RisqueSommelier.com

Gnarly Head 2005 Zinfandel, Lodi CA (Old Vines)

When thinking of Gnarly Head one can conceptualize many daunting thoughts of past rendezvous’ and escapades. Since Risqué has been part and party to a lot of Gnarly Head and considers himself highly experienced, he offered himself as a sacrifice for his LUSHES to be the first to wet his lips with Gnarly Head Old Vine juices. But once the Zin was close to his nose, Risqué could go no further as the unashamed filthy smell penetrated his nose… Pooey!

At first glance, Gnarly Head Old Vine Zin’s shows a beautiful hue of Dark Burgandy. The first whiff is Poo! After decanting the wine (a must 2 D’POO), other scents evolve revealing characteristics of dark Coffee, Chicory, Cocoa, and Blueberry. The 35 to 80 year old vines produce a medium-bodied wine that sheds distinct flavors of Dark Cherry, Dark berries, rich aromatic Cedar, Oak and Black pepper providing a long and spicy finish.

This really does become quite enjoyable… especially for the price… just make sure to remember…D’CAN’T 2 D’POO!!!

14.5% Alcohol ($10)

For those of you who loved Risqué Sommelier’s “Light on Dark” post December 28th of Ross Watson’s fabulous art, well he has some up and coming exhibits scheduled..

FORTHCOMING 2008 EXHIBITIONS

Melbourne: 24 January - 10 February

New Paintings, Photography, Edition Prints

Midsumma Festival Event

Ross Watson Gallery
465 Nicholson St., Carlton North

Sydney: 26 February - 8th March

New Paintings, Photography, Edition Prints

Mardi Gras Festival Event

Depot Gallery
2 Danks St, Waterloo

Portrait Andrea Doria, Agnolo Bronzino (1503-1572)

Bronzino was a known homosexual with many inferences to his homosexuality in his erotically spiced paintings and homoerotic sonnets. His lovers were both his Master Tutor Pontormo (1494 – 1557) who was also the student and probable boy lover of great Leonardo Da Vinci and later, his own younger pupil, Alessandro Allori (1535 – 1607) whom he adopted as his own son, a rather common arrangement between aristocratic men in sexual relationships in Renaissance Florence.

His gorgeous portrait of the infamous Andrea Doria (1466 – 1560), the renown Genoese Soldier of Fortune and Admiral as the God of the Sea, Neptune was not only fitting to Doria’s prowess but also fed Bonzino’s lust for the strong masculine form in his erotic but emotionless paintings. Doria is yet an aged but powerful and muscularly virulent man juxtaposed against the sturdy wooden mast and thick shafted trident grasped in his ruling hand which the viewer cannot help but to compare with the equivalent shaft of his manhood.

Risqué has long admired this delicious piece of homo art and can’t help but wonder if Bonzino had just a little “Hot Daddy” lust going on as he painted the bigger than life… Andrea Doria???

2005 Sea Smoke TEN Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills

Risqué was out to dinner with two very delicious LUSHES… one of them, the owner of the Men’s fashion line PISTOL PETE and his yummy hubby… The entourage went to this wonderful, however off the beaten path, wine bar…

“All Corked Up!” Owner, Yoon Lee

Walking through the door, Risqué was transported form an Industrial Warehouse development into the soaring wine cellar of an Italian Villa. The rooms are filled with tall bistro tables and stools with a long and cozy bar all crowded with vinophiles sipping away at the establishments broad selections. Risqué and his LUSHES settled into one of the tall bistro tables in the smaller tasting room against the luxurious cigar cases, ordered some Chef David Lawrence’s succulent Tapas and a couple bottles of some fabulous 2005 Sea Smoke TEN Pinot Noir.

Sea Smoke is a beautiful impassioned wine with a wonderful intense mouthful of taste. The nose holds scents of currant, black cherry, suede, tea and cedar. In the mouth are rich dark berry and exotic spice. The Vintner recommends decanting the wine about thirty to sixty minutes especially if drinking before 2009. Once decanted and allowed to breathe bonus characteristics emerge of white pepper and baking spice..

Risqué loves being All Corked Up and Smokin’!

14.9% Alcohol ($100)

Grgich Hills 2005 Chardonnay, Napa Valley, CA Estate

Sometimes the predictable is very much unappreciated and Grgich Hills Chardonnay has long been an appreciated and predictable mainstay in Risqué’s glorious wine cellar. In the world of wine there is some good wine and a lot of bad. Risqué would never fear opening a bottle of Grgich Chardonnay and sharing it with his lushes.

This non-malolactic favorite has a nice nose of Meyer lemon, newly blooming honeysuckle, a hint of acacia and a finale of French oak. Wonderfully balanced and arousing in the mouth, the fruity endowed flavors exude green apples, pear, juicy peach and spice all with a long, long lemony finish.

Risqué would pair this wine with a fresh arugula salad with a Pear, Blue Cheese and Apricot Vinaigrette and a beautiful apple-brandy grilled pork loin.

All of Risqué’s LUSHES are happy LUSHES!

14.3% Alcohol ($35)

“Wine to me is passion. It’s family and friends. It’s warmth of heart and generosity of spirit. Wine is art. It’s culture. It’s the essence of civilization and the art of living.”

— Robert Mondavi

Antinori 2005 Castello della Sala Chardonnay IGT, Tuscany, Italy

Combining some Italian and some French and Fermenting yields a shimmering pale gold liquid with notes on the nose of toasty oak, creamy vanilla, lemon zest and ripe Bosc pear. Risqué’s taste buds were treated to a lovely structured and balanced light bodied 80% Chardonnay and 20% Grechetto experience. Soft, crisp and bright with citric pineapple and an austere woody vanilla finish that thrill and carry the palette.

It’s as if Antinori’s premier vineyard in Umbria, Castello della Sala (The Castle that knows) knew exactly that paring the ideally situated location for growing Chardonnay and fermenting and aging in French Oak barrels would produce such a seductively layered liquid.

Risqué’s thoughts…destin ou chance, destino o probabilità, Fate or Chance?

Alcohol 13% ($15)

Daniel J. Skråmestø , Mixed Media on Canvas

There is nothing more beautiful than the nude male physic and Daniel J. Skråmestø captures not only that beauty but creates for the on-looker a hint of sexual arousal by the sensually provocative and vulnerable positions of his subjects. Daniel’s art is curious in that all his gorgeous muses are left anonymous… beauties without a face, only a memorable body and in some cases sans head… at least the one above the heart. Risqué finds the world often imitates his own extraordinary life…as is Daniel’s art, a parallel reflection of Risqué’s own delicious encounters where the exchange of names was replaced with quiet whimpers and sighs!

The artistic Daniel J. Skråmestø was born in 1973 and lives in Lisbon, Portugal. He studied in the Fine Arts Faculty of the University of Lisbon (FBAUL) 1992-96. The Graphic Designer has also a published writer one novel and one children’s book. Interesting enough Daniels artwork is based on pictures only found on the internet.

Pondering Daniel’s art… “Could it be the face does matter or do they all just look alike?”

Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape 2003 Blanc

Elevation, a fabulous restaurant in Aspen, Colorado entertained Risqué and his LUSHES on another dining indulgence. This time only nine LUSHES were in tow, but all enjoyed the vin du jour Risqué had singled out from the wine list. While taking pleasure in his Chateau de Beaucastel 2003 Blanc, Risqué found himself completely amused by the truffle mushroom soup the waiter had promptly delivered in front of him…pairing perfectly with his firmly gripped glass of Blanc. Besides, truffle always reminds Risqué of the smell of rumpled bed sheets.

Beaucastel Blanc is made of 80% Roussanne and 20% Grenache Blanc exposing a lush light citrine color. Scents of Washington apples and mushrooms share the nose with a fabulous stoney minerality. A sample on the tongue reveals a light citrus blossom, blended honey and house cider all ending with a wet stone finish that is nicely acidic.

Enjoy this fair-haired boy through 2010 to 2017.

Alcohol 13.5% ($200 Restaurant)

2001 Barolo Riserva Bricco Boschis Vigna San Giuseppe

This week, Risqué is luxuriating with all the uber rich, the Russians and a gaggle of Gay men in the charming city of Aspen Colorado during Aspen Gay Ski Week. Besides the thousands of gorgeous men, there are droves of amazing opportunities for fine dining and of course, extraordinary wine. Risqué dined with some of is favorite Lushes, 25 to be exact, at a magnifico ristorante, L’Hosteria. Its lovely Italian fare and welcoming ambiance are unmatched in Aspen and has a very impressive wine list boasting a broad range of prominent and boutique Italian, French and American wine offerings.

Risqué perused the wine list and at the recommendation of the suave Italian owner chose an enticing 2001 Barolo Riserva Bricco Boschis Vigna San Giuseppe to delight his guests. The owner offered his impression that the San Giuseppe is “a combination of old and new styles” blending the best of old world and new world.

In the glass, the wine was Ruby Red with a powerful intense nose of ripe black cherries, licorice, tobacco and nuances of sarsaparilla. The mouth is layered with rich black cherry, intoxicating smoke, rich exotic spice and a whisper of green bell pepper all with a luxurious mouth feel and lush finish.

Risqué enjoyed Giuseppe with a delightful hand chopped prime steak tartar and a wonderful veal saltimbocca while the Lushes gorged themselves in their selected entrees they reveled in two 1.5 ml large format bottles. Risqué does not refer to them as “Lushes” for no apparent reason.

Botte Piccola Fa Vino Buono… “A small cask makes good wine”

Alcohol 14.5% ($75)