Silver Oak Cellars Relase Party Time Again (August 1st)

I have written about this many times, gone to it even more times, had fun always. If you like great cabernet, great food, great music, and a great time, you need to go. The new building in Oakville is open, so no need to make the trek to Geyserville this year.

Date: Saturday, August 1, 2009
Time: 9 am to 3:30 pm; sales continue until 4 pm
Locations:
Alexander Valley: Geyserville Estate
Napa Valley: Oakville Estate

Dave Matthews Band at Outside Lands Festival August 29th

August 29th at Golden Gate Park.
Get your tickets at http://sfoutsidelands.com

Here is the lineup for the day.

Dave Matthews Band
Black Eyed Peas
The Mars Volta
Jason Mraz
TV on the Radio
Conor Oberst & The Mystic Valley Band
Mastodon
Raphael Saadiq
Os Mutantes
Street Sweeper Social Club
JJ Grey & Mofro
Deerhunter
Lila Downs
Zion I
Bat For Lashes
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
Groundation
Dengue Fever
The Dirtbombs
Portugal. The Man
Ryan Bingham
Extra Golden
Infantree

Back from the break !!!!

Thanks to all of you have emailed or asked what happend to the blog. I was suffering from a lack in insporation, and lack of good wines, and recipes to write about. I have a bunch of new ideas, and new things to write about now. As always many thanks to the Alpha and Beta testers.

Todd K.

1997 Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

In a few words "This is the mother of all nineties Cabs". I stole this line from the wine maker Bo Barret (see the movie Bottle Shock if you don't know who he is). It is big, bold, nice mouth feel, lots of fruit, long lingering finish. Of all the 1997 cabs I have, and have tasted this is my favorite to date. The perfect pairing is grilled pineapple and foie gras.

Grilled Pineapple

This is good with most anything, it is a hit around our house.

Core, peel, and slice a ripe pineapple into half inch slices. In a 9x13 glass baking dish add 1/2 cup of water, 1/2 cup of dark rum, 1/2 cup brown sugar, and 2 table spoons of cinnamon. Stir until mostly dissolved. Marinade the pineapple slices for 30 minutes to one hour. Throw them on the grill at medium head (~350) for about 3 to 4 minutes per side.