Dinner and Wine at Del Frisco's Grille

Had dinner at Del Frisco's Grille Friday night which just has fantastic food.  I love to eat dinner there but that place is LOUD.  I wish they would put something on the walls to mute things a bit because it is very hard to carry on a conversation anywhere in that place.  (The food still rocks.)

They have an infused pineapple vodka martini that is nothing short of dangerous.  I drank 2 of them.  

The wine list had changed a bit so I took time to review before dinner.  I could not believe it when I saw a Gargiulo Merlot on the list.  I have NEVER seen Gargiulo on a restaurant menu.  It's a very small production winery that sits next to Screaming Eagle vineyards.  If you're fortunate enough to schedule a tasting, you'll have an amazing view from their patio while you sample their terrific red wines.  We ordered a bottle and it was as good as I remember.  I wish they carried Gargiulo Cabernet but I'll settle for the yummy Merlot.  (You can read my review of Gargiulo here).

Word is they are going to add some pizazz to their wine by the glass list in the next few week.  I'll have to stop back by and see if they can surprise me again.  

Garguilo Vineyards

Gargiulo Vineyards is adjacent to the Screaming Eagle property so we were very excited to try their wines.

We sat on the patio overlooking the vineyards. It's a lovely place to hang out and drink exceptional wine.

We tasted the following:

2008 575 OVX G Major 7 Study Cabernet Sauvignon - 652 case production

2008 Money Road Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon - 982 case production

2008 Money Road Ranch Merlot

2009 Aprile Super Oakville Red - 934 case production (96% Sangiovese, 4% Cabernet)

All of the wine was spectacular but the G Major 7 was out of this world. This wine is so fabulous and in such demand that you are limited to purchasing 3 bottles. We were lucky they had a small amount left that we could buy. Needless to say, I'm jealously guarding the G Major 7 now resting comfortably in my wine refrigerator.

Here are the tasting notes:

G Major 7 Study Cabernet Sauvignon is blended from selected fruit off the 575 ovx vineyard and is named after a classic jazz guitar chord. Like its namesake, it is composed of four of the five classic Bordeaux varietals, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petite Verdot and Merlot. G Major 7 is highly nuanced and provides a profound sense of elegance and complexity, changing with every swirl and sip. The nose reflects subtle floral notes, which develop into deep, crushed berry and earth flavors on the palate. Its tannins are refined and seamlessly integrated. The aging potential is 25 plus years.

• Oakville Appellation
• Single estate vineyard: 575 ovx
• Composition of the blend varies by vintage, but typically is: 85 percent Cabernet Sauvignon; 12 percent Cabernet Franc, 2 percent Petite Verdot, 1 percent Merlot
• Produced from four separate vineyard blocks in Eastern Oakville's red rocks
• 22 months in medium toast French barriques: 90 percent new