Franciscan Cabernet Sauvignon - 2005

The 2005 Franciscan Cabernet will knock your proverbial socks off. Priced at under $20 (www.binnys.com), this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petite Verdot and Malbec has a dense, dark purple hue with a strong yet well structured balance of oak, berries and chocolate. From the first moment the liquid touched my lips, I could tell it was a big wine that will certainly improve after a few additional years of maturing.

During the Napa trip last August, Franciscan was a vineyard that we visited on a chamber-of-commerce day in Northern California. Samantha was our personal wine consultant and we enjoyed sampling the Cabernet, Cuvee Sauvage and Magnificat, all three (3) oustanding wines, along with a variety of water crackers and cheeses.

While Franciscan was excellent with sloppy joe's and twice baked potatoes during dinner, it was extremely helpful in its supporting role of my creation of a painting that will accompany the Steve Penley Chimney Rock.

Franciscan Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 - <>< <>< <>< <>< (4) - $18.99

Steve Penley - Chimney Rock

Since the previous posting of Georgia artist Steve Penley, I have acquired the following painting that elegantly displays a 2005 Chimney Rock wine bottle. The visually accurate depiction of the bottle is surrounded by vivid brushstrokes in colors that accentuate the subject while also allowing the painting to blend into whatever space surrounds it.

For those interested, the 2005 Chimney Rock vintage has a deep garnet color, an intense aroma of fruit and vanilla, with a velvety taste upon the palate. This wine is LUSCIOUS in one word, but you would expect that with a price tag of $50+.

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Peppermint Chocolate Cookies

From Every Day with Rachael Day
December-January 2009

In the spirit of the holiday season, I'm sharing a terrific holiday cookie recipe that can satisfy both chocolate AND peppermint lovers in one's family. While the prep time is only 30 minutes, you will need to keep in mind that that there is substantial chilling and cooling involved, which means these cannot be made at the last minute before family or friends are scheduled to arrive.

MAKES 24
Prep Time: 30 min (plus chilling and cooling)
Bake Time: 20 min

Ingredients
-1 1/2 sticks (6 ounces) unsalted butter, softened
-1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
-1 large egg
-1 1/2 cups flour
-1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
-1 pinch salt
-Two 3.5-ounce bars dark chocolate, finely chopped
-1/2 teaspoon vegetable oil
-2/3 cup finely crushed peppermint candy canes or candies

1. Using an electric mixer, beat the butter until soft. With the mixer on low, gradually add the confectioners' sugar until creamy, then beat in the egg. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa and salt; add to the mixer about one-third at a time, beating at low speed until smooth.
2. Lay a 16-inch sheet of parchment paper on a work surface; turn out the dough onto the paper. Using your hands, shape the dough into a 12-inch-long cylinder; wrap tightly in the parchment and roll into a smooth, even log. Twist the ends to seal and refrigerate for 30 minutes; reshape the cylinder and refrigerate for 30 minutes more.
3. Preheat the oven to 350°; line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper. Unwrap the dough; using a sharp knife, slice into 1/3-inch-thick rounds. Place about 1 inch apart on the cookie sheets; bake until firm, 18 to 20 minutes. Let cool completely.
4. In a bowl, combine two-thirds of the chopped chocolate with the oil; microwave for 30 seconds, then stir until smooth. (If needed, heat for additional 10-second intervals.) Stir in the remaining chopped chocolate until smooth.
5. Using an offset spatula, spread a scant teaspoon of melted chocolate on top of each cookie. Sprinkle the peppermints on top and let stand until set, 2 to 3 hours.

Enjoy!

Steve Penley - Bold Color, Vivid Imagery, American Artist

Steve Penley is an incredibly talented painter best known throughout the South, specifically in Georgia. His bold, expressive brush strokes are alive with energy, which can give the canvas a 'caution - wet paint' look long after the artwork is adorning a wall. An author of several well-received specialty art books, Penley has the potential to emerge from the South into one of America's great artists of the 21st century.

I was first introduced to Steve Penley's artwork through my brother and sister-in-law, David & Carrie Fischer, who are University of Georgia graduates and residents of Atlanta. Having grown up in Macon and Athens Georgia, Penley studied art at UGA and later at the School of Visual Arts in New York. It was during several Autumn visits to Athens for football games and bar crawls that I began to see his artwork hanging in boutique clothing shops and framing intimate rooms in restaurants. With a sincere appreciation for the style of art that he creates, I ended up purchasing my first painting in 2007, a 3' X 4' action depiction of two (2) jockeys atop their thoroughbreds in the final strides of a Triple Crown race. The serene background of a blue sky mixed with a blurred treeline contrasts with the strain and power that can be seen in the defined muscles of the horses and outstretched upper extremities of the jockeys. Since that time, I have also acquired a print that Penley created of the golfer Bobby Jones.

As mainstream America returns to realism and figurative artwork, corporate and private collectors alike have sought out Penley’s work. Collectors include Coca-Cola, King and Spalding, Morgan Keegan, Houston’s Corporation, ESPN Zone and the Georgia Music Hall of Fame. Robert Mondavi and Sterling vineyards in Napa Valley feature Steve Penley’s art. Politicians who have commissioned Penley’s art include Jack Watson and Hamilton Jordan; both former White House Chief’s of Staff, Zell Miller, State Senator of Georgia and US Deputy Attorney General Larry Thompson. (Source: Printing & Image Association of Georgia)

While I don't particularly share all his views on the world (as posted upon his website), I do strongly believe we can all agree he is sincere in his vision of America and its heros, which he captures so well on the canvas for our and future generations to appreciate.

For more information, visit www.stevepenley.com

Las Rocas de San Alejandro Garnacha - 2005

IN VINO VERITAS
Today's wine review, my first attempt at a "published" critique, focuses on a really great and easy-to-find wine at a price under $10! Las Rocas Garnacha 2005 is a dry, medium-bodied wine that had plenty of delicious fruit, yet left the slightest acidic linger to the finish. When paired with any sort of red meat, as I did, it is a very food friendly wine. I'd feel as comfortable drinking this Spanish red wine in a high-end restaurant as I would at home on a Tuesday night.

In the spirit of wine ratings, made popular for the general consumer by Robert Parker and The Wine Advocate, I am going to use a five (5) point FISH (<><) rating scale rather than one hundred (100) points. In all honesty, I cannot differentiate a 89 point wine with a 92 point wine and there's no benefit in clustering most of the scores in the high eighties/low nineties anyway. Therefore, my scale and associated rating notes:
Five (<><<><<><<><<><) - Perfect!
Four (<><<><<><<><) - Great
Three (<><<><<><) - Good
Two (<><<><) - Not Bad / Not Good
One (<><) - Undrinkable

Las Rocas de San Alejandro Garnacha 2005 - <>< <>< <>< <>< (4) - $9.49

WAFTS - You know you want to read...

Wine * Art * Food * Travel * Sports

What do WAFTS have in common, you ask? I have an opinion about all the above topics, and whether you agree with my comments or feel the need to reply with rebuttals, I hope you at least enjoy the posts...

WINE - In vino veritas [In wine is truth]
Proverb quoted by PLATO

I plan to highlight producer profiles and tasting notes, touting high quality labels that don't break your budget.

ART - A sincere artist is not one who makes a faithful attempt to put on to canvas what is in front of him, but one who tries to create something which is, in itself, a living thing.
Balthus

Believe it or not, I can actually draw, although I don't do it anymore. I love art and will write about my favorite artists from all periods.

FOOD - There is no love sincerer than the love of food.
George Bernard Shaw

Expect insights into restaurants, recipes and often disagreements of other's reviews.

TRAVEL - Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.
Mark Twain

If I've been there, plan to be there, or simply want to be there, I'll let you know.

SPORTS - Champions aren't made in the gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them -- a desire, a dream, a vision.
Muhammad Ali

Hey, sports is my life. Both a career and a hobby. This won't be another Deadspin, but it will be worthy of your time.

Thanks for your time.
Marcus