VJB Cellars
Saturday, A Fun Day at Copper Valley Clubhouse and Verona18
Started out with a late lunch at Verona18 restaurant as they were hosting a Spring Wine Party at 4:30 pm. Wanted to have some food in the stomach before the Spring Wine Party. Ordered a seafood ceviche with scallops, white fish, shrimp in a lime vinaigrette, slices of avocado and tortilla chips. Avocado slices removed except one for the picture as I don’t eat them. The dish was exceptional delicious.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
This was just the right amount of food before sampling some of the 84 wines being poured by a combination of 13 distributors and wineries.
Too many wines to enumerate but some of the best in my opinion were J. Lohr Vineyards and Wines Cuvee POM (80% Cab Franc/20% Cab Sauvignon), DAOU RSV Cabernet Sauvignon, Belle Glos Clark & Telephone, Jayson Cab Sauvignon, Vineyard 29 and Alexana Pinot Noir.
Our Friday night Wine and Dine Group agreed to meet on Saturday after this event to enjoy a meal and some additional wine (as if we needed more!). I was stuffed from the late lunch and the appetizers served at the Spring Wine event and had a simple Caprese appetizer for my meal. Delicious with freshness and hit the spot with sliced tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil and all drizzled with balsamic glaze.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Some of the other wines brought to dinner and we enjoyed this evening were from Sonoma Valley, Paso Robles, Dundee Hills in Oregon and Napa Valley.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
One of the announcements at the Wine Party was for the Volunteer of the Year for the community. The award went to the ever energetic and lovely Pat Hansen. While winning the award, they should have also named her for sainthood. A wonderful and deserving award for Pat.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly
https://californiawinesandwineries.com
https://www.coppervalleygolf.com
2022 VJB Cellars Aglianico (Sonoma) and 2012 Entre Nous Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa) With A Delicious Meal
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Here is a previous review of the 2021 VJB Cellars Aglianico: https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2021/09/11/eureka-2017-vjb-cellars-estate-aglianico/
Photo ©Michael Kelly
This entire meal was enjoyed with a 2012 Entre Nous Cabernet Sauvignon along with the Aglianico. For a review of this exquisite wine made by Philip Melka that unfortunately is no longer made, can be found at: https://californiawinesandwineries.com/2023/01/03/2009-entre-nous-cabernet-sauvignon-what-a-great-wine/
We started out with various cheeses, crackers and roasted almonds. Additionally, a combination of gourmet potato chips from WINE CHIPS were enjoyed. The WINE CHIPS served were a combination of chips called Blue Cheese, Dry Aged Ribeye and Billionaire’s Bacon. Sorry, no pictures as they were gobbled up quickly!
Photo from Flatiron Pepper Company
We had an enjoyable dinner this weekend catching up with friends. Dinner, we had an all-day marinated tri-tip steak with Chaka sauce and seasoned with applewood smoke salt with Flatiron BBQ Rub was pounded in the steak on both sides. This rub contains chipotle, ancho, habanero, thyme, toasted onion, smoke ghost peppers, roasted garlic and paprika.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Then seared at 1500 degrees on the BBQ with the center being medium-rare and the ends more medium. Various side dishes were prepared with this dinner. Included were seasoned and baked potato wedges, fresh green beans that were sautéed with garlic, a French Baggett was sliced and dipped in garlic and kosher salt and then toasted and then finished off with a delicious 7-layer salad that was both artistic and scrumptious.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Here is the entire meal plated minus the salad that was in a separate salad bowl.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The meal was enjoyed with a 2012 Entre Nous Cabernet Sauvignon along with the VJB Cellars Aglianico that was a very fine pairing.
The dinner was so enjoyable and the company even better!
Sláinte,
Michael Kelly