Just came back from Christmas with family down in the Santa Rosa area (Windsor, actually). It's a great state, despite all its foibles. Just drive from Jenner to the City via Pt. Reyes and the Marin headlands if you need convincing.
Lots of bad wine on the trip, including nearly every wine picked up from K and L on the way out of town (ok, not BAD, just unremarkable). But here were the highlights:
At Quince, a sublime 98 Huet Petillant reserve, apparently a recent domaine release. Just perfect, with everything. Ideal age for me.
Also at Quince, a 10 Julien Labet Poulsard, similar level of outstandingness.
Quince was great, but when we showed up fifteen minutes late and were notified they needed to turn our table within 2.5 hours, I was totally turned off. $500 for 2.5 hours? Is this normal? The food was great, though.
A Stony Hill I bought for my Mom's 70th was pretty good. The Pahlmeyer I also bought for her (in deference to her palate) was absolutely disgusting, and a huge waste of money (at least a Kistler would have accorded with some sort of paradigm, this was just gussied up crap).
I had forgotten just how great Laphroig 10 year is. I bought a bottle for my brother in law, and greatly enjoyed a dram. Quality stuff that.
The LIOCO Sonoma Coast, drunk at Nick's Cove, was an absolute delight, and one of the best American wines I've ever had. Would give a good Meursault a run for its money. Anyone know anything about these guys? I will search them out.
On our way out, we had a spare hour and dropped through Hayes Valley and stopped at Arlequin for a bit. That's a neat place. We always enjoy it. We enjoyed a bottle of Steve's 11 Bone Jolly, which is a singular Gamay expression. Steve, I am curious though: is the spritz intentional? Second vintage I've had with it.
And now back home, a PC imported 00 St. Cosme Gigondas, quite tasty. I find some of the PC Euro grey market imports to be pretty interesting; noticeably different than the American importers and more classic in style, ie, better.
End report.
Lots of bad wine on the trip, including nearly every wine picked up from K and L on the way out of town (ok, not BAD, just unremarkable). But here were the highlights:
At Quince, a sublime 98 Huet Petillant reserve, apparently a recent domaine release. Just perfect, with everything. Ideal age for me.
Also at Quince, a 10 Julien Labet Poulsard, similar level of outstandingness.
Quince was great, but when we showed up fifteen minutes late and were notified they needed to turn our table within 2.5 hours, I was totally turned off. $500 for 2.5 hours? Is this normal? The food was great, though.
A Stony Hill I bought for my Mom's 70th was pretty good. The Pahlmeyer I also bought for her (in deference to her palate) was absolutely disgusting, and a huge waste of money (at least a Kistler would have accorded with some sort of paradigm, this was just gussied up crap).
I had forgotten just how great Laphroig 10 year is. I bought a bottle for my brother in law, and greatly enjoyed a dram. Quality stuff that.
The LIOCO Sonoma Coast, drunk at Nick's Cove, was an absolute delight, and one of the best American wines I've ever had. Would give a good Meursault a run for its money. Anyone know anything about these guys? I will search them out.
On our way out, we had a spare hour and dropped through Hayes Valley and stopped at Arlequin for a bit. That's a neat place. We always enjoy it. We enjoyed a bottle of Steve's 11 Bone Jolly, which is a singular Gamay expression. Steve, I am curious though: is the spritz intentional? Second vintage I've had with it.
And now back home, a PC imported 00 St. Cosme Gigondas, quite tasty. I find some of the PC Euro grey market imports to be pretty interesting; noticeably different than the American importers and more classic in style, ie, better.
End report.
