My Year in Wine:
2010

How do you put in perspective the year 2010 in wine that for me personally included some family stress - great friendships - super parties - wines that belong in museums and wines that belong in the trash?? You can't, its not that simple. In reality, I am so looking forward to 2011 already.

This year I managed to surpass the light estimate of 175 to 200 wines from last year that I tasted to easily reach 300 to 400 wines in 2010. Yes! that number is correct. I am a very fortunate man. I have the very best friends and family in this industry. I have developed friendships with so many people that I really can't ever pay back for there generosity. All I can continue to do is remain there friend and give my personal opinion regarding the wines that we taste, share, or drink together. All of my friends and the wines that we drank together shall remain nameless this year as I really hope that they will read this blog post and know just how much I value there friendship and kindness.

The year started off with the grape that I have become so fond of "Pinot" and one heck of a pinot tasting in Pasadena. Some of my favorite wineries were there, including a few bottles that I brought myself. Although as the year went along I developed a bit of "Pinot Burn-Out" and started tasting lots and lots of Syrah, as I still cannot afford to really sink my teeth into Burgundy. Yes I am yearning more and more for a certain style of pinot, but my preference still remains in the Central Coast, specifically Santa Rita Hills AVA, but this year Oregon made a big impression on me with an almost perfect 16 year old Magnum of wine. The Pasadena Pinot tasting also brought together several of my best wine drinking friends together in one room. In the end, some superior and some horrible pinot's were tasted.

Later in the month of January came not just my proudest wine moment of the year, but quite possibly of all time. It was another great wine tasting that happened to be "Brown Bagged" It included lots of great bottles, but on this day 2 bottles stood out above the rest and my friend and I developed what I believe was a psychic power. We brought 2 very high end wines that were the same varietal, almost the same vintage year, and can hardly be found not just anywhere. The wine I brought was a great expression of Sauvignon Blanc from California, but the wine that my friend decided to open will probably turn out to be the greatest bottle of wine that I had all year long. Perhaps some day it may even be in the top 5 bottles that I will have gotten the chance to drink in my entire life. My proudest moment was just having the sense that I was drinking perfection in a glass even though I didn't have a clue as to the bottles origin. Everything about that wine was in perfect harmony. I don't think that will ever be duplicated.

In February came a meeting with not just one, but two "Wine Legends". Both meetings were fun and laid back tastings, that gave me the chance to ask them questions that were or were not wine related. We hung out, ate great food, drank amazing wines. To me wine makers are "Rock Stars" just like the chefs you see on TV. In the end they are hard working people that love what they do. I just hope that I get more chances like that in my life.

When March finally came around, my brother found work back in the field that got me all started in this craziness more than 15 years ago. He still is the most inspirational person I know in the wine business. I will never be able to pay him back for the education and wines. The month ended with both of my favorite wine bars spoiling me rotten with great bottles of wines. One celebrated there 3rd year in business and the other celebrated St. Patrick's Day in style. Every year this will happen and every year I will look forward to it.

When my birthday rolled around in April. I only got to drink a 31 year old bottle of wine. I also got to share it with a friend of mine that just so happens to have the same birth date as myself. What better way to get a bit older than to enjoy an oldie but goodie with a great wine friend. I never would of known that Riesling wines could last that long. Just another way old world wines one up California. Did I mention that my Anniversary is also the same day as my birthday. What was I thinking. The actual day started very sadly with the news that some friends of ours had a sick child in the hospital. Emotions ran over me as to how can I celebrate my birth as they worried about the health of there newborn child. The day was an emotional roller coaster, but we did get treated very well by my friends in Whittier. They sang Happy Birthday to me and wished my wife and I many more Anniversaries to come. We are so very fortunate.

May was a quiet month. I suppose that I needed a break, so wine drinking was very limited. Mother's Day allowed me to thank my wife and sister-in-law the correct way with 2 beautiful bottles of Pinot Noir. When we moved into June the party started right back up again with the "Empty your Wine Locker Party". This one is an annual event that a few of my friends throw. It allows a bunch us to bring out our "Big Guns" and share them with everybody. There were to many solid or badass wines that night that I got the chance to taste. My head is still spinning!

In the month of June, finally some vacation! Yep, it was wine related. Just a small trip up to Central Coast to visit my favorite winery and favorite California Pinot Noir. Visiting there new facility was so cool, but the coolest part was the friends that I have made there treating us above and beyond there abilities. It feels good to have friends in the right places. The trip was most needed for us all. When summer rolled around, it was time for me to give back just a little. My wife was about to undergo a surgical procedure to lose weight and requested that I make her favorite dish one last time. It is no mystery that I find my inner calm in the kitchen. Up until that point, we had not thrown any big wine party. I spent several days putting a menu and a music play list together. Two of my best friends and my sister-in-law were invited to enjoy in this meal. As I ate the meal and drank the wines, I became very emotional. Nothing brings me more satisfaction then to feed my family and see there smiles after a successful dinner. The emotions still linger now for my wife's health. She is my rock and I would be lost without her. We have so many more dinners to host. Just a few weeks after her surgery, I finally got the chance to introduce my wife to several of my wine friends. It is still uncomfortable for her to explain that she could not eat anything. My wine friends treated my wife very well and we are both looking so forward to many more parties together.

As the wine year comes to a close, party after party emerge. To many to count from my friends in La Canada. It has been the absolute best club that I could of ever joined. We are friends now, not just a bunch of guys getting together to taste wines. Brown bagging the wines has taught us all how to judge and be judged. The friends that I have met from Monrovia, also deserve so much praise. There generosity is priceless, and there friendships to both my wife and I are legendary. Words cannot say enough about the friendships I have made in Whittier. To Angie and I, you are family now.

Then comes the party of parties. A party where friends decided to cook and drink wine. A party that allowed me the pleasure once again to feed friends and enjoy there company. Cooking is still such a fun activity for me. It brings me calm remember? A party that allowed me to give back! Why hold onto legendary wines if you can't share them with friends and family! The food prepared in a high end culinary style. The friends, laughing and enjoying the day. This is why we get together. These are the days that we hope we will never forget!

So the year is almost over! How will I put together a top 15 list. It will be difficult, but I will try really hard. I sit here writing about it, Remembering the wines! Remembering the parties! Remembering the laughter and some tears as well!

And I say yeah!!

I did it right!!

Cheers~

WA vs. WS

Tale of the Tape:

In this Corner:
the Great Wine Advocate
Robert Parker
and
2005 Lagier Meredith Syrah 95pts.

In this Corner:
the great Wine Spectator
and
2006 Landmark Steel Plow Syrah 94pts.

Lagier Meredith comes in with, a beautiful deep ruby/purple hue and is accompanied by aromas of blueberries, black raspberries, spice, and ground pepper. Displaying a seamless integration of acidity, alcohol, tannin, and wood. Robert Parker; Wine Advocate # 174 Dec 2007

Landmark "Steel Plow" Syrah comes in with loads of pepper, beef, dark berry, teriyaki, mineral and spice. Intense, distinctive, full-bodied and focused, this is so complex and well-proportioned that all the flavors work together seamlessly." #19 on the Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of 2009 - March 2009

Sitting on the bench and wanting to come into the game. 2006 Vice Versa Syrah - 2008 Booker Fracture Syrah - 2007 Jelly Roll Syrah - 2007 Booker Vertigo Syrah - 2005 Bremer Family Syrah - 2006 Shafer Relentless Syrah - and 2006 Hitching Post Syrah.

Ok so that is a baseball reference and not a boxing match term. But all of the wine poured on this evening from my La Canada Grand Crew Wine Club were great examples of a grape that I have become very fond of in the last year.

Syrah you say?? Well I do have a bit of Pinot "BURN OUT" and I have not found a great expression of Cabernet that has rocked my socks off in the last few years, so I have fallen on the way side of finding "Good" - "Solid" - "Affordable" and last but not least "Drinkable" grape varietals. That wont break my bank account and could still hold some aging potential.

Syrah just fits the bill. Yep, that dark skinned grape that sometimes yields octopus or squid ink in a glass. Black as night!! Or perhaps it can yield pepper, then more pepper, followed by yet more pepper with an occasional splash of blackberries and espresso. But what about the true Cotes du Rhone style of bacon fat, leather, earth and truffle. Yeah! that sounds pretty tasty as well. Can't there just be 1 wine with all of those characteristics??

Keep an eye out folks. You just might be surprised one day like I was when I drank La Sirena Barrett Vineyard syrah or Agharta syrah.

Hey wait a minute!!
Why the heck did I not pour one of those wineS for this tasting???
Why????
Because I wanna win dammit!

Let me release to the masses the biggest - jammiest monster of them all. With a name like Jelly Roll how can I lose. Ooppss! I lost! To a cheaper and more consistent wine this evening.

BACK TO THE BOXING MATCH~~~
Spectator has advocate on the ropes. Spectator is pummeling advocate with hard lefts and right. Advocate is covering up trying to avoid the blows. Advocate just cant seem to get out of the way. More body shots from Spectator. He is moving in for the KILL!

AND WAIT~~~

DOWN GOES PARKER - DOWN GOES PARKER!
Parker is trying to get up ~ 8-9-10!!! IT'S OVER!!

AND THE WINNER by KO - 2006 LANDMARK STEEL PLOW SYRAH. A Spectator 94pt wine. Good job Brad. You will be rewarded by having me look for more Landmark wines to taste and try. And as for 2005 Lagier Meredith Syrah! A Robert Parker 95pt wine? Hopefully Steve can redeem himself at our next tasting with a great wine. It's your choice Steve, pick a great theme. I still like "Pink Shit"! as a theme, but that's just me.

As for the rest of the wines, that just didnt cut it on this night. Better luck next time~ 5 of the wines represented were Parker 90pt plus wines. Of the 5, Booker Fracture came in at the highest position in the line up at number 3. Followed by Jelly Roll at 4th. Right in the middle again for me. Just like the Merlot Tasting. Oh well~ Then Came the other Booker wine in the mix Vertigo. With 3rd from the bottom being Shafer Relentless. Oh my~ Mr Jilg, What Happened? Just so you know, I rated that wine #1 of the evening and the Landmark was 3rd from the Bottom. Oh well, what the hell do I know~~~

Good times by all! On a perfect evening outdoors!
I must thank our host Genji for a great theme to our tasting.

Just think of what might of happened if Cotes du Rhone would of been allowed.
Hmmmmm? A great question! Nah!

Robert Parker would of eaten them up alive and been dancing around the ring yelling
USA USA USA!

Cheers~

I am not Drinking any "@#!~ing" Merlot!

Merlot Tasting 2-23-2010

I couldn't help myself to paraphrase the famous scene in the movie.

I just don't know enough about Merlot. I remember one tasting many many years ago in San Francisco. Where I was poured both an estate Cabernet and an estate Merlot from a famous winery. I turned to my brother and said "These 2 wines taste the same". Would that still happen today, 12 years later? Probably! Would I be able to tell the difference in a Great Bordeaux with one being predominately Cabernet versus another that is predominately Merlot! Again, Probably not! The grape does get a little mixed up for me. Should we have a blind tasting of 3 Merlot's against 3 Cabernet's? Sounds good to me, but I am betting against myself to get perhaps 2 of them right. One from each side. The rest I would be guessing.

This is probably why I can never be a Sommelier! I just don't have the skill.

So what better way to make ourselves laugh at each other for even suggesting a Merlot tasting, but to pour 14 great Merlot wines. It's all fun in La Cañada and I thank Chris for picking this theme. 4 of the wines didn't count being that 2 were from Washington. Leonetti Cellars. The Matanzas Creek Winery was 21 years old and the 98 Paloma was a last minute "Go pull another bottle from the cellar and lets taste it wine". Chosen by me!

Oh! the damage I could do to a friend's cellar if given the keys!!

That 2001 Leonetti might of had a chance this night if it was allowed, but the theme called for wines made strictly from California.

I thought and thought again what wine I could bring to this tasting. Originally I believed that I had 1 bottle of 2001 Duckhorn estate Merlot somewhere in my wine locker. Digging around on 2 separate trips, I couldn't find that bottle. It's probably better that I didn't!! I would of had to explain that "San Francisco, 2 wines taste the same story", to my group. They might of thought I was an idiot!! Then all of a sudden a majority of our group that night agreed that it would be difficult to pick out a great Merlot from a great Cabernet blind.

Ok! I am not that much of an idiot anymore.

So what was my Merlot of choice on this night?? I went back to what I was comfortable with. I very famous winemaker with a great history of making both Cabernet and Merlot. Mia Klein's Selene project. Let's face it I don't ever want to be labeled a "wine snob". Wine Geek just sounds funnier. I have never met Mia Klein, but her history and my love for her Sauvignon Blanc told me that this would be a great wine to share with my group. We brown bag and double blind taste all of our wines so I am proud to say that my wine of choice did well on this night. Landing firmly in 4th place overall. I few more high scores I might of taken 3rd or 2nd.

On this night. it was our host of the evening that won the "best in show". 2003 Pride Merlot was our winner. It was the last wine that we tasted. Coincidentally~ The last 2 wines tasted were the big winners. #9 was Buccella's Merlot and #10 was the Pride.

I was the first to taste the last 2 wines before the bottles had even gotten around the table to the other side. Buccella I scored 93 points. I had some experience with this wine a few weeks earlier and recognized it in the tasting. The wine had big rich fruit with a tiny pinch of chocolate. This is a wine that can only get better with age. Perhaps it was the reason that Pride won! 2 years older could of been the factor, because the minute Pride hit my lips, I declared it my favorite of the night. I have never tasted a bottle of Red wine from Pride before this night. The wine had all the structures in perfect balance. The nose showed hints of berry fruit, espresso and oak in perfect harmony. The wine's tannins were soft and not overbearing. On the palate, zero heat from the alcohol and elegance from the fruit. An overall perfect expression of Merlot!!!

Did I just say that??

So come on people! Give the "@#!~ing" Merlot a chance with your dinner of the evening. It just might surprise you with thoughts that have vanished from your mind since seeing the now famous movie.

But don't listen to a word I say!!!

My mind is still hazy from all the wine we tasted that night. Here is the list in winning order.

2003 Pride - 2005 Buccella - 2007 Robert Foley - 2006 Selene - 2000 Joseph Phelps - 2003 Robert Sinskey - 2005 Keenan - 2006 Shafer - 2005 Pahlmeyer - and last but not least 2006 Paradigm. Sorry Scott! I am actually embarrassed to admit that I picked Paradigm last. I just met Heidi Peterson Barrett the week before. She is too kool to come in last place.

See! I told you I know nothing!!!

Cheers~

TOP 15 Wines of 2009

I have decided to list my top 15 wines that I got to taste or drink in the year 2009. I decided on 15 because lets face it, I couldn't stop adding more and more wines to the list. Not to mention that I am probably missing 5 or 10 more good ones.

A light estimate on how many wines I tasted in 2009 would be between 175 to 250 plus wines. Give or Take! Some of the bottles are from my personal collection while most are from my friends, family or wine shops that I frequent.

So without further delay, here is my list;;;;;;

#15 - 2007 Zolo Torrontes

Crisp, Clean and inexpensive. This new varietal that I got experience with makes perfect sense in tough economic times. I tasted several different Torrontes wines in 2009 with some as high as $15.00 per bottle. The Zolo Torrontes was $9.99 per bottle and my favorite over the year.

#14 - 2007 Atteca Old Vine Garnacha

A great value wine over the year. I bought several bottles of this wine every time I needed a solid, "ready to drink now" wine. I have always loved Spanish wines, but this one was a "winner" at $15.99 per bottle.

#13 2005 Numanthia-Termes

This wine blew me away when I got a taste of it. I was able to taste this wine at a great wine event and I was able to take the bottle home and taste it again the very next day. Both times the wine impressed me with it's flavors. The wine was chosen as Wine Spectators #2 wine for 2009 and it shows why. Again! this is why I love so very much Spanish wines. Especially Tempranillo.

#12 2005 A. Rafanelli Zinfandel

Many thanx to all of my wine friends and there generosity. This wine poured from a friend's

private collection was the highlight of a day filled with great wines. Zinfandel isn't one of my favorite varietals, but the Rafanelli showed perfect balance of fruit that kept me coming back.

#11 2006 Kelly Fleming Sauvignon Blanc

I love Sauvignon Blanc. Kelly Fleming delivered me a perfect bottle of California wine. Perfect balance of acidity and fruit make this wine very french in style. I only wish I would of bought more of it. Lets hope that it returns at Mission Wines.

#10 2007 Peter Michael "Cuvee Indigene"

I am not a huge Chardonnay fan, but after finally tasting Peter Michael for the first time. Yeah! California makes a pretty good Chardonnay. I bit on the pricey side but many thanx go out to my friends for allowing me a taste of perfection.

#9 2007 Paul Lato Pinot Noir - Gold Coast

This was my one perfect pairing that I personally created this year. Pork Tenderloin crusted in pistachios. The first bottle of Paul Lato Pinot that I opened from my personal collection. I have high hopes for the quality of this wine to come over the next few years.

#8 2001 Opus One Cabernet

I have lots to be thankful for when it comes to Opus. It was the very first bottle of expensive wine I ever had back in 1996. This bottle was a huge treat and in good form at the time of opening. My best friend should be proud to have held on to a few of these.

#7 1999 Spottswoode Cabernet

Every year I open a bottle, and every year I love this wine. I wish I had the wallet to buy more of it. The wines are ageing gracefully, and should bring more "Wine Tears" to me personally over the next few decades.

#6 1999 Demoiselle Vranken Vintage Champagne

Maybe because it was the first taste of the day I had, or maybe it was looking across the table at my wife on her birthday, or maybe it's the fact the my friends over in Whittier know a thing or two about bubbles. This wine made perfect sense for my night out! 4 people tasted her and all 4 came to my table to thank me. The wine is at a perfect age for consumption.

#5 1989 Chateau Angelus Bordeaux

Pouring it into the glass and see that beautiful color brought a smile to my face. Many many thanx to my friend for all of his great wines, but this one stuck out the most. The only thing missing was a perfectly cooked Lamb Shank. FRENCH PERFECTION~

#4 1997 Dunn Family Howell Mountain Cabernet

I am so glad that these wines that continue to collect dust in my wine locker over the last 15 years are developing sooooooo nicely. Dunn will probably be the wine I drink on my death bed. Not because it is the greatest, but because she ages so gracefully. She just might last another 50 years.

#3 - 2002 Clio Bodega Jumilla

It is a sad day when you crack open the last bottle in your collection of a certain wine. We almost wanna savor every bit of juice in the glass for eternity. This 2002 was the last yes, but I have several other vintages put away for many years to come. Clio is one of the very best Spanish wines I ever tasted. I would of thought that this wine could of aged for 20 more years, I just couldn't hold onto the original 6 pack that I bought that long. Twice I opened this bottle in 2009. Both times the wine did not disappoint.

#2 - 1997 Peter Michael "Les Pavots"

Just so thankful for the many friends that I have. My best friend of 34 years has a big heart and a small but GREAT wine collection. For his birthday he graced me with 97 "Les Pavots", so I returned the favor by buying and opening 06 "Les Pavots". I great day of tasting wines. It is fun to able to taste 2 separate vintages of the same wine that are 9 years apart. We savor the flavors and try to determine that quality of the ageing. The 97 shows great California fruit ageing in a French Style. Showing perfectly, I only wish I had the wallet to buy a bit more of the 2006. What might she taste like in 2016.

#1 - 2003 Sea Smoke Botella Pinot Noir

Maybe it is the fact that I have always respected a winery that opens it's doors and allows us in. Friendship goes a long way when drinking wine. I am the kind of guy that never forgets when someone does something special for me.

Maybe it is the fact that I have collected this wine for over 5 years now and patience is starting to pay off in a PERFECT way. As I said earlier, when you open the last bottle in your collection of a certain wine you want to savor ever ounce of juice to the last drop. How ironic that this was my last great bottle of the year. Opened for Christmas day dinner and again, with a pork dish. The wine showed a perfect balance of fruit and aromas that make me love Pinot oh so much. This wine probably still had the potential of ageing another few years, but I am glad that I had the chance to drink a wine in a perfect state. I will continue to buy Sea Smoke till the day that I can't buy wine no more.

So there is my list.

Wine Geek? - Wine Snob? - Wine Collector?

Don't listen to me!! I know nothing!!

Cheers~