Another Barbera for the Cougar

So our friend Marlo turned super groovy 35 this week, which officially makes her a cougar since she lives in San Francisco's Marina District, where rich-boyfriend-seeking women of a certain age tranform from Marina Girls into more seasoned Marina Cougars. Marlo, who technically lives in Cow Hollow and is far too down to earth in a Boulder kinda way to be a true, stereotypical Marina Girl, ironically pulled on a cougar sweatshirt to proudly honor her new cougar status. To her credit, Marlo loves a good glass of wine. So we did partake in many to celebrate Her Cougar-ness at her favorite San Francisco wine bar, Hotel Biron. Biron is a great place to hang out. It's tucked away in an alley off Market Street and has a damp, arty, underground feel to it, although it's now largely known by everyone. There's a small bar area inside, a few comfy leather couches, and usually some interesting art hanging on the walls. It's quite gazellig, as the Dutch would say. The wine list, from what I've tasted, is stellar. Last night, we shared three bottles, two Italians and an Oregonian, in the following order: a 1999 Barbera Monleale Vigneti Massa, a 2003 Mattei Piemonte Barbera and a 2004 Panther Creek Winemaker's Cuvee Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon. All three were good and the Barbera Monleale's big, deep, fruity complexity completely curled our toes. It was hard shifting to anything after kicking off with such a smooth, lovely wine. Alas, this is a $26 bottle so we won't spend much time on it, other to say that if you are feeling rich and thirsty this week, well, buy a bottle of this.
The 2003 Mattei Barbera is a much more affordable ($10), lighter, plum-tasting wine. I like how Winelibrary described this wine, particularly the wet stone part: "Typical deep and saturated garnet color. Clean aromas of cherries and wet stones, and a touch of smoke. In the mouth the wine has great pulpy, gutsy, and smooth fruit character. Honest, versatile stuff." Honestly, this stuff was so versatile that we enjoyed two bottles.
On to the Panther Creek Pinot, ($19.99) which was in line with our whole cougar theme. Panther Creek is a FUNKY wine. At first sip I wanted to spit as it was so overwhelmingly earthy. But I must say, the stuff grew on me because the fruit and smoke in the mix are intereresting. Here's what the winemakers says about it: Nose: Bright stawberry & raspberry, smoke, and toast. Palate: Silky, fleshy texture with flavors of ripe berries and cherries. Notes of chocolate on the long finish. Here's what the Oregon Pinot Noir Club says about it. "A blend of lots from their great vineyard sources, the Panther Creek Winemaker's Cuvee offers tons of fruit, spice, a long finish and just a hint of youthful grip. It's a terrific value for drinking now or cellaring for the short term."
I was happy to take the leftover half bottle home to share with the PIT (Partner in Tasting.) He thanked me for it. He thanked her Cougarness, too.

April 7, 2006

Another Barbera for the Cougar

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