tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75537171597240947232024-03-13T16:49:15.043-04:00The Eclectic DilettanteWine, Travel and StuffEclectic Dilettantehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08646596049594294800noreply@blogger.comBlogger301125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553717159724094723.post-82453087814104850882011-10-03T10:12:00.015-04:002011-10-03T13:41:23.094-04:00Moss Lawn Foiled By FungusIt's been raining here non-stop for days. When I finally got outside to start planting moss, I noticed a large patch of white mushrooms growing on the maple tree.Since I love wild mushrooms more than a normal person should, I got all excited. I was imagining a seasonal supply of succulent mushrooms to be had for free....simply by walking out the front door.My favorite farmer, whom mom and I Eclectic Dilettantehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08646596049594294800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553717159724094723.post-79002174496190030932011-08-26T10:21:00.024-04:002011-10-03T15:18:23.099-04:00Lawn Improvements Part 3 -- Getting ThereLawn Improvements Part 1 -- A Strange Idea SproutsLawn Improvements Part 2 -- Cue the ViolinsLawn Improvements Part 4 -- Moss Lawn Foiled By FungusThe moss lawn looks like shit. There are patches of dead grass, bare dirt and areas that were once fully weeded are sprouting new weeds. This summer has been so hot and dry, what little moss is there is an ugly shade of used baby diaper.As they say, toEclectic Dilettantehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08646596049594294800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553717159724094723.post-4156121431894266762011-06-25T17:47:00.012-04:002011-10-03T15:17:47.840-04:00Lawn Improvements pt 2 -- Cue the ViolinsLawn Improvements Part 1 -- A Strange Idea SproutsLawn Improvements Part 3 -- Getting ThereLawn Improvements Part 4 -- Moss Lawn Foiled By FungusThere is a 300 square foot patch of front lawn that the utility company messed with when they installed a new gas meter. This spring, they put in new top soil and liberally sprayed a foam concoction of contractor grass. After laying bare for what seemed Eclectic Dilettantehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08646596049594294800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553717159724094723.post-36299962527009918892011-06-02T18:32:00.020-04:002011-10-03T15:16:51.958-04:00Lawn Improvements -- A Strange Idea Sprouts.We live in a storybook house. Really. When we first moved in, neither of us had any idea what the house we bought was trying to be. Some said it was Arts & Crafts, others said Carpenter Gothic while someone else said it was Tudor. They were all wrong. Storybook is an architectural style popular in the 20's and forgotten by the 40's. It is a fairy tale style that was inspired by the buddingEclectic Dilettantehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08646596049594294800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553717159724094723.post-2286322289020439002011-05-24T13:22:00.030-04:002011-06-06T13:08:00.645-04:00Alvin, Simon & Theodore...& John & Bob & Sue & Joan...Gardening. Some years I'm a devotee and other years I could care less. This is year three on a devotee streak to organic growing. Now that I'm spending hours in the yard, I've been noticing things previously ignored. Things like how crappy the side of the garage still appears, and oh look, the cute little chipmunks are still living by the iris bed.When I work out there they're unconcerned by my Eclectic Dilettantehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08646596049594294800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553717159724094723.post-54887525395666456252011-05-19T01:52:00.000-04:002011-05-19T01:52:00.470-04:00Firesteed Pinot 2007Area: OregonGrape: Pinot NoirAlcohol: 12.3%Rating: Black C- Dilettante C-Description: Bright red cherry and vanilla toast make up the pleasant nose. Unfortunately, sipping is a disappointment. Limp notes of red fruit with a hint of coffee was all we could get out of this. Sadly, this is nothing like the 2006. Perhaps this wine is far too subtle for our palates. Of course this is just our opinionEclectic Dilettantehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08646596049594294800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553717159724094723.post-60022425306137458962011-05-18T05:54:00.000-04:002011-05-18T05:54:00.428-04:00Venta Mazzaron 2006Area: Spain, Tierra Delvino de ZamoraGrape: TempranilloAlcohol: 14.5%Rating: Black A Dilettante A, The Z A, Qar A, Jason A, Mom ADescription: Everyone I serve this to, loves this wine. It offers up notes of caramel, tobacco, licorice, espresso, spice and loads of succulent black fruit. The Mazzaron is full and lush in the mouth with undertones of vanilla. Great balance and structure, it works Eclectic Dilettantehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08646596049594294800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553717159724094723.post-63425379153531562802011-05-17T05:00:00.000-04:002011-05-17T05:00:02.222-04:00Georges DuBoeuf Saint-Amour 2009Area: France, Saint-AmourGrape: GamayAlcohol: 13%Rating: Black B Dilettante BDescription: Cherry blossoms, violets and herbs make up this lively Beaujolais. Better slightly chilled. No decant.Price: $10Eclectic Dilettantehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08646596049594294800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553717159724094723.post-70055873002051157812011-05-16T05:45:00.002-04:002011-05-16T05:45:00.205-04:00Allegrini Palazzo Della Torre 2007Area: Italy, VeroneseGrape: 70% Corvina, 25% Rondinella, 5% Sangiovese.Alcohol: 13.5%Rating: Black A- Dilettante A-Description: About 30% of the fruit is air dried, Amarone style, giving this wine an added dimension of elegance and complexity. The nose has lovely aromas of perfume and espresso. A black licorice attack is immediately followed by elements of stewed fruit, coffee, chocolate and Eclectic Dilettantehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08646596049594294800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553717159724094723.post-30557098412202648432011-05-15T05:04:00.004-04:002011-05-15T05:04:00.817-04:00Crios De Susanna Balbo Malbec 2009Area: Argentina, MendozaGrape: MalbecAlcohol: 13.9%Rating: Black B- Dilettante BDescription: Dark and brooding flavors of spice, purple fruit and black licorice. The Crios has a touch of heat on the finish that dissipates with air. Best decanted for an hour. Another year in the bottle should tame its youthful zeal.Glass sensitive. If it isn't pleasing out of one glass, try another. Even if the Eclectic Dilettantehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08646596049594294800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553717159724094723.post-35093896735761917002011-05-14T06:00:00.000-04:002011-05-14T06:00:00.267-04:00Andezon 2008Area: France, Cotes du RhoneGrape: 90% Syrah, 10% GrenacheAlcohol: 14%Rating: Black C Dilettante C-Description: Coffee, spice with herbal notes and maybe a little black cherry. So weak on the palate, we weren't sure what was in there. The road tar finish dominates. Unimpressive and rather boring. Decanting for 20 minutes softens the harsh acidity but does little else. Wine Advocate gives this aEclectic Dilettantehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08646596049594294800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553717159724094723.post-10449369272827172232011-05-13T06:00:00.001-04:002011-05-13T16:15:00.918-04:00Santa Ema Merlot Reserve 2008Area: Chile, Maipo ValleyGrape: MerlotAlcohol: 13.5%Rating: Black B+ Dilettante B+Description: Caramel dipped blackberries on the nose. New world in styling, the attack is bright and vibrant. Mocha, vanilla, blackberry and plum flavors give way to a lingering finish of black currents. Nice and smooth in the mouth. Decant for 10 minutes.The 2008 was a little different than the 2007.Price: $10 We Eclectic Dilettantehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08646596049594294800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553717159724094723.post-89911195450570908292011-05-11T06:00:00.001-04:002011-05-11T06:23:12.260-04:00Portillo Malbec 2009Area: Argentina, MendozaGrape: MalbecAlcohol: 14%Rating: Black B Dilettante BDescription: Aromas of plums and violets with a hint of pool liner. Friendly, fruity and easy going with a spicy finish that gives this wine a Spanish flair. Not too heavy and not too light. Decanting not recommended. It loses something with too much air.Price: $8 Great buy. We will probably get this one again.Sorry, noEclectic Dilettantehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08646596049594294800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553717159724094723.post-70895412850766953672011-05-09T16:51:00.009-04:002011-05-11T06:19:16.473-04:00E.Guigal Cotes Du Rhone 2007Area: France, Cotes du RhoneGrape: 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache, 10% MourvedreAlcohol: 14%Rating: Black B- Dilettante CDescription: Leather, spice and some dark fruit, highlighted by a lingering finish. This has a nice mouth feel, unfortunately it lacks in personality. We consider this as an unobtrusive, drinkable table wine. It doesn't compete with food.Price: $12Eclectic Dilettantehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08646596049594294800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553717159724094723.post-29481926261937697252011-05-05T18:48:00.008-04:002011-05-11T06:35:27.211-04:00About Our Wine Grading SystemSince the number system seems to be inconsistent for us, I'm going to start using the old fashioned school system. A, B, C, D & F.We could never agree what number "barely drinkable" should be and I don't think it was translating well to the blog either. Barely drinkable should probably be a D to a C-. An F graded wine gets poured down the drain -- literally.I'm not going back and re-rating Eclectic Dilettantehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08646596049594294800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553717159724094723.post-30944109011515307902010-11-18T09:05:00.005-05:002010-11-19T06:09:27.665-05:00Smoked Salmon Mousse Oh MyI have always had an aversion to salmon. Smoked, broiled, canned, baked, it didn't matter. That fish was written off my menu. Permanently.When visiting with friends, no matter how many decades the friendship has lasted, the question always arises; what won't/can't you eat? I ask every guest coming into my home that question. I don't want to spend time, money and effort making something they won'tEclectic Dilettantehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08646596049594294800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553717159724094723.post-28824912764917424802010-09-18T18:48:00.004-04:002010-09-18T19:06:12.174-04:00Late Night Sweet ToothThe other evening, my sweet tooth went into overdrive. No cake, no pie, no ice cream, not even a cookie would the kitchen offer up. We were in the middle of watching a movie, so I had to come up with something quick. A spin of the lazy susan offered up left over chocolate bars. Gosh, not even some old stale pudding mix was hiding in there.So chocolate it was going to be, I just wasn't in the moodEclectic Dilettantehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08646596049594294800noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553717159724094723.post-2998365226271800922010-08-21T06:57:00.007-04:002011-05-11T05:42:45.215-04:00Don't Put Out That DuckOur friend came up from Florida to visit. We had been reminiscing about our trip to Bali, so I made Babek Betutu (Balinese duck). I've made this dish numerous times although this particular time became an event.The recipe I use calls for grilling a whole bird over coconut husks. Well, I don't have coconut husks, so I did the next best thing and broke out the old fashioned charcoal grill. I Eclectic Dilettantehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08646596049594294800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553717159724094723.post-71151263566601284332010-04-16T00:18:00.002-04:002010-04-22T09:42:20.613-04:00Puydeval 2008Area: France, LanguedocGrape: 60% Cab Franc, 28% Syrah, 12% MerlotAlcohol: 14%Rating: Black 88 Dilettante 88 Description: This wine has a depth of character that's better than its price and youth, would suggest. New World in styling, this has thick flavors of plums, vanilla, mulberry, incense and spice . The incredibly long finish is dry with a touch of minerality.Price: $12Eclectic Dilettantehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08646596049594294800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553717159724094723.post-91831045869318387312010-04-15T00:40:00.002-04:002010-04-15T00:40:00.667-04:00Milbrandt Merlot 2007Area: Washington, Columbia ValleyGrape: MerlotAlcohol: 15%Rating: Black 90 Dilettante 89Description: Very cherry vanilla with a hint of blackberry and spice. Velvety in texture with a lingering vanilla finish. Decanting not required.Black said, "this is so smooth in the mouth, it's like it's been lubricated."Price: $13Eclectic Dilettantehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08646596049594294800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553717159724094723.post-73106080770738220282010-04-14T00:43:00.000-04:002010-04-14T00:43:00.733-04:00Ichanka Malbec 2008Area: Argentina, Famatina ValleyGrape: MalbecAlcohol: 13.5%Rating: Black 92 Dilettante 90 Description: Rich and lush and a hint of mocha and spice. Well rounded in the mouth with tons of juicy ripe fruit. The finish is soft and elegant. Great for those nights when balanced simplicity hits the spot. Decanting not requiredPrice: $11Adam, my favorite wine consultant, tells me that taste buds of all Eclectic Dilettantehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08646596049594294800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553717159724094723.post-61983321318552371792010-04-13T18:27:00.006-04:002010-04-13T18:45:23.645-04:00Vitiano 2008Area: Italy, UmbriaGrape: Cab Sauv, Sangiovese, MerlotAlcohol: 13.5%Rating: Black 88 Dilettante 88Description: This is a great pizza wine. Actually, I think this is my favorite pizza wine. The nose has elements of black cherry and vanilla ice cream. Ripe mulberries and cherry on the attack with a creamy mouth feel. The lingering finish has a New World brightness that makes it playfully Eclectic Dilettantehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08646596049594294800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553717159724094723.post-67318148820797067782010-01-25T00:13:00.001-05:002010-01-25T00:13:00.462-05:00Santi Solane Ripasso 2006Area: Italy, Valpolicella Grape: 75% Corvina, 25% RondinellaAlcohol: 13.5%Rating: Black 87 Dilettante 87 Description: New World in styling, this offers notes of vanilla, toast, red fruit, spice, almond and cherry jam. Smooth in the mouth with a spicy attack and an apple tart, lingering finish. Despite this being in the Ripasso style, it had no amarone character whatsoever. After 40 minutes in theEclectic Dilettantehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08646596049594294800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553717159724094723.post-12956001057573591642010-01-20T00:01:00.005-05:002010-01-20T00:01:00.442-05:00Monte Antico 2006Area: Italy, ToscanyGrape: 85% Sangivese, 10% Cab Sauv, 5% MerlotAlcohol: 12.5%Rating: Black 89 Dilettante 89 Description: This Super Tuscan has a New World brightness. Elements of cherry, oak, florals and fine tannins make this a friendly, easy going wine. Decanting not required. Price: $9Note: Screw topEclectic Dilettantehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08646596049594294800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7553717159724094723.post-43598678242820321012010-01-18T00:01:00.000-05:002010-01-18T00:01:03.008-05:00Chateau De France Pessac Leognan 2003Area: France, Pessac-LeognanGrape: Cab Sauv 60%, Merlot 40%Alcohol: 12.5%Rating: Black 91 Dilettante 91 Description: So very French aromas of purple flowers, elderberry and espresso beans. Great balance and elegance with a bone dry black currant lift on the finish. Decanting for 20 minutes softens the sharp edges nicely.Price: $20Eclectic Dilettantehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08646596049594294800noreply@blogger.com0