Christmas stuff


Just a quick post to wish you all a Merry Christmas and hope you have a fantastic New Year.  I have been on vacation for three weeks now and have another one to go, bliss. I worked hard for the past 14 months to get this much time off in one go.  I have been able to relax, spend time with the kids and do fun stuff like ride a ferris wheel, dinner with friends, Christmas parties and of course- cellar diving.  I found a Magnum of my own label The Naughty Dragon the other day and opened it for family that came to dinner.  I also served up the most succulent Smoked Salmon to have ever graced this earth.  Memories were made that night as my British aunt was in town and my older brother flew in from Florida.  I cherish these moments as I realize we are all getting older and time is running out for some.  I feel no hesitation to pull out gems to share and look forward to New Years eve, I’m thinking Bordeaux to go along with some delicacies we are serving up.  I also need to start compiling my Best of 2014 list, wish me luck.  Salut….

The magnum of Naughty Dragon, drinking beautifully

The magnum of Naughty Dragon, drinking beautifully

Smoked wild Alaska Salmon, yummmm

Smoked wild Alaska Salmon, yummmm

National Harbor Ferris wheel

National Harbor Ferris wheel

Ice display at the Gaylord Hotel, amazing.

Ice display at the Gaylord Hotel, amazing.

Virna Borgogno Preda Sarmassa Barolo 2009

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I’m no Barolo expert, but this was a good bottle of vino.  I had to look it up and get some other insights to gauge my own palate and educate my senses.  Here is what I initially wrote:

Pure purple color, nose of cherries jubilee and some licorice.  Vanilla hints shine through as well.  Really smooth intro with cherry, coconut, oregano and a lashing of fine tannins. Balance is evident as the acidity is noticed and offsets the tannin. Very enjoyable whilst young this will improve with age and hopefully morph into a great Barolo. 90 points, 2014-2024

Having said all that, here is what I have gleaned from the pros.  WE 94, WS 92, JR gave it 16.5 out of 20 but her drinking window was 2016-2034.  I don’t think I have the patience to cellar this gem for that long, plus I feel it is ready to start enjoying now.  It is crisp and fruity, yet with melded tannins that don’t overpower.  A well crafted wine that I really enjoyed with a huge bowl of pasta with meat and sausage marinara. Garlic bread was involved of course!  This wine can be found for $41 and I need to up my star rating to reflect the pro’s recommendations.  I have to go with 5 stars.  Salut….

virna borgogno preda sarmassa docg barolo piemonte italy

Leg of Lamb on the Big Green Egg revisited

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This is the second attempt at cooking a Leg of Lamb on the BGE.  My first try was a moderate success, this one was an absolute success.  I had a slightly larger leg this time so I adjusted the temperature and cooking times to reflect this.  I also bought an electronic temperature monitor recently that has greatly improved my cooking.  This time I made a wet rub that I marinated the meat in all day.  Searing was by reverse method at the end and resulted in perfect crisp edges.  The key is to slit a criss cross pattern in the meat so the marinade gets the most surface area and then the edges get charred in the end.  The meat was 140 F internal temperature when I started to sear.  The results were medium cooked, slightly pink morsels of really juicy meat with crispy edges intermixed.  I served Cabernet Sauvignon, some steamed green beans and a side salad with gorgonzola and aged balsamic dressing.

  1. Leg of Lamb, 5-6 pounds bone in
  2. 10 or more Garlic cloves
  3. 1 Tablespoon Sage
  4. 1 Tablespoon Thyme
  5. 1 Teaspoon Parsley
  6. 1/4 cup olive oil
  7. 1/4 cup lemon juice
  8. 1 Teaspoon Salt
  9. 1 Tablespoon Black Pepper

The units are not exact, nor do you have to use dried herbs, fresh would actually be better.  Put all the ingredients into a food processor and blend until you have a smooth paste.  Adjust the Olive oil and Lemon juice to achieve a thick consistency so it can stick to the meat.  Rinse and pat dry the leg of Lamb and cut slits in the meat in a criss cross pattern, about 1/4 inch deep.  Cover the meat in the rub and let sit all day.  I left it in a cool oven, out of the way which allowed the meat to reach room temperature before cooking.  I set the BGE up for an indirect heat and placed a tray of water on top of the setter to catch drippings and provide extra moisture.  I only put three chunks of hardwood for a minimal smoke addition.  Temperature was regulated at around 275F.  My remote temperature probes were inserted and the meat was laid on the grill for about 2 hours, I flipped it over half way.  When internal was 140 I removed the meat, removed the setter and opened the vents.  When the BGE registered 650F I placed the leg back on the grate and reverse seared each side for about 2-3 minutes until there were some nice charred edges.  Tenting the meat for 15 minutes allowed it to stabilize and then I carved it up into bite sized pieces.  Yum…

Criss cross slitting of the Lamb

Criss cross slitting of the Lamb

The herbs and oil mixture

The herbs and oil mixture

Marinating all day

Marinating all day

The finished Leg!

The finished Leg!

Luminary Red Blend 2012

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My friend brought this one over and we drank it with a delicious Leg Of Lamb.  I was not sure of the blend so we looked it up.  Napa Cabernet, Horse Heaven Hills and Edna Valley Syrah with Zinfandel from Alexander Valley.  Super smooth and absolutely delicious.  I made no notes except in my head- this is a well crafted wine that blends the best of several regions into a well balanced easy to drink wine that won’t break the bank.  $40 and 91 points for 4 stars.  Sorry to be brief, but I think you get the gist.  Salut….

Luminary red blend

D’Arenberg ‘The Dead Arm’ Shiraz 2006

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I have had the 2008 Dead Arm from Mclaren Vale before and thoroughly enjoyed it.  This bottle has been sitting longer in the cellar and comes with very lofty ratings from the pros.  I decided it was just what I needed with the Sunday Roast.  It was a perfect pairing.  I found myself wondering about this wine and how best to describe it.  My thoughts are this- it is pubescent.  Not young and primal anymore, yet not fully blossomed into that full blown creature it has the potential for.  It is at a crossroads in its evolution.  Stick with me…

A hazy purple in the glass with a nose of mature plum, star anise and cocoa.
Super smooth entry with blueberry, damson and oak. Levels of flavor lead to a somewhat complex wine that is primarily fruit driven right now but I could see evolution into secondary flavors. Still quite tannic with opposing acidity make this a young and balanced wine that will age gracefully. 92 points, 2014-2025 and for $50 make this a 4 star wine worthy of cellaring.  Here’s the kick:  RP gave it 95 points with a drinking window of 2018-2036 while on the other side of the fence WS gave it 91 points with a drinking window of 2009-2016.  Very opposing views of aging capacity and technical merits.  Five years after their initial write-ups and I am in the middle of both parties as to the ratings and aging potential.  Perhaps provenance and cellar conditions will be the greatest influence from here on in.  Either way, bang for the buck you can’t go wrong with this polished Shiraz from down under.  Salut….

d'arenberg dead arm shiraz

Leviathan California Red Wine 2011

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The pretty obscure label and name made me look this one up. 55% Syrah, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc- what a concoction.  Anyway, it can be had for $40 and was brought over by some friends.  Blackish purple shades in the glass promised structure and weight.  Plums, iodine and blackberry on the nose did not disappoint.  Fresh and slightly tannic entry of plums, blackberries, a touch of mint and eucalyptus made for a very interesting combo.  Well balanced with a decent finish had me grabbing for the bottle.  We drank it over cheese, olives and salami before going out to dinner.  It was perfect for the occasion but it would pair really well with Beef Stroganoff, Lamb shanks or even Osso Bucco.  91 points from me make this a 4 star wine and really well worth cellaring for a while.  2014-2020.  Salut….

leviathon red wine

Marques De Riscal Rioja Reserva 2008

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I have an affinity to this winery, having drunk many vintages over the years.  I also happen to have friends who have vintages dating back to 1968 in their cellar.  His father used to be on the Board, hence the connection.  Anyway…..  I always think of them and my visit to Spain when I see the unmistakable bottle with it’s wire cage.  Always well priced at around $15, it is consistent and decent.  Here we go.

Bright opaque purple color with a classic earthy Tempranillo nose laced with some oak.
Iodine, black cherry and blackberry hints come through after a bit of air.  On the palate, slightly less fruit, more secondary flavors of tar, black tea, black berry and some Asian plum.  A slightly hollow mid palate has me concerned but the wine has an acidic crunch at the end that I kinda liked. Totally melded tannins that still have some good grip. 88 points is my guess.  Very enjoyable, with points off for the hollowness. 2014-2017 and 3 stars.  Salut….

marques de riscal rioja reserva

 

Worlds End Cabernet Franc Reserve ‘Against The Wind’ 2009

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I will pre-empt this post with the fact that I only bought a six pack, silly me.  Straight out of the bottle and into my glass for a lovely perfumed nose of violets, plums and cocoa.  Fruity and full-on explosion of blue fruits, pomegranate, mint and raspberry that sort of surprised me. Full bodied and almost syrupy, this wine has texture. Fine grained tannins are well integrated and the balance is razor sharp. Wow, this is good Cabernet Franc, and you know how I love this varietal. 93 points from me (One of the pros gave it 92, close enough).  2014-2019 would be a great window to enjoy this powerful, structured wine.  So easy to drink all by itself but it would pair beautifully with a lean cut of beef, perhaps coq-au-vin as well.  This wine has a near perfect mouthfeel for me.  Made by the famous Jonathan Maltus, this time from Napa Valley instead of his usual stomping grounds in Bordeaux.  Who wouldn’t pay $25 for this wine?  5 stars for sure.  Salut….

Worlds End Cabernet Franc Reserve Against The Wind

Chateau Lamarsalle 2010

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From Montagne St. Emilion comes this rather tasty wine.  Bright purple with a nose of kirsch, cassis and oak.  Crisp opening with a dried blueberry, spice box, graphite.  Mouth coating tannins are smooth and offset by some balanced acidity. This is a delicious, young wine that highlights the best of 2010 Bordeaux. Easily enjoyed now, it has the stuffing to cellar until 2020 at least. I’m willing to bet this one develops those beautiful secondary flavors that the region is famous for. Perfumed smoothness is instantly credited to the 55% Cab Franc, the balance is Merlot. Yummy and 90 points for this $20 effort.  4 stars.  Salut….

chateau lamarsalle

Jettlynn Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

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I bought several variations of this winery’s offerings at my local Costco.  $17 for a Paso Cabernet, I had to try it!  I was a little concerned at first, the cork was very stained almost to the top.  My fears were later put to rest.  Bright purple color in the glass.  Blackberry and iodine nose which was very unique.  Interesting mix of raspberry and oregano with black fruits on my first sip.  Good acidity gives this wine structure while the tannins are subdued. It finishes with raspberry and cherry cola flavors.  Tasty and fun Cabernet that gets 89 points and 3 stars from me.  Check them out some time.  Salut….

The offending cork, turned out to be okay after all.

The offending cork, turned out to be okay after all.

jettlynn cabernet sauvignon