Florida Jim
Florida Jim
The “birthday boys” (four guys who gather on or near our respective birthdays and treat the fellow turning older) gathered Sunday night at Santé, in the Sonoma Mission Inn for some Michelin one star food and a few bottles brought from our cellars.
The food and service were outstanding, the room was lovely and the wines were, at least, tolerable:
N/V Cedric Bouchard, Champagne La Parcelle:
As good a bubbly as I have ever had; very tiny bubbles but plenty of them, incredible depth to the flavors and nose and a fine finish. The wine of the night for me and a true ‘life list’ bottle. Stunning!
2007 Three Sticks, Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast:
This carried its 14.7% alcohol better than I expected and while I thought the new wood intruded, it was still a fine-grained, aromatic pinot. Appealing and stood well with the food.
2006 Martinelli, Pinot Noir Zio Tony Ranch:
15.6% alcohol; raisin smells and flavors, huge VA, intrusive wood and alcohol; not my cup of vino.
2006 Chat. Beaucastel, CdP:
Closed, no brett and very little nose or palate as yet; needs considerable time and to be served when there is no 800 pound gorilla in the room. Nice, nonetheless and good accompaniment to saddle of venison.
Best, Jim
The food and service were outstanding, the room was lovely and the wines were, at least, tolerable:
N/V Cedric Bouchard, Champagne La Parcelle:
As good a bubbly as I have ever had; very tiny bubbles but plenty of them, incredible depth to the flavors and nose and a fine finish. The wine of the night for me and a true ‘life list’ bottle. Stunning!
2007 Three Sticks, Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast:
This carried its 14.7% alcohol better than I expected and while I thought the new wood intruded, it was still a fine-grained, aromatic pinot. Appealing and stood well with the food.
2006 Martinelli, Pinot Noir Zio Tony Ranch:
15.6% alcohol; raisin smells and flavors, huge VA, intrusive wood and alcohol; not my cup of vino.
2006 Chat. Beaucastel, CdP:
Closed, no brett and very little nose or palate as yet; needs considerable time and to be served when there is no 800 pound gorilla in the room. Nice, nonetheless and good accompaniment to saddle of venison.
Best, Jim