Chicago & Cockfighter's Ghost Wine

Chicago, what a town, what a weekend! Thanks to our lovely friends Kantha, Tara, and Chris, my mission was accomplished as I made it home with over 2 cases of wine and lots of other goodies. Tara, Chris and I spent lots of time in Sam's Wine and, thanks to their patience, I was able to search and read many wine labels. End result, one case of Columbia Crest Grand Estates Cabernet for Mike of course, and over a case of new wines for me to taste and share my findings with my wine and foodie blogging friends. I don't think I could ever find this much "new wine" in Key West ever. A bit excited, YES! (It does not take much does it!) Mike, Kantha, Tara, Chris and I had a lovely dining experience at Shaw's Crab House. It is soft-shell crab season so that was the main entree for most of us. It is season for fresh Alaskan Salmon which was also part of the entrees ordered. The grilled salmon came with a tomato relish. Red and yellow cherry tomatoes with basil, olive oil and I think maybe some shallot. It made a nice accompaniment with the salmon. We had our soft-shell crabs pan fried with a lemon butter sauce and a couple crabs fried tempura style. With our dinner we had a King Estate Pinot Noir which paired nicely with the crab and the salmon. Many Thanks to Kantha, Tara and Chris for entertaining us this weekend. Now your turn to come to Key West!

Cannot leave you all without a post on a wine that we had while visiting my brother a few weeks ago in Knoxville. Mark poured a 2001 Cockfighter's Ghost Cabernet Sauvignon that was luscious!! OK, let me tell you a little bit about it. Cockfighter's Ghost Langhorne Creek Cabernet is produced in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia by Poole's Rock Wines. When he popped that cork, oh my gosh, I could not believe how the air was filled with the aroma of black current fruit. The color of the wine was inky black with a hint of violet. It was really rich looking. But oh, on the palate, the big feature was still that heavy black current fruit flavor with a touch of vanilla. Even at 13.7% alcohol, the tannins were so soft, smooth and my mouth was loving it! Those soft tannins also gave it a nice warm lingering finish. At a price of about $28.00 it is a "smidge" over my daily wine budget, but it is a wine that I definitely will keep on my list for special occasions. The wine was so good that I forgot to note what we had for dinner that night, but I am sure it was something grilled outside. Of course the wine was so good it did not make it to the dinner table!

Cheers!