Texas Waltz

They said it couldn't be done, taking the שטעטל girl out of NYC and bringing her to Texas, Austin at that. But Dr. J. had a big idea. He joined Julio, an importer (D'amore) who imports José Pastor Selections  and a  Jeff, the suave and saavy wine bar owner (very safe drinking, I might add ). They grooved and agreed and then--presto chango, Jet Blue, José shipping special wines down for the event,  and the wonders of modern age... all of the sudden, here I am, reporting to you from the Dobianchi household where I am breaking from chapter 7, whilst Mrs. & Dr. Dobianchi  
 are in their own work days.

Amongst Saturday night highlights (2008 Luneau, 1998 Lopez de Heredia rose & 2006  Domaine de Montbourgeau) a stop at a pig and bourbon party , the Broken Spoke, and the best; Ginny's Little Longhorn Saloon, where I had a couple of swell dances and saw the chicken out back that was going to be the star of the next day's Chicken Shit Bingo. Poetry in motion. 

The next morning it was off to Lewis Dickson's. 

Last Thanksgiving I had the Aprés, 2008 edition, a Blanc de Bois (aka blanche dubois) and was stunned because it was Texas and it was good.

From the beginning, Lew hired Tony Coturri to make the wines: with Tony you know what you're going to get, no nothing including S02. 

Heading into hill country I was taken aback, "Limestone?" Tons of it. Who knew? Of course you need more than rock to make good wine, you need climate. And Texas? So with great anticipation we drove up to Lewis teensie winery so he could show us his goods.  Meeting us there was Russ Kane,  Texas-centric blogger, who wrote up the morning.

Lewis cuts a fine, fine figure in his custom work boots adorned with corkscrews and  soft wave in his beard. He took us to the vineyard and there across every row of vines was a spider in residence. This was not a pre-Halloween trick. 

 

Take a look at the upper right orange spot, that is not a leaf, that is a HUGE spider.

Lewis is focusing on  Black Spanish and the Blanche duBois grapes (sorry, I couldn't resist). The other big news is that the wines are  lively, vibrant and Tony C. is doing a brilliant job with them.  Let me add, those of you who have trouble with the Coturri wines, should try to give these a whirl. 

I had favorites, of course, but I couldn't fault the wines on any account. For me, they all sang within their range, no false notes made.

The most exciting to me were:

'09 Petard Blanc: Blanc duBois  grape; quite muscaty on the nose and dry and citrusy on the palate. Lewis picks this in early August to maintain the nuttin' added anything philosophy, including acid.

'06 Cuvée Jackie:  Blended Black Spanish and Norton --was my favorite. Intense color, a bit sour, long finish, I'd have placed it in the old world. Powerful structure with smokey rose. 

'08 Quinta la Cruz: Also Black Spanish, port-style, lively sweet, tart and tannic and that good old BS rose. 

 

 We left, stopping back at Ginny's, trying to linger long enough to see the chicken take a dump on the bingo board.  Got in a little two -step to the compelling Dale Watson 

 Couldn't wait. Missed the  chicken show. 

Then on to a little soirée, wines by José Pastor, house by Bill Head. In the muggy night the Benaza Godello was the wine of the evening. Alfonso Cevola provided a magnum of 1960 Vega Sicilia Unico.  There was a little Steiner talk, a little rock n' roll and bed. 

 And, just in, the wine dinner tonight at VinoVino is sold out.

Even the Pure Luck goat cheese is tart and chalky. I just might be back. 

 

PS; The dinner at VinoVino was fantastic. Chef Esteban’s food perfectly paired José Pastor's food. The best moment for me, though, was when everyone put their nose in the Els Jelepins 2004 Sumoll and from the bottom to the top of the table, I heard an echo of  "Oh, wow!"

That is the reaction you look for, hope for. 

All I can say to Austin, is Oh Wow, and thank you (Dr. J. and Tracie BP? You guys are amazing.)

 

Comments

[Joe Dressner]

The correct spelling is shtetl.

[Joe Dressner]

If someone in California had organized a similar event with similar personalities, you would accuse them of having sold out the cause of natural wines.

Please use correct spellings and please avoid hypocrisy.

But remember, I love you anhow!

[Joe Dressner]

anhow and anyhow!

[Jessicajensen77]

Joe,
I wish she had mentioned something about the amazing dinner in her honor at Vino Vino, then you might have a different idea of the whole event.

[dobianchi.com]

Alice, we had so much fun while you were here! I'm so glad that we managed to put this together and Texas is STILL talking about (and missing) Alice Feiring.

Thanks again for taking time out to visit with us...

We'll see you in NYC sooner than later...

abbraccio j

[Wineserver]

Fantastic time! See you soon in Texas!