The Official Wine Thread

You guys are making me incredibly jealous.

Had both bottles of this last night:

2008 Fog Crest, Laguna West, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley

Spicy red berries, blackberries and cherry cola (ala Dr. Pepper) on the nose with hints of vanilla oak and baking spices. Lovely medium bodied palate full of darker fruit cola flavors balanced by a silky smooth tannic structure, warm oaky notes and ribbons of white chocolate that lead into a long and satisfying finish of chocolate covered strawberries. There's a nice level of acidity that keeps the overall character of this pinot on the lighter more elegant side to pair well with lighter dishes while still remaining bold and confident enough to hold up to more robust dishes.*


We had the first bottle with pasta shells with spinach, homegrown sundried tomatoes, roast whole clove garlic and peas in an arrabiata suace and the match was made in heaven.



*Just a sidenote on these tasting notes for the second bottle, which was poured through our Vinturi aerator into the decanter while the first bottle was decanted without the use of the Vinturi. The first glass of the first bottle was still a bit tight but did open up nicely after a half hour or so...just in time for dinner! The first glass from the second bottle was amazingly smooth, like the last glass from the first bottle, and only got better as it sat in the decanter.

Since I've been a big Pinot kick and we talked a bit about Burg and Cali styles I thought I'd share the WS article:

http://www.winespectator.com/blogs/show/id/44812

"The Interest" made a nice braised chicken dish for dinner last night. I took over a bottle of 2008 Domaine Tempier Bandol Rose. Worked perfectly with the chicken. This was my first experience with this wine and I'll be having it again. Quite yummy. Wish it were about $10 a bottle cheaper though. At $45 per I won't be able to drink as much of this as I'd like.

Just got my first allocation offer from Sea Smoke. Been on the waiting list about 18 months. Problem is, I can't come anywhere near affording Sea Smoke right now. So I won't buy anything, and I'll be taken off their list again.

you can find SS on many many restaurant wine lists

Yeah. And you know me, I go out and drop $500 on bottles of wine at restaurants all the time.

jesus, $500 for Sea Smoke is stupid. Even the 4-star places here have it for $200-ish last I knew.

Except for Per Se. But they also have $140 retail Dom P. for $600 or something.

I'm just saying, if I can't afford an allocation at $50 a bottle, I definitely can't afford to order a bottle at a restaurant.

Rutherford Grill IIRC, had the 08 SS Southing for $88!

Sorry wrong year:

http://www.hillstone.com/pdf_menus/r...ford_Grill.pdf

I see SS for anywhere from $120-180, depending on vintage/bottling. FWIW, I only bought a three pack this year. Couple of the middle one (Southing?) and one of the cheap one (Botella).

However, I did get a Booker allocation yesterday and it's an all or nothing thing. Considering the press they just got I'm happy Eric remembered me and put me into allocation status.

Gomey, if you ever get a chance, try his "The White" wine.

Originally Posted by Piobaire

Click to expand...

FWIW, I only bought a three pack this year. Couple of the middle one (Southing?) and one of the cheap one (Botella).

For the last two years I've gotten a six-pack, four of the Southing and two of the "Ten". Ordered in March. Should be delivered in November.

Originally Posted by Mark from Plano

Click to expand...

For the last two years I've gotten a six-pack, four of the Southing and two of the "Ten". Ordered in March. Should be delivered in November.

Last couple of years I went all in, including a few mags. I'm just not spending as much on the big names anymore but I also can't completely give them up.

Got this from K&L and my b-day haul. Good little daily drinker Cab.

Pick three: