L'Objet Noir

TASTING NOTES:
The antithesis of a wimpy Pinot Noir. Very Burgundian in structure. Highlighting delicate hints of leather, mushroom and forest floor that aficionados of funky Pinot Noir will love.

PAIRS WITH:
Parliament. Leafs. Front porch bean bag. Smoky glazed ham. Or better yet, grilled pork tenderloin. I love to mix a few crazy things so here we go.  I recently grilled pork tenderloin that was marinaded in a plum preserve (you can use any dark fruit preserve and homemade is always the best), Soy sauce, sesame oil (just a little) and a pinch of salt ( reserve some of the marinade in a bowl for basting).  Leave in the fridge for about 2 hours. Baste the tenderloin while you are grilling and when done, let rest for 10 minutes. Enjoy! Download more food pairings here »

TASTING NOTES:
Textured layers of cherry, strawberry, ripe rhubarb and earth tones, splashed with a hint of chocolate, finishing with a smooth, velvety mouth feel. Wild as Friday night.

PAIRS WITH:
Sade. Manhattan penthouse. Car service. Roast goose. Or for something light and elegant, try miso glazed fish... mix together a couple of spoonfuls of red miso, soy sauce, brown sugar and lemon or lime.  I use Salmon or Halibut, put it in a zip lock bag, pour mixture in the bag and refrigerate for an hour or two.  Remove the fish from the bag and pat dry with a paper towel.  Heat a pan with about a tbls of vegetable oil and sear fish on both sides, about 4 minutes per side.  Serve over rice and maybe some roasted carrots coated with honey or brown sugar, salt and herb de Provance.

Download more food pairings here »

TASTING NOTES:
Notes of cardamom surf high atop strawberry-rhubarb waves rolling gently upon shores of earthy complexity, brilliant with bright berry fruit flavors basking on a bed of rose petals. C'est si bon.

PAIRS WITH:
Eartha Kitt. Bear skin rug. Skip dinner. Nuff said. If you're feeling peckish, perhaps something a bit exotic? Try a slow roast pork shoulder with Asian flavors... this means that I use soy sauce, hoisen sauce, fish sauce, star anise and just regular H2O.  With these sauces you don’t have to add salt because of the salt content in them.  This takes about 3-4 hours on a slow braise.  I love to serve this over polenta.  It goes really well with the earthiness of  the Bacigalupi. Download more food pairings here »

TASTING NOTES:
This wine hails from a new vineyard in the cooler Green Valley part of Russian River Valley, and is as classic and unexpected as Ella Fitzgerald singing Cream. Featuring wonderful layers of cherry, strawberry, raspberry and earth tones, splashed with a hint of chocolate, finishing with a smooth, velvety mouth feel.

PAIRS WITH:
Ella Fitzgerald. On the Lake Geneva shoreline, taking in the scenery before the Montreux Jazz Festival begins...

TASTING NOTES:
Nestled high in the Santa Rita Hills between Fe Ciega and Rita's Crown, Somerset Vineyards enjoys a microclimate distinguished by mild wind and gentle ocean mist. The concurrence of wind, mist, and deep ocean beds that underlie this terroir in Santa Rita Hills AVA makes for an unforgettable Pinot Noir. Somerset Vineyards is a biodiverse organic vineyard and farm.

PAIRS WITH:
Betty Davis. And now for something completely different...