We started with a bottle of the NV Riondo Spago Nero Prosecco; a wine I've reported on many times. Nothing new here. Just that lovely, bubbly, pear/apple profile that quenches the thirst on a brutally hot Kansas afternoon.
2010 Charles & Charles Rose, Columbia Valley - This 100% Syrah rose sports a pale magenta color with a bluish tint. Blackberry, raspberry aromas and flavors abound in this very full-bodied pink wine. Charles & Charles proves that you can indeed drink rose and be bad ass! $112008 Seghesio Home Ranch Zinfandel, Alexander Valley - Impressive, dark color. Classic old vine Zinfandel nose of blackberry, brier and black peppercorn. Quite full-bodied with big, powdery tannins. Finish turns a bit green after a couple of hours. A bit of American oak on this wine, but it only reveals itself after an undue amount of air. A wee bit overpriced at $39
2008 Ambullneo "Zito Family Vineyards" Tres Ninos Zinfandel, San Luis Obispo County - Sweet cherry and a rich, nutty Graham cracker crust element in the nose. Light in color for a Zinfandel. Sweet/tart cherry flavors and a good bit of spice on this whimsical Zinfandel. This is a side project of Ambullneo's Greg Linn. I cannot find any additional information about this particular Zinfandel on the Nonno Zito website.2006 Ambullneo Vineyards Howling Syrah, Santa Maria Valley - Medium-dark color more reminiscent of a Cabernet Sauvignon than a Syrah. Super meaty with hickory smoke, beef jerky, wintergreen and white pepper all pitching in on the supremely complex nose. Huge mouth-filling tannins with fleshy, meaty, salami-like flavors on the palate. A ponderous, contemplative wine and a textbook example of a cool climate California Syrah. Bravo!
We finished the evening with a couple of drams of Bushmill's 1608 Irish Whiskey and some Cuban cigars I've been hoarding (under impeccable conditions, of course) for the last 10-12 years. Combine that with no less than three separate fireworks shows on the horizon and you've got a recipe for a fine evening.
Our friend stuck around long enough on Monday to get in a few hours of fishing on the pond(s). We mostly caught smaller fish, but there were a couple a of nice size bluegills (Alex) and a 1.5-2 pound Largemouth (me) in there, too. After Alex left we spent some time tidying up the garden and doing farm stuff. Around 2 p.m. or so I threw 30 pounds of pork shoulder on the smoker for a family reunion dinner later in the week. Dinner was one of my all-time favorites: charcoal-grilled flat iron steak with fresh chimichurri sauce.
2010 Willow Crest Estate Grown Pinot Gris, Yakima Valley - Pale color, as expected. Tremendous nose of banana, pineapple, tangerine and spice. Slight spritz on the attack. Tropical, pineapple flavors and a good dollop of minerality on the palate. Refreshing acidity. This wine consistently runs neck-and-neck with Cline as my favorite value domestic Pinot Gris. $11
2009 Tilia Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza - This sustainably-farmed Argentinian Cabernet has a deep, saturated color with blackberry, currant and spice on the nose. Good bit of oak, as well; but it's the cedary type rather than the cheap, dilly American variety. Jammy cranberry and spice on the palate. A pretty simple wine, but packed with yummy goodness. Turns a bit "green" after a while. Low acid and light tannins make it perfect for drinking now. $12
I have a long love affair with rose', & with Charles Smith! The Charles & Charles rose' is one of our go-to wines for spring & summer, & we also like it in the fall. They just get a little harder to find at that point!
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