Patassy & Keller

This past Saturday I was at a family dinner with my mom's side. My uncle and aunt enjoy wine, but unfortunately believe anything and everything they taste to be "the best." Especially if my dad tells them it's good. Then it must be the most delicious thing ever tasted. Anyways, we decided to bring a 2006 Patassy Vineyards Russian River Pinot and a 2006 Duckhorn Vineyards Napa Valley Cab. Moderately priced but definitely tasty.

Of course I was partial to the Patassy - it's a pinot. Very full, expressive nose and body, full of red fruits and spices and cinnamon. The finish is long and a bit tannic, but perfectly balanced. This is a wine that is a great value for the flavor, but hard to find due to it's popularity.

The Duckhorn was a perfect balance to the heavy Italian dinner we were having of lasagna. This wine had a lot of oak in it, but it lacked the butter that oak is usually associated with. There was more vanilla than butter. Dark fruit defined the body. Tannic back end.

On a FOOD note, we had the most amazing dish with my dad's side. Thomas Keller recently released the Ad Hoc at Home cookbook, written to not intimidate the cook. For Thanksgiving, my aunt made the Leek Bread Pudding from the book, and it was beyond good. The brioche was the perfect texture and consistency for the dish and the flavor was rich but not overpowering. A savory alternative to the rich stuffing that it a holiday staple.

I'm cooking for a tea party this week - I am thinking cinnamon scones and maybe a dessert...