Von Strasser and Restaurant Eve

I had the good fortune to be invited to a wine dinner sponsored by Von Strasser Vineyards at Restaurant Eve. I did not know what to expect considering the cryptic communications with Mark Skinner, the Director Operations at Von Strasser. We were treated to a complete tasting of Von Strasser's complete line-up for 2007. Having the wine accompany the an almost infinite level of courses that built on each other "completed me!" While I couldn't remember what single vineyard went with what course, but then again, neither could the sommelier or Rudy. Some how Mark stayed awake despite is 24-hour trip from the west coast.

Course are as follows:
1. Canapes - I passed the goat cheese.
2. Fried Frog's leg - Yes, it really did taste like chicken.
3. Tuna Loin with black garlic
4. Homemade sausage with lentils
5. Squab au jus
6. Spice crusted Lamb - Yes, it ate around the crust so I couldn't taste the lamb
7. Beef - At this point I was seriously fading. Too many flavors and too much food. I knew this was almost as hard as a marathon.
8. Cheese course - Blue with homemade cracker and little jelly that reminded everyone of gummy bears.

What was most memorable was the Diamond Mountain District 2005 and 2007 because it reminded me of the 2005 I had last month. Very aromatic, like the Dunn and Paul Hobbs from the Barrel Tasting.

Bassin's California Barrel Tasting and Purple Teeth

March 21st marked the 24th California Futures Tasting at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel to benefit The Addy and Bruce Bassin Memorial Cancer Research Fund. I've been going so many years, I have lost count. What is remarkable is the wineries and their owners and winemakers I see every year. Something akin to a family reunion every year. It is great to see everyone, even if it is only once a year. Others, like Rudy Von Strasser and Kristin Dunn, a little more often which it makes all the more special. They have all led me down a path of discovery and made me more knowledgeable in the process. The added benefit is that I'm drinking a lot better wine. The down side is I drink less, probably because I'm getting older but my teeth don't get any less purple! As a matter of fact, two days later my index finger still has a tinge of purple!

OK, this is what you really want. My top wine for this year. I'll have two lists. One for Cabernet and the all other for the rest. I will limit myself to my top picks of each, mostly because, like promotions time in the government, you only have so much money alloted. Those listed are in the buy category!

Cabernets
1. Dunn Napa Valley
2. EMH - Black Cat (Quite by accident they were next to each other but not in order of tasting)
3. Paul Hobbs Napa
4. Sonador
5. Temple Family

*Of note - Von Strasser was tasted at a separate event and will be address in another entry.

The All Other
1. Miner Family La Diligence Syrah
2. Three Click Petite Sirah
3. Stelzner Reserve Malbec