Another superb wine dinner at the Buzz in Boise! So far this year, the dinners have been great. Tommy’s Asian Dinner last month and now this dinner for Valentines Day. And then too, it is Cristi’s birthday at the end of the month. Oh yes. I forgot. She was born on February 29th. But I bet she will have something. As for the dinner tonight, most of the wines were pretty good. Out of 7 wines, 3 were scored [19], 2 were [17], 1 at [16] and one at [15]. Thanks to Michelle and Cristi for this great dinner. Here are some photos from the dinner. The wine above, 2008 Two Angels Petite Sirah, was probably my favorite of the night with a score of [19]. Enjoy and see you at the next dinner! Cheers!

Assorted Chocolates

Caponata Crostini
really a good appetizer. Too bad the wine was not up to the spiciness.
2012 Heritage Cote du Rhone
14% alc. definitely not the best wine of the evening. not enough body and finish to go with the appetizer [15] $14.00

Tomato and Chocolate Soup
such a good soup!
2011 Tomero Cabernet Sauvignon
15% alc. went very well with the soup. good body and finish. [17] $16.00

Pear and Spinach Salad
truly a great salad that went extremely well with the wine.
2011 Jack Cabernet Sauvignon 13.8% alc. This wine went superbly with the salad! great body and finish. [19] $18.00

Pasta Marinara and Beef Kabob
I really enjoyed this entree. Great sauce on the kabobs made with beer.
2008 Two Angels Petite Sirah
14.1% alc a superb wine with this plate. great taste, body and a good finish. [19] $21.00

Brownie Tiramisu
Such a delight to end the dinner with this. Great choice!
2011 Renwood Zinfandel
14.5% alc. just OK with the dessert. Almost to big for the chocolate. [17] $15.00

And as a side note and information that Cristi presented last night, the Thursday before Labor Day is known as Cabernet Day and Cristi said she might think of a wine dinner that goes along with this event. And another, Zinfandel is a great partner with curry and hard cheeses. And as for a Petite Sirah, which is not by any means a small grape or wine, “… goes well with any food with which you would normally pair a big red wine: grilled meats, roast duck, lamb, pot roast, rabbit in mustard sauce (ed note: I have a great recipe for this), mushrooms and chocolate. Petite Sirah can age for years. Even decades.” (Cristi Takeda, the Buzz) Hope you make the next wine dinner. They are really fun and informative. Cheers!