A Little B&B (Beringer & Burgers)

2004 Beringer "Private Reserve" Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa, Ca ($0.00 at Ben Caitlin's House)
On a gorgeous day in Pacific Grove, we went to our friend Ben's house to borrow his Kayak. Upon loading it into my truck, we noticed two stemless crystal glasses and a half bottle of this. The color was deep garnet. The bouquet displayed aromas of red currants and reminded us of a dusty attic. Good wine. It wasn't overtly fruit-forward like some offensive Napa Cabs can be. We drank this at 17th Street Grill, who claim to have the best burgers in town. However, the Beringer made the experience. Not the burgers. Since we snuck this in, we didn't pay corkage and that was cool.

Chilean Cab. and Chinese

2010 Casa Lapastolle Cabernet Sauvignon, Rapel Valley, Chile ($14)
Since we were sipping Grand Cru Champagne all day, it was hard to walk into a liquor store and find something worthwhile. But, we were headed to eat Chinese food in Chinatown, San Francisco and our expectations weren't too high. So, we bought this, put it in a brown paper bag and quaffed it on the way to our new favorite restaurant Sam Wo. We sipped it out of our of Dixie cups and they didn't charge us corkage. Fig, cassis and plum characteristics paired well with the experience.

Pessac-Leognan

Pessac-Leognon
2005 Chateau Picque Caillou - I bought this one from Bistro Moulin for $75 to blind-taste Ben Edwards and Arturo Salazar. It tasted austere. There was not much fruit, but that’s why I like the wines from this part of Bordeaux. There were some nuances of cedar and resin. I saved some for the next day and it didn’t taste much better. Last tasted fall of 2010 Drink now 
2004 Château Le Pape – Pessac Leognan – 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. I get a dark berries and really funky ammonia quality that reminds me of the skin of brie cheese. The color looks like it could stain your feet purple like fresh ink would. The 30 year-old vines are at the highest elevation in Pessac Leognan and Chateau Carbonnieux is next door. This winery has been around since the 12th Century and was owned by Bishop Clement before he became a pope. See what wine is capable of? This was left over from a Bicyclette tasting. Kris took a left-over half bottle of Viader and I took this. I think I got the better deal. Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2015 
2004 Ch. Olivier, Pessac Leognan (rouge) - I felt like I was back in Bordeaux drinking from a wine skin. It was very clean. I remember staggering around town with purple teeth looking in all the wine shops and market places. I got to meet Damien's old boss who had tried to set up a tasting for me. I groveled in mortification. Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2015 
2003 Carmes Haut-Brion (Pessac-Leognon) - Real ripe, hot vintage with peppery nuances. This wine showcased bright fruit and reminded me of a 00' Ch Magdelaine. The aromatics were more enjoyable than the mouthfeel, probably because the wine is too young to be drunk. Kind of austere, yet nice and luscious. Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2015 

Cabernet Sauvignon - Columbia Valley

2003 Chateau St. Michelle Cabernet Sauvignon - This wine was elegant and had a crushed velvet character. I thought it was a Chilean Cab blend, but there wasn't enough terroir to prove my point. The eucalyptus mixed with the willow-bark took away from the fact that this was a $15 fruit bomb from Washington. I was suddenly feeling stoned from the Sativa. Last tasted 8/18/07 Drink now-2015 

Cabernet Sauvignon - Howell Mountain

1998 Dunn Cabernet, Howell Mountain - Ted brought this high-end gem that reminded me of the old world. With the exception of the highly extracted disposition of the wine, it truly reminded me of Europe. It was dirty like a baseball field or a Pichon Baron from Pauillac, but it reminded me of walking the trail down to that one secret spot in Big Sur. It had some dry oak and teas leaves that you might smell after you ran over a skunk. This one must have a long life ahead. The center was black and there wasn't much rim variation. It did have that candied cherry tobacco that Howell displays from time to time. Ted takes over, we all go home. Last tasted 9/4/07 Drink now-2015 

Cabernet Sauvignon - Mountain Vineyards

2005 Pride Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon –At first, the wine had nuances of: dust, bell pepper, chocolate, and mint. As the wine opened up, it seemed to have more fruit. It seemed a bit tight at first, but it blossomed with aeration. Last tasted fall of 2010 (table four) Drink now-2015 

1988 Diamond Creek "Red Rock Terrace" - this was a rainy vintage that might have been picked under ripe. The label read 12.5% and the earthy espresso grinds on my teeth gave it an Old World character. Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2015 

Cabernet Sauvignon - Oakville

2004 Ghostblock Cab. Sauvignon. Oakville - Lot's of dry earth with cassis, violets and chocolates. It was big with luscious espresso dirt that would explode in your mouth like "Pop Rocks" for terroirsts. I got so much earth from a baseball field that it's spooky. Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2015 

2004 Groth Cabernet, Oakville $75 – Pretty rough wine with nuances of herbaceous crème de cassis. Would somebody save these guys $70 and buy them a five-dollar Chilean cabernet blend. Last tasted 9/26/07Drink now-2015 

2003 Detert Cab Franc, Oakville - Cinnamon-cherry candy that reminded me of the candy on the outside of a candy apple. It had a Big Red bubble gum aroma that was a bit pepperminty. The wine was masculine, but had a feminine elegance that stood out amongst the "Big Boys" Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2015 

Cabernet Sauvignon - Napa

2005 Raymond “Generations” – this one was tasted out of a double magnum. Table seven brought this one in and it had a perceived sweetness. There were nuances of black licorice and cassis. It was thick. The wine had a lot of oak and alcohol, but not much backbone. Not my style but a lot of people would love this wine. Last tasted summer of 2010 Drink now-2015 
2005 Honig Cabernet The minty eucalyptus scent goes well with its flat cola taste. The flavors are well extracted and it seems as if you’re rubbing your tongue on crushed velvet. Why would anyone do that? Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2015 
2004 Karl Lawrence Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa - Real luscious, dark and true to its appalachian. The wines tannins were quite present and velvety, but they didn't coat your teeth. Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2015 

2003 Lamborne Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa – It was quite extracted, but not over done. No bitter edge or tooth-coating tannins. It had a nice backbone with plenty of ripe fruit. It was luscious, but had a heavy middle palette. Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2015 

1999 Chateau Montelena – It seemed real masculine and quite rough and tumble. This wine had some great backbone and will improve with age. It was pure black in the glass, real focused but not quite ready to be drunk. Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2015 

1997 Cardinale, Napa - If you put this wine in a decanter, it would still taste too young. The tannins were luscious, not tooth-coating and displayed anis flavors. This was like a black viscous powerhouse that's quite austere for a New World wine. Last tasted 8/10/07 Drink now-2015 

1996 Montelena Cabernet, Napa – this fruit bomb has nice tannins that are clearly mellow and mature. It’s doing that espresso-grind lava rocks thing. Last tasted 10/15/07 Drink now-2015 

Cabernet Sauvignon - Alexander Valley

2005 Geyser Peak Cabernet Sauvignon – I had some of this with Blaine and it was a little over-oaked and watery. For $14, this wine tasted good after being opened after a day, which is a good sign. None of it was wasted. Last tasted winter of 2010 Drink now 

1998 Silver Oak, Alexander Valley – I taste a funky year with plenty of mildew. Maybe "Brett" Favre would like this? Let's take a bottle of this and some left over steak and head to "Sewer Peak". This must be a two-foot west swell with a long interval. There must have been a sewer spill with little rodents cheering from the sewer. Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2015 

Cabernet Sauvignon - Carmel Valley

2006 Parsonage Cabernet Sauvignon – The English folks on table 14 ordered this one and they didn’t like it because of the 15% alcohol content. At $150 the wine was probably too young to drink as the tight tannins had a little too much grip. The fruit was there, just locked away. Last tasted fall of 2010 Drink now-2016

Cote-Rotie

2003 Cote-Rotie "La Sarrasine" Domaine Bonserine ($385 case) the flavors have been stewed down as a bean ragout may have been put on a side plate. Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2020 

Haut-Medoc

2004 Ch. Beaumont, Haut-Medoc - complex nose, but watery in the center of the palette. Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2015 
2003 Château Cantemerle Cabernet (blend) - Haut Médoc, (Bordeaux) France
It’s youthful, masculine, tannic and delicious. The wine’s earthy notes go well with its subtle cigar box and pencil shaving qualities. Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2015 
2001 Chateau Coufron, Haut-Medoc ($209 case) - too old and a bit bitter. Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2015 

Pessac-Leognan

Pessac-Leognon
2005 Chateau Picque Caillou - I bought this one from Bistro Moulin for $75 to blind-taste Ben Edwards and Arturo Salazar. It tasted austere. There was not much fruit, but that’s why I like the wines from this part of Bordeaux. There were some nuances of cedar and resin. I saved some for the next day and it didn’t taste much better. Last tasted fall of 2010 Drink now 
2004 Château Le Pape – Pessac Leognan – 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. I get a dark berries and really funky ammonia quality that reminds me of the skin of brie cheese. The color looks like it could stain your feet purple like fresh ink would. The 30 year-old vines are at the highest elevation in Pessac Leognan and Chateau Carbonnieux is next door. This winery has been around since the 12th Century and was owned by Bishop Clement before he became a pope. See what wine is capable of? This was left over from a Bicyclette tasting. Kris took a left-over half bottle of Viader and I took this. I think I got the better deal. Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2015 
2004 Ch. Olivier, Pessac Leognan (rouge) - I felt like I was back in Bordeaux drinking from a wine skin. It was very clean. I remember staggering around town with purple teeth looking in all the wine shops and market places. I got to meet Damien's old boss who had tried to set up a tasting for me. I groveled in mortification. Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2015 
2003 Carmes Haut-Brion (Pessac-Leognon) - Real ripe, hot vintage with peppery nuances. This wine showcased bright fruit and reminded me of a 00' Ch Magdelaine. The aromatics were more enjoyable than the mouthfeel, probably because the wine is too young to be drunk. Kind of austere, yet nice and luscious. Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2015 

Super Tuscan

2001 "Dagromis" - Gaja - As far as I can tell, it showed a little closed in. It has the truffle, tar and rose petal characteristics. It was dusty and a little astringent, but probably just too young right now. Tasted on table 33 with Perez and the Southern guys. Last tasted 8/10/07 Drink now-2018 

2000 Ornellia - Tenuta della Ornellia - tasted this $290 - this was juicy yet very dark and masculine. Quite modern in style because it could've passed for a Mount Veeder, but much better. It was juicy and drinking well. Still a bit too young but very promising. Last tasted on 9/6/07 Drink now-2020 

1995 Luce Frescobaldi, Tuscany – chewy earth with cherry vanilla tobacco. I’m guessing there was some American oak used? The tannins were mellow and the cracked black pepper mixed with dust, black currant and black olive impressed me. It was lusciously lean and had backbone. Tasted this in the Milagro. The big party was drinking a younger Shafer cab that was a bit too young so I stepped it up ($120) Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2014 

1988 Solaia 8/20/07 - mushrooms, tomatoes, and a soft finish. There was some spearmint involved, but it was astringent. Can I get a slice of pizza? Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2010 

1985 Tignanello, Antinori $375 - tasted on 9/6/07 with the people who came from Vegas to spend $1,000 worth of wine at lunch time. I love Casanova! The vanilla and cherries made this wine quite approachable. Its orange rim made the tannins just soft enough to finish like it was food. Delicate roundness and oh so drinkable. Drinking very well. Last tasted 2007 Drink now-2015 

Lexus Grand Tasting

Lexus Grand Tasting at Pebble Beach Food & Wine

It was nice to cleanse the palette with M.V. Nicolas Feuillette Brut Rose’. This bubbler comes from Chouilly, which is a sub-region of Reims, which is within the region of Champagne, which is in the boundaries of one of the best wine producing regions on the planet, France. It had aromas of bubble gum, cherries and other red fruits.

The winemaker of the 2010 Chateau Desclans “Whispering Angel” Rose’(pictured above), visited us from Provence, France and I commended him for his delicious drink. When I worked at Marinus, my fellow employees and I would make rap songs about this remarkable beverage, “It’s crisp, it’s clean, fen to make you scream. Whispering Angel Son!”

2009 Lail “Blueprint” Sauvignon Blanc, Napa.
It was new world in style in that it wasn’t waxy like a white Bordeaux, but citrusy like a Central Valley tangerine.

2007 Au Bon Climat “Hildegard” Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris and Aligote’, Santa Maria Valley
This somehow reminded me of a white a white Burgundy. The assistant winemaker told me that the Corton Charlemagne was believed to be a grape clone of Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris and Aligote’. I never knew that. Thanks for filling me in dude (assistant winemaker).

2008 Rombauer Chardonnay, Napa
Romabauer Chardonnay has become a wine descriptor. It is: buttery, oak, delicious and sommeliers hate it, because it caters to the masses and they no longer have leverage. It was so cool to meet the owner. That guy was a baller.

2007 Domaine Serene “Evenstad Reserve” Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon
Am I tasting Cote de Nuits Pinot Noir? This beauty was seductive and had lots of red fruit aromas like that of Burgundy. It had tannin. It had backbone.

2008 Numanthia “Termes” Toro, Spain
“It takes two vines two produce one bottle,” said the super-hot French chick pouring this Spanish wine. “Oh and they crush the grapes by foot too,” she said. That’s hot. The wine was too, but in a ripe, dark fruit-way.

2008 Barnett Spring Cabernet Sauvignon, Spring Mountain, Napa
The chocolate dust was distinct and delicious. This booth was near the massage table.

The Massage Table
I can’t afford a massage. This one was free, so I gave Yoeli a 10-spot for her efforts. She was more sensual than any of the wines.

Pelegrino
Drink as much water as wine. This booth took awhile.

Carmel Valley Roasting Company
Foglifter? It’s gorgeous outside. I’m still slightly buzzed, and feeling good.

Electronic Moleskin

The 2009 Bois de Lamothe from the Côtes de Duras region of France weighed in with a 13% alcohol content and seemed to go down smooth. Its color was dark and inky like a Syrah might be, but it wasn't quite as bitter and burly. There were some dark berry aromas that co-existed with the earthy nuances of: clay and horse manure. Sure, no one likes the idea of smelling clay and horse manure, but in the wine world these are just a couple of descriptors that can be a good thing. The wine was balanced in that it wasn't over-oaked and reminiscent of a sawdust cocktail. Apparently, Côtes de Duras is to the east of Bordeaux, so it's no surprise that the chalk/dust-like flavors of Merlot shine through. Not bad for $3.99.

As for the surf today, the wind was from the south and the waves were thick. I slept in my truck and rode my '7"0 Pearson Arrow baby swallow tail. It was high tide in the morning and it was breaking close to the beach. Sea Lions gathered around just outside of the surf as if they were trying to help their odds of being chomped by the guy in the gray suit. The air seemed somewhat warm for February and the rain added an element that made me want to listen to the Cure's hit song, Charlotte Sometimes.

The water was cold though, and the holes in my 4mm Hotline didn't seem to lift my spirits. On one left, I paddled hard and tried to hug the wall of the wave, but dropped too low because it was pitching more than it was tall. I grabbed my rail to hook it, but it was too late. I air dropped and my board began to slide sideways. I was on the foam ball in the barrel, but was stationary. I didn't come out, but I got a good view. No one was around.

The 2009 Bois de Lamothe tasted better because I shared it with a friend. If I surfed with a buddy, I would have had more fun.