1986 Dunn Cabernet Howell Mountain

3/10/2012-Tracey Reichow, Winemaker & Proprietor of Black Cat Vineyard,  enjoying a 1986 Dunn Howell Mountain cabernet on her birthday.

1981 Joseph Swan Zinfandel

2/8/12-Keith and Helen Faust hosted the knitters and the group enjoyed another example of a well made zinfandel by Joseph Swann. The menu for the evening consisted of Sloppy Joe Mac and Cheese (casserole), tossed green salad, garlic bread and Ricotta Cheesecake (not your traditional cheesecake).

Champagne Tasting

1//29/2012-Members of the Folsom Wine Group met at the home of Gary Rose and Laura Laskowski to partake in their annual blind Champagne tasting. Food provided by the group included Turkey Meatloaf Sliders, Quiche, Devilled eggs with Caviar, Onion Tart, Caviar Pie, Lamb Chops, Baby stuffed potatoes, stuffed mushrooms, Ethnic Chicken and Shrimp.

Eight Champagnes in order of finish, with first, second and last votes noted.
1st - Billecart-Salmon Brut Reserve 3, 5, 0
2nd - Michel Loriot Selection Extra Brut 0, 3, 1
3rd - Jaillance Brut 3, 1, 2
4th tie - Leclerc Briant Extra Brut 2, 0, 3
4th tie - Philippe Gonet Brut Reserve 2, 1, 1
6th - Michel Loriot Cuvee Reserve Brut 1, 1, 0
7th - Pierre Morlet Brut 1, 0, 2
8th - Bruno Michel Cuvee Millesime Brut 0, 1, 3

Interesting how 6 wines got first place votes and 6 got last place votes.

2006 Brunello Tasting

1/15/2012-Tim and Jane Curtis hosted the subject wine tasting providing a delicious spaghetti and meatballs dinner. The primary purpose of the tasting was to compare the three styles of Brunello’s; namely Modern, Traditional and Modern/Traditional. The following three wines were tasted blind:


Casanova di Neri (JJB97, RP93, WS93)-Modern
Fuligni (JJB93, RP96, WS94)-Modern/Traditional
Collosorbo (JJB95, RP93, WS93)-Traditional

The favorite of the three was the Collosorbo and was guessed correctly by the majority as a Traditional. Also, the Casanova was guessed correctly by the majority as a Modern. The Fuligni received nearly even votes for all 3 categories which would suggest a Modern/Traditional wine.

2007 Dunn Cabernet Tasting

1/12/2012-Helen and Keith Faust, Tim and Jane Curtis and Carl Hennige conducted a comparative tasting of the 2007 Dunn Howell Mountain (RP97 points) and Napa (RP95 points) cabernets at the Lakeforest Wines Folsom store.  Awesome wines!!!

1978 Hanzell Pinot Noir

1/11/2012-Ross and Donna McGuire hosted the monthly knitters dinner and served a roasted pork loin stuffed with corn bread, apples and bacon (just some bacon bits for flavoring), butternut squash/corn sauté, and butter lettuce salad.  The mystery wine was a pleasant surprise considering it’s age, and several participants came back for seconds, including the elegantly dressed Ann Vik.

2007 Bond Matriarch and 2000 Lynch Bages

1/10/2012-The Curtis and Faust couples met at the Hennige home to discuss TV sound systems and watch 3D TV.  The Bond and Lynch Bages were paired with a pizza appetizer and complimented with peanut butter to enhance the pizza crust.  Doesn’t hardly get any better!!