Been a while...

"Good wine is a necessity of life for me." ~ Thomas Jefferson

Hey there everyone, it's been a couple weeks since I've posted. I've been very busy with loans and the 5 cent sale at BevMo, without any time to post what's tasting or any new recipes. Well, I'll try to summarize what's been happening with a few stand out wines, etc.

Last Saturday I was introduced to a South African wine that cannot be overlooked any longer. The 2006 Sebeka Cabernet Pinotage exhibited some down right awesome characteristics that I've yet to experience from other South African wines. In the glass it started off with deep purple colors and a thick licorice nose that mellowed into a deep sweet and earthy smoke. The Cab exuded flavors of blackberry and herbs while the Pinotage carried those notes with a slight acidity. It was truly a treat! Check out their website here: http://www.sebekawines.com/home.asp

Another wine that totally surprised me was the Cellar No. 8 Cabernet. This bold Cab came on strong with fruit and oak but mellowed way down into a long, smooth finish. I was impressed to say the least.

Last week we enjoyed a simple beef dish that was inspired by Argentina. I took two nice sized London Broil cuts and seasoned them with salt and pepper, then smeared them with a garlic paste made up of muddled garlic cloves. I then marinated the beef in a mixture of Worcester sauce, soy sauce, red wine vinegar( home made), and cilantro. After charring the meat and letting it rest, we cut it into 1/4 inch slices and topped those slices with a green chile salsa. I made the salsa by roasting 3 jalapenos and 2 mild green chiles on my stove top. I then peeled them, cut off the tops with the stems and took out the seeds and pith. In my food processor I blended the chiles with a big handful of cilantro, a few cloves of garlic, salt and pepper, and drizzled in about 1/3 cup of extra virgin olive oil. We served this along with grilled leeks, eggplant, zucchini, yellow squash, and red and yellow bell peppers. It was truly delicious!

Cheers!

Tony