Barbecue Wines

     Thursday April 19, 2012

Reservations Closed
Course Pairing / Description Wine
Hors D' Oeuvres Local Watermelon And Aged Balsamic Ceviche Cracked Black Pepper, Red Onion And Mint Grilled Florida Rock Shrimp Brochettes Dijon Mustard And Honey Glaze With Pink Peppercorns
Situated south and across the River Mendoza from Mendoza city sit many vineyards and wineries. Being situated so close to the river, the vineyard has alluvial soil types, such as sandy, stony surfaces based on clay substrata. The significant benefit of being located close to a glacial river is the lower level of salinity in the water, and a lack of impurities compared with other sources of water. Torrontés is best known as the number-one Argentine white wine, but the name is actually given to three grape varieties each sharing Muscat of Alexandria as a parent grape. Argentine Torrontés is marked by its floral aromas, which are distinctive of its membership of the extended Muscat family. Its scents are often described as soapy and lightly spicy, with the smell of white flowers. Greenish yellow in color with tinges of golden. Very perfumed prevailing fruity and flowery aromas, such as white peach, roses and jasmine. Pleasant on the palate and well balanced. 85 points, Wine Advocate. 		Bodega Norton Torrontes 2009
Salad Course Organic Basil, Radicchio And Frissee Shaved Fennel. Roasted Local Plum Tomatoes, Sweet Red Onions And Shaved Asiago With Aged Balsamic Syrup
Edmeades became the first modern-day grape grower in Anderson Valley nearly 50 years ago when Dr. Edmeades planted 24 acres on his new land near Philo. In the beginning the family supplied other wineries, such as Seghesio and Parducci, The winery was sold in the late 1980’s and averaged 10 Gold Medals a year at major competitions from 1994 through 2004. During the same period, Edmeades claimed 57 critical ratings of 90 points or better, growing from just two in 1994. All the while, Zinfandel set the pace, accounting for two-thirds of both Gold Medals and 90-plus scores. This Zinfandel comes from vines planted by the Perli’s in the 1800’s and has raspberries and cinnamon spice that forms the core of the aromatics with slight volatile acidity brightening up the overall aromas and adding a zing to the finish, which is sweet on entry but ends with mouthwatering acidity. This is a powerfully explosive 15.1% Zin, fully dry, it is packed with black currants, cassis, plum jam, dark chocolate and spice flavors that are wrapped into hard tannins. 		Edmeades Perli Vineyard Zinfandel 2006
Chicken Course Chicken Thigh, Peaches And Piquillo Pepper Fritata Fire Roasted Sweet Corn Salsa With Cumin Scented Crème Fraiche
The vines of Ciapusci have more than a century of memories stored in their ancient roots. Planted in 1878 by an Italian immigrant, this is the oldest vineyard in Mendocino County. Old vines in the truest sense, the small berry clusters yield only one ton per acre of intense fruit. These ancient vines cling to well-drained soils on a ridge-top 1,800 feet above the Pacific Ocean. This 100% Zinfandel is made from the fruit of 130 year old vines aged 14 months in 64% French oak and 36% American and boasts 15.9% alcohol content. “Aromas and flavors of ripe black raspberries and black cherries balanced with minerality and a touch of earthiness on the palate. Leans toward a fuller body style, but without becoming flabby. The finish on the 07 Ciapusci is long and lingering marked with cherry tartness. The intensity of fruit and the structure that these old vines consistently provide will allow this wine to last for at least ten years in a good cellar. But, if you like your Zinfandels fresh and lively, it is drinking fine right out of the gate.” - Van Williamson, Winemaker. “The dark ruby-colored 2007 Zinfandel Ciapusci Vineyard is a peppery, spicy, intense effort with fragrant aromatics as well as full-bodied flavors with plenty of spice and earth intermixed with a hint of herbs.” Wine Advocate, 91+ points. 		Edmeades Ciapusci Vineyard Zinfandel 2007
Beef Course Grilled Skirt Steak With Chimmichurri Grilled Zucchini, Roasted Pepper-Zinfandel Reduction And Craked Pepper Roasted Local Jones Farm Potatoes
The Seghesio Family Vineyards’ roots are firmly planted in Zinfandel, as their founder, Edoardo Seghesio, first planted this historic varietal on our Alexander Valley Home Ranch in 1895. Today, they share his passion as they farm over 300 acres of estate Zinfandel in Alexander and Dry Creek valleys. Overall, 2009 was a nearly ideal growing season with gradual ripening due to cooler temperatures with daily minimums below the 30-year average. Tannins and flavors developed gradually without the usual heat spikes, but a warm September punctuated the vintage by bringing the fruit to full ripeness. Barrel-aged for 10 months in 75% American (20% new) and 25% French oak and boasts a smooth 15% alcohol content does not overpower the layered nuances of flavors and synergy of cracked pepper, tilled soil and a hint of creamy oak, is well-balanced and elegantly structured. "Bold aromas of briary wild berry and cracked pepper lead to plush and layered black raspberry, toasty sage and espresso flavors that finish with zesty tannins. Drink now through 2016." 90 Points - Wine Spectator 		Seghesio Zinfandel 2009
Dessert Course Dulce De Leche And Blueberry Cobbler Butter Cookie Crust, Cinnamon Ice Cream And Dark Chocolate Ganache
Soon after Pascual Toso arrived in Argentina, he settled in Mendoza and started working in an import business. and he He came to appreciate the exceptional quality of the grapes in the region and firmly believed that there was a promising future for winemaking in Mendoza. Since he had been involved closely with his family wine business in Piamonte, he decided to do the same in Mendoza. In 1890, Pascual Toso established his first winery in San José, Guaymallén. In 2001, the Bodega hired as winemaker consultant Paul Hobbs working head to head with chief winemaker, Rolando Luppino, on the development of premium and super-premium wines. Today, Pascual Toso still makes wines of high quality under the most exigent procedures and rules. This 100% Malbec shows fruity aromas of dark berries, plum black cherries and dark currant joined by lavender, leather and oak that comes from the 12 months in French oak barrels where malolactic fermentation takes place and continues its maturation. On the palate this wines feels dense and well structured with nice acid, medium tannins and layered flavors of ripe dark fruit, currant marmalade, cedar and oak. Enjoy this wine with your favorite cut off grilled beef, roasted lamb with vegetables, red meat sauce over pasta and aged cheeses. “This Alta Reserva has a complete harmony of color with a deep, bright red combining with violets hints. Characterized by fruity aromas, blackberry and spices, the mouth has sweet tannins with the presence of spices from oak. All these notes give persistent elegance and complexity to this wine.” Robert Parker 90 – 93 points. 		Pascula Toso Alta Reserve Malbec 2009