Chronic Negress

It’s been a while since I posted anything on wine. I’ve been busy eating and playing with new electronics, so the wine has been consumed but not noted here. I had a 2008 Arrogant Frog Ribet White, which is a 50-50 blend of Chardonnay and Viognier. Not bad for what is probably a wine priced under $15, but nothing special really. As for the Texas wines tried on this trip, the standout was a Viognier from McPherson Cellars, grown on the high plains of Texas. Viognier is a finicky grape, but this wine was nicely balanced with some light honey and apple on the palate and a wet floral nose (kind of like a garden after a brief shower) McPherson also does a Sangiovese, which felt a bit youthful but might be OK in a few months.

I was seriously dogging the Inwood Estates 2006 Palomino-Chardonnay for weighing in at $79.50 a bottle, but it turns out the winery only made 12 cases due to the small yield. The ratio of Palomino to Chardonnay is 2 to 1, and this wine is interesting, but not at that price.

I went on to have the last bottle of a Chablis Grand Cru at a lovely French bistro called Au Petit Paris. The food was also excellent and I strongly recommend trying the boite’s signature scallops. A special appetizer of mussels in puff pastry and the brioche made on premises were also memorable.

I went on to have a Leeuwin Estates 2006 Margaret River Riesling, which was crispy, slightly citrusy and something I could easily recommend to any fans of dry-style Riesling. My pals and I headed across the street to Indika, a marvelous Indian restaurant. We ordered lamb, venison and salmon, respectively so a Crios 2006 Malbec Rose was called into service and it went perfectly with all of the main courses as well as the quail with pine nuts and filled naan.

Not to shill for my old stomping grounds, Houston has always been a great restaurant city, but it seems to be even better now. I will not miss the smog, traffic or infuriating layout (no zoning in case you forgot) but I will miss the meals.