George's at the Cove - California Modern

George’s at the Cove - California Modern

1250 Prospect Street

La Jolla, CA 92037

858-454-4244

On my recent trip to San Diego I had an opportunity to dine at George’s California Modern with my sister, Amanda, and her husband, Andy. Located in scenic La Jolla, just on the edge of the pacific ocean, the restaurant is a fine example of California modern cuisine - all organic ingredients, light flavors, and gourmet touches. We were lucky enough to go during restaurant week, so we were able to eat there for the relatively low price of $40 a person for three courses.

While this is not an inexpensive restaurant, it is well worth visiting, even outside of restaurant week.

The interior of George’s is very sleek, gray and minimalist - California. Waiters scurry about between the white-table clothed tables. All of the windows open out over the water and you can hear the surf below. It is all comfortable elegance. Upon seating you are confronted with a rather large wine list. Now while it displays an impressive range of expensive bottles, there are also reasonable deals to be had. Since my sister’s husband is just getting into wine, I ordered a bottle of Nicolas Feuillatte Brut for the table, a classic. If I dine there again, I will definitely be perusing the list more deeply.

The bread they serve you is fantastic - earthy, whole wheat still warm from the oven. We went through our initial allotment rather quickly as we perused the menu. They obligingly supplied more immediately! The menu has an omnivore side, as well as a vegetarian side (another sign you’re in Cali). We mainly stuck to the omnivore. The appetizer and salad options were so intriguing, we opted to order two and an entree, rather than a dessert! I ordered the fish tacos, the smoked and grilled local octopus and the roasted organic chicken; my sister dittoed on the tacos and the roast chicken, and then ordered the curried Chino Farms carrots; Andy ordered the Japanese hamachi, the date salad, and the braised Colorado lamb shank.

Everything was delicious and artfully prepared. In particular, the tuna taco was fantastic. They pound the tuna out thin into a circle and coat it in corn nuts (to make your tortillas) then add chopped tuna tartare, avocado and cabbage in the middle. Totally creative

approach to sushi and mexican food! My octopus and chicken were also quite tasty, if less inventive. Amanda seemed to really enjoy her curried carrots - they were a subtle blend of sweet and spicy. I think that George’s California Modern does a great job handling the seasonally and locally focused dishes they prepare with a light hand. None of the flavors are overpowering - everything melds beautifully. I hope to go back sometime soon so I can sample some sure to be tasty dessert!

NYC 2010 - New Year Stops

A few stops from my recent trip to NYC....

Gulluoglu’s

982 2nd Ave

New York, NY 10022

212-813-0500

Open daily

If you happen to be in NYC and craving Turkish sweets, I have the place for you! My husband, Stephen, loves Baklava and so on my recent business trip there I made time to run over to 52nd and 2nd to pick up some tasty delights. This midtown locale is actually a new outpost of the original which has been serving Turks and others alike for 100 years. Besides just offering sweets, the eatery also offers savory pastries and other dishes (there are little tables in the spartan, white space). I was on a mission, however, and so I solely focused on the sweet stuff. The glass cases contained many familiar and completely unknown sweets. I ordered the regular baklava, the double pistachio, the chestnut as well as some of the more esoteric offerings. I toted them all home to Austin where Stephen and I have been enjoying them for the past couple of days. They are all lovely, though I think the surprise hit were the chestnut baklava - just the right balance of nuttiness, honey and crunch! Yum!

Kee’s

80 Thompson St

New York, NY 10012

212-334-3284

Open Daily

Pretty much every time I am in NYC I make a pilgrimage to this tiny store on Thompson street. It has been a passionate favorite for many years. Kee, the proprietor of the store, is a personal hero. She gave up a career in finance to open a chocolate and flower shop. Her delicate, exotic truffles were so successful that the flower side of the business was soon abandoned to focus solely on the sweets. She does an amazing white chocolate pistachio as well as a truly sensationally black sesame seed - I know. Sesame seeds? Expect to find Asian-influenced flavorings as well as traditional favorites. Just as an aside, when I say the store is tiny, I mean tiny. My Aunt Peggy, who made the original pilgrimage with me back in 2005, still kids me about it on a regular basis. Check Kee’s out for a delicious and delectable treat next time your downtown, near SoHo!

Comptoir des Cotonniers

155 Spring Street

New York, NY 10012

212-274-0830

Open Daily

Comptoir is located in SoHo in NYC. It is the first American outpost for this French retailer. I love stopping by when I’m in the city for elegant yet relaxed Gallic inspirations. The store is spacious with most of the clothes on sale hanging along the walls in chromatic succession - there are always lovely grays and charcoals and seasonally inspired colors as well. Right now they had a lot of plum and dark green going on. If they don’t have your size hanging, just ask. They generally keep only one sample out on the floor and the rest in the back. They specialize in cute little sweaters and well cut shirts with interesting details. Sometimes they are a little too, well, romantic. Expect ruffles and bell sleeves to be mixed in among the more staid offerings. They also have cute little dresses and slacks. The sales staff have always been very helpful and gracious. Also, Comptoir is excellent for another reason, you don’t have to wait in line to try on the clothes generally. There are several curtained, dressing rooms in the back standing ready for you to try on your French selections. Worth the trek.

Kelly & Ping

127 Greene Street

New York, NY 10012

212-228-1212

Open Daily for Lunch and Dinner

I’ve been getting lunch at Kelly & Ping’s in SoHo now for almost a decade. Lord, that’s a scary thought. I first started frequenting this noodle shop when quantity and decent prices were my uppermost concerns as opposed to quality. I’m happy to report that this little gem delivers on all three fronts. You can get excellent, Asian style noodle dishes and other specialties, such as dim sum, without feeling like you’ve spent an arm and a leg. And you’ll leave stuffed to boot!

The interior of K&P reminds me of what I think a Singapore shop store must look like. It is all vaulted ceilings, with dark book cases and crammed little tables. You order at a counter and than sit and wait for your number to be called, your food prepared. All of the regular menu items are listed on a board above the counter and the specials of the day are set out in the case below. I love their Pad Thai and highly recommend it. Their spring rolls are light but crunchy and chewy all at the same time. I recently had their hot and sour soup special. It was delicate, yet hearty with large slices of wood ears, tofu and chicken as well as plenty of sprouts and noodles. My dining companion and I had no hope of finishing our lunch. I’ve also enjoyed their curries and their stir fried veggies. Oh, they have a mean Vietnamese coffee as well.

If you’re in SoHo and looking for a light, inexpensive flavorful meal, I would highly recommend K&P. Tasty!

BG Restaurant

754 5th Avenue

New York, NY 10019

212-753-7300

Open Daily for Lunch and Tea

One of my guilty pleasures is dining at the BG Restaurant on the seventh floor of Bergdorf’s. I try to eat lunch there every time I’m in NYC. The food is excellent (though the prices are not for the faint of heart) and the atmosphere and view, both of the park and the other patrons, are beautiful and/or highly entertaining. If you are looking for an elegant lunch experience right near the park, this is the place for you. Plus, you get to wander through Bergdorf’s!

The dining room was designed by famed interior decorator Kelley Wearstler. Despite her reputation for glitzy, Hollywood regency, she went a bit more old world for the restaurant. It is all baby blues and silvers. The walls are covered with a delicate chinoiserie of birds in bamboo. There are banquettes under the windows looking out over central park as well as fantastic, light blue leather arm chairs at the other tables. The chairs actually curve above you to create your own little private alcoves. White-coated waiters hurry about to serve the diners their light lunches and teas.

They have an excellent salad selection, as well as tasty appetizers and entrees. I always enjoy the Asian chicken salad, as well as the tuna tartare - a stacked delight of tuna, wasabi, avocado and wonton crisps. Additionally, they have lovely, light fish dishes - I once had a sea bass that was to die for! There is nothing extremely creative or inventive about the food. It gets by on light and elegant staples that continue to please year after year (at least for me).

I love to have a leisurely late lunch here. After finishing my meal, I order a latte or a Marriage Frere tea and enjoy the little macaroons while I people watch to my heart’s delight. And the watching is good. Being Bergdorf’s there are some definite ladies who lunch scurrying about the place in their ridiculous shoes and handbags with immaculate coifs and nails. Truthfully, you don't need to read fashion magazines, just watch the parade of diners at BGs and you’ll get the inside scoop. After enjoying my meal, I will often wander through the store taking in all of the ridiculously priced wares before heading out into the real world. Everyone needs to have a little fantasy from time to time, right? Enjoy!

Momofuko Ssäm Bar and Milk Bar

Momofuko Ssäm Bar and Milk Bar

207 2nd Ave

New York, NY 10003

Open daily for Lunch and Dinner

This past week I had a chance to eat at two of the famed Momofuko’s in NYC (without having to wait in a long line!). I’ve been reading about David Chang’s highly pork-focused, Asian-oriented eateries for a couple of years now, and eating at one has been on my to-do list for just as long. Let me say that I was not disappointed - this place loves it some pork and presents it in some fantastic ways. But, this is not a dining experience for the light of heart. Be prepared for comfort food overload!

Ssäm Bar is situated in the east village in a small little corner space. The interior is all dark wood panels and low communal tables (following a trend that I noticed in London several years ago). The utensils - chopsticks and forks, etc. - are all piled into large bowls in the center of the tables. Grab them at your leisure, I guess. One of my dining companions informed me that the Noodle Bar is similarly designed with light wood panels. Overall, this places exudes a young hip vibe and asks its diners to put up with small inconveniences like backless stools for chairs and recesses in the walls in which to stuff coats. Don’t take your great-aunt here. She won’t be pleased.

You have to respect a menu that literally has a section entitled “Country Ham”. The layout of the food on offer definitely inspires one to taste and sample. Luckily, I was dining with my cousin, her boyfriend, and one of their friends and so we were able to order quite a selection for all of us to try. To begin with, we ordered one of the raw bar offerings - the cured hamachi with edamame, horseradish and pea leaves - that was delicate and well-balanced, two of the hams - intriguing prosciutto-like delicacies that hailed from Virginia and Kentucky!, as well as the pork baos. The pork baos were fantastic, but beware, not traditional. They were almost deconstructed. They consisted of some tasty pork belly, sliced cucumbers, scallions and barbecue sauce all wrapped up in a bun. Definitely Asian comfort food at its best.

We continued our perusal by order pork shoulder steak, duck, and grilled octopus. I think the pork steak was everyone’s favorite. It was reminiscent of really good filet mignon. I enjoyed the grilled octopus - it was the substantial kind with great smoky edge. Finally, we ordered a side of brussel sprouts, which were tasty, but didn’t really offer the healthy alternative we imagined. I think they must have been soaked in bacon grease. I couldn’t stop eating them. Oh well, it was just one night right?

They have a small list of wines, beers and sakes to order by the glass. I was super excited because they carried one of my most favorite sakes - Dewazakura. I fell in love with Dewaz first in Honolulu when Stephen and I dined at our favorite sushi restaurant on the planet - Sushi Sasabune. I was hooked. I wasn’t able to taste it again until I found it on the menu at Ozumo, a tasty little sushi restaurant in San Francisco. Alas, I have not been able to locate it in Austin. My cousin’s boyfriend ordered a ling ling, a Korean beer I have not tried before. It reminded me of a light beer with a bit more of a crisp bite.

After we finished dinner we rolled down the hallway to the connected dessert purveyor, Milk Bar. We managed to get up to the bar in the crowded eatery relatively easily. We ordered the aptly named Crack Pie and a Cereal Milk Soft Serve Ice Cream. We inhaled the buttery, gooey goodness of the Crack Pie standing at the high tables in the restaurant. The cereal ice cream was amazing. Seriously. Who would think Cereal Milk ice cream would be fantastic? But it was.

I’m really glad I finally got to eat at the Momofuko empire. If you’re in NYC and you aren’t too stressed about time (all but one don’t take reservations and the one that does, Ko, only takes them online a month in advance; it’s insane) I would head downtown. You can’t find better Asian comfort food and relaxed ambiance!

Marea

Marea

240 Central Park South

New York, NY 10019

212-582-5100

Open daily for Dinner, Monday - Friday for Lunch

This new addition to the NYC fine dining scene is fabulous. Seriously. Located on Central Park South in a large, yet intimately styled spac

e, the proprietors of Marea turn out beautiful, Italian-inspired seafood dishes. Additionally, for the level of quality, both in

food and service, it is somewhat reasonably priced ($89 four-course prix fixe). This is quite surprising given the location and the "see and be seen" crowd (my coworkers and I saw Madonna the night we dined there). If you are looking for an elegant, NYC haute cuisine experience this is a place worth checking out.

The interior is quite luxe - all creams, and dark, brown woods and soft, sinkable leather chairs. The bar is a showstopper. The backwash is made of a softly striped marble that was very thinly cut and back lit to make it almost glow. The whole atmosphere is of refined luxury, though it is not entirely relaxed. It’s popularity is evident in the crowded bar space and throngs of patrons waiting to be seated on a reservation only basis. The crowds are amusing though as there are some definite mogul-types and ladies-who-lunch in the bunch.

Let me say something of the wine list before I delve into the cuisine. It is quite immense as well as Italian-focused. And while it does have its fair share of high-priced offerings, it is amazing how many reasonably priced wines there are. The two bottles we ordered at dinner were tasty northern Italian whites that

were priced around $50. That’s right, $50 (the Dorigo Ribolla Gialla 2008 and Meroi Sauvignon Blanc 2007). The sommelier was attentive and helpful in his descriptions of the wine. He also didn’t try to push an extremely high-priced alternative on us.

The food was uniformly lovely. We opted for the 4-course prix fix and set about ordering our starters, pastas, entrees and desserts. The menu has several options for appetizers - Crudo al Taglio and Antipasti. The Crudo section is dedicated to Italian-style sashimi. I ordered the Passera - fluke with ligurian olive oil and lemon thyme. It was light and refreshing with out allowing any of the flavors to overpower the delicate fish. One of my fellow diners ordered the Zuppa (lobster and butternut squash soup, porcini mushrooms, brown butter) and she kept exclaiming over it.

Moving on to the pasta, I ordered their specialty the red-wine braised octopus and marrow fusilli. It was luscious, unctuous, and delicious. The octopus had almost a smoky edge which balanced with the velvety tomato-based sauce (enriched with the marrow). I was using bread to sop up the sauce! My friends ordered some of the stuffed pastas such as the Mezzaluna (lobster ravioli) and the Pansotti (ricotta ravioli). All were impressed with the blending of flavors and the delicate finesse of the pastas.

I ordered the Capesante - porcini dusted sea scallops, braised leeks, celery root, soppressata - for my entrée. They were the apogee of perfectly pan-seared scallops. Slightly crisp and salty on the outside, sweet and mellow on the inside. My coworker, Dyan, ordered the Spada - grilled Hawaiian swordfish, charred yellow peaches, baby eggplant, almonds - and couldn't sto

p muttering about how fantastic it was. Overall, the entrées were a continuation of the finesse and precision that characterized the first two courses. Chef Michael White definitely will impress you with his range and versatility.

Finally, we had our desserts, prepared by Pastry Chef Heather Bertinetti, which were masterpieces as well. I opted for the very simple Affogato - zabaglione gelato, amara and espresso. It was well balanced and light - exactly what I was looking for. My friends were a little more adventurous. The Gianduja - cocoa nib crema, hazelnut, chocolate, fior de latte gelato - was luscious and rich; the Torrone - torrone gelato, black cocoa cake, sour chocolate cake - perfectly tart and delicious. We were not finished however, as they brought around a selection of chocolates that were delish. I might have sampled more than my fair share....

Marea is a culinary tour de force. I completely understand why it has received its Michelin star and why it is so difficult to get a reservation. The food was revelatory, the wine list well-priced, and the service impeccable. If you have any reason to have a “splurge” of an evening in NYC, make your way over to Marea, you will not be disappointed!

Babcock & Miles

Babcock & Miles

105 W. 12th Street

Red Lodge, MT 59068

406-446-1796

Open daily from 10ish to 6ish

Babcock & Miles is a Red Lodge treasure. It opened in 2008 on a quiet little side street of an already quiet little ski town in southern Montana. While on the outside it is the perfect picture of a yellow clapboard Red Lodge house, the interior contains an abundance and array of gourmet foods and wines that is to boggle the mind of any outside traveler who happens upon the place.

My family and I were recently in Red Lodge for a ski trip and made daily pilgrimages to B&M to satisfy our wine and cheese needs. The inside is all painted white wood and pristine shelves containing gourmet delicacies. These delicacies range form delicate french cookies to rare Italian pine tree syrup (like maple syrup) to Marriage Frères teas to specialized spice mixes, like garam masala. It is a foodie’s dream. Besides the dry goods there is also a wine section. The selection, though small, contained some tasty french burgundies, well priced Rhône varietals from Santa Barbara, and hard to find single-grower-producer champagnes, to name but a few. The staff was knowledgeable about all of the wines if you had a question. B&M also carries a great range of cheese - I was able to indulge in La Tur from northern Italy as well as a Bijou from Vermont Butter & Cheese Creamery - as well as patés, prosciuttos, and gourmet fresh sausages and other cuts of meets from such distributor/producers as D’Artagnans. Again, for a small little town with one or two fine dining establishments, I don;t know how or why B&M was able to source all of these items, but I was very thankful they did.

Finally, B&M is also a small little coffee shop. It has a lovely Italian espresso machine and can serve you all of the normal fare - espresso, macchiato, latte, etc. If you ever find yourself in southern Montana anywhere near Red Lodge, make the journey to B&M. It is well worth the effort!

Austin Wine Merchant

Austin Wine Merchant

512 West Sixth Street

Austin, Texas 78701

512-499-0512

Open Monday through Saturday 10 AM to 6:30 PM

The Austin Wine Merchant has been sourcing excellent wine for the Austin market since 1991. Located on the rapidly changing west sixth corridor, it is perfectly positioned to continue to be a major force for high quality wine offerings in Austin. If you haven’t been to AWM yet, Go!

AWM luckily has an ample parking lot for the area and so is easy to pop into. It is not a huge store, but what it lacks in quantity it makes up for in quality. In my opinion it is the best place to buy French and Italian wines in Austin. The selection is well-edited and well-priced. It also carries wines from other regions, but the staff’s expertise really lies in Europe. They are always extremely helpful both in finding and suggesting wines. AWM also carries the requisite spirits and beers (the cold cases in the back contain some interesting small production brews well worth a perusal).

In addition to selling wine, etc. AWM hosts bi-weekly tastings that are free. Stop in on a Saturday afternoon on Wednesday evening to sample wines. The vineyard rep or importer will be there to explain the several wines on offer. I’ve gone to some great ones like Chateau Montelena where all of the wines on taste were more than $90. How often do you get to taste wines like that, let alone for free? Additionally, check the website for events and classes. I recently attended several excellent classes on Italian wines taught by Jeremy Parzen of Do Bianchi. The two Piedmont tastings were highly informative and delicious. Barberas and Barbarescos are now some of my favorite, elegant wines for the weekend.

Overall, this is an Austin gem that is a must see for any aspiring wine geek or more casual wine lover. The well-edited stock, the friendly and knowledgeable staff and the competitive pricing make the trek to west sixth well worth it!

Parkside ☆☆☆

Parkside

301 E. Sixth Street

Austin, TX 78701

512-474-9898

Open 7 days a week 5-12:30

Parkside is a casual, fine dining establishment situated in the oddest of places - the east side of sixth street in downtown Austin. Anyone familiar with Austin knows that this particular section of sixth street is synonymous with bars, college students, and general drunken debauchery. Despite this interesting geographical choice, Parkside has established a reputation for excellent, creative dishes to savvy diners who are willing to brave the lack of parking and drunken crowds (Bon Appetit named it one of America's 10 new hot taverns in 2009).

In terms of decor, the restaurant is very warehouse-esque - all exposed bricks and concrete and beams. The tables and chairs are utilitarian and the only table linens are simple red striped cheese clothes that serve as napkins. The area is divided into three spaces. The first room is dominated by a long bar where the bartenders produce seasonally inspired and classic cocktails with much care and finesse. There is a second dining room on the first floor, and then a large rooftop terrace which is often utilized for catered parties and other functions. Overall, the space serves to create a relaxed atmosphere and generally cozy ambiance.

The menu is divided up into several sections. One of the areas of Parkside’s expertise is its raw bar and sashimi offerings. Besides the array of oysters, they make one of the best ceviches in town, as well as a killer bass, lime and jalapeno combination. There are always some standards on the menu, however, they tend to change up the offerings to reflect seasonal offerings, etc. The rest of the menu is divided into starters, entrées, and sides. Like most other trendy restaurants, they have gotten on the “offal” bandwagon. In the starters section you will find Lamb Sweetbreads, Blonde Paté, Head Cheese, etc. (the paté is excellent). Another standout dish is the gnocchi in arugula purée. The gnocchi are feathery light and the purée is like a light pesto - slightly bitter and salty. Delicious. I would highly recommend the soups. They make a killer butternut squash with bacon marshmallows (that’s right, marshmallows). I recently had the Apple Riesling and was quite impressed - it was like a deconstructed German sausage dinner - shredded cabbage, grilled apples, grilled sausage along with a savory broth.

The entrée section of the menu is my least favorite. The starters and raw bar offerings are often filling enough, so I don’t wander over there much. The prices are a bit steep as well. They generally will have a decent white fish option - grilled halibut or bass - that gets the job done well enough. Additionally, they will usually have a lamb dish and some kind of modern take on a steak. I’ve gotten the lamb “duo” and been disappointed; my sister ordered a strip steak dish that she couldn’t finish because it was too raw (despite being ordered medium well; this seems to be a common Austin Trendy Restaurant Problem, ugh). I don’t know, if you’re not filled by the small plates, I would just order a side, like their excellent mac and cheese or grilled mushrooms, rather than an entrée. Plus then you’ll probably be able to save room for dessert which is fabulous! I always get the doughnut holes which are like crack. They come out in a brown paper bag all hot and crispy with a light coating of cinnamon and sugar accompanied by three dipping sauces. The brandy and the butterscotch are lovely. It’s hard to share....

Finally drinks. Parkside has an extensive wine by the glass list; but it’s bizarre. Instead of listing a wine’s name, vineyard, producer, vintage, etc. they simply will say “Verdicchio (it)” or Sauvignon Blanc (ca)”. For a wine geek like me, it’s not satisfying and I often feel like I’m playing a guessing game (they have a nice sommelier, but the waiters never know anything about wine). Mercifully, the bottle list goes back to standard convention mentioning more than just varietal and/or region. As mentioned earlier, the bartenders are excellent and produce creative drinks based on fresh ingredients. Try the Strawberry Sunshine (strawberry stoli, lime, cava); mmmmm.

Overall, Parkside gets high marks on the small plates and raw bar as well as their excellent dessert selections (just avoid the entrées). While the wine list is frustrating, it is generally well edited so you are not likely to be tasting a swill wine; in any case, opting for a mixed drink is always a good choice. The location is something of a mystery. My husband and I continually wonder as to how the place manages to get by since it is never full. However, we don’t complain too loudly because it always ensures a good, relaxed meal when all of our other favorite watering holes are mobbed on a Friday or Saturday night. Next time your feeling up for some delicious, creative small plates give Parkside a try. You won’t be disappointed.☆☆☆

Australian Wines - Tasting 01 05 2010

Last night I held my second wine tasting, this time on Australian Wines, at a very obliging friend's house (thanks Jayla!). My friends brought the feast; I brought the wine. In contrast to last time, our tasting was not a blind tasting. This time around, my goal was to demonstrate the range of wine being produced in Australia, that it is not all Shiraz, and to help my friends develop an understanding of the common characteristics and styles arriving from down under. As such, we had many varietals represented - Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Cabernet and Shiraz. Additionally, not all Austrlian wine comes from Barossa Valley; we tasted wines from 6 distinct wine regions hailing from 4 states - South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia. Finally, the wines we tasted were all sourced from local Austin establishments including Austin Wine Merchant, Central Market and Specs. Enjoy!

~~~~~~~~~~

Leeuwin Estate Siblings 2005

Margaret River, Western Australia

Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon

Everyone agreed that this was a very intriguing wine; the flavors were quite unusual. The pale straw color and the gooseberry nose hint at the complex wine within. On the palate we were able to taste gooseberry, almost jalapeno, grass, as well as lime and a dry, chalky minerality. This is a good appetizer or aperitif wine. Enjoy with a soft runny cheese or olives! As a side note, the 2005 vintage should be drunk now and you would be wise to seek at younger vintages as this is meant to be drunk fresh and early! ~$20

Devils Corner Pinot Noir 2008

Tamar Valley, Tasmania

Pinot Noir

This was another favorite of the tasting as well as the best value of the evening. Hailing from northern Tasmania, this Pinot Noir has a clear, garnet-red color and a red fruit, perhaps raspberry nose. The fruit forward nature of the wine was also present in the palate, where it dominated along with a pleasing earthy finish. This is not an overly complicated wine, but it exhibits the more restrained Burgundian style of the region. This is a good representative of all that cool climate Tasmanian Pinot Noir has to offer. Excellent value buy! ~$15

Yangarra Cadenzia 2006

McLaren Vale, South Australia

Grenache, Shiraz, Mourvèdre

The Cadenzia was the crowd pleaser of the evening. It had great clarity and a deep red color along with a slightly red-fruit nose. The palate was bright with pronounced cassis and blackberry flavors against a dry tannic structure. This is a great representative of a McLaren Vale, Grenache dominated wine. Lovely! ~$25

Jacob's Creek St Hugo 2004

Coonawarra, South Australia

Cabernet

A few tasters preferred this stylish, classic Coonawarra Cabernet. This was the oldest wine we tasted, and the maturity of the tannins in the wine was evident. The clarity and color reflected Cabernet with a deep, dark, opaque redness. The nose was not over-powering, with black fruit and perhaps cedar coming through. The taste exhibited aromas of black fruit, eucalyptus and cedar. All together a very elegant wine with a complex character redolent of the limestone hills from which it hails. Drink now or savor in a few years as it should only continue to improve. ~$40

Lilith Shiraz 2006

Heathcote, Victoria

Shiraz

This was the first pure Shiraz we tasted. It is produced in Heathcote, Victoria which is a much colder clime than Barossa Valley, the most widely known wine region in Australia. As a result, this was a much more restrained wine. It had a nice brick-red color and light opacity. The nose was very faint, with a touch of cassis and white pepper. Upon taste, more of the cassis flavor came through along with the white pepper and some cedar notes. Altogether, though, this wine was intense and tasted very tight - it needs more time to mature. It has a fine tannic structure and lively acid, so a few years of cellaring should produce a very fine wine indeed. ~$40

Torbeck Woodcutter's Shiraz 2008

Barossa Valley, South Australia

Shiraz

This was actually the least favorite wine of the evening! It is a classic, Barrosa Valley Shiraz with jammy, fruit bomb characteristics (it is a little on the young side). The color is a deep, opaque purplish red and the nose hits you over the head with blueberries and cassis. The palate was a riot of jammy fruit - blueberries, cassis, and some weak chocolatey notes. Many of the tasters described it as sweet. The tannic structure is a bit intense as well - due to the age probably. This could be a decent wine in a few years of maturation; a little too intense for right now. I'd avoid. ~$20