Archive for the ‘Featured’ Category
Recently tasted the 2006 Armada from Cayuse Vineyards in Walla Walla, and it blew us away. Their fifth vineyard, Armada, planted in 2001, contains 3 acres of Grenache, 3 acres of Syrah and 1 acre of Mourvedre. With four feet between vines and five feet between rows, 2178 vines were planted per acre—nearly double the standard vine quantity—and easily marks it as the highest density vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley. Cayuse Vineyards is bio-dynamically farmed and even the most labor intensive tasks are performed manually.
Paul and I recently enjoyed the 2006 Amuse Bouche with our wives on a night out in Houston and it was spectacular. The name Amuse Bouche is a French noun meaning “amusement for the mouth”, and that it is 
. Each vintage is quite literally, a work of art. The 2006 bottle artwork was created by Louisiana artist George Rodrigue, best known for his famous loup-garou or Blue Dog. This Pomerol-style Merlot/Cabernet Franc blend is made from some of the best grape sources in the Napa Valley. The winemaker is Heidi Barrett who Robert Parker has called “the first lady of wine.” If you have ever had a wine made by Heidi Barrett, you know that they always display impeccable balance.
Paul and I really enjoyed a magnum of this wonderful right bank Pomerol-style wine made by famous winemaker Heidi Peterson Barrett. The name Amuse Bouche is a French noun meaning “amusement for the mouth”, and that it is The bottle artwork on the offerings is a conversation piece unto itself. The artwork on the 2004 was done by renowned Napa Valley artist Ira Yeager http://www.irayeager.com/.
Paul and I recently purchased three bottles of the 2003 Fleury Passionne at the Culture Shapers charity wine auction held in Houston, TX. Culture Shapers is a group of Houston-area businessmen and women who are dedicated to serving student artists in many ways, including unique visual and performing arts contests. If you attend High School in Harris, Waller, Liberty, Chambers, Galveston, Brazoria, Fort Bend or Montgomery counties – you are eligible to compete for more than $100,000 in cash prizes! The Culture Shapers web page can be found at http://www.cultureshapers.com
Paul and I received our 2007 shipment of Black Kite Cellars complete lineup late last year and we have been patiently laying them down in the cellar. The other night we broke out one of their 2007 Stony Terrace and it was drinking very well. Black Kite cellars is a family owned and run artisan producer of hand crafted, terrior driven Pinto Noir.
Posted on 2008 09, 06 by pcook
On a wonderful summer day, low humidity, lower 90’s, my son’s first football game of the season (tied last year’s super bowl champions 7 to 7), AND a first tasting of the 2006 Leviathan. We sat outside and had out first taste and wow…
The nose comes at you like a sniper. Our first impressions revealed tons of dark fruit with a hint
Posted on 2008 07, 31 by pcook
Last night, being my last night in Houston for at least five days, we decided to have a party, of course. We all met at the normal stomping gound, Cellar-17.
Had the 2003 Dyer Cabernet yesterday at Cellar 17 in Houston and really enjoyed it.
80% Cabernet, 20% Cab Franc, Only 380 cases made.
On the nose hints of ripe dark fruit,
