Wines and Dining

My friend Scott Carpenter and I got together the other day to try a few wines. Out of the three, Jayson 2000 proprietary red was really the nicest. We ate jamon serrano and fig bread from Spain while we pondered the infinite over a luscious glass of this wonderful California red. Here are some impressions of the wine.

The Jayson 2000 proprietary red by Pahlmeyer: A crimson purple color but clear and refined is intensely fragrant with a strong nose of black currant and ripe plums with earth, leather and bramble. An opulent and silky feel in the mouth with a nice combination of dark fruit, butterscotch and smoky wood flavors. The concentrated, finish is smooth and supple with a long, rich aftertaste. I would highly recommend this wine.

Now on another note...... Some wines of the Santa Lucia Highlands, one of my favorite AVA regions for Pinot Noir, namely the Pisoni Vineyards wines and there sister label Lucia. Gary Pisoni the irreverent maverick of this region is bringing new heights to Pinot Noir in California. One of the few regions that boasts a subsurface of limestone, the heart and soul of the great Burgundies, the Pisoni Estate and Lucia wines are destined for greatness. Now with Gary's sons taking the torch of the wine business for the family grapes their destiny of greatness is being expedited. Gary Pisoni is a farmer with great foresight. His ability to choose sites and strains is uncanny. In less than ten years, Gary has developed the notoriety as some of the most well known wineries of Napa enjoy.

As of March 15, the new release of Lucia wines is exciting and frustrating. These are some of the finest wines for the money available. Unfortunately, they only produce small quantities of each. So finding them is difficult. Often only relegated to fine dining is a shame since the restauranteurs generally charge 2.5 times the actual cost depriving many of the great pleasure experience of these products. Not to say that it is impossible but when you see these gems in your local wine shop snap them up before it is too late. Look to the future when you will be able to visit one of the most scenic vineyard locations in central California complete with caves and tasting room. But until then just find the wine and relish in its greatness!