eat drink and be merry

Ahhh, what a great way to kick-off my stay in Sonoma. Quick trips to purchase fresh produce, seafood, wine and of course cheese (from The Cheese Shop in Healdsburg).

The house is lovely, complete with a chef's kitchen, comfy decor and a sparkling pool to cool off. Here are a few snaps from my FLIP camera, I'm working on "getting better" with the videos...so stay tuned.

Wine of the Trip so far: Selected from the wine list at Willi's Wine Bar in Santa Rosa last Friday night.

Hirsch Vineyards 2006 BOHAN DILLON:Produced for the first time since 2003, this pinot noir expresses the complexity of the site. It is a blend of seventeen fermentation lots containing the fruit of thirty-four discreet farming blocks. All five of the pinot noir clones farmed here are fully represented. Ninety-seven percent of the fruit is estate; the balance is from the adjoining Hellenthal ranch. Thirty per cent is from the older fields; the balance from our newer plantings. It is important to note that this wine is made in exactly the same way as the Hirsch and from the same fruit. In other words, it is a true ‘village’ wine and represents exceptional value.

Tasting notes: Ruby-garnet colored. Exotic spice box aromas give way to Seville orange and bergamot. With air, subtle earth and leather notes emerge. On the palate, flavors of plum, tea, and tobacco vie for attention, braced by an inherent minerality that marks this as a typical expression of the site. A complete wine made with all the exacting care and site-specific attention to detail we bring to all our wines. - 2568 cases bottled 8/20/07; Cheers - Ali