Pallet Pours
On a 100 degree day in early August 2022, Pallet Wine poured new wines for club members. It was lovely, and summery. Warm, just the way a summer day ought to be, perfect for chilled wine, red umbrellas, and live music by the glistening wine tanks outside the barrel room.
As an invited guest to the event, I felt a bit like I was on holiday. Walking past the new wrought iron gates (yes the fence is up!), I headed to The Urban Cork. Cool, and lively with wine tasters, I slipped onto my favorite red bar stool and started with the white wines. Both L. Donovan whites, a crisp lemony 2017 Verdejo, and a floral 2018 Viognier were subtle in flavors and perfect palate primers for the rest of the six tastings.
Leaving the cool wine bar, motivated by wine and food, I was directed toward the gala red umbrellas. Song led the way to the ice filled bucket of the next three chilled wines - the lightly fruity, unfiltered 2020 Schultz Pinot gris; a slightly tart, but honeyed 2018 Dana Campbell Sauvignon blanc; and the exotic tropical burst of 2015 L. Donovan Rosé of Syrah.
The barrel room was open for the occasion: Always thrilling to hang out where the fruit of the vine is aging. The scent, the stacked barrels, and on this particular day, also where the food was.
Each of the three chilled wines paired deliciously with the food, all made from scratch by not just winemaker, but chef Linda herself. The dishes were delightful for a hot summer day. Veggie filled Thai spring rolls that were lovely with the Pinot gris. The Sauvignon blanc’s honey notes complemented the chilled noodle dish - made with udon noodles that were perfectly chewy - with spicy Thai peanut sauce, peppery chili sauce, and veggies. I also loved the flavors of the ambrosial Thai fruit salad paired with the layered complexity of the rosé.
The final three wines were reds. The 2019 spicy, old world style Meritage, Shamrock’s special ‘canine’ blend, the 2016 Le Chien Noir, to go with your favorite meats, and the 2016 Grizzly Peak Reserve Malbec with a lush mouthfeel and layered dark fruits and spices.
I appreciated the red wines slowly as I listened to the rhythms and rich voice of Clayton Joseph Scott. He was set up with the aesthetic backdrop, and to acoustic perfection, of the huge wine tanks. I’d heard of him but hadn't heard his music, or so I thought. However, returning home I put on My Shazam playlist and a song that I didn’t know but sounded familiar was the first song up. Hmmm, I thought, what is this - Runnin’ by Clayton Joseph Scott.
Always something new to discover at Pallet Wines. New wine, new songs, and after my afternoon ‘holiday’, I feel like a new woman. Thanks, Linda Donovan for letting me into the club.