More Delicious Pairings!!

Friday March 29, 2013 hosted by Mike and Becky

Wine #1:  Chateau Ste Michelle Riesling Columbia Valley 2011

First taste comments:

Becky “Sweet”

Sean “Like drinking liquid skittles”

Bob “Tasty and does not hurt my ears”

Karen “Like apple sauce with sugar”

Kara “Sour apple. Granny Smith”

Jessica “Apple-y”

Elizabeth “Sweet. But then a bite.”
Bob “Crisp Pear”

Andy “Apples”

Karen “A summer wine. I could have this one outside”

Winemaker notes:

Our Columbia Valley Riesling is a blend of Riesling from throughout Washington’s Columbia Valley. We craft it to be a refreshing, off-dry Riesling vintage after vintage. The wine delivers sweet lime and peach character with subtle mineral notes. This is our “any day Riesling” that is a pleasure to drink and easy to match with a variety of foods

Food #1 – Seared Sea Scallops with salt, cracked pepper and lemon

Comments:

Kara “Oh my. The scallop is good! Makes the wine less sour and more sweet.”

Sean “Yes. Sweeter”

Karen “It does taste different. More floral.”

Becky “The pepper in the scallop goes well with the wine.”

Food #2 – Champignon soft ripened cheese with mushrooms

Comments:

Elizabeth. “Good cheese! Good mushrooms! Cuts the tartness of the wine. Gives it more body.”

Jessica “Mellows out the wine.”

Karen “Totally”

Mike “The cheese is better than the wine”

WINE #1 VOTES*

0: Bob, Kara

1: Mike, Sean, Robert

2: Karen, Becky, Jessica, Andy, Elizabeth

Wine #2:  Chateau Ste Michelle Chardonnay 2010 Indian Wells

First taste comments:

Becky “Do you have a pourer for that wine?” Andy “For Richer or for Pourer”

Bob “Doesn’t taste like a chardonnay”

Jessica “An interesting taste”

Elizabeth “I think I need to cleanse my palate”
Karen “It’s woody”

Bob, Kara “No!!”

Andy “An interesting sub flavor. Pomegranate?”

Elizabeth “Must be steel barreled”

Sean “Cork. Not for me.”

Robert “The best way to describe this is strange”

Becky “Bitter”

Winemaker notes:

The warmth of the Wahluke Slope produces Chardonnay with an appealing tropical fruit character and rich, creamy texture. The Indian Wells Chardonnay delivers ripe sweet fruit flavors with caramel and brown sugar notes. I like this wine with scallops, scampi or pasta with rich sauces.

(Note to Elizabeth: Fermented in 35% new American and French oak barrels)

 

Food #1 – Feta, Sundried tomato and Roasted Red Pepper Dip

Comments:

Mike “Makes the wine better”

Jessica “Crisper with the dip”

Bob “The dip is fantastic! This is definitely a repeater!”

Elizabeth “Took away the after taste”

Sean “Delicious dip”

Note: The dip was a BIG hit!

Food #2 – Spinach Balls

Comments:

Karen “Still taste the after taste with the balls”

Sean “The spinach balls aren’t bad”

Becky “It does bring back the odd taste in the wine”

WINE #2 VOTES*

0: none

1: Unanimous!! This was a first!!

2: none

Wine #3:  Chateau Ste Michelle Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 Indian Wells

First taste comments:

Bob “Smells creamy”

Jessica “Smells rich. Smooth.”

Elizabeth “I like this wine. Definitely has blackberry in it. Chocolate.”

Sean “Tastes woody to me”

Kara “Great smell”

Mike “Dark”

Andy “Inky”

Robert “Mild and vanilla-y”

Karen “Becky, it’s your vanilla” (Becky hadn’t had a chance to taste it yet…)

Winemaker notes:

The Indian Wells Cabernet is our warm climate, ripe, jammy “New World” style of Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine really typifies the Wahluke Slope region with dark fruit aromas and flavors with hints of vanilla. Vineyards in the area are more than a decade old now and showing character and complexity.

Food #1 – Grilled Flank Steak rubbed with spices

Jessica “Sharpens the wine”

Bob "I like the food. But i like the wine better alone"

Robert “I agree”

Andy “The steak is great”

Becky “Makes the wine spicy”

Bob “Not in a good way”

Elizabeth "I don't taste the chocolate when I eat the meat"

Food #2 – Aged Gouda Cheese

Andy “Buddha wants Gouda” (Buddha is Jessica’s cocker spaniel)

Elizabeth “Brings out the fruitiness of the wine”

Jessica “Blah”

Kara “Blands out the wine. The wine by itself was more full. Had more body.”

WINE #3 VOTES*

0: Bob, Mike, Becky, Jessica, Robert, Andy, Kara

1: Sean

2: Karen, Elizabeth

* Legend

0 = Wine tastes best alone

1 = Wine tastes best with food #1

2 = Wine tastes best with food #2

Pairing Night #2 Hosted by the McDonald’s

Wine #1:  Girard 2011 Chardonnay Russian River Valley

First taste comments:

Bob “Oak or Steel?”

Andy, Karen “Steel”

Bob “Crisp. Not buttery.”
Becky “I think it has a butter finish”

Andy, Elizabeth “Smooth”

Karen “I don’t like the smell. Smells like straw.”

Mike “I don’t get straw from this”

Becky “I taste some apple – golden delicious”

Elizabeth “Crisp”

Robert “A tart aftertaste”

Winemaker notes:

Hints of toasted hazelnuts, orange blossom, honey, and lemon curd on the nose. Follows with a palate of lime rind and tangerine that lingers with a balanced body of acid and stone fruit. Pair this wine with roasted chicken spiced with toasted spice rub & paired with herbed potatoes and wild mushrooms.

Food #1 – Honey Lavender Goat cheese on thin water crackers



Comments:

Becky “I can taste the cheese in the wine!”
Elizabeth “More smooth. Less crisp.”

Karen “Smoother with the cheese. Less citris-y”

Mike “Makes the wine tart”

Robert “Good cheese! Didn’t change the taste of the wine much for me.”





Food #2 – Shrimp with lemon & capers on French bread

Comments:

Karen “I don’t think it changes the wine at all”

Mike “Tastes much better”
Elizabeth “Retains more of the flavor and crispness”

Robert “The wine is less tart with this food”

WINE #1 VOTES*

0: None

1: Karen, Becky, Elizabeth

2: Bob, Mike, Andy, Robert

Wine #2:  Girard 2010 Old Vine Zinfandel Napa Valley

First taste comments:

Andy “Thick….Dense sounds better. Full.”

Becky “Mocha or something…”

Andy “Plum”

Karen “I get wood. Oak-y”

Mike “Heavier”

Karen “A nice dryness”

Elizabeth “Surprisingly dry for a Zinfandel. Not sweet.”

Bob “It’s a Karen wine”

Karen “A sweet undertone”

Becky “A little spice to it”

Karen “This is a Stephen wine. When I drink it, I think of him.”

Robert “Pretty good. Not too sweet. Not too dry. Not Mehhh.”

Winemaker notes:

The Petite Sirah helps present a dark ruby color. The aromas offer dark chocolate covered cherries, lush blueberries and ripe plums. Winter spices and underlying layers of mocha round out this powerful wine. The tannins will present a soft structure and are well integrated in the wine.

Food #1 – Brushetta on crispy French bread

Comments:

Becky “Mellows out the wine. Smoother. Less spicy.”

Elizabeth “Decreased the boldness of the flavor”

Mike “I like the wine better without the food.”

Robert “Makes it sour at the end.”

Food #2 – Sweet Italian sausage on crisp French bread

Comments:

Becky “The spice is back!”

Karen “Makes the wine drier”

Andy “This wine is growing on me. At first it was a big contrast from the first wine”

Robert “Tarter but less sour”

WINE #2 VOTES*

0: Robert

1: none

2: Bob, Karen, Mike, Becky, Andy, Elizabeth

Wine #3:  Girard 2010 Petite Sirah Napa Valley

First taste comments:

Elizabeth “It’s smooth. I like it.”

Becky “I taste vanilla.”
Mike “That’s my word!”

Elizabeth “A little blackberry. And cocoa.”

Mike “Black currant & cherry”

Andy “Deep red fruit. Plums. Currants”

Bob “Tobacco”

Karen “Tart. Sour.”

Robert “A little tart. Not dry or sweet.”

Winemaker notes:

Aromatics unfold with olives, anise, coffee, thyme and dark fruits. On the palate the wine showcases a rich mouthful of bittersweet chocolate, espresso, blackberry cobbler, dusty cinnamon and mocha. The finish evolves with bright acidity and inky tannins that integrate with intense savory fruit. Recommended Food Pairings: Pour a glass with an espresso and cocoa rubbed pork loin.

Food #1 – Bleu Cheese on a Crostini

Comments:

Bob “It will tame the wild beast”

Becky “The cheese is so strong I can’t taste the wine”

Bob “Super with the cheese”

Andy “The bleu cheese is transformational”

Robert “It overpowers the wine”

Food #2 – Pork Tenderloin rubbed with cocoa and espresso on French bread & crushed tomatoes

Comments:

Bob “Good food. But doesn’t change the wine.”
Karen “Complements the wine”

Becky “The wine is harsher with the pork”

Robert “A nice aftertaste. Doesn’t take away from the wine.”

WINE #3 VOTES*

0: Mike

1: Bob, Becky, Elizabeth

2: Karen, Andy, Robert

* Legend

0 = Wine tastes best alone

1 = Wine tastes best with food #1

2 = Wine tastes best with food #2

FOOD & WINE Pairings - Check it out!

We started a new series of wine tastings this week which we are calling “Pairings”. The news “Rules” are as follows:

1.      The Host must provide 3 different wines

2.      At least two of the three wines must come from the same Vineyard or Winemaker

3.      Each wine will be paired with 2 different foods

Wine tasting steps:

1.      Taste the wine before eating any food

2.      Describe the wine

3.      The Host then reads how the winemaker describes the wine

4.      Taste the wine with each of the 2 foods chosen by the Host

5.      Votes are then cast according to the following legend:

a.      0 = Wine tastes best alone

b.      1 = Wine tastes best with food #1

c.      2 = Wine tastes best with food #2

NOTE: The wines are not hidden from view!!

Food and Wine Pairings #1!! Hosted by the Mealeys

Wine #1:  Simi 2011 Sonoma County Chardonnay

First taste comments:

Elizabeth “Good Chardonnay”

Andy “Crisp. Steel Barrel as opposed to oak”

Karen “It’s a Wayne Chardonnay”

 Jess “Good summer wine”

 Mike “Smooth”

 Bob “Buttery…but it’s not”

Becky “Refreshing. Almost an apple.”

Winemaker notes:

Brilliant clear straw in color, this glimmering Chardonnay displays tropical aromas of guava, pineapple, bright nectarine, peach, green apple, and citrus delicately spiced with toasty oak. Supremely balanced and well-defined, this refreshing wine's nectarine, peach, and lemon flavors are lifted by notes of orange blossoms and a hint of smoke—adding a toasted warm oak character that reveals itself as sweet vanilla, hazelnut, nutmeg, and smoky bacon—before transcending to a delicate, zesty tangerine finish.

Enjoy with homemade tagliatelle with spot prawns and lemon thyme butter sauce, seared scallops with goat cheese and summer truffle ravioli, or baked chicken thigh with saffron garlic sauce.

Food #1 - Salmon and Olive on Bread

Comments:

Elizabeth “The wine is more mellow and stronger now”

Karen and Lauren “I like it better with the salmon and olive!”

Food #2 - Pesto and fresh mozzarella on crunchy french bread

Comments:

Mike “The wine seems harder”

Jess “The wine is crisper with #2 than with #1”

Elizabeth “This food doesn’t hide the flavor as much. More original flavor”

Jess “True. The flavor comes through.”

Andy “Flavor more intense”

WINE #1 VOTES*

0: None

1: Bob, Karen, Mike, Kara, Lauren, Stephen, Andy

2: Becky, Jess, Elizabeth

Wine #2:  Simi 2009 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

First taste comments:

Lauren “Musty. No fruit in that. Made out of wood.”

Karen “Dry. Currant.”

Stephen “A little bit of legs”

Elizabeth “Definitely dry”

Bob “Like chewing on a tree. This is a Karen wine, Becky.”

Jess “Berry”

Becky “Tobacco”

Andy “Fig”

Lauren “Cherry”

Mike, Elizabeth, Bob “Blackberry”

Stephen “Acorn. Pinecones”

Winemaker notes:

The Simi 2009 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon follows up on its deep, dark garnet color with lifted aromas of clove, cinnamon, hints of cedar, mint chocolate, and toasty oak notes that beautifully frame dark fruit. Compelling flavors of cassis, blackberry and plum along with black pepper, cedar, and clove keep this dark and somewhat brooding wine from being too serious. This medium-to full-bodied Cabernet will bring out the best in roasted mushroom and wild nettle pesto pizza, or charcoal-grilled beef carpaccio with asiago-onion salad.

Blend: 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Malbec, and 3% Petit Verdot

Food #1 – Bread with Camembert cheese

Comments:

Bob “Drinks like water”

Elizabeth “Cuts the dry-ness”

Mike, Karen “I don’t like that it cut it”

Bob to Mike “You like it dry Mr. Sweetie?!?”

Becky “I like the cheese!”

Jess “It mellows the wine”

Elizabeth “Evidently I like this wine with the cheese. It’s going down fast!”

Bob “Chug-a-lug”

Food #2 – Bread with Raw Tuna (from Fresh Market)

Comments:

Jess “That’s good tuna!”

Karen “I like it. It keeps the dry”
Kara “That’s weird. The cheese took the dry away, and the tuna brings it right back”

Jess “I think it’s a little too dry, so it’s better with tuna”
Becky “The bread is too soft”

WINE #2 VOTES*

0: Bob, Karen, Mike, Kara, Andy

1: Lauren, Stephen, Elizabeth

2: Becky, Jess

Wine #3:  Warre’s Warrior Port Wine Reserve

First taste comments:

Kara “Smells like booze”
Bob “Smells like a very good evening”

Mike “Sweet”

Jess “Oh, yummy!”

Karen “It’s just like…yum”

Lauren “Licorice! Cherries”

Elizabeth “and Blackberries”

Andy “and Twizzlers”

Becky “I feel it in my brain”

Winemaker notes:

Dark red colour, with a seductive rich perfume of ripe plums and cherries. On the palate complex, with an excellent structure and a long lingering finish. Warrior is delicious served at the end of a meal, for example with rich, nutty or chocolate desserts, as well as strong cheese. Although usually served at room temperature, Reserve Ports are equally delicious when served slightly chilled in hot weather

Food #1 – Bread with Bleu Cheese

Comments:

Mike “Tastes the same to me”

Elizabeth “Mellows out the flavor”

Karen “Makes it sweeter”

Becky “I agree. Too sweet.”

Food #2 – Chocolate (dark and milk) Covered Cherries

Comments:

Becky “Good with the chocolate. Spicier. Not sweet.”

WINE #3 VOTES*

0: Bob, Karen, Mike, Lauren, Andy, Elizabeth

1: none

2: Becky, Jessica, Stephen

Kara abstained from voting – She didn’t like it so couldn’t vote!

* Legend

0 = Wine tastes best alone

1 = Wine tastes best with food #1

2 = Wine tastes best with food #2

'C' Wines tonight - Crazy scores!

Friday, August 10, 2012    "C" night at the Mealeys

More Cabernet Sauvignon wines tonight. Delicious!

1.      Dry Creek Vintage 2008  $20.39
Karen: Tastes good.
Jess: Has a fizz or something at first.Bob: Bite at the beginning with a smooth finish. Crushes.
Becky: I taste the bite first, then it’s smooth.Bob: Isn’t that what I just said?!?Mike: No, it’s smooth at the end.Becky: Isn’t that what I just said?!?
**Note: Half of the shrimp has no taste – wine scores may be affected**


Bob 7, Karen 7.5, Mike 7, Becky 8, Jess 7, Lauren 6, Stephen 6.5, Kara 7, Bryan 6.5, Robert 6

2.     Cameron Hughes Lot 261 2009 Alexander Valley, Sonoma  $15.29
Bob: Hmmmm. Did you try it?Lauren: It’s dry
Karen: It’s smooth. Not your velvet though, Becky. Very dry. I like it.
Robert: A sharp taste
Mike: Calming
Karen: Like sucking on a piece of wood. Doesn’t have the bread dough taste or I’d rank it higherStephen: I concur. Too dry.

Bob 7, Karen 8, Mike 7, Becky 7, Jess 7, Lauren 6, Stephen 6.5, Kara 6.5, Bryan 7.5, Robert 7

3.     The Cab – Cosentino Winery 2008  $14.44
Bob: An Interesting smell.
Karen: Not as good as the last oneJess: Not as strong smellingLauren: Very fruityKara: CherryKaren: Look at those legs!Stephen: Tastes like a 7.5. Easy to drinkLauren: FruityBob: It’s easy to drink…Karen, you don’t like it?Karen: Fruity, but dry.Mike: Black cherry. Fruit finish.Robert: I agree with Karen.Bryan: My comment is that Karen’s comment is a good comment.Karen: Starts fruity and finishes dry.

Bob 6.5, Karen 6, Mike 6, Becky 6.5, Jess 6.5, Lauren 7, Stephen 7.5, Kara 6, Bryan 7, Robert 7.5

4.     Clos Pegase 2008 Napa Valley  $35.99
Stephen: Stronger tastingKaren: It’s dry. Smells good.Bob: I can’t tell if it’s good or notMike: TartKaren: It’s dry. A really full taste.Lauren: It has a flavor, dryness, a little bit of everything.Jess: A sour-y dry taste.Bob: It’s almost an ear hurter.Becky: It is tart.Karen: More like a green apple tart than a lemon-y tart.Lauren: This one is great!
Becky: Full flavor
Bob 5.5, Karen 7.5, Mike 5, Becky 7, Jess 6, Lauren 8, Stephen 7, Kara 7, Bryan 6, Robert 5.5

       

5.     Conn Creek 2008 Napa Valley  $20.99
Bob: Touchdown! On the first sip. Going in for a 3 point conversion. I am pushing the 9. This is fantastic!Jess: A dry finishKaren: Very smooth. This might even be your velvet!Becky: Smells really good.Karen: Robert, are you starting to like red wine?Robert: Yeah. Sure.Lauren: The best of the night.Karen: Not the best legs, but great taste.Bob: I have the best legs. Have you seem them?Karen: I would like this to be a little dryer. Nice start.

Bob 9, Karen 8.5, Mike 7, Becky 8, Jess 9, Lauren 9, Stephen 7, Kara 8, Bryan 8.5, Robert 8

It had better B a good night for Wine :)

Thursday, August 2, 2012     

Our new “at least 50% Cab” category continues to be successful. Mike & Becky found some good “B” wines tonight. Check them out!

1.      B.R. Cohn Silver Label North Coast
Karen: “Smells good. Peppery.”
Bob to Karen: “Did you just sigh??”
Karen: “Yes. It’s good!”
Jess: “Very dry.”
Bob: “Bold.”
Mike: “Full bodied.”
Becky: “Mmmmmm”
Karen to Bob: “You would like it – it has a lot of after taste.”
Sean: “That’s good.”
Bob 7.5, Karen 8, Mike 8, Becky 8, Jess 8, Sean 8

2.     Beringer Knights Valley 2009
Karen: “Oh, this one smells good too!”
Becky: “Tastes sour to me.”
Bob: “It’s almost ‘ear hurting’.”
Karen: “It doesn’t taste sour to me.”
Becky: “It’s better after pepperoni or the sharp cheddar cheese.”
Sean: “Meh. Mediocre.”
Karen: “Not as good as the first one.”
Jess: “It’s OK. Weird taste at the end.”
Mike: “A little tart. Good”
Bob 6.5, Karen 7, Mike 7, Becky 5, Jess 6.5, Sean 5

3.     Bogle 2009
Sean: “It has a ‘neat’ smell.”
Becky: “Smells good – almost buttery.”
Karen: “This one is too sweet for me.”
Becky: “It doesn’t taste sweet to me. Smooth.”
Jess: “Smoother than the others.”
Sean: “Not bad.”
Karen: “Not a full taste.”
Jess: “A one note wine.”
Mike: “Berry.”
Jess: “B-flat.”
Bob: “B-sharp.”
Karen: “That’s a C!!”
Mike” You can’t have a C tonight”
After Mike ranked the wine Bob said “You suck at this.”

Bob 5, Karen 5.5, Mike 7.5, Becky 6, Jess 6, Sean 6

4.     Bacchus 2010  $13.99
Karen: “I like the smell! I don’t want to drink it – it smells so good.”
Mike: “It does smell good.”
Karen: “Strong berry.”
Jess: “Wild berry.”
Karen: “Not a sweet berry. A more full, sangiovese bite. Dry finish.”
Bob: “Strong.”
Becky: “A little sour.”
Bob 6.5, Karen 7.5, Mike 7.5, Becky 6, Jess 7

5.      Blackburn 2010
Becky: “Deep smell. Licorice. Smells great! Tastes like licorice, too.”
Karen: “Nice smell. I like it. Full smell. Full taste. Some dry. Smooth, dry, finish.”
Jess: “Smooth finish. Delicious.”
Bob: “Tastes like a gray sock…”
All to Bob: “What does that mean?”
Bob: “It’s in a gray sock”
Karen: “It’s not gray, it’s taupe.”
Mike: “Full bodied. I like it.”
Bob 7, Karen 8, Mike 7, Becky 8, Jess 7.5

"A" Good night for wine! This time the A's DO have it!

Friday, July 27, 2012 "A" perfect night for wine

We started our new ABC tasting this week. The new category is: A least 50% Cabernet Sauvignon from anywhere.  AND NO REPEATS!

Bob & Karen picked up some really nice wines tonight – a MUCH better “A” Category than the first time they had that letter! (Check out that blog from January 2012)

Note: The wine tasting started late tonight because Bob ran out of gas (for the grill). Bob said, "How often does Bob not have gas."

1.      Avalon Napa Valley 2009  $17.99
Bob: "Fresh aroma. Oooh! That's good!"
Lauren: "It IS good!"
Jess: "It has a tasty smell"
Mike: "I'm not sure about this one. I'm not tasting it. Maybe it was the sweet tarts I ate."
Karen: "It's not dry. It's smooth. Light."
Jess: "Subtle"
Karen: “Yes”
Becky: “It starts out smooth, but turns bitey at the end.”
Mike “Yes”
Stephen: “I agree with Becky & Mike.”
Karen: “I think it’s blackberry. Or black cherry.”
Becky: “It’s better with the meat.”
Bob 7, Karen 7, Mike 6, Becky 6, Jess 7, Lauren 8, Stephen 6

2.     Annabella 2010 Napa County  $13.99
Karen: “Lighter smell.”
Bob: “Not as robust. That’s a good word. I like busts.”
Mike: “Smells better. Light smell.”
Karen: “Tastes similar to the last one. Not good with shrimp.”
Jess: “More subtle. Kind of blah.”
Bob: “Doesn’t promote beef.”
Stephen: “Not as good as the first one. I’m not connecting with this one.”
Mike: “I think my tastes are shot.”
Stephen: “I’m not dialed into this one.”
Bob: “Dial 911!!”
Lauren: “The finish is drier than the first one.”
Karen: “So little flavor you can drink a ton of it.”
Bob: “Not meat friendly.”
Bob 6, Karen 6, Mike 6, Becky 5.5, Jess 6, Lauren 7, Stephen 5.5

3.     Atticus John 2009 Napa Valley  $25.49
Becky: “Smells fruity. A better finish than the first two. A dry finish.”
Karen: “This has the best smell so far.”
Bob: “Drinkable.”
Lauren: “Sweet in the beginning.”
Bob: “The Olympics opening ceremony is distracting our wine tasting!”
Mike: “A flat taste. A little dry. A little sour.”
Jess: “I like the finish.”
Stephen: “A nicer finish than the first two.”
Lauren: “I don’t like the smell of this one!”
Bob 7.5, Karen 7.5, Mike 6, Becky 7, Jess 7, Lauren 6, Stephen 6.5

4.     Arrowood 2005 Sonoma County  $33.99
Becky: “Dark color. I like this one the best!”
Jess: “Dry.”
Mike: “Good aroma. Dry. Best one of the night.”
Karen: “Dry. Nice taste. I like it a lot. Smoky.”
Lauren: “It is smoky. Very dry.”
Stephen: “Best of the night.”
Bob: “Yummy. Jess’s tastes better than mine” (Bob’s glass was empty)
Bob 8, Karen 8, Mike 8, Becky 8, Jess 8, Lauren 7, Stephen 7.5