The weekend is almost here, what`s ready to drink?

Geese are flying through, the great horned owl is sitting on the nest....yippee could this be spring already up here?!!

Kaiken Malbec ready to go at Doris Ranch and maybe a Petaluma Riesling?

GUINNESS!

Finishing a Stella's Garden Shiraz, McLaren Vale and starting a comparison of three Pinot Noirs--a 1998 Casa Carneros, a 1999 Opitz (with grapes from Casa Carneros) and a 2004? or 2005? Selby (from plantings of a new French clone which Susie was enthusiastic about--the clone is probably not new but it is new to Selby wines).

Some friends are gathering at Lucca Restaurant in Sacramento, so I am going to bring a Supertuscan (Arcibaldo 1996), maybe a 1997 Barolo (Cavallotto), and maybe a really nice Napa blend (2000 William Harrison Rutherford Red.) We'll order wine off the menu, too.

Spring there but summer (hot and humid) here in Manila. For Saturday we're planning an evening barbecue of ribs and steaks with an Uruguayan Tannat Merlot blend, Corte Riva Merlot 2004, Corte Riva Petite Sirah 2004 and Pride Merlot 2003. Notes to follow.

[James Roscoe]

It's back to winter on the east coast. Our monthly wine group is getting together Sunday with an all-white wine theme. I was thinking of some chenin or champers. What should it be? We meet at an Italian restaurant but I have no Italian whites on hand.

We're heading out to the Point Reyes Lighthouse, perhaps to see a migrating whale or two. After that, Zari has a couple of bottles of wine which her boss let her take home from a gala event at the place where she works. I don't know what they are, but they are usually very good.

[James Roscoe]

We're heading out to the Point Reyes Lighthouse, perhaps to see a migrating whale or two. After that, Zari has a couple of bottles of wine which her boss let her take home from a gala event at the place where she works. I don't know what they are, but they are usually very good.

And best of all, they're FREE! (You old cheapskate! )

We're heading out to the Point Reyes Lighthouse, perhaps to see a migrating whale or two. After that, Zari has a couple of bottles of wine which her boss let her take home from a gala event at the place where she works. I don't know what they are, but they are usually very good.

And best of all, they're FREE! (You old cheapskate! )

No, best of all, I get to share them with a beautiful woman.

[James Roscoe]

No, best of all, I get to share them with a beautiful woman.

You are much more romantic than I am Gary. Have fun! See you Sunday in chat?

No, best of all, I get to share them with a beautiful woman.

You are much more romantic than I am Gary. Have fun! See you Sunday in chat?

What can be more romantic than a beautiful woman who brings you free wine?

Sunday Chat? If the weather is nice, I'll probably be out and about providing walking down and up the 308 stairs to the lighthouse doesn't kill me. I gotta figure that sooner or later I won't be able to do this stuff, so I gotta make hay while the sun shines.

[James Roscoe]

What can be more romantic than a beautiful woman who brings you free wine?

Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding! We have a winner! Pay the man Shirley!

I went out at lunch today and bought a bottle of 1997 Ch. Palmer. I am given to understand that this is ready to drink. Since chilly weather is expected to return to the mid-Atlantic this weekend, I'm thinking about grilled steaks and and the Palmer. Pretty fancy for me but I'm a little tired of the Bogle I've been drinking for the past few weeks.
Cheers!

With tomorrow's winter storm in mind, I just pulled a 1999 Ridge Geyserville to go with rib steaks.

Tomorrow night I am supposed to go to a party at Santa Fe Brewing Company where the wine selection is about as dismal as one would expect. Last time I was there they had 2 non-memorable reds and that was it. And I don't drink beer.

Saturday night I am dining with a former colleague who will be in town visiting. We're going to the Steaksmith (not my first choice), but at least their wine list is much better.

Tomorrow night I am supposed to go to a party at Santa Fe Brewing Company where the wine selection is about as dismal as one would expect. Last time I was there they had 2 non-memorable reds and that was it. And I don't drink beer.

Saturday night I am dining with a former colleague who will be in town visiting. We're going to the Steaksmith (not my first choice), but at least their wine list is much better.

I believe this wine list has not been updated in some time. But if it is updated, The Silver Oak '98 is at a great price.

mark

I have been reminded (upon opening the refrigerator this AM) that Saturday is St. Patrick's Day. That means Corned Beef and Cabbage; so, there goes my idea of Ch. Palmer and grilled steaks. Anyone have a suggestion regarding what goes with Corned Beef and Cabbage other than a good beer?

See the post from Howie Hart--Guinness. Possibly a basic young Rioja.

Thanks fore pointing it out, JC. Sounds like the thing to do.

[Jenise]

I have been reminded (upon opening the refrigerator this AM) that Saturday is St. Patrick's Day. That means Corned Beef and Cabbage; so, there goes my idea of Ch. Palmer and grilled steaks. Anyone have a suggestion regarding what goes with Corned Beef and Cabbage other than a good beer?

Jon, my favorite wine for corned beef is always something kind of hearty and big but more toward red fruits than black. A young Gigondas perhaps, or a zin.

Tonight my tasting group is meeting, and we have all the current release reds from a ultra-oldschool Rioja producer:

2000 R. Lopez de Heredia Rioja Viña Cubillo
1998 R. Lopez de Heredia Rioja Reserva Viña Bosconia
1987 R. Lopez de Heredia Rioja Gran Reserva Viña Tondonia

and for starters, a Spanish white:
2005 Niño Jesús Calatayud Estecillo Blanco

and probably some other wine. We're meeting in a wine store after all!

Saturday, Guiness no doubt!

Dave

Thank you, Jenise. As always, I appreciate your counsel. I think I have a Zin that will work well. (I'll do the Guinness before the meal with some Irish cheddar, perhaps.)

With tomorrow's winter storm in mind, I just pulled a 1999 Ridge Geyserville to go with rib steaks.

Diane,
I'd be interested in your take on this '99 Geezer. I just had a bottle in January. It was quite hard/unforgiving and tannic. Probably closed. I did not decant, but IIRC it did improve somewhat the longer the bottle was open.
Again, if you get a chance, please post a note.
Bill

I get to have dinner with my wife tonight!

Between work and rehearsals, that doesn't happen often these days.

She got some pork chops out of the freezer, and I'll be opening a bottle of Benton Lane 2004 Pinot Noir.

Tomorrow, Saturday, my band will be playing at a local pub, the Fox and Firkin. We may eat at the pub.