Rancho de Los Olivos
Tasted Monday, May 27, 2013 by JonnyG with 701 views
50 of our closest came by to celebrate and relax a few days after my actual birthday. The sundowner winds lightened up just in time, and we were blessed with a postcard-perfect evening. I always find it a bit challenging to select wine for so many people and still dip into rewarding bottles. I decided to err on the side of over-indulging this time, and the guests responded with perceptive and appreciative enjoyment.
Crispy Tortilla Strips With Salsa And Guacamole
Caramel Bacon Popcorn
Truffle Parmesan Popcorn
Pita Chips With Hummus And Baba Ganoush
Vegetable Crudités from Our Farm
The Buffet:
Grilled Angus Sirloin With Salsa Pebre And Charred Tomato
Grilled Sausages With Garlic Baguette, Peppers And Onions
Salad Of Tuscan Kale With Pecorino, Almonds And Lemon
Olive Oil Poached New Potatoes With French Feta And Mint
Grilled Market Vegetables With Balsamic And Pecorino
Classic Caesar Salad With Grana Padana Parmesan And Farm Egg
Cornbread
Desserts:
Caramel Flan With Cinnamon-Ginger Cookie
Flourless Chocolate Cake With Vanilla Crème Anglaise
Blueberry Crumble Pie With Whipped Cream
I plan to revisit some of the leftover bottles this afternoon and will edit notes with any merited updates.
2012 Liquid Farm Mourvèdre Rosé Vogelzang Vineyard 89 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara
Two mags of this stellar rose made from mourvedre were a perfect way to assure a festive start to the party, and man did they go fast. Great minerality and acidity, featuring notes of strawberry and a touch of citrus.
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2008 La Fenêtre Chardonnay Bien Nacido Vineyard 93 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley
This bottle rewarded us with a perfectly mature and luscious example of restrained and elegant chardonnay, more Burgundian than Central Coast, with silky notes of apple, stone fruit, herbs and citrus, through to a long and lush finish.
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2011 Maze Sauvignon Blanc Blau Vineyard 89 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Knights Valley
Summer in a glass, with an enticing floral nose and bright citrus notes on the palate and green apple emerging on the lengthy finish. Very fresh with impressive acidity. Much better than prior bottles for some reason.
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2008 Qupé Roussanne Hillside Estate Bien Nacido Vineyard 93 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley
Even better than my first bottle from a 4-pack. Perfectly in balance. Beautiful aromatics, ever evolving, with an enticing mouthful of honeysuckle and ambergris, plenty of acidity and a satisfying medium finish.
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