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