Pour Boys Norwegian Salmon Pinot Noir Dinner
Fellow Pour Boy Dr Dan and Linda hosted us for a Friday Night fine wine dinner. They missed our OTBN abbreviated gathering due to extensive travel in Australia and NZ. Our annual OTBN Wine Extravaganza Weekend this year found our Pour Boys Wine Group fragmented with folks traveling, so we set a raincheck for a future get-together. In any event, Linda and I traveled to Charleston (SC) for an abbreviated OTBN get together with fellow wine buddy & Pour Boy Bill C, and Beth.
Linda prepared a delicious fresh catch Norwegian Salmon in a spinach tomato butter cream sauce with balsamic rice and cooked carrots, with a side Caesar Salad.
Dan served an extensive wine flight starting with vintage Champagne, then Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and finishing with a TBA dessert wine. I supplemented the flight with a Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir from our cellar.
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| Wine flight served/tasted right to left. |
Prior to dinner, with the champagne, Dan and Linda served shrimp cooked in garlic butter lemon sauce with a selection of artisan cheeses, aged sharp cheddar, havarti and a sweet Swiss, with crackers and marmelaide, charcuterie and mixed nuts.
Veuve Doussot ‘Ernestine’ Champagne 2015
Golden colored, bright expressive full gripping palate of ripe apple, apricot and citrus fruits with a layer of nut tones and accents of mineral and brioche with bold acidity on the finish.
RM 90 points.
It was rated 91 points by Roger Voss of Wine Enthusiast.
Chateau Montelena is one of the most historic and pre-eminent labels Napa Valley dating back to 1882, the same producer we took to our wine dinner at Oak Restaurant Charleston recently, when we we traveled to Charleston (SC) for an abbreviated OTBN get together with fellow wine buddy & Pour Boy Bill C, and Beth.
It was this classic flagship label from this legendary producer Chateau Montelena that in 1976 gained international acclaim for not only the winery, but for Napa Valley and the US wine industry with the monumental and historic ‘Judgement of Paris wine tasting event’. That tasting event was chronicled in Time Magazine in the June 1976 issue.
That blind tasting by the venerable who’s-who of the French wine and food industry at the Inter-Continental Hotel in Paris pitted four white Burgundies against six California Chardonnays. The French Judges presumed the top-ranking white wine was one of their own, but it was Chateau Montelena’s 1973 Chardonnay, that was rated above all other wines. This seminal event was memorialized in the book "The Judgment of Paris," by George Taber, and was the basis for the 2008 feature film “Bottle Shock”.
Not just wine aficionados, everyone will enjoy watching the entertaining classic movie "Bottle Shock" that chronicles the early days of Napa Valley, early winemakers, and Chateau Montelena, and its legendary finishing first in the epic competition tasting between American and French wines back in 1976.
We visited the historic Chateau up in the north end of Napa Valley back in the early nineties, before I was blogging and writing about such activities.
We had fun with the famous event with a wine dinner featuring wines from the historic tasting, featured in these pages - Dinner Features Judgement of Paris Wines - Dinner Features Judgement of Paris Wines to Commemorate the Tasting event's Anniversary
The Chateau Montelena estate just north of Calistoga with it’s historic 19th century stone Chateau is surrounded by exceptional vineyards with a complex mix of soils, slopes and an ideal climate for producing wines to complete with the great First Growths of France.
Master Winemaker Bo Barrett, Jim’s son, now runs the estate with the help of Winemaker Matt Crafton and Vineyard Manager Dave Vella.
This 2020 release was awarded 93 points by Decanter and by Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate.
This is 100% Chardonnay that matured 10 months in French oak.
Winemaker Matt Crafton notes on the 2020 Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Chardonnay: "The parade of citrus marches on, although the midpalate turns more tropical with starfruit and pineapple. And while there’s still plenty of green apple, the texture and juiciness of Asian pear adds complexity and depth. The acid is consistent and winds its way through the profile, lifting the texture and balancing the suppleness from barrel. This will be a long-lived wine."
“Bright gold in the glass, the parade of citrus marches on, opens with green apple, honeysuckle although the midpalate turns more and orange blossom, citrus in tropical with starfruit and pineapple. particular seems to be most evident, And while there’s still plenty of green as lime leaf and lemon zest at this apple, the texture and juiciness of stage. This vintage was more classic Asian pear adds complexity and depth. rather than overly ripe. The acid is consistent and winds its way surprising. There’s a hint of fresh through the profile, lifting the texture wood and vanilla as well, adding and balancing the suppleness from some nuance without overshadowing barrel. ˜is will be a long-lived wine. the beautiful floral character. ˜e transition to the finish is still somewhat abrupt due to the wine’s youth and dynamism.˜
Straw colored, medium bodied, clean crisp, steely notes of tart citrus, apple and tangerine fruits with notes of minerality on a full round acidic finish.
RM 91 points.
https://montelena.com/
Chateau Boswell ‘Absolutely Eloise’ Rita’s Crown Vineyard, Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir 2016
This limited production single vineyard designated label is from boutique winery Chateau Boswell which remains among a handful of privately owned family wineries amidst the 554 wineries in the Napa Valley in a time when so many have been taken over by the large consolidated corporate brands.
Chateau Boswell ‘Absolutely Eloise’ Rita’s Crown Vineyard, Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir 2016
This limited production single vineyard designated label is from boutique winery Chateau Boswell which remains among a handful of privately owned family wineries amidst the 554 wineries in the Napa Valley in a time when so many have been taken over by the large consolidated corporate brands.
Founded in 1985 by Richard Thornton Boswell when there were less than a hundred Napa Valley producers, who sold mostly through distribution, he had the foresight to focus on small lot French Style wines to be sold directly to the client.
Initially, they produced wines from Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon at the stone winery sourced from estate vineyards along the Silverado Trail in Saint Helena. Since then, over the last 25 years, under the direction of Boswell’s wife Susan, they have expanded the portfolio to include Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines from California’s most treasured vineyards.
Famed legendary winemaker André Tchelistcheff produced those early wines, eventually overseen by consulting winemakers, Philippe Melka and Keith Hock, in collaboration with Chateau Boswell Winemaker Allison Nunnikhoven.
This single vineyard designated Chateau Boswell ‘Absolutely Eloise’ label is from estate Sta. Rita Hills Rita’s Crown vineyard in Santa Barbara County. The rocky terrain and super steep slopes are in the cool–climate area, heavily influenced by the proximity of the Pacific Ocean, are ideal for producing world-class Pinot Noir. The proximity of east-west aspect of the Santa Rosa and Santa Rita Hills allow the cool ocean fog to flow through the Santa Ynez River Valley.
The chalky marine and volcanic soils are void of nutrients forcing the vines to struggle resulting in tiny intense clusters that produce wines with distinctive terroir driven flavor profiles.
Recent vintages of this label were awarded 98 and 97 points by Jeb Dunnuck.
Dark garnet colored medium to full bodied, rich and focused nicely balanced blackberry and black cherry fruits accented by notes of classic Pinot Noir dusty rose petals, leather, smoked herbs and violets with ripe tannins on a smooth polished lingering finish.
RM 94 points.
Summer Dreams “Twilight” Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2022
From 1989, after visiting vineyards in Canada, Switzerland and France, to the late 1990s, with several investors and partners, Jayson and his wife Helen Mawson, a New Zealand native and US citizen, founded Hundred Acre, ultimately buying out their partners and taking over as sole owners.
With no winemaking experience, Woodbridge quickly showed his aptitude for learning from luminary winemakers including St Helena-based Philippe Melka. Over the following decade they produced no less than 61, 100-point scores Napa based Bordeaux varietals!.
Over the last decade they turned their attention to producing cool climate Pinot Noir labels from the unique soils and extreme conditions of the West Sonoma Coast in the Sonoma Coast AVA. Sonoma County’s largest AVA extends from San Pablo Bay on the south to Mendocino County in the north.
Adjacent to the Pacific with its cool coastal climate, with more than twice the annual rainfall of its inland sub-regions in other parts of Sonoma County, these Sonoma Coast sites are warm enough to ripen wine grapes because the vineyards are at elevations above the fog line.
Branded under the ‘Summer Dreams’ labels, the wines are crafted by winemaker Ashley Holland. “I came up with Summer Dreams because I love summer,” said Woodbridge. “You can still get summer in the winter with these wines. They are made the same way that Hundred Acre is made, coming from very low-yielding vineyards in the Sonoma Coast, sorted berry by berry.”
Ashley’s wine career spanned California and Oregon, and Australia, New Zealand, and Uruguay, working with noted winemakers Bill Price, Bob Cabral, and Ryan Prichard. She was a natural fit with legendary Woodbridge. Ashley and Jayson explored over a hundred vineyards before selecting sites, slope, Goldridge soils, and vine age as their primary qualifiers.
“We give Ashley everything she needs, but we leave it to her. We’re not trying to steal her thunder; we’re her spiritual guides.”
This ‘Twilight’ label is 100% Pinot Noir from the West Sonoma Coast sub-regions Annapolis and Fort Ross-Seaview AVAs. Annapolis is in the remote northwest corner of the Sonoma Coast AVA near Sea Ranch, the coolest region of the AVA due not only to the close proximity to the Pacific Ocean, but also the 500 to 800-foot elevation of the vineyards that puts them in the foggy and windy inversion layer that sweeps up the Wheatfield Fork of the Gualala River.
Fort Ross-Seaview is the most coastal of the Sonoma Coast AVA’s sub-regions, located on the far western edge of the AVA, and closest to the Pacific Ocean. The region is characterized by steep, rugged mountains and ridges that rise up from the ocean, and is home to some of the most dramatic vineyard sites in California.
Winemaker notes for Twilight Pinot Noir - “The full-bodied palate beams with flavors of wild blueberries and licorice, white pepper and cloves that lead to an undercurrent of violet. Seductive, with a velvety texture and seamless freshness, this Pinot Noir finishes long.’
“A dark-edged Pinot Noir with dark fruit, black cherry, and black plum with hints of the salty sea-spray and misty fog rolling into the Sonoma Coast from the Pacific Ocean.’
“Twilight is the most powerful time in life, the point between light and darkness, between day and night, when we are at our most productive, and this wine, according to proprietory Jayson Woodbridge, embodies all that. 'It has incredible staying power, showcasing Pinot Noir at its most muscular—like a warrior Pinot. It will carry you through the darkest times,' he says, and indeed, it does carry the light and dark as it unfurls with black cherry and spiced plum fruits, dark chocolate, and saline minerals. Its rich, creamy, and powerful character is underscored by fabulous minerality and brisk acidity. This wine makes a compelling argument for the power of Pinot—never underestimate it. Jayson doesn’t care if you accept the style; he makes it boldly and unapologetically. 'It’s like the Darth Vader of Pinot—dark, intense, yet undeniably good,' he says. Fabulous umami notes of long-roasted beef and intense charred mineral character, seaweed, and everything the ocean can deliver in your glass are also present.
Blind tasted, few would select this as a Pinot Noir with its rich, dense, concentrated full round dark fruits and might think it a Syrah or a Bordeaux varietal. The give-away is the dusty rose petal ripe, succulent black cherry and black plum fruits with savory soy minerality and firm but elegant polished lingering finish.
RM 95 points.
https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=4607724
https://summerdreamswines.com/sonoma-pinot-noirs
Kracher Nouvelle Vague ‘#2” Chardonnay Trockenberenausliese (TBA) 2002
We finished with this delicious unctuous dessert wine with pie with fresh berries and an assortment of chocolates.
We finished with this delicious unctuous dessert wine with pie with fresh berries and an assortment of chocolates.
This is from the estate established by Alois Kracher Sr., grandfather to the current generation proprietors, a pioneer who recognised the potential of the region long before many of his peers. Alois Senior produced prized sweet wines from noble rotten grapes well before it was widely practiced.
The Kracher Winery lies in the Seewinkel area of Austria´s Burgenland. Here, through the evaporative periods of Lake Neusiedl, the evening fog and the warm Pannonian climate, continuous warm-humid weather patterns are dominant and, therefore, allow for Botrytis cinerea to be generated. This is what provides the basis for the fantastic sweet wines such as Beerenauslese and this Trockenbeerenauslese.
Next generation Alois Kracher Jr., “Luis” Kracher, was also one of the greatest visionaries in winemaking and was a driving force behind the “Austrian wine wonder” during the 1990s and was instrumental in the renaissance of noble sweet wines. Trained as a chemist, he began his winemaking career at his father’s estate when he was twenty-two years old before his tragic premature death at the age of thirty. Alois Kracher, who died in December 2007, is remembered as one of the most important ambassadors for Austrian Wine all over the world.
Today, third generation Gerhard Kracher manages the estate with his life partner Yvonne, taking over on the passing of his father in 2007. From 2001, Gerhard gradually increased his responsibilities, representing the winery at international presentations promoting the ‘joie de vivre’ in the South of France, always looking ahead to experiment with new trends and innovations.
Gerard created a new style of dessert wine, in which the fruit character, finesse and balance of the wine was far more important that just mere sweetness. The 1991 vintage brought Kracher international acclaim, and since, his name has become synonymous with cult sweet wines, especially in America.
The Kracher portfolio includes the grape varieties Welschriesling, Chardonnay, Traminer, Scheurebe, Muskat-Ottonel and, from time to time even Zweigelt, Alois Kracher created each year 10 to 15 different Trockenbeerenauslesen wines in two different styles.
Zwischen den Seen (“in between the lakes”) are the wines which are matured in large wooden barrels or steel tanks, and undergo long yeast contact in order to deliver freshness, fruit und primary grape aromas into the bottle. The wines of the Nouvelle Vague line are marked by barrique ageing with air exchange during maturation. They are vivid and lively in taste, depth, spiciness and length, these wines notable characteristics.
Representing a small family business amongst the big wine dynasties of the world, Alois Kracher has gained widespread recognition and numerous awards including being honoured by Great Britain´s renowned Wine Magazine with the coveted "Wine Maker of the Year" title for an impressive seven times - in 1994, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2006 and 2008.
The range offered by what is undoubtedly the most widely known Austrian wine estate features the world-famous Trockenbeerenauslesen as well as Beerenauslesen, Auslesen, Eiswein (ice wine) and small amounts of dry white and red wines.
Winemaker notes for this Chardonnay Nouvelle Vague - offers aromas of pineapple, apple jelly and brown spice. The palate is creamy and thickly-rich, full of spiced apple, honey, and butterscotch, and the finish solid but overtly sweet and – at least as yet – relatively simple.
This was awarded 94 points by European pundit Falstaff, 90 points by Wine Spectator and 89 by The Wine Advocate.
This was awarded 94 points by European pundit Falstaff, 90 points by Wine Spectator and 89 by The Wine Advocate.
These sweet dessert wines in top vintages can age for several decades. Starting out straw colored they darken as they age turning golden, the hues of weak tea, and if held long enough darken to almost coffee color.
Consistent with note from I first reviewed this wine back in 2011 when I wrote, "Honey color - full bodied, thick, chewy apricot, hints of grapefruit citrus, touch of pineapple and smoke."
RM 92 points.
https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=50493
http://www.kracher.at/en/
