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!