Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Bay Area Visit



A visit to Cali, was long overdue...but its been so busy with re-launching CBS-FM in NYC.

And the great way to start the weekend is at the Friday Night wine tasting 5:30-7:00 at Wine Thieves in Lafayette. Schlumberger Wines was on premise pouring some nice whites and blends. Say Hi to Jim, Ben, Rod and Peter. They had some good values like a 2004 Wente Chardonnay for $10.99. Wente was the 1st producer of Chardonnay in California.


After tasting walk across Mt. Diablo Blvd for Bo's Barbeque - the best this side of the Mississippi. Bo is a music lover and has Blues Bands on his expanded patio every Friday Night, plus he has a great wine list. Get the Brisket sandwich and choose your wine.

After some good eats - you have to stop over to Petars and say Hi Dave - best one man show in the East Bay.

Saturday morning would not be complete without a round of golf at Pittsburg's Delta View, a great track for the price. If you can score on this course you can play anywhere.
I always enjoy getting out with good friends Gary and Rich. After an early morning round you have to have breakfast and a Bloody Mary at Zandonella's Sports Bar which has been remodeled. Here's a shot of Gary in his element.




Later in the afternoon Gary and I headed up to Franciscan for the Magnificat tasting.

This was their 20th anniversary of their Bordeaux Blend.

At the event which was private this year the tasting started with a new wine called Fountain Court a blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Muscat, and Chardonnay - a little too sweet for my palate, but refreshing on a hot day.

Across the Wine Library we tasted the 2004 Oakville Cabernet and Merlot - both great values under $20 for members.

Next was meeting with winemaker Janet Myers for barrel sample of next year's Merlot in French and American oak...oddly we all like the American oak more - it seems to provide a better finish with the Merlot.

Clos Vineyard Reserve 2003 was the next wine $75 retail price point - fantastic.
The 2003 Magnificat was next and was tasting perfect and today had the best price point of the lot.
The big find was a new high end entry called the 2004 Winemakers Reserve - 100% Cab - big and hearty. We hung out at this table for quite a while and enjoyed the fantastic food. Salmon Kabobs, Burgers with carmelized onions, Shrimp - great food.

Finally what we're here for....the 2004 Magnificat but here's the big surprise - this year its 50% Merlot, 49% Cabernet Sauv and only 1% Cab Franc. The only other year that Merlot was the #1 ingredient was back in 2000.

Here's their descriptor; aromas of dark cherry, black plum with a dark chocolate with notes of sage and tea.
Have to say I like the 2004, but today it was priced higher than the 2003 with a blend of 4 grapes and really think is the better value.

It was another great party at Franciscan and love that is was only open for members this year, so it wasn't like Piranha's on the food. So nice to chat one on one with Janet and Matt.

Well you can't go to Napa and only go to one winery - so had to see my friends at Whitehall Lane - and have always loved their Cab's but the big news was their Carneros Pinot Noir $36 retail. Finally Napa is doing Pinot right and had to get a case of this fine wine.

It's a great day and thanks to all the food at Franciscan, Gary and I have not over done it this time. We hop in the Crossfire Roadster and head back to East Bay.

A great visit and one of those weekends that makes you miss California.

-Brian







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