Cricklewood 2003 Pinot Noir
Last night, Elizabeth Bear was over for dinner. We had Chicken with Tomato and Feta Sauce, which once again proved successful. I've yet to have anyone decide they didn't like that one. Even my father, who isn't fond of "skeezy cheeses that I can't describe."
Bear brought along a bottle of Cricklewood 2003 Winemaker's Reserve Pinot Noir. It's hard to go wrong with a wine from the Willamette Valley, and this one was apparently also reasonably priced (ranges around the web seem to be from $12-$16). It has a darker, fuller and more earthy taste to it than some other pinots I've had. I suspect it goes better with a meal than as a sipping wine on its own.
The Cricklewood varietals are produced by Montinore Vineyards from its estate vineyards in the Northern Willamette Valley of Oregon.
2004 Hermanos Lurton Blanco
I surprised my local supplier with a question as to what wine might go well with tacos. We considered a few, looking for something to compliment the spice mix for the meat and the hot sauce generally added to the dish. Settled on the 2004 Hermanos Lurton Blanco. A Rueda from the Castilla y Leon region of Spain, a combination of the Viura and Verdejo varietals. A little sweet with a long, strong finish.
two new wines
Dinner with Laura Anne Gilman wherein I attempted a chicken version of Duck with Orange Tea Sauce (it worked out alright though the sauce wasn't as thick).
She brought two bottles to share:
1999 Forefathers Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley - From their website: "On the palate the wine is elegant, powerful, rich and seamless. The long rich mouth makes the wine drink beautifully now, and will improve over the next 10 years." (from their own website) As she said, this was perhaps a little futher gone than its ideal state, but it was still quite good.
2004 Vin d'Alsace One - a combination of Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Muscat, Gewurztraminer, and Pinot Gris. From the label: "crisp and dry with good body, intensity and depth." I'm not sure whether I'd get this one again or not. It was a fun wine, but maybe a little too complicated, or trying too hard?