Voting For Fairfield Weekly's "Best of" Issue

It is that time of year again: voting season for Fairfield Weekly's "Best Of" issue!

If you have a moment, please go to 

http://www.fairfieldweekly.com/ballot/index.cfm?pid=39 

and vote for BONDA in all categories that are germane.

Last year you helped us achieve #1 for Best American Continental, 

#2 Best New American, and #2 Overall!!!!!! 

Thank you all so much for your votes over the last 5 years. 

This year, hopefully we can beat Match and claim #1 OVERALL!!! 

In the past, we have also ranked in Best Service, Best Wine List, 

Best American, and Best Lunch (Abbondanza).

Thank you for your years of continued support!

Alex, Jamie and the Rest of the BONDA Staff

Please also support our friends (if you have been there) at the Fountainhead (Wine Shop), Robert's (Men's Store), Arogya, Charged! (Personal Training), Fat Cat Pizza Pie Co., Fat Cat Joe, Pasta Nostra, Valencia, Zole and Paci.

New Oregon Pinot For the Wine List

At the Mackin Tasting at BONDA, we had a bottle of 2006 Belle Pente Pinot Noir Dundee Hills as the 10th or so vino. Rob said it wasn't showing that well due to shock and time in bottle. I ordered a case anyway as he practically sold out of it before it came into the state.

Off the cork, it was like strawberry wine - super light and fruity. Then it went through a skanky dark period of muck. I made a skirt steak and veggie stir fry (marinated in soy sauce, ginger, honey, balsamic, onions, and chinese 5 spice). The steak made the wine sing, bringing out medium tannins, bright fruit and that Oregon depth I love. It still has a bit of funk, which is odd for Belle Pente. Usually their wines are floral and reserved.

After two hours, it was still kicking, with a little RS build up. I think it is a little too young, but I was anxious to try it again.

When I first tried Brian's (I think that is his name) wines, we had a tasting at BONDA with he and Joe Davis from Arcadian. I said "How can you do this? Joe's wines blow Belle Pente out of the water!" Rob said that others said the same thing in reverse! Over the four years since then, I have grown to love Belle Pente. The wines need more time in the bottle, and are a bit young when released, but give them a year and they will reward you plenty. The '04 Murto Vineyard is prime right now, and we plowed through about a case of 2005 Belle Pente Vineyard Chardonnay at my house last year.

I believe this is the first production of the "Dundee Hills" designate for BP. The AVA is only two or three years old in the Willamette Valley - I think the wine was just Willamette before. J. Christopher, Cameron, and I think Patty Green all have wines with the same title, so it is a good boat to be in. I don't remember the price, but I believe it will go on the list for $45 or so. A fair price in my book, although I am going to hold off for a little while to put it on the list at BONDA.

Upcoming Fountainhead Wine Tasting Dinner

On Wednesday, Mike came by the restaurant to taste us on the wine that he and Mark chose for our final Wine Tasting Dinner with the Fountainhead. Not final as in ever, but the end of our triumvirate of the winter. We are ending it with Fountainhead Selections: wines that they import and have a relationship with the vintners. It is always a fun dinner as there are many stories about the soil, climate and temperment of the winemakers.

We started off with a 2005 Schueller (one of my favs) Pinot Gris Reserve (we will serve the 2002 Uncle Leon Reserve, but it only comes in Mags). As usual, this wine did not disappoint. Notes of honeysuckle with a touch of sweetness and a bit of viscosity. Jamie thought a good pairing would be Roasted Cauliflower with an anchovy dressing (a nod to Pasta Nostra's classic dish).

Next up was 2005 Schueller Pinot Noir Lot #12. We had the '04 for New Year's Eve and it rocked. The '05 was a little less funky, but still had a little stink, with muted fruit and a soft finish. Mike thought it might still be a little shocked as it has only been in the country for 3 weeks. I thought a nice veggie moroccan stew over cous cous. The cumin would really bring out the spice in the wine.

From Southern Rhone, 2005 Dom. Rabasse Charavin - a fantastic wine for the price. I thought we should keep it simple with a cheese plate, toasted fruit bread and a white raisin relish.

2001 Dom. Piaugier Reserve Alphonse Vautour was next. Mike is really pulling out all the stops. A nice leg of lamb would support this great wine.

As the final red, 2003 Dom. Berthoumieu "L'Argelis", a Tennat from 100 year old vines in Madiran. I thought this was going to be big and bold, but it was more supple, like a fine tuned Bordeaux. Mike has been bugging me to make a Cassoulet for one of these tastings and I have always declined - too much work! But after tasting this wine, it deserves a Cassoulet style dish.

If you want to make a reservation for the wine tasting dinner, please email bondarestaurant@hotmail.com and I will contact you if space is available.