Barrel 27

Last night we went to How's Market after I got off work to go to their Friday night tasting. Lucky for me they were having a special tasting of Barrel 27 wines, with a couple of Russel's Herman Story thrown in the mix.

2005 Barrel 27 Rose
2007 Barrel 27 "High On The Hog"
2006 Herman Story Grenache, Santa Barbara County
2005 Barrel 27 Syrah, Central Coast
2005 Barrel 27 Syrah, "Head Honcho"
2006 Herman Story "Nuts & Bolts"
? Groth Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville

I liked the "High On The Hog," it was a viognier/marsanne/rousanne blend. Good stuff. I bought a bottle of the rose even though our taste of it wasn't that great. I think the bottle had been open for a while (maybe a week or so), but it tasted like it would be good under proper conditions. We'll pop it open this coming Spring/Summer. Really liked the "Head Honcho" and the "Nuts and Bolts," but the $35 price tag was a little steep for the moment. Also bought a bottle of the Central Coast Syrah, for $15 you can't go wrong. Overall it seems like you can't go wrong with these guys (Barrel 27, McPrice Meyers, or Herman Story), all fantastic Rhone producers. And Mac and Russell are great guys as well. Next time we're up in Paso going to have to stop by Mac's new place, he just moved in to the old Garretson place.

It was weird to follow up the Rhones with the Napa Cab. It was good, just so different from the prior stuff. I think it was the 2004, but I couldn't confirm that.

Le Nez Du Vin

I got a tip the other day that Williams-Sonoma was having a big sale on their La Nez Du Vin wine aroma kits, so I picked up the master kit of 54 aromas for a measly $99 yesterday. Measly because this sells for a regular price of $399. This is something I've always looked at and wanted, but there is no way I would ever shell out $400 for it ... $100 is much more doable.

I only had a few minutes last night to play around with some of the different aromas. Some of them were obvious (licorice, chocolate) and some were much more difficult. Interestingly, once you were aware of what the aroma was, it smelled much more like it. So I guess the idea is to train your sense of smell to identify the aromas and then you'll be able to pick them up in wine. Will definitely be fun to do some wine tasting with this at our disposal.

For what it's worth, the packaging/presentation of the kit is beautiful. Probably why it is supposed to cost $400.

providence

Last night I finally was able to go to Providence and experience the chef's tasting menu in all it's glory. I had been waiting for the right time, and this was it. I do not have a menu to recount exactly what we ate and drank, but it was definitely fantastic. I will say that I expected it to be the penultimate LA dining experience and it wasn't. I don't think it came close to the full experience that our night at Bastide offered.

The bright spots were the amuse bouche of mojito, greyhound, and gin and tonic raviolos. Crazy, just crazy. And delicious. The lamb course was great, as was the lobster & sweetbreads dish. I cannot remember the preparation on either, but it was fantastic. The cheese cart was good, although the one at Patina is better. And can't say I've ever thought of having celery sorbet before...

I can't remember the other dishes, but I know there was an uni w/ cauliflower mousse, pork belly, kanpachi?? Wish I asked for them to write everything down for me...

The wine pairings were all great. A lot of whites because of the amount of fish that was served, but all very good. Nothing really blew me away though.

All in all, a wonderful, wonderful night. My expectations were just a tad higher. I wanted the ultra-formal experience and it was bit more casual. The service was great and there was just a moment or two at the beginning when wine was coming out too early or too much time between courses. But it was worth the $$, about $630 total for the two of us I think. Next time I go big, I'll pick another restaurant, but I will definitely be back here for a simple a la carte dinner off the regular menu. Cannot go wrong.

Santa Ynez. Solo.

So while Lauren was away in SB for a bachelorette party, I decided to go up to Santa Ynez to pick our club shipments and taste a little wine. Rough life. I know.

Up first was Foxen ...
2006 Foxen Viognier, Vogelzang Vineyard, Santa Ynez Valley (Happy Canyon)
2007 Foxen Chardonnay, Tinaquaic Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley
2007 Foxen Pinot Noir, Santa Maria Valley 2006 Foxen Cuvée Jeanne Marie, Williamson Doré Vineyard, Santa Ynez Valley
2005 Foxen Range 30 West, Santa Ynez Valley (Happy Canyon)
2006 Foxen Syrah, Toasted Rope, Santa Ynez Valley
2006 Foxen Mission Accomplished, Rancho Tepusquet Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley

The Toasted Rope syrah is 15% Viognier and it was really 'bright' ... will probably come down a bit as the wine integrates with a little more bottle age. Really liked the Range 30 West.

Up next was Beckmen...

2007 Beckmen Sauvignon Blanc, Purisima Mountain Vineyard
2006 Beckmen Marsanne, Purisima Mountain Vineyard
2006 Beckmen Grenache, Estate
2006 Beckmen Grenache, Purisima Mountain Vineyard
2007 Beckmen Grenache, Whole Cluster, Purisima Mountain Vineyard
2006 Beckmen Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate
2007 Beckmen Syrah, Estate
2006 Beckmen Syrah, Purisima Mountain Vineyard
2006 Beckmen "Purisima"

Standout for me was the Estate Grenache ... just drinking wonderfully. I had two pours of it, one from a bottle that had been open for about 2 hours, and one from a newly opened bottle. Definitely recommend opening this one 2 hours before ... so much better. The Whole Cluster Grenache was from a newly opened bottle as well and could've definitely used some time in a decanter. The Estate Syrah was rich with chocolate flavors. Little tidbit ... Beckmen apparently got their Grenache Blanc from an albino Grenache Noir vine ... they cloned it and planted an entire block of it. Interesting.

And finally to Sunstone...

2000 Sunstone "Sunterra"
2005 Sunstone "Rhapsodie du Soleil"
2006 Sunstone Cabernet Franc
2005 Sunstone "Eros"
2005 Sunstone Syrah, Reserve
2003 Sunstone "Eros"

I skipped the whites and the port they were pouring because the place was a madhouse and I just wanted to go quickly. Actually was trying to get through it so quickly that I don't quite remember much about the wine! Oops.