pepper and coffee aromas to be found.  Tasting the wine, raspberry, fig, pepper and coffee were the main flavours with black licorice on the finish.  It was nicely balancing though the acidity was more dominant than the tannin.  The wine had a very Italian feel to it as the fruit and acidity drove this wine and it reminded me more of a Chianti than a Shiraz.  There were a lot of big flavours coming from the blacked steak salad and this wine was more than big enough to stand up to them and it made a great pairing for the dish.  The wine was also quite good on its own as I very much enjoyed drinking it after the first course was done.

Here is the group rating for the wine - Mick – 91, Mark – 90, Kathy – 90, Amy – 89, Overall – 90.

There was no LCBO information on the wine but a quick web search puts the price at $30-35 Canadian which for a wine of this caliber is a heck of deal.  I’m usually not a big Shiraz fan but a few more like this one and I will be changing my tune on this.

Click here for Part 2

Saturday Night – It’s now Merlot Night

Mick and Amy were hosting this past Saturday night dinner.  Mick had one new dish and two old favourites on tap and a new wine for us to try.  He originally had a 2011 Eidosela Albarino on tap for us but the bottle was spoiled.  As he didn’t have another suitable white chilled and ready to go, we went with a 2012 Irony Napa Valley Merlot.

 

The first course was grilled stuff peppers and the second course was grilled prosciutto wrapped shrimp with a pear and cranberry chutney. With both courses we had the Irony Merlot.

The nose on the Merlot was big and easy to find with rich aromas of pumpkin pie, cocoa, plum, eucalyptus and green pepper notes.  Tasting the wine, dark raspberry and chocolate were the dominate flavours with a touch of white pepper lurking in the background.  The structure on the wine was a nice balance between acidity and tannin but I would have liked a bit more fruit.  The finish was short and didn’t linger.  The mouth-feel was interesting as it was big but in a slightly syrupy way; kind of an “Amarone light” type of way.  It was a very good pairing with the stuffed peppers and decent pairing with the shrimp which was impressive as I thought the sweetness of the chutney would throw it but it handled that with no problems.

Here is the group rating for the wine - Mick – 88, Mark – 89, Kathy – 88, Amy – 89, Overall – 88.5.

Here is the LCBO information on the wine –

Irony Merlot
VINTAGES#: 183186
Price: $19.95
Release Date: April 18, 2014
750 mL bottle
Alcohol/Vol14.5%
Made in:California, USA
By: Delicato Vineyards
Sugar Content:7 g/L
Sweetness Descriptor: D – Dry
Style: Full-bodied & Smooth
Varietal: Merlot

For $20 this wine was a good value and there still is some stock around, so if you are looking for a nicely crafted Merlot that is very food friendly, I would suggest you pick up a bottle or two.

 

The main course was grilled chicken quesadillas with sour cream and corn salsa.  Mick paired this with a 2010 Seghesio Zinfandel which we have reviewed before so I won’t go into much detail other than to say it was a great pairing with the food. 

 

For dessert, Amy picked up a Baker’s Street milk chocolate brown sugar cake which was quite good and a nice change of pace from our usual selections of dessert.

 

It was good night with great food and wine and even better company.  Thanks to Mick and Amy for hosting and to Mick for all his hard work making those wonderful courses.

 

Cheers!

 

Mark