off the vine

Eighth Annual Wine Aficionado Dinner set for May 13th

off the vine — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 19:38:55 +0000

The Eighth Annual Wine Aficionado Dinner benefiting the Bogart Pediatric Cancer Research Program will take place on Thursday, May 13th at the spectacular new W Hotel, located near the world famous intersection of Hollywood and Vine. Titled “Hollywood and Wine: The Biggest Stars in Wine Today”, the dinner will showcase some of the world’s finest wines paired with a four-course dinner. Wine service will be overseen by several LA sommeliers. The evening concludes with an exciting live auction featuring one-of-a-kind lots. more information

Cayuse 2006 Syrah 'Cailloux' - Walla Walla, Wa

off the vine — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 18:57:19 +0000

The ‘Cailloux’ (pronounced ‘ki-yoo’, plural for ‘stone’ in French) is a complex and wonderfully plush bend of dark fruits, minerality and spice. Hints of olives, white pepper, orange peal and earth. Cherry and blackberry along with a rather exotic tropical notes. The finish is 45 seconds plus. This wine has everything going for it with purity, rarity, winemaker Christophe Baron truly understands this varietal. A waiting list of thousands make any Cayuse nearly impossible to obtain even in tough economic times. Perhaps the the finest wine made in the state of Washington. Collectable

price: $79.99
drink 2011 to 2020

2007 Martinelli Pinot Noir - Blue Slide Ridge, Sonoma Coast

off the vine — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 02:30:12 +0000

This is the gold standard for Pinot Noir from California. A rich and opulently fruited wine with aromas of spice and lush blue and black fruit. Very complex, with a cool tone. Garrigue, raspberry, cherry and other floral components lead to a lush and lengthy 20 sec plus finish. Rare and worth every penny! Just 75 cases produced.

price: $125.00 +
drink: 2010 to 2015

A visit to the Central Market in Petaluma, Ca

off the vine — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 02:27:02 +0000

The Central Market and Chef Tony Najiola provide an eclectic, seasonally varied menu in downtown Petaluma. Well versed in slow food concepts, I fully enjoyed the sophisticated “big city” vibe. Almost everything here is made from scratch and many dishes are cooked using the large wood fired oven in the center of the restaurant’s central kitchen. Pictured here is a wood fired pizzetta with shaved mushrooms, roasted garlic and fontina. Good wine list with a local focus. Open seven nights a week.

otv rating:
food: 16
service: 15
vibe: 15

42 Petaluma Blvd. North
Petaluma, California
(707) 778-9900

2006 Columbia-Crest Reserve Merlot - Columbia Valley, Wa

off the vine — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 02:56:39 +0000

Winemaker Ray Einberger (Mouton-Rothschild, Clerc-Milon & Opus One) sources this Bordeaux-style 100% Merlot from the Wahluke Slope, the Cold Creek area and the Horse Heaven Hills. The fruit is hand picked and sorted from their finest vineyard blocks and is cold soaked and 30% whole cluster pressed. The wine offers blackberries and a touch of garrigue on the attack. The soft palette is infused with blue fruits and milk chocolate. Small grained tannins make this wine quite accessible. The wine will continue to evolve gracefully for several years. This is an impressive effort for the price point. The wine was aged for 25 months in 7o% new French oak. 3000 cases were produced.

price: $22.00
drink: 2009 through 2014
online

The Cheese Board Collective in Berkeley

off the vine — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:24:39 +0000

The Cheese Board Collective was founded in 1967 and comprises two collectively owned and operated businesses: a cheese shop/bakery commonly referred to as “The Cheese Board”, and a pizzeria known as “Cheese Board Pizza.” The Cheese Board is located at 1504 Shattuck Ave (near Vine St.) and Cheese Board Pizza is located two doors down at 1512 Shattuck Avenue. Get there early as the line forms at 11:30am.

Imported raw goat milk, along with a wonderful selection of Italian, Spanish and French mountain cheeses, top the list at the Cheese Board. The shop is open Monday through Saturday. Hours vary, so check the website: www.cheeseboardcollective.coop.

1504 Shattuck Ave. Berkeley, Ca (510) 549-3183

2005 Saddleback Cellars Merlot - Atlas Peak, Ca

off the vine — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 17:49:40 +0000

From the master Nils Venge comes this barrel-select 100% single vineyard Merlot from Atlas Peak! Grown on the super steep Coliseum Block by Henry Hossfeld. Sweet fruit, black cherry and vanilla with rich, fine grained tannins. Hints of saddle and woodsmoke. Good weight and structure. This one should pair well with grilled or roasted beef, duck, braised or grilled chicken and pork loin. Only 57 cases were produced.

price: $45.00
drink: 2009 through 2015

2006 Terlato - Cabernet Sauvignon - Stags Leap District, Napa

off the vine — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 17:48:25 +0000

Universally hailed as one of the best Cabernet Sauvignon appellations, the Stags Leap District offers a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon rich in layers of cassis, cocoa and blueberry with hints of expressive vanilla. Loaded with berry flavors and firm tannins. A long finish and great balance. Enjoyable while young, it will reward those with the patience to cellar it for a few years. Aged 18 months in new French oak. Only 363 cases made. WSI /jas

price: $75.00
drink: 2010 through 2026

Off the Vine personal wine consulting services...

off the vine — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 15:05:13 +0000

Off the Vine now offers personal wine consultation and sales. Consulting, as well as consultation, is free and gives you the opportunity to work directly with Off the Vine publisher and professional wine consultant Jennifer Anne Shorr to collect, seek out and discover fine wines from around the world. more

Burger Lounge - premium burgers in San Diego

off the vine — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:23:16 +0000

Burger Lounge grew out of the idea that a hamburger should not only taste great, but also utilize healthy ingredients produced in a sustainable environment. The Burger Lounge provides a simple, premium quality menu that appeals to health conscious diners (vegetarians and salad lovers—that’s you!) and those simply “hankering for a great hamburger.” Read more