Wine and Food Adventures

Napa Valley, California, USA
100 % Cabernet Sauvignon
14.9 % Alcohol
Tasted 2024-03-17 - 2024-03-19



Dark sour cherry color with very slightly lightening edges.

Typical Cabernet nose with lots of dark fruit, cold black tea, some nougat and a hint of cinnamon in the distance.

On the palate, the first thing you notice is the very distinctive creaminess. This is accompanied by a dominant but in no way unpleasant acidity. The wine glides like a never-ending wave to an extremely long and delicate finish. Ultra delicious. And despite its youth, not at all fat and overloaded.

The bottle was a gift from owner Des Echavarrie at ProWein 2024. He and winemaker Britt Richards have created a wonderful Cabernet Sauvignon that couldn't be more perfect for food pairing. I could imagine it with a truffle risotto with tenderloin.

The wine already tastes wonderful, but I would wait another three or four years before opening it. After that, another eight years without any problems.

Thank you very much, Des!

In the embrace of Novato's tranquil landscape, where the New Year unfurls its canvas, we find ourselves immersed in a celebration that transcends the ordinary. Against the backdrop of dear friends and the culinary alchemy of Lobster Mac and Cheese, our vinous companions for the evening emerge as stars in their own right – the 2021 Artner massive.a [white] and the 2015 Artner massive.a [red].

The Artner massive.a [white], a captivating embodiment of Carnuntum's terroir, showcases an impeccable fusion of 100 % Chardonnay, predominantly sourced from 20-year-old vines in the revered Ried Bühlweingarten and 34-year-old vines in the rugged Ried Rothenberg. This meticulous blend results in a radiant gold elixir. Aromas of exotic fruits – pineapple, banana, and melon – pirouette from the glass, enticing the senses. On the palate, a seamless interplay of creaminess and youthful vibrancy, leading to a lingering finish with a touch of refreshing zest.

The 2015 Artner massive.a [red], a masterful composition of Syrah, Zweigelt, Blaufränkisch, and Merlot, unfolds a tale of Carnuntum's red varietals. A medium ruby hue invites contemplation, leading to an olfactory journey adorned with fresh, youthful notes of blackberries and a medley of Christmas spices. On the palate, a robust and opulent fruit profile harmonizes with unending creaminess, creating a symphony of flavors that resonates endlessly.

As the corks pop and glasses clink in anticipation of the midnight chime, these Austrian gems elevate our New Year's toast to an artful celebration.

In this moment, amidst the clink of crystal and the laughter of friends, the wines stand as silent storytellers, weaving a narrative of craftsmanship and camaraderie, encapsulating the essence of Novato and the promise of the year to come.

Napa Valley, California, USA
100 % Cabernet Sauvignon
15.0 % Alcohol
Tasted 2023-11-17

A luxurious black-cherry hue sets the stage, beckoning the senses. An orchestrated medley of black fruits, rich bacon, cedar, coffee, and tobacco tantalizes the nose, offering a preview of the journey ahead. Dominant fruit notes gracefully unfold on the palate, their dance harmonized with seamlessly integrated tannins. A wine that, while still youthful, presents a symphony of harmony and the promise of an evocative evolution over time.

An almost endless finish, akin to a winding forest path after a refreshing spring rain. Layers of complexity linger, revealing the intricacies that define this exceptional wine. Approaching perfection now, with the anticipation of reaching its zenith in five years.

A vinous masterpiece by the skillful hands of Benoit Touquette, this wine captivates not only the palate but also the imagination. It stands as a testament to craftsmanship, a journey of flavors inviting exploration.

Perfect Winter Dinner Companion: Elevate your winter dining experience with this Cabernet Sauvignon, a flawless pairing for an exquisitely spiced game dish. Its richness and depth enhance the sophistication of your culinary exploration

Napa Valley, California, USA
100 % Cabernet Sauvignon
14.3 % Alcohol
Tasted 2023-11-03



Explore the nuances of the 2019 Sky and Vine Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, a distinctive label under the stewardship of S.R. Tonella Cellars. Pouring a profound black cherry, this wine is a sensory explosion, with extreme fruit notes practically leaping from the glass, complemented by a subtle touch of Black Forest ham.

On the palate, it showcases a luxurious silkiness intertwined with hints of tobacco and the persistent presence of black berry fruits. The protracted finish gracefully oscillates between fruit-driven exuberance and the velvety sophistication that defines this wine.

In its nascent stage of enjoyment, this Cabernet Sauvignon beckons patience. Give it three more years, and it promises a minimum of six more years at the zenith of its expression.

Perfectly paired with delicately spiced dishes, especially those with a chili-infused kick.

STK Ried, Südsteiermark, Austria
100 % Chardonnay
13.0 % Alcohol
Tasted 2023-09-23 & 2023-09-24

Revisiting Excellence: 2020 Erwin Sabathi Chardonnay Ried Saffran

At the ProWein event, I had the pleasure of discovering the exceptional white wines crafted by Erwin Sabathi from the picturesque Südsteiermark region. Today, we delve into a selection from this esteemed winery, the "2020 Chardonnay Ried Saffran."

Exploring the Senses

As I pour this Chardonnay into my glass, its radiant gold hue with hints of green sets the stage for what's to come. The nose is a captivating blend of primary and secondary aromas. Primary notes include pineapple, white nectarine, and subtle mineral undertones, while hints of physalis and delicate florals add depth to the bouquet.

A Symphony on the Palate

On the palate, it's a delightful symphony of flavors. Vibrant young fruits are harmoniously balanced with refreshing acidity, creating a well-rounded experience. The wine's texture offers a subtle creaminess, enhancing the overall complexity.

Timeless Potential

This Chardonnay is more than just a momentary pleasure; it's a journey through time. While it's delightful to sip now, it carries the promise of further evolution over the next eight years. Imagine the joy of opening a bottle on a special occasion, reliving the moment of discovery.

Perfect Pairing

For a perfect pairing, I recommend serving this Chardonnay with a mildly spiced warm crab dish. The wine's acidity complements the delicate flavors of the crab, creating a memorable dining experience.

In Conclusion

The 2020 Erwin Sabathi Chardonnay Ried Saffran is a testament to the winemaking excellence of Südsteiermark. It's a wine that bridges the past and the future, inviting you to savor the moment.

The Unveiling Continues

The next day, this Chardonnay evolves. Floral notes soften, and the overall profile becomes even fruitier. It's a fascinating transformation that highlights the complexity and depth of this wine, a true expression of winemaking artistry.

Every now and then I listen to an album and ask myself, what kind of wine would you enjoy with this music now? When I've decided, I get the appropriate bottle from my cellar, open it and listen to the album again. With wine.

But until now I have never written about it. Until now.

The candidates:

- Daniel Pad aka ES23: "Dancing With Clouds"

- Paul Clary: "2006 Clary Ranch Syrah Grower's Reserve Shazzam!"



First of all, open the wine.

In color medium to deep black cherry. On the nose, distinct aromas of dark fruit compote, Christmas spice and wet old leaves. Very animating.

And now, some music.

1. Wait For Me
The opener begins ominously. Graveyard bells, gloomy atmosphere, which is reflected in the rhythm of the song. After 45 seconds, the vocals start, which tend to lie behind the rhythm, thus reinforcing it. What is it about? I think it's the search of a driven man. Awesome beginning.

2. Storm
Then it becomes tribal. "Storm" is brutally fast - and sensationally changes its complete orientation after 110 seconds. "Change The Frequencies" indeed. It's like a pause - but it doesn't last long. The last third is pure tribal again.



3. Feed The Machines
Then the first highlight - if one can speak of something with such a strong album at all. The dystopian "Feed The Machines" is - considered purely from the rhythm viewpoint - the bitter reflection of our current European situation. You can literally feel war, turmoil, loss of control. Especially the hard-hitting staccato after 2 3/4 minutes pulls the listener into these spheres. And surely associations to Terminator II are intentional. Awesome.

Intermezzo: The First Sip

The fruity notes, already apparent to the nose, dominate at the beginning. Surprisingly, a slight acidity is still noticeable. In the meantime, notes of lovage have joined the olfactory aromas, which one would rather expect from a Washington State Syrah. Incredibly delicious.

4. Brother Wind
Esotericism? No, only the chosen stylistic device, so that Daniel may lose himself in the 80s as so often. For me the link to "Only Melodies Remain". Or the swan song to it. That would also explain the "wink" at the very end. Beautiful.

5. Dancing With Clouds
The title song of the CD - for me a reminiscence to IAMX - is the reason for the choice of wine. More about that in a moment. "Dancing With Clouds" is the best "song" - Song in contrast to Track - Daniel has written to date. For me, the incarnation of a US101 anthem - traveling south to north starting in L.A. After exactly 2 minutes you are on the Golden Gate Bridge, to really dance with the clouds in Mendocino at the latest. And that's exactly what the wonderful Syrah from the gifted but completely underrated winemaker Paul Clary does. By the way: You pass the wine region the wine comes from when driving along US101.

Intermezzo: Another Sip needed

After this song I need some wine again. I had chosen this Syrah primarily because of this track. And it fits so wonderfully. When we are in California, we always perceive the sky more intensely, especially when there are clouds. And we usually drink wine just like that. Summer Feeling.

6. One Day
And then it becomes tribal again. The beats of "One Day" quickly push away any melancholic thoughts after "Dancing With Clouds". Ultra-fast driving with an outrageously cheeky middle section. Perfect workout track.

7. Firefly
The third highlight of the CD after "Feed The Machines" and "Dancing With Clouds". Why? Because "Firefly" is - somewhere between Marusha and Westbam - THE trance anthem of this decade. The only issue: Too short. So, Daniel, give me a classic maxi single remix.



8. Now
Performance guest singer Dino Serci. The track is a clear call to live in the here and now - and works so well with comparable trance approaches as in "Firefly". "Now is the only time, tomorrow is not real". Daniel: Your current motto? Is that why you leave the vocal part to Dino?

9. Never
Now it gets brutal. Volume up - neighbors out. More dancing is not possible. Daniel has really let off steam here. Rightly so.

10. Retrothunder
The credits to my disc of the year. Classic 80s SciFi howler à la "The Last Starfighter". A worthy conclusion!

The Finale:

The last sips from the glass. The wine is still very present. It lingers in the mouth for a long time, losing none of its freshness. Slightly spicy. Overall, a good choice to accompany Daniel's wonderful album. Just like the clouds, one also perceives the music more intensely.

Today a classic American "Linner" - with wines from Burlington Chandler.

We met the owner during our last Lodi visit at the Lodi Wine Experience.

The Programme:
Mango Chili King Prawns - served with
NV Burlington Chandler Lively White "Mark And Jan's Selection"

Vegan Tomato-Inspired Tortillas - served with
2022 Burlington Chandler Rosé Of Malbec

Pasta with Chanterelles - served with
2021 Burlington Chandler Old Vine Zinfandel

But first, the wines are first tasted solo.


NV Burlington Chandler Lively White "Mark And Jan's Selection" (90/100)
Lodi, California, USA
13.5 % Alcohol

Pale golden yellow with light streaks. Subtle citrus notes paired with green gooseberries. Immediately noticeable on the palate is the creaminess underpinned with mild acidity, which just drags on impossibly long to the smooth finish. In Germany, the wine would be described as "feinherb". A classic aperitif for a cooler fall evening. Very strong.

2022 Burlington Chandler Rosé of Malbec (91/100)
Lodi, California, USA
100 % Malbec
12.8 % alcohol

Bright, light raspberry red. Aromas of red currants plus some cassis. Very fresh on the palate with a mild acidity. The medium length finish remains fruity until the soft end. Delightful on such a hot day.

2021 Burlington Chandler Old Vine Zinfandel (95/100)
Lodi, California, USA
100 % Zinfandel
13.9 % Alcohol

Bright ruby red. Aromas of wild strawberries paired with petals and a hint of spice (mild chili spice?). Fresh and fruity on the palate with a long spicy finish. In no way over-extracted. Of course, a phrase from our friend Steve Law spontaneously comes to mind: "Big flavor don't need big alcohol." He is right - and this Zinfandel is a prime example. If ever there was a summer Zin, this is it. Enjoy slightly chilled.

The Pairing(s)

NV Burlington Chandler Lively White "Mark And Jan's Selection" & Mango Chili King Prawns



Awesome!!! The wine develops an extra freshness along with the chili notes. I love when the wine adapts to the dish without losing its soul. Here, that was the case to a very special degree.

2022 Burlington Chandler Rosé of Malbec & Vegan Tomato Inspired Tortillas



In fact, I wasn't quite sure about this one, but all doubts were unfounded. I essentially used Amazon chili - heat level 4 - and cilantro to prepare the filling. And it was precisely with this that the wine developed an almost hedonistic spiciness. Sometimes you just have to be lucky.

2021 Burlington Chandler Old Vine Zinfandel & Pasta with Chanterelles



As you would expect, a perfect pairing. Zinfandel and mushrooms always do the trick. However, the moderate alcohol makes this particular Zinfandel a phenomenal food companion. I would never have recommended Zinfandel with a rib eye - until now.

In total: The perfect Linner!

Lodi, California, USA
100 % Zinfandel
14.9 % Alcohol
Tasted 2023-03-12 - 2023-03-14

A (Lodi) Zinfandel, of the - deliberately - different kind. Medium ruby red with slightly lighter edges. On the nose, bright berry notes pair with intense aromas of red roses. In addition, subtle traces of spicy notes. Light and playful despite the 14.9% alcohol. At first sight not for the friends of hedonistic Zinfandel enjoyment - to which I clearly belong.

But now the first sip. On the palate, a concise acidity is immediately noticeable. It carries the fruit and floral aromas almost into infinity. But just considerably more on the bitter side than one is used to especially from Lodi Zin.

Why is the wine like this? The 2018 is the 6th vintage of St. Amant's Lodi Native Marian's Vineyard Zinfandel. This is a collaborative project that St. Amant has launched with five other local wineries to spotlight Lodi's historic Zinfandel vineyards.

All wineries each select an old vine Zinfandel vineyard and prepare the wines in a style with minimal influence to highlight the unique characteristics of each site. So: A Zinfandel of the original kind.

Do you have to like it? Not necessarily. Do you have to taste it? Definitely!

As I write this, the last sip taken five minutes ago continues to spread across my palate like a kind of veil.

What dish to serve with such a wine? Basically, one can go by a rather light Sangiovese. Therefore, I could imagine an almost epic accompaniment to an oriental-oriented dish.

The next two days the usual picture of the St. Amant wines: The Zin opens more and more. The floral notes become softer; the overall picture more fruity. Fascinating.

2019 Barnett Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon (92+/100)
Spring Mountain District, California, USA
14.9 % Alcohol

2021 Barnett Vineyards Chardonnay „Sangiacomo Vineyard“ (93/100)
Carneros, California, USA
14.5 % Alcohol

Tasted 2022-12-24 to 2022-12-26



The Cabernet

Deep dark cherry red

Classic aromas of black cherry and blackberry. Plus some tobacco, black tea and wonderful distinctive licorice.

Pure black fruit on the palate coupled with a cool freshness. Discreet acidity. A bit closed at the moment due to its youth. Great potential.

In any case in its current stage, decant for at least three hours. Then perhaps serve with Roasted Duck Breast and Pecan Purée. Christmas feelings guaranteed.

Maturity: 2025 - 2040

The Chardonnay

Clear golden yellow

Melon and peaches initially dominate the aroma spectrum. In addition, light floral notes paired with some cape gooseberry. Rather Burgundian.

Fresh on the palate with slightly exotic attitudes. Very subtle acidity that gives the wine a nice freshness. After a short while the acidity turns into an animating creaminess that lingers almost endlessly on the palate.

I don't know why, but tasting the wine I immediately got the urge to enjoy it with a Creole dish. Crawfish étouffée, perhaps?

Maturity: Until 2031

Lodi, California, USA
29 % Cabernet Sauvignon – 27 % Malbec – 23 % Merlot – 21 % Petit Verdot
15.2 % Alcohol
Tasted 2022-07-16

In June, the second edition of the California Wine Weeks took place. Over 200 restaurants in 10 European countries presented wines from the Golden State on their wine lists. A really great idea!

The Wine Weeks are already over, but I thought to myself, even after that, you can still appreciate this initiative a little. Today with the fantastic winery Oak Farm Vineyards from Lodi. For a wonderful dinner, we opened a bottle of 2017 Geneviève – the winery’s Bordeaux-style blend. This wine was named „Geneviève” in honor of Co-Owner Dorothy Panella’s French mother, her name was Geneviève.

Almost opaque black cherry. Pure bacon on the nose paired with blackberry compote, black cherry and cold black tea. Promising. Firmly gripping on the palate with a tight tannin structure. The fruit notes slowly become clearer. In addition, a delicate, light acidity. The long finish is spectacular as the wine becomes progressively softer without losing acidity. Great job Dan.

The wine is just at the beginning and will easily remain on this level for another six years. We enjoyed it with Iberico Porc steaks. Wonderful pairing. The only downside: This wonderful blend is one of the few Oak Farm wines that I didn‘t import. Shame on you, Peter.

Oakville, Napa Valley, California, USA
91 % Cabernet Sauvignon – 9 % Merlot
14.9 % Alcohol
Tasted 2022-07-03



Groth Vineyards and Winery asked via Instagram how everyone is going to "wine down" the holiday weekend of Independence Day.

And of course we are doing that with a glass of Groth wine as wished by the wonderful guys from the winery.

It is really a coincidence that the ship, transporting among others the Groth wines I ordered January this year for my wine business, is scheduled to reach Rotterdam Monday July 4th. I take this as a good sign.

So we decided to open for our Sunday BBQ the 2018 Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon.

Medium black cherry. Extreme aromas of black fruit. Blackberry, cassis, some black cherry. In addition a touch of wet leather. Even from the distance of half a meter, all nuances are clearly perceptible.

On the palate, the black cherry initially dominates, paired with a fresh acidic note. Then slowly, very slowly, the wine becomes softer and more velvety. One has the impression that the wine hovers in the middle of the palate. The finish is ultra long and becomes slightly earthy towards the end. Terrific.

We visited Groth end of March. It was an outstanding visit. Thanks, Sue! Already on this day we tasted this beauty and the wine was awesome. Since then it improved slightly, but of course you should be patient. Perhaps for another two years or so. From then 10+ more years.

And again I recommend to pair a Cab with Tournedos Rossini. Do it. You will love it.

The Wines:
2017 Montpellier Vineyards Viognier (88/100)
California
12.5 % Alcohol

2016 Montpellier Vineyards Syrah (87/100)
California
12.5 % Alcohol

Montpellier is a brand of Bronco Wine Company. They are advertised by BWC with the following statement: „Champion of wines for everyday consumption“. That’s especially true for the Viognier – but that’s not all.



We came across a bottle of the 2015 Montpellier Viognier in 2018 at the famous Bottle Barn in Santa Rosa. Last bottle, very dusty, looked not really promising. At home we were totally surprised. The wine was in very good condition and tasted really good. So we asked our importer if it would be possible to get some cases for our business. And indeed: In July 2019 we received a couple of cases of the 2017 Viognier.

Since then we tasted the wine several times and it is nearly sold out. This Saturday we found in our cellar a bottle of the 2016 Montpellier Syrah. So we wondered if we should have a Sunday dinner with the „everyday champion(s)“.

We got us two wonderful sirloin steaks and paired them with homemade potato strips spiced with rosemary and wild marjoram. In addition a fresh side salad.

But first tasting the wines.

The 2017 Montpellier Vineyards Viognier presented itself in shining gold. Aromas of quince, yellow peaches and light citrus notes sprung out of the glass. Still amazingly fresh. Gripping and present on the palate with plenty of ripe fruit notes. Nice, velvety length.

The 2016 Montpellier Vineyards Syrah offered a bright red ruby color. In the nose, dark chocolate paired with dried cherries, maybe a hint of cold tobacco. Also fresh (and fruity) on the palate with a slight animating acidity. The finish is surprisingly long for a Cali Syrah in this price range.

Indeed both very good value. And still not at their end – probably two or three years more in that condition.

But what about the pairing? Only one word: Perfect. In particular the Syrah became even better in interaction with the sirloin and, in addition to the naturally present sweetness, developed a very pleasant slight spiciness. For the Viognier its slight creaminess had a positive effect, although it would not be my first choice for this dish.

Overall, there are some notable things about these – in terms of price perspective „lower-end“ - Californian wines. In addition to the surprisingly good quality, this is essentially the mature capability of the wines, but especially the really good food accompaniment.

So really „everyday champion“. Even on a Sunday.

Napa Valley, California, USA
83 % Cabernet Sauvignon – 9 % Merlot – 7 % Cabernet Franc – 0.5 % Petit Verdot – 0.5 % Malbec
14.7 % Alcohol
Tasted 2022-05-08

Medium, dark cherry red.

Intense aroma of black cherries, high percentage of dark chocolate, smoked bacon and far in the back a little bit of forest after a heavy autumn rain. Animalistic – I love that.

On the palate exactly what I expected: Fresh with a nice acidity. Black fruit dominating at the beginning. After a while the strong but perfectly integrated tannins cause a gentle velvetiness. Long, very long.

Just at the beginning, but for our BBQ the perfect selection. The present wine style harmonizes great with the smoke aromas. Nice Sunday afternoon.

It will improve for another three years. After that seven years on peak.

Napa Valley, California, USA
100 % Cabernet Sauvignon
14.4 % Alcohol
Tasted 2021-03-25

Medium, dark cherry red.

Aromas of black fruits dominated by black cherries paired with a remarkable touch of licorice. In the background a hint of leather as well as freshly fried bacon. Nice, really nice.

On the palate the fruitiness accompanied by a fresh acidity is dominating in the beginning. After a while the acidity evaporates and makes room for a surprising velvetiness accentuated by a very animating spiciness. And this velvetiness remains nearly endless. Outstanding.

Pair this masterpiece of a modern Napa Cab with a Umami Mushroom Beef Burger. Of course with bacon. And for our vegan friends: Spicy mushroom risotto. Delicious.

Just at the beginning – even if already wonderfully drinkable. Wait for another three to five years. From this point 10 to 15 years.

Napa Valley, California, USA
90 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 3 % Petit Verdot, 3 % Malbec, 4 % Merlot
15.0 % Alcohol
Tasted 2020-11-29 & 2020-11-30

Medium, dark cherry red with some light rims. Of course still very young. So mainly dark fruit aromas paired with a little bit of smoked bacon and licorice. The high alcohol is noticeable but not unpleasant.

On the palate already very balanced. Still some bitter notes due to its youth but this gives the wine a wonderful freshness in the current phase. Stimulating. The fruityness is also dominating and accompanies the wine into the - surprisingly for the youthfulness - incredible, long finish. Awesome. At the moment: One sip, then waiting, waiting, waiting...

My recommendation is to wait another three to five years before opening. Then another 20 years plus absolutely no problem.

No food recommendation for the moment. The wine for a silent evening perhaps with a cigar - if you like that.

The next day. As expected. Smoother, now perfectly balanced, awesome.