Holiday Party Season

December 7, 2016December 7, 20161 Comment

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Here’s the exciting yet confusing part of the holidays for me. I have a plethora of options to go with for this week. That’s also the dilemma. Which one feels right? No matter what I go with, there’s going to be second guessing. It’s the Christmas season. Would you expect anything less? And I think we can relate to that with just about any scenario. What’s the perfect gift to give someone? What’s that perfect note, card or message that we would like to convey? What’s that perfect fill-in-the-blank?

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Perfect is a relative term. We have to be careful with setting ourselves for a colossal letdown or disappointment. I’ll tell you something, the wine I’m going to write about is anything but a letdown or a reason to fret. The Lost Order No. 191 from Boordy Vineyards is close enough to the perfect holiday wine that you forget about all the other hangups and insecurities that may come into your life during this season. I may be projecting a bit but someone out there must relate. If not, then this post is in vain. But I’ll continue nevertheless.

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This continues my posts in support of local business. I’ve written about Boordy countless times before, but figure it’s been long enough that it didn’t run its course. I hope so. Circumstances prevented myself, along with good pals, from attending the last couple of wine club parties, but sometimes life throws you a bone, or a bottle. And your fellow winos share with you their love of wine.

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More importantly than how good this wine was. This was a gift from some dear friends that are fellow Landmark Reserve Club Members. Automatically this wine contains an attachment and memory of giving and of sharing. And that’s what this season is truly all about.

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300 words later and I’ve yet to actually talk about the wine itself. It’s a Red Blend that wine lovers and newbies will both adore. Last weekend I brought it to my local gym’s (for more on Peak Performance, click here) holiday happy hour, and it went over very well. I had debated on where the most fitting place to bring this invaluable vintage. This needed to be an organic experience. So what better place than the gym.

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This red blend consisting of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and one of my new favorite grapes, Petit Verdot, tastes surprising lighter than what I expected. Yet it was refreshing and perfect (there’s that word again) for this or any holiday party. It pairs with the lightest or heartiest of foods.

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I laugh because we work our tails off here, with our weights, rowing machines, and treadmills during the day. However, in the lobby area we gorged ourselves on loads of food and drink that it felt like I undermined all my hard work for the day, or that week for that matter.

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Ah but that’s the holidays. Your stomach is supposed to beg for a reprieve. And one day here and there is not going to be the end of you or me. Isn’t that what we tell ourselves?

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Well the party was fun. The dynamic was different as we were revelers as opposed to fitness fanatics. And that led to a different level of conversation. And this season leads to a sense of love and community that I wish would permeate all year round. Sometimes it does. It’s up to me and you as individuals to spread that cheer for the duration of the calendar year and in this thing called life.

A wine like that certainly helps. My bottle is still waiting for pickup, which just means I need to share it with close friends and family at the next of hopefully many holiday gatherings. It’s early December and I love this time of year. The more parties the merrier. I’m glad I was gifted this wine to share with these good folks. And I can only assume the good times will continue to present themselves.

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For more on Boordy’s Landmark Reserve Club, click here.

For more on Peak Perfomance, click here.

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Have a Safe and Blessed Holiday,

Ideen

Landmark Moves

May 18, 2016May 18, 20165 Comments

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The sun showed up this past Friday at one of my favorite quarterly traditions, the Landmark Wine Club party.

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And the timing feels right and it feels necessary. For inexplicable reasons I didn’t get around to reviewing the wines from their first soiree this year. Maybe at the time it wasn’t meant to be. Perhaps I was saving it for this go around. More on that later. And thankfully the weather worked in everyone’s favor. It only enhances this and any event.

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The three bottles in this package are all first-timers. When I initially saw the list I was intrigued. I had no idea what to expect. Unfamiliar territory is a good thing. But how quickly we soon forget. Landmark members got the first taste of our first wine, back in November.

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The 2015 Viognier was my second favorite of the collection. That’s saying a lot. I really enjoyed it. The summer fruits and floral aromas really came to light immediately. I don’t want to open this immediately but I may be tempted too. A friend in our group said he tasted grapefruit, so it should come as no surprise that the first thing I tasted was the same. In essence, it’s a light-to-medium bottle that tastes and feels like summer. And summer makes most folks happy. So yes, this is a crowd pleaser.

A pleasant surprise was the ample amount of oysters available to pair with this wine. And I wish I had more. Initially most folks were taking two-at-a-time but as the event was winding down, they were there for the taking. I never used to love oysters but now I’ll try any. And his worked masterfully. Oh how I adore the warm weather traditions.

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But what I’m impressed with the most is how this wine (or any wine) has evolved. What we had six months prior, in its infancy stages, compared to now is so fascinating. It’s a part of the harvesting and aging process that I’m familiarizing myself with more. I’m astounded and grateful to have been one of the guinea pigs. The picture above is from November 2015.

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The 2015 Albarino was my least favorite of the three. It’s never been a favorite grape of mine to begin with. Where was the Viognier had a sour and bitter taste to it, the Albarino was a bit too sweet for me. That’s not to say I wouldn’t have a glass but it’s not one I’ll be actively seeking. My palates have expanded significantly. Five years ago I’d be saying this was my favorite.

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Finally, the crown jewel, was the New Vintage Petit Verdot. Only 97 cases were made and only available to members. This is where I wish my plan was for more than one bottle a piece. I’ve overused the term life-changing for things. I’m over-the-top and campy with it. It may be a trite but this felt like that. When I think of a wine should taste this is up there. I want smokiness, dark fruits, and blatant tannins. I want it heavy and full-bodied at its finest.

There is a familiarity with the wine largely in part that the grapes have been a part of their Landmark Wines in the past. I have included the newsletter that expands on that along with the other 2 varietals.

My peers and some of the staff saw my reaction to the tasting. It was genuine and that’s what the wine tasting experience should be all about. What works for one may for another, but where is the fun in that? It’s good that our palates and our tastes are all over the place. We all don’t love the same grapes, the same aromas, and the same notes, and that makes this journey phenomenal.

This was a laid-back atmosphere and the crowd seemed a tad smaller than usual. Which makes me think most folks would be attending the Saturday party. But nevertheless, the Petit Verdot is one for the ages. The suggestion is optimal tasting will be in two years. I will be waiting a while to open this one. And the event will symbolize the genius of this wine. I’ll know when to uncork.

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For more info on joining their wine club, click here.

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And here’s a link to my previous posts on this endearing winery.

A huge thanks to Justine, Gerry, and Diane for being cordial as always.

Until the next party…

Cheers,

Ideen

Boordy – Never Booring

November 11, 2015November 13, 20152 Comments

Another Landmark Reserve party took place this past Friday. This can only mean another post dedicated to our pals at Boordy.

This was by far the most laid back of the events I’ve attended and I’ve been to a few. Previous posts are linked here and here.

The package this week was created with the holidays in mind.

The 2014 Dry Rose will be used for a Friendsgiving event this year. It’s just too good not too. It was very light and easy to sip. Myself of course had no problem asking for repeated samples to taste.

My friends and I have always had a Rose or a White along with a Red to complement our hearty meal. And I look forward to opening up a bottle from the package this year.

Come to think of it, the majority of the bottles from previous packages I’ve yet to open. I still have the 2013 Rose or two in my collection. I can only hope I’m invited to a few Friends and Thanksgiving celebrations this year. There’ll be plenty to celebrate and be thankful for.

Otherwise some of these bottles are meant to age and sit for a couple of years. I do have the patience for it. When it’s the appropriate time to open it will mean that much more.

The 2012 Merlot Reserve is going to need time to age and grow. It tasted fine but you know it’s going to get better with time. It’s cliché but it’s apropos to this bottle. It was too light and too easy to drink for a Merlot. As time goes on I hope this becomes a success. My hunch says yes.

What isn’t pictured is the 2014 South Mountain Red. This red blend brings some of my favorite grapes; Cabernet Franc, Cabernet, Sauvignon, Syrah, and I’m now happy to say Merlot! This goes down so smooth. The vanilla and black cherry is detectable along with that oak I love so much. This was surprisingly lighter than I suspected considering the parties involved but this is a winner. I wish I purchased a bottle to go.

Finally, the 2013 Merlot did not start off as anything special but really got good after 15 minutes of breathing time out of the bottle. I could easily drink this on a regular basis. However with the price and prestige of the wine, this will be reserved (no pun intended) for celebrations and special occasions. That can be said for all of these wines

I enjoyed with this with a fantastic personal pizza. For more on this delectable pie, click here!.

The event was more laid-back than usual. The event, live music, and tasting was moved indoors to correspond with the gradual change in climate. But that didn’t take away from the fun. It was more of a cozier atmosphere than usual. My friends and I enjoyed ourselves and this event told another great and different story like all the others have.

One year in, I’m honored to be a member.

And speaking of time, here is a preview of a future hopeful gem :

For more on Boordy’s Landmark Reserve Club or if you’re interested in joining, click here!

Thanks so much.

Best,

Ideen

Back To Boordy

August 12, 2015August 14, 20156 Comments

This past Friday, Boordy once again held their quarterly Landmark Club party. I am proud to say that I’m a member.

The wines you see above are a beautiful sight aren’t they? I am a three-bottle member. Per the synopsis you can have up to 6 to 12 (2 of each or 3 of each respectively), if you really want to add to your collection.

I did a recap of several of these wines earlier this year, and you can read about that here.

Events like this are more about a thank you and a time to enjoy the season. With this being Summer, the event moved outdoors, which was what I was expecting and grateful about.

Many of the pictures will reflect that. And the weather couldn’t be any more perfect.

When it’s been chillier, the party has been indoors in their second floor lounge area.

So how were the three bottles this time around? Well for one, I have written about their Landmark Reserve previously and loved it. I’m still holding onto that for something special.

I found the 2014 Pinot Grigio to be very easy to drink. They’re traditionally light to medium-bodied and this one fits the mold. I have really been into whites while the weather has been cooperative. I may open this within the next month. I found it refreshing and it’s fitting for a great for an evening involving a healthy meal of proteins and veggies.

Then we get to the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon. I am thankful this was in the package. This wasn’t even available to be tasted by the time I arrived. I was informed they have so few cases left, that they are going to be holding off on it for now. Luckily, a friend of mine had a bottle for me to try some. This was also in the package back in February. So I have two bottles sitting and aging gracefully. It may be a while before I open either one. And you can see on their list of Landmark Wines, it’s nowhere to be found.

And speaking of nowhere to be found, their 2012 Cabernet Franc, (which I have raved about many versions of in the past) will soon be joining that list. As of Friday night, there were only 28 bottles left per a conversation with the staff. I knocked that down to 27. This was also part of the package in the Winter. I will be holding onto the two I have for a while.

I know wine is meant to be enjoyed, for the moment as well, but sometimes the sentimentality and realizing certain wines are scarce or now near non-existent, and you have a bottle of it or two in your possession, is an exciting feeling. There’s something to be said for that.

And speaking of that, the Chardonnay Reserve for 2013 is now sold out. I will be holding onto that from January as well. But the 2014 version in the first picture, had such an amazing finish, that the aftertaste really resonated with me. It’s a wine I will look to purchase in the future, as long as it doesn’t go fast. I suspect it will. It had so much more power than the Chardonnay to its left.

The 2014 Dry Rose was part of the package in the Spring, and I noticed it wasn’t for sale at this past event. Rose’s have also grown on me while the weather has been warm, even though they were never my favorite. The same goes for the 2012 Merlot Reserve.

As far as wine goes, I’ve never loved Merlot, but the blogging and experimenting has led me to appreciate them more. They were a part of the Winter and Spring package. When the time is right I will open those up two. In a sea of wonderful wines, by default they’re still near the bottom on my favorites list.

And looking to the future… Here is a teaser of some young wines, straight from the barrel. These will include the 2014 Landmark Reserve and 2014 Cab Francs, which I am so excited for.

I am happy to support local and support Mayland Wine.

For more on joining their Landmark Reserve Club, click here.

I will depart with some fun photos from the event.