Pirouette Red Blend with Tomahawk Ribeye

Pirouette Red Blend with Tomahawk Ribeye

Saturday night dinner, we grilled out and ate on the patio, one of our favorite meals, grilled tomahawk ribeye beefsteaks with baked potatoe, asparagus and sweet corn. 

Linda masterfully achieved the perfect preparation of the steak, “Pittsburgh Style”, as its called, charred on the outside for extra flavor, a hot pink center.

For an ideal wine pairing to complement the dinner.I pulled from the cellar a Washington State Bordeaux varietal blend. 

Long Shadows "Pirouette" Columbia Valley Bordeaux Blend 2017

We hold nearly a decade of vintages of this label as part of our Long Shadows club allocations so as part of cellar inventory management, I pulled the oldest vintage release. I’ve written about earlier vintages of this label in earlier blogposts - Long Shadows Pirouette 2016 with beef roast, Long Shadows Duo Showcase Katy Business Dinner, and Long Shadows Pirouette 2014 at Sullivan’s Steakhouse.

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As I wrote in those earlier blogposts, this is one of our favorite labels for a Bordeaux varietal red blend, a sleeper, not well known or sufficiently regarded, given the pedigree of the winemaker and the quality of the product. 

This is the Bordeaux varietal red blend from the Long Shadows Vintners's Collection that features world class winemakers and Washington State Columbia Valley fruit. 

This label is produced by legendary winemakers Philippe Melka, named one of the top nine winemakers in the world by Robert Parker, in collaboration with Agustin Huneeus, Sr.. another legendary wine producer. I;ve written about about Philip Melka numerous times in these pages including that recent Sullivan’s Steakhouse post and previously - Château Boswell Napa Valley Estate Reserve Red Wine 2016. I featured Huneeus in a recent blogpost here - Faust Napa Cab with St Pat’s Dinner.

We’ve featured Long Shadows and their vintners collection, and our visit to their hospitality center and tasting room in Woodinville (WA) in these pages. 

We’re members of the Long Shadows wine club and hold nearly a decade of vintages of their various label releases. 

Checking our cellar inventory, we hold nearly a decade of vintages of this label so we pulled the oldest in our holdings. At nine years of age, this is likely at the apex of its drinking window.

The 2017 Pirouette is a left-bank Bordeaux blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 13% Malbec, and the rest Petit Verdot, crafted from small lots from Washington State's finest vineyards.  It was aged 22 months in French oak barrels with 85% being new.

 

Winemaker notes - “The Cabernet Sauvignon, primarily sourced from a collection of Red Mountain’s best vineyards, gives Pirouette the structure and textured richness that has come to characterize this acclaimed growing region. A small percentage of old vine Cabernet from Sagemoor Vineyard, planted in 1972, adds complexity. Merlot brings juicy richness to the finished wine. Malbec from Sonnet Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills adds spice. Finally, Dionysus Vineyard’s Petit Verdot enhances the wine’s color and contributes to the wine’s layers of intense aromas and flavors.’

“The 2017 Pirouette has an expressive nose with a firm core of dark fruit and mocha flavors, displaying a layered concentration of black cherry and well-integrated oak spices. Vibrant and full-bodied across the mid-palate, this is a texturally pleasing wine with a broad and lengthy finish.” 

This was a blockbuster release, rated 96 points by Jeb Dunnuck and International Wine Report, 94 by Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate and 93 by Steve Tanzer.

Dunnuck wrote - “It can be drunk today but will develop additional complexity with 3-4 years of bottle age and keep for two decades or more.”

Dark ruby colored, full bodied, vibrant expressive blackberry, plum and black currant fruits with savory accents of cinnamon and clove spice, bitter dark chocolate and crème de cassis with smooth polished tannins on a sumptuous finish.

RM 94 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/w?3581703

https://longshadows.com/library/pirouette/6951

https://longshadows.com/

@LongShadowsWine

@unwindwine

Pizza and Big Red for USA Watch Party

Pizza and Big Red for USA Watch Party

We gathered at son Alec’s to watch the USA in the World Cup. Alec ordered in pizza’s from Freedom Brother’s in Naperville. I took from our home cellar a favorite big red ‘pizza wine’ for the occasion. Before pizza they served salad and triple cream Brie and Carmella Gouda artisan cheeses. 

Venge Vineyards ‘Scout's Honor’ Napa Valley Red Blend 2019 

We’re long time fans of Venge wines dating back three decades. This big red blend is named for the family golden retriever who used to roam the vineyards. This is a mainstay of our cellar that we keep on hand for such occasions. We have a half dozen vintages of this label in our cellar, drinking and cycling the oldest, replacing it as we go with the latest current release. 

Since 2018, current releases are the new branding of a painted wine bottle as opposed to the more traditional and modest glued paper label. 

This wine is based on a tradition of producing a full bodied, robust, fruit filled red wine based on old-vine Zinfandel and blended with dry-farmed Petite Sirah, old-vine Charbono, and finished with mountain vineyard Syrah. 

Earlier release winemaker notes suggest “The result is an unpretentious, generous mouthful of red wine that we recommend be opened and enjoyed immediately upon release.”

The 2019 Scout's Honor is a blend of 63% Zinfandel, 16% Charbono,12% Petite Sirah and 9% Syrah. 

This release was barrel aged for 14 months in 50% new American Oak and the balance in once used tight grain French Oak.

Grapes were farmed and harvested from four single vineyards in Napa Valley. The Zinfandel was picked from two, old-vine (60 to 100+ years old), dry-farmed vineyard sources: Venge’s newly acquired “Signal Fire Vineyard” estate, and the Frediani Vineyard—both located in the heart of Calistoga. The Charbono is from old, dry-farmed vines (60 to 100+ years old) also planted in the Frediani Vineyard. Robbie Mondavi’s Oso Vineyard located on Howell Mountain supplies the Petite Sirah; the Syrah from  Napa’s finest, from Stagecoach Vineyard, high in the mountains of the Atlas Peak AVA.

Winemaker Notes - “The small, individual lots of fruit were destemmed into a combination of stainless steel tanks and open top fermenters, where whole-berry fermentation took place for an average of 20 days. No conventional pumps were used in the making of this wine. Only diaphragm air pumps, forced air pressure movement, or bulldogging, and transfers by gravity were employed to preserve the pure fruit integrity in the wine.”

This release was rated 93 points by Wine Enthusiast and 90 points by Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

This is always a crowd pleaser, great with hearty cheeses, BBQ, tangy pasta or pizza. 

Dark inky purple colored, full bodied, rich concentrated brambly ripe black berry and black raspberry fruits, spicy tobacco, dusty earth, hints of anise and black pepper and toasted oak with chewy gripping tannins on a long lingering tongue puckering finish.

RM 93 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/w?3922323

https://www.vengevineyards.com/ 

Family celebrates Independence Day and birthday

Family celebrates Independence Day and birthday together  

The family gathered at son Ryan’s house for a gala Independence Day and birthday celebration potluck dinner with grilled beefsteaks and fine wines, and fireworks.

Ryan grilled ribeye beefsteaks, Linda brought scalloped potatoes, Viv brought salad, Erin brought bacon wrapped scallops and home-made cheesecak, plus there was an ice cream birthday cake for g-daughter Marliegh’s birthday. 

I took from our home cellar two bottles from Ryan’s 1982 birthyear vintage year. Ryan served a medley of sparkling, white and big red wines. 

Chateau Cantemerle Haut Medoc 1982 

Chateau Cantemerle is the amongst the well-known Bordeaux estates you pass as you drive along the D2, the main route of the Left Bank of Bordeaux, heading north from the city centre of Bordeaux towards the Medoc, 22 km or a thirty minute drive north of the city. 

Chateau Cantemerle is also one of the oldest properties in the Bordeaux wine region dating back to the 12th century.The estate took its name from the Lords of Cantemerle in 1340 when Ponset de Cantemerle named the estate.

In 1892, the descendants of the last of the Villeneuve family, Jeanne Armande, Baroness Charles d’Abbadie, sold Chateau Cantemerle to the Dubos family after owning the estate for over three hundred years. At the time, the Dubos family also owned a vineyard in Margaux, Chateau La Tour de Mons. The last family owner, Bertrand Clauzel sold Chateau Cantemerle in 1981 to the SMABTP group.

The new owners set upon a much needed restoration of the estate, replanting as much as 50%, and making improvements to the cellars and the winemaking facilities. The SMABTP Group has continued increasing their holdings in Bordeaux with additional vineyard purchases on the Left and Right Bank including recently added Chateau Haut Corbin, Chateau Grand Corbin, and Chateau Le Jurat, located in the St. Emilion appellation.

The huge Chateau Cantemerle Vineyards cover 265 acre with225 planted to the designated Bordeaux varietals, 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot. 

It is the goal of the estate to continue increasing the percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon in their vineyards over time. On average, the vines are close to 30 years of age. They have old Cabernet vines, which are close to 70 years of age.

While this is a fifth growth producer, the 1982 vintage was a classic legendary harvest, and as ‘all boats rise with the tide’, even the lesser renowned labels produced high quality collectable wines. Robert Parker wrote in 1995 of this release: “How can you bet against the bargain hunter's favorite Cantemerle in a vintage like the legendary '82? … 'This wine has turned out better than I would have thought. It is loosely structured, soft, and easy-going… The sweet, herb, peppery, and berry-scented nose is followed by a friendly wine with round, generous, medium-bodied flavors with no hard edges.

At forty five years, this is pushing this wine past its ideal drinking window, still in consideration only by the spectacular vintage, and being aged in a large format magnum. As shown the fill level was mid-neck, the label while intact was separated from the bottle, and most importantly, the cork was partially saturated by mostly intact. The bottom fifth of the cork separated upon extraction using a two pronged cork puller. 

This was double decanted three hours before serving. The color was dark garnet colored with only slight opaque discoloration setting in. The medium bodied fruit was starting to give way to damp earth and leather notes, with offputting tones of what I would call ‘sausage’ or bacon fat, setting in after several hours. 

At 45 years, the remains still approachable but diminished to 85 points. 

https://go.cellartracker.com/wine/37378

Another forty five year old wine, again beyond its prime drinking window, but still holding on as approachable. 

Beringer Special Select Late Harvest Johannesburg Riesling 1982 

At forty four years, the label, foil and most importantly the cork and fill level were still fine. When young, these wines are pale straw colored, darkening over time to golden, then brownish weak tea, and finally, coffee colored as this was tonight. Holding some residual sweetness with notes of black tea or coffee, but for the most part at the end of its drinkability. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/w?252638

Veuve Cliquot Brut Champagne NV

Greywacke New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc 2025

We featured recent vintages of this label in these earlier blogposts - 

Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc, and last year’s same day celebration …. 

Lede To Kalon and Greywacke showcase 4th of July Celebration

CheckerBoard Napa Valley Diamond Mountain Coyote Ridge Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

This is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Checkerboard estate vineyard on he upper reaches of Diamond Mountain on the northern Mayacamas Range above Calistoga, CA in northern Napa Valley. 

This is a single vineyard designated bottling sourced from the Checkerboard Winery Coyote Ridge Vineyard, located on a long ridge line that runs Eastward downhill from the Aurora Vineyard knoll on the upper reaches of Diamond Mountain. The vineyard blocks are on the hillside above Nash Creek Canyon to the South. The terroir consists of red iron oxide clay soil, a South and slightly Eastern exposure with the lower reaches at a 900 foot elevation, which allows the top of the summer fog line to reach the Vineyard. This creates an ideal microclimate and growing cycle for its vines.

Winemaker Martha Mcclellan’s notes - “So typically Coyote Ridge, the 2017 vintage of this single-vineyard offering is approachable and immensely enjoyable. Dusty barrel aromas laced with cinnamon and milk chocolate follow through on the palate and are joined by notes of dark cherry, dried cranberry, fig jam, and red spices. For the texture aficionados among us, the tannins are reminiscent of the finest silk and deliciously sweet. In its youth, the 2017 vintage of Checkerboard Coyote Ridge benefits from decanting prior to serving."

Dark inky purple, full bodied, brooding thick concentrated but smooth and polished black cherry fruits with bright brilliant expressive notes of cinnamon and milk chocolate with fine tannins on a silky finish. 

RM 94 points. 

https://go.cellartracker.com/wine/3871559

Lewis Alec’s Blend 2017

A family favorite, commemorating the Randy and Debbie Lewis’ grandson Alec, and designated a ‘signature’ wine of our son Alec. 

We love Lewis Cellar’s and their wines, one of the highlights of the wine producer visit tastings at our Pour Boys 2017 Napa Wine Experience.

I've often written in these pages about the fun we have with this branding, with its signature 'L' on the label, ala Laverne and Shirley, or wife Linda, or her mother Lucy, or our daughter Erin Leigh, or her daughter, our first grandchild/daughter Lucy! That coupled with the Hoosier heritage of Randy Lewis, Indy 500 race driver from our native Indiana, and, their affinity to family, naming labels after their grandkids - Alec, Ethan and Mason, we adopted Alec's Blend as a signature label for son Alec and feature it at family celebrations.

Lewis Cellars Napa Chateau Tasting

Lewis Cellars Alec's Blend is a rich, full-bodied red wine from Napa Valley, primarily a Syrah-based blend with Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc. It is known for its plush, fruit-forward profile with notes of dark berries, vanilla, and spice, and fine, polished tannins. The wine is made from grapes grown in top Napa appellations like Calistoga, St. Helena, and Rutherford.

Dark fruits (blackberry, blueberry, black cherry), vanilla, toffee, chocolate, espresso, and savory notes like pepper or bacon fat.

Afterwards, the family gathered for traditional neighborhood Fourth of July fireworks … 

Italian Village Wine Dinner

Italian Village “Crown Jewel of Napa - Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars” Wine Dinner

We attended the “Crown Jewel of Napa - Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars” Wine Dinner at Italian Village, Chicago. We were joined by fellow Pour Boys, Lyle and Terry, and Dan and Linda. This dinner celebrates the classic legacy of historic Italian and now American wine producer Marchesi Antinori, and their acquisition of legendary American Napa Valley producer, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars. 

The Antinori family has been producing classic wines for over six centuries since 1385, for twenty-six generations managing the business directly.

This also celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the historic “Judgement of Paris”, where, on America’s two hundredth anniversary, a blind tasting was held between upstart American Napa Valley wines tasted aside classic French Ultra-premium First Growth wines. To the shock and dismay of all, the American wines were selected above their French counterparts, in both the white Chardonnay, from Chateau Montelena, and the red, Cabernet Sauvignon, from Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars. 

The evening was hosted by Italian Village Wine Director, Jared Gelband, and featured the cuisine of Chef David Rodriguez. 

Readers of these pages know Chicago’s Italian Village is Chicago’s longest continuously family owned and operated Italian Restaurant, since 1928, in the same location in the center of Chicago’s loop.  

We’ve attended many memorable and notable Italian Village special events including wine producer dinners, corporate functions and special family dinners, hosted by our friend and Wine Director, Jared, some of which have been featured in these pages in earlier blogposts: 

Sassicaia Owner Dinner and Vivere Vertical Tasting

Italian Village appoints Jared Gelband Wine Director

Team Dinner at Italian Village Chicago

Merry Christmas - Frozen and gala family wine 

Rick & Jared

Taking train into the City. 

The wine was curated by special guests Stephen Cracchiolo with Stags Leap Wine Cellars and Patricia Lello with Antinori.

As is the practice, the dinner featured five courses, each paired with a special wine. As I have written often in these pages, an optimal food and wine pairing amplifies and ameliorates the character and profile and thus the enjoyment of both the food and the wine. 

The Courses and their Wine Pairings. 

Carpaccio - Scallop, Tuna, Salmon Neonata, Salsa Verde 

Stag’s Leap “Aveta” Sauvignon Blanc 2023 

This is a blend of 68% Sauvignon Blanc, 27% Sauvignon Musque, 4% Sémillon, and 1% Muscat Canelli.

It was aged in a 50-50 mix of stainless steel and older barrels, 

Winemaker Notes - Fragrant and inviting, this Sauvignon Blanc offers aromas of mango, gooseberries, white peach, and pineapple, with a touch of orange blossoms and straw. This wine is bright with a refreshing mouthfeel, mineral and citrus notes, and a touch of grapefruit and grass on the vibrant finish.

This was rated 92 points by James Suckling and Wine Enthusiast, 91 by Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 90 points by Vinous and 89 by Wine Spectator

Dungeness Crab Arancini with Sturgeon Caviar, Fine Herbs, Calabrian Buffalo, Old Bay

Stag’s Leap “Karia” Chardonnay 2024

Winemaker’s Notes - “This Chardonnay presents a complex bouquet with enticing aromas of ripe melon, honeysuckle, and juicy peach, complemented by delicate hints of citrus blossoms. The palate is greeted with a bright and vibrant entry, showcasing a harmonious blend of fruity flavors and a touch of hazelnut. Subtle notes of vanilla and oak add depth and richness, while the finish is enduringly savory, leaving a lasting impression with its lingering citrus notes. This wine's well-integrated acidity and balanced structure make it refreshing and satisfying.’ 

This release is a blend of 98% Chardonnay and 2% Muscat Canelli

It was rated 93 points and Editors' Choice by Wine Enthusiast, 92 points by James Suckling and  Vinous.

Waygu and Lobster Lasagna with Pesto, Romesco, Bechamel and Parmesan

Stag’s Leap Artemas Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

Approximately three-fourths of the 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Artemis comes from Atlas Peak, where the Antinoris have a substantial vineyard. This standard label is intended to be enjoyed early in youth, soon after release. 

This release is a blend of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1.5% Cabernet Franc, and 0.5% Petit Verdot, aged for 15 months in 55% new French oak and 45% older French oak barrels.

Blend: 98% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1.5% Cabernet Franc, 0.5% Petit Verdot 

Winemaker Notes - The nose reveals rich aromas of dark fruits, tobacco, ripe figs, raspberries, and cherry compote, with a subtle hint of oak. On the palate, a silky mouthfeel leads into a long, savory finish, showcasing milk chocolate, dark cherry, and boysenberry notes.

This release was rated  94 points by Decanter, 92 points by James Suckling,  91 by Jeb Dunnuck and Vinous, and 90 pints by Robert Parker's Wine Advocate.

Grilled Picanha with Wild Mushroom, Italian Rapini, Bordelaise and Fine Herb Crumble 

Stag’s Leap “Fay Vineyard” Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

Blend: 92% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Cabernet Franc (varies slightly per estate selection).

Aging: 20 months in 100% new French oak. 

Winemaker Notes - “This wine presents a captivating and complex aromatic profile, beginning with vibrant aromas of boysenberry, black and Amarena cherries, and raspberries. The fig marmalade adds a layer of richness and sweetness, balancing the bright fruit with its deeper, more savory notes. Floral spices elevate the nose, while the subtle touch of cigar box hints at a gentle oak influence, contributing a refined, earthy complexity. On the palate, the wine delivers a silky, smooth mouthfeel that feels both luxurious and inviting. The tannins are polished and persistent, providing structure without overwhelming the delicate balance of flavors, leaving you with a satisfying and content feeling. The finish lingers with dark fruit notes, especially black cherry, creating a harmonious conclusion.”

This release was rated 95 points by James Suckling, 93 by Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, and 92 by Jeb Dunnuck and Vinous.

Stag’s Leap “SLV” Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

S.L.V., also known as Stag’s Leap Vineyards, is the winery’s first vineyard. This vineyard achieved international fame after the 1973 vintage stunned the wine world when it bested some of France’s greatest wines in a 1976 blind tasting known as the “Judgment of Paris”. Today, this vineyard continues to produce wines with layers of complexity, spicy intensity and excellent structure.

Winery Notes: "For this wine the primary blocks were 2A, 3A, 1A, 3B and S.L.V. Block 4 – the “Grande Dame” of the vineyard – which was planted in 1972. These vines along with blocks on the eastern side of S.L.V., characterized by their fire-borne volcanic soils, give this wine its structure and sense of minerality along with concentrated dark fruit flavors and ripe, elegant tannins."

 

Winemaker Notes - “The 2022 S.L.V. Cabernet Sauvignon entices the senses with its captivating aromas of dark fruits, including blackcurrants and ripe plums, beautifully intertwined with delicate notes of violets, graphite, and rich dark chocolate, all rounded off by the warmth of black tea. Flavors showcase a richness and texture that impresses from the outset. The tannins reveal a minerality that adds depth and character, while the youthful mouthfeel elevates the experience. As the wine lingers on the palate, complex layers of espresso, mocha, and dark fruit emerge, crafting a finish that is both sophisticated and unforgettable.”

This release was rated 96 points by James Suckling, 95 points by Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 94 by Jeb Dunnuck and 92 by Vinous.

Aged 20 months in 100% new French oak.

Cheese and Dark Chocolate  with Saba, Thyme, Fig and Fleur de Sel paired with 

Marchesi Antinori Vin Santo Chianti Classico 2020 

As always, Italian Village crafted a fantastic dinner that was enhanced greatly by the artful and ideal pairing with spectacular wines. These dinners are always a special treat for a wonderful food and wine experience.

https://www.stagsleapwinecellars.com/

https://www.antinori.it/en/

https://www.italianvillage-chicago.com/