After a week spent in the FL Keys with Andrew, we felt that we deserved a night out. So, entrusting the Progeny to our babysitter Iris, we decamped to Indianapolis (Zionsville, actually) for a night out. With a dinner that started with a salad of mixed greens with prosciutto, Parmagiano Reggiano, poached pears and pinenuts, we had:
2004 Huber Hugo Grüner Veltliner nose: green peas, pepper palate: moderate body, typical flavors, decent acidity, short finish
2004 Cline Cote D'Oakley n: citrus and bergamot p: intensely citrusy (lemon turning to grapefruit) and herbal (bergamot mostly), it had an oily mouthfeel; interesting
With our main courses of venison osso bucco and cornish game hen we had:
2004 Twisted Oak Tempranillo n: initially oaky with volatile acidity, turning to butterscotch, leather, and sappy berry fruit p: good acidity, medium body, typical tempranillo flavors
This last wine was the most intersting. It tasted quite different with Jean's venison than it did with my bird. In her case, it had quite a typical Tempranillo flavor, but with my dish the oak was more in evidence. Still, this Calaveras County wine was the best example of Tempranillo from CA that I've yet had.
Mark Lipton