2006 Famous Gate Pinot Noir

We were thinking this Famous Gate by Domaine Carneros might be nearing its end date, so we popped it open a few nights ago. It's from the Carneros region of the Napa Valley, 13.7% alcohol.

The color was a medium garnet. On the nose, it was gentle, earthy, smokey and soft, with minerals, oak, trees, and dark berries. The flavors were nice and it was dry, medium body, and nice round tannins. We tasted spice/pepper and dark red fruits (cherry, some blackberry). This pinot noir had a medium finish, and more power on the tongue than some recent pinots I've had.Would be really nice with lamb or chicken.

Domaine Carneros has a stunning, French castle-like location for tastings and nibbles, with great views.

Kah Tequila Flight

I found this tequila to be a bit on the pricey side, so shop around when you purchase this brand.  The skull bottles are very nice; each one is “hand painted”, so they should all be a little different. The bottles are also color coded: White is the Blanco, Yellow is Reposado, Black is Añejo. 

Now for the reviews:

I found the Blanco to have a light smell of chemicals and the still, and the taste was gin-like with a strong chemical burn in the nose and throat. I have to say, this tequila is my least favorite of those I've tasted in this price range.  I have had some that are much worse but they were also at a very low price point.

The Reposado was unreal; it has a nice chardonnay-like color.  Kah Reposado is 110 proof, which is about the proof of tequila straight from the still.  Some of my friends found it to be a bit rough, but those of us who drink tequila and whiskey on a more regular basis enjoyed this tequila.  The taste of Kah Reposado is slightly spicy, with hints of caramel and a finish that reminds me of vanilla and stainless steel.  Kah has a smooth baritone and an almost silky mouth feel and a decent burn on the way down.  The first smell of this tequila has a slight chemical smell to it, which goes away after a minute, leaving you with the earthy tones of the desert and a light hay smell.  Kah Reposado is tequila with strong character and some excellent flavors if you sip it. Shooting this tequila will get you drunk fast.

The Añejo from Kah is a bit more as one would expect: well-aged, dark amber in color, and smooth.  The smell is like most well-made tequilas: slightly smoky oak, with agave and hints of coffee.  The taste is what really sets this tequila apart. It has hints of stone fruit and oak, with a strong taste of the agave plant from which it came. It has a finish of citrus and a mellow burn down the throat. Kah Añejo has a full mouth feel that will leave you thinking, "yep, this is a well-crafted tequila".

As for pairings, I would match the Reposado or the Añejo with a thick, juicy steak and fried potatoes. The Reposado will also pair well with Tamales or Enchiladas.  The Añejo would do real well with a good Kansas City Barbeque.