Leslie Sbrocco's home
Tasted Friday, November 25, 2005 by jamiekutch with 3,681 views
It was a great Thanksgiving and I was happy Tony Velebil was able to join Kristen and me for it. We were fortunate that Leslie Sbrocco invited us to join her and her family for my favorite holiday. In addition, Leslie invited her good friend Linda Murphy to join in the festivities. Linda is the S.F. Chronicle's Wine Editor and another wine geek so to say that she kept me and Tony on our toes was an understatement. We immediately all hit it off and began geeking out about both our experiences with wine in the past as well as our future endeavors. Linda spoke about her days when she worked with Merry Edwards in early 1990 and what a great experience that was. She wasn't all that different than myself in that she picked up one day, changed her life, and pursued her passion for wine. Now she is reaping the benefits of working in an incredible field with incredible people and a mountain of wine to taste through. Her palate was extremely sharp and I need to start paying attention to the Chronicle wine column more often.
We sure weren't light on wine nor food for that matter. Kristen and Leslie were busy as could be preparing the dishes while Tony and I prepared the wine.
Leslie is currently in the midst of writing her second book and she hosts a new food and wine show on PBS called Check Please. She also writes bi weekly column for the S.F. Chronicle. Both Leslie and Linda were the original two women who started Wine Today (the NY Times online wine review). Both have also sat on wine panels with the likes of Pierre Rovani, Elin McCoy, Lettie Teague, etc.
With the table set, we were ready for action and of course ready for wine.
We started with not one, but 4 bottles of bubbly. Leslie actually was ready to open more (she is a more more more type personality) but I talked her into moving toward whites as I knew the night would be a long one.
The whites were fun until we came upon our first corked wine. The Trimbach.
I was disappointed in most of the Pinot. The one bottle I did though enjoy was the Beaux Frères (see below).
The Rhone flight didn't disappoint with the three wines below. Had this flight only had in it the Beaucastel, I still would have been a very happy man. As you can see, I couldn't get my nose out of the glass.
We had a plethora of dessert wines. None of them were much of interest to me. Here is a rare photo of Tony and Leslie trying to swallow their glass. Draw your own conclusion!!
With the night winding down and our energy levels dwindling, it was time to take it back up a notch. That's when Leslie came into the kitchen with ROCK STAR! Boy did it do the trick because within 10 minutes both Leslie and Kristen were LOOPED UP and dancing to the blaring sound of Ricky Martin "Living The Viva Loca"! I was on the couch passing out...
Tony was enjoying his glass of Rock Star from a Spiegelau glass.
Fluorescent urine yellow. Sweet nose of medicine like Robitussin. Immediate gratification as your heart starts to beat to the bump of the music.
For the conclusion of the night Leslie brought Kristen, Tony, and myself into her packed to the gills garage where there is harley and inch for any more wine to fit. She packed up a doggie box for us filled with wine. It was truly a wonderful evening and once more just another indication that this move was the best thing I could have ever done.
Jamie
NV Michel Arnould & Fils Champagne Grand Cru La Grande Cuvée 88 Points
France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru
Light to medium fruit with good sharp acidity. This was the opener to my Thanksgiving and a nice wine to throw the first pitch with. Some lemon zest and touch of marmalade were two things that popped.
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1995 Charles Ellner Champagne Brut Millésimé 91 Points
France, Champagne
Nice yeasty nose with some nut and a slight twang finish. The finish was distracting. Showing a tiny butter note and some green granny smith apples. Thanks Velebil.
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NV Perrier-Jouët Champagne Grand Brut 91 Points
France, Champagne
Slight effervescents. Not as much yeast as the Ellner, this bubbly showed an apple cider spritz. Clean and crisp like a French pressed shirt. Very nice and my favorite of the three.
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NV Marchese Antinori Franciacorta Tenuta Montenisa Satèn 88 Points
Italy, Lombardia, Franciacorta DOCG
A very one dimensional Champagne with descent fruit and an ok balance. Simple and easily recognizable as a non French Champagne.
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