Sunday, October 31, 2010

Another Wicked Tasting at Wicked Cellars Everett Washington – October 29th and 30th 2010


Wow! Another wicked wine tasting. It has been a few weeks since our last tasting at Wicked Cellars. A lot has change, new owners and the wine tasting fee jar was moved…

 Friday started out with what they are calling ‘Big WICKED REDS’ with Lars Sorensen of Cascade Trade.

Amayna Pinot Noir 2007 Leyda Valley, Chile*** smoky, cherry, fine testure

Donnadieu Cuv’e Camille & Juliette 2007 St. Chinian, France** dark cherry, gamey, spice

Tenuta Curezza "Nerosso" 2008 Puglia, Italy** cherry, plum

Bodega Frontaura Crianza 2005 Toro, Spain**** blackberry, coffee, spice

Volker Eisele Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 Napa Valley, California**** black cherry, chocolate, earth

JC Cellars Syrah "Fess Parker Vineyard" 2008 Santa Barbara, California**** jammy, light spice

Saturday was Halloween Eve Tasting of Scary Good Wines

Casillero del Diablo 2009 Chardonnay, Chile*** peach, pear

Furion Cellars Vinea Cruor 2007 Sangiovese, Yakima Valley*** strawberry

2009 Owen Roe Sinister Hand, Columbia Valley** black pepper, ripe fruit

2009 Garnacha de Fuego Old Vines, Spain***+:-) spicy, vanilla, raspberry

Geoff Tate's 2008 Insania Red from Three Rivers Winery, Columbia Valley*** ripe fruit

Wonderful weekend of tasting at Wicked Cellars

October 2010 Trip to Prosser – Washington State Wine Country

This was a quick trip to Prosser. We had wine to pick up and a few wineries we have not visited yet this year, so off we went…


We arrived later in the afternoon on Saturday the 23rd. Only enough time to pickup our Olsen Estates 2008 Estate Grenache**** we ordered back in June and to taste their line up. It was great to see our Olsen friends. We also had time to visit Alexandria Nicole. Thanks Theron for the tasting...


Sunday the 24th was all about wine tasting


Chinook Wines
http://www.chinookwines.com/
Prosser Washington
This was our first visit to this winery. Their tasting room is the old farm house on their property.

2007 Semillion**+ fruity, balance

2008 Cabernet Franc Rose’***:-) ripe fruit

NV Red Wine Blend XII** dried cherries

2008 Cabernet Franc** soft, licorices


The Hogue Cellars
http://www.hoguecellars.com/index.php
Prosser Washington
I’m always surprise when we taste here, in a good way…

2009 Terroir B II White Wine*** light, apricots

2009 Terroir Sangiovese Rosato*** strawberry

2005 Terroir Lemberger** nice nose, burnt earth

2006 Reserve Merlot** dark fruit, cocoa

2007 Terroir Syrah**+ dark cherry

2009 Terroir Muscat Canelli***+ peach


Desert Wine Winery
http://www.desertwindwinery.com/Desert-Wind-Winery-Homepage.aspx
Prosser Washington

2008 Sangiovese**+ raspberry, light spice

2008 Tempranillo**+ fruit, earth

2008 Duck Pond Pinot Noir**+ strawberry, slight jam

2008 Ruah*** cherries, cloves


Snoqualmie
http://www.snoqualmie.com/
Prosser Washington

2006 Sangiovese***+ light peppery

2008 Malbec**** plum, spices

2006 Reserve Merlot*** lush soft tannins

2002 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon*** fruit, sweet tobacco, soft tannins

2006 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon*** red current, cocoa

2006 Reserve Syrah**** herbal, smoky, fruit, soft tannins


Wine O’Clock Wine Bar
http://www.wineoclockwinebar.com/
Prosser Washington
This is almost a ‘have to’ stop for lunch. They also offer wine tasting of River Aeria and Bunnell Family Cellars.


Fall Vegetables Puréed Soup**** wonderful soup for the fall


2006 Boushey-McPherson Vineyard Syrah**** blackberry, plum, spice


Plaza Winery
Prosser Washington

2007 Merlot*** plums, currants, spice, chocolate

2007 Royalty Red*** dark fruit

2007 Cabernet Sauvignon**+ berry, nutty

2007 Jove*** fruit, ripe plums

Tasawik Vineyards
http://www.tasawikvineyards.com/index.cfm?pgc_pk=1
Prosser Washington

2008 Estate Viognier**+ stone fruit

We ended the day with a fine dinner at Tuscany Rustic Italian Bistro**** always good to see Susanne. Always a wonderful experience, so when in Prosser always eat at Tuscany


Bruschetta*** mozzarella, roma tomatoes and kalamata olives tossed with fresh basil and olive oil served over baguette bread.


Salmon Fettuccini***+ with Alfredo sauce



Prime Sirloin Steak**** with Bruleed Gorgonzola Cheese, Rosemary Balsamic Reduction with Shitake mushrooms, frenched green beans and red potatoes. It was yummy…



NV APEX Sparkling Red Wine**+ this is a fun sparkly

This was a fun few days in Prosser. This will probably be the last visit until the spring, a sad thought.

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Austin Texas - a Week of Celebration, Family and Friends

What a week! We were in Austin to celebrating our daughters wedding, enjoying our new family and meeting up with old friends.


Our family started arriving in Austin on Wednesday, we arrived in town mid-afternoon Friday October 15th. We had a joyful reunion with our family and our old friends in the lobby of our hotel, not a dry eye in the place.

Photograph from web site
We stayed in Austin at the Casulo Hotel***+ This was a great hotel, great location and wonderful staff. Thank you Amber and Ashley…
http://casulohotel.com/
512.610.1116

Just in time to join every on at a wonderful party hosted by old friends of the grooms family.

After the party a gang of meet up at Mean Eye Cat*** what a place…
http://themeaneyedcat.com/


Saturday October 16th
Photograph By Ashly
Joe’s Crab Shack*** We always visit this place when we are in Austin, love the location…
http://www.joescrabshack.com/locations/store/default.aspx?store=52

Crab nachos**+ Tortilla chips topped with loads of crab dip, pico de gallo, cheese and black bean corn relish.

Dungeness crab*** Cooked in fresh garlic, herbs and spices

Garlicky Mussels***+ mussels served with garlic sauce and garlic bread. So much flavor, ask for a spoon…

After the rehearsal we were off to dinner

Z’Tejas 6th Street****
http://www.ztejas.com/
512.478.5355

All wines served were Washington in honor of our future daughters-in-Laws home state.
Photograph By Ashly
Gorgonzola New York Steak**** with caramelized onion sauce, mashed potato cake and seasonal vegetables. This was the stare of all the steaks I had while in Austin.

Photograph By Ashly
Wild mushroom enchiladas*** crimini, portabello and shiitake mushrooms with avocado and tomato relish rolled into corn tortillas, toped with an ancho-mole cream sauce, jack cheese and sour cream, served with green chili rice and black beans.

Sunday October 17th

Doc’s Motor Works Bar and Grill*** this is a fun hangout
http://eatdrinkdocs.com/menus.php#home
512.448.9181

Fajita Tacos**+ Fajita chicken or beef, served with rice and black beans.


Buffalo Chicken Salad**+ fried chicken tossed in our homemade wing sauce on a bed of house greens with tomatoes and bleu cheese crumbles, served with chunky bleu cheese dressing.


Doc’s Taco Salad**+ beef picadillo on a bed of house greens, cheese, green chili ranch, tostada shells and topped with pico de gallo.

~~~


What a wonderful wedding…



The reception was hosted by Moonshine Patio Bar and Grill****
http://www.moonshinegrill.com/


Monday October 18th


Magnolias Café Congress Ave**+
http://themagnoliacafe.com/


Jalapeno Cheese Burger***

Bacon Swiss Burger***

Vegetarian Omelet’s*** avocado with steamed mushroom, red onion, green bell pepper, tomato and cheddar and jack cheese

Sonora Taco**+ spicy beef, black beans, sour cream, cheddar cheese, lettuce and tomato

~~~


Maudies Café off Lake Austin Blvd
http://www.maudies.com/
512.473.3740
We visit Maudies several times when ever we are in Austin…


Tamales El Jefe*** three pork tamales covered with our chile con carne sauce and topped with cheese. Served with rice and beans.

Mexican plate*** two cheese enchiladas covered with chile con carne sauce, topped with onions and cheese. Served with a crispy beef taco, a small fresh guacamole salad, rice and beans.

Chicken Fajita Nachos*** nachos topped with chicken fajitas and grilled onions. Served with lettuce, pico de gallo, guacamole, escabeche and sour cream.


Tuesday October 19th

Habana Restaurant and Bar South Congress Ave
http://www.habana.com/
512.443.4253

Mariquitas**+ thinly sliced fried plantain chips served with mojo for dipping. First time for plantain, not bad...

Sandwich Cubano*** roast pork, ham, swiss cheese with pickles and mustard on pressed Cuban bread. I loved this sandwich...

Ensalada Especial*** lettuce, tomato, cucumber, avocado, onion, green and red peppers

Tres leches cake***+ yummy


~~~
Austin Land and Cattle Steak House****
http://www.austinlandandcattlecompany.com/
Nice to meet you Scott.
I need to apologies about the poor quality of the pictures…

Air dried beef Prosciutto**+ capers, onion, shaved parmesan and extra virgin olive oil.

Oyster ‘Tex’efeller**** Rockefeller with a kick

Top Sirloin Steak***

Ribeye Steak***

Filet Mignon**** with béarnaise sauce

Wednesday October 20th

Tiniest Bar in Texas
http://www.tiniestbarintexas.com/
Fun place for a drink

~~~
Guero’s Taco Bar***+
http://www.guerostacobar.com/
Really enjoyed the food



Hot Tamales***+ black bean. Best darn tamales I ever had…


Taco*** beef

Chiles Rellenos*** roasted poblano chiles stuffed with sauteed fresh corn kernels, diced zucchini, onion, garlic and spices, deglazed with lime juice and white wine and topped with a dollop of sour cream and jack cheese. Served on a bed of spanish rice

Thursday October 21st




Hills Cafe**+
http://www.hillscafe.com/
Great time with friends...

Filet*** blue cheese butter and fried onions

Top Sirloin*** center cut with blue cheese onions. The bake potato was cold but warmed up sizzling platter

~~~
Enoteca Vespato
http://www.austinvespaio.com/enoteca/enoteca.html
Lunch with family before taking off…


Calamari Fritti*** crispy calamari with lemon aioli. This is the best calamari we have had.


B.A.T.*** Nueske’s bacon, avocado, tomato, Pure Luck feta cheese & arugula open-faced on toasted walnut bread

Margherita Pizze*** fresh mozzarella, sliced tomatoes & basil

Going Home