Happy Birthday to Me!

Monday the 18th was my birthday, and my thoughtful sister/roommate decided to make me a delicious meal of leg o' lamb, potatoes, and salad. What a great excuse (bday + lamb) to do a little wine pairing experimentation!

First, I opened a bottle of 2006 J Pinot Noir. I used to love this wine, perhaps because it's one of the first pinots i actually liked. Then again, it was probably the first decent pinot i ever tried. So long story short, i don't really like J anymore. they're total sell outs. I got the bottle on sale at Safeway from $36 to $26, which is great, but it just didn't taste that good. It was perhaps a little young, believe it or not, but it's fruits were unsophisticated, and it lacked the earthiness i was craving. We did not pair this with the lamb, either. Although i wish we did!

Mumm "Cuvee M Red": $30. This is a really interesting sparkling red wine. We got it as members of Mumm Napa. It's 96% Pinot Noir and 4% Syrah. It's very fruity and has a slight hint of sweetness. It did not pair well with the lamb. I think while the bubbly texture was interesting, its ripe fruit flavors did nothing for the rosemary/herbaceous lamb.

2006 Folie a Deux Zinfandel: $25? This wine is smooth, medium-full bodied, has ripe fruits, subtle spice, and a moderate finish. I'd characterize it as drinkable and smooth, but it also failed to uplift the lamb (or be uplifted by the lamb). I think we really needed something more herbaceous and/or earthy. Regardless, the wine was tasty, and the lamb was tasty.... just not together.