Pastis bistro in Palo Alto – finally good French!
On California Avenue, right next to another old-time French bistro, now we have Pastis bistro, with menu full of delicious French comfort classics. Finally a reliable French foodie place in Palo Alto. Very enjoyable with a bottle of an earthy 2010 Bour...
2007 Brunello and an early look at 2010 Rosso di Montalcino
I have been excited about the 2006 vintage in Montalcino. The Riservas are now coming out and are impressive. The 2007 vintage is also showing well albeit a bit warmer - not as great as 2006, but still quite good with decent structure and acid. I tho...
Dinner at Kevin’s
My friend Kevin recently hosted a supreme gourmet dinner. The sweet carrot reduction sauce with caramel overtones - no sugar added - just carrots, ginger and butter! - was insane with the lobster blintzes. Pairing beautifully with a Spatlese level...
2010 Chateauneuf-du-Pape – a great vintage
Last week, Angeles Wine Agency ran their annual trade tasting in Fort Mason, San Francisco. I've covered these tastings in the past. Every year, for me this is the best opportunity to size up the soon-to-be-released vintage of Chateauneuf-du-Pape ...
La Paulee San Francisco 2012 and the Impressive 2009 Red Burgundy
Burgundy is expensive. Burgundy is ethereal. Burgundy in 2009 is magnificent. But if you have to ask "how much?", then you can't afford it. But wait... there is good news...
A month ago I attended La Paulee in San Francisco - an extraordinarily e...
Evchik does Chablis
Those 2007 and 2008 Chablis are drinking well, my friends.
On a nice sunny Spring weekend... "Gimme some!", says my 11-months old...
Mmm mmm tasty!
I am loving those 2009 red Burgundies!
I wish I could say - "If there ever was a time to get into red Burgundy, it's the 2009 vintage" - it's one of those rare vintages that I believe will appeal to both old world and new world wine lovers. It has the fruit, the approachability, and the r...
2008 Bordeaux vintage revisited
I had an opportunity to taste some 2008 Bordeaux this weekend.
A year ago, they were inpenetrable, unenjoyable, and hard for me to judge. Here is what I wrote then:
...generally I didn't enjoy any of the 2008's. Very tight and ungiving, many with gree...
Baby vino
Evan is now 8 months old. I am happy to report that he shares my interest in fine drinks!
2009 Burgundy, 2001 Priorat, and 2011 Breast Milk - he is clearly getting the short end of the stick (and not happy about it!)
Sipping a Rioja on Halloween
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Enoteca 100 2011 impressions
Following up on the previous post, I am happy to report that Donato Enoteca remains not only one of my favorite places to eat, but amongst the top two best Italian wine tasting venues of the year (along with the venerable Tre Bicchieri). And when ...
Enoteca 100 2011
I never used to love Italian food as much, until I started loving Italian wine. That love affair with vino drove me to explore and appreciate Italian cuisine, which in turn nudged me to explore even more of Italy's wine regions and varieties. No other ...
