Big Fat Wine

My brother and his wife invited us out to celebrate their 21st wedding anniversary at Chopstix in Tacoma, WA. Since it is located near Cork (one of our favourite wine bars) and Jazzbones on 6th Avenue, we knew right where it was located.

Given its close proximity to Cork, I probably never would have ventured inside,  expecting  just a mellow candle lit place to listen to Burt Bacharach (not that there’s anything wrong with that). What a fun place to bring your friends and family! I am still astonished at how packed this place was at midnight and happy to hear they actually stay open until 2am on Saturday night. Admittedly, we were not raising our hands to volunteer our talents upfront, but if you bring an open mind, some drink money and a few crazy friends, you won’t be disappointed. They played a variety of tunes from Bon Jovi to Neil Diamond and yes, even some Beastie Boys. The food was not inexpensive but fairly priced. I had the “New York State of Mind” and the rest had the “Seafood Mornay”. Great tasting dinner but the portions left us wanting more. Perhaps that is best considering our “American Style” appetites. The waitstaff was very friendly and instictively knew when we wanted attention.

Not being a wine-centric bar, I was not expecting much, but one of the house reds was really enjoyable. The Sycamore Lane Cabernet is a foodservice-only wine made by the Trinchero Family Estates in California. An enticing aroma of red cherries and vanilla with herbal tones really enhanced everything we had for dinner. It was medium bodied with light tannins and well balanced. We were pleasantly surprised and thirsty! Luckily, we didn’t partake in more than a few glasses, otherwise we would have been up on the piano strutting to “Blue Suede Shoes” or something equally revealing! Maybe next time.

Chopstix – Tacoma
2702 6th Avenue
Tacoma, WA 98406

253.627.7555
tacomainfo@chopstixpianobar.com

General Manager – Jasmine Baker

Here is just a sample of what you can expect at Chopstix in Tacoma!

<>

Vitiano 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot/Sangiovese, IGT Umbria

Where it’s from:Montecchio Terni Umbria Italy.

Winemakers notes: A blend of 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot and 34% Sangiovese, after fermentation they let the wine age for just three months in French Never oak barrels for a hint of oak character and a touch of added complexity.

Cherries and oak blast the pallet with this young wine, and although it is extremely flavourful, I need to disagree with most reviews and say it definitely isn’t “complex”. This is a good everyday beverage wine. Overall, it gets a “THIN” Score from Big Fat Wine. An average wine with little distinction except that it is soundly made.

I think I will give this another chance in the future and hope Bacchus shakes his magic corkscrew and it develops further.

[JBC]16September2010 / BFW

<>

2006 Faithful Hound

Where it’s from: Mulderbosch is situated in the prime Koelenhof area of Stellenbosch, South Africa.

41% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Petit Verdot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 9% Merlot, 4% Malbec. From the winemaker: The grapes were handpicked and crushed into stainless steel fermenters where the must was cold soaked overnight and allowed to begin fermentation spontaneously. The mash was then inoculated with a variety of cultured yeasts. The wine fermented dry on the skins, was pressed and underwent malolactic fermentation before being blended and racked to barrel for maturation. A light fining and filtration was applied just before bottling.

Total production: 6600 x 12 x 750ml
Fermentation temperature: 22° – 28° C
Wood ageing: 18 months - 42% new and 58% 2nd fill French oak barrels (225 litre)

Created as a tribute to Boes (“Bushy” in Afrikaans), the loyal dog that kept watch over Mulderbosch farm for three years after his owner’s death.

We first drank this bottle @ Winestyles in Federal Way, WA. This Bordeaux style South African Blend is deep ruby- rich black in color. An immediate burst of plums and honey hits the rear taste buds. Iron, tobacco, dark fruit and coffee! If that doesn’t make your tastebuds perk up, especially in Seattle, nothing will. The tannins are smooth and the 30 second aftertaste was a “creamy licorice” flavor. If you can’t tell, I love it! It’s what I like to refer to as a “Chewy Red”.

Overall, it gets a “VOLUPTUOUS (+)” Score from Big Fat Wine. An outstanding wine of exceptional complexity and character. Terrific!

[JBC]20August2010 / BFW

<>

Yet another cool evening here in the Pacific Northwest. I almost reached for the thermostat to turn the heat up. I think a wine review is a better choice…

2007 ”CSM” Red 

I have to come right out and give this a ”VOLUPTUOUS” Score from Big Fat Wine. An outstanding wine of exceptional complexity and character. Terrific! From the label (yes I said label) to the deep jam colors and aromatic red fruits mixed with brown sugar, this bottle presents itself romantically well! Where it’s from: (winemaker notes) “100% of the fruit was sourced from the Wahluke Slope, a warm region known for ripe, jammy reds. The most northern Ste. Michelle growing area, the Wahluke Slope is bordered on both the west and the south by the Columbia River. The region’s warm days cause the grapes to assert sweet citrus and tropical characteristics, while the cool nights promote good structure, balance and flavor intensity”. Our wine reviews began with a white wine! I have been reminding myself that for about 2 weeks. So now I leap forward to one of our favorite places, Chateau Ste. Michelle. This wine was part of our membership wines and we couldn’t wait any longer to pour some at home.  Blend: 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Syrah, 7% Malbec. It has some of my favorite qualities; It is a “heavy” red blend, balanced but pronounced tannins, and the ”sparky” berries stay with you long afterwards. It is late at night so firing up the grill is probably not going to happen. This is one for the beef slab. The huge chunk of london broil that Jona tosses onto the rack and sears on both sides, slices up and tosses it on your plate before it even knows it was out of the package. This wine is however, beautiful by itself. Color depth is deep and a purple garnet hue. The nose is definitely tobacco / leather /blackberry /  fig.  It is grapey, thick and lasting. Perfect for these cool Washington “summers”. C’mon summer. Get with it! Red’s will dominate our tasting reviews because that is what we prefer. I guess what that also means is that when a white is spoken highly of, it is worth the leap.
 

[JBC]5July2010 / BFW