Birthday celebration dinner at Morton’s Steakhouse Naperville

Birthday celebration dinner at Morton’s Steakhouse Naperville

Last week we had a birthday celebration dinner with two of our kids and spouses, featured in these pages in this blogpost - Birthday dinner celebration at Petit Vie Western Springs.

 

Tonight, we had another birthday celebration dinner with son Ryan and his family, dining at Morton’s Steakhouse, Naperville for a festive dinner. 

Naturally we ordered steaks, all prepared and presented perfectly, including my special “‘Pittsburgh style’, hot pink center, charred”.

For starters each couple share a wedge salad. 

For sides we ordered the Mashed Potato’s and the spinach and Brussels sprouts. 

I brought BYOB from our home cellar a couple special bottles from which to choose for pairing with dinner. We opted for this premium Washington State Columbia Valley Right Bank Bordeaux Blend. 

Force Majeure Épinette Red Mountain Red Blend 2015

We discovered, tasted and acquired this label while visiting the producer during our Walla Walla Wine Experience in 2018, which we featured in this blogpost - Force Majeure Vineyards Site Visit and Tasting.

Épinette is Force Majeure's Right-bank Bordeaux-inspired blend, and was named after an avenue in Libourne that leads to Pomerol and Saint-Émilion, the home of Merlot and Cabernet Franc.

Épinette is also the name of a musical instrument akin to a piano, as well as a word for pine tree, which is a fitting nod to the locale's in Washington state.

Bordeaux blend in the 'Right Bank' style meaning it is primarily Merlot and Cabernet Franc, with smaller amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot.

The 2015 is blended in a Pomerol style, 50% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot

The Merlot and Cabernet Franc are grown in the lower areas of the Red Mountain vineyard with its  deep, well-drained soils.

The Red Mountain Right-bank Bordeaux inspired blend, “Épinette,” spent 22 months in 75% new French oak after a long maceration and fermentation in both concrete and stainless steel vats. 

The blend changes each vintage, either being dominated by Merlot or Cabernet Franc, but in 2015 it is driven by Merlot grown in deep, loamy soils found in the heart of our vineyard. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.

The Force Majeure Épinette was the perfect complement to our aged prime steak dinner, perfectly prepared 'Pittsburgh' style, served with mashed potatoes. 

This release was rated 95 points by Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 94 points by Jeb Dunnuck, and  90 points by Wine Spectator 

Silky tannin' 'Legs' of Force Majeure Epinette

Dark garnet colored, medium full bodied, bright vibrant forward black berry, ripe black raspberry and black current fruits with notes of cigar box, mocha chocolate, hints of leather, anise, graphite and spicy oak with gripping but approachable silky tannins on the lingering finish. 

RM 94 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=4507644

https://forcemajeurevineyards.com/

https://www.mortons.com/location/mortons-the-steakhouse-naperville-il/#menus

Tonight tasting was consistent with another tasting recently of this same label that we took BYOB at another steak dinner, featured in detail and replayed below. 

https://unwindwine.blogspot.com/2025/08/vintij-sandestin-food-and-wine-dinner.html

Vin’Tij SanDestin Food and Wine Dinner 

After a fun-filled afternoon of wine paired with foods at Vin’Tij Food & Wine, we booked a table for a follow-on Saturday night dinner. I wrote about that wine tasting in this blogpost - Wine tasting at Vin’Tij Grand Boulevard (San)Destin.

The plan was to drink BYOB one of the ultra-premium bottles we purchased in the Vin’Tij Wine Boutique for the occasion.

I write often in these pages about the price charged by restaurants for their wines, often expressed as a function of the retail price of the wine. It is customary that a restaurant charges 2 times the retail price of a wine. Often the restaurant price is 2.5 times or more. 

Establishments that combine a restaurant with a wine retailer provide the best and most economical scenario for the consumer whereby the restaurant price equals near the retail price - a 1:1 ratio. In this scenario, the restaurant is relying solely on the gross margin uplift between the wholesale price paid and the retail price charged the diner. 

Two such establishments exist in Destin, Vin’Tij and also Chan’s Wine World that is connected to and associated with the adjoining Wine Bar restaurants. Diners seeking a food and wine experience can leverage these policies for great value dining. And, they can take the opportunity to upgrade their wine choices with higher premium or ultra-premium wines they otherwise not be able to afford or justify for wine experimentation or appreciation!   

For our Saturday Night Vint’Tij dinner, we were joined by Richard and Victoria, friends and neighbors in our Destin residential community. 

Planning to order grilled beefsteaks for our entrees, I took BYOB a Washington State Columbia Valley Red Bordeaux Blend from Force Majeure. 

This is from Force Majeure Vineyards, originally called Grand Reve, founded in Woodinville, near Seattle, in 2004, a collaboration between businessman Paul McBride and vineyard manager Ryan Johnson who spent a decade managing vineyards in Eastern Washington’s prestigious Red Mountain AVA. 

McBride and his wife Susan then changed the winery name to Force Majeure, and hired winemaker Todd Alexander to oversee winemaking. Alexander was previously winemaker at Bryant Family Vineyard in Napa Valley. 

Jeb Dunnick of Wine Advocate has called Force Majeure “One of my favorite estates in Washington…”

We tasted and acquired this wine during our Force Majeure Vineyards Site Visit and Tasting back in 2018 as featured in these pages, and excerpted below.

One of the inspirations for and objectives of that Walla Walla Wine Experience 2018 was to visit Force Majeure vineyards. We first met Force Majeure winemaker Todd Alexander and marketing, distribution and branding exec Carrie Alexander during the Chicago stop of their promotion tour in 2016 when we hosted them at Italian Village in Chicago. Since then we've acquired a respectable collection of Force Majeure wines, hence, they were one of our shortlist priority visits when we planned our Washington State, Columbia Valley wine trip.

Force Majeure Carrie Alexander and Linda

Following our Woodinville (Washington) tasting experience where we tasted several fabulous  Red Mountain AVA wines, we were targeting there for our first Washington State wine appellation visit. Carrie convinced us to visit Walla Walla and we followed her guidance and were amply rewarded as it was a spectacular wine travel experience. Our Walla Walla AVA visit provided the opportunity to visit a vibrant wine region, meet some legendary winemakers on the Washington wine scene, and still experience the best of Red Mountain appellation wines as well!

Force Majeure have vineyards in the Red Mountain AVA where they grow Rhone varietals on the upper slopes and Bordeaux varietals on the lower blocks of the site. According to Carrie, the varietal blocks are based on the selection and matching of the grape varieties to the appropriate soil composition in the eight different soil types on the site.

The Red Mountain site was the very first vineyard on the steep, rocky upper slopes of Red Mountain. Developing the Red Mountain estate vineyards involved carefully matching varietal and clonal selections and vineyard trellising and irrigation to the eight distinct soil types in the vineyard.

The site was formed by the ancient Missoula floods, winds and volcanic activity resulting in many small “micro-blocks,” each uniquely suited to specific grape varietals. The rocky upper-slope with shallow soil is well suited to the cultivation of Rhone varietals such as Syrah and Grenache, while the lower blocks of the vineyard are comprised of deep, well-drained Warden soils, where Bordeaux varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc excel.

This Force Majeure Épinette Right Bank Bordeaux style blend was a perfect complement to our aged prime steak dinner, including my perfectly prepared 'Pittsburgh' style, served with mashed potatoes, haricot verts and mushroom Bordelaise sauce. 

Force Majeure Épinette Columbia Valley Red Mountain Red Blend 2015

Épinette is Force Majeure's Right-bank Bordeaux-inspired blend, and was named after an avenue in Libourne that leads to Pomerol and Saint-Émilion, the home of Merlot and Cabernet Franc.

Épinette is also the name of a musical instrument akin to a piano, as well as a word for pine tree, which is a fitting nod to the locale's in Washington state.

Épinette is a Bordeaux blend in the 'Right Bank' style meaning it is primarily Merlot and Cabernet Franc, with smaller amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot.

The blend for this 2014 vintage was 58%  Merlot,  22%  Cabernet Franc 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and the remaining 5% Petit Verdot.

The Merlot and Cabernet Franc are grown in the lower areas of the Red Mountain vineyard with its  deep, well-drained soils. The wine was aged for approximately 22 months in mostly new French oak.

It was rated 94 points by Jeb Dunnuck, 93-95 points by The Wine Advocate, 92 by Stephen Tanzer and 90 points by Wine Spectator.

Dark garnet colored, medium full bodied, bright vibrant forward dense black berry, ripe black raspberry and black current fruits with notes of cigar box, earthy leather, anise, graphite and spicy oak and hints of dark mocha chocolate with gripping but approachable silky tannins on the lingering finish. 

RM 94 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=4507644

https://forcemajeurevineyards.com/

https://vintij.com/

Dinner at Bosforo Miramar Beach

Dinner at Bosforo Miramar Beach features BYOB Italian Labels

We joined friends and neighbors Richard and Victoria for a delightful dinner at Bosforo Steak and Seafood in Miramar Beach (FL). 

I ordered the Filet of Beef with Demi-glas mashed potatoes and aparagus. 

While Bosforo bills itself as a steak house, they were not familiar with my request for ‘Pittsburgh style’ preparation, and despite my explanation of and request for ‘hot pink center, and charred, but don’t fret if this is not achieveable’, they tried, and my steak ended up being close to well done, despite not even really being charred. Oh, well, c’est la vie! It was still delectable with the Demi-glace, accompaniments and the wine pairing. 

Linda ordered the grilled sea bass special. 

For starters, we had their fresh bread with olive oil and the ample Beet Salad with goat cheese, mascarpone, walnuts and honey lemon vinaigrette.

 I took BYOB from our home cellar this hearty Italian red which was a nice pairing with the steak. 

Marramiero Inferi Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva 2019 

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC is one of the top three DOC wines produced in Italy. The region is on the eastern Abruzzo’s Apennine side facing the Adriatic Sea where the climate is milder than the area inland. Mountains, a 40-minute drive from the sea, help create a diurnal shift between day and night. Vineyard areas cover nearly ninety thousand acres, on mainly clay and calcareous soils, with annual production of approximately 3.8 million hectolitres.

Major varieties and styles produced in Abruzzo include Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC, Trebbiano d’Abruzzo DOC, Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo DOC, Abruzzo Pecorino and Villamagna DOC.

Montepulciano is the main red grape variety in all of Abruzzo and represents over 80% of the total number of DOC wines produced in the region. Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is considered by many as one of Italy’s greatest red varieties. 

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo ripens late with harvest usually between October 1-20. It’s delicious enjoyed young, especially if the wine is in the less-expensive category. Much of it is aged at length in oak barrels, then, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo has the ability to be even more sophisticated and complex with layers of flavors and sensations.

The Montepulciano variety has been in Abruzzo since the mid-18th century according to historical documents. It was cultivated long ago in the province of L’Aquila and in the inland hills of Pescara. Since the 1950s, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC has been popular in the coastal hilly areas, largely due to technological advances and a heightened knowledge of viticultural techniques. There, vineyards are at an altitude of no more than 500 meters above sea level and vineyards with a southern exposure are allowed to plant the variety at no more than 600 meters. Regulations allow other red grape varieties from Abruzzo to be included in the blend, but no more than 15% of the total.

The Marramiero estate sits fifteen miles inland from the coastal town of Pescara between Rosciano and Ofena, between the sea and the mountains. The estate consists of 125 acres of vines planted to Montepulciano, Chardonnay, Pinot Nero, Maiolica and Trebbiano. 

This "Inferi" Riserva label is comprised of Montepulciano d'Abruzzo and is produced in limited quantities from selecting only the best grapes from the oldest vines to the long maturation period of over three years in stainless steel, oak casks and bottle.  

The Inferi spends 40 months at the winery before being released to market, aged first in stainless steel tanks before being transferred into new French oak barrique. 

Winemakers’ notes - This is a rich red, showing notes of bittersweet chocolate and dark cherry, with a pleasant hint of medicinal herbs that emerges on the finish.

It was bright ruby colored, medium to full bodied, expressive vibrant ripe black cherry and blackberry fruits with sweet baking spices, notes of vanilla and a touch of clove. 

https://go.cellartracker.com/wine/4733324

https://marramiero.it/en/home-2/

Richard brought BYOB from his cellar this rare, limited production single vineyard Marciano Abbona Pressenda Barolo from a case he acquired at the producer during a visit to the region last year. 

Marciano Abbona Pressenda Barolo 2016

This is produced by Marziano Abbona and his son Celso, and winemaker Giuseppe Caviola Celso Abbona was among the first of his generation to believe in the potential of Dogliani and its territory and to valorize the grape variety that its hills can fully express: Dolcetto. Together with his family, Celso planted the legendary vineyard Bricco Doriolo, located in Santa Lucia di Dogliani. 

The Marciano Abbona vineyard has a long family history and has become one of the most prestigious single vineyards of Dogliani. The winery’s flagship wine comes from this vineyard, named the Papà Celso in honor of the grandfather and founder. Upon the death of Celso in 1964, the winery was passed on to his sons, Marziano (named after his grandfather) and Enrico Abbona. The brothers transformed the traditional family farm into a winery. They began their first bottlings of Dolcetto under the name of the family and, in the footsteps of Celso, and continued to invest in the territory and vines of Dogliani. 

In the early 1980s, Marziano and Enrico extended their pursuits to the Langhe wine region. They selected plots historically considered the most prestigious: Ravera in Novello; Bricco Barone and Rinaldi in Monforte d’Alba. Later, Marziano Abbona also purchased land in Barolo where their selection of their wines grew and earned international recognition.

Mara Abbona, daughter of Marziano, entered the business in 1999, the year of the passing of Enrico Abbona.

In 2007, the winery celebrated 30 years from the first vintage of Papà Celso. The following year, Chiara, the youngest daughter of Marziano Abbona, entered the business where they continue to apply modern technology.

Today, the Abbona vineyard holdings cover 128 acres of some of the best-positioned territories in Dogliani, Monforte d’Alba and Novello, and include some of the most renowned crus in the Langhe. Many of the vineyards are cultivated with old-growth vines up to 60 years of age. 

The vineyards are cultivated and harvested by hand following methods passed down for generations.

This Pressenda label is a single vineyard designated release, 100% Nebbiolo in accordance with the Barolo DOCG regulations. It is sourced from the Pressenda Castelletto 9 and 3/4 acre estate vineyard in Monforte d’Alba, overlooking the Castle of Serralunga d'Alba, in the cru Castelletto of Monforte d'Alba. The average age of of the vines is 44 years.

Crushing-destemming is followed by maceration in contact with skins for 24 hours. Spontaneous alcoholic fermentation in contact with its skins follows, in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature for 20 days using indigenous yeasts; daily pumpovers. When this process is done, submerged cap maceration is carried out for 40 days and then dry racking, decantation, and transfer to barrels. 

Wines are aged in 500 liter barrels for the first 12 months, then transferred to oak barrels of 50 hectoliters for the next 24 months, at the end of which is assemblage and bottling. They then rest in the bottle for six months before release. 1,150 cases are produced annually.

Winemaker notes. - “The grapes from which this Barolo is obtained give great structure, aromatic finesse, and an average alcohol percentage of 15%. Just a bit fresher and more immediate than our Pressenda and Ravera labels, this can already be enjoyed in its first years in the bottle. Serve at 18° C (64° F) after bringing it to room temperature for at least 24 hours."

This release was rated 93 points by James Suckling - Jamessuckling.com, and 89 points by Wine Enthusiast. 

Dark ruby colored, medium full bodied, firm structured, concentrated layered red and black fruits with notes of black cherry, anise, black tea and clove spice with tight, chewy fine tannins on the finish. 

https://go.cellartracker.com/wine/3783456

https://go.cellartracker.com/wine/3783456

https://www.abbona.com/en/

After dinner, with desserts, we tasted a unique special Bosforo offering, “A hundred years of port” - a tasting flight 10, 20, 30 and 40 year old tawny ports from producer Maynard Port. What fun in this interesting and novel feature!  

This was a wonderful tasting and a fine accompaniment to the flowerless chocolate cake dessert and a side of berry sorbet. 

Maynard Port is produced by the Van Zeller family, owners of Barão de Vilar, who can trace its origins back to the Netherlands, to the 13th century. Maynard’s Port is the flagship brand of Fernando and Alvaro Van Zeller’s Vinihold’s company. Named after the first established English Port wine shipper in Oporto, the Maynard’s brand honors the history of the late Walter Maynard. Born in 1652, this illustrious ancestor of the van Zeller family through his marriage to Dorothea Augusta Kopke, he was recorded as one of the first traders to ever export Port wine to England. 

Walter Maynard was appointed Consul in Oporto by his brother Thomas, who was English Council in Lisbon, by order of King Charles II in 1659. The 1st family link with the van Zellers come through marriage of Dorothea Ignacia Wittingham with Johan Moring, which her mother-in-law was Marianna van Zeller, married with Jacome Moring. Later, her great-granddaughter Dorothea Augusta Kopke who was Walter Maynard's 5th generation of descendants, married with Roberto van Zeller. Three centuries later, Mariana van Zeller represents the 15th generation of the family, today engaged as export manager to the US market.

We hold an extensive collection of port wines in our cellar spanning five decades and I must admit, this was my first introduction to this historic brand, until I later learned they have been owners of Quinta do Noval, a label we know and hold in our cellar.  

Winemaker Notes for the Ten Year Tawny - “This wine has a deep brick colour with amber rim, with lovely aromas of dried fruits, a delicate nuttiness, honey and a hint of toffee, combined with ripe berry fruit and subtle mellow notes of chocolate, butterscotch and fine oak wood. On the palate is silky and full of ripe figgy, jammy flavours and has a long and clean finish.”

It was rated 95 points by Decanter and 91 points Wilfred Wong of Wine.com.

Savoury notes on the nose and palate, with notes of fig, dates and spics, fruit-forward with a nutty and dried fruit complexity, with notes of molasses and caramel with a rich and long syrupy finish. 

The 20 year was rated 94 points by Decanter, 91 by Wine Spectator and 90 by Wine Advocate. 

Well-integrated and harmonious, with a rich, creamy Christmas cake complexity on the nose and palate, building to a long, satisfying finish.

On the softer side, with enticing date, cinnamon and toasted peanut notes backed by caramel and praline flavors on the slightly rounded finish. Drink now. 25 cases made, 10 cases imported.
The 20 Years Old Tawny Port (Maynard's) comes in at 109 grams per liter of residual sugar. A nice step up on the 10 Year Old Maynard's, also reviewed, this adds some weight, but more importantly, concentration of flavor--those old, classic Tawny nuances. Very pleasing, yet easy to drink, this is a charming 20 that should be available at a nice price. This is the new release, bottled in 2015.

Well-integrated and harmonious, with a rich, creamy Christmas cake complexity on the nose and palate, building to a long, satisfying finish.

The 40 year old barrel-aged Port was harvested by hand and then crushed by foot. After a quick fermentation, brandy was added to stop the yeast and leave a rich, dark, sweet wine. Then into barrels for extensive aging. 

Winemaker Alvaro Van Zeller created this blend, drawing from some barrels as young as 30 and others as old at 50 years or more, with the resulting blend roughly 40 years old. This grand wine is packaged in a stunning stylish decanter-style bottle and then framed that in a handsome, single-bottle, wood case. 

The complex, concentrated, smooth and balanced aromas and flavors show a toasted hickory and caramelized pecan with undertones of dried apricot and raisin fruit, richly textured and very caramelized on the mid-palate, finishing with dry and long, with generous notes of caramel and pecan.

Website: http://vinihold.com

https://bosforoseafoodandsteakrestaurant.com/#

Spring Valley Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Spring Valley Vineyards secret reveal Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Linda grilled steaks with roasted potatoes and haricot verts with grilled onions. I pulled from the cellar this negociant remarketed Napa Cabernet from the Sping Mountain District.  

This follows the enjoyable Fantesca Spring Mountain District Napa Cabernet we had just the other night.

I’ve written about this premium label that was sold in the secondary market through the private label negociant brand in previous blogposts, revisited, excerpted below. 

Ninety Plus Cellars Lot 150 Spring Mountain Cabernet 

This write-up of this label is a repeat of an earlier post where I wrote about Ninety Plus Cellars and their Negociant model of wine marketing. They buy surplus juice or bulk wine or bottled product, and then private-label it with their branding featuring an anonymized 'Lot' reference number tied to the source of the wine. Such arrangements are typically done under a non-disclosure agreement to shield the original brand/producer. In this case, Ninety Plus Cellars, Lot 150, is a Napa Valley Spring Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon. 

This case is especially interesting in that when one pulls the cork of these bottles, the cork reveals the true source of the wine, Spring Mountain Vineyards. Apparently, in this case, the wine was already bottled but not yet labeled for distribution. It was then acquired by Ninety Plus Cellars who packaged it for retail sale under their negociant general brand that masks the supplier. The packaging, however, reveals the original branding of the producer on the original cork in the bottle. According to the Ninety+ Cellars website, the "Source Label Price" for this wine was: $79.99, hence the need or practice of anonymity or not disclosing the original source of the wine. The Ninety+ price is about half of that - high QPR (quality-price-ratio) indeed.  

For the Lot 150 release, the rear label of the Ninety Plus packaging speaks to Spring Mountain District as the source for the product, without attribution to a particular grower or producer.

When I purchased the first original bottle, I imagined who the source of this wine might be, thinking about the different Spring Mountain District suppliers of Cabernet Sauvignon. Spring Mountain Vineyards was one of those potential suppliers that I considered, but I presumed it would never be revealed or confirmed as the source. But, imagine my surprise when, upon pulling the cork, they were revealed to be the producer. 

In this case, Ninety Plus Cellars apparently bought what they call “sparklers” - bottled wines that have not yet been labeled. Producers will bottle their wines, but hold off applying the labels until release so as not to risk the labels being soiled during aging, thereby reducing their market value. Apparently Spring Mountain Vineyards sold the bottled, unlabeled produce in the after market for resale in the rebranded private label. 

Typically, producers desire remaining anonymous so as not to diminish the price point of their wines, by selling them through a rebranding reseller such as this. In this case, that approach was undermined by already having processed the bottles with brand identifying corks, revealing their true identity/source. Alas, a great value find for the consumer, obtaining this premium brand at the secondary private label market price!  

This is not the first occurrence of this happening as I recall at least one other occasion where the product was bottled and the cork revealed the original producer source of the wine. On at least one other occasion, the source was pretty much revealed or confirmed based upon the published detailed percentages of the blend of the wine.

I've written much in these pages about Ninety Plus Cellars Lot 101 which I enjoyed immensely, and lamented often the mis-fortune of not knowing the source so as to be able to purchase more product in subsequent vintage releases of the label. Since, in my experience, Ninety + tend to have more misses than hits to suit my personal taste, I tend to buy a bottle and try it before I load up on any label. Here is another case where I went back and bought more, and then did so again. 

Ninety Plus Cellars Lot 150 Napa Valley Spring Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

This is a blend of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, with Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot aged 22 months in French Oak. 

Back in 2020 I wrote, “Dark garnet colored, medium full bodied, firm structured backbone, complex concentrated blackberry and black currant fruits with layers of firm bone dry tannins with notes of oak, spice, hints of dark mocha, anise, leather and dust.’

“Needs a bit more time to settle and not for the feint of heart with the rock hard tannins but if you like that style (which I do) then this is a great find at a good QPR (quality price ratio) value.”

Tonight five years later, at a dozen years, the important fill level and cork were still pristine, the hard tannins were indeed relaxed, but the fruits had also integrated and matured and seemed much sweeter than earlier, surprisingly, almost excessively so.  
 

RM 91 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=2793688

https://store.ninetypluscellars.com/lot-150-cabernet-sauvignon-spring-mountain-district-napa-valley-california-2013-p419.aspx

Red & White Indy Racer Wines for Beefsteak and Shrimp Dinner

Red & White Wines for Beefsteak and Shrimp Dinner

We were joined for dinner by Sis/in-law Pat and Rodger and friends Steve and Carol-Ann, who used our house as a staging stop-over as they flew out and then back into Chicago O’hare International airport. 

Linda prepared beef flank steak and shrimp with rice, roasted potatoes and vegetables.

I pulled from the cellar a special Napa Red and White for pairing with the surf & turf dinner.

Taking into account our guests being from Indianapolis, I opened bottles from Indianapolis 500 Race drivers, legend Mario Andretti and Randy Lewis.

Notably, both wineries have been sold or closed since acquiring these wines.

Andretti Cellars Montona Napa Valley Chardonnay 2015 

We discovered this wine and the Montona portfolio/brand when we visited the Andretti Winery and Estate in southeast Napa Valley during our Napa Wine Experience in 2018. I wrote about that visit in a more detailed blogpost earlier, and about the Montona brand and this particular label in another previous blopost. 

This label is from the Montona Reserve brand, the high end premium line of the Andretti portfolio. The line is named for the village of Montona, the hometown of the Andretti family and birthplace of the legend racer turned wine producer.

Mario’s birthplace, Montona d’Istria, Italy, is now called Motovun and is in Croatia; at the time of his birth in 1940, it was part of Italy but it was annexed by the former Yugoslavia after World War II. 

Mario is not the only Napa ‘vintner’ with the distinction of being born in what is now Croatia – legendary winemaker Mike Grgich was also born in Croatia in the small village of Desne.

Mario fell in love with wine through numerous trips around the world as a result of his racing career; he would seek out the finest wines in various regions and wine became a part of his lifestyle. 

Andretti Winery was established in 1996 by the famed race car driver, Mario Andretti in a joint venture project with Joe Antonini, former CEO of Kmart, who was one of Mario’s sponsors during his racing days.

Andretti and Antonini purchased land along Big Ranch Road in Napa Valley’s Oak Knoll District (a short drive north of the city of Napa). In 2001 they sold the property to Laird Family Winery and agreed a 20-year operational lease for the Andretti Winery and hospitality space. That lease expired in March 2021 at which point Andretti Winery closed its doors and no longer sees visitors at that winery location. For the next couple years Andretti Winery hosted visitors by either walk-in or appointment at Feast it Forward tasting room in downtown Napa but those tastings are no longer being offered. 

Andretti continues to lease about 42 acres of vineyards surrounding the winery, planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc. They also purchase grapes from other vineyards in select locations in Napa Valley.

Several brands were produced under the Andretti label including their Napa Valley Series (wines that are not vineyard designates), the Villa Andretti Series (reasonably priced limited production wines that focus on Italian varieties from grapes typically not growing in Napa Valley) and the Montona Series is named after Mario’s childhood home in Italy and features their most premium limited production wines with a number of bottlings limited to just 50 cases.

Each vintage, Andretti Winemaker Bob Pepi selected from the finest fruit to create wines for the limited production Montona series of labels - Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, a Super Tuscan and this Chardonnay. Produced was very limited to as few as fifty cases each and allocated available directly from the producer, to Andretti Winery Wine Club Members. We procured our allocation through our membership in the Wine Club.





Photos of the former Andretti Winery estate, a small faux Italian/Tuscan building and courtyard with picturesque fountains and landscaping. There was a small cottage, patios and lawns that are available for small private tastings and picturesque grounds which would be ideal for a private event or special outing.

Andretti Montona Reserve Napa Valley Chardonnay 2015

The Andretti Winery Montona Napa Valley Chardonnay went through full malolactic fermentation and was aged 16 months in 30% new French oak barrels. This is our last bottle of our limited holdings. 

As noted above, this label is not Estate bottled, meaning the grapes for the juice in the bottles are not necessarily grown on the property, but rather, may have been purchased from contract growers. As such, the (rear) label cites the wine is merely "Bottled by Andretti Winery".

Hence, with all due respect to the legendary Indy Racecar driver, Mario Anrdretti, and his benefactor investor partner in the winery venture, former CEO of K-Mart Joe Antonini, they are tenant wine producers, not landowners or winery estate owners.

As a wine collector and onephile, I would prefer to support family owned farmer/grower winemakers who produce wines from grapes produced on their properties. This provides a consistent source of fruit year after year and thereby allows for the focus on terroir and its impact on the wine from vintage to vintage, as a basis for comparison over the years, and as a comparison against other similarly situated terroir focused wines.

Winemaker notes - “Our Montona Chardonnay exudes complex aromas of fresh stone fruit, Meyer lemon and floral notes complemented by subtle oak overtones of almond and crème brulee. On the palate, the wine is exploding with flavors of pear, toasted almond and spiced apple. Minimal new oak allows the wine to retain its natural fruit characteristics and varietal focus.”

This is not an oaky or buttery profile wine. It is butter to medium golden in color, medium bodied, moderately rich and concentrated pear, peach and stone fruits with notes of floral, jasmine and citrus with toasted oak spices on the lingering finish.

RM 90 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=3599050

http://andrettiwinery.com/

https://twitter.com/AndrettiWine 

@Andrettiwine  

We then opened this big red wine from another Indy Race Car Driver, Randy Lewis, whose winery ironically was across the road from the (former) Andretti Winery Estate.

Lewis Cellars Alec’s Blend 2015

We wrote about our private Lewis Cellars Napa Chateau Visit and Tasting in an earlier blogpost, excerpted here. Our visit to the Chateau of Lewis Cellars winery was one of the highlights of 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 wines are family favorites for such special occasions, punctuated by this namesake Blend for son Alec. Lewis Cabernets are some of our favorites and we have a decade long vertical of Alec's as well as their Cabernets, dating back to this '97.

This blend is dedicated to Randy and Debbie Lewis' first grandson, Alec, who was born on the day of the harvest of the grapes for this wine leading to the name. I learned at our tasting that this is the inaugural vintage of this label/blend of which we still hold two bottles, and every vintage bottle since.

At the time of the writing of this blogpost, the blog search shows twelve postings of Lewis wines (Lewis Cellars (12)). Scrolling through those tastings are posts tied to many memorable family and friend wine tastings and dinners.

Tuesday, April 4, 2017 - Lewis Alec's Blend 1997 - Lewis Cellars Napa Valley Alec's Blend 1997 - Son Alec's Signature Namesake Label selection for his birthday eve dinner.

Sunday, May 10, 2015 - Mothers Day Family Dinner Features Lewis Alec's Blend

Sunday, August 17, 2014 - Family Celebration Dinner - Favorite Wines & Foods

Family Celebration Dinner - Favorite Wines & Foods for our anniversary celebration family dinner featuring Lewis Cellars Reserve Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
Friday, December 25, 2015 - Lewis Cellars Napa Valley Alec's Blend 2003 - Son Alec's Signature Namesake Label for Family Holiday Celebration Dinner
Thursday, August 30, 2012 - Alec's Blend, Robert Craig Affinity, Penn Shore Diamond 

Saturday, May 5, 2012 - Graduation celebration wine tasting flight featuring 1990 vintage birthyear wines. Gala celebration of son Alec and his roommates' graduation from Indiana U, Kelly School of Business, featuring specially selected wine flight of namesake or other memorable wines saved for the occasion.

So it was that we have some experience with Lewis wines going back two decades.

Like Andretti, Lewis didn’t own their own vineyards, they have long term contracts with many grower sources, some for terms as long as thirty years. We collect and drink some other wines similarly situated such as Freemark Abbey and their long term affiliation with the Bosche' vineyard, source for their vineyard designated select Cabernet which we own going back to the '92 vintage.

Lewis sourced the finest fruit from Calistoga, St. Helena, Rutherford and Oak Knoll for our their varietals. Chardonnay comes from Oak Knoll and Russian River Valley. Each site was selected for a specific varietal character, with many of the vineyards being planted exclusively for them.

Notably, Lewis Cellars was acquired in 2021 by Paso Robles-based Justin Vineyards and Winery, which is owned by the company behind Fiji Water.

Alec’s Blend for Father’s Day grilled steak dinner

Alec’s Blend for Father’s Day grilled steak dinner

For Father’s Day, I was honored to be part of a foursome for a round of golf with sons Ryan and Alec, and Son-in-law Johnny. Afterwards, Alec came over with his family for grilled beefsteaks, twice baked potatoes and broccoli cheese casserole.    

I pulled from the cellar a couple appropriate “Alec” signature wines from our broad collection of labels we hold for his birthyear vintage, or other reasons that associate with him, such as these. 

This Alec’s Blend label is from one of our favorite producers, for numerous reasons, none the least of which they have a label named for their grandson who shares our son’s name. 

We visited the Napa Valley winery Chateau during our Napa Valley Wine Experience in 2017 - Lewis Cellars Napa Chateau Tasting. 

Lewis Cellars was also one of the few producers Alec and Viviana were able to visit on their honeymoon getaway to Napa Valley, when the trip was interrupted and cut short by the raging wildfires at that time. 

Alec's Blend Napa Valley Red Blend 2014

We enjoy Lewis wines, as 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, and now our recent grandaughters Lavender and Lilac! 

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 long ago, and feature it often at family celebrations such as tonight.

Lewis wines are family favorites for such special occasions, and this is one of our go-to wines, a 'signature wine' for son Alec, his namesake Blend for Dennis Lewis' son Alec. Lewis Cabernets are some of our favorites and we have a decade long vertical of Alec's as well as their Cabernets, dating back to the inaugural release in '97.

The label is dedicated to Randy and Debbie Lewis' first grandson, Alec, who was born on the day of the harvest of the grapes for this wine leading to the name.

It just so happens, that tonight, we pulled from our cellar the oldest vintage of the nearly dozen vintages we hold of this label, as part of proper cellar inventory management, and its the same vintage we tasted during our visit to the winery.

We already own this wine and hold more than a dozen vintages so we know this label well. This is a unique label - a blend of Syrah and Bordeaux varietals, a rare combination and style that we like very much.

Winemaker notes: With one year of college completed, (Their Alec is a seven years junior to our Alec.) Alec's wine is both boy and man in this boundary-pushing blend of Syrah 50%, Merlot 34% and Cabernet 6%. Asserting his independence through explosively ripe blackberry and huckleberry fruits, there's also kirsch-like cherry cola, spicy oak, supple tannin and a trace of s'mores that closer to home. Tremendously youthful and seriously good fund, Alec's Blend remains a kid at heart.

Dark inky garnet colored, full bodied, concentrated black and blue fruits with notes of cola, spicy oak, hints of caramel and mocha on the chewy tannin finish.
RM 92 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=2436963&searchId=8474F253

https://unwindwine.blogspot.com/2017/08/lewis-cellars-napa-chateau-tasting.html

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=53086

https://www.lewiscellars.com/

Baer Star Columbia Valley Merlot

Baer Star Columbia Valley Merlot 

Watching the latest binge worthy Series on Netflix, “Blindspot”, we grilled some hot dogs and also had left-over ribeye steak sandwiches. 

I pulled from the cellar this vintage red for an accompaniment. I acquired a half dozen of these several years ago and have been holding for such an occasion and was eager to taste.

At eight years old, this might be at it’s ‘Goldilock’s’ age, not too old and not too young, but just right, perhaps at the apex of its drinking window, able to age a few more years, but not likely to improve. 

Baer Star Columbia Valley Merlot 2017

This is from Winemaker Lance Baer, who founded Baer Winery in 2000 with the goal —“to bring something unique to Woodinville”. 

After years of working with some of the most prestigious wineries in the area, Lance wanted to take his winemaking skills in his own direction handcrafting blends distinctly his own. Iin April 2003 he released his signature blend, Ursa, a feminine expression of red wine, predominantly Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Next he released ‘Arctos’, a bolder Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend.

He expanded production from just 200 cases in 2003 to over 3,000 cases in 2007 when he moved Baer Winery moved into the popular warehouse wine complex near downtown Woodinville with plans to grow to 3,500 cases per year, continuing to increase to 5,000.

Sadly, never realized his dream passing away in 2007, at the age of 39. With the help and expertise of consulting winemaker Erica Orr, the Baer family, his sister Lisa and father Les,, carried on producing wines that Lance was devoted to creating, and adding add new blends to the winery’s line-up, including this Star Merlot.

Baer Star Columbia Valley Merlot 2017

This is sourced from Stillwater Creek Vineyard,  a 235 acre site on the Royal Slope of the Frenchman Hills in the Columbia Valley of Central Washington, on steep south-facing slopes at an 1300 feet elevation with a climate classified as warm but not excessively hot. 

The site was purchased by Thomas A. Alberg, Sr. In 1968, who suspected the land would make an excellent vineyard. It wasn’t until the the 1990’s that the Albergs gathered historical weather data to determine the site’s suitability for wine grapes.

The Alberg family began developing the vineyard planting a wide selection of premium vinifera grapes in 2000. That same year, Tom and his wife, Judi Beck, also founded Novelty Hill winery. 

Alberg was joined by his son, Tom, who served as managing director of the family entity through 2022 when it was taken over by his daughter, Katherine Anderson. Under the direction of acclaimed winemaker Mike Januik, Novelty Hill focuses on estate-grown wines. The remaining two-thirds of the vineyard’s grapes are sold to other top vintners in Washington State.

The Frenchman’s Hills site’s fractured rock and extreme southern exposure are ideal for reds, especially Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah. White grapes are planted on a mixture of fractured rock and areas of fine sandy loam.

2010 label shown 

The climate see temperatures during the growing season with warm days and cool nights, allowing the Grapes to ripen fully under these conditions, enhanced by both hours of light per day during the summer and the total number of sunlight days from bud-break through harvest.

This release was produced by Lisa Baer and Woodinville winemaker Erica Orr. Production was 448 cases. This was a nice complement to the left over grilled beefsteaks. 

It was rated 90 points by Wine Enthusiast. 

Dark garnet colored, medium to full bodied, nicely balanced, soft plush round black berry and black raspberry fruits with notes of cassis, dark mocha, graphite and tangy spice with a lingering smooth tannin laced finish. 

 

RM 90 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=3429393

https://baerwinery.com/