RisqueSommelier.com

LEONA VALLEY WINERY 2005 CHARDONNAY, California

Luxuriating in the Leona Valley Winery’s 2005 Chardonnay makes Risqué think thoughts of scantily clothed or Au Naturel muscular men basking on a golden sandy beach in the warm sun in St. Barts. Risqué recommends this fabulous Chardonnay as an excursion from the dormant days of winter to the aestivating warm relaxing tropics.

Leona Valley Winery 2005 Chardonnay unfolds a nose of island tropical fruit… mango, guava, and fig. The flavors are of toasted French oak, luscious ripe pineapple, Meyer lemon, bananas, vanilla and rich Crème brulee. Once the glass is empty, you can’t help but take in the luring and indulgent scent of butterscotch.

Risqué does love the Tropics… This is a rare vintage as only 150 cases were made of this liquid tropical sunshine. Although the release of 2005 is sold out, watch for the anticipated release of 2006 or work on becoming one of Risqué’s favorite lushes…and who knows what other sumptuous trésor he might share???

Alcohol 14.4% ($35)

Ross Watson “After Caravaggio” Oil on Board

Risqué just loves Ross Watson’s delicious body of work and especially “After Caravaggio”. Already adoring Caravaggio is a good start but Ross brings this into a contemporary genre by contrasting the classical realism against the modern images and mimics the Light on Dark tenebrous classic technique in his erotically charged works.

Ross’ international renowned and collected works provoke the viewer (voyeur) almost to an emotional connection with the subjects and effortlessly tie the classically referenced work to the modern insertion, seemingly with the same thoughts and feelings and more as if the artist’s subjects are peering out from their dimension and actually viewing the viewer. For additional stimulation, visit Ross’ extensive body of work at the Ross Watson Gallery. Risqué could certainly be caught imbibing in a vin de jour and gazing into the eyes of Ross’ licentious blue eyed, dark and lovely “guardian angel” and contemplating his heavenly aggressions.

Concannon 2005 Pinot Noir Central Coast, Limited Release

It’s medium body and plumy color offers a nose of Cherries, Pomegranate, Leather and Spice. On the tongue… this is simply Pinot… not enormously complex but offering plenty of ripe Bing Cherry, Raspberry, cola and nice mellow spice and vanilla.

All the Mary’s were thrilled as Risqué served this with a lovely Smoked Herbed Boneless Leg of New Zealand Lamb and Chardonnay Butter basted Cedar Planked fresh Wild Salmon all with Grilled Asparagus. This Pinot was a deliciously good value.

13.9% Alcohol $7

Risqué will be hosting another LUSH!! cocktail party during Aspen Gay Ski Week’s Boutique Night on Wednesday, January 16th from 6:30 to 9:30 at the ever so POSH Home Décor Boutique… CHECQUERS at 520 East Cooper.  Do sashay in and indulge in some of Risqué’s delectable wine and over the top shopping.   Hope to see all my favorite LUSHES in Aspen! 

Pineau des Charentes “Le Coq d’Or”

“Delicious Golden Cock” as Risqué refers to this lovely pleasure is the product of a centuries old accident. An “Erreur de destin”… a mistake of destiny… when a cellar boy accidentally added Cognac to unfermented grape must (juice) instead of already fermented wine. Thus was born… this now renowned shared pleasure of legendary proportion. Although not largely know in the US… the more refined European gentry is quite aware of this sophisticated little gem as an aperitif. This was a lovely shared delicacy from a favorite LUSH who returned with it from his recent adventures.

Risqué was quite smitten by its golden honey color. The nose is succulent orange blossom and rich wild honey. The taste follows suit with a seductive and lightly sweet essence of more wild honey and subtle lingering woody vanilla finish. Simply elegant!!!

Risqué adores a seductive and delicious cock… and this is nothing short of exactly that… sweet, delicious golden cock! ENJOY!

17% Alcohol ($20)

Jarvis 2004 Merlot, Napa Valley

One of Risqué’s favorite wine shop stewards “SAN” at 56° at Mandalay Place in Las Vegas opened this to share. Merlot is one of Risqué’s least favorite… most over produced, under charactered varietal libations… so to his enthusiastic surprise, greatly enjoyed this Jarvis Estate Grown and cave fermented Napa Merlot.

After being aged for 18 months in new French Nevers and American Oak, the nose stimulates the senses by surrendering rich black cherry and dill. The full-bodied taste boasts succulent plum, black cherry and spice. This fancied Merlot finishes with toasty vanilla and is embodied with significant tannic structure and balanced acidity.

The vintner recommends drinking this wine now through 2011. Hurry because they only produced 220 cases and Risqué is hoarding all he can.

“Once, during Prohibition, I was forced to live for days on nothing but food and water.”

— W.C. Fields

Gryphon 2004 Pinot Noir, Larklinn, Anderson Valley

Risqué loves it big and thick and this Pinot is right on target!

The glass hints to the thrust of this Pinot with a lovely deep garnet red. The nose is FABULOUS! Thunderously beautiful concentrated fruit… cherry and strawberry with oaky vanilla, spice and musky soft sandalwood punctuated with luscious anise and dried herbs. In the mouth the Gryphon roars… with 14.7% Alcohol and straight out of the bottle, it is a bit hot… but with an hour in the decanter and a few good swirls, this tamed beast yields up a full bodied powerfully big Pinot, thick with Sweet Cherry, rich Raisin and Coffee and a long finish with notes of chocolate and Tobacco. The alcohol, acidity and tannins in this muscular wine will mellow nicely over the next five to 10 years adding sophistication and subtlety.

“It’s all his fancy… you know.” Said the Gryphon, Lewis Carroll, “Alice in Wonderland”.

Fox Creek Vixen – NV Sparkling Shiraz Cabernet (Franc & Sauvignon)

What a wonderful thing to find in your Christmas Stocking… an absolute FOX…and a box of GODIVA^TM Chocolates to boot! That’s Risqué’s recommendation for this years best stocking stuffer.. a delightful bottle of Fox Creek’sVIXEN (appropriately named for Christmas!).

This extravagant sparkler is just what you’d expect from an 81% Aussie Shiraz spiced with just about equal parts of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. The Dark contents make the bottle jet black with the gold leafed fox and wording quite striking. Enough with the externals… out of the bottle, the wine is a gorgeous holiday plum (Risqué’s color of choice for the Holidays!) with a deep mauve mousse and a fine sparkling bead. The nose is subtle but defined with Chocolate covered black cherries and blueberries and a touch of Mocha Late’. As this silken effervescent libation slips across your lips you’ll get a rush of blackberry, plum and spice all tied up with a lilt of delicious licorice. With all of this sumptuous fruit and candy the wine has a surprisingly fine dry finish with exotic lingering spice….

This is spectacular with bittersweet Dark Chocolate. So… for that special man of yours… Risqué says “Stuff it with VIXEN!” ($25)

Matthew Stradling – Angel – Oil on Canvas

Highly collectible, Matthew Stradling, a renowned British artist has made Risqué do a double take over his beautiful erotic bejeweled angels. While Risqué, a lover and follower of the ecclesiastical male figure, adores the way Matthew has fabulously captured the angel’s lithe body and divine innocence. Risqué can’t help but want one (or two) for Christmas.

Matthew’s art is a part of many collections around the world and Risqué is honored to feature Matthew’s work for all his lushes to celebrate.