2014 Kicks Off with New Winners

new Rose Bowl winners

new Rose Bowl winners

The Michigan State Spartans came to Pasadena and stuck it to the Stanford Cardinal. The substitute middle linebacker playing in place of the team captain resting in the dog house made the play of the game (above). Let me be Frank. Shirley there is a wine story here.

If you are going put it that way… maybe there are a few wine stories of old guard vintners following traditions in their own ways. A few things are certain for 2014. The 100th Rose Bowl, aka the Granddaddy of them all, was the best entertainment on Jan 1 2014. “American Hustle” will sweep the Oscars. 2013 wine consumption closed like Vin Scully (the 100th Rose Bowl Grand Poobah): classically entertaining.

b.core2006WEB2006 CORE b.core Santa Ynez Valley $16 (in tasting room): David Core makes wines in New World and an Old World styles. He sources everything from Santa Barbara area vineyards. This blend is 73% Rousanne (Camp 4) and 27% Marsanne (Rodneys Vineyard). At seven years this is showing well. Full flavors with road bike muscles. CORE wines are rarely delicate but they typically show great balance. The ebst deals can be had at CORE the tasting room in Orcutt. Great U20 value. 14.9%

cadesanti04WEB2004 Ghemme Ca’ De’ Santi $27: Nebbiolo is grown throughout the Piemonte region. Communes such as Ghemme and Gattinara can represent very good value for the finicky Nebbiolo grape because the words Barolo or Barbaresco are nowhere on the label. Producers from this region are not well known. Of course, this all adds up to value. Vitis Imports brings in multiple labels including this blend of 90% Neb and 5% each Bonnarda and Vespolina. Classic Piemonte Nebbiolo with the tar and roses – once aerated and after waiting 45 minutes! 2004 was a notable vintage. 13.5%

gemme_proseccoWEBNV Prime Gemme Prosecco Superiore di Valdobbiadene Extra Dry $12: There are many sparkling wines produced in this old old old hilly winemaking region north of Venice which is home to Italy’s oldest “wine tourism road.” Read this NYT article about recent efforts to preserve tradition in Conigliano-Valdobbiadene. Pale yellow. Very dry on the first pour then opens up a bit. Excellent bubbly that does not show the overt fruitiness associated with Prosecco that is better blended with orange juice. This would make a great tBoW wine tour. 11%

Many were asked…one replied…the Mouse Wine of the Year – 2013!!!

passito2001WEB2001 Arnaldo Caprai Sagrantino di Montefalco Passito $30 (375 ml): Purchased and tasted at Warehouse Wine and Spirits in Greenwich Village April 2013. [ed. guess he h-a-d to try it; bin dare]. Kind of Amarone-ish, but a touch richer and lots of chocolate. Yet dry. Magical. Beyond Old World. Medieval, maybe. Goes well with itself. I have one more bottle and awaiting End Of Days, or the next DiCaprio movie, whichever comes first. [ed. worth every dollar I am certain. So OW it’s medieval. Love that. Recollecting a long ago summer evening at Tavern on the Green, a split of 76 Rieussec and a Regal Rodent… ]

Of course, some things will never change. Like the Stanford Marching Band!!! A national disgrace. The shame of Palo Alto and the scourge of the Rose Committee. Refugees from a gorilla love-in. Oh the humanity! Playing “Shes Not There!” We are all zombies.

5 Comments

  1. Wavatar
    Betsy says:

    very entertaining post…

    • Wavatar
      Bacchus says:

      Easy subject with terrific videos. Who knew you were such an NFL fan?

      • Wavatar
        Bacchus says:

        Ooops. You’re a Spartan fan and almost certainly – I would wager – a Stanford Marching Band fan. Read this week’s post on the NFL’s greatest coach which is like being Chevrolet’s greatest designer. Or LA’s best urban planner. Whatever, this week’s post is berry berry entertaining.

  2. Wavatar
    Kris-B says:

    The LSJUMB is awesome!

    • Wavatar
      Bacchus says:

      Than you for the full and complete name of the Leland Stanford Junior University Marching Band; the greatest halftime show anywhere… and everywhere… and all at once.

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