This inspired me!

I mean, you gotta love that!    I have a ton of information to post from my most recent trip to Napa with all my best friends, but I have gotten behind with all my year end business to dos and all of the holiday madness.  

However, when driving in Dallas this weekend I saw this and suddenly I am re-inspired to get my posts done.  

So look for some great pics and commentary over the next few days from the most excellent trip to the wine country I have experienced.

November 3rd, 2012: HEADED TO THE WINE COUNTRY

It's here...    We are headed to the wine country to celebrate 40 years of drinking wine...   wait, no that would be just 40 years of life...   drinking wine is more like 19 if you take away 21.   Something like that anyway.

We are off to Napa Valley with a few close friends to eat at some great restaurants, tour some really cool wineries, sample some good wine and have a good time with close friends.  

It is such a special place to my family and I know that my mom is looking down on Clay and me this week.    Look for some great posts in the coming week.

NAPA VALLEY, HERE WE COME!

Neighborhood Services - Preston

Dined last Friday at Neighborhood Services on Preston.   (Please click through for information) Had not been here in a while but the atmosphere was definitely upbeat and lively, and we had a great overall experience.      

This may be one of the best neighborhood based restaurants in the city.    Had dinner with the family, Meredith, the kids, Jan and Kent and my brother in law, Porter Miller.

Porter was hosting, so he picked the wine.   He choose a 2009 Veraison by Krupp Brothers Winery in the Soda Canyon area in Napa.  

SOURCE WIKIPEDIA: Véraison is a viticulture (grape-growing) term meaning "the onset of ripening". It is originally French, but has been adopted into Englishuse. The official definition of veraison is "change of color of the grape berries." Veraison represents the transition from berry growth to berry ripening, and many changes in berry development occur at version.

I always thought that was a cool name for a wine.  This was not one of the cheaper options on the menu, but was a great choice.    I have not had this wine in a while, but it is a restaurant staple with wide distribution, so you will see it often on restaurant menus.   We all enjoyed it, enough to try it again with a second bottle.  

Neighborhood services - Great Time, thanks to the whole family...   Way to go!

Economy, Politics & Great Wine

Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse, Dallas...   the quintessential Dallas Steakhouse.     It is the name that comes to mind when you want a great steak in Dallas, Texas.     Known for their shrimp remoulade appetizer, hot sizzling steaks and amazing after dinner options, Del Frisco's is always a treat.  

Last week we attended an event to hear a presentation on the current political scene and the impact the elections might have on the economy. Hosted by our business associate Michelle Gantt, the evening was full of good information and nice company.   The dinner was served family style alongside each person's steak selection.    The Wine was preselected by the host and we were offered two options.   The 2007 Prisoner by Orin Swift and the 2008 Honig Cabernet Sauvignon.

Cody and I decided to order both and compare each along with the meal.   The Honig was a nice even bodied selection as was certainly a great wine.    It was one of the most reasonably priced wines on the wine list that evening and for the price i thought it was a super selection.   Buuutttttt....   it hardly stood up to the big bold taste of the Zinfandel Blended Prisoner.   Honestly hard to drink these side by side and hold a fair comparison, because they are not the same varietal or even the same style.    I always enjoy this wine.  It widely available and i have had it many times, so it was no special opportunity, but the wine is a great option for big groups when you want to serve some good wine at a fair price.      I appreciate the hosts selections this night.   She did an excellent job picking some really great food elections along with two super wines.  '

Next time your at Del Frisco's, i suggest a bottle of the 2007 Prisoner, I think you'll agree that "for the money, this one is right on!"

Birthday Dinner at Al Beinat's Dallas

Thanks to all my friends in the Rainbow Huskies, my daughter's Y princess group, for sending me to Al Biernat's.     I had a great dinner with Meredith and my in laws, Allison and Mike Miller.     W had the pasta/escargot and the shrimp appetizer to start and of course had some amazing steaks with the lobster risotto and brussels sprouts for dinner.  

Most Dallasite's know this, but the wine selection at Al Bienat's is extensive.   There are plenty of ridiculous selections to choose from, but if you take some time, you can find some really great options for a fair markup.   We started with a 2007 Corison Cabernet Sauvignon.     The sommelier informed me that they only had three bottles left of the 2007 and I had this last time I was here, so i knew this was a good buy on the menu.     Second bottle was the 2007 Palmaz, Cabernet Sauvignon.     I have had my eye on a bottle of this wine, but had not had the opportunity to have one until now.   I have passed this winery many times in Napa.   This was really an amazing bottle of wine.   Big wine, lots of oak and earth and went well with our steaks.   I have not visited this winery, but now plan to make this a priority.    I will be out in Napa in November and plan to make reservations.

Again, thanks to all my Rainbow husky friends for the gift.    I put it to good use!!

Pepper turns 40 and turns her nose at Italian Chardonnay!

Happy Birthday to my long time friend Pepper Edens!!     After attending the Texas Tech, TCU game this weekend (sorry bout that Ashley) in Fort Worth, the Edens treated us to a great dinner at a little italian place in downtown Fort Worth, Texas called Bella Italia West.     The atmosphere was quaint and "local" and the food was really good.    We had great service all night and we all loved the warm hearts of palm appetizer.   Among our other favorites was a Buffalo tenderloin and some amazing home made pastas.

Much to the dismay of Pepper, there was no California Chardonnay on the Menu, and the Italian Chardonnays, lacking the oak and buttery finish to which she is accustomed, left her a little disappointed.   After a few tastings, we did find an italian Pinot Grigio that she could handle.

Another great night, with our good friends, some authentic italian food and after a few trials and errors... some good Italian Pinto Grigio.  

Happy Birthday Pepper!

Whole Foods Dallas - Wine Shopping

I was picking up some dinner for the family this week at Whole Foods Market in Dallas.     I don't always shop here for my wine, but stopped but the wine isle and stumbled upon some decent deals.     One notable selection for the money was a Est. 1975 for $24.99.  

A creation of the Beckstoffer family, Napa Royalty, this is a really good wine for a very reasonable price.    IF you have read some of my older bolt comments, this will make sense, but this is a "Wednesday Night Wine" for sure...   affordable, drinkable and enjoyable, for no other reason that it is Wednesday night and your feeling a little thirsty.    So, check it out, Whole Foods Market, Central @ Park, $25 bucks, let me know what you think!

P.S. - As I was walking off with my selection, I looked down at the floor I noticed and interesting painting.    There was a bottle of wine in the shape of a wine bottle painted right on the cement.    It just made me laugh, and I had to mention it.   Whoever painted the little wine whale - Good stuff!

Al Biernat's Dinner

Had an amazing dinner last night at Al Biernat's in Dallas. Shared some good laughs with my partners, Mike and Mike, Cody Lummus, Brittany Smith and our good friend Morgan Palmer.  I hadn't been there in a while, but wow!, what a great call. We all shared the crab cakes, calamari and ..., get this... rabbit sausage with tortillas. The steaks were superb,  we added scallops and lobster Mac on the side for good measure.  This may be a new steakhouse favorite for me in Dallas.    Waitress was awesome and a lot of fun...  Overall just a great experience!

Now... On to the wine. The wine list was extensive and thoughtful. I mean I saw some selections you don't see most other places. Most of the selections were priced pretty reasonable, don't get me wrong, no fire sales going on, but too many places in Dallas are getting out of hand.

We started with a 2005 Eponymous, from Napa. I have had this before thanks to my membership at Napa Wine Co., so I was familiar with the wine and super excited to find it on the menu. This was everyone's favorite of the night.  For the money, this one is a big winner.  We also had a 2007 Corison Napa Cabernet. I had recently visited Corison while in Napa and was also familiar with this one as well. Peschel liked this one the best.  It is a nice big Cab, with plenty of fruit, which matched well with Peschel's "million once" monster ribeye.   Our last bottle was a 2004 Heitz Cellars' Cabernet.   A Napa classic, Heitz is consistently a good choice.   Although this was a good one, consensus was: this was the least favorite of the night.  Two thumbs up from all on the Eponymous.

Dinner at the Nasher Sculpture Center Dallas brings back some great memories over an amazing glass of Quintessa

Meredith and I celebrated Hockaday Graduation with Friends at the Nasher Sculpture Center in Dallas.   Although there are many notable things about the center... the art, the amazing sculptures and activities, I am writing this evening to mention the amazing wine served at the event.    Among the many options at the bar that evening was a 2007 Quintessa Napa Valley Red Wine.     You may have read in previous posts that this is one of my most favorite selections.    As a refresher,  I came to know this wine around 2002.   My good friend Mike Edwards, from lubbock, Texas, had insisted on a bottle during a dinner at Al Biernat's in Dallas.      That night, after a couple of bottles (ouch), I admit it -I was hooked.    It was an amazing wine and I promised myself I would visit the winery someday.   Finally in 2009, I visited the winery with my Mother, Meredith and the rest of my wine family.     It is truly an amazing winery, with one of the most magnificent views in the Napa Valley, an amazing wine story and an impressive facility for making one of the worlds finest wines.   The tasting have become rather difficult to book, but it is one of my highest recommendations while in the wine country.   It is a Napa "Don't Miss" for the wine snob for sure!

So back to my story...     this wine was served at the graduation ceremony this week and it brought back some great memories of finding this wine with my good friend Mike Edwards and memories of visiting the winery with my mother and Meredith many years back.     Thanks to my friend David Haemisseger for the excellent wine selection this week and congratulations to Sarah and all the 2012 graduates from the Hockaday school!

Where to stay in Napa

Had a friend ask for some recommendations of where to stay in Napa.   I thought it might be helpful to share my response.    His request was for a nice retreat for he and his wife, special occasion type thing, NOT for a cheap weekend getaway so keep that in mind when you view my comments:

WHERE TO STAY:

The Carneros Inn:    Expensive and a little far away from the action, but it has a farm feel and the breakfast area overlooking the pool and the wine country is pretty priceless.

Bardessono:   You guys would probably like this best.   In yountville, which is basically the middle of the valley, half way between Napa and Calistoga.   It is way modern and is in the middle of all the action.   Walking distance to Bouchon Bakery, for your morning Joe and muffins, plus near a bunch of other restaurants and shopping, like Bottega and Napa Style

The Yountville Inn: Newly renovated, also in Yountville so ditto above, just a little less modern, but equally nice.   Just compare prices of all three above, check out the websites and you can't go wrong.

Meadowood:    This is a lot of people's favorite.   It is older, but very nice.    Their restaurant is the only other 3 Michelin star rated restaurant in the San Fran area other than the French Laundry, which should need no explanation.    It is great, we stayed and ate there but prepare to barf from your wallet if you eat there because they don't give out three star ratings everyday and they want to keep their, so the food, presentation and the bill are remarkable.

Auberge De Sole:     Have not stayed there, but had drinks and been in there many times.    It is super high end and always someone famous staying there.

Backup Ideas: 

Avia:   New hyatt in downtown Napa, haven't stayed or been in yet, but heard good things and it is a new Hyatt boutique brand, so i would guess it would be nice.  This might be an option if you want to save a little cash on room rates.

Marriot:   There is also a Marriot in Downtown Napa; its a Marriot, so you know that drill with that.   

Just some helpful ideas for all my followers, feel free to comment or ask questions.

Spring in Napa Valley

Breakfast at Carneros Inn

Just got back from three days in the wine country.   This time we were back at the Carneros Inn, this place is a little pricey, but it is simply one of my most favorite places to stay, anywhere.     The service is always great and the food is amazing.   TO the left is a very of the wine country from the restaurant on the hill.  

This trip was a new adventure for both of us.   We decided NOT to visit any of our normal hangouts.    We tried some new and amazing places.

WINERIES  

Overlook of Napa at Cade

Corsin Winery was a new one and we really enjoyed the people ant the wine there.   We had a scallop lunch and bubble tasting at Chandon.     This was a little commercial for my taste, but i can't take anything away from the food or the champagne, it was all great.   We visited Ladera Vineyards for the first time and ended up joining their wine club, this one was a real great value.  Our good friends the Sachs hooked us up with an amazing tasting with the winemaker at Cade, an offshoot of the Plumpjack people, where we were treated to a cave tour and a barrel tasting of their soon to be released Cabernet.    We made a quick stop an fought the madness at Silver Oak and had a tasting a toured the grounds at Duckhorn.   A new favorite, Spring Mountain Winery.     I really like a lot of the Spring Mountain Area wines, so we had to try this and we were not disappointed.   OK, I lied, we had to stop in and see our friends at Nickel and Nickel, and of course had to belly up to the bar at Napa Wine Company.

Farmstead Burger with Farm Fresh Egg

EATS
We stayed with our plan and tried some new places to eat.  We had dinner at Farm at the Carneros Inn and it was very nice.  We had a casual lunch at Farmstead.    They are a working farm, Long Meadow Ranch, grow their own beef and other items to make for an absolutely fresh menu.   All I can't tell you is GET THE BURGER! OMG!

After a day of wine a cheese, we changed it up and had an amazing experience at Morimoto Napa.  I can't even begin to explain how complex the presentation was on all the food.    I felt bad eating it!  

Another amazing trip to Napa Valley in the books, can't wait to go back.  

Dinner with Friends - Some Super Wines

Our Good friends Sandy and Chuck Hutchison were over for dinner a few weeks back.    Chuck and I are always comparing notes on wine and he appreciates wine, especially a good California Cabernet.  

Dinner was a garlic and salt rubbed beef tenderloin with simple baked potatoes along with a great green salad.  

This seemed like a good occasion to pull out some of the Napa Wine Company collection wines.    We started with a Ma(i)sonry Pinot Noir... stunning, seriously amazing, I loved it!   This was an amazing wine.    I have been to the Ma(i)sonny tasting room in Napa, which a really cool venue, as you taste your wine while surrounded by super expensive art.  It is all for sale so be careful not to spill anything.

The Next bottle was a Nickel and Nickel Cabernet from Napa Valley.    This is also a great wine and is a big wine that matched the steak perfectly.

It was a great night, with good friends!

Dinner with the Plano Group - Never a Dull Moment!

Dinner with the "Plano Group" (only one couple actually lives in Plano by the way) is always a good time.     Kevin and Libby, who live in Dallas, just built a new house and invited Donna and Clint and Tracy and Lee, who live in Frisco, Meredith and I, Dallasites and of course Michelle and Rob who live in Plano, over for dinner.   Now it is easy to see why we all still refer to this as "The Plano Group".   No one would disagree that it is always so much fun with this clan, there is never a dull moment and you're always learning something new about each other, even after 20 years!  

Anywho, Libby served Homemade individual Chicken Pot Pies and they were great.    Kevin dug deep in the wine fridge and opened the evening with a few bottles of Ramey Cabernet.    I think that was his way of saying "It's On!".  With dinner, Kevin served a Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon and a Stag's Leap Cabernet, it was hard to make a choice but the Stag's Leap was closest to me so it seemed the appropriate choice.    We had some really superior wines all night, but near the end of dinner Kevin opened a 2007 Seghesio Zinfandel and challenged everyone to not like it, evan after enjoying the list above.   He was right, everyone really liked the Zin, thanks to Kevin for making the intro.   This wine sells for the mid $20s in the store and for the money I highly recommend you check it out.   As a matter of fact I am going to add this to my list for Great Pics under $25.     THANKS JACKSONS!!

After further research i see why we all liked it...


Online Comments:   #10 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2008

Scents of raspberries and blueberries intertwined with briar patch spices. Ripe raspberry and blueberry flavors persist. A hint of creamy oak and a silky and refined texture with a juicy character. Juicy acidity and integrated tannins smooth the finish.

Dallas Wine Expert Darrryl Beeson Dies...

Many Dallasites that frequent some of the better wine establishments in Dallas will miss him...  

Read the Story here:    http://www.pegasusnews.com/news/2010/jan/29/dallas-wine-expert-darryl-beeson-died-friday/

New Years Eve 2012 called for the Magnum!

January 1, 2012:  Once again this year we celebrated the coming of the new year with our college friends the Bryants and the Jacksons.   I am not sure how many years this tradition has taken place and in fact I am a little scared to try to figure it out.   Nevertheless, we love to celebrate with them and this year was no different; great food and great company.   

This year we decided to dine out at Ocean Prime in downtown Dallas.  We were seated in the Wine Room, fittingly enough, had a pretty good dinner with average service, but for a New Years eve dinner out, we were pretty pleased with the experience as a whole.    It was a steak and potato night, and if you know anything about Dallas Steakhouses you know that most make a pretty mean steak.    Oh, don't forget to order the truffled deviled eggs, you wont be dissapointed.

The notable event of the night was the special the sommelier offered a special rate on a magnum bottle of Verasion Stagecoach at just over $200.    A great wine at a great price and it was certainly fun to celebrate the new year with the magnum bottle.    When you are out, especially with big groups, dont forget the large format options.   Often you will have to ask for a special list or ask the somellier, but if you are going to order two or more bottles, than often this can be the way to go.  

Happy New Year!!

Want to see some really cool wine?

I was reorganizing some of my wine and I was looking through a few notable selections , many of which were given to me by my late mother and wine enthusiast, Camille McBee.    As I was looking them over, I thought it might be fun to share them with you.   As you read through this please think about some unique wine that you have and please post your selections here so we can all check them out.

1) Have you ever seen the movie "Bottle Shock"? if you have not and you are a wine person, rent it.    In it you will learn of the story about how the United States and more specifically Napa Valley, CA made onto the map of worldwide wine culture back in the early 70s.   The movie talks about the 1976 Paris tasting where Napa Valley's Chateau Montelana beat all the French whites in a blind test with their now famous Chardonnay.  What the movie did not chronicle was that in that very same year a Napa Valley Cabernet won the same tasting when placed against all the famous French Bordeaux wines of the time.    Stag's Leap Cellars 1973-74 vintage Cabernet kicked some French butt!   and I have two bottles of it...   and to me that is a pretty cool thing!   link to Paris Tasting info

2) Chateau Latour is a famous French winery.   Vines have been planted since the 14th century.   The winery possesses one of the most famous and respected wine history and heritage in french wine and shares winemaking and ownership with names including names such as Chateau Lafite and Chateau Mouton.   For most this is the most important Claret in the world and frequently found to be one of the best wines in the world.    1972 is my birth year and I love that i have this bottle.  It was a gift from my good friend, mentor and wine teacher, winemaker Bobby G. Smith.

3) One of the most famous wine makers in all the world partners with the most famous winemaker in the Napa Valley to create one of the greatest and most celebrated large production wines in ever made and one of the most unique and interesting tasting rooms in the Napa Valley.  In 1982 Baron Philippe de Rothschild of Château Mouton Rothschild and Robert Mondavi created a single Bordeaux style blend based upon Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.    The first bottle, possessing a 1979 vintage was released in 1984.    The wine has remained one of California's most coveted selections ever since.    My 1998 vintage is one of my favorite bottles and was a gift from my late mother, wine enthusiast and educator, Camille McBee.

White Buffalo Club in Jackson, WY

January 18, 2012: Had dinner with Meredith and her brothers Phillip and Porter.   It was a slow night in the restaurant which turned out to be lucky for us. We had the opportunity to sit and visit not only with the onsite wine consultant, but also with the chef, Will Gahagan.   The steaks were great and their scallops were exceptional and the service exceptional - thanks to Chris Dick.  

 THE WINE: We were trying to make a reasonable selection and had that conversation with the waiter and he suggested we bring in their wine guy.  We discussed all the usual suspects, Groth, J Phelps, Jordan... But the resident wine consultant, Jason Budd, was pounding the table on a bottle of "Pirouette" from Walla Walla Valley in Washington.   It was priced a almost half the price of the other options under discussion, but he assured me that I would not be disappointed.  I dont have a lot of experience with Washington State wines, other than some Pinot Noirs and some Chardonays that I have had in the past.      All I can say is the man was dead on. This was a superb bottle for the money.   After returning home I looked this bottle up and now it makes more sense; this is a creation of Napa Valley celebrated vintners Philippe Melka (Vineyard 29, Hundred Acre, among others) and Agustin Huneeus Sr. (Quintessa) joined with Long Shadows founder Allen Shoup.   Thanks Jason for opening my eyes to the Walla Walla of Reds.    For my readers if you hit JH this year eat at the White Buffalo and if you eat there, don't miss this wine!

Entertaining Clients at Dee Lincoln's in Dallas

January 10th, 2012:       Hosted a business Dinner at Dee Lincolns Restaurant and Bubble Bar.      We had a great dinner and some good wine.    It was a cool place to host some clients.    The hip atmosphere and casual setting made for a unique experience and break from the everyday steakhouse in town.   I was joined by good friends Ted Morrow and Kevin Morgan and work associates Cody Lummus and Brittany Smith.   OUr special Guest of the evening was JP Morgan Market Strategist and Economic Expert, Joe Tanious.  (Joe is quite a wine enthusiast himself by the way) The unique thing about this dine was that each guest was able  to walk around and pick thier own selection from the "by the glass" wall.    We then ordered a "Migration" Anderson Valley Pinot Noir from Duckhorn to start, followed by a sommelier suggested Titus Cab for the meal.   Dee Lincoln was there and made our night perfect.   She is one of the most gracious hostesses in Dallas.   Have your next business function at the Bubble Bar!

Snake River Grille, Jackson, WY: Happy Birthday Erin!

January 19th, 2012: A Jackson Hole favorite, we return again and again to the SRG. This year marks the 4th year in row Meredith and I have celebrated a birthday with our good friend Erin McNeil along with her husband Scott and friend Mellisa Pogue while in JH for our family ski vacation.  

Basically, it's Erins birthday so she gets to choose and this year is was the SRG.    We started with an amazing steak tar tar pizza, sausage stuffed dates and crab claws. All were great, but the pizza is not to be missed!   The elk loin was back on the menu this season and I was stoked.    I always order this when on the menu at SRG.    Everyone tried a bite and I feel certain that each was pretty jealous of my elk ... It is simply amazing.

We had a J Pinot Noir with the appetizers, which matched up perfectly with the pizza.   Good Pinots can get up there, so for the money, this one is a great deal.  I think it was under $50.  For the main performance...    Paul Hobbs, Corssbarn Cabernet;  What an excellent bottle of wine!     Everyone loved the selection and also another reasonable selection that was perfect with the steaks and the elk.   If you have not had a Paul Hobbs wine...   please, for your own good, go have one!