I don’t like a lot of Merlot. I know I’ve said this before — It has nothing to do with an un-named movie, it’s just a personal experience thing. Many Merlots in my pre-wine adventure days, seemed to taste like bland, generic red table wine: boring, flavorless, not worth the time and effort. But I’ve learned to not let one or two (or half a dozen) bad eggs spoil the whole bunch. Just note, when I write about a Merlot, it means it’s a wine worth at least exploring. Cheers, Rutherford Ranch: you made the cut.
Tag: wine
Restaurant Review: Scott’s Seafood, Downtown San Jose
categories: Big Bites, Dining Out
Don’t ask me how I found myself at this neither new nor classic downtown San Jose restaurant. Though I perused the menu before embarking on this culinary adventure, I had my reservations. After my somewhat mediocre experience at the once Michelin-starred Alexander’s Steakhouse in Cupertino, I was concerned about my next culinary splurge. But despite its awkward location and that the food photography on the website leaves much to be desired, I finally found a place in downtown SJ worth returning to — Scott’s Seafood.
Lombardi Wines 2014 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
After experiencing the sophistication of Lombardi Wines 2014 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay, I had nothing but high expectations for Tony Lombardi’s Pinot Noir. Rightly so since the Lombardi family has called Petaluma — host to the cool climate Petaluma Gap district of the Sonoma Coast — home since 1947. And since 2012, when Tony first started his label, he and his team have been sourcing small lot Pinot Noir grapes from the prestigious Griffins Lair, Sonoma Stage, Spring Hill, and Terra de Promisso Vineyards.
Spoiler alert: I was not disappointed.
Lindeman’s Bin 85 Pinot Grigio 2015
An exciting conclusion to my Lindeman’s Australian wine series is the Lindeman’s Bin 85 Pinot Grigio. While their Chardonnay offered a classic take on the varietal, the Cabernet Sauvignon a markedly New World expression, it’s the Pinot Grigio that — to my palate — is just 100% Australian.
Lombardi Wines 2014 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay
What I love — what I really love about boutique wineries is that “single vineyard” is (often) a norm. And, I don’t want to be a wine snob or anything, but I’ve had the opportunity to taste the difference between an “appellation series,” a “vineyard series,” and “single vineyard series” as it pertains to the same winery and same varietal. And I have to say, the attention to detail given to the single vineyard series — whether from a major player or an up-and-comer — is astronomical. So you can imagine that when a small-lot winery, like Lombardi wines, stakes its whole business on two varietals (PN and Chard) that those vineyards are going to be quality sources and that the winemaker is going to take the utmost care to respect the fruit during production. So then it becomes — what I really love about boutique wineries is the quality of wine.
