RisqueSommelier.com

 Tudor 2005 Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands, Santa Maria, CA

When Risqué thinks Dynasty, Ramessis, Ming, Caesar, Von Hapsburg, the House of Bourbon and Alexis Carrington come to mind, however Risqué is remiss not to mention the House of Tudor… which encompassed just a few notable Royals like Henry VIII (and a few expendable wives) and Elizabeth (the highly disputed Virgin Queen) number one. This stately and regal Pinot Noir pays great homage to every great Dynasty and especially to it’s Patronym… Tudor.

The legs of this crystal clear jeweled cherry liquid cling to the glass resembling arched cathedral windows and present a royal cherry nose crowned with earthy mushroom, rare Chinese tea, treasured sweet tobacco and fragrant Lebanon cedar. Across any Henry, Elizabeth or Mary’s lips this long reigning Pinot proclaims huge juicy rich Queen Anne cherry, wild brambly raspberry and yet undiscovered cola.

While Risqué sipped this from his best English Crystal (Carrington… adored the Bitches!!!) glasses he could not help but wonder… what would the Tudor Dynasty have said about the origin of this noble Pinot???… St. Lucia… Catholic you know… Mary could lose her head over it!

Alcohol 13.8 ($39)

Perfect pairs are rare among food and wine but rarer in our human lives. Risqué had the honor and privilege of sharing a night with his newly wedded Nephew and his perfectly paired lovely Bride, where they shared a decadent and entwined repast at Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion Cuisine in Orlando.

Cakebread Cellars 2006 Chardonnay, Napa, CA

Swaying bamboo yellow swirled in the low light perfumed with exotic vanilla, buttered toast, crisp apple, ripe pear and Florida orange blossom florals. More crisp pear filled the mouth with heightened sweet woody notes and juicy acidic pineapple.

Alcohol 14.1% ($40)

The Cakebread Chardonnay paired symbiotically with our perfectly coupled Roy’s sushi selections of Tuna Roll topped with Hamachi, Salmon & Avocado along with another roll of Seared Kobe Beef wrapped around Dynamite Crab, Tempura Asparagus & Avocado finishing with Island Style Ahi Tuna Poke served with Baby Greens, Truffled Soy and Inamona Jus.

Risqué’s choice of wine for the Honeymoon party was equally yoked.

Laetitia 2006 La Colline Pinot Noir, Single Vineyard, Arroyo Grande Valley, CA

In the romantically dim light the hues of this liquid were dark ruby surrendering a stupendous old rose and antique cedar chest nose, perfect in celebration of a wedding along with earthy moist forest floor, cola and aromatic pink pepper. The fine tannic frame supported a giant Pinot marrying more delicious cola, ripe cherry and buttery sticky caramel.

Alcohol 14.5% ($60)

Risqué intuitively requested the La Colline to accompany his connubial choice of entrée, Rustic Spice Grilled Filet Mignon & Teppanyaki Seared Tiger Shrimp with a Pearl Onion Cabernet reduction and Scampi Beurre Blanc.

Pure BLISS! Congratulations and every wish for a perfectly paired future… to the Newlyweds! Sunny and Ryan.

Last week Risqué was in the HOT humid sun of Orlando where thousands of beautiful handsome men…and women gathered for GayDayS Orlando to frolic scantily in the sun, blatantly cruise the parks, daringly ride the rides and if in Risqué’s company, drink fabulous wine. Risqué had the pleasure of hosting a fantabulous LUSHES wine tasting party featuring delicious wines from Leona Valley Winery to holding court over a spectacular dinner at Seasons 52 where Risqué converted six fine looking men into Risqué LUSHES… boys always love to compare Pinots!

Etude 2006 Pinot Noir, Carneros, Napa Valley, CA

A delight to every LUSHES nose was the very fruity cherry, soothing coffee, cola and fresh raspberry that ends clean. On the tongue bursts a Burgundian style wine of earthy mushroom, big ripe plum and cherries with hints of oregano. Risqué found it paired fabulously with his spinach salad topped with blue cheese, Anjou pear, toasted pine nuts drizzled with a light vinaigrette.

Alcohol 14.2% ($40)

Freeman 2005 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, CA

With wafting scents of earthy mushrooms, dark sweet plum and silky dark chocolate, the tastes wrapped around the tongue with huge dark cherry, cola, espresso and BOYsenberry all nicely balanced and pairing well with entrees that encompassed mushroom flatbreads, to pork tenderloin and lamb chops.

Alcohol 14.2% ($40)

Depending on whether one likes a big Pinot or a beautifully shaped Pinot, Risqué finds each have their own ability to bring pleasure to his lips.

Risqué found himself with an afternoon in need of some entertainment, especially of the liquid variety and the moment couldn’t have provided a better opportunity. Seated at the Wine Merchant Wine Bar at the Ferry Building on the Embarcadero in San Francisco, the friendly Wine Steward offered Risqué a flight tasting of Hartley Ostini’s Hitching Post Winery collection of Pinot Noir. Four delicious Pinot Noir’s with which Risqué spent his afternoon:

2006 Cork Dancer, Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara ($30)

This liquid is a beautiful Garnet color with a bright fruit nose loaded with pure unadulterated cherry. The mouth is tantalized with Tart Cherry a wonderful pronounced mushroom earthiness and lots and lots of rich cola… Delightful!!!

2005 Cargassachi, Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills ($43)

Slightly tea stained rose colored succulence yields a nose with plenty of damp and earthy forest floor. Lusciously soft and supple in the mouth it is brimming with wild strawberry, tangy rhubarb with a lingering spice filled cedary finish… Intoxicating!!!

2006 Rio Vista, Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills ($43)

Purple tinged garnet colored jewel has spectacular nose filled with dried fig, ripe cherry, green cedar and a wisp of smoke. The liquid has a satiny mouth feel with sweet cola, cherry conserve on a elegant and refined tannic frame. The lengthy cherry filled finish is delightfully integrated and balanced with the wood, fruit, acid and tannins… marvelously sophisticated. Risqué would never have guessed this was a California Pinot Noir!!! Amazing!!!

2006 Highliner Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara ($43)

The sparkling garnet liquid has a bright cherry fruit filled nose with earthy Shitake mushrooms. The impression of sweetness floods the mouth along with rich toasted oak frame supporting a body of dried concentrated plum and tart cherry. This wine will age nicely… well over 10 years. Stupendious!!!

It had been a long time since four such lovely beauties had left Risqué a bit overwhelmed yet very pleasantly satiated… He hopes it happens again very…. very… soon.

2006 St. Rita’s Earth, Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills ($35)

Little to no nose but lots of alcohol… typical Pinot Noir flavor with Cola aftertaste but quite HOT in the mouth.

Eagle Eye 2005 Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley, CA

Risqué definitely has an eagle eye for that which is extraordinary. He has perfected his eagle eye in his transition from beautiful young chicken to savvy hawk. Risqué’s refined skills lead him to this savvy hawk Sauvignon Blanc.

The liquid treats the eye with yellow that glints with light summer green. The fresh soaring nose yields the traditional varietal grapefruit with bolder notes of succulent tropical guava, fragrant green lime, ripe Anjou pear and florals dominated by citrus blossom. Crisp and clean reign supreme on the palate with nuances of more sweet guava, Anjou pear and tangy lime. Delish with herbed Chevre and dried fruits!

If you find yourself as somewhat of a savvy hawk or savvy chicken, swoop down…not go down, and wrap your talons around this beautiful bottle.

Risqué says…”Watch out my little chickadees!!!”

Alcohol: 13.75% ($20)

Patz & Hall 2005 Chardonnay, Russian River (Dutton Ranch), CA

Risqué prefers beautiful blond men on Tuesdays… or whatever day and the same is true with mouth watering delicious Chardonnays… on Tuesday!!! But this is a “Blond” that Risqué would get oral with… any day.

Of course the color would be… a handsome sunny yellow natural blond with aromas rich with butter and toasty toffee, honey, ripe pineapple, cardamon balancing against a sophisticated minerality. The 100% Chardonnay was sur lie aged in 45% Burgundian French Oak barrels yielding a mouth filling and rich nectar of toasted oak, bountiful butterscotch, citrusy acidic Island pineapple, nice minerality and settling into warm buttered brioche.

Risqué dons his sun glasses (and just a little gay apparel!)… a pair of toasty buttered blonds and several chilled bottles of this decadent warm weather treat…. Here’s to his pool boys! Yum!

Alcohol: 14.7% ($39)

Loose Goose Wine Club Private Tasting Dinner

Risqué loves invitations and was invited to a sumptuous private wine tasting dinner hosted by Peter Goossens of Loose Goose Wine Society. The evening paired fabulous wines selected by The Great Goose himself with special creations by Salt Creek Grille’s Executive Chef. The event was the premier debut of “1667 Army of Geese, 2005 Limited Custom Blend” which will be another story however, the amazement started with a marvelous Pinot Gris… Risqué had never met a Pinot Gris that made him quack!!!

Evergreen Vineyards, 2005 Spruce Goose, Pinot Gris, Oregon

The feathers on this goose are fluffed with a pale golden gosling yellow. On the beak, this Pinot Gris has a downy light crisp dimensional and textured appeal with truffled honey, chamomile and fresh laundry. Risqué so enjoyed the nose that he lingered an unusual amount of time before he took it in the bill where he just as equally was ruffled by the tastes of it’s light dry floral, honeydew, pear and earthy muskiness. The Great Goose paired this most delightfully, with a pan-seared stuffed Asparagus with Dungeness Crab, wrapped with Italian Pancetta served impressively standing proud in a steamed tomato elegantly finished with sauce Béarnaise.

Risqué is not exactly sure which goose laid the Golden egg… The Great Goose himself or Evergreen Vineyards… but one thing is for sure, Risqué’s goose was cooked. Risqué will never again to say “Pinot Gris is an odd duck goose”.

Risqué’s fondest affection and appreciation to The Great Goose!

Alcohol 13.5% ($15)

New Walmart wine selections…

12) Chateau Traileur Parc

11) White Trashfindel

10) Big Red Gulp

9) Grape Expectations Domaine Wal-Mart “Merde du Pays”

7) NASCARbernet

6) Chef Boyardeaux

5) Peanut Noir

4) Chateau des Moines

3) I Can’t Believe It’s Not Vinegar!

2) World Championship Riesling

And the # 1 name for Wal-Mart Wine…

1) Nasti Spumante                                                  

                                              Anonymous

Heitz Cellars 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, CA

Although peering over the edge of a precipice makes Risqué’s toes cringe and tingle… these Heitz don’t bother Risqué’s Acrophobia in the slightest. However, this expansive liquid still induces suffering with a great many tingles!!!

Risqué adores the dark plum depths stilting a silky texture, swirling with fragrances of oak, unsweetened cocoa, and luscious dark fruit accented in the mouth by soaring spice, towering woody oak, tall cherry, expansive plum and rich creamy chocolate reminiscent of the Swiss Alps.. Due to a bit of rising alcohol in the nose and a bit of pubescent chewyness in the mouth, Risqué recommends you decant (or wait 5 – 10 years) to enjoy the full height of this tall pleasure.

The first year in American Oak tanks and second year in “High-Falutin’” French Limousin Oak barrels has certainly given stature to this expansive Napa Cab Sav and it is Risqué’s attempt at Behavioral Therapy to acquire significantly large quantities of to help to medicate his phobia. Risqué finds himself reaching for new “Heitz”.

Alcohol 14.5% ($42)

Jayson 2005 Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, CA

While Carrie Bradshaw was certainly voluptuously sexy in Sex in the City, Erin Green (Pahlmeyer’s winemaker) crafted “Jayson” 2005 Pinot Noir into a voluptuously sexy wine that surely makes one feel like they have their own Mr. Big.

Studded with a fabulous Rubilite Tourmaline color, the sensual scents exude pure cherry, subtle soft woody notes, green herbs, soothing sweet tobacco ending with a pleasant fleeting terroir. Through the lips are tastes of deep cherry, ripe blackberry and blushing strawberries.

The unfiltered Pinot Noir was aged for 9 months in 67% new French oak. Risqué recommends adding another notch to your wine cellar’s belt and add it to your collection as in another 10 to 15 years it will be at the height of sophistication.

With a bottle of Jayson in hand, some salty dialog and gorgeous Blahniks, Risqué was ready to make his own version of Sex in the City… Come on Mr. Big!

Alcohol 14.9% ($65)