California comfort

I have to share the wonderful wine evening my hubby and I had last night.  We went to one of the monthly wine dinners at Flemings in Mclean.  Last nights motif was California Comfort Cooking.
It was a four course dinner complimented with wines chosen by the sommelier.  It's a bit pricy, but more food and wine than you can eat or drink.
I can usually hold my own when it comes to drinking and know when to say when.  Well...not last night!  I was a total die hard.  I'm embarrassed to admit, but I didn't want to leave and I got just plain old drunk.
Wine drinking is a beautiful thing, but being wine drunk is a terrible hangover and one that I typically do not allow to occur.  By the time we got home, I actually felt nauseous.  Luckily for me, I did not get sick and made it through the night ok.  My hangover was compounded by the fact I had to get up early  this morning.  Oh well.  Lessons learned and all is well.
Back to Flemings.  We had a great time and all the wines were Napa Valley and quite nice.  The first wine was served with the appetizers and was a 2008 Merryvale, Napa Valley Starmont Chardonnay.  Very slightly oaky, tart and crisp.
The second came with the salad and was a 2007 Shafer, "Relentless" Syrah.  I liked this one, my hubby didn't care for it.  But, I already had a wine glow and was loving everything by this time.
The third wine of the evening was a 2008 Chappellet Mountain Cuvee and was served with the entree of boneless beef short ribs.  It was nice with a big flavor like a cabernet, which I'm sure it was part or mostly all cabernet.  As a side note, a cuvee is a blend.  Actually, it's a French wine term that can also refer to a higher quality vat or tank that the wine is stored in.  Ya gotta love those French words.  We have "high quality vat".  They have cuvee. (koo-vay).
And finally, we had a 2007 Brazin Lodi Zinfandel.  I have to be honest.  I don't even remember this one.  I have a vague recollection of the server setting a glass of wine beside the Black Magic Cake (yes - it's chocoate) that was served for dessert.  But other than that, I can't remember anything that differentiated it from the other 2 reds.
The evening was nice.  We went with a friend and sat with 2 others couples.  Theres nothing like wine to get conversations flowing.  The atmosphere was nice and the staff very attentive, from the moment we walked in.
So, I would highly recommend a Flemings wine dinner.  But, next time, I will definitely not drink as much.  Then, maybe I can remember all the wines.
Next week, will be my own California comfort. My daughter and I are off to San Diego for a week to celebrate life, so Thursday's blog will most likely be on a California wine.  We are leaving my hubby and son to fend for themselves.
Until then -  Cheers!!