Wednesday, May 30, 2018

Sparkling Wine Tasting #WeekendWinedown

Zardetto Refosso Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Brut 2015 (Conegliano-Valdobbiadene, Italy) - Halo of bubbles - fine in the glass but coarse on the palate. Charmat Method. Notes of green apple, pear, lemon pear, white flowers, biscuit, and crushed rock. On the palate off-dry, medium minus alcohol, body, and length, medium acidity, and low complexity. Notes of green apple, pear, floral, lemon, and crushed rock. 
Segura Viudas Cava Brut Reserva 2015 (Cava, Spain) - Fine bubbles in the glass but less bubbly on the palate. Traditional Method. Notes of sulphur, rubber band, perfume, mushroom, canned asparagus (some sort of funk), bread dough, apricot, wet stone, and underripe lemon. Dry, medium minus alcohol, body, length, and complexity and medium acidity. Notes of apricot, peach, lemon, grapefruit pith, almond, floral, and wet stone. A creamy texture from lees aging. 
Twee Jonge Gezellen Krone Vintage Rosé Cuvée Brut 2016 (Western Cape, South Africa) - Halo bubbles in the glass with no bubbles on the palate. Traditional Method. A lot of lees again notes, unbaked bread, yeast, biscuit, and cheesy. Also notes of apple juice, grape juice, cherry, strawberry, raspberry, orange, bruised apple, and steel. Dry with medium minus alcohol and length, medium acidity, body, and complexity. Notes of steel, raspberry, strawberry, cherry pit, grape juice, apple cider, bruised apple, nutty, unbaked bread, bitter almond, and grapefruit. 
Louis Bouillot Perle d'Ivoire Crémant de Bourgogne Blanc de Blancs Brut NV (Crément de Bourgogne, France) - Consistent pin point bubbles. Traditional Method - Blanc de Blanc. Notes of under ripe pineapple, apricot, lemon, lime, green apple, honeydew, yeast, biscuit, floral, crushed rock, and bread dough. Dry with medium minus alcohol, length, and complexity, medium plus acidity, and medium body. Notes of pineapple, lemon, honeydew, grapefruit, apple, bread dough, floral, nutty, and almond. Creamy texture from lees aging.
Nicolas Feuillatte Champagne Grande Réserve Brut NV (Champagne, France) - Notes of honeysuckle, apple juice, unbaked bread, pear, grapefruit, bruised apple, almond, honey, underripe strawberry, parmesan rind, nutty, steel, and candied lemon. Dry with medium minus alcohol and length and medium plus acidity, body, and complexity. Notes of lemon square, apple juice, honey, shortbread, dried apricot, toast, and grapefruit. Creamy texture. 
Veuve Clicquot Champagne Vintage Rich 2008 (Champagne, France) - Pin point bubbles. Traditional Method. Creamy texture - lees and slight oak aging. Notes of sandalwood, toasty bread, almond, marshmallow, Greek yogurt, lemon zest, pear, yellow apple, apricot, and chalk. Dry with medium minus alcohol, high acidity, medium plus body, and medium length and complexity. Notes of apricot, pear, Greek yogurt, marshmallow, creamy lemon, yellow apple, almond, chalk, grapefruit, and slight vanilla. 
Batasiolo Moscato d'Asti Bosc dla Rei 2016 (Moscato d'Asti, Italy) - No bubbles in glass but felt on palate. Rural Method - produced “a la measure”. Notes of apricot, pineapple, lychee, mandarin, mango, “bonkers” florality, peach, and honey. On the palate sweet with low alcohol (5.5%), medium acidity, full body, and medium minus length and complexity. Notes of confected apricot, lychee, and peach.
Viticoltori Acquesi Brachetto D'Acqui Sparkling (Piedmond, Italy) - Bubble halo - Charmet/Tank Method. Notes of confected/medicinal cherry, raspberry, plum, strawberry, grape juice, and subtle spice. Sweet with low alcohol, medium acidity, medium plus body, and medium minus length and complexity. Notes of cherry, strawberry, raspberry, plum, grape juice, and flowers.

Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Recent Fashion Obsessions

Sandra Bullock - "Ocean's 8" NYC Photocall
Ensemble: Elie Saab | Jewellery: Rachel Katz 
Hair Stylist: David Babaii | Makeup Artist: Sabrina Bedrani 
Stylist: Elizabeth Stewart

Sarah Paulson - "Ocean's 8" NYC Photocall
Ensemble: Michael Kors | Pumps: Stella Luna | Jewellery: Jen Meyer
Hair Stylist: Lacy Redway | Makeup Artist: Gita Bass
Stylist: Karla Welch

Becca Kufrin - The Bachelorette Season 14 Premiere
Gown: Randi Rahm | Jewellery: Dena Kemp | Sandals: Stuart Weitzman 
Hair Stylist: Havana Hair | Makeup Artist: Gina Modica
Stylist: Kystine Couch

Meghan Markle - Prince Charles' 70th Birthday 
Dress: Goat Fashion | Hat: Philip Treacy | Clutch: Wilbur & Gussie | Pumps: Tamara Mellon | Earrings: Vanessa Tugendhaft

Friday, May 25, 2018

The Rhône Valley Wine Tasting #WeekendWinedown

Château de Beaucastel Coudoulet de Beaucastel Côte du Rhône Blanc 2015 (Côtes-du-Rhône, France) - On the nose white flower perfume, lemon white grapefruit, golden apple, pear, apricot, pineapple, white pepper, honey, wet stone, and subtle steel. On the palate this wine was dry with medium alcohol and body, and medium plus acidity, length, and complexity. The same notes on the nose continued on the palate, ripe/fresh peach, pineapple, apricot, pear, lemon, white pepper, golden apple, flowers, and wet stone. This wine also had a light oily texture.
Pierre Gaillard Condrieu 2015 (Condrieu, France) - On the nose flower shoppe, melon, honeysuckle, herbaceous/vegetal, peach, apricot, tangerine, honey, wet stone, and almond. On the palate this wine was dry with medium alcohol and acidity, and medium minus body, length, and complexity. Riper/richer apricot, honey, peach, flowers, orange blossom, mandarins, wet stone, and almond. There was also a sort of syrup weight. 
Gabriel Meffre Laurus Crozes-Hermitage Rouge 2014 (Crozes-Hermitage, France) - On the nose vanilla, chocolate, coffee, raw meat, blood/iron, raspberry, plum, tomato, black pepper, smoked meat, mint, ketchup chips, and fresh-turned earth. On the palate this wine was dry with medium alcohol, body, length, and complexity, medium minus tannins, and medium plus acidity. Notes of fresh red berries, cherry, blueberry, raspberry, plum, chocolate, coffee, spices/smoke, mocha, and blood/iron. 
Jean-Luc Colombo Syrah Cornas Terres Brûlées 2015 (Cornas, France) - This was the perfect blend of savoury, fruit, and earth! Notes of fresh/dried violets, cherry, tomato, cedar, blackberry, plum, soy sauce, smoke, black pepper, steak spice, fig, dried leaf, forest floor, and bay leaf. On the palate this wine was dry with medium plus structure and complexity, and medium length (the full structure is cutting the length into bitterness). Notes of forest floor, fresh/ripe plum, black cherry, blueberry, raspberry, flowers, coffee, smoke, and cedar. 
Barossa Valley Estate E&E Black Pepper Shiraz 2014 (Barossa Valley, Australia) - On the nose eucalyptus, rosemary, blueberry pie, chocolate, mocha, smoke, lavender, vanilla, menthol, black pepper, pencil, liquorice, and fresh-turned earth. A lot of confection and jammy characters. On the palate this wine was dry with high alcohol and complexity, full body and length, medium tannins, and medium plus acidity. Notes of cold blueberry pie (tartness), smoke, floral, chocolate, vanilla, mocha, mixed berries, and fresh-turned earth. Overall rich and round. 
Paul Jaboulet Aîné Côtes du Rhone Villages Plan de Dieu 2015 (Côtes-du-Rhône-Villages, France) - Great example of Southern Rhône garrigue quality. On the nose rosemary, thyme, chocolate covered raisins, chocolate, ripe cherry, floral, forest floor, slight graphite, and cherry nips. On the palate this wine was dry with medium plus alcohol, medium acidity and body, and medium minus tannins, length, and complexity. Notes of ripe cherry, spice, pepper, vanilla, subtle herbs, and subtle graphite. 
Domaine du Grapillon d'Or Gigondas 2014 (Gigondas, France) - Southern Rhône garrigue quality. On the nose chocolate blueberry, black pepper, cherry liqueur, violet, sweet vanilla, liquorice, ripe strawberry, cherry, herbs, forest floor, and dark chocolate. This wine was dry with high alcohol, and medium plus tannins, acidity, body, length, and complexity. Notes of forest floor, ripe cherry, strawberry, burnt orange peel, spices wood, vanilla, dark bitter chocolate, and plum. Had a negroni quality - herbaceous-ness from the gin and bitterness from the compari. 
Domaine Font de Michelle Gonnet Père & Fils Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2015 (Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France) - Garrigue and ripe/jam quality. On the nose strawberry jam, cherry juice, rhubarb, violet, cinnamon hearts, subtle graphite, forest floor, floral, and vanilla. On the palate this wine was dry with high alcohol, medium plus tannins, acidity, body, length, and complexity. Notes of herbs, floral, forest floor, strawberry jam, cinnamon hearts, rhubarb, spice, rosemary, lavender, smoke, and tomato.

Monday, May 21, 2018

Best Dressed #RoyalWedding Edition

Ceremony: St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle

Meghan Markle (aka The Duchess of Sussex)
Gown & Veil: Givenchy by Clare Waight Keller | Tiara: Queen Mary's Filigree Bandeau | Studs & Bracelet: Cartier | Engagement & Wedding Rings: Cleave and Co.
Hair Stylist: Serge Normant | Makeup Artist: Daniel Martin

Lady Kitty Spencer
Dress, Pumps, & Clutch: Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda | Jewellery: Bulgari | Fascinator: Philip Treacy
Hair Stylist: Kelly May | Makeup Artist: SJ Wai

Oprah Winfrey
Dress: Stella McCartney | Bag: Gabriela Hearst | Hat: Philip Treacy (Vintage)
Hair Stylist: Nicole Mangrum | Makeup Artist: Derrick Rutledge
Stylist: Annabelle Harron

Chelsy Davy
Dress and Sandals: Azzedine Alaia

Victoria Beckham
Dress: Victoria Beckham | Fascinator: Stephen Jones 
Hair Stylist: Ken Paves | Makeup: Wendy Rowe

Sarah Rafferty
Dress: Lanvin | Fascinator: Philip Treacy | Pumps: Aquazzura | Jewellery: Cartier | Clutch: Tyler Ellis
Hair Stylist: Chad Maxwell | Makeup Artist: Alex Babsky

Priyanka Chopra
Suit: Vivian Westwood (Custom) | Hat: Philip Treacy | Jewellery: Lorraine Schwartz | 
Sandals: Jimmy Choo
Hair Stylist: Ken O'Rourke | Makeup Artist: Pati Dubroff
Stylist: Mimi Cuttrell

Serena Williams
Dress: Atelier Versace | Necklace: Bulgari | Ring: Piguet

Amal Clooney
Dress: Stella McCartney | Hat: Steven Jones | Pumps: Aquazzara

Reception: Frogmore House 

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex
Gown: Stella McCartney | Pumps: Aquazzara | Ring: Princess Diana's
Hair Stylist: Serge Normant | Makeup Artist: Daniel Martin

Priyanka Chopra
Ensemble: Dior | Jewellery: Lorraine Schwartz 
Hair Stylist: Ken O'Rourke | Makeup Artist: Pati Dubroff
Stylist: Mimi Cuttrell 

Wednesday, May 16, 2018

The Blake Lively Obsession Continues...

Baby 2 Baby & Shutterfly Event
Dress: Jenny Packham | Hoops: Alison Lou | Sandals: Christian Louboutin
Hair Stylist: Rod Ortega | Makeup Artist: Kristofer Buckle

Deadpool 2 NYC Premiere

Dress: Brandon Maxwell | Jewellery: Lorraine Schwartz | Clutch: Judith Leiber |
Sandals: Christian Louboutin
Hair Stylist: Rod Ortega | Makeup Artist: Kristofer Buckle | Nail Artist: Elle

Burgundy Wine Tasting #WeekendWinedown

Domaine Hervé Azo Chablis 2015 (Chablis, France) - On the nose subtle grass notes as well as raw dough and almonds from potential lees aging, green apple, lemon, lime, and white flowers. Both flint and chalk minerality were present. On the palate this wine was dry with medium minus alcohol and body, and medium plus acidity. Subtle almond, nutty, and yeasty notes from lees aging give a creamy texture. With other notes of green apple, lemon, flint, chalk, and white flower. Short length and medium minus complexity.
Caves Jean et Sébastien Dauvissat Chablis Premiere Cru 'Montmains' 2014 (Chablis, France) - On the nose toast, biscuit, nuts, and almond from lees again. Yellow apple, lemon skin, apricot, honey, white flower, flint, and chalk. In the palate this wine was dry with low/soft tannins (surprising for white wine I know), medium alcohol and body, and high acidity. Notes of apple, apricot, lemon, under ripe white pineapple, almond, flint, and chalk. This wine was very citrus and acidic forward. Length medium and complexity medium minus.
Berthenet Tête de Cuvée Montagny 2015 (Montagny, France) - On the nose subtle yeast, honey, vanilla, smoke, and caramel notes most likely from large old oak casks. Tropical notes were the hero, pineapple, melon, and papaya, as well as apple, wet stone, crushed rock, and floral soapy notes. On the palate this wine was dry with medium body and alcohol, and medium plus acidity. Notes of vanilla, pineapple, melon, lemon, caramel, butterscotch, toast, nuts spices, wet stone, and crushed rock. Both medium length and complexity. 
Remoissenet Père & Fils Pommard Premier Cru 'Les Arvelets' 2014 (Pommard, France) - This was sheer deliciousness! On the nose yogurt, corn husk, vanilla, smoke, cream corn, caramel, butterscotch, grilled pineapple, candied lemon, melon, apricot, bruised apple, mango, banana, and wet stone. On the palate this wine was dry with medium alcohol and medium plus body and acidity. Notes of cream corn, buttered corn, vanilla, lemon, bruised apple, spicy apricot, pineapple, nut, and wet stone. Medium plus length and complexity. 
Château Grange Cochard Vieilles Vignes Morgon 2014 (Morgon, France) - Notes of fresh ripe cherry, strawberry, cranberry, black current, black pepper, liquorice, violet, mushroom, forest floor, and wet stone. On the palate this wine was dry w/ medium alcohol and body, medium minus tannins, and medium plus acidity. Notes of fresh/sour cherry, strawberry, cranberry cocktail, black pepper, raspberry, violets, forest floor, and wet stone. Medium length and complexity.
Domaine Niot Vieilles Vignes Mercurey 2015 (Mercurey, France) - On the nose black liquorice, fresh under ripe cherry, blackberry, blueberry, strawberry, roses, violet, graphite, leaf, and mushroom. On the palate this wine was dry w/ medium alcohol and body, medium minus tannins, and medium plus acidity. Notes of fresh/crunchy blackberry, cherry, strawberry, cranberry, liquorice, violet, mushroom, and forest floor. Medium minus length and complexity. 
Domaine Machard de Gramont Vieilles Vignes Nuits-Saint-Georges 2015 (Nuits-Saint-Georges, France) - On the nose black tea, green pepper, tomato steam, spiced cherry, strawberry, leather, graphite, strawberry shortcake, cloves, baking spices, cinnamon, shortcake, and mushroom. On the palate this wine was dry with medium alcohol, tannins (fine and sticky), and body, and medium plus acidity. Notes of sour cherry, strawberry, cranberry, tomato, green pepper, blackberry, mushroom, forest floor, and cinnamon. Medium length and medium plus complexity. 
Hartford Court Land's Edge Vineyard Pinot Noir 2014 (Sonoma Coast, USA) - On the nose jolly rancher, strawberry and cherry jam, cedar, plum, vanilla, smoke, rose petal, black tea, tomato leaf, sweet tarts, strawberry-rhubarb jam, and mushroom. On the palate this wine was dry with high alcohol, medium minus tannins, and medium plus acidity and body. Notes of sweetish berries, black tea, blackberry, plum, smoke, clove, raspberry, spice, and mushroom. Medium plus length and complexity.