04.10.08 /2006 Kingston Family Alazan Pinot Noir

Full disclosure - I went to college with Sam Kingston and he lives about 1/4 mile from me, is a BONDA customer and a friend. I have been sitting on a case of this wine since Xmas. Sam and I had a bottle then, and it was a little tight.

Court and I went to BONDA for dinner after we went to the Kickoff Party for Autism Speaks Fairfield County Walk Now For Autism. I had a glass of Gruner, and we cracked the Alazan - named for a favorite horse of the family. Just like the stallion, the wine was very lively and spirited with dried raspberry and whiffs of alcohol on the nose. Candied strawberry and hints of effervescence on the tongue. No oak, but cedar plays and salted buttered popcorn on the finish (thanks Jamie!).

I had a braised short rib with celery root and horseradish puree that was a perfect complement. The fruit of the wine playing off the bass notes of the beef and the sharp cut of the horseradish. There was a big salt play to the dish that the sweetness of the wine counterbalanced. As my main I had a roasted Halibut with pea and potato puree - it held up the pinot as it is not so heavy, I think the '05 Tobiano was a "heavier" wine with more oak and hard finish, whereas the Alazan is playful and light, but still has serious fruit.

It is on the BONDA list at $50.

Kingston Vineyards Battle: 2005 Tobiano 2005 v. 2006 Alazan

Not very fair considering that the Alazan is their higher end Pinot, but they were both delish. Great fruit, harmonious acid - not as heavy as I remember the '05 when I had it over the summer. Both are on the BONDA list representing our only Chilean Pinots. I was going to do '05 Tobiano v. '06 Tobiano, but Sam brought over the Alazan and I wanted to try it.

Full disclosure: I am friends with Sam Kingston, who's family owns the vineyard, but I wouldn't rave about his wines if I did not like them!

12.31.07 The New Year's Pinot Showdown

We had the Kingstons, the Russells, and the Murphy's over for fondue and games for New Year's Eve and I decided we should have a Pinot Battle Royale, pitting Oregon, California, Burgundy, Chile and Alsace against each other in double vintage duels plus overall. It might not have been that fair considering price ranges were from $90 to $25, but it was good fun and great to try all these wines back to back. There were some surprises and disappointments. Here is how it shook out overall from left to right. I will post the head-to-head battles and descriptions later.

12.24.07 2006 Kingston Vineyards Cariblanco Sauvignon Blanc

Full disclosure: This wine is produced by my friend's (Sam Kingston) family. I bought a case for the restaurant a few months ago, but have not tried the wine until now. We also carry their Pinot Noir, Tobiano, which is killer for $32 on our list.

Jim and I had their Cariblanco as a cocktail white on Xmas Eve. There was a time when I did not like Sauvignon Blanc. It was like Chardonnay, and Pinot Grigio - just too common place. I loved Sancerre and white Burgs in my teens, but sometimes naming the grape just turns me off. Since the opening of BONDA, we have a had a Sav Blanc by the glass from Casa Julia - it really changed my mind on the grape - big citrus with a little cat pee on the nose and just so smooth.

I have to say the Cariblanco is gorgeous. Super clean yet somewhat rich for a Chilean Sav Blanc. On the palate, refreshing citrus is the first burst - mostly grapefruit with hints of lime zest and tangerine. Secondary notes of grassy caramel with a long finish. No peepee di gato whatsoever. Really easy to drink a lot of.

Court gave it the "Ummmm, this is good," review and wished she wasn't pregnant. I would order more, but CT is totally sold out. There is always the next vintage!