Wining in general...

Maybe it's the unrelenting ugliness of the Presidential electioneering, or the devastation of Hurricane Sandy, or it's just that time of year when we reflect about where we are in our lives...despite some pretty wonderful people and things, the Goddess of Wine is feeling a bit low. [Note: Post-election day, feeling much better, thanks.]

Waiting for a wine bar to open in Burbank. We hope it will happen in December, but there are still details and discussions taking place at various levels, so it may not be for another month or two. When it does open, there is an opportunity for me to have a local spot to spread the good word about wine. Fingers crossed!

Have a couple of Wine Camp classes scheduled for LearnAboutWine in December for which I'm grateful, and yet, something feels anticlimactic at this point in the year. But enough with doom and gloom, let's talk about the wonderful and fun things I've been doing:


10/6 - Attended a tasting at Wood & Vine featuring La Fenêtre. Winemaker Josh Klapper wasn't there - it was harvest, after all - but his lovely rep poured the wines. My two faves of that day were the 2009 Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay and the 2010 Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir. The 2010 Rosé - a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir - was odd and interesting. Also enjoyed my chat with W&V owner Doug LaGambina. Hope to get back there soon.

Later that evening JD and I opened a bottle of the 2004 RN Estate Westside Cuvee - 44% Cab Sauv/24% Cab Franc/17% Merlot/12% Petit Verdot/3% Malbec - Chocolate and cherry on the palate, no tannins left; glad we opened it when we did.

10/7 - Dinner with Shawn at Bistro Alessio. I brought a 2009 Dark Star Cellars 'Left Turn' - 48% Zinfandel/48%Syrah/1%Grenache/1%Mourvedre - Yum. Shawn shared a bottle of 2008 Le Nain Violet 'The Purple Dwarf' Grenache from Domaine de la Pertuisane. My only tasting note says, "WOW."

The Goddess at work

10/19 - Attended a Media event created by Rico and Adam of Miz en Place for the opening of Jim Palmer's Malibu Beach Wines (see posting of October 21st), after which Jodi and Rico and I chilled out at Cornell Winery with a bottle of 2008 Gioia 'Tiggy,' followed by the most amazing dinner at Saddlepeak Lodge, during which we were treated to tastes of 2011 Lancaster Estate Sauvignon Blanc, 2011 Zocker Edna Valley Gruner Veltliner, 2009 Gary Farrell Russian River Pinot Noir, and our "own" 2009 Shai Cellars 'Adome'. Oh, and the food pairings were amazing.

10/27 - Xochitl got talked into hosting a dinner party the Saturday before Halloween. That Michelle McC has some good ideas! Vampire- and Zin-ful-themed wines, great food, Madame Shagundala and Dr. PokMePlez and truly Bloody Marys. We won't discuss the hangover. Ever.

10/31 - Hiding out at Anthony's Fine Food and Wine on Halloween. Wonderful 2008 Chateau Les Trois Croix from Bordeaux, bad Pinot Noir (old bottle was bad, new bottle was good), delicious charcuterie, and general relaxing fun.

Baubles!

11/3 - Holiday Open House at Four Brix and the release of their new sparkling wine, Baubles, a delightful NV blend of 60% Chardonnay/40% Pinot Noir - lovely pale salmon in color, soft yeasty nose, peach and stone fruit on the palate. Met Shawn at Fab's on my way back home where we shared a 2004 Tablas Creek Tannat from his cellar. Perfection.

11/4 - Attended the release of Ian Blackburn's second vintage, the 2010 Beekeeper Zinfandel - 89% Zinfandel/11% Petite Sirah. A deeper, more complex wine than the 2009, which was no slouch! Wonderful hanging with old friends and new at Josie.

Now we're prepping for a weekend in Paso Robles, hanging with all the local, small-production wineries at the 2nd Annual Paso Garagiste festival.



Wow. I really am feeling better.