Was in Annapolis recently and visited Level, a small plates lounge for cocktails.
Of course there were many to choose from, but the bartender helped me decide on the Angels & Demons — essentially a(n amazing) margarita. The components — el jimador tequila, st. germain, micro cilantro, habanero pepper, lime, agave.
Deadly! Could have easily enjoyed several rounds. Didn’t stay for dinner, but looks like a place worth checking out.
I checked out a great wine tasting on Saturday and some of the wines made it home — can never go wrong with that. It was at Wine Cellars of Annapolis and the theme/title was Value Imports from Vintus Wines. We suffered through 3 whites and 3 reds from a total of 4 countries.
2012 Talmard Macon-Chardonnay, Burgundy, France
Per the cheat sheet: Gerald and Philbert Talmard are a father son team carrying on a four century family tradition of grape growing in the French village of Chardonnay, believed to have given the grape its name. The vines are planted in calcareous soil, which provides the wine with a particular mineral characteristic along with fruity aromas. This wine is luscious, showing scents and flavor of butterscotch, honey and lemon with a distinct mineral taste on the finish. $14.99
My notes: Dry Chard (score!), with some butter at the end. Unique in the sense that you wonder how it’s a Chard then voila! There it is right at the finish.
2010 Domaine Des Baumard Savennieres, Loire Valley, France (if you want to check out their true site, here it is, in French obviously — www.baumard.fr)
Per the cheat sheet: “This is perfectly balanced dry Chenin. It had just the amount of richness, aided by a touch of vanilla. The green and white fruit are blended with deceptively soft acidity to give a wine that feels full and ripe in the mouth. Good to drink now, but also worth aging 3-4 years and more.” 93 points Wine Enthusiast $26.99
My notes: Too sweet for me.
2013 Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand
Per the cheat sheet: “This is powerful and rich with a reserve and tension. Full and layered with beautiful dried fruits and a bright acidity. Dried apricots and lemons. Lots going on. Loving it. Turns to aniseed and dried lemons.” – James Suckling $22.99
My notes: AMAZING smell — grapefruit, mango. But, the taste doesn’t match the nose.
2011 Tommasi Valpolicella “Rafael”, Veneto, Italy
60% Corvina Veronese, 25% Rondinella, 15% Molinara
Per the cheat sheet: This classic Valpolicella is full of dried-cherry flavor with a hint of smoke and grilled meat on the nose. Offering loads of bold fresh cherries on the palate and a core of mouth-watering acidity in the background behind all the bright cherry fruit. Tart dried cherries and a whiff of smoke linger in a long finish. $16.99
My notes: Cherry, smooth, light but still has body, cranberry. Big stars on my piece of paper. Left with a few bottles — and enjoyed it 1while watching the Red Carpet and Oscars on Sunday.
2010 Heartland Shiraz, Langhorne Creek, Limestone Coast, Australia
Made by star winemaker Ben Glaetzer, this deliciously dark and rich Shiraz has hints of chocolate, pepper and tobacco leaf on the nose. Plums, blackcurrant and spice flavors abound on the palate and are perfectly balanced by fine supple tannins. $19.99
My notes: Coffee, smoke, amazing, light acid taste, will get some soon.
2009 Chatean Lyonnat Lussac Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux, France
Per the cheat sheet: “Firm, richly dark wine from the Saint-Emilion satellite village of Lassac, with chocolate and coffee flavor, layers of wood and spice. It is packed with ripe plum and black cherry fruits, weighty and already concentrated.” 90 Points Wine Enthusiast $24.99
My notes: Light wine, taste of ‘wet rocks’ — we know exactly what those taste like, right? So funny who we know the taste of random things.
Overall, some great new finds!
As the food fun progresses (we know it will never end), I was able to check out another new place the other night (it’s been my true week of fun!). After DC and Pizza Pi, I went to downtown Annapolis and per a friend’s suggestion checked out Red Red Wine Bar. Hmmm, the name had me sold and when I knew what I was about to write, I had to pour myself a glass of such liquid to set the recap scene.
You walk in and see both beer AND WINE on tap…that’s one you don’t spot all that often. Happy hour runs until 7 and includes a tap wine, ‘regular’ white & red (as in from bottles with corks or screws tops), beer and a unique sangria. The atmosphere and decor are very nice and there are wine bottles for sale.
Wine menu-wise, you can get wine by the glass, flight or bottle. They also have a full bar.
I sampled the sangria — super sweet, they had to add soda water to make it drinkable, had a flight of Pinot (CA, OR and NZ tastes) then had a wine on tap — interesting — a little too chilled, but worth the taste.
We had dinner and the food was good — I opted for seared scallops with couscous as did another at the table, while another opted for shrimp creole. We then had a cheese plate for dessert. Did you know even lactards (or those who are lactose intolerant) can eat, or should be able to eat, Manchego? It’s from sheep milk! I found this out last year…happiness. Amazing Manchego plate with apples, dried cranberries, pecans and honey.
In the end, great overall evening, would definitely go back. This is a great place to go when you have a variety of palettes, from drinkers to eaters.
Cheers.
Mel's Mosaic 