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Madeira (Malmsey), Rare Wine Co. "New York Special Reserve"

Fruit Set in Monmouth County, N.J. (Outer Coastal Plain AVA)



June 13, 2011. Outer Coastal Plain AVA, Monmouth County, N.J.


The beginning of the 2011 vintage...Fruit Set occurs after flowering and describes the period where the vine flowers self-polinate and burst into small green pebbles. They barely resemble the plump, juicy grapes-nature willing-they'll become. It is also the first real indication of the potential number of clusters per vine and rate of grape development within a cluster. 

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MS Studies 5.19.2011

MS Studies-South Africa, Burgundy, Rhone Valley

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© 2011 Donofrio

1999 Charmes-Chambertin (Grand Cru), Serafin Pere & Fils, (Burgundy, France)
Appellation: Charmes-Chambertin (Grand Cru) Village: Gevrey-Chambertin
Region: Cote de Nuits (Burgundy, France)
Grapes: Pinot Noir
Date Tasted: 4/2/2011
Tasting Notes: Leave a comment and I will post…

1990 St.-Emilion, Chateau Pavie, (Bordeaux, France)
Appellation: St.-Emilion
Region: Libournais District (Bordeaux, France)
Grapes: Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon
Date Tasted: 4/2/2011
Tasting Notes: Leave a comment and I will post…

2002 Gevrey-Chambertin (1er Cru “Lavaux Saint Jacques”), Patrice Rion, (Burgundy, France)
Appellation: Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Vineyard: Lavaux Saint Jacques (Premier Cru)
Region: Cote de Nuits (Burgundy, France)
Grapes: Pinot Noir
Date Tasted: 4/2/2011
Tasting Notes: Leave a comment and I will post…

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Spring Cocktails at Restaurant Nicholas

© 2011 Donofrio

Cucumber Fizz-Gin, Fresh Cucumber, Lime, Club Soda

Bar N Tini-Coconut and Pineapple Puree, Zyr Vanilla Vodka

Snakebite Mojito-Jalapeno Infused Rum, Mango, Mint 

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Pinot Camp (Willamette Valley, Oregon) 2002.





Top: Tractor Tour at Willazenzie.
Bottom: Helicopter Tour of the valley.
© 2002 Donofrio


Just a couple images from the vault...More images and retrospective reflections on the event and wines to follow...

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Bargain Bins (Wines to Try for Under $20)

© 2011 Donofrio

2009 Cotes du Rhone, Mas de Libian "Khayyam", (Rhone Valley, France)

Appellation: Cotes du Rhone

Region: Southern Rhone Valley (France)

Grapes: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre

Food Pairings: Grilled poultry, roasted meats, flank steak. Medium-flavored cured meats and cheeses.

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© 2011 Donofrio

1990 Pomerol, Chateau L'Evangile (Bordeaux, France)
Appellation: Pomerol
Region: Libournais District (Bordeaux, France)
Grapes: Merlot (78%), Cabernet Franc (22%)
Date Tasted: 3/26/2011
Tasting Notes: Leave a comment and I will post…

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Spring Menu Items Arriving at Restaurant Nicholas (Red Bank, NJ)

All Images © 2011 Donofrio

Butter Poached Nova Scotia Lobster-English Pea Puree, Snap Peas, Carrot Butter Sauce.
Pickled Heirloom Baby Beets-Olive Oil Mascarpone, Meyer Lemon, Stinging Nettle Puree.
Crispy Pork Belly-Avocado Lime Puree, Candied Peanuts, Mango.

Unless you neighbor with the Geico Caveman ("do ya live under a rock?"), you already know that Restaurant Nicholas is the highest-rated restaurant in New Jersey. These recent additions to the spring menu punctuate that point. More seasonal menu changes will follow...

Restaurant Nicholas

http://www.restaurantnicholas.com/

160 Route 35 South

Red Bank, N.J.

732.345.9977

Favorite Toys of the Trade...

© 2011 Donofrio

Etched wine glasses with South Carolina logo...

Available at:

Historic Charleston Foundation

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© 2011 Donofrio

2008 Puligny-Montrachet (1er Cru “Les Chalumeaux”), Chateau de Puligny-Montrachet, (Burgundy, France)
Appellation: Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Vineyard: Les Chalumeaux (Premier Cru)
Region: Cote de Beaune (Burgundy, France)
Grapes: Chardonnay
Date Tasted: 3/8/2011
Tasting Notes: Leave a comment and I will post…

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© 2011 Donofrio

2006 Bordeaux Blend, Bond “Quella”, Napa Valley, (Cali., USA)
Appellation: Napa Valley
Region: Napa Valley (California)
Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon…
Date Tasted: 3/3/2011
Tasting Notes: Leave a comment and I will post...

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© 2011 Donofrio

1995 Perrier-Jouet "Fleur de Champagne", (Champagne, France)

Appellation: Champagne

Region: Vallee de la Marne (Champagne, France)  Village: Epernay

Grapes: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier

Date Tasted: 2/15/2010

Tasting Notes: Leave a comment and I will post...

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© 2011 Donofrio

2007 Gevrey-Chambertin (1er Cru “Lavaux St-Jacques”), Domaine Armand Rousseau (Burgundy, France)
Appellation: Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Vineyard: Lavaux St-Jacques
Region: Cotes de Nuits (Burgundy, France)
Grapes: Pinot Noir
Date Tasted: 2/19/2011
Tasting Notes: Leave a comment and I will post…

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© 2011 Donofrio

2002 Nuits-St-Georges “Les Lavieres”, Domaine Daniel Rion, (Burgundy, France)
Appellation: Nuits-St-Georges Vineyard: Les Lavieres
Region: Cotes de Nuits (Burgundy, France)
Grapes: Pinot Noir
Date Tasted: 2/16/2011
Tasting Notes: Leave a comment and I will post…

2002 Gevrey-Chambertin, Claude Dugat (Burgundy, France)
Appellation: Gevrey-Chambertin Village: Gevrey-Chambertin
Region: Cotes de Nuits (Burgundy, France)
Grapes: Pinot Noir
Date Tasted: 2/16/2011
Tasting Notes: Leave a comment and I will post…

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© 2011 Donofrio

1995 Chateau Cos d'Estournel, St-Estephe (Bordeaux, France)
Appellation: St-Estephe Classified: Second Growth
Region: Haut-Medoc (Bordeaux, France)
Grapes: Cabernet (60%), Merlot
Date Tasted: 2/17/2011
Tasting Notes: Leave a comment and I will post…

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© 2011 Donofrio

2008 Chardonnay, Kistler "Les Noisetiers", Sonoma Mountain (Cali., USA)
Appellation: Sonoma Mountain 
Region: Sonoma (California, USA)
Grapes: Chardonnay
Date Tasted: 2/17/2011
Tasting Notes: Leave a comment and I will post…

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© 2011 Donofrio

2003 Riesling (Spatlese), Dr. H. Thanisch “Berncasteler Doctor”, (Mosel, Germany)
Village: Berncastel Vineyard (Einzellage): Doctor
Grosslage: Badstube
Bereich: Berncastel
Region: Mosel
Grapes: Riesling
Date Tasted: 2/16/2011
Tasting Notes: Leave a comment and I will post…

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2000 Vintage Dom Perignon

© 2011 Donofrio

2000 Moet & Chandon "Dom Perignon", (Champagne, France)

Appellation: Champagne

Region: Vallee de la Marne (Champagne, France)  Village: Epernay

Grapes: Chardonnay (60%), Pinot Noir

Date Tasted: 12/31/2010

Tasting Notes: Leave a comment and I will post...

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© 2011 Donofrio

1986 Barsac, Chateau Climens (Bordeaux, France)
Appellation: Barsac Classified: First Growth (Premier Cru)
Region: Graves (Bordeaux, France)
Grapes: Semillion, Sauvignon Blanc
Date Tasted: 2/12/2011
Tasting Notes: Leave a comment and I will post…

2007 Chassagne-Montrachet (1er Cru “Les Chaumes”), Jean Noel Gagnard (Burgundy, France)
Appellation: Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru Vineyard: Les Chaumes (Premier Cru)
Region: Cote de Beaune (Burgundy, France)
Grapes: Chardonnay
Date Tasted: 2/12/2011
Tasting Notes: Leave a comment and I will post…

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Colts Neck Wine Workshop-North America, Part 1 (California, Oregon, Washington)



© 2010 Donofrio

Colts Neck Wine Workshops

4JG's Winery and Vineyards
Thursday, February 24
7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

North America I: California, Oregon, Washington  

I will be hosting a fun...and informative wine seminar at 4JG's Winery on February 24. The swill-a-bus for the evening will cover:

• Major wine styles and important subregions within California, Oregon, and Washington.
• Sampling wines.
• Food and wine pairing suggestions.

For more information or to make a reservation, consult 4JG's Winery at 908.930.8066 or http://www.4jgswinery.com/.

Valentine Wines...Spectacular Sips to Share with Your Sweetie.

© 2011 Donofrio

Happy Valentine's Day...These will cost you-After all, love is priceless...

I tasted the following gems in 2010-2011 and would recommend any of them for current pleasure (if you can find them). Contact me to help you find or for specific tasting notes:

2002 Domaine Louis Jadot, Chapelle-Chambertin (Burgundy, France)

Appellation: Chapelle-Chambertin (Grand Cru)  Village: Gevrey-Chambertin

Region: Cotes de Nuits (Burgundy)

Grapes: Pinot Noir

Food Pairings: Grilled or roasted salmon, chicken, duck. Medium-flavored cured meats and cheeses.

1999 Chateau Margaux (Bordeaux, France)

Appellation: Margaux  Classified: First Growth

Region: Haut Medoc (Bordeaux)

Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot

Food Pairings: Grilled steaks, lamb, and mild game. Full-flavored cured meats and cheeses.

2002 Domaine Vincent Girardin, Corton-Charlemagne (Burgundy, France)

Appellation: Corton-Charlemagne (Grand Cru)  Villages: Aloxe-Corton, Ladoix-Serrigny, Pernand-Vergelesses

Region: Cotes de Beaune (Burgundy)

Grapes: Chardonnay

Food Pairings: Halibut or lobster with butter sauce, poultry, risotto. 

2002 Dujac, Gevrey-Chambertin (Burgundy, France)

Appellation: Gevrey-Chambertin  Villages: Gevrey-Chambertin

Region: Cotes de Nuits (Burgundy)

Grapes: Pinot Noir

Food Pairings: Halibut or lobster with butter sauce, poultry, risotto. 

2007 Stag's Leap Wine Cellars "FAY", Napa (Cali., USA)

Appellation: Stag's Leap District 

Region: Napa Valley 

Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon

Food Pairings: Grilled steaks, lamb, and game. Full-flavored cured meats and cheeses.

*Some medium-term cellaring will improve this wine.

More Affordable Options...

2007 Honig, Napa (Cali., USA)

Appellation: Napa Valley

Region: Napa Valley 

Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon

Food Pairings: Grilled steaks, lamb, and game. Full-flavored cured meats and cheeses.

*Some medium-term cellaring will improve this wine.

More to Come...

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Zyr Vodka in 50ml Bottles

© 2011 Donofrio

Zyr Vodka (Russia)

Country: Russia 

Base: Wheat, Rye

Filtrations/Distillations: 9, 5

Smooth enough to drink neat, in martinis, or with mixers of choice...

Bargain Bins (Wines to try for under $20)

© 2011 Donofrio

2009 Domaine Fabrice Gasnier, Chinon (Loire Valley, France)

Appellation: Chinon

Region: Touraine (Loire Valley)

Grapes: Cabernet Franc

Food Pairings: Grilled poultry, flank steak. Medium-flavored cured meats and cheeses.

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Sunday Night Splurge...1999 Chateau Margaux

© 2011 Donofrio

1999 Margaux, Chateau Margaux (Bordeaux, France)
Appellation: Margaux Classified: First Growth
Region: Haut Medoc (Bordeaux, France)
Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot
Date Tasted: 2/14/2011
Tasting Notes: Leave a comment and I will post…