tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17022474017882468222024-02-19T07:41:45.502-08:00Breathe Air & Drink WineSarah Hutnickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12638339643823485268noreply@blogger.comBlogger164125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702247401788246822.post-16086876344430425662012-12-08T10:41:00.003-08:002012-12-08T10:42:57.754-08:00New World Sangiovese<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Just for fun, I tried a bottle of Pride's sangiovese (2006.) I've really only tasted Italian sangioveses, but given my experience with Pride's other wines, it was very much what I expected. Ripe but not too ripe, very rich oak and dark fruit flavors to bump up the wine's intensity (given the varietal) and certainly the inkyest sangiovese I've ever encountered. So there ya have it. I think cabernet stands up better to their style of winemaking.</span>Sarah Hutnickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12638339643823485268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702247401788246822.post-6492569590461091302012-11-26T21:26:00.001-08:002012-11-26T21:44:41.467-08:00Willamette Valley Pinot Find (under $40)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I love a lot of the Oregon pinots. They usually showcase the varietal and are balanced (or even have acidity at all.) Picked up this wine recently at Hi-Time Wine Cellars in Costa Mesa and it simply made me smile. All the components of a lovely pinot were there - the berries, earth, delicate oak and integrated alcohol - and my husband and I had sipped away the bottle before we knew it. Here's the info if you want to check it out :)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Anne Amie</b>, 2009</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Pinot Noir (in all its glory!)</span><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Willamette Valley, Oregon</span></i><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Vineyards: 41% Anne Amie Estate, 28% Boisseau, 11.5% Gran Moraine, 8% Rainbow Ridge, 5% Alloro, 4% Louise, 2.5% Zena Crown</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Clones: P4, 114, 115, 667, 777, 828</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Oak: aged 10 months in French oak, 21% new, 20% 1 year, 59% neutral</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Soils: Willakenzie, Laurelwood, Ritner</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Alcohol: 13.9%</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>Sarah Hutnickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12638339643823485268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702247401788246822.post-7206065952546955312012-11-26T21:14:00.001-08:002012-11-26T21:45:25.003-08:00OakJamNapaCabFest<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Cimarossa</b>, 2007</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Riva Di Ponente Vineyard</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Howell Mountain</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Cabernet Sauvignon</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This wine was just too much for me. I want to write about it so I remember to not buy it again and stop trying different Napa cabs when the style of 95% of them is just TOO jamberry syrup and woody for me. </span>Sarah Hutnickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12638339643823485268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702247401788246822.post-15351129051484793622012-11-26T21:07:00.004-08:002012-11-26T21:45:58.907-08:00Cozy Fall Cabernet<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Thanksgiving came to an end. I'm completely turkey and pinot-ed out and left with a craving for a sultry cab, reserve gouda, roaring fire and spanish guitar.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Popping a <b>Fontanella Family </b><span class="il"><b>Winery</b> 2009. </span><b>Premiere Napa Valley</b>. Auction 15 Lot 124, <b>Melanson Vineyard</b>, Cabernet Sauvignon...Bottle 14 of 60. Not exactly sure what every detail means (except that this juice sounds pretty darn special) but also not in the mood to be a student tonight...just ready to drink something intense and tasty. That I got...</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />- Stains the glass a brickish purple</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- Red rose on the nose, prettypretty</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />- Dense fruits: red and black but not pure jam, acidity is present with a youthful freshness</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />- Some oak on the finish, alllllllmost too much (others would hardly detect but I'm supersensitive to wood in my wine)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- Very silky tannins</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />- Leather, leaves, and a mellow dustiness/extra dimension</span><br />
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- Pleasant grip on the finish</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />- Ubercab</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>Sarah Hutnickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12638339643823485268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702247401788246822.post-76753870773844693802012-10-12T19:00:00.001-07:002012-10-12T19:00:37.535-07:00c o l g i n (napa cult syrah)I know what I like and don't like. While I can appreciate how well made this wine is, the wine's meaty, smokey and herbal qualities stand out way too much. Those on top of the high alcohol (15.8%) start to mask the fruit which I'm sure is of the highest quality. Wanted to write again to remember this wine's first impression on me. Have a few more entries to make - have had a few noteworthy bottles recently.<br />
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Colgin, 2007, Syrah, Napa Valley (IX Estate)Sarah Hutnickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12638339643823485268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702247401788246822.post-59480142903580705892011-10-20T09:05:00.000-07:002011-10-20T09:16:55.861-07:00West Coast Pinots<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:100%;" >Two to recommend. Maybe more to come...it's fall and the perfect time for pinot noir. This season, I want my pinots reliable (bye bye Burgundies under $65), modern with traditional inspiration (sturdy fruit with balanced alcohol and good acidity), and velvety (melt in your mouth tannins). So, classically sexy, I guess.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Walker Station</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Leslie</span><br />Russian River Valley, CA 2009<br />14.8% abv<br />~$65<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sineann</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Resonance Vineyard</span><br />Yamhill-Carlton District, OR 2009<br />13.8% abv<br />~$45</span>Sarah Hutnickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12638339643823485268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702247401788246822.post-11324773276350295532011-02-09T11:01:00.000-08:002011-02-09T11:07:15.351-08:00Wise Advice From Mama Hut<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:85%;" >Been overwhelmed lately trying to consolidate and organize clothes/stuff. Big picture...this is a fortunate problem to have. When talking to my mom she shared her new motto with me:<br /><br />KEEP.<br /><br />SHARE.<br /><br />DONATE.<br /><br />TOSS.<br /><br />I dig it. Deep breaths. Everything has its place.</span>Sarah Hutnickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12638339643823485268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702247401788246822.post-15605765752903554422010-10-17T19:05:00.000-07:002010-10-17T19:38:50.689-07:00Sippin' Pretty<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:85%;" >Tried these wines recently and was pumped. All reasonably priced and very tasty. Trackem down and enjoy :)</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sebella</span>, Chardonnay, 2007</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:85%;" >Sonoma Valley, California</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:85%;" >Grown, produced, and bottled at the winery by Hanzel Vineyards</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;"> - bright, nice acid and subtle oak, a very drinkable new world chard that brings some complexity to the table</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Castello Romitorio</span>, Rosso di Montalcino, 2007</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:85%;" >Montalcino, Italy</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;"> - an artist buys a winery and what do you get? a gorgeous label and a beautiful wine. roses, red fruits, potpourri, low alcohol and tannin, integrated acidity...baby brunello...classic italiano</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Triton</span>, Prieto Picudo (Old Vines), 2008</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:85%;" >Castilla y Leon, Spain</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;"> - those old vines make for a very concentrated wine, lovely. dark fruits, licorice, chocolate, and baking spices, french oak adds another layer to what sounds like candy juice. it's not though, just dense and delightful</span></span><br /></div>Sarah Hutnickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12638339643823485268noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702247401788246822.post-59340804340313128732010-09-06T13:43:00.000-07:002010-09-06T13:53:17.653-07:00Please put your phone down and<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><div><br /></div>pay attention.<br /><br />love yourself.<br /><br />show respect.</span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">eat well.<br /><br />work hard.<br /><br />study something.<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">teach something.<br /><br />abandon artificial.<br /><br />make sacrifices.<br /><br />be thoughtful.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">give thanks.<br /><br />embrace tradition.<br /><br />worship nature.<br /><br />breathe deep.</span></span></span></div>Sarah Hutnickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12638339643823485268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702247401788246822.post-7727589752605480922010-05-23T12:50:00.000-07:002010-05-23T14:05:55.715-07:00Locanda Veneta<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3uraozK7s4BWsNktgyS7heNgTQx7PiKpOd2wvUecg73dRjSIwyogqAuAcJ_VrEVG2L5MVdpQ_Rg-w3f9QmCeE6YS6BlYwDXBbww2cLN8TDbE4dlOV6qhv82beJHestaRiFCkwKRQPByk/s1600/Picture+1.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 80px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3uraozK7s4BWsNktgyS7heNgTQx7PiKpOd2wvUecg73dRjSIwyogqAuAcJ_VrEVG2L5MVdpQ_Rg-w3f9QmCeE6YS6BlYwDXBbww2cLN8TDbE4dlOV6qhv82beJHestaRiFCkwKRQPByk/s400/Picture+1.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474574400660786722" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:georgia, serif;">This was my first Italian dinner with Yarom & The Hedonists, however, the night just felt different without our chief. No pictures, no facebooking, no 69n tee-shirt. We missed you, Yarom. Get well soon!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">For those present, it certainly was a fine night of food and wine. The table's favorite Locanda dishes seemed to be the grilled calamari salad, the polenta with boar ragu (did I get that right?), and the branzino.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIVVujksmqRxO3FK7xQTqXUVFY0zoiXyNyROq66z9KJFg0CHDvMsL8GFzEYgBrjV7OnW801p8D8M0Vo4_4Cc0uzOzexfwweSzA2LUac4stHGF9cpb-fTcwwQv23UrwGMZdfN9W9xhqFOU/s320/blog+picture+locanda+veneta.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474574142988376146" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 295px; height: 277px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">We tasted many wines as usual. Ron couldn't resist bringing some vintage boutique champagne (</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">'90 Alain Robert <i>Mesnil</i>) and the first whites just happened to be the perfect producer side by side tasting (we had the '04 Latour v. Bouchard </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">Corton Charlemagne)</span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">. My vote was for the Latour which really blossomed during dinner and was very nice to revisit with dessert. A '95 Paolo Scavino </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">Bric Del Fiasc</span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"> Barolo had been decanted before we arrived and went quickly. The '98 Romana </span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">Dal Forno Valpolicella </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">Superiore </span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">and the Bordeaux (sorry, I didn't get the notes) didn't get quite the same attention as Robin's silky <b>'01 Vega Sicilia Valbuena</b> (they didn't make Unico that year), Ron's <b>'79 Grange</b>, and Howard's <b>'02 Esmonin Gevrey-Chambertin </b></span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><b>Clos Saint-Jacques</b></span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">.</span></span></span></span></div><span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:georgia, serif;font-size:small;">Shout out to Ron and Lana (thanks so much for organizing and hosting the dinner), Ron's son, Andrew (who joined us for the first time), Howard (who I finally met), Michael Gold (for making me feel like I still know a thing or two about wine), and Robin (for making the trek from SD). Great night! Hope to see everyone again soon :)</span></div></span></span>Sarah Hutnickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12638339643823485268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702247401788246822.post-9643903640183048642010-04-02T12:41:00.000-07:002010-04-02T12:48:27.949-07:00Katana with Yarom & The Hedonists<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioI9ElX3u_4eLu06V8zbdOhqGKUtRE8GAZq4btEIVxeLiPGLDKme8dInlIRrm6Ds2IcWmQAZmZX45CuFega6ZmjXwd0AaaeYjcb-mYTVw-r2Oet5CYd32_nFnrdIofZXG5hiXs1f5weno/s1600/katana+dinner+4.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioI9ElX3u_4eLu06V8zbdOhqGKUtRE8GAZq4btEIVxeLiPGLDKme8dInlIRrm6Ds2IcWmQAZmZX45CuFega6ZmjXwd0AaaeYjcb-mYTVw-r2Oet5CYd32_nFnrdIofZXG5hiXs1f5weno/s320/katana+dinner+4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455628255646079474" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvFBIKZ1hOXP-hWw92e2Vq7k-WbhSfBKO9QAnMImoXMymQrQ3qJtP7kCFFAKUE0nNTn1Q-1HkURplpuCrdk3whyphenhyphen2iEEugZybBJcQHn03xsx7O9FxKrWo0BVMKXKCfBGw8Rjp6ZwgyGlYo/s1600/katana+dinner+5.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvFBIKZ1hOXP-hWw92e2Vq7k-WbhSfBKO9QAnMImoXMymQrQ3qJtP7kCFFAKUE0nNTn1Q-1HkURplpuCrdk3whyphenhyphen2iEEugZybBJcQHn03xsx7O9FxKrWo0BVMKXKCfBGw8Rjp6ZwgyGlYo/s320/katana+dinner+5.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455628260445827442" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); ">Big wine dinner at <b>Katana</b> with Yarom and gang last night. It had been way too long since I've spent a night outside tasting fine wine and sampling Katana's top dishes (that's pretty much how this group rolls two nights a week!). Almost a year to be exact ;)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif; "><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); ">As usual, I really enjoyed the yellowtail sashimi and tuna carpaccio we started with, but then they brought out the whole fish. It was unlike anything I've ever tasted. The outside was crispy, sweet, savory (maybe some kind of bbq/soy glaze?) and Dawn and I did a pretty good job with our chopsticks scoring a few succulent chunks of meat. Great call with that order, Yarom.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Here are my shoutouts to top wines of the night. All were appreciated and enjoyed, but the follwing my personal favorites:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><b>1975 ZH Pinot Gris</b></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;">- we started with Ron's champagne and this beauty...cheers :)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><i>1966 Riesling Cabinet</i></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">- perfect follow up to the pinot gris with a bit more weight and intensity</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><i>1998 Beaucastel CDP</i></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">- my man Larry did me the favor of opening this noteworthy red, needed a little time to breathe then climbed until the bottle was empty</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><i>1973 Muller TBA</i></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">- dessert, thanks Yarom :D</div></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4JWjVrc2yEtdDVqlC2xNPlfHkwlnGHt1hhaumUdMyKkHeCqBwnEjxOSkEsDu0YwygNF0IeFVfoPX3wxQCDpb1XZIfaEghnDwe04ycFa5dIGe3u9FvhvVaLon26DvScqHHEKW-J2KYPO8/s1600/katana+dinner+3.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4JWjVrc2yEtdDVqlC2xNPlfHkwlnGHt1hhaumUdMyKkHeCqBwnEjxOSkEsDu0YwygNF0IeFVfoPX3wxQCDpb1XZIfaEghnDwe04ycFa5dIGe3u9FvhvVaLon26DvScqHHEKW-J2KYPO8/s320/katana+dinner+3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455628250835138594" /></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgODdBE9zj7a9TONr5yTyyt-qpP_uQP87vLNQ0HD3Aewyrf5jYR8YlqCQahBo-wfBDc7GI_aWUbRRlpwEg9YZkgttr_Bf1s-4sA7V_8V6uUC0PNKLYArfrWrtkEiDwXASbHwOeoOk9nBj8/s1600/katan+dinner+1.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgODdBE9zj7a9TONr5yTyyt-qpP_uQP87vLNQ0HD3Aewyrf5jYR8YlqCQahBo-wfBDc7GI_aWUbRRlpwEg9YZkgttr_Bf1s-4sA7V_8V6uUC0PNKLYArfrWrtkEiDwXASbHwOeoOk9nBj8/s320/katan+dinner+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455628238603320050" /></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZO1HKQ9UtVir5xTQ00KS1VOMZbooWSrfopQrpJssz3cKaVRnwf5F41of5E5_tC0PIo7SVGh1x91WeVdVu2CRhZ04mfnzdN9lZbwHPXjMKVj51WA0VUjuDss7DNC2q3J_tqGy5acxTwUw/s1600/katana+dinner+2.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZO1HKQ9UtVir5xTQ00KS1VOMZbooWSrfopQrpJssz3cKaVRnwf5F41of5E5_tC0PIo7SVGh1x91WeVdVu2CRhZ04mfnzdN9lZbwHPXjMKVj51WA0VUjuDss7DNC2q3J_tqGy5acxTwUw/s320/katana+dinner+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455628241929505906" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div></div></div>Sarah Hutnickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12638339643823485268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702247401788246822.post-62323685291387397792010-02-17T12:21:00.000-08:002010-02-17T12:22:50.316-08:00When Life Starts to Blow...<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: small; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); ">Link to a funny little freebie we're doing at Drybar:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://yourdailythread.com/2010/02/17/when-life-starts-to-blow-get-a-blow-out-giveaway/?utm_source=Weekday+Newsletter&utm_campaign=d576655677-Your_Daily_Thread_Weekly_Newsletter9_25_2009&utm_medium=email"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">http://yourdailythread.com/2010/02/17/when-life-starts-to-blow-get-a-blow-out-giveaway/?utm_source=Weekday+Newsletter&utm_campaign=d576655677-Your_Daily_Thread_Weekly_Newsletter9_25_2009&utm_medium=email</span></span></span></a></div>Sarah Hutnickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12638339643823485268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702247401788246822.post-90319271371620773662010-02-17T08:34:00.000-08:002010-02-17T08:45:30.384-08:00Come Visit Me<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">at Drybar! We're located on the ground level of Brentwood Gardens (</span></span></span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">on corner of San Vicente and Barrington) next to Ron Herman and across the street from Tavern. Hours are 8am-8pm Monday through Saturday and 10am-7pm Sunday. Even if you're not coming in for a blowout, prepared to be dazzled by the space, meet our warm and welcoming team, and drink the tastiest spa water in town (I make both cucumber and citrus from fresh produce every morning). Can't wait to see you! XO</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">Drybar ~ a blow dry bar</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">11677 San Vicente Boulevard, Suite 100</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">Los Angeles, CA 90049</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">(310) 442-6084</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.thedrybar.com"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;">http://www.thedrybar.com</span></span></a></div><!--EndFragment-->Sarah Hutnickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12638339643823485268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702247401788246822.post-36260121419089939042010-02-17T08:19:00.000-08:002010-02-17T08:33:40.947-08:00Drybar Press<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJOrtfzyl5rHQHfD_tt4T3XMgkKSlA9SwYhcNSaucjvmnsGCwnx_BLFMa23_gm3zOqRwTR3Flb1Pkgau7IOF4IVoO-YUkdV4KXKd1AeAHB1JIvYQjJPLVpfvtguDcnZ9Q_YFnnb6t9j3Y/s1600-h/drybar.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 380px; height: 285px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJOrtfzyl5rHQHfD_tt4T3XMgkKSlA9SwYhcNSaucjvmnsGCwnx_BLFMa23_gm3zOqRwTR3Flb1Pkgau7IOF4IVoO-YUkdV4KXKd1AeAHB1JIvYQjJPLVpfvtguDcnZ9Q_YFnnb6t9j3Y/s400/drybar.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439250527842288146" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><b>DAILY CANDY</b> (2/12/10)</span></span></span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><a href="http://www.dailycandy.com/los-angeles/article/80153/Drybar-Blow-Dry-Studio-Opens"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;">http://www.dailycandy.com/los-angeles/article/80153/Drybar-Blow-Dry-Studio-Opens</span></a></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; "><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size:small;">LIVE SHOOT ON <b>"GOOD DAY LA"</b> (2/13/10)</span></div></span><i><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:georgia, serif;font-size:small;">from 8:30am</span></div></i><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><a href="http://vimeo.com/9380297"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;">http://vimeo.com/9380297</span></a></span></span></div><i><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:georgia, serif;font-size:small;">from 9:30am</span></div></i><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><a href="http://vimeo.com/9381777"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;">http://vimeo.com/9381777</span></a></span></span></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><b>VANITY FAIR</b> (New Hollywood Issue, 3/10)</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">page 166, Drybar made the "Luxe Locks" list!</span></span></span></i></div>Sarah Hutnickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12638339643823485268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702247401788246822.post-32654318864464789952010-02-07T10:57:00.000-08:002010-02-07T11:03:13.509-08:00Michael's Fortune<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">After a delicious dinner at Bamboo Bistro last night, Michael got this nice message in his fortune cookie. Do the fortune cookie gods know we're about to open LA's first blow dry bar, </span></span></span><a href="http://www.thedrybar.com/"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Drybar</span></span></span></b></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, this week? They must... :D</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFvs4LYL8NCAkZKyUJ5gs6dXVx-m-JOmILWjcXNv-XdfN5nuiRlFCSlG5TIV-39JVsm9seL4bWfm2I3aXsdRFZklYMuK8J4l9bY99W4hWJN4pwBsoY_FdpnfskvIlEoKLwe_n0btx6OOU/s400/michaels+fortune.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435578730135873858" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></div>Sarah Hutnickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12638339643823485268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702247401788246822.post-25994309517267135742010-02-07T10:30:00.000-08:002010-02-07T10:44:54.345-08:00Old School Coupons<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I enjoy clipping coupons. Here's why I think this is so:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">1. It's kind of like a little arts and crafts project (fun!)</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">2. You can be selective without having to make a purchase decision that moment</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">3. Once you're done with the coupon book, you throw it away (guilt-free)</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">4. Once the coupon expires, you throw it away (quasi-guilt-free)</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">5. When you eventually use the coupon - after promoting it to the precious space in your wallet, carefully carrying it on your person at all times, and find yourself at its retail partner for the promotion - you feel indescribably good about saving $1 on toothpaste.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">(It's the little things)</span></span></span></div>Sarah Hutnickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12638339643823485268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702247401788246822.post-89238636870323601562010-02-03T11:04:00.000-08:002010-02-07T11:06:31.925-08:00My Number Two<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimLTTyoU4fdJHdmrOIL7GivGZP8l1u3gvl710QM2bVr10esgmDHCoO-U6SlKDV2fq1gVWBS3goqSdDBC0gsip1XlwKt30B8gJpobK19bQqeiAzE88l5Cth0aC5UNQxLdojmmlC5BvHneY/s1600-h/my+number+2.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimLTTyoU4fdJHdmrOIL7GivGZP8l1u3gvl710QM2bVr10esgmDHCoO-U6SlKDV2fq1gVWBS3goqSdDBC0gsip1XlwKt30B8gJpobK19bQqeiAzE88l5Cth0aC5UNQxLdojmmlC5BvHneY/s400/my+number+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435579688975795826" /></a>Love you, B!Sarah Hutnickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12638339643823485268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702247401788246822.post-1401706080537294582010-01-31T16:11:00.000-08:002010-01-31T16:13:36.360-08:00Message From a Closet Packrat<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:georgia, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;font-size:small;">I'm thankful for things expiring. It gives me a reason to throw them away and not feel guilty.</span></div> <!--EndFragment-->Sarah Hutnickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12638339643823485268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702247401788246822.post-44995471463811413162010-01-30T13:48:00.000-08:002010-01-31T16:07:42.208-08:00New Drybar Wardrobe<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0s_7FlAE1rZqw0Nv42pM7kMdkyJ2uZZRH6bSKGbwVzL6Giayo8DHiTiw9xCh1O5uUl2lO_qn5YIPwVp1DI2sImFRMqlSrUjG91_OZRcjyMWTc8K3wxzXS35Mlu8ozrgQhpyjetqTywps/s1600-h/ringing+up+at+target.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0s_7FlAE1rZqw0Nv42pM7kMdkyJ2uZZRH6bSKGbwVzL6Giayo8DHiTiw9xCh1O5uUl2lO_qn5YIPwVp1DI2sImFRMqlSrUjG91_OZRcjyMWTc8K3wxzXS35Mlu8ozrgQhpyjetqTywps/s400/ringing+up+at+target.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433055338782394098" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); ">I bought 5 new <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFCC00;">yellow</span></span></b> items for my Drybar "Sprit Director" wardrobe last night. The guy ringing me up at Target said, "somebody's ready for spring..." and I thought, "that, <i>AND</i> DRYBAR'S OPENING ON FEB. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">12</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">TH</span>!"</span></div></span>Sarah Hutnickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12638339643823485268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702247401788246822.post-30422609742631416882010-01-29T20:57:00.000-08:002010-01-29T21:42:53.092-08:00UGC 2007 Vintage Bordeaux Tasting (hosted by Wally's at The Annex, Los Angeles)<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">As I sit down to write about this event I think it only appropriate to give you some context:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><!--StartFragment--><span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">2009’s UGC 2006 vintage Bordeaux tasting was the first “big city” tasting I didn’t work (and by work I mean pour for free for a producer for a chance to taste some wines at the end). I had just moved to California and bought my ticket online, having no idea what to expect. I drove up to LA…it was my first time on the 405 (scary)…and my first time trying to park there (circled the InterContinental twice before parking in the Century City mall garage). I threw on a dress in the car and proudly fixed my sommelier pin to its collar. I hadn’t started the blog yet, so I guess I was there to improve my palate for Bordeaux wines – and maybe meet a fellow corkdork. Hiking up to the InterContinental from the mall garage, I felt prepared, but still nervous. The night before and that morning, I spent studying the characteristics of the different appellations and the top chateaux, but when it came to navigating a large tasting with strangers, it was best to just try to enjoy those few minutes of anticipation…</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Suddenly, the holding room was crowded, I was sweating and casually talking to someone about the turnout. I was really just trying to watch what was about to go down. The receptionists were then given the signal to open the doors and we were off to the races. After checking in, I grabbed my glass, smelled it (because I saw everyone else doing that), and headed to the whites, which were stationed to the front left of the room. I didn’t even see there was a price list. Just went by my study guide and made my way from the whites, to right bank Bordeaux, to left bank, and then to Sauternes (or what was left). I took my time, scribbled notes, spit, ate some bread, used the </span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">restroom, and drank lots of water. It was a very modest, educational experience.</span></span></span></span></span></div></span></span><span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">As you’ve probably guessed by now, this year I will write a different story. Probably because I feel different. My head is in another place - one that has me constantly thinking about my family before myself and trying to make the right decisions about participating in extracurricular activities, like wine tastings. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Sunday night, I buy the ticket at the last minute (secretly hoping the event will sell out so I’m not even tempted to go). I spend every hour before the event working on </span><a href="http://www.thedrybar.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Drybar</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> tee-shirt designs and Sponsorship Packages. I hail a cab on Santa Monica and call a friend on the walk up to The Annex to meet him in line. I take a look at the price sheet, circle a few chateaux and then ask my friends who they recommend tasting. I swallow and get a little buzz. I’ll give a list below of some flawlessly balanced, fineFINE wines, but no details. I can email them to you, if you like. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The point of this post is that like many physical things in life, my experience with them becomes less about a myopic personal encounter, and more about enjoying the opportunity this </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">thing</span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> presents to bring human beings together. Offline. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">On Wednesday night, I was in a large, loud room with PEOPLE. Looking into their eyes, backing into them (sorry), feeling their wine spit backsplash in my face, grinning at them with purple teeth, shaking their hands, and giving high fives (like I tend to do after a glass or two). </span></span></span></span></div></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This made me beyond happy. Yes, the wines were outstanding, but it was also the environment they were tasted in that made me crave awareness for those two hours. Every time I tried to put my head down and take detailed notes, a conversation would start or a friend would say “hi.” This was a time to step away from the minutia and appreciate how fortunate I was to be there.</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Thank you</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> to the following chateaux who poured me outstanding wines (I felt bad even putting one and two stars next to some, but had to give them a little credit for somehow standing out among their peers):</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">M A R G A U X</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Chateau Las Combes**</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Chateau Rauzan-Segla</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">P A U I L L A C</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Chateau Clerc Milon*</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Chateau Lynch-Bages*</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Chateau Pontet-Canet*</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">P E S S A C - L E O G N A N</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Chateau Haut-Bailly**</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Chateau Pape Clement (blanc and rouge*)</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Chateau Smith Haut-Lafitte (blanc and rouge*)</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Domaine de Chevalier (blanc* and rouge)</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">P O M E R O L <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(HAD TO TRY THEM ALL...)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Chateau Clinet*</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Chateau Gazin</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Chateau La Cabanne</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Chateau Conseillante**</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">S A I N T - E M I L I O N <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">GRAND CRU)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Chateau Angelus**</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Chateau Canon-La-Gaffeliere</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Chateau La Gaffeliere</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Chateau Troplong Mondot</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Clos Fourtet**</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">S A I N T - J U L I E N</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Chateau Beychevelle*</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Chateau Gruaud Larose**</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Chateau Talbot*</span></i></div></span></span></span></span></span>Sarah Hutnickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12638339643823485268noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702247401788246822.post-6884928196125570542010-01-29T13:31:00.000-08:002010-01-29T13:37:00.129-08:00The Nelsons<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirkRH95ylVR23YLzNHOGw5jq1J2SX3dxl3O7ZiYIzvYY1H5jsWQKgyzD_ygFRLMJ-FpT3AQ9fLYPopZapCTmIffPAgNP9kzFg51axscoXRF_IZiG1wJ4MSXF3KWPQK3_LPFPpjE1p6jLE/s1600-h/The+Nelsons,+cropped.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 395px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirkRH95ylVR23YLzNHOGw5jq1J2SX3dxl3O7ZiYIzvYY1H5jsWQKgyzD_ygFRLMJ-FpT3AQ9fLYPopZapCTmIffPAgNP9kzFg51axscoXRF_IZiG1wJ4MSXF3KWPQK3_LPFPpjE1p6jLE/s400/The+Nelsons,+cropped.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432278867972559330" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">My mom's mom's parent's wedding. So sweet!</span></span></span></div></span>Sarah Hutnickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12638339643823485268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702247401788246822.post-6456847857641479142010-01-29T13:26:00.001-08:002010-01-29T13:31:25.246-08:00Grant's 5th Birthday<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDJaW0r0oXP3EqXu3B5OT_Gvtclwp-tgO9tx0YpuGwYWIbsf46Y-wb_jDsQWV3bsQWkQmTLjw_bVCl55Bu_ZDJkBhJVg12YGMqqIIWEE_zN-vEMAkLQIdx__Hblz_gaPKU7KtyJSvjsQ/s1600-h/grant's+5th+birthday+photo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDJaW0r0oXP3EqXu3B5OT_Gvtclwp-tgO9tx0YpuGwYWIbsf46Y-wb_jDsQWV3bsQWkQmTLjw_bVCl55Bu_ZDJkBhJVg12YGMqqIIWEE_zN-vEMAkLQIdx__Hblz_gaPKU7KtyJSvjsQ/s320/grant's+5th+birthday+photo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432276537725456018" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); ">Silly, Grant...you're not supposed to make your own birthday cupcakes! (but go for it - you and Kit look like you're having a lot of fun cooking in the kitchen) :D</span></div></span>Sarah Hutnickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12638339643823485268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702247401788246822.post-46282688731408203392010-01-25T22:05:00.000-08:002010-01-26T22:46:01.907-08:00Italian Sommeliers Association Grand Tasting<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:georgia, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;font-size:small;">This was a trade tasting put on by the <a href="http://www.aiscalifornia.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;">Italian Sommeliers Association</span></a> at <a href="http://www.trastevereristorante.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;">Trastevere in Santa Monica</span></a>. I had the privilege of being invited to taste and write about the wines I was able to taste. Thanks to the <a href="http://www.principefood.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;">Principe Prosciutto di San Deniele</span></a> for the melt-in-your-mouth prosciutto and breseaola and <a href="http://www.cadorobakery.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;">Ca’D’Oro</span></a> olive bread which makes me look forward to working in LA that much more...</span></div><!--StartFragment--><span style="font-family:Calibri, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size:small;">N O T E</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size:small;">G U I D E :</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size:small;">Winery, Appellation, Name, Grape, Vintage</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">B U B B L E S :</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Banear, Prosecco, Prosecco Frizzante, prosecco, NV</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">- <i>slightly sparkling, uncork with a corkscrew, crisp, refreshing, lower alcohol (harvest earlier at lower sugar levels), pleasant acidity, not cloying whatsoeve</i>r</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Caposaldo, Veneto IGT, N/A, prosecco, NV</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">- <i>clean, bright, no cider element (which can bug me in some proseccos) and a but more complex, considering ordering for my wedding</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">W H I T E S :</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Vignalta, Colli Euganei, Sirio Muscato, 100% dry muscat (fully fermented), 2007</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">- <i>gorgeous + inviting nose, nice mouthfeel, complex white, bitter honey finish</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Pescaja, Roero Arneis DOCG, N/A, arneis, 2008</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">- <i>round, floral, wild herbs, more complex than other expressions of the varietal at the tasting</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;">- <i><b>world cultures nugget</b>: still locally called “nebbiolo bianco” in Piedmonte</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Butussi, Colli Orientali del Friuli, N/A, sauvignon blanc, 2007</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">- <i>lush wine, very different from both Napa and Marlborough, some vanilla but also crisp, melon, fresh pineapple</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;">- <i><b>my two cents</b>: I’m always impressed by Friulian sauv blancs and whites in general...there should be more on wine lists (and by the glass)</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Carraia, N/A, Carraia, fiano di Sicilia, 2008</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">- <i>rich winter white, honey, anise, minerals, wine with depth, complexity, and crispness...intriguing</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">R E D S :</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Batasiolo, Alba DOC, Sovrana, barbera,2007</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">- <i>single vineyard barbera, softer, a primary plus young wine</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;">- <i><b>my two cents</b>: single vineyard well-made barberas like this one are worth the small premium, especially when compared to young, rough nebbiolos (and usually better value than young barolos if you are buying to drink now)</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Cavaliere, Puglia, N/A, sangiovese, 2009</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">- <i>elegant, integrated, full-bodied, young but well-made</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Carria, Sicilia, N/A, aglianico, 2008</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:Calibri, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;font-size:16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">- <i>pretty, easy drinking young red, gentle tannin, </i></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><i> </i></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><i>flavors of black fruit, dark chocolate, approachable acidity and minerality</i></span></span></span></span></span></div></span></span></span><span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">- <i><b>pronunciation nugget</b>: the indigenous Italian varietal, aglianico, is pronounced </i></span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><i><b>ahl-YAHN-eh-koe</b></i></span></span></span></span></div></span><span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:georgia, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;font-size:small;"><b>Bibi Graetz Soffocone di Vincigliata, Tosacana, N/A, N/A, 2007</b></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size:small;">- <i>single vineyard, fine tannin, tart red fruits, delicious with the prosciutto and olive bread</i></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><br /></span></div></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:georgia, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"><b>Cantine Sant’Agata, Ruche di Castagnole, Na Vota, ruche, 2007</b></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size:small;">- <i>a new varietal for me, very impressive: complex, distincitive, raspberry, herbs, great value for wine’s substance</i></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); ">- <i><b>quick question</b>: “Who drinks ruche?!” (LOVE IT!! I’m so excited to have tried this wine)</i></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:georgia, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"><b>Michele Chiarlo, Barolo DOCG, Cannubi, nebbiolo, 2004</b></span></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:georgia, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;font-size:small;">- <i>lovely, signature barolo notes, one of the few wines I couldn’t bare to spit</i></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"><b>Tenuta di Corllosorbo, Brunello di Montalcino, Brunello, sangiovese, 2004</b></span></div></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size:small;">- <i>roses, red berries, nice balance, (relatively) soft tannin, delicate, had to swallow this one too... :)</i></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Batasiolo, Barolo DOCG (Serralunga), Corda Della Briccolina, nebbiolo, 2003</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">- <i><b>Stefano Poggi</b> was pouring the 2003 at the tasting and I had the pleasure of enjoying the 2004 last year at a dinner with him and <b>Fiorenzo Dogliani</b> at CarneVino in Las Vegas after wine Spectator’s Grand Tasting. These are excellent wines that will mature gracefully overtime. If I had to compare, I would recommend the ‘04, but it doesn’t take a genius to recommend a stellar vintage...</i></div></span></span></span> </span></span> <!--EndFragment-->Sarah Hutnickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12638339643823485268noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702247401788246822.post-27884551565503414522010-01-18T09:52:00.000-08:002010-01-18T13:45:37.142-08:00Pinot Days, SoCal 2010<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:georgia, serif;font-size:small;">Yesterday was my first time attending <a href="http://www.pinotdays.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;">"Pinot Days"</span></a>, a New World pinot noir tasting, focusing on producers from the glorious west coast of the United States of America. I can be...hmmm...picky (to say it nicely), when it comes to New World pinot noir, liberally using adjectives like "hot," "thin," and "poor value." This tasting offered up the opportunity use some <i>new</i> adjectives. Many of the wines were from the acclaimed 2007 vintage. The single varietal element of "Pinot Days" let me focus on the terroir and style of winemaking for the day's showcase of producers. I was generously granted a trade ticket (thank you!) and took advantage of the extra time I had to take thorough notes. Hope to participate in this tasting for many more years!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">With that intro...here goes :)</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">B E S T </span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I N </span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">S H O W</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://baxterwinery.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;"><b>Baxter</b></span></span></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">California, Mendocino, </span></span></span><a href="http://baxterwinery.com/baxter/oppenlanderpinotnoir.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">Oppelander Vineyard</span></span></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><i>Vintage:</i> 2007</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><i>Notes:</i> fresh bing cherries, violets, roses, integrated acidity and alcohol, well balanced Richebourg-ish wine of great character and intensity</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><i>Comments:</i> The "Phils" (father and son winemaking team) were awesome. Wish I could drink high quality pinot like this more often. I'm looking forward to visiting the estate and getting to know Phil and Phil Jr. better!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.pisonivineyards.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;"><b>Pisoni</b></span></span></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">California, Santa Lucia Highlands, "Estate" label</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><i>Vintage:</i> 2007</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><i>Notes:</i> red and dark fruits - tart, dried, and ripe, roses (again!), subtle tea, captivating balance of fruit, alcohol, acidity, and damn fine tannin</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><i>Comments:</i> A graceful, yet bold, wine from start to finish. Dances its way across the palate, not missing a beat. Just lovely. Gary and Ed, pleasure to meet you. Gary, thank you for loving and studying Burgundy. Your wine reflects great attention to detail in your vineyard and appreciation of terroir.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.georgewine.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;"><b>George Wine Company</b></span></span></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley, "RRV V"</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><i>Vintage:</i> 2007</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><i>Notes:</i> raspberries, red currants, tea, bramble, leaves, potpourri, great balance and palate-forgiving (relatively) low alcohol: 13.5%</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">(Pause for analogy: George's RRV V is the quiet girl at the party with no makeup. She's polite. She listens, smiles sweetly, and watches the guests' interactions. At the end of the night, you get the guts to talk to her and now you're the one who's speechless.)</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><i>Comments:</i> I loved George wines after my first taste at Marche Bacchus when I was living in Vegas a few years ago. At the time, I didn't study or write about wine. I just disliked, liked, or loved what I tasted. I am still loving George's pinots and enjoyed putting a name (and label) with a face at the tasting! Thank you for making a pinot with elegant restraint. There is a delicate, intriguing fruit/earth and young/wise tension in your wines that is always a treat.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">P I - N O T A B L E S</span> </b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><b></b>(yes, I am a dork)</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.arcadianwinery.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;">Arcadian Winery</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">, Jill's Cuvee (2006)</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">California, Santa Maria, Solomon Hills</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.pfendlervineyards.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;">Pfendler Vineyard</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">s</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">, Sonoma Coast (2007)</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">Sonoma County, Petaluma Gap</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.archerysummit.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;">Archery Summit</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">, Red Hills Estate (2006)</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">Oregon, Dundee Hills</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.bellepente.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;">Belle Pente</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">, Belle Pente Vineyard (2006)</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">Oregon, Yamhill-Carlton</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.sojourncellars.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;">Sojourn Cellars</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">, Sonoma Coast label and Sangiacomo Vineyard (2008)</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">California, Sonoma County</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">P L E A S A N T </span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">S U R P R I S E S</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><i>A white!</i> </span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">(shhhh)</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:georgia, serif;font-size:small;">Zotovich Family Vineyards '07 Chardonnay - a delightfully pleasant (and quite well-made) break from pinot</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><i>A baby!</i></span></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:georgia, serif;font-size:small;">An '08 barrel sample from Fess Parker's Ashley's Vineyard (pommard clone) - fresh and tasty :)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><i>A kiwi!</i></span></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:georgia, serif;font-size:small;">Alana Estate's pretty pinot from Martinborough, New Zealand</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><i>A </i></span></span></span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><i>Humphrey Bogart</i></span></span></span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><i>!</i></span></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:georgia, serif;font-size:small;">Cono Sur's "20 Barrels" '07 pinot noir from Casablanca Valley, Chile - poured by Steve from <a href="http://www.winex.com/default.aspx"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#663366;">Wine Exchange</span></a> (love the OC representation!)</span></div>Sarah Hutnickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12638339643823485268noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1702247401788246822.post-35394814928087958452010-01-18T09:46:00.000-08:002010-01-18T09:49:08.491-08:00Michael's New Talent<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;">If the whole "entrepreneur" thing doesn't work out, maybe he'll pursue photography...</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyLcnlsXfoELxFBFLW3ULHN-LrRPA8EvFXqiGoKSMDEnfTPkMvzSyqBa-9LFOykUb98qxt_1uIPkQ5IhLvv5DhhTQHc8UbCrYu5wBCjR3v4JPLjRkgrU_a1Z3cSluV-xe58-jeRi8WSg4/s1600-h/africa+reed+in+cdm.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyLcnlsXfoELxFBFLW3ULHN-LrRPA8EvFXqiGoKSMDEnfTPkMvzSyqBa-9LFOykUb98qxt_1uIPkQ5IhLvv5DhhTQHc8UbCrYu5wBCjR3v4JPLjRkgrU_a1Z3cSluV-xe58-jeRi8WSg4/s400/africa+reed+in+cdm.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428138030020662306" /></a>Sarah Hutnickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12638339643823485268noreply@blogger.com0