A Look at Jazz Cellars
July 2, 2009 | by Lorrie LeBeaux | Tasting Notes
Being a person born and raised in New Orleans, a winery named Jazz Cellars intrigued me. I contacted the founders Joe Lazzera and Bob Smith after looking at their website jazzcellars.com. The story evolved because the founders and proprietors attended the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival (Jazz Fest) many years ago. They realized that they had a profound love of Jazz and wine, so the concept of Jazz Cellars was formed. I love the musical quotes on the back of the labels that remind us of the connection of New Orleans, Jazz and wine. I often write about Jazz and my classmate Lance Ellis who is a New Orleans Jazz artist and how he loves his wine and jazz. I also, have fallen in love with the Boney James CD “Sweet Thing.” Now, I can add Jazz Cellars wines to my list of new found loves. I liked all of the wines, and as a mother of two, we don’t have a favorite child, but I must say I am in love with the Jazz Cellars Syrah 2006 Las Madres Vineyard Carneros, and the Jazz Cellars 2007 Zinfandel Sonoma County. Continue…
Music and Wine Pairings
March 29, 2009 | by Lorrie LeBeaux | Entertaining
I have already written an article about my high school classmate Mr. Lance Ellis; but I have to do a follow-up article to describe my music and wine pairing experience. On March 14th, 2009, I celebrated my “late forty-something “ birthday. I decided to have a “Girl’s Night In” birthday celebration which wine was the star libation. Prior to the gathering I wondered what music would be playing in the background to create the perfect wine and food pairing ambience; Lance’s CD popped into my head. So, while out running errands for my party, I listened to his CD ‘Thinking of You’. I really liked it and felt it would set the right tone for my gathering of some of my best friends, along with some of my favorite appetizers.
When my guest entered, they loved the candlelight, their first sip of bubbly and the music. I was asked by several of my guest what artist was playing, I replied, “Why my high school classmate Lance Ellis.” They noted after the party how the music helped make the evening a success. Lance is a Jazz Saxophonist and a wine lover. So, naturally we have a kinship that all Oenophiles have; the love of wine. Continue…
Bogle Petite Sirah 2006
February 28, 2009 | by Jason Bordley | Reds, Tasting Notes
I had recently heard good things about the 2006 Bogle Petite Sirah on multiple blogs, as well as a recent episode of Wine Library TV. It was unanimous that this was an excellent value wine to be had for around $9-$10. I decided that I would pick up a bottle the next time I was at a Wine and Spirit Shoppe. So, on my last trip to the wine shop I found and purchased a bottle (though it was more like $12-$13).
Upon opening the bottle I was greeted with light aromas of black berries and currents. I poured the first glass and took notice to the deep, dark color that is typical of a classic Petite Sirah. I gave a few swirls. Notes of black berries, cherries and currants were basically over flowing out of the glass. On the palate were jammy black fruit components along with notes of prunes, pepper, oak, and a hint of vanilla. It had a well balanced, full body mouth feel, with a good long finish.
I believe this has become a new favorite of mine, for both its price and its quality. Its the kind of wine you keep on hand and bring out when your just hanging out with friends, or you just want a nice wine to enjoy with out breaking the bank or taking from your collection.
[$13.09 / WS 88pts.]
Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Chardonnay 2007
February 19, 2009 | by Lorrie LeBeaux | Tasting Notes, Whites
The nose is of tropical fruit with oak all integrated together. The flavors of pineapple, mango and a little banana, citrus, and smoke creates the finish. The smoke which is the oak coming through makes me think this wine would be great with chicken or fish.
Lorrie LeBeaux writes Life’s Little Luxuries Newsletter @ lifeslittleluxuriesnewsletters.com
Rodney Strong Charlotte’s Home Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2007
January 26, 2009 | by Lorrie LeBeaux | Tasting Notes, Whites
This light crisp white wine has one of the most aromatic noses I’ve ever smelled in a Sauvignon Blanc. You smell pear, melon and other citrus notes.The finish has the expected mineral and grassiness of a Sauvignon Blanc, but it does not overpower the fruit.
I love this wine alone or with a salad topped with grilled chicken, Manchego cheese, croutons and Ken’s Buttermilk Ranch Dressing. The wine cuts through the richness of the dressing and cheese to create a delightful meal. This wine would also be great with fried fish or grilled fish with a cream sauce. The wine retails for $15.00 and can be purchased at www.rodneystrong.com. Most wine retailers will have this wine available in their stores.
Lorrie LeBeaux writes Life’s Little Luxuries Newsletter @ lifeslittleluxuriesnewsletters.com
Wine Rescue
January 15, 2009 | by Jason Bordley | Wine + Science
Corked wine gotcha down? Economy got you buying cheap wine with new “interesting” flavors. Well, before you throw in the towel, and the bottle out, perhaps you should read this article that I found on the NY Times site. The author goes through different tricks for subtly changing the flavors of wine. Including a trick that could save that bottle of corked wine with a sheet of plastic wrap.
For a Tastier Wine, the Next Trick Involves …
Electric Field Aging
January 13, 2009 | by Jason Bordley | Technology, Wine + Science
I stumbled across a very interesting article about “aging” wine by using an electric field. Basically, scientist at the University of Burgundy are able to age red wine by using a technique that involves passing the wine through a set of high-voltage electrodes, thereby cutting back the typical aging process from years, to just months. [NewScientist]
MontGras Reserva Carmenère 2007
January 12, 2009 | by Jason Bordley | Reds
I recently picked up a bottle of MontGras Reserva Carmenère 2007. I had heard good things about it (Robert Parker gave it 90pts) and decided this would be a good choice, and at $12, a great value too.
Upon opening the wine, the nose was very tight. I could not make much of the aromas within the glass. However, after letting it sit for a bit, about 30 minutes, it slowly began to open up. I was able to get light aromas of black fruit, cherries and hints of herbs. It had a nice medium-bodied mouth feel, with flavors of black fruits, cherries, plums, peppers and a hint of vanilla on the finish.
I let about half a bottle sit over night – what a difference that made. The flavors were much more intense. I wouldn’t say the flavors changed in regards to “what” I tasted, but the flavors that I had tasted the night before definitely become more pronounced and more defined.
I would suggest that if you pick this up, make sure you decant it for a couple of hours before serving to your guest or enjoying with your dinner.
[$12 / WE 90pts.]
2006 Rodney Strong Russian River Valley Reserve Pinot Noir
January 9, 2009 | by Lorrie LeBeaux | Reds, Tasting Notes
Pinot Noir is a tricky varietal to purchase in my opinion. There are many styles to choose from, but many wine reviewers miss the fact that wine is made from fruit. The fruit is a grape; and I feel that that fruit should be apparent in all varietals. So, I had no idea how this wine would taste, even though I love Rodney Strong wines. To me, wine has a life of its own. So when I open a bottle, the wine will always tell its tale.
This wine was lovely, smooth, and had dark fruit flavors with hints of spice and earthiness that gave it structure. I paired this wine with seared salmon, and it was a perfect pairing. I also like that the wine was great on its own. The winemaker, Rick Sayre, got this one right! This wine retails for $50.00 and can be purchased at rodneystrong.com
Lorrie LeBeaux writes Life’s Little Luxuries Newsletter @ lifeslittleluxuriesnewsletters.com
Mortality and the Aging Process
October 11, 2008 | by Lorrie LeBeaux | Lifestyle
Let me start by saying, I am not a doctor. I hold a B.S. degree in Public Health/Health Education from Dillard University of New Orleans. My other credentials include, that I’ve been a wine enthusiast for over 25 years. It started when I entered college, and is still a passion of mine until today.
I decided to do some research on wine and mortality and the aging process. I went back to the 1700’s and 1800’s. I researched Benjamin Franklin who lived in the 1700’s. He loved wine, and has a wine quote from Beekman Wines and Liquors in Glen Rock, N. J. “Wine makes daily living easier, less hurried, with fewer tensions and more tolerance.” —- Attributed to Benjamin Franklin. Go to www.beekmanwine.com/factsquotes.htm to read all the wine facts and quotes. I agree with Ben Franklin. When I have a glass or two of wine, I feel calmer and ready to solve some of my problems. Benjamin Franklin lived in the 1700’s, born in 1706 and died in 1790. This was before modern medicine, and the life expectancy was age 41. Benjamin Franklin lived to the ripe old age of 84; this was twice the life expectancy age of 41 years old. Back then, life was filled with disease that shortened the average person’s life span. The wine in which Ben Franklin drank, I’m assuming was a Bordeaux or red wine. We now know that there is a molecule that is an active ingredient in red wine called reservatrol. This is called the wonder substance to work the same way as does calorie cutting. The dramatic reduction in calories has been shown to increase the life span of mice, rats, and monkeys. Go to www.news.harvard.edu/gazette/2003/09.18/12-anti-aging.html. So, it could be that, the red wine made old Ben Franklin out live his peers! And maybe that’s why he was an inventor. I know that when I drink I think and when I think I drink. So, the wine has some advantages.
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