Cab, Cuvee, and a rack of lamb

The other night Mr. Lush and I picked up a rack of lamb and we grilled it up. I seasoned it with some terragon, ground thyme, garlic powder and pepper and Mr. Lush grilled it up nice and rare. We had both the 2004 Bennet Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon and the Taria 384 Cuvee. Both have Cab Sauv and both were very good-the Taria seemed to harmonize perfectly with it, but the Bennett Family Cab really showcased the lamb flavor. You know what I’m talking about-the specific lamb taste- it really made that stand out. Really both were very good, with many of the same characteristics, although the Bennett Family had more chocolate presence. In the end I preferred the Taria and Mr. Lush preferred the Bennett Family as the lamb pairing choice- but he also likes that lamb taste more than I do. Either way, I think both wines would be good choices with lamb.

As a side note, I noticed the Taria doesn’t start off tobacco-y; you have to let it sit in the decanter for about 45-60 minutes first. Duly noted for next time.

Thank god for meetings that run late

Yesterday in the Lou there was a horrific accident- a semi ran over some cars, others flew into other cars, etc. 11 cars total involved. A very horrible accident-I have never seen that amount of wreckage in one place before, aside from a junkyard. Well, the accident was on my way home-about 10 minutes from work. I left early to go study for my final, about 3:30. I had a meeting that was supposed to get over at 3, but ran late. At the time I was quite irritated because I wanted to get on the road about 3:15/3:20. But I didn't-instead I left at 3:30. The accident happened at 3:30. So, if I had left when I wanted to I would've either just missed it, or been a part of it. As it was, I was stuck in that space past the last accident and the accident so I had nowhere to go. Due to the multiple fatalities, the entire highway was shut down until 8:30ish that night, so I had nowhere to go for a long time and had time to ponder this fact as ambulance after ambulance flew by. Of course, I didn't ponder anything. I was irritated and cursing and mad. It took me nearly 3 hours to get home (we eventually drove the wrong way on the highway to get off) and it normally would take me about 25 minutes at that time. I was even crabby most of last night and Mr. Lush and I snapped at each other. (don't worry-we made up) But now, sitting here, drinking a cup of coffee, (putting off studying) I sit here and think how lucky I was. And how lucky I am in general. Hopefully we all take a bit of time to be thankful now and then and it doesn't take a near death (or near miss) experience in order to make us take the time to appreciate. So, all you bloggers out there….call you mother, hug you brother, kiss your significant other, and tell your friend you're happy they are your friend. (Lucy-I'm happy you're my friend)

Cheap dessert and 20 year Tawny port- who knew?

+

= yummy

The other night we had the Luce’s over. While I was at school (I know, on a SUNDAY-the horror!) my husband took it upon himself to plan the day and meal. (how sweet of him) We BBQ’d up and for dessert, he bought ice cream sandwiches. No, not Klondikes or some sort of gourmet dessert bar (if that exists in the ready made section of the fridge), but regular ice cream sandwiches. The kind many of us hadn’t had since grade school. Hmm. I don't know about that sweetheart- I mean normally we have something a bit more decadent, like the fantastic Luce brownies. But, who am I to look a gift horse in the mouth? He did afterall plan the entire day by himself, so I kept my mouth shut.

With this top notch treat, I poured some 20 year tawny port. I had never had the pairing, but what could go wrong- port tastes good with both vanilla and chocolate, right? At the very least, our guests will be pleased to have good port. Well, it was amazing…wonderful in fact. Astonishing wonderful. What made it extra wonderful is that no one had to sweat over making this treat. No one had to bake andything. Pour port, unwrap sandwich, enjoy. Viola. A perfect summer effort.

The best news? The cheapness of the dessert counterbalances the expensive port. Justification is so glorious, isn’t it?