Well, I nailed the prediction for the Seahawks in my last Bits & Bobs (check it out if you don’t believe me). I said the Hawks would spank the Eagles, and they did just that. Pete Caroll kept silent on the sidelines and let the Hawks do what they do…Win big games. No fake this or that, no unnecessary challenges. Bevells still made some bonehead calls as he does so frequently. With Russell and crew, they worked around his play calling and executed when they needed to. All in all it was a great game. It’s amazing to me what they can do with such a weak offensive line. What about Mike Davis? I was very impressed with his running. Maybe they have found a solid starter. We will wait and see. One can only hope the Eagles beat the Rams next week and even things out.
The Wine Spectator came out with their Top 100 wines for 2017. As most of you know, I am very skeptical about any magazine that rates wine and is paid by the same wineries they score, for advertising in their periodical. They of course claim to taste and judge all the wines in the blind format. I have a ton of respect for anyone with a passion for wine that these folks have, but still have reservations. Just remember, wine is one of the most subjective items on the planet. Don’t run out and try to get your hands on one of the top thirty just because they picked it. Consult with a trusted wine steward that you deal with all the time and ask their opinion. They know your palate (hopefully) and will guide you appropriately.
That being said, The Spectator put 2015 Kendall-Jackson Chardonnay at #28 on their list. At $17. that’s an interesting choice. Of course, I had to buy a bottle to see what they discovered to garner such a prestigious position in their Top 100. At first taste, their was nothing that stood out to me that would make me pause and reflect, which is what it would take to make me score it so high. It had good balance. It was smooth and delicious with butterscotch and tropical fruit notes. The finish was medium to long. I probably could find eight to ten in the same price range that might be equal or better. Here is the kicker. I consumed half the bottle, putting the rest in the fridge. Two days later, I pulled it out and tried it again. It held up beautifully, tasting almost identical to the first time around. That is impressive! If you are a chard drinker, you no doubt have consumed KJ at some point in your life. I think this vintage is worthy of revisiting. Top 100? Not sure about that, but it is well made juice.
As we trek towards Christmas, keep your eye on my You Tube channel, Stan The Wine Man TV. I will be focusing on wines that go with prime rib or ham. I am putting an episode up tomorrow that will feature reds made from the noble grape Nebbiolo. Barolo and Barbaresco are classic expressions of this grape, but usually need some age before they are ready to drink. Langhe Rosso which is Nebbiolo can be found for next to nothing compared to it’s bigger siblings, but still packs that Nebbiolo flavor without needing the age. I believe that Nebbiolo is a perfect pairing with ham, which many of you will cook up for Christmas dinner. Along with Nebbiolo, Pinot Noir is a classic pairing with ham, so I hope to review a few of those in upcoming episodes. Of course, I will review some big reds to go with prime rib, a common Christmas meal (one that I look forward to). I have in the queue an episode featuring Petite Sirah as well as Cabernet Sauvignon and some big blends.
I really appreciate all you that take the time to watch my You Tube channel. I do my best to make them entertaining and informative. If you have any ideas for me for future episodes please let me know through email or by commenting on this blog or on You Tube. Any input is appreciated. Sometimes I just need a little help to get those creative juices flowing. Also, if you could subscribe to my channel that would be awesome. The more subscribers, the more privileges on You Tube. My goal is to hit 500 subscribers by the end of 2018. You can make that possible.
Susie and I are getting very excited for our upcoming trip to South Africa. I have set up a couple more appointments with wineries, which I hope will make it on my You Tube channel. We booked a safari and have put some of the final touches on accommodations. I even hope to get a round of golf in while we are in Cape Town (the least of my priorities of course, but silly not to experience it). It always makes such a huge difference in your perspective when you actually visit a particular wine region. The experience is priceless, and it helps one visualize what you are actually writing about. Very exciting indeed. It should give me a ton of material for this blog.
Cheers!
Stan The Wine Man
