RisqueSommelier.com

Paradigm 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville, Napa Valley, CA

Scientifically speaking… a “Paradigm” is by definition… a pattern for perfection. Judging from Risqué and LUSHES’s taste buds reaction, Paradigm’s 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon (90% Cabernet, 8% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc) is close to the véritable vérité! Risqué adores almost everything with alcohol in it (including his men!), but rarely is he so overwhelmingly impressed by a bouteille de vin fin.

Rich, almost purple sparkling red with beautiful raspberry rim colors suffuse this liquid which exudes warm ripe bountiful summer fruits… ripe plum, honeyed black fig, plump black cherries, layered with caramelized smoky toasted oak and rich spice. The mouth is intensely permeated with ripe rounded fruit… dark plum and dark cherries, swirling with tannic black pekoe tea and hints of pipe tobacco. The liquid is silken and just beginning to display a dimensioned minerality through the lengthy dry finish. This bit of “perfection” will only grow increasingly sophisticated through the next 10 years.

The Season temps are hotter than Paul Newman in “The Long Hot Summer” and that usually provides more opportunities for Risqué’s enjoyment of lighter more refreshing wine offerings. However, Risqué has shifted his paradigm into high gear… and is planning to consume more Paradigm 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon in spite of the Season!!! Damn the Utility Bills… turn down the AC!

Alcohol 14.5% ($62)

Ramey 2005 Chardonnay, Carneros District, Napa, CA

Almost any Maria would agree upon first sip of this Ray “drop of golden sun” that this is a delicious and versatile wine. It’s bright acidity keeps it perfect for pairing with food… perhaps even “Crisp Apple Strudels… and Schnitzel with noodles”. Risqué recommends paying quick attention to any “Grueways and (or) Cads that will offer you” Ramey Chardonnay with fruit and cheese especially a “lonely goat” cheese as he (“Grueway and (or) Cad) obviously understands the complex and delightful relationship between food and wine. Along with pairing beautifully with food… it is certainly approachable as a wonderful repast to simply sip “every day of your life for as long as you live”.

The brightly straw colored liquid boasts bold aromas of Meyer Lemon and bright lime, wafting with sweet orange blossom, ripe Bosc pear and spice. The riche round mouth is abundant with more exuberant acidic citrus… layered with flavors of French apple Tarte Tatin with lemon zest lingering through the “long, long way to run” finish complimented by a mushroomy earthiness.

So.. for “Me… a name I call myself”, Risqué thinks.. “Nothing comes from nothing, nothing ever could”, so somewhere in Ramey’s Vineyards… there really is something good. May the great and awesome Bacchus “Bless my homeland forever”!!!

Alcohol 14.5% ($35)

Chandon, 2006 Pinot Noir, Carneros, CA

Pinot’s are one of the few “non-white” vins that make it into Risqué’s summer drinking repertoire as they still provide refreshment against the parching heat of hot, hot summer. Pinot’s also pair beautifully with wonderful grilled summer fare while keeping it light. This rather “commercial” but reliable brand does a fine job of delivering all of the anticipated deliciousness!

This wondrous pinot noir sparkles with bright ruby and Risqué found his bottle was a light nosegay of violets, plump red cherries, toffee and subtle hints of evergreen. The complex layered tastes and lovely light tannic structure filled Risqué’s mouth with rich cola, dark berry flavors of boysenberry, blueberry and blackberry along with cassis, honey, toffee and cinnamon yet while maintaining a bay laurel’esq dry finish.

Risqué chose to beat the heat… with some serious meat (grilled of course)… and some serious Pinot Noir. Absolutely SUCKulent!!!

Alcohol 14.3% ($35)

“Pan”, James Bidgood, Photographer and Filmmaker, late 1960s

Copyright James Bidgood, “Pan,” late 1960s, Courtesy of ClampArt, New York City

The notorious PAN, half goat and half god (how did that happen?) frolicked among the hills with his Sheppard boyfriends, teaching them to satiate their own desires by “faun”dling their masculinity. Depending on his intentions, the tunes whistled out of his SYRINX caused those that listened to be frenzied into sexual mania (PANic… hence the word) … all for his own lustful pleasures.

This imaginatively lush and vivid work “PAN” by gay erotic art innovator James Bidgood arouses Risque’s keen sense of fine work and great play. Mr. Bidgood, although lesser known then some of his successors such as Pierre et Gilles and David La Chappell, was truly the nexus of this Genre. These fine works lay mostly in obscurity until rather recently (1999), when with the aid of a ardent admire and gentleman, Kelly McKaig, Mr. Bidgood’s works were elevated to their rightful place in the “Pan”theon of renown gay artists.

Risqué feels a kinship with Pan, just as he does with Bacchus. As he loves to frolic among his beautiful LUSHES… always being the instigator of fun and frivolity… jocularity and jest for the same reasons as Pan… his own lustful pleasures. However, his lips are upon a “flute”, usually one of the crystal (Champagne) variety… preferable Riedel.

Verve 2006 Sauvignon Blanc, Paso Robles, Ca

Risqué, being the pleasure seeker that he is, loves the sensual pleasures that wine can bring…from the visual attractive label (or maybe not), to the various sensual components of the aromas that spark memories from the simple to the erotic and on to the feel and taste that come while swirling the wine in the mouth. And yes, Risqué does spit…or at least most of the time. When it came to Verve’s 2006 Sauvignon Blanc, Risqué definitely swallows.

 

With attraction in mind the ’06 displays a bold impressionistic label with a lovely pale moonlight color shimmering inside. The erotic nose reminds one of sweet white flowers with summer citrus while the taste is rocking steely citrus which whips up surprising tangy notes of grapefruit, lime and tangerine followed by juicy apple and honeyed pear as it reclines.

Being of a pleasure seeking mind, Risqué would pair the Verve 2006 Sauvignon Blanc with a tongue tantalizing saffron shrimp, grapefruit and avocado salad. This match is perfect for the hot, sultry and seductive pleasures of the long days of summer.

In this sometimes not always pleasurable world… one must reach out like Risqué and seize gratification, when at hand… especially if it’s pleasure… filled with Verve!

Radog 2007 Gewürztraminer, Monterey, CA

The label couldn’t be more radical… Risqué observes “This is not your average “all serious” California sophisticated, stuck-up, uppity vintner”. This winery actually has a surfing Bull Terrier on the label… Hanging twenty… so to speak… Seriously!

This liquid is a clear, nearly colorless sparkling buff and offers sniffs of soft citrus… grapefruit, honeysuckle and golden straw with a nice stoney mineral complexity. This Radog really howls in the mouth, blooming with white floral, ripe figs, and the only thing traditional about this Gewürztraminer is the bergamot flavors. More spice in the mouth and soft Meyer lemon “citrijuicy” acidity. This Alsatian style, off dry, Gewürztraminer tapers to a clean, nearly dry finish.

Risqué declares this is NOT your typical “sweet” Gewürztraminer… this juicy juice will make you bark and do tricks… and hopefully… roll over.

Cowabunga Dawg!

Alcohol 12.8% ($20)

Santa Julio 2007 Pinot Grigio, Mendoza, Argentina

Wine Club that is… Risqué belongs to MANY!!! Value is always keen on Risqué’s mind when it comes to Wine Clubs. If he’s going to lay out CASH each and every month, or other, or quarter it better be DAMN worth it!!! This wine was one of the supplications from this particular club (somewhat disappointing Club!) this last month. Although, probably not something he would purchase again, as are so many better options for the price… Risqué thought the product was something to watch…

The wine is a hay tinged almost colorless liquid with a nose brimming of fresh cut grass and hay. Vivid lemons and limes follow up the olfactory with pears and apples hiding in the background and ending with soothing honey notes. Across the palate the mouth is filled with bright acidic fruits hinting at tropical with a pure lime zested finish!!!

This juice paired perfectly with Spanish Manchego cheese and not bad at all with dilled Havarti and vegetable crudité with roasted garlic aioli dip. The bright acidic flavors countered the richness of the cheese and matched the grassy flavors of the sheep’s milk and the dill and complimented the garlic with the green vegetables! Skip any charcuterie!!! It’s quite harsh and unpleasant with red meats!!!!

With Wine Clubs… sometimes you win… sometimes you loose! This is right in-between! This will be the last shipment from this (beat with a…) CLUB!

Alcohol 13% ($15)

Domaine William Fevre 2006 Estate Chablis, Burgundy, France

Warm Napa breezes prompted an evening Poolside with Risqué sharing a delightful gifted bottle of the infamous Domaine William Fevre Biodynamic Chablis with new LUSHES. It was perfectly paired with a Napa sourced organic Chèvre Cheese, absolutely scrumptious shortbread crackers and candied spicy pecans.

Typical of Chablis… this liquid is very pale straw with glints of grassy green. The pleasant aromatics are laced with light white florals, crisp green apples and un-ripened stone fruits all woven with a chalky minerality. The mouth is treated to a bright, crisp burst of tangy green apple and acidic green citrus, with herbal bay and green mint all budding from a fine mineral structure that caries these saturated flavors through the fresh and balanced sophisticated finish.

The “greenness” of this chilled thrill prompted Risqué to dream of other Summer favorite delectable delights he’d like to pair this up with… Like fresh Asparagus baked in Parmesan Pastry… Fresh Shrimp Cocktail with dill… Crab and Scallop Ceviche with lime zest… Thai Green Papaya Salad with Cilantro… Fresh Basil, Tomato and Mozzarella Caprese Salad… and Butter Poached Lobster with Pernod and Chives…. OK… now Risqué is hungry!!!

By the way… Even the bottle, logo and label are Green… Tinged!

12.5% Alcohol ($20)

O’Brien Estate 2006 Reserve Chardonnay, Oak Knoll, Napa, CA

A warm afternoon in the prestigious Oak Knoll designation of Napa provided a delightful opportunity… Sitting on the cool lush lawn, beneath the dappled shade of a beautiful oak tree, overlooking the picturesque O’Brien Estate Vineyards, Risqué nibbled on cheese and crackers with the incredibly hospitable Estate Owners, Bart and Barb and favorite LUSHES Charles and Danai.

The glittering sunshine yellow liquid is capped with an enticing floral nose of Acacia Honey, Pears, warm crusty almond Brioche, heady quince and lemon curd. The Satinous liquid floods the mouth with fruit… bright acidic Meyer Lemons, sweet figs, delicate honey and caramelized butterscotch carrying through the long toasted finish. The bright acidity balances the round Malolactic and Sur Lie flavors giving this sumptuous Chardonnay dimension and depth.

Risqué appropriated one of the last cases of this delicious and coveted Chardonnay for his own pleasure…. Only 720 cases where made and unfortunately… they are all SOLD OUT… So keep a close eye for the new 2007 releases coming in September 2008… it’s destined to sell out quickly as well. The afternoon slipped into long relaxing hours of wonderful conversation while sipping on this delicious libation as the sun settled into the Hills of Napa.

14.6% Alcohol ($27)

Nebojsa Zdravkovic - Nude with Flowers, Oil

Following Risqué’s post on “The Luscious Rosé Bud” he felt there was no more appropriate posting than the modern impressionistic GENEOUS of Nebojsa Zdravkovic’s “Nude with Flowers”. The sensitive use of light, transparency, reflection, dimension, COLOR and even emotions tending to loneliness are immediately apparent!! Zdravkovic’s bold brush strokes along with the generous infusions of “play on light” color draw the participant deeply into the passions of the work.

Romance… Longing… Desire… Expectation… are all the emotions conjured by this work for Risqué… Risqué can only think of one thing absent “Dr. Eve… my mind’s a blank” (of Sordid Lives infamy)… A glass of fine Rosé.