Christmas eve is chicken enchilada time for us so match wise neve the
best, so I just decided to go for something I like but normally wouldn't
have so
2003 Ribera de Duero reserva from de Restia a full rich temparnillo that
went well actually great night.
Christmas day, I finally got the OK for pinot for Christmas and thought
that the best way I could do it was with
Chalone the estate bottling. we had a 2004 and a 2007. The 2004 was a
closeout so always a bit of a worry is it over the hill? The short
answer, NO. the 2004 was richer, smoother and perfectly suited for
drinking. The 07 was comparatively green with a hint of sourness in the
finish. To be honest I wouldn't have noticed if it hadn't been in
comparison, but it was there.

Value wise the Ribera was a steal at $18-$19 (IIRC may have been a tad
less definitely not more) while the Chalone at 30 and 35 respectively
was a bit pricy. The Spanish red keep on keeping on.

And speaking of Spanish. my best Christmas present (we don't really do
givts so much anymore) was a bottle of Cardenal Mendoza Brandy de Jerez
Solers Gran Reserva from Romate. this brandy is smooth but the really
nice thing is that the underlying wine is evident - in the finish you
can taste the Sherry and it is velvety smooth to boot. . .

jcoulter wrote in news:[email protected]
email.me:

Christmas eve...

We drank our only bottle of Wind Gap Pinot Noir Woodruff Vineyard 2008 on
Christmas Eve, to go with a veal roll (stuffed with dried apricots, plums,
etc). Very, very good, and totally opposed to my idea of a California Pinot
Noir, because it was bone dry, only 12,3% alc, with a very low colour and
really spicy on the nose. An excellent and very interesting wine that I was
very happy to put on the table on such a night. Only 440 bottles produced


Christmas day...

For us, it was La Rioja Alta 904 Gran Reserva 1978 which I double decanted
at home before going to my in-laws. Very bright colour, with a lot of old
church notes, incense and excellent balance in the mouth. No fruit, and I
think I would rather drink such a wine 10 years earlier.



And speaking of Spanish. my best Christmas present (we don't really do
givts so much anymore) was a bottle of Cardenal Mendoza Brandy de Jerez
Solers Gran Reserva from Romate. this brandy is smooth but the really
nice thing is that the underlying wine is evident - in the finish you
can taste the Sherry and it is velvety smooth to boot. . .

Brandy de Jerez should be about the aging in old Sherry casks (typically
Oloroso). Some people love it, some people hate it.

I am glad you are drinking to help the Spanish Balance of Payments!!!

s.

On 12/26/2012 9:36 AM, santiago wrote:
jcoulter wrote in news:[email protected]
email.me:




Brandy de Jerez should be about the aging in old Sherry casks (typically
Oloroso). Some people love it, some people hate it.

I am glad you are drinking to help the Spanish Balance of Payments!!!

s.

El gusto es mio

On Wednesday, December 26, 2012 6:36:42 AM UTC-7, jcoulter wrote:
Christmas eve is chicken enchilada time for us so match wise neve the

best, so I just decided to go for something I like but normally wouldn't

have so

2003 Ribera de Duero reserva from de Restia a full rich temparnillo that

went well actually great night.

Christmas day, I finally got the OK for pinot for Christmas and thought

that the best way I could do it was with

Chalone the estate bottling. we had a 2004 and a 2007. The 2004 was a

closeout so always a bit of a worry is it over the hill? The short

answer, NO. the 2004 was richer, smoother and perfectly suited for

drinking. The 07 was comparatively green with a hint of sourness in the

finish. To be honest I wouldn't have noticed if it hadn't been in

comparison, but it was there.



Value wise the Ribera was a steal at $18-$19 (IIRC may have been a tad

less definitely not more) while the Chalone at 30 and 35 respectively

was a bit pricy. The Spanish red keep on keeping on.



And speaking of Spanish. my best Christmas present (we don't really do

givts so much anymore) was a bottle of Cardenal Mendoza Brandy de Jerez

Solers Gran Reserva from Romate. this brandy is smooth but the really

nice thing is that the underlying wine is evident - in the finish you

can taste the Sherry and it is velvety smooth to boot. . .

For us chicken enchiladas mean good margaritas, rarely wine.

On Wednesday, December 26, 2012 9:36:49 AM UTC-5, santiago wrote:
jcoulter wrote in news:[email protected]

email.me:



Christmas eve...



We drank our only bottle of Wind Gap Pinot Noir Woodruff Vineyard 2008 on

Christmas Eve, to go with a veal roll (stuffed with dried apricots, plums,

etc). Very, very good, and totally opposed to my idea of a California Pinot

Noir, because it was bone dry, only 12,3% alc, with a very low colour and

really spicy on the nose. An excellent and very interesting wine that I was

very happy to put on the table on such a night. Only 440 bottles produced





Christmas day...



For us, it was La Rioja Alta 904 Gran Reserva 1978 which I double decanted

at home before going to my in-laws. Very bright colour, with a lot of old

church notes, incense and excellent balance in the mouth. No fruit, and I

think I would rather drink such a wine 10 years earlier.







And speaking of Spanish. my best Christmas present (we don't really do

givts so much anymore) was a bottle of Cardenal Mendoza Brandy de Jerez

Solers Gran Reserva from Romate. this brandy is smooth but the really

nice thing is that the underlying wine is evident - in the finish you

can taste the Sherry and it is velvety smooth to boot. . .



Brandy de Jerez should be about the aging in old Sherry casks (typically

Oloroso). Some people love it, some people hate it.



I am glad you are drinking to help the Spanish Balance of Payments!!!



s.

Wind Gap sounds lovely.
Thanks to both of you for notes