Tasting Lapis Lina Pinot Noir

 

        

Name: Lapis Luna

Variety: Pinot Noir

Region: North Coast, CA

Country: USA

Year: 2023

Price: $14

Wine Enthusiast review:  With its garnet colour, there were so many delightful aspects to the tasting. An explosion of flavours - fruit and then some floral notes. A fresh, generous and creamy flavour. Once you've tasted it, it's hard not to have another. All the potential of this exquisite terroir located on the north Californian coast in a bottle. - Vinatis Wine & Champaign

Wine Folly: pp 150-151 and 290 say Pinot Noir is the world's most popular light-bodied red and is loved for its red fruit and spice flavors accentuated by a long, soft-tannin finish.  The areas that collect morning fog are ideal for cooler climate grapes like Pinot Noir.  Wines from North Coast deliver sweet red fruit and finish on notes of black tea and allspice.

My Review:  Enjoyed this bottle as instructed while watching Sideways.  The smells we got from this wine were earthy, with maybe some hints of strawberry and pepper.  The taste took a moment to get accustomed to, but had flavors of red fruit but seemed quite acidic with chalky tannin texture.  We could taste some oak from the barrel, but initially did not think the wine was very good.  However, it was an interesting flavor that kept me coming back, and in the end, I liked it overall.

Food Pairing:  No food pairing with this one.  Just a movie - which was quite funny (and educational, albeit a rehash of class lecture knowledge for the most part).

                                             

Tasting Pombal do Vesuvio (2021)

Name: Pombal do Vesuvio

Variety: mostly Touriga Nacional from Quinta do Vesuvio

Region: Douro River Valley 

Country: Portugal

Year: 2021

Price: €12

Vino.com review:  There's an unpretentious, matter-of-fact elegance to this wine, with its deep red and blue fruit cloaked in layers of wild herbs (thyme, oregano, fennel), pine needles and fig leaves, and encased in a strong yet soft tannic framework. Delicate notes of lavender and rose petals add a fragrant, ethereal aspect. A long finish with tobacco, fig and dried cranberry. - Ines Salpico (Decanter)

Wine Folly:  pg 266 states Douro red blends have dense fruit and chocolate flavors, both of which are apparent in this wine.

My Review:  I really enjoy the 2021 Pombal do Vesuvio.  There were so many different notes and flavors, and the more you thought about it, the more you could come up with.  I could smell dark red fruit underlying tobacco and oak.   The red fruit and some vanilla flavor came through in the taste.  It was a well-balanced wine that was very enjoyable to drink.  A long, smooth finish kept you considering the wine.

Food Pairing:  Great with an Italian lasagna.  

 

Dinner & Wine report (March 20, 2025) Tizzone Wood-fired Kitched

 

Occasion: dinner with my wife and daughter

Location: Tizzone Wood-fired Kitchen & Wine Bar

Food Selection and Wine Pairing (3 dishes with 3 wines): 

When approached by the waiter, his first question was asking what we'd like to drink.  Other than a Sprite for my daughter, we informed him that we would be interested in wines that paired well with our dinner selections.  This is what we decided on:

    FILLET & BROCCOLI - Coconut rice topped with 6oz. of sliced fillet mignon, broccoli, and fresh mushrooms, saute's in a ginger-scallion dressing.  Paired with Remhoogte Chronicle Cape Blend   

    CHILI-AGAVE SCALLOPS - pan seared scallops with spicy chili-agave sauce served with asparagus and scalloped potatoes.  Paired with Two Mountain Riesling

    MARGHERITA WOOD-FIRED PIZZA - with mozzarella, Roma tomatoes, garlic, and fresh basil.  Paired with Felino Malbec

Pairing comments: 

FILLET & BROCCOLI with Remhoogte Chronicle Cape Blend:

This red blend from South Africa is described as a Pinotage blend of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Pinotage.  It was a medium bodied red that smelled of berry and raisin.  The taste was dry, and slightly peppery, but the dark fruit notes were still apparent.  I thought it was well-balanced with a nice aftertaste.  It paired deliciously with the spicy beef.  I even started tasting a sweetness in the wine, but that may have just been a reaction to the beef/broccoli dish being slightly too salty (soy sauce?).  I almost detected a vanilla flavor during the meal, but I couldn't put me finger on it - overall, delicious all around.

CHILI-AGAVE SCALLOPS with Two Mountain Riesling:

This wine, from Washington state, had a surprisingly floral smell.   It was described as a dry Riesling, but I did not find it overly dry - I would have guessed it be described as a semi-sweet, but that could have just been my palate playing tricks on me.  There was a very full texture to the wine - coating my mouth and giving a soft apple flavor with the floral notes still present.  I found it very well balanced between sweet and acidic.  It paired excellently with the spicy scallop dish!  Both would have been great on their most likely, but together the soft texture of the scallops and asparagus supported the soft wine, and I think the spiciness of the dish made the "dry" wine come across slightly sweeter.  Great pair, these two!

                   

(my daughter thinks it's funny to take selfies instead of photographing whoever is posing)

MARGHERITA PIZZA with Felino Malbec:

This Argentinian Malbec was highly recommended by the waiter.  It was one of the priciest wines they sold (of course), so I had high expectations.  Luckily, I wasn't disappointed.  This was a dark, full-bodied red with notes of cherry, wood, and dark fruit.  The taste was balanced with vanilla (or maybe a chocolate - are these even close?) offsetting a mild tartness, and it had a soft mouthfeel.  I loved the dark fruit and complexness of the wine - and of course, it mixed well with the wood-fired pizza.  I rarely find red wine that doesn't word with Margherita Pizza, but this one made the taste even better.  

Overall:  Great Success with dinner and wine tonight - this establishment knows what they are doing with the pairing recommendations, and the wines they have on hand to pair are great.

Tasting Adega do Presidente Adamado Vinho Verde

           Name: Adega do Presidente Adamado Vinho Verde

Variety: white grape blend "typical of the region"

Region: Vinho Verde

Country: Portugal

Year: 2024

Price: €6

Wine Enthusiast review:  Off dry, fizzy and fresh, this is a classic crisp and clean Vinho Verde, based on the Loureiro grape.  It is light and bright with lemon and sugar water flavors, and is ready to drink now. - Roger Voss

Wine Folly: pp 264 and 267 say the northwest region of Vinho Verde is cooler and ideal for zippy, low  alcohol wines.  Usually made into slightly fizzy white Vinho Verde (literally "green" wine, but meaning "young" wine).  Tastes of grapefruit, lime blossom, honeysuckle, lime, and cucumber skin.

My Review:  Crisp and nearly bubbly when first poured - tingled in my mouth.  I could detect a green apple scent and citrus.  The taste was fresh and pleasant - fruitiness (like melon) with just a little sweetness (in a good way).  There was a sharpness from the fizzy texture, but the wine was not too acidic.  At only 10.5% alcohol, it was easy to drink - delicious!

Food Pairing:  Tonight we had canned tuna-fish mixed with artichokes, olives, and spices in a lemon marinade on pita.  The wine paired great with the seafood and I'd definitely recommend.  Also recommend posing for better photos in the future too.

Tasting Z. Alexander Brown Uncaged Cabernet Sauvignon

          

Name: Z. Alexander Brown Uncaged

Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: North Coast, California

Country: USA

Year: 2022

Price: $16

Wine Enthusiast review:  This wine is deep, with aromas of blackberry, cassis, allspice and dried florals on the nose. The flavors on the palate are dark cherry, black plum and cardamom, sliding into fennel, orange zest, espresso and a dry finish. - Tonya Pitts (91 points) 

Wine Folly:  pp 89 and 292, Cabernet Sauvignon from North Coast, CA.  Napa Valley Cabs have a dusty, minerally component.  I also could perceive the black cherry and a bit of spice.  I did not note graphite or cigar box though.

My Review:  Found this wine on sale, and figured I'd give it a go - and very glad I did.  Living overseas, I hadn't had the opportunity to have a nice California Cabernet in a long time and I'd forgotten how good they could get.  The aroma was of cherry fruit and chocolate.  I could taste strong tannins, dark berry, and a spiciness as well.  It was all balanced really well and left a pleasant flavor in my mouth.  Going to stock up before the sale ends...!

Food Pairing:  We made homemade pizza, and of course the wine was great with it.  The spiciness of the sauce brought out even more rich and spicy flavors in the wine.

Tasting Guarda Rios Gold Edition

            

Name: Guarda Rios Gold Edition

Variety: red blend (Syrah, Aragonez, Alicante Bouschet)

Region: Alentejo

Country: Portugal

Year: 2020

Price: €9+

Wine Enthusiast review: With a fine dash of Alicante Bouschet in the blend, this is a ripe, jammy wine. The richness is tempered by acidity and fragrant tannins. Drink now. — Roger Voss (89)

Wine Folly: pp 264 and 266 discuss Portuguese wines and state that wines from Alentejo region have many wines that range from elegant to bold.  The specific grapes of this Guarda Rios blend (Syrah, Aragonez, and Alicante Bouschet) are not discussed in the text.  

My Review:  I don't think I've ever been disappointed with a red from Guara Rios - and the Gold Edition was no exception.  It was dark, elegant wine with fruity notes of  blackberry and plum, and even a hint of oak - which I read it's aged in for 10 months.  The taste confirmed the fruit with added flavors of minerals and maybe leather.  The mouthfeel was nicely smooth, with acids and tannins balanced.    

Food Pairing:  I enjoyed this with a broccoli/cheddar soup - not a pairing you'd read about in a magazine I'm sure, but it worked fine.  The wine was delicious to start, but great with dinner as well.

Tasting Jose Maria da Fonseca Moscatel de Setubal (Superior - 10 Years)

           

Name:  Jose Maria da Fonseca (Superior - 10 Anos)

Variety: Moscatel de Setubal

Region: Setubal

Country: Portugal

Year: bottled 2023 (10 year vintage)

Price: €10

Wine Enthusiast review:  I could not find any wine reviews of this specific vintage.  Another 10-year Moscatel from Jose Maria da Fonseca had the following review:  This fortified wine offers fresh orange peel and honey aromas.  The rich yet honed palate is delicious in flavors of apricot preserves and nuts. Drink now. — Roger Voss

Wine Folly: pg 136 - A rich and honeyed fortified wine grown on the Setubal peninsula.  Amazing alongside Portuguese cheeses or any dessert with a caramel topping.

My Review:  I loved their 1-year vintage, so I expected the 10-year to be even better.  Powerful aroma of fruit (dark fruit like prune but also oranges).  The taste was very complex with the fruit flavors mixed with a smokey/medicine flavor from the aging.  The wine was very sweet, and had a thick mouthfeel almost like syrup.  To be honest, I think I like the younger version better, but this was still very nice.

Food Pairing:  Enjoyed as the dessert itself.

Wine & Cheese pairing #2

 Wine and Cheese Pairing attempt #2

3 wines:

Sparkling White (Portugal): Caves Raposeira Bruto Reserva

Provence Rosé (France): Chateau La Gordonne

Full-bodied Red (Argentina): Alamos Malbec 

3 cheeses:

- Marieke Gouda (ages 2-4 months)

- Wisconsin Sharp White Cheddar

- Stella Romano

Let's get started!

First on the docket - the sparkling Bruto

• Initial impressions (pre-cheese): Unfortunately, I had an injury inside my cheek (chomped on it a couple days ago) - so the bubbles really made the sore painful.  However, I detected scents of lemon and citrus.  The taste was tart and very bubbly.  I didn't taste any spice and the Brut was very dry.
• With Gouda: The cheese drowned out most the flavor of the wine.  However, I could still taste the some citrus and the tartness was softened.  
• With Sharp White Cheddar: Yikes... Uh oh - this pairing didn't work.  The taste was an overwhelming sour flavor.  I couldn't taste the sparkling wine over the sharp cheddar.
• With Romano: The was an interesting pairing.  It brought out many floral notes in the sparkling wine, however the overall balance of the drink cancelled out the flavors of the cheese, and (while not unpleasant) it did not complement one another at all.

• Next up - the Chateau La Gordonnen Rosé from Provence: 
• Initial impressions (pre-cheese):  The smell was much more floral.  Upon tasting, I imagined drinking a pink gummy bear - not too sweet, but soft and mild with a subtle sweetness.
• With Gouda: This combination was rather boring.  Again, the cheese overpowered the wine flavors and, while I liked the gouda flavor, I could no longer taste the wine.
• With Sharp White Cheddar: This brought out a shot of sweetness that I couldn't detect before.  In the previous wine & cheese pairing, I remember noting a taste of Reese's Pieces, and I think I was sensing that again with this pairing.  I could taste a sweet candy, but the mouthfeel was soft and enjoyable.
• With Romano: This pairing was an amplified version of the Cheddar - with the sharpness of the cheese working well with the more mild wine.  However, the Romano cheese kind of overpowered the wine.

• Finally - the Argentinian Malbec:
• Initial impressions (pre-cheese):  This was a super-smooth red with earthy tones (mushroom and dirt), but very pleasant - and a sudden shift from the previous wines.  I immediately was impressed though.
• With Gouda: The soft cheese and warm wine created a sweet chocolatey mixture, with hints of nuts, mushroom, and moss.  A complex flavor that was interesting to interpret.  
• With Sharp White Cheddar: Nailed it!  This combo was perfect.  Sweet but slightly acidic (or at least a little painful on my cheek), but also woodsy, smooth, and a creamy lingering aftertaste that was very enjoyable.  This is the pairing I was hoping for!
• With Romano: Nice, but tangy-er and sharper than the cheddar.  I could detect a smokiness as well - maybe even a smoked meat flavor.  It was nice, but the Cheddar combo was better.  Overall - a great success!!!

Tasting Mauro Molino Langhe Nebbiolo

 

             

Name: Mauro Molino Langhe Nebbiolo

Variety: Nebbiolo

Region: Langhe, Piedmont

Country: Italy

Year: 2022

Price: $8/glass $36/bottle (at wine bar)

Wine Enthusiast review:  This wine presents classic notes of raspberry, sour cherry and wild herbs, reflecting on the palate with raspberry seeds, green herbs and dusty tannins. Its traditional yet nuanced characteristics offer a rich and complex finish. - Jeff Porter (91 points)

Wine Folly: pp 141-142 says this is one of Italy's top reds made famous by the Barolo region with delicate aromas and rigorous tannins.  The highest tannin expressions come from this Southern Piedmont region.

My Review:  Had a deep ruby color and oak and leathery smell.  The taste was dry and acidic, with some fruity notes, but mostly very tannic.  Too much tannins and too dry for my taste - especially in comparison to what I had drank before unfortunately.  My wife, however, while agreeing with the dryness and tannins found the wine very pleasant.  Personally though, I didn't find the taste very complex or interesting.  Uncharacteristically, I couldn't finish the glass.

Food Pairing:  This was an after-dinner drink served on-the-house.  May have been much more enjoyable if enjoyed with a rich, creamy sauce to counter the intense tannin.

Tasting Casal Garcia Vinho Verde

   

Name: Casal Garcia Vinho Verde

Variety: Alvarinho

Region: Vinho Verde sub-region of Monção and Melgaço

Country: Portugal

Year: 2024

Price: €6

Wine Enthusiast review:  Sweet is the name and sweet the taste of this soft wine.  However, the crisp acidity typical of Vinho Verde gives the wine a lift. A fine aperitif wine, it's ready to drink now. -RV .

Wine Folly: pp 264 and 267 say the northwest region of Vinho Verde is cooler and ideal for zippy, low  alcohol wines.  Alvarinho is usually made into slightly fizzy white Vinho Verde (literally "green" wine, but meaning "young" wine).  Tastes of grapefruit, lime blossom, honeysuckle, lime, and cucumber skin.

My Review:  The smell was citrus and floral - I thought it reminded me of lemon-lime scent, and I agree about the soft honeysuckle scent as well.  The taste was crisp citrus, chilled lime, and refreshing.  The floral notes were still apparent in the taste as well (although I couldn't narrow it down to anything other than honeysuckle).  There was a pleasant acidic taste, and luckily it wasn't too sweet (but not at all dry)... somewhere in the middle of that spectrum.

Food Pairing:  This one was great all alone, but we did break out some cheddar and crackers later on (although at that point the wine was nearly gone).