This weekend is Father’s Day. In my house, that means that I am presented with gifts that are suspiciously correlated with specific chores on my wife’s “honey do” list. For example, last year, I got a really cool cordless power tool set, including a drill and circular saw. I wasn’t skeptical until I notice that the battery pack was already fully charged and a pile of lumber had mysteriously materialized overnight in our backyard. Before I could say, “um, thanks?” I was sawing, drilling and hammering a frame for my wife’s new vegetable garden.
But the one genuine luxury that always awaits me at the end of the day is dinner. I get to throw a couple of thick-cut porterhouse steaks on the grill and open up a great bottle of wine — assuming of course, all of my chores are done.
To kick off Father’s Day on the right note, pop open a bottle of Non-vintage Pommery “Pop” Extra Dry Champagne from Reims, France ($50). Tiny bubbles carry hints of citrus fruit and creamy yeast on the floral bouquet. The palate posses a creamy mouthfeel with notes of crisp green apple, nectarine and pear. Hints of citrus highlight the medium-crisp finish and the bubbles add a certain measure of elegance. Perfect all by itself and even better with oysters on the half shell.
Of course, a big, fat juicy steak is always a sure-fire way to reward dad on his special day, especially if you pair it with the 2006 Mercury The Father Red Wine Blend from Alexander Valley, California ($34). This powerful red wine is a blend of cabernet franc, merlot and petit verdot and is big enough to stand up to heartier fare. Scents of black plums, cocoa and espresso entice the nose while flavors of earthy red plum and black cherry coat the palate on the well-balanced frame. The sweet tannins provide great structure, capable of cutting through the fat in the meat while delivering a long finish where notes of blackberry jam and roasted coffee leave a wonderful impression.
One of the varietals that I routinely head for when I am in the mood for grilled lamb is Shiraz. There is something about the big tannins and peppery frame that seem to be made for lamb. The 2003 Charles Melton Shiraz “The Father In-Law” from the Barossa Valley in South Australia ($19) has everything that I am looking for. From the warm bouquet of black cherry, cassis and pepper to the flavorful and muscular frame of jammy black fruit, blueberry liqueur and spices, this well-balanced wine has a lot to offer. The notes of toasty oak and cracked black pepper add a spicy character to the long, powerful finish.
If your Father’s Day celebration requires a little “old world” charm, try the 2006 Papa Luna Old Vine Red that hails from Calatayud, Spain ($18). This blend of old vine Garnacha, Syrah, Monastrell and Carignan is aged for five months in used French and American oak which lends a light touch of oak, cedar and vanilla to the earthy nose. The plush palate delivers layers of dark boysenberry, black cherry and smokey plum on the attack and notes of cigar box and vanilla on the velvety smooth finish. This would really pair well with dry-rubbed babyback ribs or grilled pork chops.
From the Piedmont region of Italy comes the wonderfully textured 2005 Viberti Barolo “Buon Padre” ($47). This classic Nebbiolo wine is for any “good father” who wants to enjoy a little pasta with Bolognese sauce this weekend. The aromas of earthy plum, orange peel and smoky cedar give way to flavors of cassis, blackberries and roasted meat upfront and hint of dried cherry and tobacco on the powerful finish. The soft tannins give this wine elegant structure and age-ability so you can enjoy it now or save it for future celebrations.
I had the good fortune to run into Stephen Cary — the winemaker at Yamhill Winery in Willamette Valley, Oregon — in a local wine shop a couple of months ago. He was pouring samples of the 2006 Yamhill Winery Tall Poppy Pinot Noir ($50). Stephen explained the phrase “tall poppy” is a New Zealand expression that refers to a flamboyant extrovert or an ambitious bloke whose reach is beyond his grasp. While it may appear to be a derogatory term, in the end it describes a person who talks the big talk but then actually delivers, as does this wine, which possesses a remarkably perfumed nose of wild strawberries and bright cherries leading to lush flavors of dark strawberry, red plum and cherry cola. Hints of mocha remain delicate and charming all the way through to the elegant finish. If your plans include grilled salmon, then your salmon needs a Tall Poppy.
