Between the four of them, how many vintages have John Shafer of Shafer Vineyards, Boots Brounstein of Diamond Creek Vineyards, Margrit Biever Mondavi of Robert Mondavi Winery and Jim Barrett of Chateau Montelena seen in the Napa Valley? Let’s just say ‘a lot’. On February 24th 2011, this venerable quartet […]
California
Just getting to the end of a fascinating week in Napa Valley. Was at Bond winery last night for a superb farewell meal prepared by team from the now-3-starred restaurant at Meadowood Resort with accompanying wines from Schramsberg, Clos du Val, Silver Oak, Rubicon and of course Bond. After our […]
It’s Carmenère, but it’s not from Chile…
Had the best meal I can remember in a long time at Morimoto (of Iron Chef fame) in Napa on Saturday night, with the Singing Grüner Veltliner from Laurenz Moser as a tasty accompaniment. The foie gras chawan mushi – think miso foie gras mousse with duck breast and wasabi […]
Grüner Veltliner – from where?!?
Stone Barn Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, California (£7.99 Bibendum, House of Fraser) A manufactured feel about this jammy black fruit, complete with pips, and a ripe but rather forced/baked finish. C- Delicato First Press Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Napa Valley, California (£17 Bibendum, Whole Foods) Oddly disjointed, with one side that shows […]
Californian Cabernet – the world’s greatest…?
Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Napa Valley, California (£19.99 Majestic – in most stores) Quite exotic, with sweet roasted ripe plummy berry fruit, a hint of black olive, and oak a touch toast but nicely in balance, clean, fresh style, scores by not aiming to caress rather than impress (unlike […]
Mondavi or Mondavi – who’s top dog for Napa Cab?
Hacienda Araucano Syrah Reserva 2009, Lolol Valley, Chile (N/A in UK) Delicious gluggable youngster, unhampered by oak, awash with bouncy bramble and berry, flesh, with a finish that combines notes of pepper, spice and herbs with a charred character. You could almost chill this. S- Mont Tauch Fitou Terroir d’Altitude […]