TheWino.net

Bergstrom 'Cumberland Reserve' Pinot Noir 2006

At Bin 38, I had a 2006 Bergstorm Pinot Noir 'Cumberland Reserve' from Oregons Willamette Valley.

The wine was pricey ($18/glass) but delicious with a stunning, sugar cherry tomato start & a silky smooth finish. Re wine can be funny, most cheap stuff tastes like it but much of the expensive faire can be a waste of money. The trick is finding a great stuff in between. This however is an example of a nice bottle that stands up to the extra scrutiny.

Bin 38, San Francisco Wine Bar

My sisters friends put together a birthday party at a Marina District wine bar called Bin 38. The first thing I noticed was the crazy disparity between women & men, a ratio that was close to 90/10 (take a note guys, get your ass to wine bars for happy hour or Saturday afternoon drinks - the game won't be on but you will have plenty of eye candy to entertain you).

The wine list was average, nothing blew me away but they had good diversity and plenty of high quality wines to choose from.

I had a Kingston Family (Chile) "Tobiano" Pinot Noir. Overall if was nice but a bit too acidic for an afternoon drink in Bin 38's back patio.

Anchor & Hope and some serious HEAT!

Another work dinner last night, this one at a new restaurant in San Francisco called Anchor & Hope.  It's from the same folks that opened & run the Salt House & Town Hall.  I love Town Hall but have been disappointed on both occasions that I've visited the Salt House.  To top things off, when I arrived at the restaurant at 6:30, in San Francisco I mind you, it was 92 degrees (according to my car). 

JiRaffe restaurant - Santa Monica

Last night we had a partner dinner in Santa Monica, at a nice French restaurant called JiRaffe.  Located on Santa Monica blvd and 5th street, its not as well known (nor expensive) as Melisse, located nearby, however the food and service were first class.  The wine list was far from extensive but it did offer plenty of gems, and in particular a notable by the glass section. 

District, SF wine bar

After a conference this week (Web 2.0 - which should be called the new mainstream event for web business neophytes), we met up with some work friends and prospective business partners at District. District is a wine bar in SF's SOMA neighborhood (bordering South Beach) on Towsend, a couple blocks from the train station and nearly ground zero for the residential and neighborhood changes that have gripped the city since PacBell Park opened in 2000. I like the wine bar a lot but by six thirty on a week night, it becomes a single scene like no other - and if you're looking for the cougar crowd, you won't be disappointed.

Salt Yard, London Tapas Restaurant

The 2^nd dinner of our London summit was at a tapas style restaurant by the name of Salt Yard. Located in the central London area of the city, near a bunch of bars & restaurants. Prior to dinner the English team had scheduled a visit to the London Eye, an enormous ferris wheel like structure on the Thames that contains glass tentacles, each of which hold up to twenty-five people that make a complete turn, offering up expansive and beautiful views of the entire city. The meal was a nice capper on a great night.

Buenos Aires - Day 16 - Argentina Journey

Today is our shopping day, we woke up and started strolling thru Palermo Soho for coffee & breakfast. Then we shopped until lunch where we ate at Cluny. For the afternoon our plan was to visit the museum of modern latin american art, the MALBA. Leaving from our apartment, we walked down Avenida Sante Fe, then cut east walking alongside the city zoo on Republic de India, coming out on Avenidad de Liberadtor, towards the MALBA (only to found out its closed on Tuesdays). We decided to check out Buenos Aires’ reportedly most ‘sheik’ mall, the Sorrento, which is kitty corner thru a small park from the MALBA. After an hour or two we took off for Recoleta, walking a few more miles to the Park Hyatt and a wine tasting that had been recommended.

Buenos Aires - Day 14 - Argentina Journey

Last night was a late one, we didn’t get served until after 1 AM, so we didn’t get home until around 3 AM. I feel old, in my twenties that was an average time to bed on a Saturday nite. We’re walking the San Telmo outdoor fair, a weekly Buenos Aires affair for those looking for art, trinkets, antique glass spirit bottles or to spend some time walking outside in the beautiful (though too humid) BA weather.

Buenos Aires - Day 11 - Argentina Journey

This is another travel day. We have the morning in Mendoza but fly out to begin the 3rd and final phase of our trip in Buenos Aires this evening.

Mendoza Hotspots

Four days and counting to our trip to Argentina.  The second stint of the voyage is six days & five nights in the Mendoza region of Argentina.  Below are places we're planning to visit, if you have any ideas shoot me an email or post a comment.