Today, the day before Thanksgiving, we both had short days at the office, and when we got home, we were mortified that all the San Marzano Tomatoes were gone from the cupboards. Thinking that Vons would have more, we were saddened to find empty shelves. So we drove all the way to Gelson’s Market in Old Town Pasadena. We were saddened (again) to find that they were not on sale. (They are not cheap!) Down the same aisle, we found Pappardelle, which of course took us down memory lane.
Pappardelle Egg Pasta
(On one of our first date, John prepared Papperdelle for us, showing off his culinary skills.) So hand in hand we walked out and were excited to make dinner together for the first time in four days.
Once we started cooking up the garlic, John’s Mom (who is visiting from Modesto) was curious to know what we were making. Nick was nervous, since she is a food critic. John’s daughter cut off a few sprigs of fresh basil from the garden. While John cleaned them, Nick whipped up the sauce.
Crushed San Marzano Tomatoes, Fresh Garlic & Basil from the Garden
With the water boiling, John made garlic bread. This meal is one of our favorites, and we make it at least once each week. Still, we were nervous as we plated up the meal for John’s mother.
Papperdelle with Crushed San Marzano Tomatoes, Garlic & Basil
We were relieved when she gave it the “thumbs up.”
Now let’s talk wine. John has been purchasing wine direct from Neal for years, and this particular bottle, he purchased a few years ago. It had been sitting in the cellar since purchase, and as John put it, it was “a special bottle.” Neal is a family-owned winery on Howell Mountain, in Napa, that produces stellar Cabernets. Though we typically open one of the “regular” Napa Valley Cabernets every few months, tonight, Nick wanted to try a bottle from the “Singe Vineyard Designate” series.
Neal Family Vineyards 2005 Napa Valley (Howell Mountain Estate) Cabernet Sauvignon
“Oops” is what John said when it was poured. “Looks like brick red,” he said (which in his estimation is an indication that the wine may have turned). Still, the wine was a bit young to have turned, unless it was corked. We both sniffed and agreed that the nose was lacking any fruit, and the general impression we had was that it was “off.” The first taste confirmed it – empty, flat and boring. None of the typical gobs of stone fruit, berries, licorice and spice so typical of a Neal Cabernet.
The Disappointing Neal Family Vineyards 2005 Napa Valley (Howell Mountain Estate) Cabernet Sauvignon
We think the bottle was either corked, or the winery just produced a dud. We didn’t even finish it. << sniff >> This wine rates a 79 on the Two Guys’ Scale.
But the pasta was phenomenal, and it disappeared.
Until next time . . .
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