Italian Dining at Clemenza’s Restaurant in Miramar Beach

Italian Dining at Clemenza’s Restaurant in Miramar Beach

When we told a friend and neighbor that we were heading to Destin/Miramar Beach Florida to visit our Cove vacation home getaway, he mentioned his recently departed dear friend and former neighbor that moved there a while back and opened a restaurant. 

He credited his old friend Dominic Damiano with not only introducing him to his wife, but finding his eventual family home, and, talked about them playing polo together in the early days of our equestrian community here. 

The local Emerald Coast Magazine wrote that when “Dominic Damiano moved to the Emerald Coast in 2008, life was almost perfect except he couldn’t find good Italian food. His group of friends and family who had moved from different parts of Italy to Destin, also missed the flavors of home, so they decided to open their own restaurant, Fat Clemenza’s, and do what they do best — serve up recipes passed down for generations”. 

Fat Clemens’s Restaurant is named for the legendary chef/cook in the Godfather movie series, the restaurant was in many ways modeled after Tufano’s which he owned in an Italian neighborhood in Chicago. 

“It’s important to me to stay true to tradition and heritage, which is why we import a lot of ingredients,” said Damiano. “I want customers to experience these dishes as my family would, to feel like part of the family when here.” 

“The eggplant parmigiana.is made from Damiano’s grandmother’s recipe, the Fresh Fish special is caught locally.  The olive oils, pasta, tomatoes, flour and seasonings are imported from Italy. Twice a week, a shipment of sausage arrives from Chicago. All other ingredients, especially seafood, is sourced locally.” 

So, we made it a point to dine at the restaurant, almost walking distance, from our vacation home, certainly within biking distance as we rode past it earlier in the week on our way to the post office. 

The extensive menu features Italian fare, wood fired pizzas, calzones, a broad selection of two dozen pasta dishes, and a variety of traditional Italian meat dishes. Naturally, we ordered Italian Chef’s Specialties from the menu - Linda the Pasta Shells in Marinara Sauce, and I ordered a benchmark staple, Veal Parmiagana with Pasta. Both were delicious, served promptly, piping hot in ample portions. 

Stuffed Shells - Large shells stuffed with ricotta & served with choice of sauce.

Veal baked in a marinara sauce with mozzarella and parmesan served with Angel hair pasta.

For a wine accompaniment with our entrees, we ordered two wines by the glass - WBTG - from the modest, limited but carefully selected wine list featuring seventeen reds and a dozen whites, predominantly Italian.

When I inquired about whether they had a Brunello Di Montalcino our server came by with one select bottle. It was premium priced, beyond our basic moderate meal, so we opted for two glasses of Italian staples. 

From the wine selection, displayed on the counter adjacent the kitchen, separating the dining rooms, I had a glass of the Zingari Tuscan Blend. 

Petra Zingari Tuscan Red Wine 2019

Zingari Toscana Rosso is an ambitious project headed by the father and daughter team of Vittorio and Fancesca Moretti, through Gruppo Terra Moretti, the wine empire of the Lombard developer Vittorio Moretti, which extends over several vineyards, run by his daughter Francesca. 

Moretti is based at the southernmost tip of the province of Livorno in the hills of the Val di Cornia. In the vineyards, red varieties are cultivated on rich soils - among them the Tuscan flagship varieties Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, but also some Syrah and Alicante. The slopes of the Petra vineyard are also planted with white Malvasia, Trebbiano, Clarette and Vermentino varieties which are intended for sweet wines.

The Moretti's are known for producing some of Italy's best sparkling wines, but we are constantly drawn back to this Super Tuscan blend of Merlot, Sangiovese, Syrah and Petit Verdot from their vineyards in the Tuscan Coastal area of Val di Cornia.  The Petra estate has a special ecosystem, warm climate and soils in the green belt of the Colline Metallifere, near the Montioni Natural Park, with the Poggio Tre Cancelli Natural Reserve, up to the Sterpaia Coastal Park, looking over the Tyrrhenian Sea. 

The wine gets its name and traces its roots to an ancient water spring that was a stop-over for pilgrims and wayfarers who were travelling along the Aurelia Street, hence the name Zingari (Gipsies), that would seek refreshment by resting near its crystal clear waters

This label release is a uniqueTuscan blend of Merlot, Sangiovese, Petit Verdot and Syrah. It was awarded 90 points by Wine Enthusiast and Wine Spectator who also granted it #29 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2019.

Winemaker Notes - “Highly concentrated ruby color, which introduces the Mediterranean aromatic notes of this wine. Soft and full-bodied in mouth, it has a fresh flavor with good acidity and a structure with balsamic and mineral notes that make Zingari pleasant and interesting.” 

Wine Spectator refers to “flavors of  tomato leaf, juniper and sanguine notes”. Danielle Callegari of Wine Enthusiast cites  “A reduced nose of freshly poured tar and sulfur meets a luxurious contrast of muddled raspberry and strawberry, before hints of top soil and tobacco emerge …. turns to fresher red fruit, mostly cherry, with soil and gravel,” and calls it “Linear but substantial tannins and a firm backbone of acid work well together.”

Bright Ruby colored, medium bodied, a bit disjointed cacophony of with somewhat obtuse bright forward black cherry and plum fruits with notes of bramble, cedar earthiness, tobacco and bright acid with modest gripping tannins. 

RM 88 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/w?4082308

To accompany Linda’s Ricotta cheese stuffed shells with Marinara Sauce, we ordered a glass of the Aziano Ruffino Chianti Classico Sangiovese. 

Aziano Ruffino Chianti Classico 2021

Vibrant and inviting. The Sangiovese based wines of the Chianti Classico regions are characterized by notes of sweet violet, red berries and wild cherries with slightly spicy undertones

Ruffino dates back to 1877 when cousins Ilario and Leopoldo Ruffino, hailing from Tuscany, establishing a small winery in the town of Pontassieve near Florence, the region with a centuries-old tradition of growing exceptional wine grapes. 

The area is known for ideal terroir for producing wines -  mineral-laden soils, the cooling influence of the Mediterranean Sea, the dry summers that favor wine grapes, and sun-drenched hills. 

Ruffino became known for clean, balanced wines, adopting the motto “here we make ideal wine.” After the Second World War, Ruffino purchased the first of its Tuscan estates, the Villa di Montemasso in the Chianti Classico region. Ruffino continued to invest in new vineyards and became one of the first major wineries with vineyard estates in Italy's three most renowned wine-producing regions: Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino, and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. 

Ruffino Chianti has become a benchmark for Tuscan wines around the world. When Chianti first became recognized as a DOCG wine in 1984, Ruffino Chianti DOCG was awarded the first warranty strip. 

Today, more than 140 years after its founding and more than 90 years after the release of Riserva Ducale, Ruffino is a global leading brand. Ruffino's approach to making wine is based on their top vineyard sites, carefully managed vines and yields to produce the best quality of fruit. 

This is the entry level every day wine of a broad portfolio that addresses every price point and provides tremendous QPR - Quality Price Ratio, perfectly paired to complement the tangy pasta dish. 

Winemaker’s Notes -  “Ruby red. Vibrant and inviting. The Sangiovese based wines of the Chianti Classico regions are characterised by notes of sweet violet, red berries and wild cherries with slightly spicy undertones. The finish reveals hints of aromatic herbs. Fruity and harmonious, the taste reveals velvety tannins and an elegant texture. A long and persistent aftertaste characterizes this wine.”

Bright ruby colored, medium bodied, vibrant expressive, smooth and nicely balanced red berry fruits with tangy spice and hints of tobacco and sweet mocha chocolate. Very pleasant. 

RM 90 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=4675098

https://fatclemenzas.com/

https://www.fatclemenzasmenu.com/?utm_source=gbp

Gulf view dining at Camille’s Crystal Beach

Gulf view dining at Camille’s Crystal Beach Restaurant

Vacationing at The Cove, our vacation home getaway in Destin (FL), we love it that we’re walking distance to nearly a dozen restaurants. Tonight we walked down the beach boulevard to Camille’s Crysal Beach Restaurant for Gulf front sunset dining. We timed our dinner and walk to enjoy the sunset enroute to the restaurant which opened shortly thereafter. 

Camille’s at Crystal Beach is located on the Scenic 98 beachfront highway at Crystal Beach, down the street from our community/enclave. Camille’s is upstairs above Camille’s Cafe located on the ground level, a popular trendy gathering place that offers coffee, breakfast, lunch and cocktails and features popular live music on the sidewalk opposite the beach walk. 

Founded in 2003 by Charles Morgan, Camille’s at Crystal Beach was named after Morgan’s grandmother and mother, referred to as Big Camille and Little Camille, respectively, two women who made a great impact on him. 

Camille’s is a sister restaurant to Harbor Docks Seafood Market that sources the freshest possible Gulf seafood that is caught in local waters by local fisherman and unloaded right on the dock, to a dozen local restaurants, ensuring a ‘Gulf to Table’ experience. The Catch of the Day is served blackened, grilled or fried. 

Besides the local fresh catch, they’re known for their sushi prepared by Executive Sushi Chef Yoshie Eddings who is well known internationally as having catered to an A-list celebrity clientele. Eddings trains all of the sushi staff at Camille’s and at the sister restaurant locations, maintaining the highest quality and standards possible to ensure that each bite will be the freshest and most delectable possible. 

We dined on the small outside veranda that overlooks the beach rode and Gulf beach opposite, at sunset for a colorful dusk sky. 

As a starter we shared the house salad which we delicious - mixed greens, grape tomatoes, figs, roasted pecans, bacon, goat cheese, house croutons, creamy vinaigrette.

Tonight, the daily fresh catch was Grouper or Red Snapper. We ordered for our main course from the menu the regular feature, Macadamia Nut Encrusted Snapper with blood orange cream, butternut squash medley, bacon & toasted coconut risotto. It was delicious. 

Additionally, we ordered the Jumbo Lump Crabcakes which were a bit disappointing seeming less than fresh or slightly fishy.

With dinner we ordered to two WBTG - Wines By The Glass, from the modest and limited wine list two glasses, a Chardonnay and a Sauvignon Blanc. 

Raeburn Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2021 

Raeburn Winery hails from the Russian River Valley in west Sonoma County. Its name originates from Olde English meaning the stream where one drinks - apropos for a wine crafted in this unique watershed which provides habitat for grapes and creatures alike. “A fitting nod to those who prefer to slow down to observe, appreciate and flourish in nature’s surroundings,” says Derek Benham, owner. 

Raeburn Wines are the handiwork of owner/winemaker Derek Benham, inspired by his mother, Phyllis Benham, who preached to “appreciate nature’s gifts, but ‘to leave well enough alone’”. Benham takes that approach when making wine, a task made easier because he selects grapes from Sonoma County’s finest vineyards and carefully crafts wines. “Rather than engineer, we guide the grapes toward the best version of themselves.”

This cool, marine-influenced region is perfectly suited to exceptionally flavored Chardonnay. Fresh layers of green apple, and pear are accented by a creamy richness due to sur lie aging. A glass of Raeburn Chardonnay is the start to a beautiful friendship. - Derek Benham, Owner.. 

Raeburn produce Sonoma County AVA wines but source grapes not only from the Russian River Valley, but also Monterey, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley, Sonoma Carneros, Dry Creek Valley and small amounts from Lodi and San Benito County.

This Raeburn Russian River Valley Chardonnay was crafted from our winemaker’s favorite vineyard lots in the Russian River Valley and aged for 11 months in a combination of French, American and Hungarian oak barrels; the result is a supremely structured and flavorful wine that offers an elevated expression of Raeburn Russian River Valley Chardonnay.

Winemaker notes - “Raeburn Rassian River Valley Chardonnay is a nod to classic California Chardonnay—elegant and expressive with bright fruit character, creaminess and toasty vanilla.”

It was rate 89 points by Wine Spectator. 175,000 cases were made

Golden straw colored, light medium bodied, peach and citrus flavors with notes of mango and vanilla on a tangy finish. 

RM 88 points. 

https://raeburnwinery.com/

Black Cottage New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc 2022

Black Cottage estate and vineyards are situated along the Marlborough’s Ōpaoa River, owned by founder Dave Clouston and crafted by Winemaker Sanna Stander. They produce sustainable New Zealand wines sourced from select parcels from Marlborough, Central Otago and Hawke’s Bay. Their portfolio offers moderately priced Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris whites, Pinot Noir, Syrah and Merlot reds, and a Rose’.

This Sauvignon Blanc is sourced from the New Zealand Wairau & Awatere valleys.

Producer’s notes - “This year’s vintage is one of the finest in the last ten years. A cool summer allowed the grapes to ripen gently and evenly and show concentrated and distinctive flavours, The nature of this season allowed for optimal picking decisions. Our Sauvignon Blanc is vibrant and expressive in character, with refreshing acidity and a refined structure on the palate. We achieve maximum fruit purity and varietal character through cool fermentation in stainless steel tanks, aged on lees for 2 months to add texture and complexity.’

Producer’s Tasting notes: “Pale straw in colour, this sauvignon blanc has a complex nose of paw paw, passionfruit, pineapple and a touch of cut grass and crushed herbs. The juicy palate is packed full of tropical fruits and lime zest with a hint of sweet pea and crunchy red capsicum. Good balance and refreshing acidity complete this expressive wine.”

Light straw colored, light bodied, crisp acidity highlights zesty citrus and stone fruits.

RM 87 points. 

 
https://www.blackcottagewines.co.nz/

https://www.camillesatcrystalbeach.com/

Premium birthyear Napa Reds for family celebration

 Premium birthyear Napa Reds for family celebration 

The extended family gathered at son Ryan’s and D-in-law Michelle’s for a celebration of kids/grandkids’ Marleigh and Reid’s First Communion and Ryan’s upcoming birthday.

Ryan and Michelle served beef tenderloin, pasta a pizza followed by celebration cake. We took chips and a cheese dip as a starter which was served with a selection of artisan cheeses.

Ryan served Bollinger Champagne and a medley of reds from his cellar; Bollinger Champagne NV, and L’Aventura Paso Robles Cabernet.  

With the entree course, ideally paired with the beef tenderloin were two ultra-premium Napa Cabernets from the birthyear vintages of the two kids/grandkids honored today, from two producers we know well and from whom we hold extensive collections in our respective cellars. 

Venge Vineyards Bone Ash Vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

Another wine from the Venge portfolio that we’ve featured several times recently in these pages including another family dinner last weekend. 

I wrote in that blogpost more about Venge and our visits with Nils at the Penny Lane Family Reserve Vineyard in Oakville, and driving up to meet Kirk at the Rossini Ranch site in the eastern foothills of Palisade Mountain near Calistoga back in 2002.

This ultra-premium, flagship Cabernet Sauvignon is a single vineyard designated label sourced from the Venge Calistoga Estate “Bone Ash Vineyard”, which is second of the three estate vineyards they own and farm in Napa Valley. 

Like their Oakville Estate and our Calistoga Estate Signal Fire Vineyard, the vines are dry-farmed with vines averaging 25+ years in age with vines’ roots established very deep which allows for minimal irrigation. The resulting struggle makes for wines with excellent flavor, body and overall complexity.

This release was aged 19 months in 85% new French oak. 

Jeb Dunnuck gave this release 97 points while Virginia Boone at Wine Enthusiast gave it 95 points. 

While we hold many Venge wines dating back decades, this was my first tasting of this label to my recollection. 

This was spectacular with blackish inky purple color, full bodied, round rich concentrated yet smooth and polished blue and blackberry fruits accented by harmonious notes of mocha, cassis and hints of clove spice, tea and espresso with ripe silky tannins on the lingering finish. 

RM 95 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/w?2568964

https://www.vengevineyards.com/

https://twitter.com/vengevineyards

Hall Winery & Vineyards Howell Mountain Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

We huge fans of Hall Wines and have a collection of fifteen different labels, not counting different vintages, of their wines, yet amazingly, we no longer hold this label. 

We’ve visited the magnificent Hall Napa Valley Rutherford Estate Winery and Caves back in 2013, then again in 2017.

We’re also huge fans of Napa Valley Howell Mountain Appellation wines, so we were excited to try this release of this appellation label from this producer. 

Napa Valley's Howell Mountain is located atop the steep slopes rising to the east of St. Helena on the northern portion of the Vaca Mountain range and holds the distinction of being the first mountain appellation approved in Napa in 1983. The elevation of the appellation, ranging from 1200 to 2600 feet, significantly influences the grapes grown here. Notably, 1200 feet is the highest elevation and demarcation point that the valley fog rises up the mountain. Also, the steep slopes afford drainage and more sun exposure contributing to ripe rich concentrated grapes. 

The Howell Mountains altitude vineyards are above the fog line, allowing for more sunlight hours, resulting in deep, dark color and concentration. Additionally, temperatures tend to be warmer than in the southern mountain appellations of Atlas Peak and Mount Veeder where they get some impact from the San Pablo Bay’s marine effects wafting up from the south. 

Howell Mountain’s high elevation soils consist of volcanic soil, and the second soil type is the ‘Aiken series’ which is a red clay high in iron, both being rocky and nutrient poor that produces exceptionally intense wines from small clusters and berries.

Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon tends to be deep, concentrated and intense fruit with highlights of dark chocolate and clove and cinnamon spices, with potent, well-integrated tannins. 

This release was awarded a stellar 99 points by Wine Advocate and 94 points by Vinous International Wine Cellar. 

Wine Advocate called the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain ‘exquisite’. 

Dark blackish inky purple colored, full bodied with intense, concentrated, vibrant black berry fruits accented by a sharp edge with sprites of smoke, crème de cassis, dark bittersweet chocolate, hints of pepper, menthol and licorice. This needs a bit more time and it will probably continue to integrate and soften over another decade of aging. 

RM 93 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=2289050

https://www.hallwines.com/

https://twitter.com/HALLWines

Quinta do Noval Vintage Port 1982

Continuing the tradition of collecting and enjoying celebratory birth year vintage wines, for his birthday and the festive gathering, I took Ryan, from our cellar, a bottle of his birthyear vintage port. 

This Quinta do Noval is one of the oldest historic port houses, distinctive in that most of the ports are crafted from estate-grown fruit from the single Quinta do Noval vineyard. 

The historic Noval estate is mentioned in land registries going back to 1715, and has been sold just twice in that time, once in the late 19th century, and then to its present owners in 1993. 

Noval has a reputation for innovation such as being the first to introduce stenciled bottles in the 1920s. They pioneered the concept of Old Tawnies with an indication of age, and in 1958, Noval was the first to introduce a late-bottled vintage (LBV).

They are famously known for their Nacional label made in declared vintages from a 6 acre parcel of ungrafted vines. When declared, the highly allocated 200-300 cases of Nacional are some of the most sought after port in the world. 

The terraced vineyards of Noval are perched above the Douro and Pinhao rivers, ranging in elevation from just above river level to 1,200 feet with infertile schist, not soil as much as sheer rock.

We’ll look forward to enjoying this together some time in the future. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=95619

https://www.quintadonoval.com/

St Emilion Grands Crus Association visits Chicago

St Emilion Grands Crus Association visits Chicago 

As we do with the UGCB Vintage Release Tour when it comes to Chicago each year for their annual release tour across America, a couple of our Pour Boys wine group (so named for when we’re called to duty to pour wines as such events) had the privilege of helping host the L’Association de Grands Crus Classes de Saint Emilion USA Tasting Tour 2024 visit to Chicago. 

The Association focuses primarily on the quality of the wines produced over ten years, vineyard terroir, and the renown of the growths. It also examines vine-growing and wine-making practices, especially when dealing with environmental care. 

The 2024 Trade and Press Tour showcased the 2020 vintage - one of the most successful vintages in St. Emilion with its “explosion of flavors and pleasure”.

A fortuitous and interesting twist to this tasting was that each producer showed two vintages, comparing their current release against an earlier vintage, going back as far as a decade - often aged or stellar benchmark vintages such as the 2015, ‘15, or ‘17. 

Being single appellation specific, the event was much smaller than the 130+ producers that participate in the broader Bordeaux organization event, yet there were no less than twenty-six Chateaux represented at the event.

As it was previously, when we  Pour Boys Served at the Grands Crus Classes of St Emilion 2015 Chicago Tasting, the event was held at the magnificent Venue Six10, at that address on South Michigan Avenue overlooking Grant Park and the lakefront. Shown above are producers from that previous event. 

Participating CHÂTEAUX Included:

• CHÂTEAU BADETTE
• CHÂTEAU BELLEFONT BELCIER
• CHÂTEAU BELLEVUE
• CHÂTEAU CHAUVIN
• CLOS DE L'ORATOIRE
• CLOS DES JACOBINS
• CHÂTEAU LA COMMANDERIE
• CLOS DUBREUIL
• CHÂTEAU CORBIN
• COUVENT DES JACOBINS
• CHATEAU CROIX DE LABRIE
• CHATEAU DASSAULT
• CHÂTEAU DE PRESSAC
• CHÂTEAU FOMBRAUGE - 
• CHÂTEAU FONPLEGADE
• CHÂTEAU FONROQUE
• CHÂTEAU FRANC MAYNE
• CHÂTEAU GRAND CORBIN
• CHÂTEAU GRAND CORBIN-DESPAGNE - 
• CHÂTEAU LA CONFESSION -
• CHÂTEAU LA CROIZILLE
• CHÂTEAU TOUR BALADOZ
• CHÂTEAU LA TOUR FIGEAC
• CHÂTEAU YON-FIGEAC

The event was attended by a full house of wine professionals and journalists from across the region. 

Right Bank Bordeaux 2020 was an ideal vintage for Merlot based wines that showed exquisitely, displaying concentrated rich, vibrant bright ripe red and dark brambly fruits. 

We appreciate the efforts of the L’Association de Grands Crus Classes de Saint Emilion and participating producers for coming to visit us here in the Midwest and share with us their handicraft, and sharing and educating the trade and pundits on the recent release. 

Pasta dinner features Premium Napa Red & White Wines

Pasta dinner features Premium Napa Red & White Wines

We were invited to Sunday Night dinner at Son Alec’s and D-in-law Vivianna’s. We were joined by son Sean and D-in-law Michelle. 

This allowed our four grand-daughters a chance to be together with their cousins - so much fun, and so important to their bonding together and learning to play with near aged kids. 

Alec and Viv prepared a delicious Bugatini pasta with a lobster vodka cream sauce with lobster medallions.

Prior to dinner we enjoyed several artisan cheeses that Sean’s and we brought - a baked cheese, an aged Gouda, and a truffle infused goat cheese - all great pairings with the evening’s wines. 

I brought from our home cellar one of our currently favorite drinking Chardonnays and Alec opened a big Napa Red. 

I’ve written often in these pages about the fun we have with the ‘V’ labels from various producers, most notably Kirk Venge. This big rich flavorful may be at its peak right now and shows as one of the best Chardonnay’s in our cellar right now, ideally paired with the rich pasta sauce and lobster medallions. 

Not ironically, we opened this same label with a similar dinner for the Christmas holiday dinner a couple of years ago with the same folks. I wrote about that dinner and this wine and producer in detail in a blogpost in these pages at that time, excerpted below - Venge Brown Ranch Chardonnay.

For Christmas eve dinner, Linda prepared a delicious lobster bisque soup with medallions of lobster. I pulled from the cellar this Venge Napa Carneros Chardonnay for an accompaniment. We were joined by Alec and Vivianna for a festive intimate dinner. 

The name Venge has been synonymous with Napa Valley wines for as long as I have been of drinking age since the '70's, but the Venge family wine affiliation actually goes back much earlier, to when Knud Venge emigrated from Denmark to the United States in the early 1900’s. Knud's son, Per Venge, entered in the wine and spirits business and started Vencom Imports, focusing on importing Western European wines and spirits. Per's son, Nils Venge, started in, then left the family business in the 1960's to study viticulture at UC Davis and set the family name in the California winegrowing community.

The Venge family planted viticultural roots in 1976 with the purchase of a 17-acre estate in the Oakville District that was planted to Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, establishing them among the winemaking pioneers of Napa Valley.

Buddy, AJ with Nils and Kirk Venge

We met Nils and Dianna Venge on numerous occasions at Napa events and visiting the Venge Vineyards in Oakville during the nineties. We first met their son, Kirk Venge, who engaged in winemaking from an early age while they were developing the Rossini Ranch Vineyards, Winery and caves up in Calistoga. We visited Nils at the Penny Lane Family Reserve Vineyard in Oakville, then drove up to meet Kirk at the Rossini Ranch site in the eastern foothills of Palisade Mountain near Calistoga back in 2002. 

Kirk took over Venge Vineyards in 2008 and has established himself as a talented winemaker making wines in his own style. Kirk has continued the Napa Valley heritage crafting wines from select vineyard sites across Napa and Sonoma Counties worthy of bearing the Venge family name.

We've been collecting Venge wines since their earliest days. We now have fun collecting them with their notable "V" branding to enjoy with our daughter-in-law, Vivianna, as her 'signature' wines.  

We also enjoyed this wine, BYOB, recently with seafood at BeachWalk Cafe in Destin (FL) during our vacation getaway -https://unwindwine.blogspot.com/2024/10/henderson-beachwalk-cafe-dinner-with.html

Venge Vineyards Brown Ranch Vineyard Los Carneros Napa Valley Chardonnay 2018 

This is a single vineyard designated label sourced from the 30 acre Brown Ranch Vineyard in Carneros, named for the previous cattle rancher owner Nadine Brown. The vineyard is bordered by HdV’s Hyde Vineyard and Beaulieu’s Vineyard No.9 on Old Sonoma Road in the Carneros district, straddling the rolling hills in the southernmost parts of both Sonoma and Napa counties. The cooling winds from the nearby San Pablo Bay, combined with the abundant midday California sunshine, create an ideal environment for producing elegant wines that combine power and finesse, with a perfect balance of crisp acidity and well-ripened fruit.

The property, formerly associated with Saintsbury Winery, was purchased in 2012 by the Renterias. 

The property was planted with twenty nine acres of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay but most of
the vines were afflicted with Eutypa, a fungi disease also known as the Dead-arm Dieback, which causes trunks or arms of the vines to essentially rot and die. Like the famous Dead-Arm Shiraz label from McLaren Vale, Australia, rather than pulling the vines out, the vineyard managers kept the rootstock, cut off the trunk just above the soil and nurtured a bud to grow into a new trunk. Like the Dead-Arm label, focusing all the mature rootstock energy into one vine branch resulted in rich, full, concentrated fruits. 

The Brown Ranch’s hillside alluvial soils, with Dijon Clone 76 set into the pre-existing rootstock, produces this rich full round Chardonnay, worthy of the iconic Venge name.

Winemaker's notes: The Dijon Clones are modern strains of Chardonnay carefully isolated from grapevine nursery blocks in France. These strains are selected for their incredible ability to produce the best of what the varietal has to offer and therefore have become quite popular with cool climate growers today. The cool and often foggy climate of the Brown Ranch Vineyard, located in central Carneros, Napa, allows for a slow growing season and optimal ripening. This climate aids in the balancing of acidity and lifting tropical aromas in the fruit and thus, in the finished wine. The vines were carefully hand harvested and delivered cool to the winery.

 

Winemaker's Notes: "This wine is stylish and freshly balanced, featuring a light, pale straw presence in the glass with a bouquet of fresh orange citrus, toasted pine nuts, mild allspice, rocky flints, and toasted oak. Crisp, savory pineapple, sweet delicious apple, savory stone fruit, and ripe pear lead into mouthwatering deliciousness. 

The grapes are blended into used French Oak barrels according to a Burgundian style of winemaking, light handed on the usage of new French Oak keeping it to an average of 45%.

495 Cases were Produced

This release was rated 93 points by Wine Enthusiast and Jeb Dunnuck and 92 points by Robert Parker's Wine Advocate. 

Golden lemon colored, medium to full-bodied, full, round, concentrated, complex opulent fruits with a layer almost bordering on butterscotch, accented by notes of baking spice, hints of lemon, grapefruit, ginger and a touch of peach and almond nut cream, with bright acidity, depth and balance on a full long finish. 

RM 93 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=3517412

https://www.vengevineyards.com/

@VengeVineyards  

Alec then opened this big Napa Red from Beau Vigne Cellars

Beau Vigne “CULT” Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

This is from the Beau Vigne portfolio of Napa Valley Cabernets that Alec, son Ryan and I all hold in our cellars. Beau Vigne was founded by Ed and Trish Snider in 2002 and quickly gained notoriety on a parade of rave reviews, such as Robert Parker calling it “one of my favorite wineries,” and over in the ensuing years, his Wine Advocate time and again honoring it with scores of 96–98+ points.

We’ve featured Beau Vigne wines in detail in earlier blogposts in these pages - Beau Vigne Reserve Proprietary Red Wine.

Interesting that Kirk Venge, who produced our Chardonnay tonight, was winemaker at Beau Vigne for a period. Initially, it was first-class winemaker Dave Phinney, then Kirk Venge, and then followed by current winemaker Julien Fayard who crafted this 2019 release.

 

This 2019 CULT release is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon grown on Beau Vigne’s gravelly estate vineyard in Rutherford and their impeccable site on the Oakville Bench that neighbors To Kalon, Missouri Hopper, and Martha’s Vineyard. For the final blend, he hand-selected barrels to create a wine that shows its exceptional quality in every sip.

Winemaker notes for this release - “Deep-purple in color, the 2019 Beau Vigne CULT Cabernet shows penetrating blackberry and blueberry aromas accented by rich notes of mocha, allspice, Maduro tobacco, and black licorice. Full-bodied and opulent, it’s built on firmly gripping tannins that complement the texture of the ripe black fruits and slide into a long and savory finish.”

While the Chardonnay complemented the lobster medallions, this rich full round full bodied red enhanced and illuminated the rich pasta sauce - both ideal pairings which amplified the enjoyment of both the food and wines. 

This 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Cult is the 11th Anniversary release of this label. It is composed of 99% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Petit Verdot. The producer states. “We think is the finest CULT produced to date.”

It was aged twenty months in French oak barrels, 80% of which were new, then blended from select “best lots dedicated to captivating flavors profiles.”

Winemaker notes - “Crushed black currant and bing cherry aromas. Among these scents are black licorice, clove, and melted dark chocolate. Flavors of shortbread, blackberry, and plum hit the palate. Loamy black truffle elements add layers of savoriness to the long finish.”

It was rated 93 points by Vinous who called it the “finest wine I have tasted from Beau Vigne.” It received 92 points by Wine Advocate and 91 points by Jeb Dunnuck. 

Don’t be taken aback by the $150 published price from the producer, their wines are often deeply discounted in special promotions and can be found discounted in distribution, even at Costco. Newcomers to fine wine often mistake that obtaining wine directly from the producer will get them the best deal. It’s the aim of the producer to set the price and associated value of the wine, avoiding undermining such with their direct pricing strategy.   

Deep garnet colored, full bodied, rich, round, forward bright vibrant black currant and plum fruits accented by notes of licorice, graphite, lavender, spice and leather with a full tannin laced lingering finish. 

RM 92 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/w?4179405

https://www.beauvigne.com/

Spectacular dining experience at Entourage Restaurant Downers Grove

Spectacular dining experience at Entourage Restaurant Downers Grove

Couples from our ‘Pour Boys’ wine group dined at the newly opened Entourage Restaurant in Downers Grove. 

This is the same Entourage as in Naperville, operated by the Vai Restauarant Group who also operate nearly adjacent VAI’s that was voted the best Italian restaurant 4 years in a row by Naperville Magazine; 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024! 

The new Entourage opened three months ago in Downers Grove on Main Street at Burlington, immediately opposite the Metra train station. 

Our dinner was spectacular with delectable entrees, sides and desserts with impeccable service by Nanette and the waitstaff team, hosted by proprietor Anthony Vai. 

Based on my rave recommendations from our earlier experience at Entourage Naperville, all but one of us ordered the Chilean Sea Bass, which everyone thought was over-the-top delicious. Our other diner had the prime filet beefsteak. 

As with our earlier dinner at Entourage Naperville, Miso Marinated Chilean Seabass with Broccolini, Charred Peppers, Shiitake Mushrooms with Black Truffle Risotto, Yuzu and Sake Butter Sauce was out of this world delicious. 

For sides, we had the lobster Mac and Cheese, Pomme Purée, and the lobster bisque, all of which were equally delicious. 

For dinner wine accompaniments we brought from our home cellars, BYOB two favorites, SeaSmoke Chardonnay and a Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona Brunello di Montalcino. We supplemented the wine flight from the carefully selected Entourage wine list with two perennial premium labels we know well from Napa producers Plumpjack and Shafer. 

Sea Smoke Santa Rita Hills Chardonnay 2015

I brought this from our home cellar, which actually was from Dan who acquired this from his club allocations. 

Owner Bob Davids collected the top wines of Burgundy and in the mid-to-late 1990s, Davids began planning to produce wines that could equal the finest wines of Burgundy. After years searching the globe for a site with the terroir capable to create such wines, his search ended in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA that appeared to have the perfect microclimate, soils, and exposure to grow world-class Burgundian inspired Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs.

Sta. Rita Hills is the coolest, westernmost sub-region of the larger Santa Ynez Valley appellation within Santa Barbara County. The climate of Sta. Rita Hills is a natural match for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, thanks to the crisp ocean breezes and well-drained, limestone-rich calcareous soil that allow grapes to ripen evenly, while retaining brisk acidity and harmonious balance.

Davids began planting the Sea Smoke Estate Vineyard in 1999. Just 100 days after Sea Smoke’s inaugural release of their debut 2001 vintage, Sea Smoke Pinot Noir was recognized by Wine Spectator as one of the “Top 100 Wines in the World,” an accomplishment that was repeated by the 2002, 2003 and 2004 vintages. 

Almost a quarter century later, Sea Smoke is recognized as one of the world’s great vineyards, producing wines that regularly receive critical acclaim, such as Forbes calling Sea Smoke “one of, if not the finest, plots in California,” and Wine Enthusiast referring to it as “one of the appellation’s first superstar wineries,” and “most celebrated vineyards.”

The Sea Smoke estate is located on south-facing hillside bluffs with ideal sun exposure to produce grapes with optimum flavor, color and tannin development. The heat of the day is moderated each evening by a marine fog layer (sea “smoke”), which travels up the Santa Ynez River canyon, cooling the vines and providing extended hangtime. This allows the grapes to ripen to perfection, creating wines that are rich, supple and sophisticated.

At nearing a decade, this 2015 Sea Smoke Chardonnay was probably nearing the end of the apex of its drinking window with a few years of cellaring potential remaining, but not likely to improve any further. 

Winemaker notes: “An elegant Chardonnay with aromas of Lychee, honey suckle and grapefruit zest. The wine is complemented by a focused mid-palate of warm croissant, Peach and the refreshing cool climate acidity of our estate vineyard.”

This release was aged sixteen months in 26% new French Oak. 

This release was rated 94 points by Wine Enthusiast

Deep golden honey colored, medium to full bodied, rich, round, expressive fruits with an essence of caramel, almost butterscotch like, accented by the buttery citrus and lychee fruits with hints of apple, melon, subtle peach and melon with a chalky note on the moderate acidic finish. 

RM 93 

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=3046103

Plumpjack Reserve Napa Valley Chardonnay 2022

About the only thing that we can agree with CA Gov. Gavin Newsom on is his investment and ownership interest in Plumpjack that he acquired through political benefactor connections, and the wines produced on their quaint estate on Oak Cross Road. 

We’ve visited the estate sitting east of Groth Winery and Vineyards, across from Silver Oak, just off the Silverado Trail in southeast Napa Valley several times over the years. Some of these visits were chronicled in these pages's blogposts - Plumpjack Napa Valley Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon, and  Plumpjack Founders Reserve Cabernet.

We hold a dozen vintages of their Reserve wines dating back to the early 1995, ‘96 and ‘97 vintages, acquired before Newsom gained such notoriety for his buffoonery in politics. 

We had this same label on our earlier visit to Entourage Naperville. I wrote more about our experiences with Plumpjack in that earlier blogpost.

Plumpjack Reserve Napa Valley Chardonnay 2022

This Chardonnay is sourced from grapes grown in two vineyards in Napa Valley – one in the southern Napa Los Carneros appellation near San Pablo Bay, and another in St. Helena in the Central Valley. Just 30 miles apart, Los Carneros can be 10-15° cooler than St. Helena. Due to this difference and other important differences, such as soil type, these two vineyard sites vary significantly in character and expression. When blended, these differences in expression add layer upon layer of flavor to the nose and palate, creating a beautiful and complex Chardonnay.

Winemaker's notes - The 2022 PlumpJack Reserve Chardonnay is a gorgeous, multi-faceted wine. The nose delivers layers of aromas—apple, baked pear, and lemon curd mingle with white peach, apricot, and honeysuckle with a dash of nutmeg and cinnamon just beneath the fruit. The palate is energetic and dynamic, beginning with a rich, mouth-filling texture reminiscent of lemon curd, followed by bright acidity that evokes lemon zest and honey-crisp apples. Finally, the beautiful acidity pulls the wine through the back of the palate, creating a long, structured finish.

Light straw colored, light medium bodied, crisp, tangy citrus with notes of apple and pear with bright acidity on the lingering finish.

RM 89 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=4703905

https://plumpjackwinery.com/

Shafer Red Shoulder Ranch Carneros Chardonnay 2023

Like the Plumpjack, this is also sourced from a site in the Carneros District, from the Shafer Red Shoulder Ranch® estate vineyard.

Winemaker notes: “The 2023 is true to the outstanding vintage with brilliant, elegant aromas and flavors of citrus peel, honeycomb, white flowers, apricot, pineapple, and warm river stone all held together with effortless structure, lithe balance, and brightness that comes from pitch-perfect acidity.”

Very similar to the Plumpjack, light straw colored, medium bodied, slightly smoother and more balanced, a similar taste profile of apple and pear notes accented by citrus sprites with a bright acidity on the finish. 

RM 91 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=5069467

Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona Brunello di Montalcino 2013 

Lyle has become the master of Brunello, acquiring a broad collection in his cellar, that he graciously shares with us when we get together. 

This Brunello di Montalcino is from the town of Montalcino located about 70 miles south of Florence with a climate slightly warmer and drier than that of its neighbor, Chianti. Both areas are known for the Sangiovese grape, but Montalcino has its own clone called Brunello. 

The Brunello vineyards surround the village of Montalcino, covering the rolling hills with varying elevations. The valleys with deep deposits of clay that produce wines typically bolder, more concentrated and rich in opulent black fruit. The hillside vineyards produce wines more concentrated in red fruits and floral aromas; these sites reach up to over 1,600 feet and have shallow soils of rocks and shale.

Brunello di Montalcino by law must be aged a minimum of four years, including two years in barrel before release and once released, typically needs more time in bottle for its drinking potential to be fully reached. 

At thirteen years of age, this is likely at the apex of its drinking window, but will no doubt age gracefully for another decade or more. 

Wine Advocate gave this release 96 points. 

Dark ruby colored, medium-to-full bodied, smooth, polished and balanced dried cherry and black fruits with notes of spice, herbs , hints of tar, cedar, anise and dark mocha with subtle oak tones on a moderate, silky tanning finish. 

RM 93 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=2633090

Via’s produce their own desserts in house under the direction of executive chef.

From the broad selection we shared the incredibly delectable Chocolate Heath Bar Crunch Cake - Dark Chocolate Ganache, Toffee Crunch, Whipped Cream, Chocolate Sauce, Caramel Sauce, Seasonal Berries and Cocoa. This was fabulous. We enjoyed it with latte’s and then took the remainder home to enjoy with fresh berries, fresh whipped cream and Linda’s home baked dark chocolate brownies. 

With the dessert course, back at home, we pulled from the cellar this aged 20 Year Tawney Port as an ideal pairing accompaniement. I wrote about this label in detail in a recent blogpost, excerpted below. 

Taylor Fladgage 20 Year Tawney Port

Port is one of the great classic wines of the world. Produced in the Douro Valley of Portugal, a UNESCO cultural site for its historical significance, port, along with Champagne, is the ultimate celebration wine.

Taylor Fladgate is one of the most highly respected producers of aged Tawny Port wines. Their 20 Year Old Tawney is purported to be the most popular 20 Year Old Aged Tawny Port in the United States.

Taylor Fladgate blends its magnificent 20 year old Tawny Ports from its extensive reserves of old cask aged Ports matured in the firm’s cool historic cellars (known as ‘lodges’) in Oporto on Portugal’s Atlantic coast.

The 20 Year Old Tawny Port is fully matured in seasoned oak casks each holding about 630 litres of wine. Over the many years of ageing, the Port wine gradually takes on its characteristic amber ‘tawny’ colour, slowly developing complex mellow flavours and the smooth luscious palate which are the hallmarks of this style of port. In the 20 Year Old tawny, the fruit has mellowed further than in the 10 Year Old, and the spicy, nutty aromas of ageing are more powerful and intense.

This label was awarded 95 points by James Suckling, 94 points by Wine & Spirits, and 93 points by Wine Advocate and Wine Spectator.

James Suckling wrote, “The aromas to this beautiful tawny port are saturated with burnt orange peel, caramel, candied fruit and hints of honey-coated nuts. Full-bodied, very fruity and dense with intense nut and mahogany flavors. Hints of sultanas, chocolate and coffee. Extremely creamy, long and flavorful. Delicious all the way. Better served slightly chilled. (6/2019)”

Wine & Spirits - “A complex and satisfying Tawny, this sits on the cusp of maturity with freshness continuing to infuse its deepening flavors. That freshness arrives in bold scents of orange zest and juicy citrus flavors, while the maturity mellows those flavors into layers of Marcona almond, date and sweet oak-smoke notes. It finishes with a hint of schist in the tannins. For fruit and cheese at the end of the meal. (12/2016) “

Wine Advocate- Robert Parker wrote, back in 1995: "It is my opinion that Taylor's tawny ports are the best of their type. When tasted against other tawnys, they all exhibit more aromatic personalities, greater fruit and ripeness, and a wonderful sweetness and length. Although I find the Thirty-Year-Old Tawny admirable, I prefer the richer, more vibrant Twenty-Year-Old Tawny."

Wine Advocate notes: “On first taste, this was simply Taylor: big, concentrated and serious. Simply filling the mouth on first taste, this shows fine complexity for its age and it does everything else rather brilliantly. Succulent and inviting, it finishes with waves of concentrated flavors. The fruit remains lifted and and it has a bright, transparent feel. It is hard to resist, often seeming like a bit of an overachiever. (MS) (12/2015) “

Producer’s Tasting Notes: “Intense amber tawny colour. Opulent and voluptuous nose of complex spicy, jammy and nutty aromas, hints of orange flower and a fine oakiness coming from the long period of aging in cask. The palate is full of very rich and concentrated flavour and has a long mellow finish.”

Complex and elegant, full, rich, deep, intense long spicy flavors of wild berries, fig, dried apricot and mango with deep nutty notes, spice, caramel, chocolate, and melange of dried fruits.

https://www.taylor.pt/us/port-wine/20-year-old-tawny

https://entouragerestaurant.com/