THE MCBEE WINE BLOG DIARY

My mother, Camille McBee, partnered with Bobby G. Smith, Winemaker, in North Texas for over 30 years. Together they worked to develop a National and International name for Texas Wines. In 2009 she passed away too young, but she left behind a Texas Wine Industry that was better because of her dedication and she left a family with a deep rooted love and appreciation for wine and entertaining. This blog serves as a diary of my adventures in wine and as a lasting toast to my mother. -Cheers!

This blog is NOT intended to be the authority on tasting notes, or a professional guide for wine experts; it's simply a place for me to share some of my opinions and findings about wine with my friends and other wine lovers.

I truly hope you will use this blog to help you the next time you are thinking about what to buy at the wine store or deciding what to order at a local restaurant or when you travel to the wine country. ENJOY!

Thursday, May 31, 2012

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!

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

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.

Saturday, May 19, 2012

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.  

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

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!