I spent the first week of the new year spitting wine. Okay I did DRINK some but my main task for the week was to sniff, swirl and SPIT as I was among 59 other wine professionals gathered to judge the 2011 San Francisco Chronicle wine competition. SFC is one of my favorites to judge as the quality of the wine is equally matched by the hosts, back room staff and fellow judges.

This year was a doozy. Over 5000 entries from all over the US. That meant three days of nearly 180 wines to judge each day. But by night, it was time to SIP. The midweek judges dinner was hosted by Clos Du Bois winery in Sonoma county. We dined in the barrel room. The CDB folks moved thousands of barrels, draped the ceiling with gauze and let the games begin. It was cold. VERY cold as barrel room temp is usually 50 plus the outside doors were open so ambient temp of 38. But the food and wine and friendship helped to warm our taste buds if not our toes.

Here is a recap of the wine and food:

2009 Clos du Bois Pinot Grigio-light refreshing with citrus zing. Turns out they blend in a bit of Sauvignon Blanc. This was served along with the following unique bite size appetizers:

Waldorf Salad-Rice noodle wrapped around arugula with pomegranate seeds on top. Wacky and wonderful. The spicy arugula and sweet, tart pomegranate cleansed the palate.

Lobster Agnoni-Rich and filling. A lobster chunk in arborio rice ball. Bit of fontina cheese in there too. Oh my.

Goat cheese puffs-1/4 tsp of goat cheese in a literal poof of puff pastry with a curly que of orange zest. Nummy nibbles and perfect pairing with the pinot grigio.

2008 Calcaire Chardonnay, Russian River Valley $30-oaky, buttery, subtle pear and vanilla with smooth finish.

Creamy chowder of crab & chanterelle mushrooms in puff pastry bowl.

Baby greens with citrus sections, crabmeat, and radishes.

Clos du Bois Chef Jesse McQuarre loves his puff pastry-the chowder was dense and creamy and WARM! (We wanted more to dip our toes in to. . . ) The baby greens with pieces of ruby red grapefruit, oranges, radishes was bitter and sweet.

2007 Sonoma Reserve Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast $22-earthy, dark red fruit in this easy drinking dry red wine.

The second course consisted of Kikuza squash with wild huckleberries and duck confit. Am not a fan of duck but my table mates said it was very tender. Am a fan of squash and the swoosh of kikuza was nutty, buttery and topped with the dark fruity huckleberries made a tasty pairing with the pinot noir.

2006 Marlstone Meritage Alexander Valley $50-rich bold blend of red grapes. Packed with flavors of dark fruit, chewy tannins ready to drink NOW

The main course was a creative combo of flavors and textures.

Black truffle pomme dauphine-deep fried twice baked mashed potato was excellent. Creamy spinach with cheese was another tender crisp deep fried ball of flavor. Roast baby carrots were sweet and tender crisp. A NY Strip steak was medium rare.

2009 Riesling California $10-soft apricot, white peach. Off dry. great aperitif.

Dessert! Ginger ice cream that didn't melt due to the freezer like temps of the barrel room was perched on puff pastry and drizzled with caramel & cinnamon apples.

www.closduboiswinery.com