I read an article about the Blackbird winery in November 2008 issue of the Robb Report and had been looking for it ever since in Houston. Blackbird wines can be found at Brix Wine Bar in Houston and you can find a link to their web site in the Blogroll on the front page of this site.
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.
Recently Paul and I enjoyed the 2005 Bressler Cabernet which is new to the Houston area, and is distributed by Red4Wine. The Winemaker is the very accomplished and respected Mia Klein, and the Vineyard Manager is David Abreau. For those that follow this site or premium wines from California, you will notice that wherever David is involved quality wine is sure to follow.
I had this great wine on Friday afternoon at Vintage Park in north Houston with my wife and two good friends in a business meeting( of course…while sitting outside in beautiful weather).
The color is deep garnet, little purple around the edges. The color seduces our group as we talk dull business stuff.
The nose is very fresh, has a berry component with chocolate highlights. Dark chocolate covered cherries describe the opulent characteristics of this nose. Although this wine has fairly high alcohol content, the balance is exceptional. The mouth feel is very nice, subtle, while still being full and weighty. The tannins are like satin and silk on the finish. Yes, we want more but the bottle is done and so is the meeting. Hmmm… A new cult wine?
Last week Paul and I really enjoyed the 2006 Cuyuse “En Cerise” Syrah. Cayuse was founded in the Walla Walla Valley of Washington in 1996 by Christophe Baron after spotting a plot of land that had been plowed up to reveal acres of softball-sized stones. He became ridiculously excited. This stony soil, this terroir, reminded him of vineyards he had visited in France and Spain. The difficult ground would stress the grapevines, making them produce more mature, concentrated fruit. Christophe Baron had found a new home.
Last night we went to Cellar17 and really enjoyed a bottle of highly allocated syrah from Cayuse. Cayuse was founded in the Walla Walla Valley of Washington in 1996 by Christophe Baron after spotting a plot of land that had been plowed up to reveal acres of softball-sized stones. He became ridiculously excited. This stony soil, this terroir, reminded him of vineyards he had visited in France and Spain. The difficult ground would stress the grapevines, making them produce more mature, concentrated fruit. Christophe Baron had found a new home.
In celebration of the US National Day of Wine Drinking on Wednesday the usual gang had a themed evening of Shiraz (Syrah) as our varietal of choice. The 2000 Penfolds “RWT” (Red Winemaking Trial), the name given to the wine internally when development work began on it in 1995 was the last wine of the night and boy did it ever shine. Harvey Steinman of Wine Spectator had a really nice article in the October 18, 2008 issue entitled “Aging Australia’s Reds” and I would have to agree that Australian Shiraz of note is very age worthy. :-)
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.
Paul and I enjoyed this wine with our wives and a few good friends last night at Brix wine bar in Houston, located in the new Vintage Park complex at Louetta Rd and FM 249 in Houston, TX. We had several of the wines from Rubicon last night including the Merlot, and Cask, but this was the star. Although 2003 was not an overall good vintage for California this wine is impressive and is much better than the reviews it received upon it’s release with the notoriously low scoring (IMO) ST giving it a 91.
Last night everyone got together at Paul and Carol’s house to watch the last of the 2008 Presidential debates, and of course drink some good wine. The 1998 vintage of Williams Selyem was the first from winemaker Bob Cabral who is still making the wine for Williams Slyem today. Imagine the pressure he must have felt taking over as wine maker for a winery that already had a very strong cult following. Williams Selyem is one of the most sought after age worthy Pinot’s in all of America, and this wine was proof positive of it’s staying power, and it’s great following.
