Fun to Reconnect…

Some times when you go to a classy event like the recent Yountville Live it pays to arrive in style. And I arrived in style in my good friend Amadu’s limo. If you want the best limo rates and professional service in Napa, give him a call at 707-812-5819. 

Once inside the grounds my fav was from Tarla Mediterranean Bar and Grill, a restaurant on 1st in Napa where they served a Pomegranate-Cabernet Braised Short Rib (a perfect mix of grilled meat and veggies.)  And a close second, was the rare roast beef treat that I was lucky enough to hoover up from the Blossom Catering Company before their samples disappeared in a hurry. After tasty treats, it was fun to reconnect with Lauren Rodde, the GM at Oenotri’s who was manning their booth, along beside their new craft beer place Tannery Bend Beerworks, which made a really nice IPA. After catching up, Lauren decided she needed a break and we had a ball at the Grand Cru tent.

One thing I’m always impressed with is when food and wine events improve things from year to year. And Yountville Live did a smooth transition from moving their Grand Cru tasting from the Barrel Cellar to an outdoor tent. It was a lot more fun to hear live music in the Barrel Cellar and sip the good stuff at an outdoor tent.   Lauren and I had a blast for the next hour trying to top each other in finding the wine we liked the most, which culminated in my find of Grgich Hills Estate 2013 Chardonnay.

I normally tend to lean towards the reds at a big tasting, find the whites get a little samey tasting, but man, was that Chard ever tasty, lots of fruit, nice acidity and finishing in a nice balance.  It was really refreshing in a packed, hot tent. Yountville Live just keep improving. Look forward to 2020’s event.