I am loving those 2009 red Burgundies!

I wish I could say - "If there ever was a time to get into red Burgundy, it's the 2009 vintage" - it's one of those rare vintages that I believe will appeal to both old world and new world wine lovers. It has the fruit, the approachability, and the richness that California wine lovers seek, but the coolness (13-13.5% alc), acid, and nuance that old world palates demand. The only wrinkle - it's as expensive as ever. Even though entry-level bottlings can be had for $20, wines of any stature require at least $40-50, and up. Way up!

All that said, every wine penny I have saved, I am tempted to put into the 2009 red Burgs. Last vintage this good was 2005, and I wish I had bought more. Delicious now, and I bet these 2009's will improve with time and be more amazing later. But wait! I hear the 2010 is even better (but more "classic"?, i.e. not as rich). So I have to save some $$ for that too. Oh, the dilemma! Also, look for great deals on the 2008's - a pretty good vintage for both reds and whites - which may be getting dumped on the market at great discounts due to all the frenzy around 2009 and soon 2010.

In a month, La Paulee is coming to San Francisco, and the Grand Tasting will be all about 2009 Burgundy. At $300 entry, I still think it's a deal, considering the wines that will be poured. For anyone serious about Burgundy, good luck trying to get it. Note: for more info on La Paulee, see my post on the La Paulee 2010.

2008 Bordeaux vintage revisited

I had an opportunity to taste some 2008 Bordeaux this weekend.
A year ago, they were inpenetrable, unenjoyable, and hard for me to judge. Here is what I wrote then:

...generally I didn't enjoy any of the 2008's. Very tight and ungiving, many with greenish character, tons of smoky wood and soapy spice, dark black fruits, extremely tannic and masculine at this point. I will come back to them in a year or two for further judgment.

Now, a year later, after tasting this weekend, I am starting to become enthusiastic about this vintage, especially because there are great deals to be had, while the glorified 2009 and 2010 vintages are taking up the majority of critics' and consumers' attention. While retailers are dumping the 2008's at half the price of the next two vintages, I recommend you take a closer look. They are starting to open up, and reveal classical and balanced profiles of Bordeaux, at relatively low alcohol (13.5% range), and good aging potential, perhaps not as deep as 2005 and not as ripe and flamboyant as 2009.



Two 2nd Growths from Medoc that I tasted - 2008 Chateau Leoville Poyferre (St Julien) and 2008 Chateau Cos D'Estournel (St. Estephe) both were attractive, with Poyferre dense, tightly-wound, and showing more restraint, and the famous "super-second" D'Estournel a bit sweet and new-worldly for my palate (making me think of Opus One and Dominus), but tasty. The best value was a little known Cru Bourgeois from Margaux- 2008 Chateau Mongravey - at under $30, very enjoyable and ready-to-drink Bordeaux.

Baby vino

Evan is now 8 months old. I am happy to report that he shares my interest in fine drinks!


2009 Burgundy, 2001 Priorat, and 2011 Breast Milk - he is clearly getting the short end of the stick (and not happy about it!)


Sipping a Rioja on Halloween


A little Riesling for Thanksgiving




Some fine Burgundy is not wasted on the Iron Chevsky Jr.


Occasional bubble tea


And always salivating for more

Enoteca 100 2011 impressions

Following up on the previous post, I am happy to report that Donato Enoteca remains not only one of my favorite places to eat, but amongst the top two best Italian wine tasting venues of the year (along with the venerable Tre Bicchieri). And when you factor in the laughable admission price for this caliber of food and wine, and the convenience of being able to order anything you taste at or under retail (rather than restaurant) prices, this is by far the best quality and the funnest Italian wine tasting event of the year in the Bay Area that I know of.

Here are the highlights and faves:



Note #1: For the first time, I tried La Fiorita Brunello 2006 - never heard of it before - delicious, with hints of strawberries, and relatively approachable at this young age, very pretty wine, although I didn't dig the label (but who cares!).

Note #2: Produttori del Barbaresco, though missing a photo above, was excellent and IMHO is probably the best value (under $30) from Piedmonte in 2006.

Great job Eric and Donato for putting together yet another killer shindig!

Enoteca 100 2011

I never used to love Italian food as much, until I started loving Italian wine. That love affair with vino drove me to explore and appreciate Italian cuisine, which in turn nudged me to explore even more of Italy's wine regions and varieties. No other place has helped open my eyes to all that more so than one of my favorite restaurants in the Bay Area - Donato Enoteca. Not only do they serve great food and wine all year around, they also feature some of my favorite winemaker dinners. And once a year, Donato Enoteca throw their annual Enoteca 100 Italian wine extravaganza. This year, it's on December 3. I documented this event in the past -- highly recommended for sheer joy of living!

Taste 100+ fine Italian Wines & Donato's Creations

The WINE:

Barolo, Barbaresco, Brunello, Franciacorta, Amarone,
Valle d'Aosta, Piemonte, Alto Adige, Veneto, Friuli, Toscana, Sicilia and Sardegna,
Festive Sparkling wines from all across Italy!

The FOOD:

Prosciutto, Speck, Grana Padano, Asiago cheeses,
Wild Boar Bruschetta, House-made Sausage, Risotto Nero,
Porchetta (whole roasted pig),
Grilled Wild Prawns, Agnolotti del plin, Milk Braised Baccala.

WHEN:
Saturday, December 3, 1-4 p.m.
VIP Preview: 12-1 p.m.

WHERE:
Donato Enoteca
1041 Middlefield Road
Redwood City, CA 94063
650-701-1000
Note: Caltrain Redwood City stop is across the street from the restaurant.

COST:
VIP Preview - $65
General Admission - $55
Early Bird General Admission - $45 (limited)
Note: as a reader of this blog, you may use "ironc" discount code to save $10 off the ticket price. Enjoy!

TICKETS: here.