Not A Creature Was Stirring…

With all of the hub-bub surrounding my Christmas dinner wine choice, I almost forgot to tell you what I did on Christmas Eve.  I opened one of the Christmas dinner runners-up….

I’ve been eyeing my bottle of 2006 Alfaro ‘Family Vineyards’ Pinot Noir since before Thanksgiving, so when it became apparent that I was going in a different direction for my Christmas ham, I decided to instead open it on Christmas Eve…

It was a warm, quiet evening, and although I was stirring, I was doing so very slowly and once the bottle was opened, I put away the corkscrew and became one with my couch.

The wine was a perfect way to get me into Christmas mode.  A big, dark pinot you can almost taste the woods from where it came.  Hints of cola and spice and a layer of vanilla/oak with a long finish.  I savored my glass (or was it two?) and called it a night.

All of winemaker Richard Alfaro’s wines are special; only 144 cases were made of this fine pinot. By the way, if you ever find yourself in the Santa Cruz area, make it a point to go up to see Richard and his beautiful Alfaro Vineyards property. He is a gracious host, and pours some pretty special grape juice.

I’m off to make a New Years Eve dinner of Châteaubriand; I’ll probably have to have a taste of some nice, red wine with dinner, and then of course make my final decision on a bottle of bubbly for when the clock strikes 12…